Simple is always the Better way

This is just a self preference, although complex structure like Zaha's can be mind boggling but that is not for everyone, most of us do not have the support from client to create something as daring. Even if you do have the support, challenging yourself to design something extraordinary with cheap materials that is simple is harder than it sounds. I am designing my 6 HDB blocks project's mail box and all I can play with is colours, but with some concrete to my disposal. I need to come up with a design that will convinced the main con to willingly do during the construction, without them just constructing based on the standard 2000x1650x500mm box. Why am I just designing a mail box? The main building has been finalised and currently we are just dealing with managing the Show Flat and submission drawings. I am trying to learn to incorporate the main design idea into a small scale feature, to allow the idea to flow around the site and tie the project together as a whole.

I am starting to understand why architects in past design their own door handles for the building, the doors etc. I have always thought facade is everything when I as younger, but that is just to naive. I am in a middle of my project where construction will start in a few months time, and we are suppose to select ironmongery for the building, and I feel those old gen architects had such a nice time designing their own doors or handle, as I am bound to a series of suppliers that is being proposed by the main con. Here are just some projects I came across which looks pretty nice in a very simple manner, playing with lights, materiality and transparency, which is something I am trying to learn when I get my own project in a few months time, hopefully shorter, I cant wait.

Absurd yet funny

HAHAHAHAHAA.....it is sad to say this but its located in Malaysia's National Museum. Got this picture from a forwarded email, I would pay a few RM dollars to see this crap.

A Rapidly Deployable Shade Structure

PVC shade is a structure that is made up of very simple components to provide easy shading. It only consist of 3 cyclinders and 3 sockets to form the basis of the modular structure which is then integrated with a layer of perspex, before multiplying to form the shape desired. The materials is made out of PVC, making it easily accesible and recycable. Once the triangle form is made, the triangles are brought together with just a plastic recycled clip which can be done by any individuals. The design is not restricted by the size and can be manipulated to provide a space for an individual or for 100. A square has a 1x1 metre dimension and is made up of 4 triangles.

I really need to practice more on my presentation skills.
http://www.designbymany.com/challenge/rapidly-deployable-shade-structure

Uninspired

For some particular reason I feel uninspired right now, although I am looking at archi sites daily, and I am finishing off another competition design work for this Sunday, things still does not feel right. Maybe because I was told that architecture is just a passion, and its not a thing you can earn money from. Reality just starts kicking in, I am at the point of earning for my own living, listening to married couples talk about life's difficulties, it is something I think I am prepared for, but I wont know it until I try it. Ever feel underachieved? That is how I feel right now, just need to push forward, life is a marathon, its a cliche to say it, but its a cliche for a reason, cause its true. Maybe it is also because, I did a feasibility study for a project terrace house back home, and IF i do not get the project because there are merit reasons in comparison with other designer, it is fine with me, but if political issues are involved, it just makes me mad, it is just an insult to all. I know it happens everywhere, and they keep asking me why I do not wish to go back. I think I need a abit of change in life, to do something different that I would not normally do, and that would be.....no clue, ge a hobby, maybe. Anyways, at least this blog, http://www.ohiseered.com/ is still inspiring me to do something fun with art, I have to thank my sister for showing me this blog. I will think of something, something, something, nothing right now lol. I think I repeated this concern before, oh well, it is my space to say what I want.

Duxton, I'm slightly disappointed.

I had an hour visit to Duxton Pinnacle to get some inspiration for detail design that could be used for my current project. I had alot of high expectation on the building, knowing it won 'Building of the Year' and its in the same building category as my project, Design, Build and Sales Scheme, DBSS in short. It also happen by chance that the main contractor for this project would be our main contractor as well, so I had the chance to look at the workmanship the main cons can provide. To say the least, I was quite disappointed when I was there, and I was not even half way around the site. I didnt have the chance to walk around its roof garden as yet.

Duxton is also categorized as a special project, unlike my project, it is very restricted, as the design is govern by rules and regulations, however Duxton, the way I understood can be swayed a bit, by how much, I do not know. This bulky concrete parapets is nothing more then just money going to waste, and its not even smooth. -1 to the main con.This design for a little green roof really does not reflect on the project itself. With the disappointing handrail, it is as if it is an after thought design, or done by a junior who was rush for submission.Just beside to the walkway, all I had to do is look up and I came across another design problem. Somewhere in the upper half, middle section, you can actually see a ledge for sun shade for the window, that was build just under another protruding window. The problem is self explanatory, they could save money on it.Simple is always the best way if you cant come up with anything good.Probably the only thing that excite me was the sitting area, but it looks expensive, due to the amount of steel used in such a small area, and they have loads of this lying around. I just like the how the timber and steel are repeated vertically and horizontally.Duxton maybe a special project but it cant run away from all rules and regulations. Take a look at the picture above, right side where the AC ledge is, it would normally be a normal concrete floor slab but for this, it has gaps in it. My assumption is, the project's GFA has burst and they were required to cut down the amount that has burst. GFA means the area that is provided to build your building, and that does not mean just on ground floor [its 1st storey in Singapore], it applies to every floor you desgn and build. The site itself, you are only allowed 40% of site coverage, everything else has to be green, or something else, hence most of them goes upwards.Long ramp, disables in whellchairs BEWARE!Seriously, who uses that type of railing in a maintenance area, and because of that compromises every ugly AC railing for all units?

