MIAD: "Room" With a View
"Lead The Way"
Medium: Cardboard and Basswood
Size: ...
April 27, 2017
Exhibition Text
Karen Armenta
Lead The Way, 2017
MIAD: "Room" With A View
Heavily inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Coonley House, this structure is meant to hypothetically allure people to venture into piles of rocks and enjoy the lake in an adventurous way and ultimately lead themselves towards the lake with the help of walls. The use of space is explored with along with path and free-will of adventure.
Lead The Way, 2017
MIAD: "Room" With A View
Heavily inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Coonley House, this structure is meant to hypothetically allure people to venture into piles of rocks and enjoy the lake in an adventurous way and ultimately lead themselves towards the lake with the help of walls. The use of space is explored with along with path and free-will of adventure.
Planning Ideas
Artistic Inspiration
"Inside Riverside’s Avery Coonley Estate." Chicago magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.
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Spula, Ian. "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Coonley House Is Returning to Market." Chicago magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.
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Frank Lloyd Wright's homes that he constructs and plans out are beyond genius and aesthetically pleasing, as well as defying the impossible. His buildings captures emotions upon looking and entering. I drew inspiration more along the Coonley House that he built in Riverside, Illinois because of how he strategically used a pond and nature around it to inspire this building and compliment one another. I was more drawn to the entrance/exit towards the pond because of how it is laid out. From within the house, it is almost like it is beckoning you to go towards the pond, hence the shaping of the patio. It is pointing towards the pond. On the outside, the pond looks vast and still, adorning the sheltered home among the vegetation. The deck outside gives it the feel of isolation, but that is also being surrounded at the same time.
I wanted to incorporate the same kind of path and 'want' to go towards something that Wright uses in this structure. Much like in ancient history, architecture was used to allure the curiosity of people and evoked feeling in them through the connections with their surroundings. Making these connections with man-made structures is what ultimately causes people to experience emotion when being presented with architecture. Wright surpasses this with his architectural design being placed into homes for people. Characteristics that would normally be put into an art installation transforms the home of a family and evokes feeling and use of space in any environment. In this particular home, the Coonley House takes advantage of the body of water found in the center of the home and creates a room dedicated to admiring the rare sight of a body of water being surrounded by land.
Process
I was told not to use symmetry in my piece even though most of my planning sketches consisted mostly of symmetrical forms. I intended to use symmetry but it was hard to come up with different ways to not incorporate symmetry and still be able to use my themes within this piece. I think that symmetry was my safe choice to go with, but realizing my fear of being too safe was what ultimately drove me to step out of my comfort zone. I continued to play around with the shapes of the land (cardboard) and also the placing of the basswood, referencing my sketches as a guide. Once I liked certain positions, I began the process of finalizing them and gluing them on to one another.
I first glued down the freshly cut card boards onto one another to create the sense of elevation and land. I then cut along the places that I wanted to place my basswood onto. With an exacto knife, I carved out the marks indicating where to put wood in. After cutting basswood to scale, I slid them into each slot of the carved markings I had done. I put wood-glue into the slits before placing the wood there to make it easier for me to adhere the wood onto the cardboard. If there were to be excess glue (which was a lot), I would then place rocks/pebbles onto the glue so that it would cover it up and add more of an appearance to Lake Michigan. After continuing this project, I then created a deck with the leftover wood that I had to make my structure resemble the works of my artistic inspiration, Frank Lloyd Wright. I added my own touches to the deck to make it more my own, and after that, made some last touch ups with the sand and added a few rocks here and there.
I first glued down the freshly cut card boards onto one another to create the sense of elevation and land. I then cut along the places that I wanted to place my basswood onto. With an exacto knife, I carved out the marks indicating where to put wood in. After cutting basswood to scale, I slid them into each slot of the carved markings I had done. I put wood-glue into the slits before placing the wood there to make it easier for me to adhere the wood onto the cardboard. If there were to be excess glue (which was a lot), I would then place rocks/pebbles onto the glue so that it would cover it up and add more of an appearance to Lake Michigan. After continuing this project, I then created a deck with the leftover wood that I had to make my structure resemble the works of my artistic inspiration, Frank Lloyd Wright. I added my own touches to the deck to make it more my own, and after that, made some last touch ups with the sand and added a few rocks here and there.
