Blog: Week 8 | Material Expression

PROPOSE | Developing Details

"Certainly architecture is concerned with much more than its physical attributes. It is a many layered thing. Beneath and beyond the strata of function and structure, materials and texture, lie the deepest and most compulsive layers of all." - Charles Correa

Body and Materiality

1. Can the chosen area represent atmospheric aspirations for the project? (Writing, drawing, making)

I believe the seating design is an accurate representation of my overall scheme, as it is inspired by natural forms alongside the utilisation of natural materials. It has complexity to it so it is something that I can explore in a good amount of detail. The reception desk is an area I am interested in creating an atmospheric/perspective drawing of, as I will be able to express different materials in effective ways.

2. How might details achieve continuity with making /alteration materials and processes?

The details I have chosen relate to prior investigations within this module, as they both apply natural materials - which I focused on in weeks 1 and 2 via the investigation of clay and foliage. This is something that I have been interested in pursuing throughout the majority of this process, as this is a sustainable choice, which also contributes to the organic atmosphere that I am looking to achieve. The natural materials that I want to explore within my details are: timber; bamboo; foliage.

Investigating the use of rubber at the Georges restaurant in week 5 has influenced my choice of material within my treehouse-like forms, although this is not actually featured within my area of focus. I can apply my knowledge from week 6 research of fabrics to my bespoke seating, as this will work well within my sculptural leaves due to its lightweight and malleable properties.

3. Consider the interface from body to building: What are the potential connections between body and material?

The body will interact with the bespoke seating as this is where people will sit and eat using the integrated table. The counter at reception is also something that the body will interact with, staff in particular. Visitors are also likely to touch it upon arrival. Because of this, I am looking to create interesting textures which also represent my scheme well.

Model Exploration

In order to explore my bespoke seating in 3D, I began by making a flower form out of cardboard. I drew this out and cut it to size. Next, I added lines which met in the middle to indicate where I should fold the petals upwards, and made small cuts towards the centre. I then folded these in on themselves and defined the crease lines. After unfolding this, I created a hole in the centre to mimic the structural column, and punctured a hole in the flower so that this could pass through the material. Lastly, I cut a circle to create a table like form, in which I punctured a hole and placed underneath the flower shape. I liked the overall effect of this result, so I decided to continue with it in further detail.

These are some photos that I took to document the process of exploring my bespoke seating in 3D form.