Kassandra

Craeft In Architecture

Architectural Design I

Overview: The primary goals for the course were to explore how Craeft in architecture often inspires the creation of shapes and forms of architectural designs. Throughout this course we were given a series of projects to further our individual explorations on the architectural concept of Craeft. The first project consisted of a birdhouse project for a randomly given bird commonly habitant around the Denton, Tx area around Old Alton Bridge. The second project consisted of a College Dean Residence constructed on the actual Old Alton Bridge.

Project I: Birdhouse Temporary Residence

Overview: The overall goal made for this project was to create and construct a birdhouse temporary residence fitted for our randomly assigned bird. Our chosen residence must have included the basic needs associated with our given bird such as; living space, main bedroom, guest bedroom, kitchen area, dining area, etc. The residence must have also included key aspects that were relatively associated with out bird such as how they feel comfortable with their type of nesting.

American Robin Background Poster

Background: For this project I was assigned the task of creating a temporary residence designed for the American Robin. Robins are often never found alone as they are very social and family oriented birds. When together in flocks they often hunt and migrate together and never leave each other behind. They mainly live in regions south of Canada and north of the United States. During the harsh winters they will often migrate south into the regions of Mexico. Their diet mainly consists of a variety of berries and insects more specifically juniper berries and earth worms. Their main predators would include wild foxes, squirrels, and other birds.

Concept Ideas: The first initial concept ideas I thought of were simple average birdhouses built for a singular bird. Further diving into my thoughts I kept reeling over the idea that Robins are very social birds and are often friendly amongst other birds. Since they're quite the extroverts they're also very family oriented and are always seen in flocks with other fellow Robins. Such information then led to a bigger and better idea. What if I built a birdhouse designed for more than one bird?

Concept Drawings and Final Model

Feedback: In the end, the feedback I obtained from my design was amazing, the architects evaluating my work explained how we as individuals are often our biggest critiques. They also explained to me how I should have further expanded my design as I often held myself back thinking my design would be too much or if it wouldn't be good enough. In the end they loved how I expanded on the idea of creating a residence for more than one bird and incorporating human interaction with nature.

Conclusion/Final Idea: For my final and confident idea, I chose my birdhouse idea for more than just one bird. It would consist of multiple cylinder like shapes on the top portion of the building used for nesting created by birds but mainly for Robins. Female Robins often use the measurements of their wings to create the size of their nests and further construct them with dried twigs and mud. The bottom portion of the building would be used for human interaction where there would be space for people along the trails to walk through and look up through a hole in the ceiling to see the birds. The hole in the ceiling of the bottom portion would allow sunlight to come through and grant natural lighting for sightseeing. The top portion of the building wouldn't include a roof since I felt it would have been an easier way for birds to enter and exit the residence. The front two circles on the front of the building would be primarily used for birds whom are introverted or loners and tend to keep to themselves.

Project II: Old Alton Bridge Dean Residence

Overview: The given goals for this project were to create a residence for a College Dean on the property of the Old Alton Bridge. While creating and thinking of possible concept ideas we had to take in the environmental information about the area around the bridge. We also had to take in many considerations about the area in which we constructed the residence as well as the environmental aspects of the area. We also had to make the residence comfortable and expressive for our clients.

Dean Client Collage Poster

Background: For the creation of my actual resident, I created Kai Utajimei a Japanese - American married man who majored in Culinary arts, more specifically Baking and Pastry Arts. He and his husband own three cats, two dogs, and one bird as their children. Kai has a couple of conditions; Anxiety and SAD (Seasonal Annual Depression) where his depression often worsens as the winter and fall seasons start to approach. He is quite the sociable character and enjoys numerous hobbies such as; baking, painting, reading, and overall just being around people whether that be friends or family.

Concept Ideas: My initial concept ideas were to incorporate some Japanese inspired architecture since it is part of my clients heritage and background. I also had to take into consideration the fact that my client has many other members living in the residence as well as member who often visit and stay at the residence. Therefore for all my concepts I decided to make them multiple stories granting more room for everyone in the household as well as incorporating the culinary arts and Japanese heritage part of my clients life. Considering all the similarities my concepts held I really favored my third concept which is the drawing on the far right as it includes traditional Japanese styled roofing and windows while still keeping a traditional Western house structure.

Concept Drawing and Final Model

Conclusion/Final Idea: For my final concept I sadly didn't go with the concept I favored but it was recommended that I took my first concept as it held more of a modernized western structure and style for the dean residence. While I couldn't use my first concept idea I still incorporated multiple details into my final idea such as the traditional Japanese windows. Now initially I didn't add many windows until I was advised from my Professor to take advantage of the environment where the residence was being built. So I added many windows but when actually finding the designs of the windows I decided to kind of tell a story with their shapes, forms, and size. The circular windows are like the souls of warriors being sent up to the heavens with their given honor as in Japanese culture. The balcony on the second level would be used for social gatherings while the balcony on the third level should be used as a garden since the sunlight would hit the third level the most.

Final Board Poster: Dean Residence and Birdhouse Projects

Personal Reflection: As I come to the end of my sophomore year this class was extremely enjoyable for me. The teachers and the friends I met and bonded with through this semester are connections I won't forget. The projects and assignments while the took me hours or weeks to finish it was all worth it in the end as I could actually look at something I personally created and be proud of it even through the bumps in the process. I will admit at the beginning of the course I was dead set on thinking I wanted to pursue jobs in architecture but as the year comes to a close I realize this isn't something I want to continue and that's ok. I will take the lessons and advice I learned from the people and from the course itself with me all throughout my life. My advice to anyone who wishes to pursue architecture or any job rather, don't be afraid to push past your limits or past your comfort zone, life is rough yes but the simpler you live life the less rough obstacles become for you. Don't be afraid to expand your body, mind, or soul no matter what path you decide to take in life, as long as you remember to take care of yourself and make yourself and your goals your number one priority life will be a breeze with the people you cherish alongside you, so don't let fear stop you from being the best version of yourself.

Thank you for reading,
Incoming Junior at Lewisville high School: Kassandra D. Cantu