Experimentation
Because I was so new to this concept of architectural design and modeling, I had to have help by classmates in how to do the basics of this project. I played around with how to cut the wood and cardboard. Since I was new to it, the edges of the cardboard ended up being rigid so I cut along the sides to even them out. The same thing happened with the basswood so I had to use sandpaper to smooth them out. The sandpaper was useful with the edges of the basswood sticks that I had found. While searching for things to use for my piece, I came across sticks of basswood and wanted to integrate those into my structure. I had remembered that I had wanted to make something within the water and had the idea of creating a dock, similar to that of my artistic inspiration.
I had help from some friends during this point to cut the sticks of basswood because I was inexperienced and learned a lot. I smoothed the edges of the rigid sticks of basswood and with hot glue, stuck them onto the 'water', evenly spaced beside the dock. After finalizing my structure, I had used a thumbtack to visualize how a person might interact with the structure/environment and to get an idea of the scale I had used. 1/8 inch measured to be 1 foot so my walls ranged from 4 to 6 feet tall.
I had help from some friends during this point to cut the sticks of basswood because I was inexperienced and learned a lot. I smoothed the edges of the rigid sticks of basswood and with hot glue, stuck them onto the 'water', evenly spaced beside the dock. After finalizing my structure, I had used a thumbtack to visualize how a person might interact with the structure/environment and to get an idea of the scale I had used. 1/8 inch measured to be 1 foot so my walls ranged from 4 to 6 feet tall.
Response to MIAD
1.) How does your work create a relationship between land and water?
My work creates the relationship of drawing people's attention towards the both land of water. I feel like the structure of the land I based my piece off of would help give this element more of the upper hand. In reality, when there are rocky paths near the lake, people are willing to travel down these rocks to reach another destination, which is what I wanted to use. These rocks would play the role of attracting, my structure would play the role in paving the path to lead to the end result, which is the dock and the lake.
2.) What feelings will people have upon seeing, entering, walking through your structure?
I want people to feel open to decide whether to take the risk of going down piles of rocks and be led by the walls to arrive at a dock. Because the view of the lake is partially blocked, the gap(s) that the walls provide serve as a beckon towards people to go further and see what the path leads to. Upon reaching the dock, I want the view to hit the people who took the time to go through the struggle, and are welcomed by the dock so that they are free to see the lake easily and without something blocking their view.
3.) How does your structure relate to the world physically as well as with our minds?
My structure definitely embraces the complexity of the world and how certain paths in life are 'harder' than the other. Lake Michigan consists of many rocky areas and paths are made through those rocks in order for people to steer away from them. My structure emphasizes these rocks and allows for the rocks to be seen in a new way.
4.) How does your structure embrace the lake?
My structure is purposefully accommodated to lead people towards the lake, giving them the full view of the lake when they reach the interactive dock. The dock is wide enough to fit many people and far enough into the water to appreciate the lake's view with a peripheral view.
5.) How does your structure use the fundamental architecture components of: Path, Portal, and Place?
My structure incorporates both path and place, but portal is not as evident. The walls set on my model create the path to the lake that the people should be able to follow that would eventually lead them to the dock that gives a view of the beautiful lake. I wasn't too concerned about portal, because I felt that once they laid eyes on the openness of the lake, they would feel like they were somewhere else after the adventure to the lake.
6.) How does your structure embody meaning?
My structure is meant to embody the idea of human interaction with obstacles in life and challenges. People who go through the tensions and obstacles tend to get things they deserve. From this structure, the purpose of going through a rocky path ends up being rewarding by granting people a full view of the lake.
