PARTI PRIS
An organizing thought or decision behind a design, presented in the form of a basic diagram or simple statement. The PARTI is the starting point, the departure point, the guiding principle and bias which will inform the design of architectural spaces (view, massing, scale, plan, transparency... etc.).
The PARTI for this assignment is to create dynamic stability:
To imbue curves with rigidity, and implement movement in angular spaces.
To imbue curves with rigidity, and implement movement in angular spaces.
ABOVE || Circles are anchored along the site center-line, the rigid rectangles and square enclose the circle as a sacred focal point.
The square sits opposite to the larger rectangle to balance the composition, while also serving as a corner to the whole. Rigid shapes are angled to enable dynamic movement, and a gap draws movement in to the space.
The circle cut-out anchors the top corner while mirroring the central circle point.
Density is managed by three asymmetric points: a heavy mass of three touching and overlapping shapes, a moderate mass placed slightly apart and in line with a straight plane, and a lighter mass placed farther away with the center-lines aligned to inform a relationship.
BELOW || Four iterations leading up the final composition, experimenting with angles, density, and placement in relation to the site. The final composition included a gap which drew movement in to the space, and was arranged on angles to create a dynamic and balanced arrangement.
BELOW || 57 iterations experimenting with arrangements. Linear placement, circles as anchors, angular density, enclosing space, balance, asymmetry, and the separation of spaces were noticed to be recurring themes when working with rigid and curved shapes.
BELOW || Studio compositions in relation to each other.
Circles were found to be an interesting challenge when placing alongside rectangular shapes. The circle has a compulsion to be placed as an anchor at the corner or center of a composition, or to serve as a rotation point for a set of shapes.
Shapes infer friction and tension when barely touching, the gaps between shapes having different representations depending on distance and position.
Voids used alongside planes can guide movement.
Randomness can be utilized to avoid anchoring and guide movement and freedom through a space.
Symmetry typically refers to a classical arrangement representing strength and continuity. A space may still retain symmetry by evoking a strong center-line even if there is a lack of mass mirroring the line. The lack of space may inform of a courtyard space, a place to gather as a focal or observation point.
Layers packed closed together resemble strata and stability. As the layers increase in distance, weight can be dispersed.
The lack of something can also refer to "the point that isn't there", something that should be there that isn't can evoke strong emotion and power dynamics.
Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities was recommended reading for the next assignment.