ARCH303: Design and Construction I [CRN 843 & 846]Professor Robert MellinFall Term, 2009Office: room 313 email: robert.mellin@mcgill.caPhone: 398-6719

Sculpture Park, Studio, and Residence on the Lachine Canal

Cellophane House, Kieran/Timberlake, from Loblolly House: Elements of a New Architecture

Project and Site:

This project involves the design of a sculpture park, sculptor’s studio, and artist’s residence on a strip of land along the south bank of the Lachine Canal where Mill Street crosses the canal. This is a full-term project with different components at different scales. Also, you are required to participate in the CCA Charrette that starts November 6 and ends November 9. The site boundary for the development of the sculpture park is shown in yellow on the site plan below, and the approximate location for the principal buildings (studio, residence) is shown in red. Rosa Orlandini from McGill’s Geographic Information Service will post DWG (AutoCAD) cartographic maps on a web page for your use early in the term. In preparation for design work, we will document and investigate the history and use of the site and the surrounding area (public space vs. private space, acoustics, work areas, circulation, building orientation, views) as well as a variety of precedents (parks, sculpture parks, studios, residences, interventions by artists, etc.). Collaboration, teamwork, and sharing information with your colleagues will help to reduce the time required to work up site information, site analysis, and precedents at the beginning of the term. This should also make the task of constructing digital site models less time consuming (organizing teams for the digital site model will depend on the particular program you decide to use: if you are using FormZ, Rhino, Revit, or ArchiCAD, then find other students who are using this program and collaborate on the construction of site buildings and infrastructure).

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Program:

As indicated above, there are three main components to this project: sculpture park, studio, and residence. You will be responsible for formulating your own program and ideas for these three components, subject to the following requirements:

Sculpture Park:

You should consider the typical aspects of land use, access, views, topography, light, textures, acoustics, water, flora, industrial elements, buildings, paths, sequence, sculpture placement, etc. There is also the opportunity to imaginatively interpret this site and its surroundings by devising an inspiring itinerary for visitors. In this regard, it will be very important to learn from recent precedents in landscape design that demonstrate an artistic and poetic approach to site (for example, see the March/April issue of Azure magazine featuring David Theodore’s article on the riverside park in Quebec City: La Promenade Samuel-De Champlain by Daoust Lestage). The visiting artist will be required to donate one large-scale outdoor work for the sculpture park upon completing the residency.

Studio and Residence:

The studio/residence may be one building, or two buildings with a link of some type, or two separate buildings. The residence is intended for use by a visiting artist-in-residence, and can have accommodations either for one artist, an artist who has guests occasionally, or an artist with a family. The studio should be large enough to complete fairly large sculptures, in reasonable scale with the residence (some of the very largest work by particular sculptors may have to be done off-site), and there should be an outdoor work and storage area in addition to a semi-private open space for the residence. Your project may investigate “amphibious” building possibilities for either all or part of the project, and reconfiguration of part of the shoreline along the canal is permitted. Site excavation and topographical changes are permitted. As indicated above, the approximate location of the studio/residence buildings is shown in red on the site plan.

Possible teams for initial project research / documentation:

Digital site model (digital: collaboration dependent on type of program used)Site history, and history of the surrounding areaSite maps (contemporary and historical): see Quebec Archives maps online!Photography (digital) and digital video for site documentation, sound samples.Measurements (rough measurements for the construction of existing buildings, bridges, and site features)Investigation of precedents (parks, studio/residences, studios, amphibious structures)Sculpture/architecture/cultural landscapes precedents: interventions by artists

Andy GoldsworthyMarlene Creates

Note: please inform me of your contribution to the above items if arranging this work by teams.

Pedagogical Objectives of the Studio:

To explore urban and architectural design issues in Montreal To provide an opportunity for students to do some programming for their projects, including

information gathering and research on the project site. To study relevant architectural precedents for the project. To investigate different media (traditional, digital) for design and representation, with the goal

of integrating these in an optimal manner. To present a coherent proposal for a particular site. To research and explore possibilities for sustainability in urban and architectural design and

detailing.

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Schedule (please consult the course web page for changes/updates):

Note that you are required to attend weekly lectures at 3:30pm in Room 212 unless otherwise posted.

Week #1: September 2, 4

September 2: U2 meeting with studio coordinator David Covo, followed by a site visit (meet at 2:00pm at the end of Mill Street where the bridge crosses the Lachine Canal. Begin work on Assignment #1, readings, site visits, individual site documentation (sketch book, photography), review precedents, and programming. Arrange teams for research and documentation.