7.) Describe at least 3 meaningful decisions.
I believe the rocks I added and where I placed them were meaningful decisions. They accentuate the sense of place of where my structure resides and it helps to create the sense of adventure I wanted to evoke in people. I also believe that adding the dock at the end of the structure was a bonus in rewarding people once they go through the struggle or pleasure of the rocky path to get to see the lake. Finally, the way I Iaid out the walls on the setting was very meaningful to emphasize the decisions people make to get what they want.
My work creates the relationship of drawing people's attention towards the both land of water. I feel like the structure of the land I based my piece off of would help give this element more of the upper hand. In reality, when there are rocky paths near the lake, people are willing to travel down these rocks to reach another destination, which is what I wanted to use. These rocks would play the role of attracting, my structure would play the role in paving the path to lead to the end result, which is the dock and the lake.
2.) What feelings will people have upon seeing, entering, walking through your structure?
I want people to feel open to decide whether to take the risk of going down piles of rocks and be led by the walls to arrive at a dock. Because the view of the lake is partially blocked, the gap(s) that the walls provide serve as a beckon towards people to go further and see what the path leads to. Upon reaching the dock, I want the view to hit the people who took the time to go through the struggle, and are welcomed by the dock so that they are free to see the lake easily and without something blocking their view.
3.) How does your structure relate to the world physically as well as with our minds?
My structure definitely embraces the complexity of the world and how certain paths in life are 'harder' than the other. Lake Michigan consists of many rocky areas and paths are made through those rocks in order for people to steer away from them. My structure emphasizes these rocks and allows for the rocks to be seen in a new way.
4.) How does your structure embrace the lake?
My structure is purposefully accommodated to lead people towards the lake, giving them the full view of the lake when they reach the interactive dock. The dock is wide enough to fit many people and far enough into the water to appreciate the lake's view with a peripheral view.
5.) How does your structure use the fundamental architecture components of: Path, Portal, and Place?
My structure incorporates both path and place, but portal is not as evident. The walls set on my model create the path to the lake that the people should be able to follow that would eventually lead them to the dock that gives a view of the beautiful lake. I wasn't too concerned about portal, because I felt that once they laid eyes on the openness of the lake, they would feel like they were somewhere else after the adventure to the lake.
6.) How does your structure embody meaning?
My structure is meant to embody the idea of human interaction with obstacles in life and challenges. People who go through the tensions and obstacles tend to get things they deserve. From this structure, the purpose of going through a rocky path ends up being rewarding by granting people a full view of the lake.
7.) Describe at least 3 meaningful decisions.
I believe the rocks I added and where I placed them were meaningful decisions. They accentuate the sense of place of where my structure resides and it helps to create the sense of adventure I wanted to evoke in people. I also believe that adding the dock at the end of the structure was a bonus in rewarding people once they go through the struggle or pleasure of the rocky path to get to see the lake. Finally, the way I Iaid out the walls on the setting was very meaningful to emphasize the decisions people make to get what they want.
Reflection
After completing this piece, I was more than pleased with my results. Upon starting this project, I was very nervous and scared to put my ideas into play because of how I didn't receive the feedback I wanted to get. My feedback didn't help me further along with the development of my structure and I felt alone and lost when it was time to create my piece. I was also scared because I knew that architectural projects aren't up my alley but I still tried to do my best. Yes, I was short on time, but I did everything I could to put as much time as I could to get the most out of my own abilities and my project itself.
In the end, I used bits of my planning models and brought them together to create what I made. I mostly used the idea of being led to the lake with walls and that also inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright. I was not at all happy to make this piece but I forced myself to do it because I knew that I had to experience something new in order to see how I truly felt about it. The introduction of this project scared me and made me feel like this was going to be challenging, and it was. I kept working until I realized that I let my fear of not knowing get in the way of what I had potential of doing. I realized this as I had gotten help from very kind classmates and if it weren't for their encouragement, I would have given up. Nevertheless, I finished strong and felt that this project was a success for me.
