SANAA is an architecture firm that creates stunning buildings from ordinary beginnings. Whilst many architects utilize complex curves and structures to create iconic buildings, SANAA is able to achieve them through the manipulation of simple shapes. The Zollverein School of Management and Design, built in 2003-2006, is a prime example of this. The building's general shape is of a cube, decorated with a seemingly random placement of square windows. Behind the walls of the building are various levels, each with differing heights.
Another example of such design is the New Museum of New York, built in 2003-2007. The building is in the form of a simple high rise prism. However, SANAA has manipulated and distorted the shape, pushing and pulling segments of the building in and out of place, creating an iconic and complex building. This is also evident in the Kitagata Housing project, built in 1994-1998, where SANAA imagined the various rooms of a house as a building block. From there, they created a puzzle, where each piece was a different apartment made with a different configuration of the building blocks.
The simplistic origins of SANAA's buildings make them a very interesting architectural firm that creates buildings with a hidden complexity to them.
Paper Models:
Model 1: The repetition of a simple shape in different forms. [Zollverein School of Management and Design]
In developing my first paper model, I played around with the
pattern that was present throughout the Zollverein School of Management and
Design. The pattern in the building is made up of a single shape, the square. In order to create a an interesting pattern, SANAA used various squares of different sizes. To convey this repetition, I decided to create model that was dominated by the
square shapes. I made the square shapes with different methods and different
sizes in order to convey the repetition of the shape in the building in
different forms.
Model 2: The distortion of the ordinary to create the extraordinary. [Plans and Representational Archetypes]
This paper model is based around the concept of an underlying or hidden complexity to a structure. It relates to the various sketches that SANAA is known for. From the first glance, the sketches do not seem all that special, however, under closer inspection, they have various complexities that are hidden through the medium in which they are presented. I represented these complexities as strange patterns created through overlapping folds in the paper, appearing only when a light is shown from behind as distortions in the plain paper face. These relate to the iconic features of SANAA's architecture, where they take ordinary shapes and forms, and distort them into something extraordinary.
Poster:
Title Page
Title Page
Fold Out Segment
To create my 3d model, I began with a simple shape; the
cube.
From here, I manipulated this shape in order to result in my
final model.
First, I added another two cubes, one above and one below.
I created various square rings around the tower of three cubes,
and later added another 4 smaller cubes around the model. This relates back to
my concept of repetition, where the simple shape of a square has been repeated
throughout my model in different sizes and forms (cubes).
Square shaped holes were then added to some of the cubes in
the model.
I began to manipulate the positions of the surrounding
square rings to play with the idea of creating a seemingly random pattern.
From here, I started to distort the ordinary shapes through
the use of the twist modifier to create some interesting shapes. To further
emphasise this, I rotated the square rings around the cubes, and twisted the
top and bottom cubes. The twist tool allows for complexity to be born from the
simple shapes. This relates back to my concept of distorting the ordinary to
create the extraordinary.
It is from the combination of these two concepts that I was
able to create my 3d model.
Whilst the poster as a whole is seen as a single sheet, it is still split into two halves.
The top half deals with my concept of the repetition of a simple shape.
In order to demonstrate the concept, I used to concept to
create the background of the poster. The background was made by placing squares
of different sizes around the poster. This emphasises the interesting patterns
that can be created through the repetition of a simple shape. The concept is
also shown in the background as I incorporated images of the Zollverein School
of Management that emphasised the repetition of the square windows. The
storyboard of the development of the model further emphasises how I repeat the
shape of a square throughout the model, becoming more complex as it progresses
towards the final model.
The lower half deals with my concept of the distortion of the ordinary to create the extraordinary.
I utilized two floor plans developed by SANAA to emphasise
this concept. The two floor plans both look very plain and boxy, showing the
simplistic beginnings of SANAA’s buildings. To further emphasise this point, I
had hand drawn diagrams of my planning of my model scattered across the poster.
The plain and ordinary looking title page also emphasises this point, where the
presentation begins simple, but later reveals its complexity. The development
of the model is shown from the side where it looks like an ordinary and simple
object. The complexities of the model are revealed when the model is distorted.
I decided to merge the two posters together to further emphasize the synergy between the two concepts.
3ds Renders:
Photographs:
Representational Archetypes:
Photographs:
Representational Archetypes:
7. Kazuyo Sejima in Gifu - Kazuyo Sejima (2001)
8. Kazuyo Sejima in Gifu - Kazuyo Sejima (2001)
8. Kazuyo Sejima in Gifu - Kazuyo Sejima (2001)
Looks excellent Jason! I can clearly see that the montage is graphically demonstrating your ideas, but remember you still need to keep in mind the electronic submission requirements of two separate A3 PDF posters. Each poster is to communicate and assist you in presenting two different ideas. Pay careful attention to the project brief.
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