SPRING 2025 ARCHITECTURE 1
CRAFT
JOSEY GRANTHAM
This year, every single one of our projects, design processes, reflections, presentations, and sketches were centered around the idea of craft. In architecture, craft means to create something with complete originality and creativity to convey a message.
In order to convey craft with every project, our designs needed to be considerate of our clients and fit the requirements/boundaries while making sure to use the space effectively, creating something unique and original, referencing the environment and conveying a message with our works.
Although it was difficult to create something that effectively reflects craft for each project, it was very fun to go through the process each time. Each drawing was unique and each project was challenging.
In order to convey craft with every project, our designs needed to be considerate of our clients and fit the requirements/boundaries while making sure to use the space effectively, creating something unique and original, referencing the environment and conveying a message with our works.
Although it was difficult to create something that effectively reflects craft for each project, it was very fun to go through the process each time. Each drawing was unique and each project was challenging.
PROJECT 01- BIRDHOUSE
CLIENT RESEARCH
For he first major project of the semester, we were assigned a specific type of bird- native to fort worth- to design a bird house for. I was assigned the Cave Swallow.
The very first thing we did is research our client. If you don't know anything about your client, how are you going to design a suitable home that has everything they need? So we developed a profile that described our client's behaviors, characteristics, traits, predators, and anything else that would be necessary to consider for designing an effective home for the bird.
Some of the most important things that we needed to consider were:
1. How are they going to get in/out of the home
2. What predators do they need protection from? how will your design specifically protect the client from those predators?
3. How can you tell a message about your client through your birdhouse design?
4. Where is your design going to be placed? How does that spot benefit the client?
5. How will your design fit the needs of the bird in regards to sociality, diet, behaviors, size, etc.?
The very first thing we did is research our client. If you don't know anything about your client, how are you going to design a suitable home that has everything they need? So we developed a profile that described our client's behaviors, characteristics, traits, predators, and anything else that would be necessary to consider for designing an effective home for the bird.
Some of the most important things that we needed to consider were:
1. How are they going to get in/out of the home
2. What predators do they need protection from? how will your design specifically protect the client from those predators?
3. How can you tell a message about your client through your birdhouse design?
4. Where is your design going to be placed? How does that spot benefit the client?
5. How will your design fit the needs of the bird in regards to sociality, diet, behaviors, size, etc.?
CONCEPTS
Next, we began sketching ideas onto butter paper and creating concept models to explore the different ideas and options we could use to be a part of our final design. These sketches here below are some concept designs that I thought of. I liked the idea on the right more, so I took it and experimented with it. My final design somewhat resembles the first one, but with a lot less rough corners.
FINAL DESIGN + PRESENTATION
Finally, after deciding which ideas are going to make the cut for the final design, I created my final model as well as the final elevations, floor plans, and parti drawings. When the assigned date came up, we presented our designs to two architects who were there to evaluate our work. In the presentation, I displayed the final model, each hand-drafted elevation, parti, and floor plan, as well as some some concept sketches in my notebook and on butter paper, and some concept models that I used to help show the journey of how my design came to be. The pictures below are the elevations, partis, and floor plans of the final design.
The final design is organic, with dome-like structures for the bird to nest in that resemble the actual nests that the Cave Swallow makes on their own. The small entry/exit points make for efficient protection against large birds like owls. Its big enough for the Cave swallow to get in, and small enough to protect against its natural predators.
The droplet-like design is made to resemble mud, which is the material that the client uses to build their nests. I tried to make the bird house seem completely foreign and unique to a human observer, but to the client, it would seem familiar and comforting.
Due to the fact that my client requires to be social, the final design includes seven different areas for birds to nest, providing enough space for any additional birds to stay in the home as well.
Its designed to be stationed in the air on a post, wall, or under a bridge which are all common places for cave swallows to begin nesting. Because our design is to be placed in proximity to Old Alton bridge in Denton, the design would be posted under the bridge onto one of the supports, providing proximity to water, open space for the bird to fly, and leaving the bird house exposed to be seen by anyone who looks at the bridge.
My design reflects craft by providing a safe and efficient space for my client to live, with proximity to water, considering its behaviors, predators, diet, and social habits, creating a space for people to observe the bird and its behaviors, and designing the bird house so it tells the viewer something about the client such as its relationship with other birds, nesting habits, relations with mud, and referencing the natural nest which the bird builds.
The droplet-like design is made to resemble mud, which is the material that the client uses to build their nests. I tried to make the bird house seem completely foreign and unique to a human observer, but to the client, it would seem familiar and comforting.
Due to the fact that my client requires to be social, the final design includes seven different areas for birds to nest, providing enough space for any additional birds to stay in the home as well.
