Design workshop_Part 2: ANCHOR | UNSEE | COMPOSE (Tuilza Sindi)

The intention of this workshop was to guide in the process of exploring what the spatial experience is/could become with our interventions. This was through a few short, exercises that had us draw what we imagine the completed intervention would be, and draw/sketch/paint what we imagine that experience of that space would be like.  

4 Initial compositions from the exercise. 

PART 1_ANCHOR

For part 1, the aim was to sketch the anchoring elements of intervention, without looking at the page. This was under the 2 themes of "Movement and Route" and "Volume and scale.

Movement and Route

Considering the main and secondary users, how they move through the spaces, and where that movement overlaps/ connects. I considered the darker colours to be the primary users, while the feint/lighter colours would be the secondary users moving through. 

Volume and scale 

The spatial volume and the experience it creates was explored. Here I consider the volume of both the intervention as well as the existing elements around the site, and the site within the city.

PART 2_UNSEE

Using various mediums, the second task was to draw with eyes closed while facing the page. This is in continuing from the first part, but considering the other layers of spatial hierarchy and what intention we have behind the intervention as a landmark. 

Hierarchies 

Here i attempted to express the finer grain patterns found throughout the site, as carried on in the architectural intervention. Some of the spaces would feed off of the activity happening on the route throughout the site (Fietas), while the more contained activities happen deeper within the intervention. 

Landmarks and marks on the land

The idea of "landmarks" is what the intervention does as a landmark/ what statement it makes. Here I explore the idea of the intervention as being a part of its contexts and stitching the gaps made from the apartheid demolition, and also making a monumental statement of Fietas as a valuable part of the city. 

PART 3_COMPOSE (MODEL)

The third part of the task was to translate the spatial intentions put on paper, to a 3D model expressing what we want our interventions to achieve spatially. This was to be done from one of the drawings selected. 

#WorkInProgress 

Model from "Volume and scale"

From the "Volume and Scale" drawing, I considered the model as a sectional perspective through the intervention and the previously vacant site. Its layered with the linear planes for movement through the intervention, still relative to the existing and surrounding context. 

Summary of reflections 

This process was a helpful exploration of what the architectural intervention could become. I enjoyed the freedom of the process, which was very helpful. The intuitive decision making and responses helped to get out of ones comfort zone. 

From the exercises, I re-considered why I made some of the spatial gestures I did, and how the spatial ideas can be explored in reality, on the actual site. 

A major intention is to have the intervention relevant to, and also support, the valuable happenings within the context. 

Spatial exploration and contextual relevance

The next step is really to ground the various intentions into a more focused, overall approach that informs the next decisions. At this point I still think I have not clearly articulated that.