wsoa-arch120-c-danielle-blog

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L.A. Cleantech Incubator

The field trip here was great, filled with so much information We started off looking at California’s current water situation and asked ourselves,  how have the settler’s survived water droughts before us? One of the L.A. Cleantech’s mission is to catch rain water before it hits the ground; they showed us some innovated ways on ideas they had already come up with. We discussed three main points, water quality, water supply and water access (who controls the water.) The way the speaker explained how we get our water and how water is dispersed throughout California, going to mostly agriculture as opposed to citizens, was very fascinating.  An amazing company that would be awesome to work for. There are so many ways as architects we can be more green when we are creating buildings.

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Banham Four Ecologies

In the Banham reading, he expresses his views of Los Angeles--mostly praise. He believes the city gets under looked for its potential and artists, architects and others should take advantage of its potential. I think there is so much that can change in Los Angeles to make better, such as redoing the freeway systems. I believe the freeways are what disconnect us as a culture. We sit in traffic for too much of our lives, which inevitably makes people upset and grumpy. Perhaps with the advancements in self driving cars, there will be no need for the freeway systems. Banham describes as Los Angeles as blank slate, with flimsy buildings-- land that can be stirred into something incredible. 

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Linda Talaaman

Linda’s talk on energy efficiency and sustainable design was intriguing. To someone who wants to study more on how architecture can become more green, this lecture was interesting. Linda talked about the relationship between building and landscape, how a building can be connected to its environment but not completely fixed. She gives the example of the Dia:Beacon located in New York. She says “as architects make the world a better place, picking materials carefully, sustainable, push ‘green’ agendas and create things that matter. 

One of her questions was, “How do you contribute to the larger built environment by building ethically/sustainable?” I think as architecture students it is our job to look into the possibilities of green energy into our building. Soon, we will have to create building that will have to produce the amount of energy it uses. 

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Corner

In Cosgrove’s “The Measure of America,” he gives a new insight to the way one could look at California, such as in a plane. In a plane, one can see the beautiful gridded fields, or the old roads of  Rome. This way gives the viewer a more appreciated outlook on maybe not only the earth, but architecture. I think each of these readings are trying to engage us to think about architecture with different eyes-- opening our eyes to the possibilities. In Cosgrove’s writing, he talks about the limitations some of the greatest minds in the past had, the limitations we no longer have. In this generation, we seem to have so many opportunities that should be taken advantage of in order to create our best.

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Frampton

The Frampton reading reminds me very much of David Pye. Both authors express a mournfulness of the way architecture is today. In Frampton’s “Toward a Critical Regionalism,” he says there is a lack of the arts, culture that brought civilization together, and traditional architecture. He says architecture can only become true again if we step away from our technology and jump back into history. I believe Frampton has a point to this sometimes empty occupation; some people do not put their heart into their work and I think that is what is wrong with architecture these days. Some may want to make something creative and different but not think, where will someone have a cup of coffee with a friend, or where will a child be able to play? By thinking this way, we can create culture within our works.

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5 Sources on the Ningbo Museum by Wang Shu

  Clark, Garth. https://cfileonline.org/architecture-wang-shus-ningbo-museum/ Web. October 2017.

http://www.sbd2050.org/project/ningbo-history-museum-23/ 2011. Web. October 2017.

McGetrick, Brendan. ‘Ningbo History Museum’ Last modified March 3, 2012. https://www.domusweb.it/en/from-the-archive/2012/03/03/ningbo-history-museum.html Web. October 2017.

Han, Jiaxin. ‘Wang Shu’s Ningbo Museum: a critical view’ Last modified April 23, 2013 http://www.masterplanningthefuture.org/?p=1229 Web. October 2017.

Lifson, Edward. ‘Chinese Architect Wang Shu Wins The Pritzker Prize’ Last modified February 27, 2012. http://www.npr.org/2012/02/27/147507905/chinese-architect-wang-shu-wins-the-pritzker-prize  Web. October 2017.