Assignment #1: The first assignment is due September 14. Work on the first assignment will be done at the same time as the teamwork for site models, history, and precedents listed above. The first assignment is a Moleskine sketchbook assignment (see the Moleskine format requirements below!) that requires site visits over several days and at different times of the day. As our site is somewhat removed from the main bicycle paths along the Lachine Canal, I would prefer that if you do any sketching on site you make sure you go with a partner or two! If you go at night, better to visit with a larger group. For other locations along the Lachine Canal you may not need to have a partner with you when there are lots of people around. Note that when you do your sketching, you should also take photographs that can be used as a reference or in digital renderings later in the term! There are no fixed requirements for the content of this first assignment other than to imaginatively and critically document and interpret the site and its context. This may involve the investigation of context, building types, character, features, opportunities, details, architectural and industrial elements, materials, light, views, and any other relevant aspects of our site. You may extend your graphic research / documentation along the Lachine Canal beyond our site if it makes sense to do so. Please study precedents for drawing in the Moleskine before proceeding with this assignment (see the course web page, and also see below). You may include many drawings and details and texts on one page, in the spirit of the “analytique.” I prefer the use of watercolour and pencil for this assignment, as well as for other drawings in the Moleskine. You should aim to complete at least ten pages or more of highly concentrated and annotated drawings for this first assignment, made with care and aiming towards your own personal way of expressing your ideas in the Moleskine format.

September 4: no studio but possible lecture in 212 @ 3:30 (check announcements). Continue work on Assignment #1 and on teamwork research/documentation.

Week #2: September 7-11

September 7: Labour Day holiday

September 9: Meet at 1:30pm in the studio on Sept. 9 to discuss any aspects of the studio project and schedule, and to review the course outline in more detail. Aaron Sprecher may give a tutorial in Rhino on Wednesday morning (look for an announcement for this tutorial). Possible ArchiCAD tutorial on Wednesday afternoon if desired (R Mellin). Continue work on Assignment #1 and also teamwork for research and documentation.

September 11: no studio, but you are required to attend a lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

Week #3: September 14, 16, 18:

September 14: Assignment #1 due @ 1:30pm in the studio). Be prepared to briefly present your work to your colleagues using your Moleskine (no Powerpoint, etc.). Continue teamwork for research and documentation.

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September 16: continue teamwork for research and documentation. Aaron Sprecher may give a tutorial in Rhino on Wednesday morning. Possible ArchiCAD tutorial on Wednesday Sept. 16 in the afternoon if desired (R Mellin).

September 18: continue teamwork for research and documentation, and attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

Week #4: September 21. 23. 25

Presentation of teamwork research/documentation at 1:30pm on September 21 using Powerpoint or Keynote or web page prepared for this presentation (location of presentation to be determined). Begin work on Assignment #2.

Assignment #2 due September 28: This assignment has two parts: Moleskine drawings and construction of a physical site model. Prepare three different schematic conceptual designs for your project in your Moleskine (one page maximum for each design) Construct your own physical site model (1:500 scale) in your choice of materials. Although we have collaborated on the construction of just one site model in past studios, in this studio you must make your own site model, keeping in mind the choice of materials is important and should relate to your design approach and to the way you feel about the character of the site. Show as much of the surrounding area as you think necessary to represent the site context. Construct schematic physical models of your concepts on the site model.

September 23: possible software tutorials (Sprecher / Mellin). Work on assignment #2.

September 25: no studio, but you are required to attend a lecture in 212 @ 3:30. Work on assignment #2.

Week #5: September 28-October 2

September 28: Assignment #2 due @ 1:30pm in the studio. Be prepared to informally present your work using your sketchbook and your physical site model.

September 30: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Continue work on design.

October 2: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Continue work on design. Attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

More information on the October/November/December schedule will be posted later.

Week #6: October 5-9

October 5: small group consultations in the studio with RM. Continue work on design.

October 7: no studio, continue work on design.

October 9: no studio, continue work on design.. Attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

Week #7: October 12-16

October 12: no studio (Thanksgiving)

October 14: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Continue work on conceptual design. Possible software tutorials.

October 16: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Continue work on conceptual design. Attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

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Week #8: October 19-23

October 19: Intermediate Review@ 1:30pm

October 21: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Possible software tutorials.

October 23: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

Week #9: October 26-November 30

October 26: Individual consultations in the studio with RM.

October 28: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Possible software tutorials.

November 30: no studio: attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

Week #10: November 2-6

November 2: Individual consultations in the studio with RM.

November 4: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Possible software tutorials.

November 5: Attend CCA Charrette presentation (evening); your participation in this competition is required!

November 6: Individual consultations in the studio with RM. Possible lecture in 212 @ 3:30 (check announcements).

November 8: Charrette submissions due.

Week #11: November 9-13

November 9: Individual consultations in the studio with RM.

November 11: Individual consultations in the studio with RM.

November 13: no studio: attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

Note: all design work should be concluded by the end of this week, and you should then begin your presentation work.

