Swimming Hole: Research of Project Plan

1.Cube Hotel / SU Architects

'The project site is located in the Mogan Mountain International Tourism Resort, which is a renowned scenic spot in the Yangtze River delta area of China. There are natural bamboo forests and continuous hills' (Han, 2020). 

This is a small hotel with the swimming pool in the mountains, through the terrace and glass blurring the indoor and outdoor space, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of nature up close. Due to the limitation of terrain scale, the architects were inspired by 'Rubik's cube' and 'Chinese Tenon' (Han, 2020), to create, reconstruct and destroy the space, thus forming the present architectural form. 

Depending on the requirements of different rooms for spatial viewing and privacy, the hotel combines different forms of glass and black metal frames, blurring or highlighting the interior and exterior spaces.

Impressed by the flexibility of the interior and exterior spaces, I will create a place that was both conservative and liberal in its natural environment, where guests could enjoy the integration of the building and nature. I will use glass and black metal to create some grey space. In most hotels made of rock materials (from the theme painting), it reflects the blend and collision of natural roughness and modern civilization.

2. PRY1 Retreat Hotel / Research Studio Panin

'PRY1 is located in Prachinburi, at a foothill of Khao Yai National Park known for its rich natural resources. Overlooking the mountains that are parts of Khao Yai National Park, the location of PRY1 is ideal for its purpose as a retreat hotel'(Pintos, 2018). 

The layout of the hotel is centred around a large outdoor swimming pool, with the first floor for public space and the second and third floors for guest rooms. The quiet guest room faces the frolicking pool area. Public areas such as restaurants, entertainment and reading are freely connected through different forms of open corridors, accompanied by different views. The building creates a large grey space by using hollow bricks as walls, allowing visitors to feel a sense of intimacy with nature.

This hollow wall corridor and the central large pool area make me feel comfortable and quiet. I will set up a swimming pool with landscape and grey space in my hotel, hoping to give guests a feeling of building and landscape blending.

3. ANNSO Hill Hotel / STUDIO QI

'ANNSO HILL, located in Heshun Ancient Town of Yunnan, is situated in a narrow alleyway lined with B&Bs and storefronts'(Han, 2019). The hotel is divided into two parts: a public space consisting of a series of steps and terraces on a hillside extending to a height of 30 meters, and an accommodation space on the hillside and close to nature.

The exterior of the building is blue brick adapted to the alley environment, and the interior is the white wall. This contrast between the interior and exterior creates an interesting illusion: the interior white and transparent glass gives the residents a sense of infinite extension of freedom, while the exterior gray gives people a sense of restriction of primitive simplicity.

This contrast between the inside and the outside and the white's promotion of spatial extension make the building eye-catching. I will use the rough rock exterior and white guest room space to construct my hotel. The rocks may be used to frame the landscape of the site.

  IIM Project Plan 

Other information about the project, such as timescale, the materials, and the tool, is in my whole project plan here.

Through the study of some hotel cases, I have some clearer ideas about the hotel I will design, which plays an important role in the development of my subsequent design. I will use glass and black metal to design a multi-storey waterside hotel interspersed with the garden, whose exterior surface is rock, and the interior of the guest room is white paint, to show a free penetration of space and nature.

References：

Han. S. (2019) ANNSO Hill Hotel / STUDIO QI. [Online]. Available from: https://www.archdaily.com/920134/annso-hill-studio-qi?ad [ Accessed: 02/08/2020]

Han. S. (2020) Cube Hotel / SU Architects. [Online]. Available from: https://www.archdaily.com/944504/cube-hotel-su-architects?ad [ Accessed: 31/07/2020]

Pintos. P.(2018）PRY1 Retreat Hotel / Research Studio Panin. [Online]. Available from: https://www.archdaily.com/931012/pry1-retreat-hotel-research-studio-panin?ad [ Accessed: 31/07/2020].