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Workmanship

“There are people who say they would like to see the last of craftsmanship because, as they conceive of it, it is essentially backward-looking and opposed to the new technology which the world must now depend on.” -David Pye

After reading part of the Nature and Art of Workmanship, David Pye makes many points that today, there is a lack of craftsmanship. I completely agree with his statement because many works that used to be done by these people that specialized in making something like a detailed column is no longer seen today. If someone wants an intricate design, a computer or machine can do it. Maybe this is more efficient but where has the skill gone? I love craftsman-style houses; you can see them all over Pasadena. It gives them such character and represents an era of time where true craftsmanship was in existence.  

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The Broad Field Trip

I have been to the Broad before but as we were guided down the street over to Grand Park LA, you really get a different feel for the city. Seeing the history and the different styles of architecture is something many people in Los Angeles don’t notice or experience. Many people drive their cars to work or to wherever they need to go. But walking on the street, taking in the views and details of a building is something important, especially for an architect. One moment you’re experiencing what looks like a giant cheese grater (the Broad) next, you see a giant curvy piece of metal (Disney Hall) then down the street, you’re faced with a beautiful church (Cathedral of Our Lady.) Los Angeles really is a hodge podge of art and buildings, but that’s what gives the city it’s unique culture. 

Although I am not a fan of modern art, I did enjoy my time at the Broad with good friends, good vegan ice cream and sore feet.

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Edwin Chan

I was not able to attend his lecture so I watched the video, “From Bauhaus to Data” on YouTube. He is asked by the host: as an architect, does Chan think of sustainability as being one of his main drivers? Chan starts to discuss a building he worked on in Switzerland which was deemed as a ‘0 energy building.’ They took inspiration from the “DNA’s of our humanity,” meaning the architectural characteristics that were the foundation back then. 

He also talks about how Western society lives in an abundance and how it would be good if we, as architects, learned to managed the waste we have created. I believe he makes many valid points; architects as designers are responsible for creating an environment or a place that is sustainable and not hurting our earth. A place where people can gather and connect while feeling safe and happy is a goal of mine.

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Response Week 1

What Banham wrote about Los Angeles redefined how the world perceived it– but what would he think of LA today? 

In this article, it summarized Banham’s book about the city of Los Angeles. He speaks of the architecture, the cars, the people, the transportation systems and everything in between. I am answering the question: What would Banham think of LA today? Well, in his book, he puts Los Angeles on a pedestal. In my opinion, Los Angeles is very much different than when this book was written in the 1960′s. Everything has become very trendy these last few years with media becoming so popular; everyone wants to do everything and Los Angeles is the place to be. Of course, the life Banham describes with floating, self driving cars sounds great, I think we are far from a reality like this. 

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Ana Herruzo

Ana Herruzo is known for combining technology, art and architecture into her unique style of work. She has done many art installations including music festivals, films and incorporating robotics. Her way of designing and thinking is inspiring to a young architect such as myself. I was not able to see her lecture but I went to her website and saw many of her works. One that fascinated me was called the “Holly Farmer Duet” where she has a dancer and robotic arms moving coincide. Her work is really amazing and takes a different look on architecture and design. This can be applied to space; maybe her robotics and light change the way one moves through a space, creating an entirely new experience. 

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Response Week 4

After reading Zumthor’s passage of Thinking Architecture, I felt like he was trying to say that there so much more to architecture than just building a building. He first talks about pieces of architecture that remind him of a moment-- when he was seven at his grandma’s house reaching for the door handle. Sometimes these components can bring back a memory, just as a certain smell or deja vu moment. He describes certain works of architecture as something “anchored firmly to the ground,” and that we couldn't imagine it not being there. He then talks about putting feelings into his work, “The feelings, preferences, longings, and desire that emerge and demand to be given a form must be controlled by critical powers of reasoning, but it is our feelings that tell is whether abstract considerations really ring true.” I think this really relates to our discussion yesterday with Linda and Edward. Edward told us this story about his old job and how design decisions had no reason and everything was sporadic; just as Zumthor want design to be driven by reason and feelings.