Seat Development

These seating ideas and designs are staying to the structured form as the large sky light and angular forms of concrete are very structured and straight. I think I will keep to this as otherwise the main focus in the room could become the seating space as it would contrast with the sky light area. The top drawing in the image above is what I am going to further develop and play with as it is built into the side wall, so would be made from wood, but the edge of the seat would be transparent. This would act as another light source just to create a bit more light entering the space - and a small feature that will hopefully work well with the rest of the space. Small cushions would be possible as it would make it softer and comfortable for the person to sit on. Also the different heights of the seating design could be used for various heights of people or you could sit in the lower ones and rest a coffee etc on the higher ones like a side table - enjoying the sunlight as you have your morning coffee, awakening and refreshing for the day ahead.

Interior Space Design

Within my space I have thought about the ritual being a morning thing relating to the bedroom and a bed, but in my designed space I feel as though a seat of some sort would fit better. This is because I have not designed it to be a bedroom, I am using my clients ritual and taking the aspects of it that I have incorporated already to stay away from replicating a natural light bedroom.

The direction of the seat I think would work best looking towards the sky light as this is the biggest feature in the space and also a grand one with the light. Visually it would be better to sit facing it than sitting on a seat from the skylight concrete piece facing towards the wooden wall.

My ideas are both of a separate seat and a built in seat. A built in one could add another element to the design but a functional one too.

Here I think the greenery is what makes this seat so appealing. It is an element I could bring in but I would want less than this as the space needs to be open and airy, instead of full and appearing like a green room.

Standard built in seat. Typically this is a wooden add on, as the seating itself can be covered with pillows for comfort and is realistically affordable.

A very clear cut window sill seating arrangement. I think this does need a window with it as this type of seat is usually just a "ponder" seat, but maybe my designs large concrete wall up to the opening sky light could be the feature to look at instead of an outside view.

This seat is separate from the building, but the design of the shape really interested in. The smooth lines of it (or similar design) could contrast well with the structured shapes of the concrete wall in the corner of my design.

Another built in seat with planter pots at the top. This looks clean and simple yet functional.

A shape/curve made out of the floor I think is completely different and interesting. The Idea could be used in multiple ways as you could sit on top of the bump, or lie in the lower downwards curve, and very possibly be a nice gradual line in relation to the human body form, making it comfortable, then add a couple pillows for that extra comfort. 

This image really stood out to me not as a window display but as a built in seat. If a similar shape was coming out of the wall, and the yellow area being transparent to the outside, it would act as another light source and a functional seat. Different heights of it would also accommodate for multiple heights of people but also a so called side table if someone was drinking a coffee etc.

Design Response to Final Feedback

In response to the critique on my design, I have looked at the space and how a person would occupy it. As the light and the geometric wall are the main focus piece, any further design cannot distract from this. Designing a seat/bench for sitting, the design of it needed not to be overpowering and to be apart of what is already in the space. The form of the piece of furniture would suit better if it was built in and structured like the current design and to ensure that it compliments the structured form that is already designed. This will make sure that it does not become the main focus of the room. The design I developed further was a bench seat made as an extension from the left wall. This would be made from wood and the edges would be transparent, acting as another light source into the space. This seat would make the space pleasant for someone to sit in and the seat would be subtle enough to not over power the geometric concrete wall and light. The bench seat could be covered in cushions for comfort. The different heights of the seats creates different functions, making lower and higher seating depending on where people want to sit in the space. The higher levels can also be used as a side table, acting as an area where a coffee could be placed while sitting in the lower seating areas. The angled sides allow for a person to lean comfortably and have their back supported, making a relaxed experience in the space.

Final Presentation Slides and Critique

 My clients ritual is to leave her curtains open during the night so she can wake up to the natural light of the morning. In response to her aesthetic gesture of markings of the light and shadows, I have acknowledged that the main aspect is natural light. The design will focus on the natural light of the day and make it a feature within the space. The design is to become closed and dark when the sun sets

The big idea is to have the suns path influence my design. I have looked into the suns path further and into the times of the day that it rises and sets. I wish to integrate this into my design and create a feature of light within the site. The design will allow for the suns path from a all seasons of the year and will maximize light throughout everyday day

 These are my process drawings of trialing my idea. The dome shape opens and closes – with the timing of sun rise and sun set. I originally had the design at the back of the house as a separate area of house but by integrating it into the original house I furthered the design and angled it more specifically to the sun. The last model is me playing around with angles to create forms and structures to influence my design further.

 The designed area is an extension to the original house, featuring a wall with multiple angles to create a difference in the way the light falls into the space. This is the main light entry into the space which opens and closes at sun rise and sun set. Because only having this light source appeared to make the space quite dark, there is also a glass void also in line with the suns path, over the roof and down the back wall to let extra light enter.

