Dwell - Mara Clara House! (Sketches and Plans)

SCRAP

 1ST FLOOR

2ND FLOOR  

BINARIES

LOVE - HATE (strongest)

HONEST - LIAR (additional binary) 

PLANS FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE 1ST FLOOR 

Tree house - Break loose from reality.

A tree house is a structure that is constructed on, together or with the branches, the trunks and the tree as whole. It is can be place for exhibition, work area, leisure area, a dwelling place or even a place where one can be alone and meditate. In some places, parents build tree houses for their children. It is a place where they can stay and play. It is a place for them to be themselves without thinking about what their parents might think about. It is one way of getting away from the rule, from the stress, from everything. My understanding of a tree house is a place where one can meditate and live but not permanently.

Searching for a concept is the most difficult part for me. First I thought about a hot air balloon because I wanted to give the feeling of being on top in my tree house. 

Second, the beehive, I actually created the hexagon shape known from the bees but it ended up looking like a turtle shell which is not related to a tree.

On my third attempt I thought of a cocoon, but I was not really sure of it. I found out that all of my concepts are taken already that's why I thought of other stuff like, an ant, a bug, an owl, a nest of a bird and a monkey.

 

            
 

Upon doing my research about monkeys, I found a very interesting thing about them, specifically the Vampire Monkey’s nest.

The Vampire Monkeys are very unique because they are the only monkey specie that produces this kind of nest. Their nests are made up of sand, twigs and their own saliva. It looks like a cocoon but this nest is harder.


In my tree house, I want to create the feeling of being in a retreat. I want it to be place where one can meditate. I want it to be a place where one can forget everything in life except for just being able to appreciate life. I do not want it to be a place to procrastinate but I want it to be place without disturbance, relaxing and calm feeling and just to get away from everything negative I want a part of my tree house to hang just like nest. I also like my exterior to look hard yet be able to give an enveloping feeling inside. 
 

ARCDES1 - Manifesto (Updated)

Building houses and structures, sketching and technical drawing, theories and designing are the first things that came into my mind when I first heard about architecture without having much information about it. Architecture is important to give safety and satisfaction to the people who are going to use it. As I learn, I believe that architecture is the art and science of designing.  Some say it is the mother of all arts; it’s true, because it deals with everything about arts; arts in motion or arts in stationary. I also learned that it is a study that combines arts, science and commerce; I think it’s a compilation of all fields and professions studied all in one; from engineering to science to arts. Now, I assume that communication is one of the core aspects in architecture. In order to gain knowledge, we must communicate. We learn from the architect with experiences that contributes ideas in to our minds. For example, from the architect to the reader to another person and it will spread, that is communication. When we design, we also communicate with the people who critique it. I found out furthermore that in designing, there is an appropriate design process to follow in order to do it well. We need to explore first the theories for it to help us enhance our skills in designing and planning. For me, technology is also one core aspect in architecture. As it progresses, the design possibility of an innovative design to be built also advances.

In my life, I have encountered a lot of problems already, and all I can say is “Everything happens for a reason”. I believe that one thing happens because destiny has a motive behind it. In everything that happens in our lives, we never fail to ask “why?” and to that question is an answer that only we can answer. It’s like a mystery that one will find out when one truly puts effort and patience just to achieve the true meaning and reason behind it. This saying made me a stronger person and made me think positively. I never thought that it can be applied in architecture. I was able to explore much from the manifestos of the famous architects that I was able to interpret that saying into architectural perspective. Designing for me before was just getting an idea from a prototype or a finished work and just improving it, putting more details and doing a little bit revision. Now, it is my life philosophy and I understand that there is a reason behind everything I do, say or design. Translating it in to my architectural design philosophy, I realized that whenever I create something, I always look for a reason behind it. For example, there’s a purpose why I communicate with my clients and that is in order for us to understand each other and to be able to agree with our own ideas. The final outcome which my client and I agreed upon is our medium to express what we want to say to the critiques. Another translation I thought of was all of my designs have an appropriate function. Some say that the Eiffel Tower is not architecture because it does not have a function. I respect everybody’s perspective in life, but for me, it does have a function. Although French didn’t like it when it was first built, now they will lose a huge part of the distinction of their country if they take it out. Paris will just be Paris without the Eiffel Tower.  I don’t want to label myself as a functionalist but when I design I always think of “what am I designing for?” I could not start with my work without knowing my design purpose. I agree with the process of form follows function. For me to reach my satisfaction when designing, it wouldn’t be complete without the use of colors, like post modernism. The world is slowly sinking and I also want to help improve the environment. I want to design stunning edifices that can also help save our planet. I can say that as a designer, I can be a post-modernist functionalist environmentalist. I guess I still have to discover my path to be able to find my own distinctiveness.

