Located in at Kings Cross, I have designed an office building that incorporates the “flow” of how people move around. The office space includes a garden space on the very top open to the public, partially giving back to the community since it is built on a park. The building also acts as a leisure space where people can hang around and relax from stressed work. It also acts as an event space where people can hold parties and events, or even small meetings within the office. Creating this organic space allows people to be more relaxed around nature and increases connectivity and efficiency between people.

From the very beginning to the end of the project my proposal has been a drastic change. My initial proposal wasn’t something I particularly liked. After a few tutorials with the tutors, it has made me more clear of what I was passionate about and more intrigued to design something that was related to me. All the tutorial sessions made me more confident in what I was doing. It gave me a sense of confirmation and justification to proceed on my project.
If I were to start my project again, I would probably try to do something more complex with the design I had done. I chose to create an office space with a rooftop garden and round structures because I knew it would be unique and appropriate with the site that I had chosen. I wouldn’t change much about the design because I had learnt a lot about the structures and possibilities that were implemented in the process.
Despite having a lack of knowledge from creating curved/ arc model structures, I managed to work my way through it. By testing different possibilities and trialling, I still managed to do my best up to my ability. In my opinion, I think the sketch-up render visualisations were my best I’ve ever done since it was my very first time using the program. The process of learning the software took a while, from computer crashes, lagging software errors, etc. Although it wasn’t the best, I still thought it was a great experience.
From this experience, I have found myself capable of producing computer-generated models and sketches. I think model making would be my weakness from what I have constructed. I think it could be more detailed and well built.
Looking back on my project, I think there were some things that I could’ve changed and added. Flipping through my sketchbook, I have found a lack of site research and analysis. I think that could have improved my overall submission and also clear up the reasons behind the design. Another part where I could have improved is the variety of model testing, I think I could use different techniques in testing my outcomes. For example more collages, the use of photography and more additional research for outcomes.

Overall, I think I am really pleased about my final outcome and the process of this project. It has taught me a lot of knowledge, technical and practical skills. This has helped me build a stronger basis for future references and I am glad I have done this project.

Today was time to correct the proposal and add bibliography for the proposal. I knew I had lacked some but hopefully I had saved the resources and was able to use it when I needed it. We had a small lecture telling us that we had to write a 500 word reflection on the things that we had did the things that was successful the things that we had learnt from this experience. 

I also did a small tutorial with the tutor asking how I should layout my A2 sheets. I showed the layout of my A2 sheets. I was told to change the layout and add diagrams so that people can understand it much better and easier to read. 

Action plan

Change the layout:

Add drawings, diagrams to show what people are looking for. 

Today I photographed my final model and added it to my final sheets. I found it hard to choose between the two models that I had made because I found that the final one wasn't better than the original one that I had made. I didn't like the one I had made from wood because it required more technical skill I didn't know. One of the problems that I had came across was to surround the building with wood, it was hard to bend wood even with the softest and thinnest wood that I had found, it would still crack open a break apart. I think I had done my best to my ability to finalise the model.

Even though I thought it was a total failure I still learnt alot from it because i know next time to use different materials when making rounded shapes like the one I made. I think that there is more room for improvement, where I also learnt alot from this experience. 

Today I started doing my A2 sheets for visualisation. Choosing what to put and what not to put. I had to filter from least important to most important. I thought it would be crucial to showcase what is important in the few sheets. I did another session of tutorial with the tutor and I had done what was told from the last session I had which was to add life to the visualisation. I talked to the tutor about physical  problems that would take place if the infrastructure was to be built because I had trees built through the building. I was told to take a look a koolhaas Residential houses where the infrastructure had been lifted up to be able to see the tree come up. It was really cool to see the images of it because I never knew it could be done. 

I also showed my workflow to the tutor and I had to fill in alot of images photographs and post it notes that was in my book because it is an important part in the research and reflection. 

Action plan

Finish workflow and add photographs to help support the reflection part. 

More images could be added to research.

