Pointy things.

In between jet setting across Europe, I've been devoting (some) time to my studio's proposed project for Florence, a new Mediatheque located within the walls of the Fortezza da Basso.

From the syllabus, under the guidance of Alberto Francini. //

"The new mediatheque will have to become an asset to the city at large.  Both in terms of image and functionality, it will have to become a major forum for the public life of the city.  The design will have to respond to the surrounding context in whatever way deemed appropriate by the student, who will have to support his/her own ideas through a strong design rationale.  The design of the open space has to be integrated with the design of the mediatheque and will have to appeal and respond to contemporary culture and sensibility.


Program //


Lobby / 100 sqmt.
Cafeteria + restaurant / 200 sqmt.
Bookshop / 200 sqmt.
Exhibition space (multi-use) / 200 sqmt.
Restrooms / 100 sqmt


Mediatheque / 250 sqmt.
Emerotheque (video/music) / 150 sqmt.
Library + reading halls / 400 sqmt.
Lecture hall / 400 seats
2 conference rooms / 300 sqmt.
Archives / 200 sqmt.
Storage / 100 sqmt.
Administration + services / 100 sqmt.
Management + production offices / 150 sqmt.
Restrooms / 100 sqmt.

I presented my project at its (then) current state about 3 1/2 weeks ago to a jury consisting of my studio professors and two architects from MDU architetti.  Mid-term reviews before this had always been either a) the last thing I want to do after a week of sleepless final production, or b) a chance to look back and reflect at my massive heap of half-mindless work in hopes of pushing my project forward.  This semester took an alternative route, partially because of my struggles this semester, partly because of the typically light work-load here in Italy.  Reason 1:  I haven't been doing much work.  Backbacking across Europe is way more interesting than studio right now.  Reason 2:  I threw this presentation together without much thought and had a wonderful night of sleep beforehand.  Architectural taboo.  Kick me out of the club.

That said, the project below is still in its baby stages, arriving only now at a concept model and general direction to where I want to take it (and in the last 3 1/2 weeks still hasn't pushed much further).  If you feel inclined, visit my Flickr set for more detailed explanations and to view the presentation at a higher resolution.

In the end though, the project has been well received. The only disappointment I have with that is many times reviewers at juries are more apt to criticize and put down students than become creatively involved in the intention of the project and leave one (me) without any input. So, input is encouraged.

Sketching // a progression from first to last.

I'm currently taking a sketching and drawing course here in Florence.  Freehand sketching and drawing...no straight-edge permitted.  I believe I came into this course okay at sketching, but having never devoted much time to it, I've never developed a drawing language, a style, of my own.  This course, if worth anything, is at least worth that, and I think I'm finally coming into one....or at least on my way.  

The first sketch (of the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata) was interesting.  It was our first class, and with no direction we were asked to sit and sketch.  Since class is 2 1/2 hours, I technically finished my sketch in about half the time but continued to render and render until I ended up with a fairytale-like scene of the piazza.  You learn from your mistakes.  

More to come.

Questioning the precedent.

I'm not sure that I believe in the concept of precedent studies, regardless, I was asked by my studio professor(s) to compile a study of previous architectural projects to present in class tomorrow.  Around five or so buildings would suffice.

So, here are images of my precedents.  None of them buildings.  Some more architectural than others.

 

There is a common theme of immersive, interactive environments.  The last image of the reactable is a bit redundant, but more specifically emphasizes how technology can be approached in the new mediatheque.  I think the beneficial aspect of precedents fills my head with inspiration, something I would do naturally, now it's just recorded on paper.  But studying other libraries prior to the design of our own library steps dangerously close to the copy and paste territory of ideas, as well as making me question the whole purpose of the design studio.  It should be a think lab, not a taste filter.

Here are links to the projects above >>>

Volume
Contact
Blind light
Experiencing the void
The Reactable

The sched.

Today concludes the first full week of classes here at the Palazzo de Cerchi in Florence. To allow for travel on the weekends, classes end on Thursday creating a three day weekend. My schedule is both jam-packed and quite open, since I have one lecture on Monday, a crazy day on Tuesday and Thursday, and no classes on Wednesday. BUT, most importantly, I find all of my classes to be at least mildly amusing...a big improvement compared to the unreasonable, mandatory, and technical classes of last semester (Yes, that would be Environmental Technology and Methods & Materials. And yes, I did beyond horrible in both classes.)

The schedule (roughly) is as follows >>>

Monday // 11:00 – 2:45a Forces That Shape Cities > Marcello Fantoni
Tuesday // 8:30 – 10a Basic Conversational Italian > Roberto
10 – 12p Sketching and Drawing > Sylvie
12 – 2p Italian Art from Giotto to Bernini > Rocky Ruggiero
2 – 6p Third Year Design Studio > Alberto Francini
Wednesday // nothing!
Thursday // same as Tuesday. (And yes, that leaves no time for lunch in case you were wondering.)
Friday – Sunday // romping about Europe

Other classes // Reading cities > includes 4 mandatory weekend field trips to different cities in Italy
Urban Design > writing intensive component to Studio course

In total > 20 credit hours.

One of the pleasant differences between Kent campus classes and my current classes is that most are held within the city itself, outside of the classroom. Today, our lecture about the history of Florence in Italian Art was spent in the buildings or within the public squares we were actually learning about. Later, we will be taking class-time trips to the many museums and galleries within Florence to do the same. I can't tell you how incredible and beneficial it is to see the work in reality, rather than the slide. In fact, one upcoming lecture will be held on the top of the Duomo - extreme lecturing. (We are excused from that lecture if we have claustrophobia or a fear of heights.) In any case, the classes are much more immersive, interactive, and personal than anything I've experienced on the main campus. A welcome change, no doubt.

I will update on other more personal matters some time this weekend. A lot has been running through my head, but I'm not yet sure how to put it into coherent sentences.

Knock knock...

Good news, taking Structural Systems 1 over the summer paid off. I got an 'A' bringing my overall grade point average up .04 units. Will not taking the course this coming fall allow me to focus on my other classes like studio and ET 1? Let's hope so...

Anyway, third year is only 10 days away. I have Strand, who I took second semester of first year, and I couldn't be more excited. Should be an awesome semester and hopefully only a precursor to an even more awesome Italy semester.

Ready to get back into the swing of things after my dismal and under-stimulating summer.


Oh, and I had a weird dream last night. Hopefully sketches to come soon.

Nothing new here.

Okay.

So I didn't post the process of the current project like I said I would earlier. Some things don't happen when you're so busy you don't have time to do or complete anything.

I'm sitting in the computer lab, letting my Rhino model simmer, thought I would post something. Basically, I already forsee not finishing this project.....nothing out of the ordinary basically, but I'm contemplating staying up until I turn this damn thing in on Wednesday. Sucks that today is Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Isn't this fun?