St Edmunds Mentoring: Design Development and Idea creation

Week Three: 27/02/20

Looking at how the students simply used pencil, it created a bland outcome which would limit their development work and therefore their grade would impacted due to the high volume of competition of those using different media. Consequently, I introduced different etching types using a 0.3 thickness biro to create dimensional form for the exterior shell of the sketching and how using different shades of the same colour can create the illusion of shadows casting onto the ground Level. These basic principles were adapted immediately by the students as they could see a drastic difference in their sketches as we spoke to them individually.

Students final outcome using the ‘processing method’ from the help of Emre Suner

In this session, myself and Emre assisted the students into coming up with a loose sketch of. proposed structure that they had in mind, showing how that idea advanced step by step through a series of sketches until they reached a final sketch which concluded and reinforced how their design would look.

Emre took a more organic and loose form when he demonstrated his approach to a student. His approach consisted of sketching a shape, each time adapting to it until the outcome looked like a functioning piece of Architecture. Personally, this links to “form follows function by Sullivan who is a theorist. This phrase is related to the early 20th century as the shape of a structure should relate to its main purpose and function in which is is conveyed.

“Form follows Function”- Louis Sullivan [Pioneer of modern skyscraper]

Secondly, I introduced method 2 of the ‘initial design creation’ This involved writing a list of key words, which was associated to their task e.g. the brief was asking to produce a pre historic structure. Therefore, I told the students to follow the buildings simple guidelines eg. symmetrical, Neo classical etc. Therefore, if the students pick out those specific key words that link to the brief, this will inform and guide their decision making and create a more structured process as they’re aware of the type of style they’re manifesting through hat bait research. Moreover, Using resources such as Dezeen Architecture and at their level use Pinterest as a source of inspiration to see how there designers interpret their own design knowledge into a visual. This may enhance their portfolio and they can ‘”pick and mix society” various elements. This links to a famous theoretical post modern approach, which mentions how we have moved from a postmodern to an individualistic era where we choose what best fits us with the idea of self inflicted choices.

“Pick and mix society”- Karl Thompson

Due to this school being known for its high mass of model making due to the workshop one of the students needed some ideas and support with how to bind both her plywood planks together. Therefore, Emre and myself suggested to drill some holes on the 2 bottom left sides and use a stitching method to combine the two planks of wood together with string. Adding more string as you go along to create a robust sectional model.

Written by Wiktoria Glowczewska- BA Interior Architecture