Cræft  

Project 01: Crosby Speed, Architecture Design II 

To gain a complete understanding of craft, we were first tasked with producing a collage of magazine photos reflecting our interpretation of what craft means. In my collage, I separated craft into two categories, one side being technical and mechanical advancements that allow our lives to run more efficiently and the other resembling the more artistic and visually pleasing objects that are just as important to us. 

What is Craft? 

Our driving question for these nine weeks was to examine how specific crafts influence spaces and, from those spaces, how architecture can arise from them. We defined craft as the expert making of functional objects. We defined craft as the expert making of functional objects and primarily focused on four specific crafts: Woodworking, Metalworking, Ceramics, and Glass. All of this considered, we were tasked with designing a Wunderkammer that fuses a traditional Wunderkammer with a modern workshop for our designated craft. 

Craft Collages 

On top of researching the four specific crafts, another form of craft we explored was through an architect who showed an exemplary example of how craft transcends buildings. The architect I analyzed was Wendell Burnette, a self-taught architect whose practice is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and is also recognized internationally with current work in China, Canada, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Burnette's most notable aspect in his work is how he uses the environment not to change or disrupt it but to adapt his building to resemble an extension of the natural landscape. In my collage, I have shown two of his works that strongly reflect craft because they blend seamlessly into the environment and encompass space and light to elicit great independence and comfort for his clients.
For these nine weeks, I chose metalworking as my primary craft, focusing my workshop design on this versatile field. In my exploration of metalworking, I have highlighted several key processes, including welding, metal cutting, and assembly, each crucial for transforming raw materials into functional and artistic creations. Metalworking is the basis of almost every industry and plays a vital role in automotive manufacturing, construction, and aerospace industries. 

Wunderkammer Design 

Schematic Design
My schematic design focused on standard metalworking classes, joining, cutting, casting, and forming processes. My main concern was ensuring proper circulation in the workshop, which would allow craftsmen to move from one station to another efficiently and safely. Dealing with large machinery and flammable tools, in most of my designs, I designated two separate spaces where each metalworking activity could take place. I also considered the need for accessible points where trucks can drop off raw materials or export finished metal products. 

Wunderkammer Drawing

The term "Wunderkammer" translates to "room of wonder" or "cabinet of curiosities." This project involved designing a workshop that included a collection of metalworking's rare, exotic, and unusual objects. In this drawing, I have drawn multiple perspectives of what the interior of my workshop might look like, as well as fragmented, sliced photos of metalworking taking place. Objects are overlapped and situated on each other to add depth, as if someone is looking into a Wunderkammer and viewing all of its features. 

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AutoCAD Drawings

For my final workshop design, I have created two distinct areas where various metalworking processes can occur. On the left side, there is a space for welding; on the right side, metal cutting and forming take place; and in the center, there is an area for metal casting, specifically for creating jewelry artworks. This layout allows my craftsmen to easily navigate between the buildings through the courtyard in the middle while minimizing safety concerns. To incorporate the concept of the Wunderkammer, I aimed to design my workshop to reflect the structure of girders used in metalworking or a long rectangular piece of metal. 

Wunderkammer Model

Lastly, my Wunderkammer Model resembles a stadium or a stage for a rock singer, symbolizing how beautiful objects can emerge even in the midst of the hot, sweaty, and loud chaos of metalworking. In the background, I have depicted a welder with sparks flying around and metal scraps scattered on the floor. Additionally, collages on both sides of the walls showcase the past and present of metalworking. LEDs illuminate the background and spots that are too dark to see, and they also reflect the artificial lighting that can be found throughout the workshops. 

Project 02: Faculty Housing

​Parti Diagrams
During the second nine weeks, the information we compiled  about the meaning of craft in architecture guided us towards the final design, which is intended for either a University’s student residential building or faculty housing. I chose the direction of faculty housing, and in my parti diagrams, I wanted to take regular rectangular forms that you might see in metalworking, and manipulate and orient their shape to create new space. 

Concept Designs 

Moving forward I chose to base my concept designs off of the parti diagrams: Metal Transformer, Intruding Planes, and Forged Pieces. 
Concept 01: 

This design is comprised of four miniature homes that reflect different metal materials. The houses are located on the outskirts of a centralized pavillion which connects all of the builidings, and also leads to a community space which can be used as a metalworking shop. 

Concept 02:

In this design the facade is representive of metal minerals which are intruding and creating entryways for the faculty members. 

Concept 03: 

In this design a vertical tower representative of a metal girder stands supporting other building pieces which are slicing through the tower and creating space for the faculty members to reside in. 

Schematic Design

Moving forward with concept 03, my schematic design is meant to resemble a tower crane, demonstrating the modern industrial side of metalworking but also incorporating traditional metalworking, with a brick structure at the bottom and metal artwork surrounding it. In my studies, I described it as an industrial noveau, which shows the balance between preserving the past and transforming it into new urban spaces. 

Final Presentation

Revit Drawings

Physical Model