Module 3

The idea of setting columns in rooms gives the feeling of grand scale along with high gloss ceilings  makes the room look much taller than it is.


Picking colors from nature and not a color wheel is a technique John Saladino uses in the image below. Color choice should be chosen by the way natural light reacts to it.

The use of natural light entering rooms has different effects throughout the day as light moves through the room. As an example of this can be seen in the image to the right.

The Guiding Principles in Designing a Room as Explained by John Saladino are:

1. Illusion (challenging the expected)
2. Light as the prime mover
3. Color as metamorphosis and harmony
4. Scale, from monumental to human
5. Axis to create corridors of desire

Module 2

The Key Points that were introduced this week were:

1. Break up space into three parts

2. Blend elements of old and new to introduce time and space

3. Use light and color to accent any space

4. Frame nature into designed spaces

 5. Repetition of elements help define space

 6. Arrange hierarchy into space

This week there was much talk about how light works with spaces. From how a space brings in light to how a space can allow light to come in through various locations as seen above in Kenzo Kuma's design and is seen in Shigeru Ban's design where he uses paper tubing walls which also allow light to enter his space. There was also discussion on how a space can be transformed by allowing light to enter it. We also discussed literal and phenomenal transparency. Literal would be objects such as walls, windows and any type of reflective or translucent material. Phenomenal is achieved by the design of the structure and using something such as light to extend the already existing lines.

Module 1

Architecture is like music. This was how our instructor, Ms. Huang, began to explain our architecture course. Like music, architecture should have a flow and rhythm. Without it you will just create eye sores without beauty. In addition to having a musical presence, architecture also needs to respect nature. One must be able to use the natural surroundings when designing a space. This was what I took from the first lecture conducted by Ms. Huang.

The two images I have chosen to post were designed by Santiago Calatrava and I believe both embody rhythm and flow. It is almost as if you can see the music in the pieces.