Question 1: Explain how one aims simlicity meanwhile other aims complexity. Discuss how they achieve them. Discuss; patterns, geometrical shapes...

A Wall In DB

Wall of the G block lounges

 In the first form, i come across a single pattern that is repeated several times in the same rhythm. In the second form, there is also a rhythm and a pattern but its harder to read, its illegible. They are both symmetric and continuous, composition in both of them are in order, its not restricted. There is a grid in both of them, in the second picture these grids are regulating the pattern inside. Both are originally rectangles that have been subtracted and achieved its final form. First one does not aim to be complex, it has a simple pattern and its repeated many times in a specific and also simple form. In the second one we have a more complex pattern which is not a simple geometrical shape. It is a rather complex structure which makes the general form illegible. It is altered to a different pattern rather than a simble rectangle. The pattern in the second one contains circular and flexible. It does not contain sharp, geometric forms. Both of them create a space inside the patterns. The grids help the volumetric expression. The patterns in both of them are formed in groups, they are all similar. In the first one unity is more legible. The raw material that formed these two subjects are probably the same but first one seems more natural since its color seems like how its  in the natue and we can see the materials linear lines that are natural. But in the second one its colored and processed in a way that we cant guess the materials without touching it, this makes it more complex to the eye.

Question 2: Explain how they are an example of a pattern, are they based on repetiton? Compare them in the design qualities based on repetition.

 A wood piece below a light in the ceiling of DB

A sieving machine for aggregates 

In both of the subjects, i can see the similar pattern which is a square and both of the compositions start with this pattern. Both are complex since they do not contain repetition and unity. They have a simple pattern but the usage of this pattern makes these forms complex. In the first picture, patterns are inside a larger rectangle, in this form, patterns are obtained by subtraction. There is no rhythm or contuniuty, patterns are placed randomly. But they are all in the same size and they are all actually voids, they are the most characteristic parts of this form. In the second form, i see a grid, but its not a regulating grid, This grid that created the pattern is getting tighter as i look through this form. All these grids that are jammed on top of each other, and are in different sizes are creating a volume. So the first one looks more like a 2D form but second one is 3D. Second one contains repetition because, the main pattern is used in a continous form. It is repeated several times in order to create dimension. The frame of the second one is a circle unlike the first one, its a cylindrical volume, this circle organizes the form. There is a variation of the original pattern by downsizing the pattern and the grid. in the first one there is no variation so the its more legible.

Question 3: Discuss the images, how structural and and tectonic qualities become expressive character of the design.

A chair in G block

Tree locaed in the backyard of G block

This chair is containing allignment in the back side of it, it contains many linear and vertical lines creating a space. The second one is a tree which does not contain vertical lines but has a main skeleton that branches and creates many non-linear lines that contain the leafs. There is a hierarchy in the second one. In the frist one there is no hierarchy since the lines are mostly in the same plane and dont come over each other. The tecture of this chair is really smooth, unlike the tree, because its processed into being like this. They are the same material but since we use the chair on a daily basis and we need to sit on it properly, it should be smooth, all parts should be in the same hardness level, it should be stable. So it needs to satify our needs. Unlike the tree since we dont have expectations for a tree to be smooth, or comfortable enough to be sit on.
   

Experiencing Architecture

Architecture is a combination of both fine arts and elements like plans, section and elevations.It harmonizes functionality, forms&masses and color. An architects job is to create settings for living creatures, this setting should be compatible with the environment and within itself to fit the creature living in it. So, he must keep in mind how these creatures act on their natural habibats, examine it to form a setting for it to be happy living in it. One mistake that could be made has to be forming these settings using the old habits of this creature. Since us humans, change as the centuries pass and develop new habits and change nearly everything about our way of living. We can see how our houses have changed over the years based on the materials we have access to, technology we have or our sense of beautiful. A set of rules should be followed to create this form, which should be organized in order to maintain what it has to, but shouldnt be personal. The main goal is to create something functional but not just using emotions or personal contributions while doing it. 

As human beings grow up, they experience many things  through architecture. Like learning the texture of something and later on seeing or touching a similar texture to it and correlate they have similar physical properties. It is also the same thing with learning shapes, how they would act, how much force should be applied to it to make it move, will it deform when force is applied, all these thing will define our way of labeling things around us. When we see a sharp edged shape we automatically guess its hard and not soft. Just like when we see something slouchy you immediately think its soft. In the text there is examples of a pear shaped cup and a bridge of the great cunal-building period and they both seem soft to us but are not. We determine whats soft or hard, light or heavy, taut and slack by experiencing them, and as we are learning about experiencing, interpreting architecture or forms or shapes, we use these elements to make a commentary.

By collecting all these elements, we create a create a concept that includes every element and its properties combined in a large form that is created by all these elements. And when a building moves us we usually see that these elements are nicely conveyed and are creating a mood. This movement creates a rhythm when it is related to both its extarior concept and interior concept, or if the building is purposefully designed realizing the needs of the era it was made. We must examine every single element in order to fully understand and experience architecture. 

Because it is a need, as we feel instinctively to create a habitat to make us feel safe and completed, to help our needs to sustain our life. As its mentioned in the text, we feel this need to find a pavement which will make us feel safe and sound, when we are little and have no knowledge of architecture.

