Experiment 2 - The Space Between

Experiment 2 - Week 1 Task (The Concepts)

B.V. Doshi (Living architect):

1. Interrelationship between indoor and outdoor spaces 
2. Drawing in natural light through forms which in turn diffuses light and creates ambiance 
3. Traditionally geometric shapes are made to look new through materiality 
4. Brutalism and ruggedness of raw materials such as brick and concrete
5. "Landscape is the primary architectural mediator, the ground and building are in separable." 
6. Relates his architecture to the history of his home country of India. Brutalist form relates to the skilled craftsmen of his culture 
7. Flexible rather than rigid approach to the structure 
8. Responding to the tropical climate of the site
9. The use of columns to define a space 
10. The Buddhist caves of Ajamta and Ellora inspired Doshi to design the interior with circles and ellipses
11. The architecture features overlapping layers and transitional areas which encourages fluid and adaptable living conditions, customary in Indian tradition

Louis Kahn (Deceased architect):

1. He establishes a hierarchy of spatial organisation in that primary spaces are often centralised, whereas secondary spaces are placed on the fringes
2. Focussing on functionality whilst giving life to architecture 
3. The materiality and method of assembly of the building should be clear to anyone who sees it, this creates a grander sense of weight and presence 
4. Form did not necessarily follow the function
5. "Each space should have its own shape and form" 
6. He juxtaposes both materials and geometry, using not only conventional materials like concrete, but also using timber in unexpected ways 
7. "All matter is made up of light, and matter casts shadows, and the light and shadows make a space." 
8. There is a relationship between servant and served spaces, whereby servant spaces like stairways and corridors facilitate the function of the served living spaces
9. Emphasis placed on strong geometric forms of the building, which in turn dramatically influences its relationship to light 

The 6 Axonometric Sketches

(Check the list for the corresponding ideas used to draw these models)

'Doshi 2' Lumion Model

Combined Axonometric sketches

Parallel Projections:

Combined SketchUp Models with artisan tool applied

Doshi 1 + Kahn 9 #2 Developed Lumion Model

'Interrelationship between indoor and outdoor spaces' and 'Emphasis placed on strong geometric forms of the building, which in turn dramatically influences its relationship to light'

Doshi 1 + Kahn 9 #2 in context (SketchUp)

The red boxes show the textures used in the final model (light, medium and dark). I chose the light texture as it was simple and not too distracting which was ideal for the floor of the light rail stop. I chose the medium texture as it reflected Louis Kahn's idea of geometric design and lastly, I chose the dark texture to reinforce the curved form of the main structure above.

Lumion Model Images

The shadows from the hexagonal lattice are also reflected underneath the shelter to demonstrate a small scale example of the main curved structure to demonstrate the structure's 'relationship to light'. The light texture was applied to the ground of light rail stop.

The curved section of the light rail stop represents the idea of the 'Interrelationship between indoor and outdoor spaces' as there are no restricted spaces in its form whereas the rectilinear section represents Louis Kahn's emphasis on geometric design.

The use of concrete columns represents B.V. Doshi's design concept of 'using columns to define a space'. The hexagonal lattice design is also apparent through this large stairway up to the light rail stop further reinforcing Louis Kahn's geometric design principles.

This sitting area underneath represents the idea 'Interrelationship between indoor and outdoor spaces' from B.V. Doshi's architecture through the solid structure above providing shelter and shade which contrasts the intersecting geometric lattice that relates to the geometric design principles of Louis Kahn's architecture. The use of the interlacing custom texture and concrete also reinforces this concept. This is where the medium texture was applied.

The hexagonal lattice demonstrates the idea of 'Emphasis placed on strong geometric forms of the building, which in turn dramatically influences its relationship to light' as evident by the shadows that are projected onto the light rail tracks creating a unique 'relationship to light'. I also gained some inspiration from the geometric design of Louis Kahn's national parliament house located in Bangladesh. This lattice is also transferred onto the light rail stop shelter and this is where the dark texture was applied.

Link to SketchUp Model:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/18a7d16b-d940-418f-af08-5cd46795636b/ARCH1101-Experiment-2-The-Space-Between

Link to Lumion Model via Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qf7n9f5wuefw0w9/ARCH1101%20Experiment%202%20Lumion%20Model.ls8s?dl=0