Suprisingly, for such a grand project, they do not have a proper drop off area. When I ask where the drop off area is, I was pointed to this place, and it is actually just beside the carpark. I know, WTH. Ill try to go to the top when I can and will post more pictures of it.

Render it My Way

I promised a friend to show how I did my perspective montage and I have provide a general step by step of my rendering methods. Obviously I do not think it is the best way, but its the only way I know. I must inform that my method, for some paritcular reason, has a certain 'quality', not sure if I am using the right word, which does not make it look 'real' compared to a proper rendering, I feel its more animated. If this 'quality' is fine, then follow every steps I make, or else better ask someone else if a 'more real' rendering is needed. Hope this step by step guide helps.

Programmes used: Autocad, Sketchup, Kerkythea, Photoshop

I start by having a JPEG with the outline of the building and some of the surrounding to define the space that needs to be rendered. Obviously you already need to know what you want to achieve in that particular view. I use Sketchup as my 3d modeler and so I export an Autocad file to CAD and then save it as a PDF before transfering into Photoshop. I do not jsut save the 2d image straight from Sketchup as the line quality is still blurry, and the space define between lines is vague as well. If its for a rough render then its okay, I always go for the engineering style, I think I got the name right.Next is to render that particular angle you want. If you are planning to use Kerkythea, which is a free plug in to Sketchup, always save all the scenes that you want and never change the viewing dimension when you are about to render in Kerkythea. If a new scene is made in Kerkyhtea, the viewing dimension changes and you will not get that wide view. Well, render and add image into Photoshop.Clean the image up however you want. I always start my montage with the background to give myself a sense of the surrounding, its just my style, but I have contradicted this step far too many times. It is up to you to decide which you want to start first.Same thing here, additonal sky is added. It feels like I have done loads lol.The previous backgrounds are added based on photos, but ground flooring is a pattern that I use in Photoshop, the icon I used is the Pattern Stamp Tool. You just need to have the right JPEG, add into the library, select your desired area and colour it in. WA LAAA. How to add to pattern library? Photoshop>Edit>Define Pattern, but you need to have that particular JPEG open.If you realise, everything is done starting with the background, so everything else can be layed on top, without the need to move your layers all the time in Photoshop.The space has been created, you have the sea, sand, walkway, pond, building and jungle. Everything can always be touch up again at the end.After you are happy with the big scale editing, its time to do the smaller scale items which would make the render prettier. This image I have added some trees on the right with very light opacity and some trees by the main entrance. To make your life easier, trees are prepared in advanced, so it can used on all other project as well.Next is to give the building more detail, the design pattern is added, and all of this are just JPEG that are put in place, nothing complicated.Add more trees!!!! It looks pretty decent now. Remember to always add SHADOW to all things, it creates depth and it wont look like it is floating.The final step is obviously to fill the space with people. I know a lot of people like to use people where you can still see their face, shirt etc. I prefer to have mine desaturated, because using the 'real' reflection is not always clear or perfect, so that makes an inconsistent image, but that is just my preference.And if you want too, you can add some touch up like the bird in the sky etc. Remember to always make sure everything is to scale or else it looks weird. I do mine by drawing a LINE in sketchup to a certain height for guidance. Most of the supporting image in this render are lower in opacity to ensure that the focus would be towards the building. Well, it looks like a very short guide lol. I hope this helps in some ways, but remember, this is just my way. :)

Will upload a similar thing for the site plan soon.

Bench/Chair Design

This is a bench/chair design competition which was just uploaded to the competition website just 2 days ago. I was surprise to be able to finish this whole presentation from modeling up to montage in just about 4-5 hours. Obviously you need to have the idea already backing you up. Im not trying to brag, but its more towards the notion of, if you need to do it, or you have to do it, that hidden energy would spring out, wrap around you like an aura coating, driving you towards delivering the requested finalised project design. I was in that position and I dont like my ideas hanging around and not being put to the test, although most of it has failed, but no matter, each failure is a big stepping stone to move forward. Enjoy this new piece.

Project description:

The whole concept about this project is about bringing fun into a matter that has been looked as a typical social interaction for as long as human civilisation. The integration of fun is look upon from a young kid point of view, where it not only provides the sole purpose of providing a sitting area, but a safe gadget that can be played with and even has the capability to beautify a space. The project is intended to be put at a park or any open space, a new focal point for many children, and perhaps adults. The colours used on the materials itself is reflected upon the 10 main Seoul colour, making the item applicable in any historical or modern area. The idea also applies to the arranging of the flower’s colour to suit the 4 seasonal weather.

The ‘bush’ and the flowers are all made out of recycled plastic, to ensure the buildability is inexpensive, sustainable and ecological. It being plastic, also make sure that the chair is light and is not harmful when young kids are carrying it. Dispatch of such item when a children festival is held is very easy, making it woeful for such an occasion.

It all starts with the base, where it would have multiple holes to allow the flower’s stem to be put into. The flower’s ‘petal’ can be move up 45 degree to represent a flower blossoming, allowing a variation of views on the item. If a paaserby wants to sit, he/she picks a flower, allow the petal to sit horizontally and open its 3 way stems for stability. The 3 way stem is supported by an interior recycled string/rope to ensure resistance towards the downward force is feasible. One bushel can provide 21 little chairs, allowing everyone to have a chair for any park shows etc.

Project Dimension

One Bushel Base: 3000mm diameters
One flower chair: 800mm (Open petals), 650mm (Semi-close petals) – diameters
285mm (Open stem), 400mm (Close stem)