Towards A New Arhitecture

A collection of essays by Le Corbusier, translated by Frederick Etchells. Original name is 'Vers une Architecture'. Published in 1923, in L'esprit Nouveau magazine. Original language is french and the content is mainly about modern architecture, how to achieve it and understand it. 

About Le Corbusier; He is a influental swiss architect and city planner whose designs combine the functionalism of the modern movement with a bold, sculptural expression. He lived between 1887-1965.His most famous works are Villa Savoye and the city he designed in India, Chandigarh

His most remarkle work is 'Les 5 point d'une architecure'.  The 5 points are; 1) The pilotis, elevating the mass off the groung.

2)The free plan, achieved through the separation of the load-bearings columns from the walls subdividing the space.

3)The free facade, the corollary of the free plan in the vertical plane.

4)The long horizontal sliding window

5)The roof garden, restoring supposedly the are of ground covered by the house

In brief; Le Corbusiers points for modern architecture emphasizes the importance of functionality in form. 

In introduction, the idea of modern architecture is processed to be extremely related to engineering,To understand the concept of modern architecture we must get into the culture of engineering. Two professions are compared; engineers and artist. And what is formed by these two professions is architecture. The purpose of engineering is functionality, corresponding demands adn creating forms that are concerning todays needs and still create something plastically pleasing. But when it comes to artists, they dont have a restriction about epoch's needs or concerns. They could go overboard and create a form ahead of their time not worrying about it being plastically good. 

"The house is a machine for living in." says Le Corbusier. Architectures properties are associated with a mechanical system. Basis of designing architecture is through the establishment of standards , that are stated by engineers, when designing a living space. The establishment of  standard is necessary in defining the performancec of architecture that will benefit the well being of users.

Arrangement of forms is established by Economy and by mathematical calculation. And these give the architect an order, an accordance to world. A plan is needed, neccesity for order helps understand the architectural process. "Standards are a matter of logic,analysis and minute study." to reach this standard, one should experience.  Engineering and architecture withstand early ages of man, people created architecture and used engineering unawares. People live in plastically failed houses, which affects their mental health, that is why architecture is important. Its not only came across in building form but everywhere in our daily lives. With engineering, they create a harmony. 

Three Reminders to Architects are mass, surface and plan. These are all tied together with a standard, The idea of standard in architecture was developed by Le Corbusier through his project Maison Citrohan. The name Citrohan is extremely similar to automobile Citroen. Le Corbusier sees the process of making a house should be like the process of making a plane or a automobile. Everything should follow a certain dimension. This standardization will make the cost cheaper and as Le Corbusier mentions, standards will create a list of requirements for a living space.

I was interested in the text since my major is civil engineering. I understand more about the connection between engineers and architects. An engineers job is to create the standardization that is shaped by physics and mathematical values, to create a form that is stable and usable and functional. This form will eventually be plastically good according to Le Corbusiers standards. While creating this form, an engineer is not fixed at the result being beautiful or satisfying to the eye. They are only interested in the necessity, the system being in equilibrium state so that it wont collapse. An architect will work with this standard and the end result will be plastically good and is good for human health. 

architecture to function or perform appropriately to achieve human comfort and health and hygiene.

Thus the idea of human needs which Le Corbusier mentioned by establishing the standards about human needs were related to basic physiological needs. These human needs are requirements for well being.Le Corbusier stated standards that are more important than others like physiological needs. He recommends a certain living with no clutter and a particular taste in art. "Put only a few pictures and none but the good ones. Keep your odds and ends in drawers or cabinets." 

The foundation of standards that are important to architecture as a machine could be understood as his attempts to procreate architecture as a system to fulfill the needs of human being.

Architecture is a very technical art of designing and constructing buildings. Arhitectures go through many classes in their student years to learn all the specialized and complex ways of creating a living space. Just like  music is a very technical subject too. But when you see the building, hear the music and you experience it, it makes you feel something not technical but rather emotional. The logic is that one note means maybe nothing, but many one notes combined together means something in our brains. Just like the way architecture is. When you see a line is resembles almost nothing, but those lines together combined together creates a sketch and later on that skecth becomes a building, and when you look at it it resembles something for you, its exciting to look at.
All these constrains and borders will create something extraordinary and outside of the box. For the art to become immortal and respected, to make the viewer/listener feel something about it, it should provoke feelings and doing it takes lots of practice and technic.

TWA Hotel by Beyer Blinder Belle (Flight Center Renovation) and Lubrano Ciavarra Architects (New York, New York)

Studios Handbook Take
In the handbook there are simple but neccesary methods for architecture students to commmit to. Such as researching and being cumulative. Practices are getting comfortable in your environment since you will be creating and consuming in the studio, also being comfortable with the tools and analyzing.
Design studio encourages you to make your creative and techincal work cumulatively, not being stuck on the grade but see this oppportunity to learn and create.
The vocabulary that caught my eye are reinforce which meand stregthen, support, encourage and stimulate. Constraint means restriction and i find this word interesting since when we look at the studios handbook the main ideology is being open and creative but also considering your surroundings. This means being respectful to the people who you share the studio with or the people who clean the studio.