Behavioral setting final

I considered different aways to accentuate hierarchy of spaces. One of the ways I made this was by using the height of the roof. A wide, open and easy communication between "public"rooms was also employed.
I tried to make the windows facing the lake interesting in order to entice the movement towards the social areas. Here is a detailed photo:

Industrial Design

So we finally finished with our industrial design and although my original design involved a large cube that was formed by 2 solid pieces to create seats. With the material limitations and several errors on my part, I had to edit my design by cutting out the second piece from the design.

I ended up with a "L" shaped block. What I really like about of my design is that it is so versatile that the viewer has the opportunity to decide what it is for themselves. It can be a shelving system, a bench, a storage device, a way to separate plant pots by height, TV stand, etc.

The most interesting aspect of it is how I had to go about piecing it together. It was a puzzle all by itself!!!

So, the changes in my Behavioral Settings are not going well, after my TA helped with some communication aspects between the social living areas (Living, dining, and kitchen).  I'm still having issues with the communication between my public and private!! Geoff, explained me a way to find the solution but I am still trying to make it work. Maybe, I should stop trying to make my rooms face a certain direction. I keep trying to make them have a face towards the lake. Why? because i believe that seeing the sun rising and reflect on the lake would be a perfect way to start the day. I don't have and architectural reason expect for how the breeze of the lake would serve as the cooling device for the rooms.

I have figured some ways to make the changes, such as just changing the height of the roof but not actually closing the room. Also, the entrances of the bedrooms and bathrooms should not be facing the public areas. This helps to make the transition between the public and private easier ( I can´t find a better word) than making "corridors to nowhere", which I have been creating a lot and am still creating.

Need to find a better way to fix this! This is my main issue to my model and since the final is due on the 22nd, I should have a preliminary model by the end of this week.

So I'm thinking about making some major changes in my behavioral setting project. My previous designs had accomplished several thinks I like but there was still something of in how the rooms communicated with each other. It was as if everything was separate, which in a way could be a good thing but it was not what I was going for.
Maybe there is a way to use the "social areas" as a way to further emphasize the much needed communication between spaces. This would make it a lot more important to my overall objective of making the destination public. I was browsing over some designs in a website I have mentioned previously on this blog, and I came across a design which I think could help me with my problem.
 There is something very appealing to how the "H" form creates the flow as well as what is the destination aspect .  Maybe something like this is the answer to my miscommunications in my design. We'll see. Here is are some pictures for all to see!!

We were recommended at the beginning of the semester to subscribe to different Architecture websites, read books and magazines which are architecture related. I followed this advice and thanks to http://news.architecture.sk/2010 ,  a website that shows a different buildings, residences, etc I get to see a variety of architecture everyday.

This is an old one but it's a project that I really liked. The name of the project is "House in a Church" and the core idea is how the everyday life mixes with the spiritual life. One of the element that I enjoy the most is how the destination or main attraction of the house is where the altar used to be. Talk about Destination! I think this goes very well with the whole idea of the relationship between the Everyday and the Spiritual. The atrium serves as a major light source and as a form of communication between both floors.

The real communication between the everyday and the spiritual can be noted as how the house was built. The residence was essential built inside the church. The atrium serves as the interaction between what was the old church and what is the new residence. The private area of the living space (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc) is almost completely closed to this interaction except for a window that is facing the atrium space.

You can see the interaction of the spaces here

grid work!!

So this is our third week or day working on our grid drawing in our ENDS 115 class (I don't remember exactly, the days have started to blur together jaja).

We were asked to create a classical garden while paying attention to what we have learned about grids.

This is mine. I think I did pretty well. It's not finished but I thought I would get ahead since this weekend I'll be playing in San Marcos!!! BTHO Texas State Round Robin!!!

Research Symposium

So this week, we were required to attend one of the lectures of a Research Symposium presented at the College of Architecture and write in our blogs what we thought about them.

I attended two: "Computational Aesthetics" and "Managing Creative Process for Innovation" by our dean, Jorge Vanegas.

First one went over my head. I could understand why creating a system, or computer, that was able to classify aesthetics was important. However, the lecturer went from talking about this system to only talking about aesthetics. I felt like he wasn't following through with his thesis. A system such as the one mentioned, is near impossible to create since there are so many variables to consider while making an algorithm to establish what is aesthetically good or bad. The perception of the person on the receiving end varies from person to person, since no pleasure system is the same.

On the other hand, Vanegas lecture was sort of mind blowing. It wasn't anything I haven't heard of before or knew but how he presented his lecture. The way he delivered it almost seemed as if he had some kind of power over his audience and he just took over our minds to make us follow his point. It was impressive, to say the least.