Swimming Hole: Initial Research & Ideas

Initial Research

The origin of this project is a painting by 'Thomas Eakins', called 'the Swimming Hole' (Lubbock, 2008). Lubbock (2008) points out that the same figure may be redesigned many times to achieve the final pose and position in the creative process of a painter, which means that the state of the people in the painting is not owned by them, but designed by the artist.

(the Swimming Hole, painted by Thomas Eakins,1885)

It seems that the realism of the characters brings an illusion that the young people in the painting seem to be trying to get rid of the bondage of some unreal scenes. 

Initial Idea

1.Brainstorming

The Fantastic FiveFive Extremely Creative Ideas Inspired by The Swimming Hole

My Continuation Route is architectural Design.

2. Choice of the final idea

I will use some elements and inspirations from the painting to design a hotel with some grey space and beautiful landscapes as a symbol of freedom, to explore how to make indoor and outdoor space communicate and permeate. 

Why?

The scene in the painting can be reinterpreted, which six young people in an outdoor, pleasant vacation environment seem to move freely, or in a seemingly free scene is restricted. 

The seemingly free model in a free field scene made me think of hotels. The hotel is usually seen as a place of leisure and vacation, where people inside the hotel through the creation of the space to experience everything around. 

From this point of view, the painter and the architect are similar, because the architect guides the people in the building through the design and control of the building. 

References:

Lubbock T. (2008) The independent Great Art Series: The Swimming Hole by Thomas Eakins. [Online] Available from: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/great-works/eakins-thomas-the-swimming-hole-1885-776575.html [Accessed 04/08/20].

Book Piece: Final Board

This painting is made by my own hand drawing of Frank (Francis D. K.) Ching's head and an illustration of 'Architectural Graphics' in photoshop.

This book embodies his painstaking efforts. Through this book, I recalled the relevant skills of building hand-drawing.

Book Piece: Research & Development of idea

1. Research

The reason why I chose the book is that it helps me recall the methods and effects of hand-drawn architectural drawings when I need them.

'Architectural Graphics'.

cover of ' Architectural Graphics'

This book was written by Francis D. K. Ching (2015), who started with building hand sketching tools and systematically described how to draw different drawings to show buildings. 
The body of the book consists of 10 chapters, the main content of which can be illustrated by pictures.

2. Development of Idea & Making

Since this is a book about hand-drawn architectural drawings, I can combine the author's head pictures drawn by my own hand with a picture in this book to make the final piece of this project with PS.

Firstly, I searched for his head picture online and found a hand-drawn head picture.

author's head pictures

Then, the author's head pictures drawn by my own hand.

Next, I chose a picture from the book.

his work of the book

Then, I put them in Photoshop.

In China, the number "3" sometimes represents the majority.

This is his book, and he is everywhere in this book.

So, I have three of them in this painting.

Next, I added the name of the book and the name of the author to the edge of the picture.

I tried different combinations of text and found that horizontal text is probably better.

Finally, I finished the final piece.

Book Reference:
Ching, F.D.K. (2015) Architectural Graphics, Somerset: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. 

The image reference:
http://www.urbansketchers.org/2009/06/drawing-professor-francis-d-k-chings.html

Reflection

In this week, I finished the assignments of two projects, 'Warrior project' and 'Personal Geographies'. In warrior project, I designed a memorial for Yue Fei. Then, I also made a map with a portrait. 

Warrior project'

Personal Geographies

I first search for some materials about the project topics. Next, I think about design from some of the characteristics of the project itself.  Finally, I used some software to make the final board of those projects. In the process of design, I always make sure that there is a reason for it. I will not design unnecessary elements just because of beauty.  I think that this is a kind of practicality.

For the final board, I should have made it more detailed. For example, I need to add the location of the Yue Fei's memorial. My next project might try new software or more detailed drawings.

Personal Geographies: Making Process & Final board

1.Making Process

 I used PS to make the final board.

1）Importting the PS

2) Editing map

The red area: the main urban area;

Blackline: river;

Writeline: road.

3) Searching a picture of cartoon girl to draw it on the map

I draw my own cartoon version with the proportion of cartoon girl's face organs.

