Computer Science vs Architecture

Thesis B.Arch 2015 Virginia Tech

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 204 Monday 14 March 2016 3:05pm

I have to make my thesis book. It kind of sucks because I now have to split my time/attention between my actual thesis building, a thesis book, interviews/job applications, my other classes, hackathons, and my own programming projects. I mean, I could cut out a few of those things, but you see, it is this combination of things that has been accelerating me through the whole post-grad job acquisition thing. You see, I just had a Skype interview (well actually, it was an interview via Go To Meeting) with LPA inc. They really liked me. In fact, they are going to fly my out to California to meet with others in person! LPA inc. is significant because they designed the Blizzard Entertainment headquarters. That is so important. A game dev company headquarters!!! So that's really the best thing about LPA. Oh and it's in California. And California is great because of the culture, but I don't like California because of the cost of living. It's insane. I'm still trying to decide if it's worth it. Anyways, the interview with them today went very well. However, on Wednesday and Thursday I have an interview with Intel. The one on Thursday is for a position in Colorado. The one on Wednesday is for a position working on the ux/ui for Intel Studio XE. While all this is fine and well, I still need to make a big push with my thesis. I haven't touched it at all. I spent all of Spring Break last week working on an app and working on a C++ project. I'll definitely plan to be in studio tonight to work on the book and stream on Twitch as well.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 171 cont. 6:26pm

This week I started streaming on Twitch while I work. It all started over the weekend. I believe it was Saturday night. My friend and I decided to stream together once a week. So I made a channel dedicated to us streaming. However, after our Saturday night stream, I spent all of Sunday creating a Twitch account for me to stream myself while I do my studio work. Honestly, I wouldn't have been able to create 3 versions of my building in 2 days if it weren't for the fact that I was streaming it the whole time. It seems I've found a recipe for productivity. It's as if the internet is holding me accountable for getting my work done. I really like that. I also like that the viewers have so much positive feedback. This is so exciting!

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 171 Wednesday 10 February 2016 4:24pm

Looking at my plan, section, elevations, etc I'm noticing that in plan, it is all rectilinear. However, in all the other views, it's very curvilinear. I guess that makes sense considering that we are more likely to feel the curves when they are on the vertical axis.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 170 Tuesday 9 February 2016 3:00pm

Today I pin up my work in front of my class. I'll cover the following topics: As part of my top-down method, I ask myself "where" not "what" Stairs hold electrical Stairs are structural Stairs provide some enclosure Stair vaults create spaces Stair connects all sides and levels Structure holds water drainage Structure continues the enclosure

My professor really likes everything so far. After saying that I was going to focus the computing/sensor/wiring details in the stairs, he stopped me and said that he absolutely agreed with my decision. I was so happy inside. Like, the fact that he stopped me after my first sentence to give me affirmation was such a good sign. Anyways, I said that the stairs were a good place to put those things because stairs exist in the x, y, and z plane. This means that sensors would get a solid 360 degree coverage. Also, stairs are continuous. I'd have one complete zone of total connectedness. I'm specifically using vault stairs. This type of stair is important because it can provide structure, enclosure, and habitable space. This also means that my stair details are going to be savage. I hope to finish this building design before the week ends and then work on the construction drawings for the stairs. I'm actually very excited about that. I'm getting so much closer to the computational element of my thesis.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 164 cont. 4:06pm

I'm noticing a few more things in this model. First of all, I've moved away from the standard floor plan massing model approach. I am now adding curvilinear elements that are similar to the 3D printed parts I have. This is only because I made a happy accident. Not because I'm blatantly disregarding the rules I set for myself. I saw this new opportunity and I'm taking it. I'm very impressed with the results so far. The structural members look a lot like wires. I think if I start using those to make the connectivity look more appealing, I will find a way to integrate the wires better that will follow the visual language of these structural members.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 164 cont. 2:16pm

Due to a miscommunication, the guest professor won't be here to critique my work until one week from today. I dodged a bullet, but at the same time, I really did need that push to create a large amount of work. I will have another late night on Friday or sometime this weekend since I won't be going out of town for a hackathon for the first time this semester. Soylent is probably the only thing keeping me healthy right now. My professor came by my desk a few moments ago. It was clear that he really enjoyed our discussion yesterday. I have to admit, I smile when I think about it now. He said the correlation made yesterday between my project and the Villa Savoye would make for a good intro to my thesis book. This brings into question whether or not I should be bold and submit my "diary" format thesis, or if I should take the traditional route and submit it as a regular book like everyone else. You know, after having thought through that sentence, I can already tell which version of my thesis book I'm going to go through with. Besides, the alternative would not make me happy in the slightest. Am I gambling with my grade/graduation? Probably...funny how even with that at stake, I still can't help but to follow my heart. ...Wow, that was so cliche....