Action plan 

make a final piece out of wood in wood workshop

Today I did another tutorial asking to know what there was to add for my final visualisation. I was told to make the roof top garden more vibrant with more plantations on it to make it look better. also maybe add a stair case that would be open to the public to go on and see the top of the area I thought it would be cool to have a pond or garden for the design concept. I also agreed to do so because it didn't look too appealing to the public with just plain grass. It would be much better if there is a full garden, some seats, a pond or even a small terrace for people to sit and chill. 

Action plan

Make a staircase at the side for people to walk up. 

Add actual plants or trees on the architecture itself 

My response and edit after the tutorial ( added more life/ foliage and staircase for the public access)

Today was the photoshoot for our architecture model. I had thought about adding grass or not for the final model. I contemplated for a long time because it would be a mess, But I thought about it and I think that it is a really important part that I want to show case in my model so I bought fake grass and add it to my model last second. After adding the grass the model was more popped and easier to see because it was much brighter in colour and people could see the use of it.

I thought the photoshoot went very well. I was obviously so much better than the ones that I take for my smaller test pieces. I was told to do different angles.

We were asked to bring a couple of things and planning:

1. USB 

2. A plan for 4 specific angles to photograph my model

• A view in/ through the model from human eye height
• 3/4 top view;
• An elevation 
• a detail shot

After the shot I thought it was too plain so I added some trees and people to show case the scale of the model so that It would look much better. 

Action plan

Continue to do the planing of the visualisation

Having my visualisations done in sketch-up and made a model made me less worried about it. I had done my best to make a model out of foam core. I looked at my sketchup model that I had done and compared it to my model that I had made for the final outcome to be photographed tomorrow. I thought it would be best if I had add some people or scale models so that it would be more clear as to what the final would look like because it would be much cooler. 

VERY FIRST RENDER 

WEEK 1

During easter break, I made a couple of models. some of them took time to complete in the workshop some were made really easily with a cutting knife. After talking to the tutor about modular systems. I changed my mind about it. since a lot of buildings are modular, boxy and dull. I thought about making designs that have are round or arcs. I looked at Selgas Cano as an inspiration. I took the Christina's suggestions and went back to do more research. It turned out to be more fitted for the type of design I wanted to use. 

I dove deeper into researching about communication, I had to link back to the theme "FLOW". I thought about the concept for a very long time. My design infrastructure includes alot of glass. something I researched about office communication enhancement. I looked at the public and private sector for people interactions that could bring people together. Private (office) gardne/ park( open to the public). 

Action plan:

visit WEWORK LONDON take photos 

final plan of the design visualisation 

continue to make prototypes for the final design

WEEK 2

I visited one of the places( WEWORK LONDON) that Christina had told me about. I took some photos of the exterior and look at the interior from the outside( couldn't get access inside). I went to the one in Shorditch, It was really cool to see the outside of it. The office I saw had plantation surrounded on the exterior of the building and had vines attached to it. It seemed really cool from the outside and it was really captivating to see that.

I had also realised the use of glass in most office spaces. That being said, google, facebook, youtube and WEWORK london just in the Kings cross area alone. It quite interesting to see why they have such big glass window  that allow people to see the outside from their own office space. I think it is quite nice to have interactions with the outside environment. I wanted to to investigate on communications and the way people interact with each other just based on the idea of "FLOW", "THE FLOW OF COMMUNICATIONS" <--for example. 

ACTION PLAN:

incorporate the use of  "glass windows" connect it to "interactions". 

see through glass allows people to visualize each other and allows visual communication in the workspace. which is really important in this sort of environment. 

NOTES TO MYSELF AND FROM OTHER PEERS  

Today’s tutorial with a different tutor I was told to make more modes to help develop my design. I needed to add more mapping and test models. I needed to explain what design meant and what it would help and benefit people in the community. Would it be a disadvantage/disruption to the community? or would it enhance the space.

