Spatial Experiences
Project 1
Design a modular system to create three-dimensional forms that consider spatial experience for the user
Exploration 1
02.03.2021
I began this exploration by cutting out some simple shapes — a square, a keyhole, and a snowman-type shape with a hole inside. I wanted to start with something simple, and then increase complexity as I got more familiar with the material and variation in the shapes I could create. My goal with this exploration was to think about creative ways in which I could interlock modules and build up designs to intrigue a viewer.
I used chipboard as my material which was surprisingly difficult to cut with an Olfa knife. My cuts were also messy and not uniform creating these ‘fuzzy’ scraps at the end of each cut. However, my focus here was more on building the modular system rather than creating a perfect shape and so I wasn’t too worried about it.
I started building my first model up, without much thought or direction, going along with what intuitively and compositionally cohesive and seemed to create a balance in the form — even if this was not always a symmetrical balance, but rather a complementary one.
With my second model, I created this keyhole shape and experimented with enclosed and open forms. This shape was very versatile and I think the contrasting circular and triangular angles allowed it to create something more round as well as something angular. I think these two forms were interesting and allowed to me understand how to grow shapes vertically and horizontally.
Exploration 2
02.08.2021
I started exploring existing modular forms that people had created with cardboard. I liked these two images specifically as I thought they were purposeful and created a fun and unique element to the design — something I would also like to emulate.
After much consideration, I decided on this module shape — a half-circle, half triangle, with four slots on each side. With my first exploration, I learned that if the module itself is too complicated (my snowman model) it takes away from the overall form. Instead, achieving complexity and interest that results from the connection of simple pieces seems more natural and
I thought this structure mimicked an airplane or a flying animal. I could think of verbs like play, walk and sit but those just seemed boring and not very exciting. I thought the structure as well didn't seem very purposeful and didn’t really work well with those verbs either.
I experimented with the verb sit some more and introduced a new module but couldn't find a way to connect them in a cohesive way though I did like the interesting shape
As I continued to explore the different shapes, I came up with a structure that felt very organic and natural. I began thinking of verbs like shelter, hide and cover. I still wasn't happy with the structure — the space left in the middle was interesting but didn't seem to serve a purpose and would definitely not serve well as a shelter or cover.
I did think the base of the structure was an interesting platform of interaction i.e. individuals could stand on the platform as a way of interacting with the form.
Peer Review Discussion and Critique:
- Can your structure indicate the purpose?
- Is it welcoming? Is it practical?
- (Luca’s critique on my structure) There are multiple layers of interaction — the first being with the form itself and the second is that it facilitates interaction with nature.
- The base looks wonky, make it bigger and more stable
- Curve the tree, continue it around so there is more cover and it doesn't look like a movie set.
- Is this interaction an emotional experience?
- How restricted are we in terms of reality?
Daphne’s Critique:
- It feels flat and unresolved so perhaps exaggerate one aspect of it and make it the dominant part
- Try to make the base all the way around
- Add dimensionality, what does it look like from all sides?
TA’s Critique:
- Think about the interior and exterior
- This doesn't have to be in nature — could this be in a city space?
- the word camouflage primarily related to hiding, maybe observe or another verb would be broader and give more versatility to the form
- Should the tree be literal or abstract?
Exploration 3
02.11.2021
This form is perhaps the opposite of ‘camouflaging’ as the green area is inside the form as opposed to outside. As I was making this form, I was thinking about my critique from last time and how Dani told me to think about the form in the city space and also consider the interiors as well as exteriors. This inspired me to create a space perhaps located in a busy office space or city kind of like in Mumbai, where I am from. There is such a disconnect from nature in those spaces and so I began thinking of an experience where an individual can take a break, walk around in this form, look and observe the view from their tall office building, and be reminded of being emersed in nature.
I chose to leave the back of this not colored as this is the part that will face outwardly and I didn't want this to be something that would be distracting or take away from the seriousness of an office or business space.
Possible verbs: To observe, escape, take a break, be emersed
Q’s Critique:
- Turn it upside down! (This was such simple but effective advice that completely changed the dynamism of the piece in a second)
- Think about the size of the humans — they could be really tiny
- Keep exploring possible locations this could be in — think about a scene in nature like in a rainforest where people come and look up at the stars.
- Add a few more pieces to one side to make it less uniform and take away from the regularity.
Thinking about this, I want to once again rethink the location and verb of this modular form, and going ahead I would like to rework the pieces so that it creates a more one-third sphere type of shape and make the base flatter. I think with the location in nature, the verb “to observe” seems to work if it is a place to stargaze.
I think with the light, I would want to photograph the form outside in nature.
Revision 1
02.13.2021
Initial adjectives based on this form: organic, calm, open, comfortable
I spoke to some of my friends in the studio asking their opinion on what this form reminded them of. Some of them said it reminded them of lily pads. I agreed with this and started to look at pictures of lily pad formations. I think I was really struggling with the location of where this structure would be and the feedback I got was that the form itself doesn't inform the interaction people should have with it. If the form was perhaps in water, it might be more intuitive — perhaps it could be a way for tourists to float on lakes, take pictures and enjoy nature without disrupting it like being on a boat.
Lily Pad Boat
Verb: to float, provide shade, observe nature
Adjectives: calm, organic, natural, buoyant
Much like my original form, lily pad formations are random and inconsistent. They are very flat as they lay on water and usually have one side slit. To help create this form, I added another module that was a circle with slits on four sides. Not only did this help me create the structure, but it also helped create an overall shape more similar to that of a lily pad formation.
I tried to rework these pieces to come up with different ways of attachment, using primarily the same rules — a sideways style of attachment to form the base and a 90-degree attachment to make the structure stand and change the direction to add growth.
Other adjectives I got:
- Creative
- Intricate
- Lively
- Earthy
- Imaginative
- Weird
- Leafy
- Nesty
- Sleepy
Overall, most of the adjectives I received aligned with the ones I was going for which confirmed to me that the experience of the form could be understood.
Final Module
02.17.2021
I got positive feedback on my new form and the main issue now was improving the people and photographing the model to convey the experience. Connor gave me the idea to photograph the module on an acrylic sheet with blue paper underneath to get the reflection that would mimic that of water. Daphne also mentioned trying to photograph the shadow created by the side of the module to show that the secondary purpose of the boat is to provide shade.
I really liked the reflection created with the acrylic, however, wanted to try out how the module would look in natural lighting, the lighting it would typically receive in its setting of being on a river or lake. The snow turned out to be the perfect background because firstly, snow is essentially frozen water, and secondly, the natural bumps and curves it created allowed me to visualize how my model would look in a river where some of it is under and covered with water.
Reflecting:
This project taught me about how public structures should be created purposefully, by understanding the environment in which it is located and by thinking about the different ways in which people can interact with it. Personally, I didn't experiment with color as much but through observing my classmates' structures and how the feeling of their structures changed as they altered the color they used, I understood the importance of color in influencing an environment.
