Sitting on a bench under a tree on a warm August morning, I looked up into the canopy above me and noticed the light filtering through the branches and leaves. The unique pattern on the sidewalk was full of shapes that seemed to highlight various cracks and features. Looking back up into the canopy, there were glimpses, or highlights, of the surrounding features. I say features and not buildings since the canopy filtered out most of the buildings and left just a steeple or window visible. The tree lined streets created a screen that filtered out the expanse of city and left it all in small manageable proportions just right for a pedestrian passing through.
The natural act of filtration did many things on its own and inspired me to look at how artificial filtration could relate the building to site and be meaningful to the program. Abstracted pieces create the unusual shapes that allow light to pass through and views to be created. A large open first floor starts the filtration process as people ascend or descend through the building. Circulation branches off in many directions. The interior space is neutral allowing the natural and digital images to be the only display. Connections between each individual and the displays increase as one ascends the spaces. Floors are pulled away from the façade and than pushed back to the edge. Artificial filtration will be a way to engage the many aspects of the site and program in an abstracted manner.
artificial filtration: public to individual
artificial filtration: views
artificial filtration: light
artificial filtration: program
After my critique I sat down and tried to analyze what was said. I need to establish where I am applying my filters. Are they going to be in everything? Building layout, program, progression, facade, etc.? I have started to make a list and will hopefully have this resolved by the end of week as for where I want to take all of these. I know that I want the filtering to be evident in lighting, views and progression through the space. How it will relate and tie in other aspects, I am not sure yet. Another thing I need to work on is abstracting the facade. I don't want a literal tree on the side of my building but what kind of shape should it be? I am researching materials to get an idea of what can be done as well as what should be done. I still want an open first floor meaning glass curtain wall. I want the upper levels to be much more filtered, especially as they go up. That is why I was thinking of a screen above the "tree line". One of my original ideas had to do with the horizontal separation that the trees create in the space so I still seem to using that to divide the materials. The facade is my focus. I need to use materials and filters to communicate my idea. I would love comments and suggestions. It was great having such an intensive experience with everyone this week and I hope we can all continue to provide that support to each other. (This time we will all be fully rested!) Only four and a half weeks left and so much to do!
1 comment:
Annie,
The facade is important, but don't make the filtering topic hinge only on that. The spatial filtering going upward from subway level to the top is key: how do you move vertically and how does the "atmosphere" change from floor to floor? Which aspects of the city will be filtered out and how does the relation to the "digital" come get progressively more important? Try writing a list of how you can translate that architecturally (scale, materials, colors, etc).
Facade: before identifying materials describe want you want to accomplish (daylighting, views, scale of pattern and how the vertical progression works.
I am looking forward to see you ideas in model form!
ef
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