Its designed to be stationed in the air on a post, wall, or under a bridge which are all common places for cave swallows to begin nesting. Because our design is to be placed in proximity to Old Alton bridge in Denton, the design would be posted under the bridge onto one of the supports, providing proximity to water, open space for the bird to fly, and leaving the bird house exposed to be seen by anyone who looks at the bridge.
My design reflects craft by providing a safe and efficient space for my client to live, with proximity to water, considering its behaviors, predators, diet, and social habits, creating a space for people to observe the bird and its behaviors, and designing the bird house so it tells the viewer something about the client such as its relationship with other birds, nesting habits, relations with mud, and referencing the natural nest which the bird builds.
PROJECT 02- DEAN'S RESIDENCE
TRIP TO THE LITTLE CHAPEL IN THE WOODS
For the second nine weeks, were were assigned with the task of designing a residence for the dean of a college (which courses include textiles, metalworking, and culinary) in Denton, TX, with the design to be incorporated into Old Alton Bridge (meaning the building could be resting on top, hanging off the side, under it, around it, hovering over it, etc.). Once again, we were tasked with creating a residence that reflects craft, as well as fitting the needs of the client, referencing the history of the area, and telling you something about the dean themselves.
In order to get an idea of how to execute that task, we took a class trip to The Little Chapel in the Woods. We learned about the designer, as well as the story that the Chapel tells, the details it includes, and why it was made.
In order to get an idea of how to execute that task, we took a class trip to The Little Chapel in the Woods. We learned about the designer, as well as the story that the Chapel tells, the details it includes, and why it was made.
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No space in the chapel was wasted. Each little area was filled with details that tell a story about the Chapel's history. Whether it was the stained glass, the hand-painted beams on the roof, the engravings in the benches, the shapes of the arches, or the intricate and unique patterns on the lights, there was so much detail and history to take in.
While we were there, we sketched some interesting things that we saw, such as the nature around it, the outside architecture of the chapel, etc. This trip really helped me develop an idea of what I am expected to develop in the future. |
CLIENT RESEARCH
Once again, so that we could get an idea of what our design may need to include, we developed a client profile to get an idea of the aesthetic of our client, as well as developing a character to make the design of our residence easier (since our dean didn't actually exist).
Some of the things that we needed to consider were:
Some of the things that we needed to consider were:
- What are some things that our dean does for fun?
- Which craft does your dean practice (culinary, textiles, or metalworking)?
- Does your dean have any family? Any visitors, kids, spouses, pets?
- How can you create a residence that reflects both the college, and the dean themselves?
CONCEPTS
Once again, we explored different ideas through sketching on butter paper. I had three different concepts in mind. I wanted to include some sort of observatory that goes under the bridge, a glass room with a large elevator to lift large projects like cars or sculptures, and some outdoor balconies that can serve as resting spaces.
FINAL DESIGN
I settled for a simpler version of these drawings. I did include a lift into a large glass room, as well as multiple balconies, but due to flooding and storms, the under-the-bridge observatory didn't work.
My refined design Includes a living room, kitchen, three bathrooms, two bedrooms, and a floor completely designated to the dean and her crafts. This floor includes an office, a large glass room with a lift rising upwards and a sliding floor when the lift isn't there, and a larger balcony for outdoor study. My design reflects my client to be adventurous and creative. I made my final design to appear to be made up of many different parts, because I imagined all three studies that the college offers to all be practices of combining different pieces into one complete product.
Framing each balcony is a three-diamond repeating pattern, each one containing a simple design of each craft that the college offers. On the East elevation of the house, the rim on the front includes a design that tells you which way the water flows on the bridge, and the windows framing the door include the pattern that the bride is made in, split into four squares with an X in the middle, and two line sloping in opposite directions on each side. These details are included because I wanted to reference the area that the residence is on, as well as the college and the dean.
My refined design Includes a living room, kitchen, three bathrooms, two bedrooms, and a floor completely designated to the dean and her crafts. This floor includes an office, a large glass room with a lift rising upwards and a sliding floor when the lift isn't there, and a larger balcony for outdoor study. My design reflects my client to be adventurous and creative. I made my final design to appear to be made up of many different parts, because I imagined all three studies that the college offers to all be practices of combining different pieces into one complete product.
Framing each balcony is a three-diamond repeating pattern, each one containing a simple design of each craft that the college offers. On the East elevation of the house, the rim on the front includes a design that tells you which way the water flows on the bridge, and the windows framing the door include the pattern that the bride is made in, split into four squares with an X in the middle, and two line sloping in opposite directions on each side. These details are included because I wanted to reference the area that the residence is on, as well as the college and the dean.
PRESENTATION
Finally, we did an exhibition presenting all of our work. we made a poster including all of our designs as well as importing information, displayed models, and concept drawings. This was a fun event to attend to view not only mine, but other architecture student's work as well. This was a super fun and challenging task to wrap up the school year, and I an very proud of the outcome.