I later on researched alot on ROOFTOP GARDENS. It later linked back to my very first mind map plan that I had written down about my cultural background. Something I am genuinely  typically interested in, and that was nature. I grew up near mountains and gardens as a kid. Taiwan is a country that is surrounded by trees and mountains and you could see alot of plantation and is also a very big part of my childhood while growing up. I wanted to include this into my project because I am very passionate about it. I seek to incorporate it into my office infrastructure that I will be designing. After the last tutorial session, It made me realise how important the area is for people. After doing background and history research, I later realised how people utilise such beautiful landscape. I didn't want to destroy the area by simply building something private. So I thought about having the rooftop garden being open to the public for people to see. 

Action plan:

In depth research about the site and rooftop gardens

Office/ work space research about the place

After last the last tutorial I had with the tutor I have looked at a couple of places that my final design could be. I narrowed it down to kings cross. I thought that it would be the most appropriate to have it in kings cross because my design will be based on offices and workspaces. The area is filled with different corporations and my design will be related to it. I wanted to have the area in a more green space so I ended up choosing Lewis cubitt park. I came across some problems while finalising my site, In which they include:

1. It the only green space in the area, people might not like the fact that something industrial will be built on the space.

2.Lot of families and people go there and relax, might not be the most ideal place to build something

3.It’s a public space where everyone can use, meaning that building a private office will prevent that from happening.

In order to tackle these problems I have thought of many ways to solve the problem

Ideas:

1.Making a rooftop garden that is will be open to the public.

2.The office will be build above ground and will be lifted from the ground

3.The space will be an installation and can be moved to different places. (Works like a pop up but a fixed design to it)

Things that benefit me from choosing the site. 

1. it is flat land and there are many opportunities in building something new instead of using an old one and adding on top of it.
2. Enough space for creation ( not saying any other place don't allow that but since kings cross is such a densely populated area in my opinion)
3.  My finalised work will include office space and workspace. A very good area for people that are seeking jobs and opportunities. 

Action plan

Finalise something that will be the most fitted the the atmosphere.

Make test models to see what would work

After today’s tutorial with The tutor,  I had a much clearer idea of what I’m going to design. I was given some examples of architecture designers that were related to my concept I thought it was pretty useful. I was told to check out Selgas cano as an inspiration. I think it provided me with a lot of insight because I plan to base my design on it. The tutor told me I needed to look at more designer for inspiration. I didn’t have enough research for my unit 7. I also haven’t look for a site that I will be using for my final design. I thought. It will be one of my priorities. Since it would affect what I will be designing.

Action plan

Choose site

Make more visualisations for a clearer concept of what the final design will look like.

Today was MAKE IT IN A DAY workshop we were asked to make quick model ideas out of magazine. I made two quick ones, I didn't think it helped much with my project in general but I honestly think I didn't do as bad as I thought and could potentially be a process in the sketchbook. I ended up using it as a collage simply because it looked good. I don't often use this type of technique to visualize things but it was a good activity. I was quite surprise by what I made even though it wasn't perfect. The activity made me think of materials and colours for my design which would be an important part of the process. 

I discovered that lots of architects use different colours, textures and design materials to fit the right atmosphere and site. 

Action plan:

look towards different colours, aspects of material use.

continue to research more about materials

How can I use colour and materials for the design

After having the conversation with the tutor I have decided to change my title to FLOW. I would be a more appropriate decision to make. my first thought was to making a lounge space that would allow people to sit around and relax. That changed to an office space/ workspace located in London. I felt much better after the conversation with the tutor because it helped be on the right track and has given me a more clearer pathway of what I want to do. I further drew more designs with the map from the above perspective to test out different ideas that I could use, that helped me visualise and move forward towards the design process. To further help me feel connected to the project title I decided to do a mind map, write down different concepts and ideas that interest me and relate to the project. 

Today was our progress tutorial with our lecture. I was told to settle down on an idea because my proposal was too broad and I had a-lot of ideas in mind and I needed to settle on one. My proposal didn't include a specific type of design that will be my final. I only explained it as "infrastructure" and it wasn't clear enough what I wanted to do. I initially explained it as utilitarian infrastructure. which wasn't the right terminology that I wanted to use. There were some questions that were being asked by the tutor and needed to be explained : What is utilitarian infrastructure? What use is it being put to? 

