Author Archives: tracywalker1004

I am currently studying Interior Design and enjoying the journey!

Exercise 2.4: Project 3: Paraline Projections

During this project I have learned about paraline projections, they are orthographic drawings that are drawn at scale showing buildings, structures, spaces or ojects in 3D but without the use of perspective. The 2 main types of parallel projections used in Architectural drawing are Axonometric Projections and Planometric Projections.

The three different types of Axonometric Projection are Isometric, Dimetric and Trimetric. They are sometimes ‘exploded’ to help show different elements and how they relate to one another.

I researched the internet to find examples of ‘exploded axonometric drawings’. Below I found one of a house called CK House.

From the beginning of the client’s requirement, he needed a small house for his family of three. The designing of the house was based on the simplicity but not too simple, the cost of technical building process should not be too much due to the responsibility of the owner. The site located close to where they used to live at that time, surrounded by neighbours’ orchards and rice fields. (Arch Daily, 2015)

Figure 1. Chiang Kham District house, Thailand drawn by Architect Attasit Kongmongkol
Figure 2. Image of Chiang Kham District house, Thailand

Here is another example of an exploded drawing, this is of a two storey extension designed and built by JR Architects.

The clients for this project already had planning for two storey extension of average design which would have given them enough space, but lacked inspiration and did not enhance the existing property as they were hoping for. JRA was commissioned to look again at the design to extend the dwelling in a more sympathetic but modern way. We came up with the idea of extending with a lean to structure to the side and also a two storey extension at the rear to extend the kitchen and create a new master suite above. Finally, we also provided the space for accessing the loft which unlocked the potential for this space to be converted in the future. The project was granted full planning with no objections, or conditions, and the clients and planners could see exactly what they were going to get thanks to our clear 3d presentations! (JRA, s.d)

Figure 3. Lower Campscott Farm, Lee, North Devon drawn by Jonathon Reeves Architects
Figure 4. Image of Lower Campscott Farm, Lee, North Devon

Referencing

Arch Daily 2015 – Architects: Full Scale Studio (2015) https://www.archdaily.com/774908/ck-house-full-scale-studio (accessed 17.7.19)

JRA (date unknown) https://www.jr-architecture.co.uk/lower-campscott.html (accessed 17.7.19)

Images

Fig.1 Exploded Axonometric https://www.archdaily.com/774908/ck-house-full-scale-studio?ad_medium=gallery (accessed 17.7.19)

Fig.2 CK House https://www.archdaily.com/774908/ck-house-full-scale-studio?ad_medium=gallery (accessed 17.7.19)

Fig.3 Lower Campscott Farm, Lee, North Devon https://www.jr-architecture.co.uk/lower-campscott.html (accessed 17.7.19)

Fig.4 Lower Campscott Farm, Lee, North Devon https://www.jr-architecture.co.uk/lower-campscott.html (accessed 17.7.19)

Exercise 2.4: Space: Plan and Sections in CAD

During this exercise I learned the basics of using Vectorworks, I watched some youtube videos which were very helpful.

Firstly, I drew the outline of my room in plan view and then added rectangle shapes, followed by adding the correct dimensions according to my drawing. I added the two armchairs, sofa and single chair, footstool, chimney breast and window. It took me a while to understand that you need to draw the plan in normal scale and then print in the scale you have drawn in.

I very much enjoyed measuring the space and objects within the space and then putting this information into a sketch plan and although I enjoy drawing on paper I am looking forward to translating that information into computer aided design.

Now that I have the very basic skills for using Vectorworks I will need to continue to build on the skills to be able to progress further, there are training sessions you can attend which I think would be very helpful. I have found using Vectorworks quite challenging and realise that there is so much more to learn but I’m sure that with time and effort it will all become a lot clearer as I go through the course.

Fig. 1 First attempt of my living room in an orthographic projection using Vectorworks
Fig.2 Second attempt of my living room in an orthographic projection using Vectorworks

Fig.3 Third attempt of my living room in an orthographic projection using Vectorworks with dimensions.
Fig.4 Fourth attempt of my living room in an orthographic projection using Vectorworks with dimensions.
Fig.5 Fifth attempt of my living room in an orthographic projection using Vectorworks with dimensions.

Reflecting on my feedback – Assignment 2

I have received formative feedback from my tutor with regards to my second assignment. Once again I will reflect on the feedback and identify what I feel are the key themes and areas for development.

In my final presentation, my tutor has noted that although I’m doing well with the amount and quality of work, I have not put enough information into the final document. I have once again read over my learning log and I think because I put the research in leading up to my final assignment and documented it in my learning log, I felt that I would be repeating myself by putting the same information into my final document, this I now realise was very silly of me! I have to differentiate between my learning log and my assignments, remembering that my log is my journey and I need to collect parts, if not all of this information for my final piece. I will learn from this and ensure that enough information is given to the reader next time.

I need to spend more time researching other blogs online to help me understand how to improve on my own and not be afraid of putting a lot more text with the graphics in future.