I followed the direction of the river to draw the girl's hair.

Red downtown as a girl's hat.

I drew a girl reading a book, who is not fat and has long hair.

4) I rotated the picture 180 degrees because It was too awkward for me to look at the portrait upside down.

2.Final Board

The hometown is always the warmest place in one's heart.

The main town overhead is an interesting feeling

This is a contradictory girl, one side of the flowing hair stands for obedience, the other side of the hair stands for irritable and restless.

References:

Lysakck. O. (n.d.) Hand drew beautiful, cute, romantic redhead curly girl.  [Online] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/tr/image-vector/hand-drawn-beautiful-cute-romantic-redhead-624201677 [Accessed: 15/07/2020]

Personal Geographies: Idea & Research

In the last lecture, my tutor pointed out that I could make a personal map to show my life, heart or dream in this project.

My next study is about architectural design, and I also hope to combine architectural design with maps and myself to complete it.

1.Brainstorming

1) Geographies & Architectural Design

⬇

2) Make the figure-ground diagram

This is an effective way to study the relationship between space and function in a city.

or

Make an architectural map

Village [Re]Generation_Diagrams

This is a drawing often used in the exhibition of architectural design, 

showing the relationship between the surroundings of the building site and the building itself.

⬇

3) I decided to add something with a map of my hometown

because the hometown is always the warmest place in one's heart.

Yingtan City, Jiangxi Province, China

This is a screenshot from the Google map.

I will deal with this map in the way of making a map of the surrounding environment of the building site.

⬇

4) A small portion of the downward bulge of the river combines some area, like a little girl.

2. Research

Edward Fairburn, British Artist

Western Front Cutout (Part I)

The artist created a hollowed-out figure on a map using ink and a sash knife.

And the colour is from a watercolour painting under the map.

I was struck by the combination of the map and the watercolour shown in this painting, although the watercolour and the map are not together. I was able to use the original lines of the map to outline the figure by changing the colour of the contour, which was interesting.

References:

Morphocode. (n. d.) The figure-ground diagram. [Online] Available from: https://morphocode.com/figure-ground-diagram/ [Accessed: 15/07/2020]

Architectural Design Studio. (2015) Village [Re]Generation_Diagrams. [Online] Available from: https://arcbio.tumblr.com/post/126830689784/village-regenerationdiagrams-2015 [Accessed: 15/07/2020]

Edward. F. (n.d.) Western Front Cutout Series. [Online] Available from:  https://edfairburn.com/?projects=western-front-cutout-series [Accessed: 15/07/2020]

Final Board: Warrior Project

Design Aim:

Yue Fei is one of the most famous warriors from Chinese history, and he is not only a general on the battlefield but also a tragic hero in Chinese culture.

It is said that a man dies three times. The first time biologically, the second time at a funeral when relatives and friends say goodbye to him, and the third time when everyone forgets him. 

Constructing a memorial to Yue Fei means that no matter how many years have passed, people will still admire him.

Design Idea:

• Yue Fei’s Portrait
• Weapons
• Yue Fei’s Ideal
• Yue Fei’s title

Making of Final Board

For Final board of this project, I would like to make an A3 board to show my design.

Making pictures of the final board

I plan to put two pictures into the final board.

1. The First one: 

I first used PS software to make the pictures needed for the final template.

from Sketchup

a picture from Monument to the Martyr of the China 1911 Revolution

Then, the final vision: this is the back of the memorial.

2. The second one:

I exported an image from the Sketchup model. After manually painting some seats in Photoshop, I inserted some trees and shrubs around the seat.

Material for making the second picture

Then, the final vision: this is the front of the memorial.

Making final board

1. Layout:

I chose to make that image black and light it down because the second image looks a little bit hand-painted and doesn't quite match the first one.

2. Contents:

I plan to write the aim of the design and some introduction of the elements design.

1) Design Aim:

'Yue Fei is one of the most famous warriors from Chinese history, and he is not only a general on the battlefield but also a tragic hero in Chinese culture.

