Exploring the defition of space through walls and openings 

ARC201: How to design almost nothing
Daniels Faculty, Winter 2023
Course Instructor: Shane Williamson
Individual work

   The design prompt for the assignment was to choose a word as a design language to create seven spaces only defined by vertical elements within a nine square grid of 16mx16m.

   My goal for the user experience was to design a place that is inviting for exploration, connection, and contemplation. By creating a massing of diagonally arrayed, ephemeral transparent vertical elements, an organic cavern-like void shape with connections and dead-end can be subtracted from the massing, creating a layering effect on two perpendicular axis. From the outside straight on, visitors can only see one entry point on each side, and when looking parall el to the walls, they can see through the whole pavillion. From the inside, visitors are enveloped in the spaces defined by the layering openings of the dense walls, filtering in natural light from above and shadow and sillouettes from across the walls.

Two hand-cut sketch models are made at 1:100 scale. The massing model (top) is made of tracing paper to test the lighting effect of the transparent materials. The positive form model (bottom) is made of plasticine clay to represent the shape of the void that will be subtracted from the massing.

The final 1:50 section model in the next page is made out of plywood, mylar, and acrylic, all which are laser cut for the precision of the tectonics. Clear acrylic sheets are laser cut to form the lattice structure. The 16 columns are cut with a half-lap joint which supports the beams with an array of half-lap joints (imagine a castle wall) which supports another set of beams which the mylar wall hands from. As a result, creating an almost invisible structure where the mylar walls are seemingly floating.