Architecture at Everest - Semester 2: Week 4 Post 3 ~Final Post for this Class~

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/12/13

June 12th, 2013


100 Ways Ideas that Changed Architecture: Corridor

A corridor (meh)

I was given the assignment of reporting and blogging about how the invention of the corridor revolutionized architecture. In the book the corridor was idea number 35, on page 76. The corridor is basically a long  in hallway a house. It is used for separating rooms and residents. Evidence of the first corridor was was the Beaufort House of 1597. Corridors also connected rooms together besides separating people. Corridors also provide a sense of privacy for those who need it. Sound also could be easily muffled and enhanced in corridors.

Despite this being my final post for the intersession course of Architecture and Design at Everest Public High school, I will continue to post about architecture that I find interesting. Farewell for now Rafael.



http://bowjamesbow.ca/2009/09/18/behind-the-scen.shtml

Architecture at Everest - Semester 2: Week 4 Post 2

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/11/13

June 11th, 2013


Documentary: Frank Lloyd Wright



Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most famous American architects of the 20th century. The documentary we watched today covers most of his life. Frank was born in Richland Center Wisconsin under the name Frank Lincoln Wright. He grew up with his mother telling him he was going to be a famous architect, and a great person. He went on with that mindset through his studies in school, that he was destined to be great. His parents divorced, and in dedication to his mother, he changed his middle name to his mother's maiden name, Lloyd. When he went on to college, he never finished, and with the knowledge he had learned, left his college, and went to seek apprenticeship under the architect Louis Sullivan. He made houses for Sullivan's clients in the style that Sullivan wanted their houses to be made.

Frank Lloyd Wright displaying his design of the Kenneth Laurent House

www.designboom.com/architecture/frank-lloyd-wrights-kenneth-laurent-house-up-for-auction/

Eventually,Wright became bored of Sullivan's architectural style, so he went off and found his own clients under different names. Eventually, Sullivan found out about this, and let Wright go. Wright went off and became his own man, designing buildings in his image. Everyone liked it. Frank went on to different styles, reviving old ones along the way. If he saw a building he liked, he would try to revive or mimic it's style in his own architecture.

The Fallingwate house by Frank Wright.

http://indechouse.com/beautiful-natural-house-design-by-frank-lloyd-wright.html

Architecture at Everest - Semester 2: Week 4 Post 1

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/10/13

June 10th, 2013


Field Trip:  Treasure Island, San Fransisco 

An overview of Treasure Island(Left) Yerba Buena Island(Right) and the Bay Bridge (Bottom Right)

http://www.e-rev.org/post/8865495292/treasure-island-san-francisco-eco-island

A view of Building 1.

Today, our architecture class went in-depth  on the history, creation, and use of treasure island, by visiting the artificial land itself. Originally, Treasure Island was created for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition.To get to Treasure Island you must first cross the San Fransisco Bay Bridge which leads to the Yerba Buena Island, which is connected to Treasure Island via small driving strip. The very first building we saw today in San Fransisco, was the first building you see on Treasure Island. The building was conveniently named Building 1. The entirity of the building is one large curve. It is dotted with windows and such. This building used to be a control center for all of the clipper ships that passed this island. This building was once an administration building for the U.S. Navy. Now it sits as a museum. This building was designed by William Day and George Kelham. Near the entrances sculptures of man and woman reside.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/nathangraham/5509935773/

The interior of Building 1.

On the interior of the building, is a large and curved painting of the history of San Fransisco and Treasure Island. It depicts all of the major events and conflicts San Fransisco and Treasure Island have been through. The interior has been used for Flea markets and other kiosks. Continuing through the building will lead you towards the end back entrance. Crossing the street will lead you towards the Winery behind Building 1. The back of Building 1 resembles a piece of prison, with the color being very bland and uninteresting.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/unclejefejefe/3982965750/

Architecture at Everest - Semester 2:Week 3 Post 5

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/7/13

June 7th, 2013

The Gothic arch

Documentary:  Gothic Architecture



Today in class we learned more about architecture in the past. The most reputable works of architecture seems to be coming from Europe's Gothic architecture. Though other countries are well balanced in form, and ingenuity, Gothic architecture has gargantuan size and elegance combined together, and put into one building. Gothic architecture revived the Roman arch and made it their own by putting a point. No only is it more stable, but it looks much better. The Gothic arch is used in many of the medieval churches and really add to the overall power of the church. When a series of arches were connected to form a ceiling, that is referred to as a vault.