Exercise 2.3: Space: Section at Scale 1:20/1:50

During this exercise I learned how to draw a section from my previous plan. I drew a red dotted line across the plan with arrows pointing in the direction of the elevation I wanted to section and create. By placing a piece of tracing paper above my plan, drawing a horizontal floor line first and then using a set square I extended the lines vertically from my plan drawing up from the section drawing. I then drew horizontal lines to join each line relevant to the chimney breast and pieces of furniture, all to scale 1:20.

At first I was confused by how to create this elevation on the tracing paper, I read through the instruction several times to try and understand what was required. Once I started drawing the vertical lines up from my plan it started to make sense, it’s simple when you know how! So this was done by hand and the next exercise involves drawing on computer aided design software which I am very much looking forward to.

  • Fig.1 A hand drawn plan of my living room with a section shown in red.
  • Fig.2 A hand drawn plan of my living room using tracing paper to show the section.

Exercise 2.2: Space: Plan at Scale 1:20/1:50

On this exercise I used my previous drawings and notes to do a technical plan drawing of my room to scale 1:20. I used a darker pencil to outline the room to show the main structure of the walls, a lighter shade was used to show the pieces of furniture within the room.

Drawing to scale and so precisely was strange considering the pieces of furniture are not actually rigid like this, they have soft edges, I do understand the reasons for being so technical but I think it will take a while for me to get used to drawing so neatly and precisely.

Exercise 2.1: Space: Sketch & Survey

In this exercise I chose a room in my house to sketch and measure. My living room is 3400mm long x 3130mm wide x 2560mm high, with a chimney breast and two alcoves. I also sketched and measured each piece of large to medium furniture, 2 armchairs, sofa, footstool and side tables. I am looking forward to the next exercise where I will learn to draft hand-drawn plans at a scale of 1:20 or 1:50 and also start to use different line-weights to add depth to my drawings.

Fig.1 An orthographic projection of my living room.
Fig.1 A sketch of the furniture within my living room.
Fig.3 A sketch of the furniture within my living room including dimensions.
Fig.4 An orthographic projection of my living room with dimensions.

Do I think design and creativity should adhere to aesthetic rules of proportion and symmetry?

Symmetry creates balance, and balance in design creates harmony, order, and aesthetically pleasing results. It is found everywhere in nature, and is probably why we find it to be so beautiful. Symmetry is one of the fundamental principles in gestaltism, a human behavior theory that proposes that our mind naturally creates order and completeness in the things we see and encounter. (Craig, s.d)

Yes, symmetry does create balance and in turn aesthetically pleasing results. There’s something very special about designs that are symmetrical, such as buildings or furniture. I believe that certain designs would not look as appealing if they weren’t symmetrical and were uneven and unbalanced, this doesn’t make them ugly, it makes them unique because of their unevenness. It all depends on the message you are trying to communicate. If a room that you are designing is not symmetrical, it does have more appeal because you need to think more carefully on both practicality and aesthetic, this challenges you to create a unique space without it looking messy. Whilst symmetry creates balance which feels right and looks aesthetically pleasing, it’s also quite boring and I think that you need to have designs that draw the eye more than others would do. If a design is ugly, it doesn’t mean it’s been made in an awful way or that it doesn’t appeal, it creates conversation. You question who designed it, why they designed it in that way and could it work for you. I believe that creativity is individual and appeals to different people in lots of different ways.

Scale: Spaces & Objects

Exercise 1.1: Object: Sketch & Survey

Exercise 1.2: Object: Plan & Elevations, Scale 1:1

Exercise 1.3: Object: Plan & Elevations, Scales 1:2

For the first exercise I found an object to draw, one with some interesting detail but not over complicated.  I then spent some time looking at it from all sides and angles, then sketched it from above and from two different sides. I then took a ruler and measured each edge and wrote down the dimensions on my sketch above.  I had to try and draw in long continuous lines, I actually found this really easy to do and I think it was made easier with the type of object I had chosen.

Secondly, I drew a plan (from above) and a side elevation, in a neat orthographic line drawing. Whilst understanding how to calculate scale, next I drew a plan and a side elevation in a scale 1:2, making the drawings half the size. There’s something quite therapeutic about drawing neat lines and to scale, I must buy myself a mechanical pencil!

Reflection

Well, what a project this has been. I have learned so much to take with me throughout the rest of my course.  Some of it was very time consuming and at times frustrating, but those processes should become second nature the further I progress with the course.  Even though at times I felt I may have been focusing too closely on particular sections of the project, I have realised that detailed research naturally takes a fair amount of time to conduct.  Once I eventually get used to certain parts of the course, i.e. Harvard referencing, I trust they will take up less time. I need to remember to get into the habit of carrying my sketch book with me and sketch as well as taking photographs.  I hope to start doing this and incorporating this in my learning log from now on. From this assignment I have learned how to carry out in depth research of architecture, architects and designs, and how to take that information and document it with images in my learning log.  I feel I can now reference correctly with a lot more ease; at the beginning it was very frustrating remembering to do this.  Right from the start of Project 2 I have thoroughly enjoyed researching and learning about historical properties, innovative materials and vernacular architecture and I am excited to learn more about these areas. This project seems like an excellent starting point. Really excited to move on to the next project!