Rcox's Account

It is great to see your ideas expressed in architectural drawings rather than just in words. Even more impressive is seeing sections - these are often the most difficult to produce, however they provide the most accurate representation of how a space will be experienced. Plans are perfect to organize space, and elevations provide similar for the skin. Bonus appreciation for including a title, drawing scale, and a figure for proportion. These are often left out because we run out of time, but they are absolutely critical.
However, I could not readily tell where the sections were cut. This is important when you add an element such as the sloped glazing. Will this face northeast and receive mostly diffuse lighting? Or does it face southwest where it will have more direct lighting? Look back at your original reference, the International School for an excellent example of daylit spaces.

Again, great progress and I look forward to seeing just how far you can take your ideas.

You are making intelligent, rational decisions about how the space will look, feel and relate to the environment. As a bit of a challenge, try to visualize that process in drawings rather than words. Often by drawing something our initial assumptions are challenged. Perhaps the idea you thought worked does not and the idea you may have dismissed actually has some merit.
Make quick rough sketches and post your process.

The idea of a flower helps me fully understand what I want my building to look like and what its function will be. However, I believe I should build in a different location because by building above the mall area, a few things occur. The natural sunlight that the mall area receives disappears and the whole dynamic of the school changes because now the mall area seems smaller. By having the roof so high up, you feel a sense of space and freedom throughout the mall area. I will keep you posted on any further information and decisions made about a relocation.

Great job so far Reggie. I am impressed with the explanation of your concept. It shows me that you have a clear a focus heading into this next phase of the project. At this stage in the process you should have most of the ingredients necessary to begin the design process: analysis of site, a preliminary concept, and a program outline. Jump right in by creating bubble diagrams showing relationships of spaces for the proposed addition, diagrams depicting the relationship of your addition to the existing school, and developing your concept in regard to its relationship to the context of the site and your pre-defined program. Don’t be concerned with the neatness of your sketches at this point. This phase of the design process is about allowing your ideas to flow freely from your mind to the paper. This stage can also be a bit overwhelming so make sure not to lose sight of your concept and the rest of the site’s conditions. Keep up the good work.

The use of natural elements, such as a flower, for analogy can be a wonderful way of inspiring and informing the next steps in your design process. Now it is time to consider how this is expressed architecturally through spaces, volumes and materials. How do the elements of your program relate to the 'mall' and each other? How does this new wing relate to the existing school?

Keep up the great work. I am excited to see where you take the concept.

Great progress so far. Your inspiration project is an excellent choice. The functionally required circulation space becomes the feature element. There are other examples of this in higher education where the main circulation element becomes the primary gathering and interactive space. Westminster Academy, a high school in London: http://www.cabe.org.uk/case-studies/westminster-academy. The use of color, bold graphics and the overall proportion of the space create a dynamic environment that is in contrast to the fairly standard classroom spaces.
While this project is for a university and is a stand alone building rather than a new wing, it might not be too far off from your own challenges. Have a read through the text and take a look at the images: http://web.mit.edu/facilities/construction/completed/stata.html
Frank Gehry has talked that while all of the researchers were interested in their labs and offices, he gave them an amazing space between these elements where people can meet for coffee or just by chance, and that these exchanges were the most important for learning. The exchange of knowledge is encouraged by architecture.

Keep up the excellent work.

Thank you. The Q/A was very helpful and informing for me because I was able to get a different point of view from others. There point of views helped me think about other ways in which I could enhance this technology wing into something people will love. I also understand what you mean about the life span of the school because I dont want a wing that would look out of date in the future. Our next assignment is a site model that can give us a better look of the site. I will post photos and information whenever they become available.

It looks like you have gathered quite a bit of information. The interview Q/A that you posted is very helpful. Notice that each had different ideas about the best places to study and learn, from a wide open space, to individual cubicles to focus without distractions. Your solution may need to cater to all of these different needs.

One point that has been made several times is that the outside of the school does not express the 'technology' aspect of the learning that transpires inside. Fundamentally, a school is usually constructed with the idea of a 50-100 year lifespan. They are generally paid by for through governments and therefore taxes, so the public wants to know that their money is invested in the long term. Therefore, if your technology wing is meant to express 'High Tech' in 2010/11, how will it appear to students of 2060? It may seem as a relic of our age as much as finding an iPhone in 2060. It is the real challenge for your scheme to have the longevity of a 'school' while also portraying what 'technology' means expressed in built materials.

An excellent example of similar building, though for a university, is Crown Hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. The building is from the 1950s - likely older than your current school building but you would guess that it might be from the present because of its use of glass, steel and wide open spaces for the classrooms. http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Crown_Hall.html

Your first site diagram and then the aerial photo with the school plan on top are very helpful in understanding the context. Looking forward to seeing your initial concepts.

I am looking forward to what you come up with for the technology wing. I checked out the school in google maps and agree with your points about the adjacent shopping malls. It is interesting to observe all of the retail on one side of Tonnele Avenue and all of the residential neighborhoods on the other side. Where does the school, and the technology wing, fit into these two very different building types? Your addition should acknowledge these other elements.
Take advantage of things that are first may seem to be challenging. Your school is on a hill - this might lead to all sorts of stairs, terraces and theater type classrooms and exterior spaces. You may not be fond of your school's exterior, but this will also help to contrast with your technology wing if you want it to read as a completely new element.

A great project for you to look at would be the Nueva School. The site and architectural context are very different, but the challenge of an addition on a hillside is very similar to High Tech. Have a look through the various sections: http://www.tah2.org/think/site

Post some of your ideas about where the new wing would be located and why. Think about the context around it, and then internally how would it link into the rest of the school. Keep up the good ideas.

Thank you for your support and I will keep you updated throughout the whole process. Today we discussed the Program Plan and five questions that can be asked to the students and the staff about this new technology wing.