Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Explanation of my Rooms
"Upon a watchtower, sits a housewife: who with letters from abroad hopes and waits to welcome the author; her husband, home"
Following the narrative of the housewife awaiting her husband, I chose to build a watchtower, as a place where she can look out for him. At the top, you could imagine the scene of Vermeer's painting existing, where this top room is her provate sanctuary, for her to read the letters she recieves, store her belongings, and hold the relics that remind her of her husband. With a downwards curving arch, her view out the window is forced down rather than up, which refelcts her desire to view onto the road for her husband. Below is a open roof top courtyard, where she could sit and wait for him, exposed to the elements she could hear and see him or possibly the postman to arrive. On the otherside is the entry point to the glass tube below, which acts partly as a light tunnel, but on the courtyard it acts as a 'wishing well', symbolising her desire/wishing he'd return. Then below inside the main room, a small space exists for her to sit in more privacy, away from any suggestions of the lonely road where her husband would return.
The bottom half acts much more as a welcoming point for her husband. The cathedral liek triangular would first welcome him there, in a grand gesture. THey would move through this enclosed point to a smaller point which would then open up to the main room, where they would be met wiht a burst of light, and a welcoming glass mounument. Then they'd proceed up the stairs, in a ritual that would begin witha space to dine. This then could proceed to that private small space, where the couple could sit together and converse, and catch-up. However this space could be bi-passed and they could return to the open courtyard, and therefore return to their own lives together, in the openness of the public. Thus here more activites could occur; including reading/writing/eating/create workings/relaxing. THe top room would remain as the lady's personal space, where husband would not enter.
Following the narrative of the housewife awaiting her husband, I chose to build a watchtower, as a place where she can look out for him. At the top, you could imagine the scene of Vermeer's painting existing, where this top room is her provate sanctuary, for her to read the letters she recieves, store her belongings, and hold the relics that remind her of her husband. With a downwards curving arch, her view out the window is forced down rather than up, which refelcts her desire to view onto the road for her husband. Below is a open roof top courtyard, where she could sit and wait for him, exposed to the elements she could hear and see him or possibly the postman to arrive. On the otherside is the entry point to the glass tube below, which acts partly as a light tunnel, but on the courtyard it acts as a 'wishing well', symbolising her desire/wishing he'd return. Then below inside the main room, a small space exists for her to sit in more privacy, away from any suggestions of the lonely road where her husband would return.
The bottom half acts much more as a welcoming point for her husband. The cathedral liek triangular would first welcome him there, in a grand gesture. THey would move through this enclosed point to a smaller point which would then open up to the main room, where they would be met wiht a burst of light, and a welcoming glass mounument. Then they'd proceed up the stairs, in a ritual that would begin witha space to dine. This then could proceed to that private small space, where the couple could sit together and converse, and catch-up. However this space could be bi-passed and they could return to the open courtyard, and therefore return to their own lives together, in the openness of the public. Thus here more activites could occur; including reading/writing/eating/create workings/relaxing. THe top room would remain as the lady's personal space, where husband would not enter.
FINAL MODEL
Section
The Tower at Night, shining as a "beacon" to guide the traveller home. 
The light source is within the glass monument inside. 
Showing the effect of the light to internal spaces
The light source is within the glass monument inside. 
Showing the effect of the light to internal spaces
Tower Development
Building on the Site: on the end of a one street country town, so that the wife has one focus to look down, to wait for her husband.
Section of Sketchup Model, showing stairs/levels and central glass figure.
Precedents
Yale Centre of British Art
After an initial low roofed area you are lead to a large 3 story square opening; light flowing from above and large concrete sculptural cylinder; where stairs are kept. This was somewhat inspiration for way the main room in my building was entered and experienced.
National Assembly Dacca
The plain flat surface with large standard shaped openings, was an inspiration for my building and creating a sense of monumnetality and grandness; an upwards focusing feeling.
Tod's Omotesando Tokyo, Japan
The shape of my building was somewhat derived from my knowing of this photo of the building. The light shining through various sized gaps was also another idea that made me look at this Toyo Ito structure. It shines out and is clearly distinguished from the other ones, inspiring idea of a shining tower acting as a beacon.
Section of Sketchup Model, showing stairs/levels and central glass figure.
Precedents
Louis Kahn
I looked at Louis Kahn was a precedent for my building. This is due to initial Gothic inspiration, and then further with trying to exlore use of light and space in building. 
Yale Centre of British ArtAfter an initial low roofed area you are lead to a large 3 story square opening; light flowing from above and large concrete sculptural cylinder; where stairs are kept. This was somewhat inspiration for way the main room in my building was entered and experienced.
National Assembly DaccaThe plain flat surface with large standard shaped openings, was an inspiration for my building and creating a sense of monumnetality and grandness; an upwards focusing feeling.
Toyo Ito
Tod's Omotesando Tokyo, Japan
Friday, April 30, 2010
Designs/Ideas
^Tower Designs^I wanted to create a watchtower for thsi lonely lady; as a place to look out and search for her travelling husband. The building i also wanted to act as a beacon or like an obelisk, for the husband to see. I had ideas of using chimneys, blowing out smoke as a signal, or just outrageous forms to make it stick out more, or use the tool of light.
^Sail Idea^My narrative also considered the husband as traveller on the sea. THis building, ius palced on a lighthouse; again expressing idea of a beacon; guiding her husband home. The space is governed by the woman's desire to be connected with her husband, through a design that reflects a ship's sail. Based on an Utzon platform style....thered be this focus tothe outwards view, but with private areas aswell, it would also focus this idea of lookign out and waiting.
^The Glass Floor^A comfortable home for a housewife longing for her husbands home. Lower level acts a comfortable home with a kitchen and areas for reading, writing etc; however the upper level acts as an openplatform to ave out and search/wait for her husband. The floor of this is glass, allowign light to travel into the lower level, asking the lady to go up and inviting her there. This reflects her desire for him to be with him, away from her house.
^Tower Development^ With Gothic church arches as inspiration, I wanted the entrance to express a welcoming gesture.
Amiens Cathedral, Amiens France 1266
A central tube placed to shine light throughout the building. Theres a open area high up for the watchtower to look out, and above that a private place for the lady to read and write her letters.
One thought is that the tower would almost have a fairy tale nature, acting like the tower of castle, where a princess awaits for her lover.
Painting - Narrative
Girl reading a Letter at an Open Window, 1657 , Johannes Vermeernarrative:
"Upon a watchtower, sits a lady: who with letters from abroad hopes and waits to welcome the author; her husband, home"
I looked at the painting, and thought the idea that she was waiting for her husband who was abroad. The letter in the painting would be one telling her that he wont be arriving home at the initial date. She is sad and desires him home. This space acts as a place for her to watch and wait, or help guide him home, and then welcome him home when he arrives.
"Upon a watchtower, sits a lady: who with letters from abroad hopes and waits to welcome the author; her husband, home"
I looked at the painting, and thought the idea that she was waiting for her husband who was abroad. The letter in the painting would be one telling her that he wont be arriving home at the initial date. She is sad and desires him home. This space acts as a place for her to watch and wait, or help guide him home, and then welcome him home when he arrives.
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