Abbie Sweatt: Architectural Design II

Project 01

My first project of the semester is a study of Henry David Thoreau's cabin at Walden Pond. First, I started by researching Thoreau himself. From there, I studied photos of the cabin, read Thoreau's writings about his time at Walden pond, and looked through architectural textbooks for technical information. Finally, i began producing drawings and models of the Thoreau's cabin. 

Projection Drawings

There are the first drawings in Project 01: projected elevations. the goal of these drawings was to convey information about the cabin such as window, door and fireplace placement, as well as materials and the framework. These drawings were the guide for the following models and drawings. The scale is 1/2"=1'-0".
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Laser Cut Model

This model was first designed in AutoCAD. each face of the cabin was drawn to scale in the software. Next, the drawing was sent to a laser cutter, where it was cut out on a piece of chipboard. Finally, the walls were glued together to create a to-scale model of Thoreau's cabin. The scale is 1/2"=1'-0".

Exploded Axonometric Drawing

This is the final drawing of Project 01: an exploded axonometric. The goal of an exploded axonometric is to show all of the layers and components of a building. In this drawing, the fireplace, foundation, framework and skins of the building are all visible. The scale is 1/2"=1'-0".

Framework Model

This is the final part of Project 01. This framework model is a collaboration between my classmate Jada and I. Using the information we each found in our projected elevations and exploded axonometric, we created this framework model using basswood. 

Project 02: Part 1

In Project 02: Part 1, the prompt was to create 5 cabins in the LBJ Park for writers on a creative retreat. The cabins need to be sustainable, respect and highlight the environment, and inspire creativity. Part 1 of this project is the research and concept designs. 

Research

This Padlet is my initial investigation into the LBJ Park and the Blackland Prairie. The focus is primarily places on the environment, climate, and trails in the park.  The infographic below is a more formal study into the history, climate, geography and wildlife of the LBJ Park. 

Made with Padlet

Infographic

Concept Sketches

These concept sketches are ideas to solve the problem presented to me in the brief. The first concept is inspired by planets. Each cabin is deigned with a different cabin in mind and the communal space represents the sun. Next is the tree idea; each cabin represents a different tree native to the Blackland Prairie area: the southern live oak, pecan tree, sycamore tree, eastern cottonwood, and burr oak. Then, the wind concept: In this design, each cabin is mostly identical, and very linear, similar to the wind. Finally, is the flower pot concept, where each cabin has the shape of a flower pot with a wire flower sculpture upon it.

Concept Models
After completing the concept sketches, I moved on to creating quick study models. I created about 2 or 3 models per concept idea. To the left is each study model photographed individually,  and below the models are photographed together by idea.

Project 02: Part 2

Part two of the project involved picking a concept to move forward with, developing it, and producing final work. The tree and wind concept ideas were combined to create five cabins that demonstrate the relationship between the trees, grass, and wind in the Blackland Prairie. 

Schematic design
In the Burr Oak Cabin, the goal was to create spaces that where similar to the branching parts of a burr oak leaf. To achieve this, both the office and bedroom oppose the main part of the cabin. 
The Eastern Cottonwood Cabin captures the round yet spiky nature of an eastern cottonwood leaf. Furthermore, eastern cottonwood trees drop a cotton-like substance on the ground around them. The draping of the elevations captures this "cotton."
The Pecan cabin was inspired by how the familiar pecan nut is grown. Pecan trees in the wild do not produce the kind of pecan nut that is traditionally consumed. In order to achieve that, two different types of pecan tree must be crossbreed. So, in the cabin, there are two main parts: the bedroom and the main cabin. They each have their own roofs and are closed off from each other. 
In the Southern Live Oak Cabin, the goal was to recreate the shape of a southern live oak canopy. Southern Live Oaks tend to grow rather than up, so there is an umbrella-like shape on the cabin that is where the solar panels would be placed. Additionally, this is the only single story cabin. 
Finally, the Sycamore Cabin is broken down into two separate parts: the cabin and the overhang piece. In a Sycamore log, there are two rings inside of it, so the overhang is the larger ring that envelopes the smaller ring, or the cabin. Also, the shape of the overhang is inspired by the shape of the sycamore leaf. 

Topographic Map Model

Before developing the ideas further, research about the specific site in LBJ Park was conducted. To the left is the site analysis. The dotted rectangle is the site and the purple dotted rectangles are the sites of the cabins. The red arrow of the outside of the site is the sun path, the blue arrows are the paths of the wind, and brown areas and lines are particularly rocky areas. Below is the site model. It shows the topographic information of the site as well as where the trees and ponds are on the site. 

Revit Models

Below are Revit sheets. There is one for each of cabins, and they depict the Revit drawings and renderings. On each sheet, there is one rendering, two sections, a floor plan per each floor, and a couple 3D camera shots. On each of the cabins, the walls are made of limestone, which is abundant in DFW, and for the flooring and roofs, the material is the wood from the tree the cabin is based on. 

Final Models

Below are the final models for each of the cabins. These depict the locations of the solar panels, the color palate, and overall form of each cabin. In all of the cabins, the physical form of the cabin, like the walls and roofs, are inspired by the characteristics of their individual tree. However, the more conceptual things, like window placement, the placement and rotation of the cabins, and people would move throughout the space are inspired by how the grass and wind interact around the trees.