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 164 cont. 3:34am

I'm done. I can't stay awake anymore. I have half of a building and I have the basic outline of a site section.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 164 Wednesday 03 February 2016 2:27am

I see some more similarities between my first iteration and my last semester work. I have the curvilinear elements above and below the plane on which the computational element inhabits. The same is true in regards to my detail model on my desk. Intel Edison in the middle, 3D printed elements around it.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 163 cont. 11:42pm

Alright, I'm starting to lose focus. This is the first wall I've hit tonight. I am going to see about stimulating my senses with a Twitch stream, a Monster energy drink and walking around the studio for a bit. Perhaps some push-ups. I've got to get this building finished, the site plan finished, the site section finished, and all printed for tomorrow. Not to mention, I've got Mirror Worlds work from 9am to noon. I told a friend of mine I'd stream on Twitch with her that night too. Wow, this is going to get very interesting. It's way easier to stay awake for a hackathon than it is to stay up in studio.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 163 cont. 11:17pm

One fifth of the way into this design and I realize that it is too big. Not in an outlandish sense. It's just bigger than what I wanted it to be. However, If I am to complete this within a reasonable time, I have to refrain from micro editing...I'll finish it first, then make another pass at it later this week.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 163 cont. 10:22pm

Turns out, those concept graphics were a good exercise. I have been working on a floor plan and I realized that I'm visually mimicing what my subconscious is trying to convey. As of now, I have the fire pit as a radial center of the site, but as I move towards the interior of the building, the computing core acts as the radial center. This is incredible. In the great outdoors, the fire will always be at the center, but in a thermally controlled environment/infrastructure, the technology rules.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 163 Tuesday 02 February 2016 9:35pm

Today we had a pin up with our thesis group. And towards the end, my professor and I were having a discussion about Le Corb's Ville Soyve. I asked him if anyone lived there. He said it was only inhabited for 5 years before they couldn't stand it anymore. I asked why we praise a building that isn't even habitable. He then goes on to discuss how the composition, structure, etc. was the antithesis of everything that came before it. It is an example of how Le Corb used the modern technology to make a new architecture that was never seen before. It was the experiment. It came first. So after he explained it that way, I had a greater appreciation for it. I was originally totally opposed to everyone glorifying it because of the fact that it didn't do what it was supposed to do as a "home." How can it be called a great home if no one wants to live in it? Well, now I have respect for it. I personally am not a fan because it isn't my style, but I do like that it was driven by the new technologies. My professor then compared me to Le Corb saying that I was doing the same exact thing but with this new computing technology. That was actually a low key compliment and I love him for that. I am in studio now. I'm going to stay here all night and I am not leaving until I have a completed first iteration of a building. I have a presentation tomorrow with one of the professors in the art department. He specializes in video games, animation, and 3d modeling/rendering. So this should be quite interesting. I've worked with him before and sat in a decent number of his classes. I'm very excited for his input and I really want to make a good impression.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 159 Friday 29 January 2016 11:05am

The Mirror Worlds project has been adding more and more hardware to the building. My building needs to include large wall cavities (possibly porous) that will be able to allow for installing many devices that can project onto and receive data from the adjacent spaces.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 158 Thursday 28 January 2016 2:33pm

If a “thinking” building emphasizes the long lifespan of buildings (the amount of data accummulates over time and increases the building’s value), this

means that we need to build buildings that are meant to last. Few

changes would need to be made to the infrastructure over time to

ensure the technology and data collection remains. I should research

the satellites orbiting space and how they are maintained. Not just

those, but any structure built with the intent to last with minimum

alterations whose main function is to gather data but still have the

ability to be inhabited comfortably.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 156 cont. 3:52pm

So I just finished presenting. It wasn't too terrible. I told him I was

printing today, but actually, I have class in an hour. Then after-school

obligations. I guess I should print something and not get hung up on

the fact that I can't guarantee that my lineweights will be correct the

first time around. I just need to sit down with an Autocad manual

and get the plotting correct the way I did during my internship with

Build with Prospect. Actually, that's a great idea. I should establish

the line weights and colors using the manual. I'll have to see if there's

an Autocad 2016 manual online that addresses the plotter settings.

