5/11/2014
Moving toward the end of the semester, all of our projects are heading to the final phase. As a representative project for design+make, the Hardesty Renaissance mobile office design for Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) did a wonderful job from the scheme to completion. In the AAFE project, the drawer for the media center and conference desk is a particular product that inspiried and attracted me a lot. In appearance, the drawers are just as good as other works. It is special for me because the use of the unique wood joint method - dry fit connection. Thanks to the dry fit connection. The parts of drawers are carefully designed and drafted in rhino and cut by the CNC router. It is possible to assemble the boards without any nails or glue... (more)
5/10/2014
“In any endeavor, clear communication is the key to success.”
There...I said it. The eternal proverb of public speakers everywhere. Too many times we have heard professionals summarize the quality of their work through “clear communication.” It obviously holds some value, but what does this actually mean for a group of twelve graduate architecture students at Kansas State University? Students who are literally isolated from their professors, clients, consultants, contractors; the people who help make things happen? Proximal resources are used to the best of our abilities, but the crux of our success comes from collaboration with a host of other parties. Who are these people and how do we interface with them? The challenge is to adapt our communication methods for both internal and external audiences... (more)
5/9/2014
vs
I ran across the short video, ‘Shape’ created by Johnny Kelly for Pivot Dublin, a Dublin City Council initiative that “aims to get young people interested in design.” Even though this was originally produced for young children in Scotland, it still makes an effective claim. Using nothing but stick figures ‘Shape’ highlights how design affects our everyday lives. Yes, we all aware of the concept ‘Design Matters’ but I was intrigued by this video because it caused me to reflect on how the seemingly smallest design can have a large impact on our daily lives and experiences... (more)
5/6/2014
Previous Posts
By looking at the final product it’s hard to grasp all the processes that were needed to produce it. To construct the Florence Duomo, Brunelleschi designed a system of counterweights to lift the materials to a height that, at that time, was unprecedented. Prototyping is a similar process; an individual cannot see the importance from glancing at the final product, but is integral to reaching the solution. The Duomo’s counterweights, however; may not be the best comparison because they were a means to an end... (more)
5/5/2014
One of the most valuable aspects of design+make studio is the ability to work directly with clients. As architects, we are trying to sell our ideas to the clients and convince them that our design is better than others. From my experiences working on three projects throughout the year, one of the most effective and precise ways to communicate with clients is through diagramming. To successfully transfer our ideas and concepts to both clients and larger audiences, it is critical to utilize the most appropriate type of diagram... (more)