Jenga 7.3: friendly assessment

During studio, we were each assigned one hour of first year studio final presentations to review. I chose to review Caitlyn Whisenant and her take on a writer's residence. Overall, I think Caitlyn was successful in communicating her ideas clearly, constantly referring to her drawings. Her concept of theatre, allowed for many opportunities to enhance the space. I thought her attention to the hearth as the focal point was a smart decision to remain true to original character in the building. Her choice in a raised ceiling in this area added to the dramatic effect of this congregated space, while private spaces had a lower ceiling to achieve a more intimate feel. I think her project stood out most to me in this one hour was because of her attention to detail.

However, with the idea of theatre in a writer's setting, I think the manipulation of light could have been incorporated more. Without specific lighting, theatre would not have the drama or effects it has. Especially with this area being a writing residence, light is an important aspect. I think this specific detail was overlooked. With more attention to light and shadows, perspective drawings would look more realistic.

Overall, I think Caitlyn did a great job in presenting her take on a writer's residence. Special attention to details will continue in her design being successful.

Jenga 7.0

Jenga 7.0 marked the final phase of Jenga and the end of the semester. For this part of the project, the studio became two teams of twelve. Our team of six merged with team Tripede to form team Portmanteau signifying two various ideas combining into one. With a focus on site, building, public spaces, circulation of space, our individual unit, the components within the building, and the finishes, we designed a 12+story building in wellington, New Zealand. This building merges the idea of strong verticality, lightness, and our individual concept word to form a building where the "whole > sum of its parts."

Individual work:

Group work:

building on site

site montage

site plan

technical drawings

circulation diagrams

digital renderings

Custom furniture pieces

Jenga 7.1

the start of Jenga 7.0

For this portion of Jenga (and the last), we have become a team of 12 people to bring the two Jenga 6.0 designs to form one cohesive building on a specific site. Today, group [E]merge and group Trepide met to discuss how out two individual buildings will come together for Jenga 7.0. In each building, a similar design language of horizontal and verticals occur. Materiality emphasizes these horizontal planes and verticality. Trepide incorporates glass to show the dematerialization as one move upwards while the C-shaped balconies gradually become smaller. We realized that our two concepts are similar but the way it is shown varies. Connections and the space in between are opportune moments for public spaces. We discussed how there is a centralized confusion in the sense that the deconstruction of elements shows variation but in a central, gradual way.

This idea of deconstruction and dematerializing led to the team name of Portmanteau. A portmanteau is a combination of two or more separable aspects or qualities. For example.....

spoon + fork = spork

This shows the merging of two concepts to become one strong design. Using an abstracted C-shaped form to encompass the two units together and incorporating the protruding balconies will speak to both team’s original concept. I am excited to see the progression throughout the next 3 weeks and how this concept will evolve.

Jenga 6.0

During this phase of Jenga, we continued to work in teams of 6 to focus on more details from Jenga 5.0. We refined many details of interior spaces while choosing Valle de Bravo as our site that had a similar expression as our building. Additionally, we were assigned a Charles and Ray Eames textile and chair that was incorporated into our design. We were also were expected to design an entrance for the building as well as for our individual units.

site plan

image montage of site

building on site

front building entrance

view from front building entrance

view from front building entrance

view from front balcony

view from back balcony

meeting area with Eames textile and chair

my door

Abigail's door

Austin's door

Cory's door

Kacie's door

Leslie's door

Jenga 5.0

For this next phase of Jenga, our group of three merged with team Jive to create an eight story building combining the two designs from each team. With the idea of two designs merging into one concept, the team name [E] merge came about. Looking more inward on the design, we were required to design five spaces: a reception area, mail room, public restrooms, laundry room, and fitness center. Our presentation consisted of technical drawings, digital renderings, and models.