If I were to do anything differently, it would definitely be to spend more time on the process of making this structure. I felt rushed because I held it off until the end, but I still dedicated a huge portion of my time to it even though I delayed the time I should have spent on it. I wish I could have also added more detail on the lake and added sand or grass to the land to make it look like a more realistic model.
In the end, I used bits of my planning models and brought them together to create what I made. I mostly used the idea of being led to the lake with walls and that also inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright. I was not at all happy to make this piece but I forced myself to do it because I knew that I had to experience something new in order to see how I truly felt about it. The introduction of this project scared me and made me feel like this was going to be challenging, and it was. I kept working until I realized that I let my fear of not knowing get in the way of what I had potential of doing. I realized this as I had gotten help from very kind classmates and if it weren't for their encouragement, I would have given up. Nevertheless, I finished strong and felt that this project was a success for me.
If I were to do anything differently, it would definitely be to spend more time on the process of making this structure. I felt rushed because I held it off until the end, but I still dedicated a huge portion of my time to it even though I delayed the time I should have spent on it. I wish I could have also added more detail on the lake and added sand or grass to the land to make it look like a more realistic model.
Connection of ACT
Identify cause and effect relationships between your inspiration and your artwork.
Since a body of water was the center of attention in Wright's Coonley House, it caused me to want to integrate that into my structure as well. Wright's use of a pier/dock inspired me to use one too, although our uses of them could arguably be different and similar in many ways. For one, they are shaped differently, but they both serve the role in luring people more towards a body of water.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author claims that architecture is definitely a skill in art that requires time. One must be in tune with the surroundings that is considered upon creating architecture in order for feelings to be extracted from it.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I found that architecture isn't as celebrated as other forms of art are. This type of art falls under the gray areas of art, which shouldn't be because the beauty in its complexity. Based on research, I've come to feel that not many people even consider architecture to be a form of art.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my piece was to use the ways to lure people into having a sense of adventure and go through challenges and overcome them. Overcoming challenges tend to have rewards from them and that is what I wanted my structure to have. The reward at the end of my structure is the vast view of the lake.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred that Frank Lloyd Wright was passionate about architecture and wanted people to experience it on a daily basis. I inferred that this idea was why he decided to focus his attention to the construction of homes and places where people would be most attracted to.
Since a body of water was the center of attention in Wright's Coonley House, it caused me to want to integrate that into my structure as well. Wright's use of a pier/dock inspired me to use one too, although our uses of them could arguably be different and similar in many ways. For one, they are shaped differently, but they both serve the role in luring people more towards a body of water.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author claims that architecture is definitely a skill in art that requires time. One must be in tune with the surroundings that is considered upon creating architecture in order for feelings to be extracted from it.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I found that architecture isn't as celebrated as other forms of art are. This type of art falls under the gray areas of art, which shouldn't be because the beauty in its complexity. Based on research, I've come to feel that not many people even consider architecture to be a form of art.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea of my piece was to use the ways to lure people into having a sense of adventure and go through challenges and overcome them. Overcoming challenges tend to have rewards from them and that is what I wanted my structure to have. The reward at the end of my structure is the vast view of the lake.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred that Frank Lloyd Wright was passionate about architecture and wanted people to experience it on a daily basis. I inferred that this idea was why he decided to focus his attention to the construction of homes and places where people would be most attracted to.
Bibliography
"About Frank Lloyd Wright." Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.
Lehrer, Jonah. "The Psychology of Architecture." Wired. Conde Nast, 14 Apr. 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.
"History of Architecture (3,000 BCE - present) Evolution of Building Design." Architecture, History: Evolution of Building Design. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.
Lehrer, Jonah. "The Psychology of Architecture." Wired. Conde Nast, 14 Apr. 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.
"History of Architecture (3,000 BCE - present) Evolution of Building Design." Architecture, History: Evolution of Building Design. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.