My Main Project post...

It's been a while since my last post of my degree project and finally a new update of what I've done so far. Just to remind; my project is to design a bridal retail store and the building I've chose is Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo.  

 

This board illustrate my concept of design. The concept is diamond which symbolize the love and everlasting of a marriage. This sketch shows a structure like a piece of fabric with the shape of diamond. 

Below are my concept model

 

This is a 3D model of existing building rendered by 3D Max

The Genius of Design – Episode 4:”Better Design for Living through Chemistry”

In this episode it tells us about the design in use for functional and practical. New design lead to a new manufacture after the war and it was based on the observation of people’s purposes. When new motorway constructions started in 1956 in England, motorway signage became more graphical. Margaret Calvert, the graphic designer behind these signage, took the point of view of driver. The signage transformed to modern and simple as well as informatics and readable for drivers. 

Another new design occured during the 60’s was plastic design which inspired many young designers at that time.

Italian designs considered to be right after the war, became quite popular because of its artistic designs. Joe Colombo was one of Italy’s most influential product designers and everything Colombo created was intended for “the environment of the future” which became pop icon for many designers. 

Plastic design considered to be practical, cheap and mass product. It is simple design that fit for all purposes, especially keen to youngsters. At that time new plastic design took the attention nationally by its s-form and strong enough to support a human body without legs, it is the S Chair designed by Verner Panton from Denmark.

In Japan, the modernism of technology in design has developed rapidly after the post-war. The Japanese design became a new life design in electronic which is small and handy, detail and graphic. 

For example the Sony, Walkman. Although plastic has its disadvantage when ages, but is still the best product for remanufacture and recycle.

Episode: 5 – “Object to desire”.

How design goes personal? This episode tells us that mass product intend to create objects that we may not need it, but have the desire to own it because of its unique and icon design.

Designer, Michael Graves once said; “create desire to own it”. 

But is it the desire that make us to want that creation or the creations make us to desire them? 

The Genius of Design - episode 2: "Design for living"

After the industrial revolution, machines have been a principle of manufactured new creations. Between 1919 to the 30's, a design school which looked far more like an industrial than original school called Bauhaus was founded by Walter Gropius. The center focused on new thinking and creation. The school content all kind of designs. The idea was constructors, pain artists and designer should learing from each other. The Bauhaus stood for the modernism and revolute to Art Nouveau.

Le Corbusier from Bauhaus went one step further as functionalism and designed buildings with flexibility and functional of habitat. His idea was open space planning and changeable to fit the users. However, some meant that his buildings were too open and communicated which lack of privacy for a living space.

Modernism defined as reflection of modern age and set down the barriers of creating principles. For instance a modern chair or furniture might not be the most comfortable or functional, but it is well-known because it was created in a different way. 

In 1932, the Bauhaus closed down, and Le Corbusier tried to bring in the modernism to America, it was too late because the American designs were more centered in capitalism and consumerism. A good example of machine for living and design was the recreational vehicle, Airstream Trailer, created by Hawley Bowlus in 1933. It was well received from the marketing and living. 

What designers had created earlier gave good results to present designs for living, and appeals to the habitation standard. 

The Genius of Design - episode 1: "Industrial Revolution - Ghost in the machine"

In this short documentary movie, it gave us an explanation of what is the meaning to be a designer and to design. The movie summarized the historic of design industry from the 18th century and up to present. Before the revolution, most of the design was hand-made and crafted by craftsmen compare to present design which most of them are manufactured by machines. 

Some designers say that human acted like machine before the revolution, but now the machine acts like human and mass product into quality. Although the technical manufacturing became widely, the ideology of design still remain as it is; good design should be honest, useful, innovative, and long-lived.

Vitruvius Roman Order

Vitruvius (Marcus Vitruvius Pollio), born around 84 B.C. and died after 27 A.D. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was an architect, engineer and writer. He is most famous for his writings of the book De Architura otherwise known as the ten books of architecture.

De Architectura

First (edited) publication in 1486 and is divided into 10 books about;

·        Book I: City planning and Architecture in general

·        Book II: Building materials and constructions

·        Book III: Temple construction

·        Book IV: Temple proportions of columns

·        Book V: Public buildings (theatres and baths)

·        Book VI: Private and agricultural buildings

·        Book VII: Floors and stucco decorations

·        Book VIII: Water installations

·        Book IX: Astronomy

·        Book X: Civil and military engines

According to book 1, Chaer 3, “The Department of Architecture” of Vitruvius’s writings, all

architecture must exhibit certain qualities. These qualities are firmitas, utilitas and

venustas.