Presentation work: construction of a physical models of your buildings/site at 1:100 scale and selected components at 1:50 scale, manual and digital drawings and renderings and/or “overdrawings.”

Week #12: November 16-20

November 16: Individual consultations on presentation work in the studio with RM.

November 18: Individual consultations on presentation work in the studio with RM.

November 20: No studio: attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

Week #13: November 23-27

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November 23: Individual consultations on presentation work in the studio with RM.

November 25: Individual consultations on presentation work in the studio with RM.

November 27: Individual consultations on presentation work in the studio: attend the lecture in 212 @ 3:30.

Week #14: November 30-December 4

November 30: presentation work, no studio

December 2: presentation work, no studio

December 3 @ 1:30pm = Final Review (Thursday December 3 is a “Monday”) Required items for the intermediate review:

1:500 physical model2D and 3D graphic representation of program areas / relationships / requirementsDigital site plan (building drawn to scale on site)Digital 3D model views (perspectives, axonometrics, cutaway sections, etc.)Concept sketches (by hand): urban and architectural designAnalytical sketches (by hand): tectonicsPhotographs (site, viewplanes, details, materials, assemblies, etc.)3D massing studies of the urban design concept, to scale, placed on the digital and physical site models

Building Design: CONCEPT DIAGRAMS (digital and hand drawn), plans, sections, elevations, 3D model, program amenities, use of exterior space and roof areas, views, sustainability features. Show circulation, access and egress (stairs, ramps), show correct thicknesses for construction in sections (floor and roof thicknesses), show structure in plan and section. See VJAA concept models (pages 95, 115, top of page 119, 144, 156, 184-188).

Final review requirements:

Further information on the final review requirements will be available later in the term.

Use of the computer:

You are welcome to use any computer program(s) for architecture capable of generating two AND three-dimensional views and rendering lighting effects. Aaron Sprecher will present tutorials in Rhino. Robert Mellin will provide assistance with ArchiCAD 12 and will provide tutorial sessions for any students interested in using this program. Information on obtaining a free student version of ArchiCAD Version 12 is available online through GSCNE (Mac or PC, and Intel/Mac). ArchiCAD 12 is available on the EMF network. A free plug-in to go from SketchUp to ArchiCAD is available online. ArchiCAD interactive tutorials and guides are also available online if you need to supplement the tutorials from R. Mellin. A reasonable level of competence with 3D digital modeling is expected by the time of the intermediate review. If you decide not to use ArchiCAD, then you must assume responsibility for obtaining guidance in the use of your software from other resource persons. Sketchup is another program you may wish to consider using, but be aware that it may not provide enough control for the type of detailed model you are expected to produce for this studio, especially when producing different types of views and renderings involving lighting. See examples of studio work from 2007 / 2008 at:

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/2007arch303/index.html

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/2008arch304/indexb.html

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/2008arch303/index.html

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Traditional media:

Digital and traditional media will be used in this studio. You must maintain a bound Moleskine sketchbook (or sketchbooks), a diary of the evolution of your project (watercolour medium and paper encouraged!). The sketchbook is to be scanned at actual scale at 72pdi for the final review and should be physically available in the studio during consultations. Note that your sketches/notes should be analytical in character, documenting details, concepts, and observations (for exemplary examples of architect’s sketchbooks, see Steven Holl’s work: Holl’s books Parallax and Written in Water will be placed on reserve in the library). Sketches and physical models will also be used for both studio consultations and reviews. The intent of the physical models is to use these as rough “working” models rather than presentation models.

Moleskine sketchbooks: READ THIS CAREFULLY!

Sketchbook (Moleskine 13cm x 21 cm size, landscape orientation, no substitutions accepted). These sketchbooks are available at a discount from Papeterie Nota Bene, 3416 Ave. du Parc (514-485-6587). Mention your studio course (ARCH 303) and you should be able to receive a discount. I am interested in quality more than quantity, but as a general guide, students who have done well with the sketchbook requirement have usually filled the book (students have occasionally required more space than one sketchbook will allow). Again, keep in mind the conceptual and analytical purpose of the sketches in the sketchbook.

Moleskine/Sketching Online Resources:

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/3664/inside-the-designers-sketchbook.html

http://detour.moleskinecity.com/

http://www.behance.net/Gallery/my-moleskine/133252

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/articles/journal.pdf

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/articles/barryjournals.pdf

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/articles/hollbelv.pdf

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/articles/sketchbook1992mcgill.pdf

Studio participation:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons are studio days, and your participation in the studio and in reviews will count towards your grade for the course. If you do not have your own computer in the studio, you should output hard copy of the work you are doing on the computer so we can discuss your work. We may occasionally have to meet in the computer lab if you do not have your own computer and you need help with a technical issue. Your studio space should reflect the current state of your research and design and your commitment to the project at any given time, with the presence of drawings, models, and computer output (hard copy).