 When are we most creative? I think the answer is when we are children. Think about it, we were able to imagine whole worlds while playing. Let it be with dolls, action figures, construction blocks, socks etc. We always found ways to have fun. Ow why has our creativity declined over the years? Maybe it's because the first words we hear are: "No", "Don't do that", "Stop", etc. These words make it seem as though our creative process was someting bad instead of something that needed cherishing and nurshing.
Schools wanted us to think alike so they would have to deal with people in different levels, and those who were a little more creative, who doodled on their notes, read in class, wrote or found any kind of creative outlet were shund. (or at least in some of my schools)
Despite this controlled part of our childhood, we are now expected to oversome the obstacles place before us to develop into "knowledge creators" instead of becoming cookiecutter molds of our teachers.

Some things we have to do are:

1. Remove fear. The fear we have that our ideas would be rejected has to clmpletely leave our mind. We have to forget of people's opionions and just create.
2. Innovation has to become part of our performance review. Are we groing in our creative porcess? are we using knowledge form other areas to help us create?
3. Document innovation process. This is why we have a sketch journal. Any and everythinng we find interesting should be documented. As well as the outcomes of the ideas documented.
4. Explore all possibilities.
5. Need to be aware of the environment. New trends, technologies and changes in customers mindset are to be considered.
6. Diversity in thinking experiences, styles, perspectives, etc.

If we follow this steps our generation should be able to grow in the kind of people that would make the changes in the creative department.

Behavioral setting Cont.

I wen through changes in spacing.  My bedrooms were facing north and were closed off from the lake's breeze. So basically I switched sides from south to north and vice versa. Geoff had also mentioned something about not making my angles completely arbitrary. I don't think I'm at that point yet, my angles still feel random, I have to find a way to make them meet in a certain way in order for them to have a certain structure.
I love how when you enter you are automatically facing the glass wall which allows a view to the lake. It creates focal importance and it helps with my idea of attracting the communication to the social aspect of my house. Still need to work on my roof and other things. I'll keep updating as the weeks go on!

I also have to make my windows to feel cohesive...

view from the entrance!!

Behavioral setting sketch model.

This is my behavioral setting

My core idea is how the social (specifically the area related to the sharing of food, etc) can create an ambience of familiarity with the residents. Therefore the Kitchen is the core of my design and movement revolves around that center area. Living and Dinning are connected with the kitchen and are facing the lake and outer deck.

Behavioral Setting!!

Next project up is our Behavioral Setting. We have been asinged a plot of land, which is actually owned by our professor. In this land we have to design a residence which complies with ADA regulations, weather of the area, etc. Meaning we take into account wind direction, sun placement in winter and summer (as well as its place on the sky), the lake next to the location, etc.

Geoff, our TA, gave us the advice to make diagrams which showed the way people who visit the residence to experience it.  I have had various ideas but I still believe that the perfect flow of movement is elusive to me.

Here are some of my some of my designs and diagrams:

This was to see in what relationship did I consider certain room to coexist with each other.

Final Micro Dwelling- Whistler BC

After working for a week on my Micro Dwelling project I can finally say it's finished!! not that I believe my design is at its finest point but at the moment it is the best I can do...

My setting is in Whistler, BC, Canada. A place where the highest temperature is 80ºF for only two months and the lowest being 23ºF for most of the year. Wind direction from South-West, wih high preciptation and snow.

So my design had to incorporate a way to take advantaje of this elements while also protecting it, Prospect and Refuge, I think someone called it.

I figured that since it is so cold during most of the year I would want to take advantage of the sun, therefore having openings for light was necessary . The posittion is not so much important since the sun would be doing a 180º and it would never be very hot. If rain, snow or wind come from any direction, my windows would close up and become covered by pieces that when not in use, they integrate with the façade.

Since Whistler is in the Blackcomb Mountain are, the view is the most important aspect of my design. It all about the destination. Coming in from a narrow, dimly lit corridor, the destination would be a living/dinning are with a 2-floor height, and since it faces North- West, it would have a great view of the sunset.

A rain collection system was crucial also. I cannot depend of solar power since the days are very muggy and dim. My energey would come from the rain water collected as well as the snow, which would be transformed into water by a special geothermal system connected with the house.
This system would not only keep the water from freezing, but also would serve as the main source of heat for the house. Its power would come from the water system, so the water system is autosufficient. As they say "Energy is not created, it transforms", well my energy tranforms from hidraulic to thermal and back to hidraulic to create a cycle.

Pictures posted soon...

Micro Dwelling sketches!

Having started the Micro dwelling project I personally encountered a problem. How can I decide what amenities are essential in order for my design to be self sufficient yet minimal?
I also had to design things according to the standard measurements of circulation space in living, kitchen and bathroom areas. It has been an interesting project so far. I have still to decide where in the wrold are my designs going to be, but I think that once I have the 3D models of my sketches it would be a lot easier to see...

Here are my preliminary sketches, Enjoy!

Micro Dwellings!!