I must say that I still like “kichi” architecture even if people say that it is not an appropriate way in designing structures. I believe that even “kichi” architecture with the use of attractive colors and eye-catching shapes gives sublime feeling to those who are not educated with architecture, especially the children. I first found out about “kichi” architecture because of the “Robot Building” located in Bangkok, Thailand. Some say it was “kichi”, some say it’s not. The architect, Sumet Jumsai, found his inspiration from his son’s robot toy. I couldn’t believe that it was actually a bank. He said that his client, Bank of Asia, wanted to show the modernization and computerization of banking. I still like this building despite the criticisms it had received. The post-modernism side of it gives me this blissful and sublime feeling when I see one.  I want to modify, revise and add some of my own design. Of course, designing is not all about the appearance of the edifice, but also, the function and the contribution of the structure to the world.

 Architecture is now slowly becoming my passion. As I mature from it every term, I can say that I like architecture now. I find it so nice to create structures and designing it. Everybody is unique in their own ways. From the exploration of my concept, to inception, to studying the science and possibility of my design, to organization of my thoughts and of course being able to develop my work, I will surely achieve my goal. Right now, I am unique but when I become an architect, I want to achieve it through my designs be unique and to be known in the whole world. 

The RIP Off! \:D/

1. The Louvre

 Archtect: I M Pei

The Louvre

The Louvre a pyramid shaped structure who was made by Architect I.M. Pei is outstanding because not only of its shape but also its elements that were put in to this structure. The Louvre may seem empty from the outside but it is actually a museum that houses famous works of art from around the world. The Louvre has had many controversy due to the fact it is surrounded by many old structures so what Architect I.M. Pei has done was to make the Louvre glass so that it would perceive honesty and respect so it would still remain balanced to its surroundings and somehow making the modern structure stay in context to its surroundings.

At night

Morning view of the Louvre

Inside view

Philosophy: Architecture may not always be in front of you but lies in a deeper place

Design Concept: Respect

Concept: Transparency

Working Concept: Honesty

2. The Planetarium (L’Hemisfèric) by Santiago Calatrava

The Planetarium (L’Hemisfèric)

The Planetarium (L’Hemisfèric) is a large scale urban recreation center for culture and science. The concept here is to make it look like an eye as it shows the "Eye of Knowledge". What Calatrava made was really genius because it really does look like an eye not only that but since it is a planetarium there it was called the eye of knowledge since it houses a telescope and the users who are scientists seek knowledge thus getting the name Eye of knowledge.
The best thing about this structure is that at night the planetarium would reflect making a perfect eye shaped structure scene by the picture below. I truly believe this structure is beautiful because it shows that architecture has no limits because of the human mind.

The concept of Santiago Calatrava

The Planetarium at night (side view)

The Planetarium at night (top view)

Philosophy: Alive and always a constant movement

Design Concept: Eye Lid

Concept: Movement

Working Concept: Reflection

3. National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) by the PTW Architects

National Aquatic Center (Water Cube)

The National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) is created by a team from China and a team from Sydney. They say that it's formed like a square or a cube because it's more symbolic in the Chinese culture. They also covered the cube with bubbles symbolizing water. I think this structure is very soft and smooth even though the main structure is a cube but the use of the bubble shaped addition makes it pleasing to the eyes but also gives you the big idea of the structure which is a big aquatic stadium. I believe the use of the space was good since every part of the structure was used sufficiently.

