Project 1     | A Vessel for Organic Elements

ARCH 171 | Fall Semester 2020 | August 19 University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design

Tao Te Ching: Chapter 11 - translated by J. H. McDonald (1996)

Thirty spokes are joined together in a wheel,

but it is the center hole

that allows the wheel to function.

We mold clay into a pot,

but it is the emptiness inside

that makes the vessel useful.

We fashion wood for a house,

but it is the emptiness inside

that makes it livable.

We work with the substantial,

but the emptiness is what we use.

Design Statement:

Select, analyze, document and design a vessel to hold a organic linear element. Begin by carefully choosing organic tree branches. We will then design a unique container using systematic methods to hold and/or support one of the branches with emphasis on spatial interaction. 

The design process will explore the creative process beginning with geometry to create a simple structure from thin, pliable pieces of paper, cardboard and metal. Each material will transform into another so that structure, shape and form will become vessels of containment for the chosen element. 

The design process will examine the organic qualities of how to carefully shape an idea with an emphasis on how two-dimensional compositions have three dimensional, spatial consequences. Each phase will express how the form, shapes, color, and patterns found within the design process become a singular means to house, protect and poetically give the element another life. 

Project 1: Organic Object

  • INTENT: Introduce the visualization of spatial and compositional relationships through the study of an organic object. Analyze its composition through an abstraction of its geometries, regulating lines, and defined spaces. Reinterpret the 2D abstraction as a tectonic 3D object.

  • CONCEPTS: seeing vs. looking, abstraction, spatial definition, compositional techniques, color

  • SKILLS: Life drawing, Hand drafting, Iteration, manual and digital Craft, 2D CAD

  • DELIVERABLES: Carefully selected organic object, Photographs, Hand drawn views, Drafted abstractions, color studies, diagrams, physical model: abstracted tectonic lantern or screen element

Assignment 1

DUE: Friday, August 24 at the beginning of class

STEP ONE: Watch Part One of River and Tides: 

STEP TWO: Explore your environment and carefully gather natural branches:  

Collect five natural branches with the folliwng critera:

  • each branch has the potential to reveal interesting linear qualites

  • each branch no longer that 3/4 of your desk no shorter than 1/2 the length of your desk

  • barnches are selected for their light weight qualites

  • each branch "branches" in many multiple directions

  • each branch will hold a shape over three weeks

You are strongly encouraged to make friends in studio and get off campus to find your objects. This is a test of your resourcefulness and ability to creatively search for the best branches. 

STEP THREE:  Gesture Sketching Your Branches. 

A. Watch the folliwng video on "How to Hold and Control Your Pencil" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMC0Cx3Uk84&t=270s

B. Watch the folling video on gesture sketching by going to https://oit.utk.edu/training/online-training/lynda/ and log into Lynda.com. 

C. Cut and paste the follwing link into your lynds browser page to view the folliwng video on gesture drawings. https://www.lynda.com/Illustrator-tutorials/Gesture-drawing/606067/666533-4.html

Create TEN (10) full page "gesture" dawings that reveal the linear and spatial qulaites of your branches with a blunt 6b pencil or charcoal stick..

  • clear a table of all objects (make it free of visual distractions)

  • place one of your best branches in the center of the table in a fashion that reveals the spatial and liner nature of the branch

  • create a gesture drawings that emphasizes the linear characteristic using a blunt 6b pencil or charcoal stick

  • use the full page of the sketch book (draw full page large sketches)

  • create 3-5 gesture sketches per page

  • use a different branch or reposition teh same branch for each page

  • fill 10 pages

STEP FOUR: Complete the following form so we can learn more about your and your interests. 

FOR FRIDAY: We will discuss, as a group, the selection process and River and Tides. Be prepared to briefly talk about the elements you have chosen. Bring your sketchbook and collected elements. 

OPTIONAL: Watch the final half of Rivers and Tides....