After doing our first Industrial design models we are now going to move into "Micro Dwelling". First of, What is Micro Dwelling? in a short answer, micro dwelling is having a limited amount of space but at the same time having all amenities a normal sized dwelling would have.

Dr. Hill showed us a clip of Gary Chang, a Chinese architect, who in his Hong Kong apartment, had everything he needed in 344 sq. ft. All he needs to do is move a wall and he'll have a kitchen, or a TV room. If he wanted to sleep, all he did was pull his bed down from another wall. When it was daytime, he transformed the bed into a sofa. He did many other amazing things with such little space. Link to Gary Chang's "Domestic Transformer" : http://www.flixxy.com/apartment-transformation.htm

I once found an article, not of the same house/apartment, in which they talked about a prefabricated house which can also be mentioned as a Micro Dwelling example.  I'm not a big fan of micro Dwelling. Maybe because I have it in my head that in order to live in something of the like it is necessary to be organized, something which I'm not! I have also been a huge fan of space. You can never go wrong with to much space in my eyes. However, I do admire and understand the practicality of having everything one needs and wants in a small area. I also believe that it may even be the future in architecture. Now and in the future, the population of Earth is going to increase and the construction space would become very limited. Therefore many would resort into becoming "Micro Dwellers".

Exterior of a Micro Dwelling example. It consists of 3 floors.

Interior. You can also see the way the floors connect by a ladder.

I like this example because it embodies what micro dwelling can be. This design has great use of space and at the same time is unusual and unique. It reminds me if Lincoln Log houses I built as a child.  It is a loft styled design which allows the control of temperature and the façade permits a great amount of light into the dwelling. Another thing I enjoy is the how the exterior contradicts the interior. 

The façade is metal and glass. Metal is a material known to be cold but in extreme heats it expands and can be molded into any form. I believe that the metal isn't intimate. It is a material that doesnt create that "homey" feeling. On the other hand, Wood is a very cozy material. It is more natural and closer to the earth than metal, and being near raw materials helps us feel grounded and secure, it creates that "home" fealling we are searching. That is whay I like this house. On the outside it isn't very inviting except for its unsual design. While on the inside it's the exact opposite it almost invites you to explore the area while keeping you connected to yourself.

Industrial Design

“All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts, or stimulates the persons in that space.” - Phillip Johnson

As we begin our journey into the world of architecture and design, one of our first projects is to design a piece (furniture, sculpture, fixture, etc) that at the end of the semester we are to design in full scale. The quote above kinda makes sense with how we are supposed to make our designs. It has to be something that is needed, some thing that stimulates the person to either use it or to expose it to the world. It also can contain his/her world. In the case of a bookcase, if the person enjoys books, it will help contain, cherish these prized possessions.
We had to respond to the question: "What do I need?" . As soon as we began, most of the studio realized that we are in need of bookcases! I guess we made this realization after buying a lot of books this semester.

We had to design several pieces. We had to have sketches of  10 different pieces. Here are some of mine:

Left hand design is a coffee table/ chair that also has a shelf for books. The design to the right is still to be worked on. Essentially, it's a chair which, when folded, is a box. It also has a drawer to the side. Needs a lot of work.

Everyone is an Artist

Even my Mom used this book while studing for Interior Design

So, its been awhile since I last opened this book but now that I'm an architecture student I guess I'll have to open its yellowing pages once more.

Why am I posting about "Drawing from the Artist Within" by Betty Edwards? Well, as studio mates were being introduced to a world of measurements and artistry, one of the exercises we did reminded me of this book. The exercise was to draw a portrait of one or two of our fellow studio mates. Sounds simple enough but here is the catch: We weren't supposed to look at what we were drawing! In the end I believe everyone had a portrait made in true Picasso style.

To see what I'm talking about, check out these links to some of my classmates drawings:


http://loveablecorie.blogspot.com/2010/08/first-day-of-class.html
http://richiearch.blogspot.com/2010/08/blog-post.html

http://tylernagai.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-one-august-30-2010.html
http://caseyreanne.blogspot.com/2010/08/funny-continuous-line-drawings-haha.html

One of the exercises from class

From A Student's Point of View

Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life. - Henry L. Doherty

This blog is started as a project in my ENDS studio. I am required to post a blog every Monday with photos of my sketch journal. In the beginning I was very hesitant with this project. For instance, I have never been one to express my thoughts to the public, yet here I am.


Calling my blog "From a Student's Point of View" originated from this quote. I do believe that we are students throughout our lives and that we are continuously learning something.


I heard someone once say "Life is the best teacher", and now that I am in Texas A&M (WHOOP!!), I will use my time here to expand my horizons and learn from my surroundings and from classes. Sure my life is changing. I am no longer surrounded by my family but instead by my future peers. There are so many new people, experiences and opportunities waiting for me here and everywhere, and hopefully I get to enjoy everyone of them.