National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) at night

interior

the scale model

Philosophy: Architecture is for the love of nature

Design Concept: Water Bubble cube

Concept:Unity

Working Concept: Brainstorming; open-mindedness

GIVE ME AN INSPIRATION.

At first, I didn’t know how to start because I don’t know any architects. I admire a lot of structures, but I don’t really know who made them. As I do my research, I realized that there are more structures that are much better than what I’ve seen before. I also found out who made those structures and I also spot out some of their other works.

I got in to Architect Bernard Tschumi’s online portfolio, the very moment I got a glimpse at his works; I said to myself that I too, someday will be like him. He combined the curves, the lines and the bright colors, just like what I wanted. His work that inspired me the most was the La Roche-sur-Yon Bridge(image on the right side) he made. It was so stunning, and that very moment, I wanted to find that place and see it with my very own eyes.  

 This architect inspired me to do better and to expand my knowledge about architecture. His name is Frank Owen Gehry, I found out about him through my friend. When I did my research about him, I was all like “WOW!!”. 

The first work I saw from him was his Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic(image on the left). He was very random with his designs and I am a very random person too. I think of my designs randomly also. I never thought that such structure exists. It was also stated there that he got his ideas from a crumpled piece of paper when he created some of his greatest works; like Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.  His design that impressed me the most was the Spiral staircase in the Art Gallery of Ontario(image on the left), in Toronto that he designed. It was so unique and one of a kind. I guess he is now one of my inspirations in my designs because we both kind of have the same ideas in designing.

“It is not the right angle that attracts me, nor the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man. What attracts me is the free and sensual curve — the curve that I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuous course of its rivers, in the body of the beloved woman.” – Arch. Oscar Niemeyer

He was the first architect I found whom got my interest. It was said there that he was the one of the architects that started the curves in their designs. I saw his works and I somewhat saw what I wanted; it was spacious and exposed. I want the curves together with the straight lines. He made me realize that in architecture, nothing is impossible. 

Manifesto - Numero Uno \:D/

Architecture for me is probably a compilation of all fields and professions. In architecture, everything applies. As my professor said, it tackles science, arts and commerce. I realized that it cannot be complete without one of the mentioned, the laws of physics applies to the creation of the house to make it durable and safe. The math applies in the calculations and statistics for the measurement of the house. Arts applies is the design and lastly, commerce applies to the financial concerns. Also, my friend said that architecture is the mother of all arts, I kind of agree to it, because architecture can be designed with any kind of art. I don’t know much about it, but I’m pretty sure it’s something worth putting a lot of effort on.

Honestly, I never imagined myself being an architect; it wasn’t really on my list. Most of my friends are taking up civil engineering and architecture in different schools, when I got to see them do their work; models, all the math and science and cad; I suddenly enjoyed doing it also. My father was the one who told me that architecture is better than my previous course, that’s the main reason why I shifted. Right now, I’m starting to like it and I want to pursue it until it becomes my passion. Everybody is unique; I want to get that title when I become an architect; I want to be unique. Of course, I have my own perspectives, I like kichi architecture and I want to customize it and add some of my own style. I like modern yet cute styles of architecture. I say modern, improvised kichi, multi-colored and environmentalist architecture. I want to achieve success 10 years from now; I want to have my own name, my own title, my own company. I want to be a famous architect in a good way. I want to be remembered. I guess, that’s what I want to achieve. I will be famous, rich yet a humble architect; that’s how I see my future.

I don’t know much about the history of architecture. I haven’t even travelled out of the Luzon or even the country. Whenever I see houses, whenever I see the difference between every house, I always say to myself that, someday, I will possess one of those houses. Today, I never thought that one day, I will be the owner and the designer of the houses I see fascinating. I find the modern designed houses captivating; I see it so organized and clean, it makes me stare at it for so long. Also, I notice the colorful yet simple designs attractive. The designs that make me feel uncomfortable are the designs that appear like a haunted house. Anything that is exaggeratedly oversized and dark makes me feel scared and it makes me feel like I don’t want to go in nor design such house. Other designs that make me feel discomforts are the designs that use color too much and those colors do not match. I haven’t seen anything like that lately, and I hope that I will not see any of that in the future.