KAITLYN SHEPARDSONARCHITECTURE 101

FINAL PROJECT

The site-Our group was assigned the section of the wall with the very unique cement faces. We definitely lucked out- I knew I wanted to bring these faces out in a big way and that’s what I jumped at the chance of proving I could do it.

Eric was originally in a group all by himself- his idea was to create a dark and threatening space with a maze like passageway. The picture on the left is Eric’s early model. Once Richard, Manon and myself joined Richard brought in the model on the right. Although we all admired Richard’s idea of his fabric sheath, we didn’t see how it would be possible. Richard convinced us it would work so we gave it a go.

When asked what we wanted to focus on individually, Manon said she wanted to improve the ground and make it something other than cement and interesting. She wanted a path to lead you in a particular direction also going along with Eric’s cut out panel design. Eric found some pallets and we shaped them how we wanted.

Inspired-I was really excited to be able to play with these faces a little. With Richard’s draping idea, I knew I wanted to create a light feature. My goal was to make the audience stop and admire the faces while walking through our site. I also wanted it to interactive as well- so I wanted to make the light feature interchangeable depending on how the viewer desired. I got 3 different colored gels to add a little color as well.

The process-Manon was able to get her hands on a ton of cardboard. To keep them from warping she painted them and then we duck-taped the edges. Richard and I teamed up on the light feature. This being my first time using any kind of tool I really needed a male’s assistance. Thank god for Richard! We measured out the frames and glued in the colored gels.

In week two of the process, we were able to get the rope tied up and knotted. In week three, we got the fabric and it all went up. We knew we had to address the planter in some way as well so we created another node and layered it with fabric. Richard meticulously created these dowels to tie in with the rope and shape the fabric. Thats how it was able to be bulging out on one side and appear to be getting sucked in on the other.

With all the pallets in line, cardboard strips up and fabric looking stunning, we only had one thing left to do. I still hadn’t finished the light feature due to technical difficulties. One frame was continuously giving me a hard time and not staying glued together. We tried fastening it with screw but this only stripped the wood. I was really close to getting rid of the 3rd gel all together but it didn’t look the same so I just slapped it with a TON of wood glue and used a hot glue gun. The hot glue gun seemed to do the trick.

Next we had the light feature to install- The idea was to frame a colored gel into another frame and connect it with a dowel to make it able to spin. We would then keep it in place using rope again. We tied it to the top of the fabric and to the top of the wall. We were able to get our hands on previous classes wood-work to connect to the wall. Reduce, reuse, recycle right? We also installed handled ropes connected to either side of each gel enabling one to move and contort the light. Tying the rope to the top of the fabric enabled us to create more tension as desired. I was really impressed with the final light feature, it was exactly how we imagined to be.

Finit!With everything in place all we could do was wait for our turn to be judged. I think with everything in place we were all pretty stunned to see what a beauty our design became. It was altered in many ways but it all worked together. We had to give up a lot of ideas and figure out how to compromise with cost and time taking opportunities away.

Little details-Down to the thumbnails on top of the dowels in the planter box, fabric wrapped sand bags and hand sewn last minute details, we put a lot of care and thought into this final group project. It’s amazing to see what we as 101 students are capable of doing and it opens your eyes. Eric, Richard, Manon and myself worked tremendously well together and I’d do it again. Yes, it was stressful at times but we pulled through. We all had our different ideas and worked together to make it one common vision.

Final thoughts-

We had little problems through out the project but we were able to resolve them pretty quickly. When it came down to it, we made executive decisions and made it happen. Our turn for judging went well other then our presentation. We definitely were not ready to introduce our project and we stumbled over that. In the middle of the judging, my light feature got blown away as well. Just my luck! I wasn’t happy with the poor weather we had that day- windy and overcast causing my light feature to take a back seat.

Personal Assessment- On design process development I would give myself a 3. I really surprised myself with how well I preformed with the right kind of inspiration. On architectural concept development I would give myself a 2. Throughout the semester I didn’t push the limits and I took steps backwards at times. On successful representation skills I would rate myself a 3. I came a long way from the beginning of the semester. My first few times speaking in front of class I would a hot mess. Embarrassed and timid. By mid semester you could’t shut me up! On Body of work I’d give myself a 3. Sure I had a couple of lapses but my quality of work for the final project took my breath away and I was able to impress myself. Avoiding the obvious and familiar- I’d give myself a 2 on this one. I believe 101 opened my eyes but I still have a long way to go. I’m used to the familiar and I have to work on breaking that and individualizing myself. Over all I thank you Jerry so much for being not only patient with us but for pushing us and being an inspiration.