Collaboration: Collaboration (teamwork) with your peers is strongly encouraged for initial research and documentation and for the construction of the digital site model.

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Grading:

Assignment #1 (Moleskine) 10%

Assignment #2 (Moleskine and Site Model) 10%

Intermediate Review 20%

Final Review 30%

Participation 10%

Sketchbook 20% (Moleskin landscape orientation only!)

Required End-of-Studio-Session Submissions (required to receive a grade):

Due Dec. 7 at @ 10:00am

I. Sketchbook (Moleskin 13cm x 21 cm size, landscape orientation, no substitutions accepted).

II. CD (non-rewritable) or DVD containing:

a. Archived digital model files including all library elements used on the project (ArchiCAD, Rhino, FormZ, AutoCAD) in an unlocked format and capable of being read and manipulated by present day versions of the particular software.

b. Powerpoint or Keynote presentation or html files (you may show your web page for the final presentation instead of using presentation software).

c. Microsoft Word file explaining your project (program, design intent) and indicating the type of software you used (name and version # and type).

d. LOW RESOLUTION (72dpi for web pages or Powerpoint or Keynote) jpg images of the following items:

i. Floor plans, sections, axonometrics, and elevationsii. Selected sketches

iii. Photographs of any physical modelsiv. Digital renderings (perspectives, axonometrics)v. A few high resolution (300dpi) colour or monochrome jpg’s (two or three) of

your best 3D renderings and also your best sketches.vi. Scans of all the pages in your Moleskin sketchbook, actual size 72dpi.

e. Basic web page of your final presentation, with all images web optimized! Use a generic index page and links to files that are not location dependent!

f. Archive of your project using the standard template the School of Architecture has devised using Adobe Creative Suite (this is for the catalogue as well as for a synopsis of your project that may be displayed on a separate web page). The Creative Suite file should be included on your CD.

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Readings/resources:

Check the web page each week for supplementary readings / project precedents.

Online:

http://www.navurb.com

http://www.graphisoft.com/

http://www.imtl.org/montreal/

http://www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca/

http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=2300,2894406&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Books on reserve in the library: Arch 304:

VJAA Vincent James Associates Architects (New York, Princeton Architectural Press, 2007). NA737 V55 J2 2007

Holl, Steven. Parallax, New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2000). NA737 H56 A4 2000

Steven Holl, Written in Water, (Lars Muller). NA2707 H65 A4 2002

Busby, Learning Sustainable Design NA749 B89 B88 2007

Big and Green… NA2542.36 B54 2002

Steven Holl, 1986-1996 NA737 H56 A4 1996

Steven Holl, 1996-1999 NA737 H56 A4 1999

Supplementary texts:

Hines, Thomas. Richard Neutra and the Search for Modern Architecture (New York, Rizzoli, 2005).

Holl, Steven, Architecture Spoken (New York, Rizzoli, 2007).

Patkau Architects: Selected Projects 1983-1993. editor Brian Carter. Halifax: TUNS Press: Documents in Canadian Architecture 1994. Monograph. Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery.

School of Urban Planning, McGill University: A Topographical Atlas of Montreal.

J. Christof Burkle, ed. Gigon Guyer Architects: Works and Projects 1989-2000 (Barcelona: GG, 2000).

Kengo Kuma Selected Works (New York, Princeton Architectural Press, 2005).

Rossi, Aldo. The Architecture of the City (Cambridge, M.I.T. Press, 1982).

Schittich, Christian (ed.), High Density Housing (Munich: Birkhauser in Detail series).

James Turrell: The Other Horizon (MAK: Vienna, 2001) or read articles on Turrell’s projects (some available online: “I make spaces that apprehend light for our perception, and in some way gather it, or seem to hold it.”: see http://www.conversations.org/99-1-turrell.htm).

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Williams, Tod and Billie Tsein. “Slowness,” in 2G: International Architectural Review, No. 9, 1999, pages 131-137.

Weisman, Alan The World Without Us (St. Martin’s Press, 2007): may be on reserve!

Zumthor, Peter. Atmospheres (Basel: Birkhauser, 2006).

Zumthor, Peter. Thinking Architecture (Basel: Birkhauser, 2006).

Gussow, Susan Ferguson, Architects Draw (New York, Princeton Architectural Press, 2008).

"McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest/ for more information). (approved by Senate on 29 January 2003)

“In accord with McGill University’s Charter of Students’ Rights, students in this course have the right to submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded.” (approved by Senate on 21 January 2009 - see also the section in this document on Assignments and evaluation.)

“In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University’s control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.”

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