Or maybe I'll have to find the Autocad 2010 manual online like the

one we had in the office. Or maybe it doesn't matter which manual I

use. Was it an Autocad manual? Or was it an architectural drafting

booklet that had a section dedicated to Autocad preferences.

Anyways, I came to some realizations during my presentation. I told

them that I was doing the traditional architecture thing and analyzing

the site. I also said that i was designing with the intention to find the

best locations for sensors/how to house them. I then touched on the

subject of how the building will increase in value if it has this data

collection in place. Especially with the existence of data mining, data

science, and machine learning.

I'm bound to have something physical to present this Tuesday from

2:00pm till 3:30pm. I have to anyways...

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Day 156 Tuesday 26 January 2016 2:41pm

My thoughts during the first thesis pin up with my studio this

semester:

I need to make up some lost ground. I don't have anything to show for this pin up. Luckily it seems that I'm going last, so I'll have time to collect my

thoughts.

First, I need to break this down and ask myself what it is I need to

do/focus on in order to have a clear path towards a finished product:

who is it for? what do they do there? what can it provide that the nearby cabin cannot? why is it important?

the road separates their land. perhaps this can be an attempt to unify

the two sides.

bring attention to the other side of their land.

water activities are possible due to the adjacent creek.

a safer campsite from animals because of human activity on the

nearby road.

satellite location/an experiment because of the technology present.

guest house for older kids when they marry/visitors.

address both sides of the road and the fact that there's no actual

walkway or path by creating a sidewalk/point of entry and exit  on

both sides of the road.

Having the building near the road is great for the sake of construction

and the access that machinery needs to get to the site.

Process: site scale, down to building scale. First semester started small with the hopes of working outward. what

resulted was the realization that the possibilities are endless and I

gained a large collection of smaller projects. Starting big and working

down, will give me the constraints needed to narrow down those

many possibilities and when I have finally reached human scale, the

smaller projects will help with detailing and wrapping up the project.

It could be a “tree house.” Stone below, wood above. Wide base sprawling to form paths and a fire pit. Narrow super

structure made of wood (primarily) forming the rooms.

Keep in mind, that it should not be claustrophobic.   It will have 2 rooms. The bottom floor will be open.

fire pit steps up into the main floor.

Boating area steps up into firepit area which steps up into main floor.

I need to keep in mind that there is a technological center/core.

[mfdesign-thesis-b-arch-blog]

Douglas Rushkoff says to understand a world increasingly run by programs and fill a desperate need for code-literate workers, we should be learning computer coding along with our arithmetic

Day 150 Wednesday 20 January 2016 2:11pm

I don’t usually post articles on this blog. That’s usually saved for my personal blog: http://4real-thistime.tumblr.com/

However, this article is very eloquently explaining all the reasons why my thesis is what it is. It clearly explains my frustrations. It reinforces every decision I’ve made in regards to my thesis. 

Many people question why I’m in architecture and not computer science. Well, first of all, I didn’t know much about computer science upon graduating high school. I only knew design and construction in the physical/tangible world. It wasn’t until I made Computer Science major friends that I started seeing what exactly they do. Secondly, this quote from this article will also be a huge eye opener: 

“Learning code is not about numbers and mathematics. It's more like architecture, where you are presented with a puzzle problem such as ‘How do we get all these cars from this highway to that one without having to build a bridge across this river or putting an overpass next to the hospital?’”

So yes, It makes sense why I chose an architecture major. The concepts are in line with my interests (designing structures which work within a specific context and serve a specific purpose, all while keeping in mind human interactivity). Unfortunately, the petty politics and the fact that it’s basically a “pay to win” sport are pushing me away. Of course, I didn’t know the downsides of it until after I spent 5 years doing it. To be honest, I don’t know how else I would have come to this realization otherwise.