Activity Two

Poche', figure/field, and positive/negative space are all terms that you will need to know before starting this project.

• Poche'- the term refers to the "blackening" convention of architectural drawings to signify the thickness of walls in plan
• Figure/field-the pictoral relationship between positive and negative space in an art work
• Positive/negative space- spaces which are occupied by the main subjects of the work / spaces which are the areas around and behind the positive space

You can see more about these definitions and find out about other definitions and see some example photos at www.latech.edu/tech/liberal-arts/architecture/

Now that we know what concepts we are working with, we can begin the experimental activity. Your materials include

• corrugated board
• thin chip board
• bamboo skewers
• steel rods
• floral wire
• string

PROCEDURE:

1. cut the cardboard into a 16" by 24" rectangle
2. make three sections (A,B,C) by forming another 16" by 24" rectangle, this time with walls and no base (the walls need to be 3" high), and split it into six 8" by 8" squares. then glue it to the cardboard, three squares on it and three squares off.
3. using your vocabulary words, shape the container. Here is an example:

the scale is 1/4"=1'0 and max wall height is 12' in scale

Finally you are now ready for the graded project. The materials include:

• corrugated cardboard
• wood dowels
• paper
• chip board

PROCEDURE:

Design a cenotaph, a monument erected as a memorial to a dead person buried elsewhere, for Einstein's brain. It should include the following:

1. place for the brain to be viewed
2. viewing space for no more than six people at a time
3. a vault where the brain is stored after hours
4. clearly articulated entry (should be a big elaberate enterance)
5. a meaningful and spatial path that the viewer walks through
6. an exit (should not be a reversal of the entry
7. path way in which only an employee can move the brain from its location to the vault

The Site:

Using the cardboard, cut a 12" by 24" rectangle. Then using the wood dowels, create a frame 12" high and 24" wide like the one seen here:

You may lay it flat or stand it up, it doesn't matter. The scale is 3/8"=1'0

The objective is to explore the glossary of the architecture terms and spatial ideas and to learn how to "shape the container".

Evaluation:

You will be graded on craftsmanship, function, aesthetics, and invention.

Here are some pictures to help you:

For more examples go to www.latech.edu/tech/liberal-arts/architecture/Arch120Manuals.htm