The tutor suggested to use navigation to describe how people might think about how they move around a space. but I have decided against this because it was to complex to do.  After explaining what my ideas were, my tutor and I have settle and agreed on changing my proposal title to " FLOW" . I thought it was a great change because there were more choices that I could use with the title flow. There are alot of interpretation of Flow which made it much easier for me compared to "orientation" (previous title). The change of the title made it more inclusive of all aspects and was closer to what I actually wanted. 

Action plan:

Need to think further for the change for my project "FLOW" 

more specific title

I did some small sketches to help with my visualisations and some collages. After last time's tutorial I was told to caption what the drawings were about and why was it done, because it is essential when it comes to explaining it to someone that doesn't understand the whole process. I did some research on information that would help the title of what I will be making I thought it would be essential for me to do more sketches and designs that would help on my title of the project.

This week was model making week for me. I realised the importance of making models because I think that models help visualise and help the predictability of the final infrastructure being made. The concept being made into reality is something different because I only visualise it in the mind, but when it comes to making lots of problems will be taken into account. In many occasions when making my model I have found it very difficult and impossible to do. I thought of bending wood to a round shape to cover the outer layer but I found it very difficult. I would either break in half or not fit.

Todays aim was to have a clearer concept choice of pathway for the final outcome. I have tried some quick visualisations with photoshop, to begin with generating forms and idea about the structure in terms of its function. I began doing small sketch on the sketch book. I was told that having a really good site for my project was very essential and important because I will be looking at the orientation and navigation of people and that would affect it based on the site that I have chosen to do. I have made a couple of collages in photoshop and printed it out. I also researched a couple pictures for my final outcome. 

Today I refined my proposal after having a chat with the tutors. There were something parts in the brief that had to be changed and I have realised alot of problems with my project. I was told that it was a great idea and alot of potential to the project. I thought it was a very interesting theme, but I have made the project seems very complicated. Parts of the brief had to be changed for example the theme and use of vocabulary, The tutors had suggested to use navigation to support my theme. I also had to be more specific with the final outcome that was going to be produced. I needed to have a clear concept for the final piece. Questions that had to be taken into consideration: "where it would be?", "who would use it?", "what for?". I also have to give examples to what structure have been made to support my theme. 

Today we had a research workshop and asked to bring 10 photos for our project. I printed ten photos that were related to my project. I looked at alot of examples that architects have used in their infrastructure. Since Orientation is such and important factor in architecture there are many examples where it has been taken into advance in the process of creating a piece. 

I didn't think the project was very useful because people had different projects and didn't help my research, but i thought it was quite interesting to see the different idea that people came out with. It was quite nice to see what other people came up with from their project. Also being able to use other peoples reference was really nice. 

Today was the first lecture for our unit 7 project. I have done some research on some websites and read some books that would be possible for my project and I have decided to do my project on orientation. I had more interest in this project because there was more to it and had more potential when it comes to research and finalising my project. I have also done some research on model making because I wanted to have a model made for my outcome because it would  be more clear on visualisations. 

In todays lecture we were asked to brain storm on the project that we had chosen. we had to talk about the context of the project and a-little bit about it. I thought the idea was pretty much set and I wanted to work on this project for my Unit 7. At first I didn't think too much about the project because i didn't want to over complicate it. I am going to do more research on the topic for more idea. 

Today we had no class and were asked to do research on a topic that we have chosen. I have chosen two topics and attempted to write a brief on it. The two subjects that I have thought of is "Orientation"and "private and public". The topic of orientation was so broad I wanted to narrow the project down to smaller parts. One part of the project was to do with the relationship between light and displacement of a building and the other one was to do the navigation and orientation of people in the interior and exterior of the building. I thought both ideas were very nice and could potentially be part of the project. I thought combining both concepts would be pretty interesting but overwhelming.

The topic of Private and public discusses the relationship between people in different sectors of private and public. lots of architecture are really publicly open ex. modern buildings , mansions. I thought it would be a very interesting topic to look at. I wanted to know more about both topics so I did some research on the two topics.