Harish Karthik Year 1 Portfolio
Project 01: Bird House
Greater Roadrunner poster
For this project, the objective was to select a bird (which would be considered our client) at random and create a house for it. The first step into achieving our final product was to thoroughly research our client and identify its needs, preferences, and behaviors. Using the research, I constructed a digital poster that neatly lays out my clients information so that I could use it to start brainstorming house ideas. My bird was the Greater Roadrunner and I included images about its behavior, diet, nesting, and its predators. This information greatly helped in the initial design process.
Concept Sketches
Initial concept sketches
In these concept drawings, different aspects of the clients housing environment were explored such as being close to the ground, containing perches, and open space. Some rough sketches were drawn to get my thoughts down and part diagrams were made accordingly.
Final Parti and Elevations
Hand drafted elevations
For the final roadrunner house , A simple but effective design was chosen. A structure that is constructed on ground level that contains perches and open space around to accommodate the birds' needs was selected. The ramp like opening allows for easy access to the perches in which it observes its prey from. The various sections of the housing unit, represented by the lines, show the contrast between shaded and lit areas to accommodate the birds need to sunbathe. |
Hand drafted parti diagram
This parti diagram shows clear delineation between shaded/enclosed interiors and open/exposed exteriors, representing how the bird seeks shade and shelter. |
Project 02: Deans Residence
Client Collage
Client collage
The main objective of this project was to create a house on the Old Alton Bridge (located in Denton TX) for a college dean. We were allowed to add personality to our dean in the way we desired and customize their likes/dislikes. The first step was to research the client and create a collage of these exact factors that describe them. My client is an Olympic athlete, so I added these images specifically to represent his lifestyle.
Concept Sketches/Partis
Initial concept sketches and parti diagrams
In these initial concept sketches, I had some ideas for making the Deans house mainly glass, to accommodate his love for nature and sightseeing. I bounced around the Idea of stacking "blocks" of glass onto of each other to create a more aesthetic pleasure and unique design. Parti diagrams were made accordingly for each sketch to show spatial relationships and circulation of movement throughout the housing unit.
Floor Plans/Elevations
Floor plans
The next step in the project was to create floor plans for the deans residence. My idea was to create 3 floors to accommodate the clients large family and desire for space to train. The first floor is 18' x 36' but is drafted on AutoCAD at a scale of 1/8th" to 1'. 3 balconies are added to support his lifestyle of loving nature and spending time with his family. A gym is added on the second floor as he is an Olympic athlete and takes his training very seriously.
Elevations
4 Elevations were drafted in AutoCAD in order to accommodate each view of the building. Each elevation shows the exterior windows, doors, balconies, and roof's that were portrayed in the floor plan. Scale figures are also added to show height in reference to the building. The main materials being utilized are bricks for the main building, glass for the several windows, and steel for the roof's.
Site Plan View
Site plan of Old Alton Bridge
A plan of the actual site where the house would be located is layed out. This site plan shows the environment including the trees, elevated surfaces, roads, trails, and creek to accurately represent the real site.
Final Model
This is the final model that I created at a scale of 1/8" - 1' using a laser cutter that precisely cut out my drafts from AutoCAD. Each piece was carefully glued together by hand in order to create the final product that is projected to the left. The house is placed on a model of the site to show how it would be seen on the real Old Alton Bridge.
