Site Sampling

After the 48 hour charrette, we were told that our models of form were the lead-in to our final project.  Each of the rectangles represented a programmatic requirement in our project, and the form we developed in the previous exercise will be our inspiration for our designs over the next few weeks. 

After the conceptual study, it was time to analyze site. Students were given a list of elements to choose from and analyze and form a "site sampling" based on analyses and deductive reasoning. Here are the results:

The 48 Charrette

So after an eventful week galavanting throughout Spain and a final project due, we had a 48-hour charrette...don't worry, it wasn't as terrible as it sounds. The rules, however, were another story. Students were given a 10 cm x 10 cm (yes you read that right, centimeters), a 10 cm x 10 cm x 1 mm piece of cardboard (to act as a plane), and 24 2cm x 2cm x 1cm squares, 8 of which were one color while the other 16 are a contrasting color.

Here were the rules:

1. Transform the cardboard so that it remains in one piece while utilizing two of the given words AND the entire piece of cardboard

Cut
Slice
Peel
Tear
Intersect
Puncture
Fold
Crinkle
Bend
Incise

2. Site the 24 rectangles such that
 One face is exposed to light
 One face is in contact with the cardboard
 No more than 40% of the site is covered by the rectangles
 Each Color A (8) rectangle must touch one rectangle of Color B (16).

The goal: To produce form.

At the end of the 48 hours, three winners were chosen based on an anonymous student vote after a group discussion with Sophia, Joel and two critics.

And the winners were:

Nathalia De Vera
Zack Caplette
Magalie Goor

Field Trip 1.0 Madrid and Southern Spain

Between the mid-review and final review of our urban infill project, students were lucky enough t spend a week traveling a few other cities throughout Spain with the help of Sophia and Joel. THe trip encompassed the cities of Madrid, Cordoba, Granada and Sevilla.

The busy itinerary included:

7.2.2014

Madrid:

A sketching and walking tour of all of the following with a presentation by Devon Brophy and Matthew Simeone on the Manzarenes in the context of the contemporary landscape design.
Placa Mayor
Ayuntamiento
Palacio Real
Royal Collections Museum
Segovia Bridge
Cascara Bridges and Landscape
Centro de Estudios Hidrograficos
Matadero Madrid Design Center

Group Dinner at Venta El Buscon

8.2.2014
Toledo:

Sketching at the Toledo Cathedral
Group lunch at Alqahira Rincon de Oriente
La Granja Escalator
Palacio de Congresos del Miradero
Santa Maria la Blanca
More sketching at the El Greco Museum

9.2.2014
Madrid:

Discussion, Presentation, and Sketching at the Museo de Arte Reina Sofia
La Caixa Forum
Sketching, Discussion and Architectural Theory Presentation by Michael Egnor and Daniel Ruck at Museo Nacional Del Prado

10.2.2014
Cordoba:

Walking Tour, Sketching, and Discussion at Mezquita de Cordoba/Alcazar
Walking Tour and Sketching at Juderia and Sinagoga de Cordoba

11.2.2014
Granada:

Tour and Sketching at The Alhambra
Alcaiceria
Corral de Carbon
Catedral de Granada
Sketching at the Generalife Gardens, Alcazar and Palace Carlos V
Nasrid Palace
Walking Tour and Sketching at the Capilla Reial
Night visit ti Hammam Arabic Baths

12.2.2014
Seville:

Walking Tour and Sketching at Santa Cruz Quarter, El Arenal and Plaza Espana

13.2.2014
Seville:

Sketching at La Catedral y Giralda de Seville and he Real Alcazar
Flamenco Show at the Mudeo del Baile Flamenco

14.2.2014
Seville:

Visit and Sketching at Metropol Parasol-here our first boards of the semester were drawn in teams of 2
Free afternoon

From standing in the very center of Madrid to sketching at the Mezquita de Cordoba to the flamenco show to sketching at the Catedral de Seville, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that this was a truly memorable and educational trip.  It's experiences like these that make us realize why we chose to study abroad and just how lucky we all are to be doing so.  It may have been an exhausting week, but we saw and learned so much that the experience was once that will stay with us for years to come.
I mean, I'd say we look pretty happy!

(Ans there wil be more photos to come in the near future!)

The Urban Infill Photos (Finally!)

So you got to see the finished products, but what about the students and our process along the way? Here are some photos from both the mid-review and final review of our first studio project of the semester.

Comparison of Barcelona and Washington DC (Second Iteration)

Theory Presentations

Contemporary Art and Architecture

Zack Caplette and Santiago Vales

Kelly Foley and Miguel Novillo

Devon Brophy and Matthew Simeone

Sarah Gordon and Mariah Maloy

Michael Egnor and Daniel Ruck

Valentine Catapano and Alexandra Stuckey

Nathalia De Vera and Carissa Stinson