Powell, Jacob
Exercise 1 – Mapping Light
For this exercise we where asked to get out and investigate the city and map different light phenomenon. With this study I chose to study the phenomenon of channeled, folded, reflected halo, and bright edge light.
1. The first place I visited was the Arabian Library by Richärd+Bauer. The strong use of geometric forms was evident before I even entered this structure. Throughout my procession these strong forms began to create and shape space. Richärd+Bauer’s use of folded and channeled light give this space an ever changing experiential affect to visitors at different times throughout the day. They also began to create a powerful effect by channeling and folding light to form precious shaded spaces. (especially in this climate)
2. The second light phenomenon was part of a installation done by artist Norie Sato. This large piece is meant to capture the various changing qualities of Arizona light and air. Suspended on a thin wire thousands of small mylar disks capture the pure southern light randomly due to presence of air. The use of one element (light) to capture an other wise unseen element (wind) is fascinating to me.
3. The third phenomenon I experienced was the halo or bright edge phenomenon, at the Meadowbrook Residence by Atherton | Kneener. This site had a theme of purity and cleanliness every where you looked. I captured the shadow of a shade structure on a masonry wall. The purity is evident in this series of photos by the silhouette of the shade structure lining up exactly with the seems in the masonry wall. This meticulous attention to the detail shows me that you can strengthen any project’s composition by just carefully manipulating light.
Exercise 2 – Module of Light
For this exercise we where asked to research specific light phenomena of our choice from Exercise 1 and design and build three different 8″x8″x8″ concrete cubes that capture the desired effects and affects of that particular phoenomena. The only constraints were the size, other than that we were free to manipulate the blocks texture, reflectivity, geometry, color etc.
Clay Study Models
1. With this first study, I was really intrigued by how light becomes refracted as it passes through water.
2. I always have been fascinated by the installations of James Turrell, and one installation in particular, had a significant impact on this study. Turrell’s piece, Raemar, 1976, uses artificial light to create the illusion of a floating box within a box. I attempted to recreate a similar affect by using natural light and diffused light phenomenon, so the diffused light appears powerful enough to levitate the interior mass.
James Turrell, Raemar
Jame Turrell, Raemar
Diffused Light Sketch
Diffused Light Sketch 2
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3. After considerable research, I became captivated by Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona, and the silhouette and halo light phenomenon that happen within the canyon.
Antelope canyon, By Gene Bantekas
Antelope Canyon, By Nasim Mansurov
Canyon Affect Sketch
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4. This study is simplified or a more pure version of the same concept explored in the previous example.
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5. Some will argue that Le Corbusier is one of the greatest architects of the 20th century. In my opinion, his use of light at the Norte Dame du Haut chapel, in Ronchamp, France strengthens this argument in his favor. Thats where the inspiration for the next study came about. I wanted to manipulate the aperture size and angle to make each individual opening on the inside become activated during significant times of day (sunrise, solar noon, and sunset).
Le Corbusier, Notre Dame du Haut- Ronchamp, France
Channeled Light Sketch
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Additional conceptual block sketches.
Concrete Test
During the the early stages of my concrete studies I chose to use various types of aggregates such as broken wine bottles, sand, and assorted sizes of stone. . I also experimented with different types of release agents, for example cooking spray (Pam), and petroleum jelly (Vaseline). In addtion to the aggregates and release agents, I manipulated the color by using charcoal concrete dye.
With this first test, I used cement, water, wine bottles, sand, charcoal dye, and petroleum jelly. I learned a lot from this test. I determined that the water to cement to aggregate ratio is crucial to the curing process. When I disassembled my form-work from my block, it showed signs of multiple fractures and eventually breaking in five places. On the bright side, Vaseline is the perfect releasing agent for wooden forms, but at the same time using wood to create the voids is a huge problem. Even know I chamfered the inside form, there was still immense amount of friction which made it incredibly hard to remove.
These are the three main block designs and light phenomena I chose to further develop!
Diffused Light
Pooling Light
Channeled Light
Concrete Pour of Block-1
Cement with sand, and charcoal die. Again I had trouble with removing the form, so I eventually decided to burn out the form. In addition, to the charcoal die, the actual char left unique visual texture to the concrete. The interior cube was poured separate and during the hydration process I inserted a carriage bolt directly in the center of the block, matching the void left from the form.
Diffused Light Concrete Block
Exercise 3 – Assembling Light
For this exercise we where asked to further develop one of our individual blocks and and assemble it into three different 8′ x 8′ x 8″ light screens or galleries. Each gallery differs by slightly changing a specific parameter of the original design, to create an overall composition throughout the entire wall.
- Once my 3d wall screen was printed and I observed it under natural light, it became apparent that the void within each in individual block was to large and was allowing to much direct light to penetrate the screen, reducing the overall affect of the gallery.
The parameter that adjusted from Block 1 was reducing the size of the aperture allowing less direct light through. Also, not only is the individual block mirrored but each row of blocks is also mirrored.
- After my critique, I decided that this block, yet far from successful, is the design I instead to push forward, due to the minimized aperture, and direct light concentration.
The parameter modified from Block 1 was, in plan, bringing the two planes directly upwards, also allowing less direct light through.
- After my critique I realized that this design deviated to far from the original design that it wasn’t even comparable.
Exercise 4.1 – Narrative on Light and Conceptual Model
For this exercise we were given the final site ( Just north of The Desert Botanical Gardens) and program, asked to complete a in-depth site analysis, and thoroughly reflect on the site’s prominent features ie views, sun orientation, context, etc. These reflections are than represented through a written narrative and conceptual model which, than will become the driving thesis behind this project.
This conceptual model than drove the the form of my building, in terms of folding planes to capture light, and denote different programmatic spaces.
Some critiques I received in my review was that my building needed to integrate itself into the site more, and that I need to break away from the simple box form and strengthen the individual lighting effects. So I essentially started from scratch with a new conceptual model while keeping the main foundation of folding and tilting planes to create the silhouetted light effect in-mind.
Notes from Final Review
-Percentage of blocks in wall should vary in each room.
-No middle scale | Detail scale and Building Scale used but is there something in between?
-Good compression and release of space
-Use the concept of how the detail block works and integrate into the building’s corners.
-Great conceptual model, and possibly translate it more literally within the building.
-No discovery between the North and South face, What happens between?
-Blocks are used as a “decoration”, instead of an architectural element.
-Create “secrets” that aren’t revealed to everyone. ie office space, bathrooms.
-Differentiate between massive scale and detail scale.
-Successfully achieved an abstract version of my detail block at a massive building scale, but need to develop middle scale, and not use the block literally.