Firmitas: meaning strength and endurance which refers to the structural stability of the building and also the buildings longevity. This would be achieved by the building of solid foundations and the use of good materials.

Utilitas: meaning utility and usefulness. This is achieved by the spaces being situated correctly to ensure the functionality of the building and to efficiently facilitate the buildings purpose.

Venustas: meaning beauty and aesthetics. This is achieved by creating a pleasant appearance to the building and in the creation of proportionate spaces within that obey the laws of symmetry. 

The Panthen, Rome

Even though the Pantheon was built after Vitruvius’s death it is a good example of roman architecture that displays the three qualities discussed above.

Exterior view of the Panteon, Rome

Interior view of the Panteon, Rome



Drawings of the Panteon, Rome



The elements and principles of design - The Ruins of St. Paul's...

The elements of design are things that designers and artists work with to create a design or composition. The elements are line, shape, space, value, colour and texture. And the principles in design are achieved through the use of elements of design. Unity, harmony, balance, rhythm, contrast, dominance and gradation are all defines as the principles of design. 


The image I presented here is the Ruins of St. Paul's church in Macau that have rich feature of ornaments on the facade.

The Ruins of St.Paul's (Photo by Helen Cun)

The Ruins of St. Paul's (Portuguese: Ruínas de São Paulo,) refer to the façade of what was originally the Cathedral of St. Paul, a 17th century Portuguese cathedral in Macau dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. Today, the ruins are one of Macau's most famous landmarks. In 2005, the Ruins of St. Paul were officially enlisted as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Centre of Macau.

Front facade (Photo by Helen Cun)

It was built from 1582 to 1602 by the Jesuits, but in 1835 a typhoon and fire destroyed the building which leaving only the facade of the church and steps leading up to it. 


The rich figural ornament on the facade is arranged in five registers. Above the main doorway is an inscription dedicating the church to the Mother of God. In the second register above this are figures of Jesuit saints, flanking the three windows. Above this is a profusion of relief ornament, ranging from a figure of the Virgin to dragons, skeletons and a variety of motifs both European and Asian. All this gives some inkling of how magnificent the church must once have been.

Side view (Photo by Planetware.com)

    Rear facade (Photo by Helen Cun)

These photos were taken on
my trip to Macau after 20 years.
The feeling of returning to the
place where I was born, was special
even though the memories of Macau
were vague for me, but it was great
to be back.

I was looking at some old pictures I took when I was in Tokyo for 3 years ago, and found some funny pictures and would like to share with you...


A street light which looks like a human and holding the light for you..

(my own photo)

The Hotel Sofitel, Tokyo, Japan

(my own photo)

(by Micheal John Grist)

(by Micheal John Grist)

Design by architect Kiyonori Kikutake and the building was inspired by the "tree of life", the symbol of Shinto..


I've never known that this building was a hotel until I google it. I just thought that was a funny building when I took the photo of it.

Question from my design theory class....

What is ideology?
Ideology is a set of ideas that constitutes one's goal, expectations and actions. A comprehensive vision as a way of looking at things, as in common sense and several philosophical tendencies. 


I've been thinking long about what ideology is. Someone told me that ideology is the thought behind a concept. 
I took my main project as an example and explained what's the ideology behind that. Since I'm doing a bridal store, I want to create a store where people come into the store can feel the joy of happiness. Just the same as a small child get into a toy store or candy shop. A place comfortable place with full of surprises.

The Main Project

Hi there, this is my second post since last time...  : p
Today, I would like to introduce my studio project and talk about what the project is about. This is the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo, Norway and I'm going to design a bridal studio. The bridal studio is not just a shop with wedding dresses, but more like a retail store or a wedding fair with everything in one place. There will be showroom, wedding planner, photo shooting, make-up and stylist, gift shop and probably a place to hold ceremony. The reason why I chose this building is because I think it has potential and fits well to my project. So if anyone know any good websites or links relevant to wedding or store design, please let me know.. I really appreciate that.... :)  

First time blogger...

Hi, everyone! This is my first time doing a blog.
The blog will be more about my studio projects and autocad works. If there are any links and video relevant to design and architecture, I would love to share with you all. As I said, I'm amateur but I will be good to blog...