 The yellow area over the left image is the variations of the suns path over the 4 seasons. I have made the opening of the design as wide as this to allow for the movement of the sun. The diagram on the right is the positions of movement of the design from sun rise through to the complete open design. This then repeats but backwards at sun set.

My perspectives from within the design. The three images on the left are all looking up at the design, seeing the light shine down into the space and creating different shadows on the thick wall with multiple angles.

CRITIQUE: following up my design, I should look at what is inside the space instead of it purely being just the light as the only thing. As it is a space for people, I could design an area for sitting or lying down etc that wold make the space more inhabitable. This potentially could be done by using the materials and structures there already and integrating a bench, bed or table that is an extension to the pre existing design. This will then make it more about the person, not just the light. Consider the placement of things as I have with the sun. Also lack of doors on my plan is something to add - as currently theres no view of doors, meaning no access for people throughout the whole house.

Presentation Review: Molly Brankin

Molly has designed a space to follow the brief of: To consider aspects of Tikanga Maori as an intervention of space incorporated within a journey. A space that reflects a state of spirituality; to rest your mind and body, forming a genuine connection to those who have come before without any outside conflict/noise. A public space of belonging and respect.

With her presentation she clearly was able to articulate her ideas and how they are shown in her design. I feel like she has done a new design instead of following the exact aspects of Tikanga Maori - but has interpreted specific aspects such as using the frame work of the original house to act as the bones of ancestors. Her ideas of the original and traditional aspects are really well reflected in her design. The top area at the top of the stairs, I would maybe ask if she just wants it to be an open space or to have something in it which can act as a way of bringing everyone together as people from Maori culture creates this big family feel. Still keeping it simple though. 

Over all I was very amazed of how she interpreted the culture into her design without doing a complete mock of what is already standing today and without creating something that was culturally insensitive.

Photoshop Developing

 The first three images I have really tried to show the light streaming into the space as it would during the day. Looking up at the opening sky light the rendering of the light on the multiple angles of the concrete wall I personally think looks great and looks like I wanted it to, and comes across the way I wanted it to. The smooth surfaces of the different angles really do translate light and shadows.

 This is my attempt at my plan - just the basic house with my design located integrated in the original house. Here you can see the wooden panels of the flooring and the concrete colour and the lines of the concrete angled wall leading up to the open sky light. In the image below I have added shaded shapes representing the houses next door to 20 Wallace Street, and the road at the front of the site.

 In my section I have tried to really show the impact of light in the space. The light coming down through the sky light and light tunnel is really projected in the space. As the concrete walls are thick and bold, the walls here are also thick in black lines indicating the density of them. I have left the rest of the house bare and minimal as it is not part of my designed space. The image below I have added aspects to relate the section to the site.

Indigo Renderring

The images below are from Indigo - these show my design in texture, including the interior images looking up towards the opening sky light.

(Floating in space will be dealt with in further developments)

The glass panel in the design did not come up as transparent - it would be.

The texture of the wooden floor has not come up in Indigo unfortunately 

The opening of the design at daylight

The design in process of moving as it transitions from closed to open (Night - sunrise)

The design closed as it would be over night, The sun is rising so  would be about to move in to the image above

Further Design Development

Developing my design, I have made it in Sketch up and with integrating my previous design into the original house as an area that would be located within the courtyard out the back. I have made this space very tall to be able to get the low sun rise of the morning over the house roof. The material is a dark coloured concrete as I wanted the walls to be thick and not let in any light, that is solely for the circular opening at the top and also the glass void that runs in line with the suns path, diagonally across the designs roof and down the back wall. In the images below you can also see the shape and angles of the wall leading up to the opening sky light that interacts with the natural light and forms different shades as each angle reacts differently with the suns position.

Voids

Voids are an empty space, often where light comes in - in a design. These examples below are different ways of generating light forms and having slits and open spaces where light come into the space. Even by using indents like in the wardrobe example, the light coming from above creates depth and different shades. Thick materials are often used to block light out where not needed. These are aspects that I could include in my design to inform the space inside.

Development

Developing my design further I need to really think about the inside space. Making it more of a spatial experience - how does it feel inside the space?

If it is really just all about the space, is it purely about the light? Can a person be inside it easily? Size. Integrate it within the original house?

Beginning to think about the treatment of the space inside the design, with keeping the opening and closing structure at the top of the cone I am now going to play with integrating it into the house and tilt it so that the angle is more accurately in the suns path. I have also rotated the whole house to have it North East facing which is the actual direction of the house on the site. This will allow me to get the same sun angle and direction for my drawings.

Also inside the space the angles of the wall could be altered to create different shadows and highlights as the sun light comes into the space.

I have played with different angles in a model, trying to see what the light would do to each surface in terms of shadows