It is said that a man dies three times. The first time biologically, the second time at a funeral when relatives and friends say goodbye to him, and the third time when everyone forgets him. Constructing a memorial to Yue Fei means that no matter how many years have passed, people will still admire him.'

2) Introduction of the elements design:

According to the History of the Song, Yue Fei had on his back four words: 'Jin Zhong Bao Guo', whose Chinese writing is ' 尽忠报国', and it means loyalty to the country.  These four words are engraved on the back of the memorial.

Yue Fei was proclaimed king of E by the emperor of the Later Song Dynasty, so we may call him the King of E of Yue in the Song Dynasty, and the Chinese way of writing this is '宋岳鄂王'.

3. Other picture:

Since there is still some space available, I have put in some elevation and overlooking pictures of the monument.

References: 

Toqtoγa et al. (1346) History of Song (In Chinese).Shanghai: Zhonghua Book Company, 365(124). Available from: http://chinesenotes.com/songshi/songshi365.html [Accessed: 09/07/2020]

Process of Design II

Making patterns of memorial 

1. Elements of the memorial:  the blog mentioned it earlier

• 'Jin Zhong Bao Guo'
• his portrait
• weapons 

2. Materials of those elements:  
Black and white are a classic pair. 
Yue Fei was a general in armour. 
 So，I decided to use steel to make these materials.

Stainless steel

3. Photoshop & Sketchup: Making patterns:

1) 'Jin Zhong Bao Guo':  '尽忠报国', used by PS.

This is four Chinese characters, whose Chinese writing is ' 尽忠报国', and it means loyalty to the country. 

• According to the History of the Song, Yue Fei had on his back four words: 'Jin Zhong Bao Guo'. These four words will be engraved on the back of the memorial.
• I chose some kind of Chinese character to compare the best one.

a screenshot of Photoshop 

• I decided to use typeface No. 4 because it looked neat and free. From the experience of Yue Fei, he was a rigorous, loyal and patriotic man. In the light of his tragic death, I wish he would be freer,

a screenshot of Photoshop

• After making a comparison with the little woman next to it, I think it is appropriate for the font of this scale to appear on the monument.
• In Sketchup, the 3D Text is used to select the corresponding font and size to make the model.

a screenshot of Sketchup

2) His portrait: 

This is a sculpture of Yue Fei from Yuefei Temple in Hangzhou. I used this picture as the material.

• I used Photoshop to adjust the scale and size of the avatar to see how it looked.
• Yue Fei was proclaimed king of E by the emperor of the Later Song Dynasty, so we may call him the King of E of Yue in the Song Dynasty, and the Chinese way of writing this is '宋岳鄂王'.

a screenshot of Photoshop

• I made it by Sketchup, according to the layout of the previous picture from PS.

a screenshot of Sketchup

3) Weapon: 

According to The Essentials of the Military Arts, the following weapons were commonly used in the army of the Song Dynasty.

According to the official history of the Song Dynasty, Yue Fei used swords, spears, maces, bows and arrows.

• I will simplify them based on the patterns of these weapons, and then make them on the model of the memorial by Sketchup.
• bow and arrow: 

• sword：

• spear：

• mace：

• The final details of the top of the monument's quadrangle cone

Other Details of Design

1.The current state of design:

2. I scratched the steel bars on the edge of the monument, making it look like Yan was a general in armour, reflecting a blend of ancient and modern.

References:

Toqtoγa et al. (1346) History of Song (In Chinese).Shanghai: Zhonghua Book Company, 365(124). Available from: http://chinesenotes.com/songshi/songshi365.html [Accessed: 09/07/2020]

Juchuang Technology. (n.d) Notes for bending stainless steel plate. [Online] Available from: http://www.zjjuchuangkj.com/news/226.html [Accessed: 09/07/2020]

Zeng. Gongliang & Ding. Du (1043) The Essentials of the Military Arts (Wu Jing Zong Yao). [Online] Available from: https://www.shuge.org/ebook/wu-jing-zong-yao/ [Accessed: 09/07/2020]