Marisha Aya- week 5, explorations and contour model =D

Im catching up! yay!

My final contour model was altered a tad to meet the minimum height requirements, also to enhance the final model further I interpreted my contour lines a little differently to create the cave that can be seen in the image below. By doing this, we already establish a NATURAL enclosure within the site.

Final Contour Model 

To start the process of exploration, I selected a sample of three spaces that were visually prominent and used them as a basis of my experiments with the different model.

Deep Valley

Cave

A play of varying depths and surface area that visually creates a very interesting space in-itself

During the main studio briefing, we were asked to play and tamper around with the idea of SOLID and MASS and use them to recreate space. As usual, I was very confused as to how to actually create space with a SOLID object, something that is devoid of all sense of space itself.  It took me a while to understand that just like the solid concrete walls of a building or room generate the sense of 'space' within that room or just like solid wooden planks combine to create the space within the box, so too, could the solid form interact with the surface of the contour model to create space.

(Since I am only at the exploratory stage, I have not manipulated any of the models just yet, using the originals to understand how the materials and the models would relate to the contour context to create the sense of enclosure)

Even though I was able to, in the end, create that idea of enclose space with the primitive solid, it was still felt very rigid, and after talking to the tutors that using the models (wood, paper and wire) as a starting point would not be a bad idea either considering that they were 'born' from the primitive shape anyway and still had the essence of the original shape as is. 

The upturned plane starts creating something of a viewing platform to the deep valley below. 

It is interesting to see how the model relates to the naturally enclosed space. We can start to see the different 'spaces' created within the very same 'space'; the idea of 'enclosure' is enhanced by the deep, comforting and dark area inside the cave. However, the orientation is very awkward!

I also used the wooden model as a means of exploration.

The placement of the model creates a very 'tent-like' space in that hollow triangular area generated through the interaction of the model and the flat surface. 

'overhanging' - we can start to imagine the thrill one would feel walking along that overhanging ledge or just sitting on it looking down at the deep valley below. 

 Stemmed from the idea of overhanging came this positioning of the model hung over the caves edge, half in and half out! (Tripppyyyy!)

The interaction between the spaces within the model and the natural space suggested by the contour model very effective where each space, in relation to the contour model, has a different 'feel'. For example in the images below, we see the lower right hand side platform of the model jut into the natural enclosed space created by the cave, bringing with a sense of safety and cosy-ness as it faces a very shallow space in comparison to the upper left hand-side platforms that protrudes into the wide open space. This side, like the 'overhanging ledge' brings a sense of thrill and excitement as it overlooks the landscape and the valley from a height. The floating quality of the positioning alongside the model's interaction with the surrounding space and the contours is what make this position quite successful.

When developed further with careful consideration of placement and keeping in mind the aim of the task, to create an enclosure and think about how the spaces created would be 'occupied',  I think the final might just be very interesting! Can't wait to see what happens!!!

 I would LOVE some feedback as to what you reckon about the positioning of the models and what I can do to make it more effective!

-Marisha Aya