Plan // Section // Elevation ideas

Through the following quick drawdels I explored different spatial opportunities within my design. They are inspired by my sectional exploration drawdels that I previously posted. The first set focused on section, but any of them can be turned into a plan instead. Vice versa with the second set. The third set explores how my solid-looking cube will be supported on the ground; these are elevations.

As of right now, the exterior of this cube is almost identical to the existing building on the site. At first I was against creating something that looked so similar from the exterior. Now I have warmed up to the idea...I feel that because the two have the same intentions and basic program, they should seem somewhat equal. I am not saying that my design will be just as great as the existing building, but that visitors should find the experience of each to be similar, as this project involves creating an addition. The interior of my version will be drastically different, and I intend to make my structure different as well.

My next steps will be to create a defined set of plans/sections/axons/etc. I am hoping to complete this (and post it to my blog) as soon as possible so that I can begin my final set of drawings for Friday.

More drawdel exploration

The following involve different methods of cutting and folding to express different depths and relationships of forms. The forms I have created all relate to my scheme in some way but are not necessarily complete thoughts. I'm starting to realize that even the simplest of ideas is going to take a lot of concentration and thought to produce a successful drawdel of said idea. 

Exploring section through drawdels

Three New Schemes

Because my presentation yesterday wasn't very successful and didn't represent ideas that I was excited to work with, I came up with 3 completely new schemes. The first two are still based off of similar ideas that I came up with for yesterday, and the third is a completely new and random one. I will continue to develop these schemes for friday, but these are the basic ideas I was able to come up with last night.

"A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes."

Final Thoughts

I have almost finished my carving, thanks to the snow day. Luis suggested yesterday that instead of sketching the gears myself, I should print them on blank pages from my book...genius. Now the images look like they were originally part of the book.

My final step is to incorporate words into the silhouette. As I have been carving away at the gears, I have been considering a few different options for how to do so. My favorite option is one that uses a quote by Gandhi. I have found two quotes that seem to suit the design.

"A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes."
This quote is pretty self explanatory. Andrew proved to have passion for finance, art, industry and business. His knowledge towards these fields helped him become a successful millionaire and generous donor.

"I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet."
This quote applies more specifically to the end of his life. FDR, who hated Mellon, requested an intense investigation of Mellon's tax returns. This was a pretty big deal as Mellon had just donated 15 million dollars to create the National Gallery of Art. However, Mellon was found to be not guilty two years after the investigation began. Unfortunately, he died just a few months before this decision.

I really like how both of these quotes apply to Mellon's life, as well as make references to the carved visual image of the brain. I am having a hard time picking one of these quotes, so my plan is to find the words to make up each quote and see what one lays out better in the silhouette.

Getting in gear

Our newest studio project involves carving randomly assigned books. I recieved a biography about American billionaire Andrew W. Mellon, which has only one image but the vintage look and feel of the pages make up for it. Because I have only words to guide me in the design process, I have to create my own shapes and images. 

After many failed ideas I finally came up with one I am excited about. The end result will be a (much neater) combination of the following two designs that I created in my physics book. Which I have to say felt quite satisfying to cut up.

I am now trying to determine if integrating text into my design would enhance or destroy it.