Juliet Padilla: Architectural Design I
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In this project I was tasked with creating a backyard cottage with a robotics engineer in mind. I focused on the craft of robotics in my thinking and in my design. Much of my work included researching what makes up the craft and what makes up a backyard cottage. A lot of thought was put into how the cottage might combine the needs of both to create a functional space.
Craft Investigation
In my investigations for this project, I looked at a multitude of small homes to develop an understanding of making the best of limited square footage. What I found were a number of tricks to make the interior feel bigger, such as using an open floor plan, stopping walls short of the ceiling, and using transparent or see-through materials. I also researched the uses of craft in architecture, which I found a variety of including masonry, stained glass, and handmade tile.
Concept Design
Concepts for this project began with models, all of which took influence from some aspect of robotics. Some attempted to mimic the forms involved in things such as circuitry while others were inspired by styles associated with robotics in an abstract sense. From there, a multitude of sketches were produced to further develop each concept.
Concept 01 - This model built from Lego began with the geometry found on motherboards and circuit boards, components present in robots. Observing these, there are a lot of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines. Using those in my design I developed a very angular cottage reminiscent of brutalist structures which are a common style in the realm of science fiction, a genre often associated with robotics.
Concept 02 - In this concept, I explored the same shapes but in a vertical sense. As these lines are what connect the functions of a circuit board together, I chose to exaggerate this diagonal connection by giving the stairs a large space all to itself. This stairwell provides the same function as its inspiration by connecting two spaces meant for functionality, the workshop space and the kitchen and dining area. The overall shape of the building is very sleek and modern outside to contrast the division it contains much like a robot's clean outer shell contrasts its busy inner workings.
Concept 03 - The process of this design went a bit different than the former two. Inspired by a single piece of scrap material used in the model, I sketched an entirely different building with curved lines on every face. These curves represent the fluidity of a robot's motions rather than try to mimic the rigid lines of its circuitry. They are, after all, crafted to move, and I wanted my cottage to convey that movement. Additionally, with a limited square footage, these curves could be used to provide a unique bit of extra space.
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Concept 01
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Concept 02
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Concept 03
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Schematic Design
The third concept was chosen because I found it the most visually interesting and it also fit the site better than the others. Additionally, its required outdoor space is a second-floor deck, which suits the artificial aspect of robotics more than a traditional garden would as it isn't totally immersed in nature but still connects to the outdoors.
Final Design
The two-story backyard cottage features a downstairs living and eating area, along with a laundry room, half bath, and a workspace for a robotic engineer. Up the stairs is the master bedroom and bathroom with a large deck with space to grill and entertain. Its L-shaped nature allows it to mold to the site, leaving space to the right of it for parking and to the left of it to enter. The design is a futuristic blend of curves and planes meant to reflect the aesthetics and movement of robots. It features four pocket doors, two being the double front doors, that give the cottage movement in the literal sense. The majority of the building is made from insulated concrete, with portions dedicated to recycled steel represented by the brown material in the final model. Details such as railing for the stairs and deck are intended to be made up of metal wire as a nod to wiring within a robot.
Project 02: Craftsman Residence
For my second project I designed a craft-inspired house that would fit on the Old Alton Bridge in Denton, TX. Traditional Arts and Crafts movement homes honor the construction of the building, so in this project I designed to honor the bridge and preserve its original look and function.
Investigation
Most of my research into craft was completed in my first project, so my research just had to be organized into information relevant to craft as a whole and bridge houses.
Concept Design
In this round of concepts, I worked from sketch to model. This way, I could work out each design on paper and then bring them to life in 3 dimensions. With a theme as broad as craft, each concept worked to combine forms and themes common to different sorts of craft.
Concept 01 - This design is a building attached to the sides of the bridge, forming a perpendicular intersection. On the southern end is the majority of the building containing the client's space and the kitchen/dining space. On the northern end sits a guest space with a balcony. In between the spaces is the bridge which can be used as both a conversation area as well as maintain its original function as a pathway. Craft is mainly represented by the varying kinds of wood in different patterns that make up the exterior. The wood is meant to give the building a "cabin-y feel" and allows the materials that make up the building be the focus of the building, much like how traditional Arts and Crafts homes do.
Concept 02 - The second design is also separated into two sections, being the top and bottom floors. The top floor rests on the bridge and features a large glass half-dome-like structure. This part of the building symbolizes a mix of metal, fabric, and glass work. The metal framing weaves like fabric to provide structure to the glass space. This space also provides connection to the outdoors, allowing the inhabitants to immerse themselves with their surroundings without leaving the home. The bottom floor is much more private and as such hosts the living quarters for client and guest. It is reached via a staircase that goes through the floor of the bridge into the area below. Being under the bridge provides coverage and privacy to the inhabitants and allows the bridge to stand out more than the building hidden beneath it.
Concept 03 - The final design is a narrower and sleeker version of the previous. It has three separate spaces that are wrapped together in a cocoon made up of wood, metal, glass, and stone strips. Each material supporting the bridge symbolizes a different craft, making craft the backbone of the building. The top floor contains a shared space, including the kitchen, dining, and living areas. It is accessible by a door on either side of the bridge, allowing passage on the bridge to continue through the home and out the other end. Under the bridge are the client and guest spaces, each reached by a different staircase. In-between them is a balcony area which allows the client to have their own outdoor space.
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Concept 01
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Concept 02
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Concept 03
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Schematic Design
I chose the third design because of its unique wrapping pattern as if the materials were creating a secure cocoon for the building. It was aesthetically pleasing but would not compete too much with the bridge for attention.
Final Design
The final design is a horizontal, two-story building suspended above the walkway of the bridge and accessible by stairs on either end. Its overall form mimics the shape of the bridge in order to fit seamlessly within it and without obstructing view of the bridge. The exterior walls are formed by strips of wood, metal, and stone, each representing different crafts collaborating to tie the building to the bridge. The first floor hosts the kitchen and dining area with a large series of windows overlooking the south side of the site. Two staircases lead to the client and guest areas respectively. The west potion of the second floor is the living area leading to a shared bathroom as well as a guest bedroom. The east portion features the master bedroom, bathroom, and private balcony. Beneath the home the bridge is still usable as a walkway to preserve its function and, in turn, honor its historical significance.
