2nd Obstruction: Flip Flop House ....The Beginning

The Process:

After building 10 models with columns/piers. I don't know think I can build another one...BUT the end results was awesome. You can definitely see the minor changes that has completely change the final model. I won't say it's complete different, but the alignment and form had changed.

Final Result:

Left to right (First Scheme - top and Second Scheme - bottom)
*Still having trouble with locating the pool...should it go on top of the roof like my 1st obstruction or underground?

Final Model

After building and seeing the 3D model, I can see certain spaces that could of been slimmer. I like the spaces that I've created because even though it's slim, it has this spacial quality (from the use of windows).

I am happy with the result and especially after Professor Fenske said she could image living in the slim building I created. Also I had a feeling the vaults was going to be a major factor when I decided to remove it for the final. Would I go back in time to add it to my model? Maybe.

Here's images of my final model: (repetition, symmetrical, but not quite)


Side View:

Final Drawing Process

Just completed my 3 page of drawings. If I have time, I would like to go back to touch up and detail the drawings. Feels great to finish one task!

Pre-Planning Layout

I don't really like large amount of white spaces, so I want to pre-plan my layout to take up the space as much as possible. I'll fill them in with sections, elevations, details of the "Slim" building.

My first attempt was to use a verticals and horizontal format, like a grid. My final thought on it is that it's too boring. No excitement and too plain. I want the draws to flow and excite my audience. Here's my pre-plan of what I am going with. Some drawings are missing because I have not yet draw them...still in the process to complete them.

Layout of plans

A dash of this! A dash of THAT!

So now that I have 2 plans that I really like I am going to add what I like and dislike about each one.
1st - I'm going with the long, vertical and horizontal circulation
2nd - Roof top pool and slide
3rd - Green roof *which I split into two separate spaces: terrace and roof garden
4rd - Possible ceiling roof

I know I left out the hinged doors, but I think I can forget about that idea for now and try to mass this building first. I'll come come back to this idea later.

Updated floor plans:


Sections: *they're similar because this is just a section of looking at opposite ends from the biggest space *livingroom

Some of my ideas that popped up while constructing these plans: 

(Left) Circulation walls (Right) Vaults only occurring at the circulation spaces

Let's begin Planing!

I decided to combine 2 of my scheme together...but I have not officially put them into play yet. For example, the hinged doors and the vaulted ceiling. I've developed two new floor plans that is the definition of "thin" to me. I looked at John Hejduk, an American architect's work for inspiration. One such work that was similar to mine was the Gunn House Project, but the one project I found that I felt was most similar to my ideas is the Extension House Project.

Extension House Project:



My 1st plans: *This is the plan I've develop that is similar to the Gunn House * ALSO...it's my favorite between the 2 I came up with. 



My 2nd plans: *Don't like...but I did like the roof top pool idea...I'm going to keep that!


I created a little chart that would help me visually see the square footage of each program:

3 Scheme - Villa Sarabhai on a Diet

Villa Sarabhai original is wide and flat. In the 3 schemes I've came up with, I kept in mind how I can make it slim and tall. I also kept 3 feature that I felt most define what Villa Sarabhai is:
vaults
pivot door
swimming pool
green roof

In the 1st scheme: Pivot doors influenced

 In the 2nd scheme: Brick vault influenced

In the 3rd scheme: Applying both vaults and pivot doors

One of my original idea, but it's not the one...

Booklet - Being Creative

While producing the booklet, I wanted to keep it short and simple. I felt it's a good way to hook my readers by providing them with information that I've found interesting on the building. When crafting the booklet, I've wanted readers to feel as though they are walking into the house and out of the house. It's like a virtual tour but in 2D form and with more information. I used 1 sheet of 11" x 17" paper to construct the booklet...but I believe for the final, I'll like to add more detail/pages.

Model Making

The model appears simple to build from the exterior view....but it's quite complicated when it has brick vaults as ceilings. My impression was that Le Corbusier added these brick vaults as a traditional  Indian touch to the modern building because it was his concept he wanted to achieve. I think he did an awesome job of mashing the two together.

<-Ground up: Concrete slab, finish tiles, bearing walls, concrete beam (I believe this concrete beam is for aesthetic purpose and not for structure), brick vaults.

<-Final model : I added vaults to the model as well (which you can not see from this image - will update with image soon). I added it in because it's what make Villa Sarabhai interior space special. Other than that I enjoy making the slide! Best and most exciting exterior feature!

First Assignment - Recreate

The original floor plans and sections was very hard to read without referencing back to photos because it lacked line-weights and depth. Now I can understand what my past/present professors' frustration was when they said, "I can't read your plans". It makes a whole lot of sense now! 

<-This was my take on it. First I drew all the lines with pencils. As you can see, they all look the same until a dark color (pen) was applied to the drawing. 

After redrawing the plans and sections in a way I can read it, I can finally analyze what Le Corbusier work is about. 

What I see:

1. Alignment

2. Repetition

3. Patterns

Virtual Tour of Villa Sarabhai
Here's a video tour of villa Sarabhai. Sadly, I could not find a video tour of the actual house. But the virtual tour does help gives you a sense of it's environment In my perspective, pictures of the actual home was more interesting and I believe it capture the building's details better than the virtual tour.