Approaching Architecture - The "FACE"

THE FACADE / ELEVATION

Week 8

Introduction to Theories of Proportion and Scale

Slides of Architecture and Drawings to illustrate Historical Orders

Students will examine: The Golden Section, Greek Orders, Renaissance Theories, Le Corbusier and others

Student will create a drawing for a Building Facade that embodies proper proportion and scale

Materials - 18" x 24" white paper, HB, 2B, 4B graphite pencils, kneaded eraser. Ink Marker Optional

Conceptual

This week’s lecture will focus on the notions of proportion and scale. Often an artist is faced with creating a convincing architectural backdrop that places the player in a particular period or era. As discovered in this lecture there are various orders or principles that help determine proportion such as material, structural, or fabricated constrains. Wood varies in size but only within the scope of how wood grows. Stone varies in size but generally can only be transported conveniently at particular sizes. Other constrains come from how wide a space can stretch without support or even just why brick are sized the way they are to provide strength, convenience, and aesthetic uniformity.

Scale can be understood:

  

·          in context of the site or other elements of the architecture

·          with respect to the human form

   

ASSIGNMENT

The Facade

  

Practical

·     Create one (1) drawing depicting a facade. It must be fully rendered and of gallery quality featuring line, tone & color.

o    Research your Architecture and be prepared to talk about it and why its proportions make for an appealing facade.

      Consider the Golden Section as a method for understanding the proportions of your facade

o    The facade should be existing and adhere to a system of proportion. 

o    Explore scale of elements or parts that make up the whole of the facade

o    Play with the notion of “Scale” by placing a human form somewhere in the drawing

o    Render light, shadow, pattern, and depth into the facade elevation drawing

              

      ·          Render in Pencil with tone, Ink with shadow, and color suggestions

Homework

Complete:                              Assignment “The Facade”                                     1 Drawing

Read:                                   Architecture: Form, Space and Order                Chapter 7 (pp. 332-385)

REFERENCE:

The Empty Space - Architectural "STAGE"

THE EMPTY SPACE


Student will explore the notion of “place” and design a stage set for a unique character.
Materials - 18" x 24" white paper, HB, 2B, 4B graphite pencils, kneaded eraser. Ink Marker Optional. Digital Optional.

Conceptual

This lecture will explore the notion of “place”. One of the foundations of architecture is how structure defines a site. Context is the identification of a real world geographic site (virtual or otherwise) for which architectural elements can establish an environment. Simply making buildings isn’t architecture. For architecture in games or film to be believable they must have context that is relatable to the human scale. Identifying space through the use of architectural elements space is enclosed, framed, positioned, adorned, and embellished with respect to focus, angles, openings, and light will ensure an expression of “place”. Architecture tells a story in how it identifies space so that it suggests ritual, ceremony, hierarchy, order, or transformation.

In games often a designer will reference a real world location. The artist must research the site and create a “place”

ASSIGNMENT 

The Stage

Practical

·          Create a drawing that identifies an architectural idea of “place”

·          Examine real world reference

·          Identify a space for Conflict (A Fight, )

·          Establish space for an Intro and an Outro

·          Define your “place” as  Interior or Exterior with composition, form, and proportions

·          Explore Depth and devices to encourage a sense of atmosphere

·          Provide sketches of loose pages to show design process

CHOOSE a MUSE:

·          Sherlock Holmes

·          Santa Claus / Father Christmas

·          Leonardo Da Vinci

·          Ramses

·          Sam Spade

·          Scarecrow, Tin Man, or Cowardly Lion

·          Witch form Hansel and Gretel

·          Cowboy

EXPLORE:

·          Inspiration of the Stage

·          Stage Type: Open or Closed

·          Greebles

·          Lighting

·          Color

        This assignment needs to be well designed and well rendered. It must be architectural and display architecture that is particular to muse and time period for the muse. It needs no figures but should convey clearly a sense of scale and "mise-en-scene (look up this term and apply it) Your stage should tell a story about for who this stage exists. I should be able to look at it and say "That's for so-and-so"

Homework             

Complete:     Assignment  -  “The Stage”    1 Drawing (Perspective) + support ideation or diagrams  (Plan, Section)

Examples of STAGE: