Retreat - Assignment 02

Model Making - The Rip+Tear

Now that you have created your analog and digital representations it is time to visualize your abstractions in three dimensions. Embedded within your 2D drawings are 3-dimensional possibilities; primarily in plan or section. Begin by interpreting the graphic language of your images; this will help you to interpolate between 2D and 3D as needed. Next, continue by extruding forms, extending lines, altering masses and investigating texture in 3 dimensions. These "rip+tear" models will need to interact with your chosen site (your site will be the base for all of your architectural interactions). Not only must you be conscious of your developing architectural language but these models should be grounded with your conceptual underpinnings. Always be thinking of your concept or interpreting your creations after the fact for conceptual ideas.

Although you will be exploring many materials and textures with your models you must paint your models white once they are completed; creating a monochromatic model. This will enable you to examine and understand form, light and shadow, texture, etc.

You will produce a series of 7-10 models.

Below are examples of architectural/conceptual models.

Images taken from various design studios taught by Bennett Neiman, Texas Tech University.

Studio Sketch Day

For Studio on Friday I took my students to a couple homes in Salt Lake for some sketching and observation.

First, was a contemporary home located at the base of Ensign Peak. We were able to go inside and compare the outside aesthetic with the interior. The overall consensus was that of disappointment. The residence was constructed in 1990 and you could tell that the materials on the interior were a bit worn and out of date. The most dominant and exciting feature was the concrete, curved wall on the exterior. It revealed itself in a couple of places on the interior but pretty much played a minor role.

Second, was the McCune Mansion in downtown Salt Lake. We arrived and went inside to see if we could get a tour but nobody was around so we decided to do some wandering. The interior finishes were spectacular and had a nice richness. It was great to see the contrast between the contemporary home and this elaborate and decorative mansion. About 20 minutes into our wandering we were met by the mansion director who got a little snide with us and told us to leave - But I guess that is what you get when you leave your door unlocked and open. We then spent the remainder of our time sketching the mansion from across the street - practicing a series of 5 minute sketches.

Here is a little something from the McCune Mansion website about its history.

"Early American entrepreneur Alfred W. McCune built the mansion for his family in 1900 after amassing his fortune in railroads. Alfred's wife, Elizabeth, chose the promising architect, S.C. Dallas, to design the home with the best money could buy. The house was completed in 1901 with a total cost of over $1 million dollars. In 2007 dollars, that would be $22.5 million! After raising their family in this beautiful home, the McCunes moved to Los Angeles in 1920, donating the mansion to the Utah-based Latter-Day Saint church, who in turn used it to found the McCune School of Music. Hundreds of children and teenagers took lessons here throughout the years."

Here are some of the pics from the day.

Contemporary Residence















McCune Mansion