ARC 310
Design I

Kristina Yu
KristinaYu@gmx.net
Office Location: WMB 4.112
Office number: 232-9315
Office hours: 2:30-3:30T,TH

Abstract:
Thesis:
In the search for Architecture, and acquiring the knowledge to make it, it is useful to begin the career of an architect with exercises in seeing, manipulating, relating and handling objects in space. The definition of space must be challenged and remodeled to reflect the culture and issues facing our society today. As money, information and commodities exchange hands without the visible connection of the maker to the made objects today, the spaces where the traditional craft is practiced takes on more importance as it is necessary to display the process of the made object and how it is then to be used and worn by the public.

Method:
We will investigate Architectural spaces through the project of the Slot House in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin (Atelier/Loft house), that of a maker of things in our culture. Traditionally the neighborhood has always sustained an artisan community. It is very common to see 5 to 6 story houses that function as live and work spaces for different creative guilds. The neighborhood has an enriched identity as not only an interesting place to live but through the newly created zoning laws, independent professionals and craftspeople are allowed to use the ground level and the 2nd level as places to practice. This has allowed for many start up firms and creative personalities in many areas to move into this neighborhood to be seen and to be in the milieu where many things are happening simultaneously. The first series of exercises will sensitize the eyes and hands to be critical of things that we see in the built world by first, choosing a craft to study (i.e. jewelry making, hat making, instrument making) and then second, collecting the ready-mades, objects, etc. related to that craft. These objects will be sliced, sectioned and then interpreted. The exercises will focus on making our observations concrete in drawn form, collage form, written form, made form. The second series of exercises focus on the spatial theme of vertical circulation, the stairs. The problem of elevating the person from one level to the next, will be investigated by cutting sections through a typical floor height and designing an appropriate set of stairs. The third series of exercises will deal with the presentation of the studied objects of the maker from the first exercise on the site of Prenzlauer Berg. How for example the objects should be displayed in the ground level or how the shop windows relate to the street.

Project:
The conclusion will bring all the pieces of the last three to plan a house (loft/atelier) for the crafts-person. The site (as it relates to front and back, entrance and exit), the atelier (producing area) spaces, the living quarters, the presentation or gallery space for the objects will all be fused to complete the house.