http://www.sirgeorgetrevelyan.org.uk/books/thtbk-arch02.html

A picture of the Ca'd Oro

The Ca'd Oro is a place in Venice, Italy where Doges or rulers too residence in this building. There are many vaulted ceilings on the interior. Also, both styles of arches were used on the exterior. The building floats on the Grand Canal of Venice. The time to build this took decades due to the construction material, and the fact that the workers had to haul the heavy marble slabs and sculpt it in order to see through the vision of the architects.











http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ca_dOro_Venice_Italy.jpg

Architecture at Everest - Semester 2: Week 3 Post 4

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/5/13

June 5th, 2013

Documentary:  Early Christian Architecture

A view from the inside of the Hagia Sophia

Looking back, this is form of architecture was used a little closer to medieval times, therefore it is not considered ancient. This type of architecture was used by the Roman Empire which has split into to sects. The Eastern and Western Empires of Rome. The West being having Rome as the capital and speaking Latin. While the East became the Byzantine Empire and spoke Greek and used Turkey as their capital. The Western Romans were more traditional. However, the Byzantine Empire differed in architectural feats and style.  As opposed to old Roman style they had used before, the Byzantine mixed it up a little and added in a little more flair to the old tradition. For example the Roman Empire followed Greek architectural styles from the Columns on the outside and walls on the inside. For the Byzantine Empire, they placed the walls on the outside and columns on the inside.

The building pictured above is the Hagia Sophia. It is one of the world's largest Cathedrals before it became a mosque and then a museum you can visit today.  Hagia Sophia in means "holy wisdom" in Greek. This building was an architectural feat supervised by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Justinian wanted to display his power and gain trust of the people, so he built this Cathedral in honor of his religion. over the course of building, Justinian's architects faced many problems such as fitting a circle in a square. They were able to fix this by creating a curved piece that fitted the square to the circle. They then added smaller  quarter hemispheres to cover up the curved pieces. Later when the Byzantine empire became a part of Turkey, this Cathedral served as a mosque.

http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/late-antique-and-byzantine-spaces/deck/4758023

Arhitecture at Everest - Semester 2: Week 3 Post 3

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/4/13

June 4th, 2013

Documentary: Norman Foster

Norman Foster in the flesh. 78 years of age.

Today, the focus of the documentary was on the architect Norman Foster. An architect who was alive during the time of World War 2,  became fascinated with planes and let his passion for them influence his architecture today. His humble beginnings started in Stockport England 1935. The start of the 2nd World War. During the bombings of his house, he would look up and try to guess and deduct which kind of planes were bombing his house. He later in life he drew pictures of planes and buildings in the R.A.F (Royal Air Force). After he retired from the R.A.F. one of his officers recommended him a job as an architect. It was the perfect job for him.

http://de.structurae.de/persons/data/index.cfm?id=d000042


One of Fosters's most recognized works is the Swiss Re Headquarters in London. The Swiss Re is one of the sky scrappers of London and is one the most recognizable buildings due to its unique egg shape. The elongated shape is 41 stories tall. There is 46,000 square meters of space all in all. At the very point of the building is a club. This club provides a 360 degree view of London. The entire building functions as a center of commerce. Also around along the edges of the building, is a large spiral staircase leading up and down towards different sections of the building. While on this stair case, one can see all of London.

The full view of the Swiss Re Headquarters.

http://www.eikongraphia.com/?p=300

Architecture at Everest- Semester 2: Week 3 Post 2

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/4/13

June 4th, 2013

Documentary: Ancient Architecture-China

The front of the Forbidden City

Another ancient civilization or country that was found to have some of the best architecture in the world is China. In the past China has been known for its great palaces, walls, and unique roofs. Today we will be exploring some of the techniques and styles used so that the Chinese could create their structures. The Chinese used a lot of horizontal placement and symmetry in their structures. For example, the Forbidden City, a palace which was residence for the imperial families of China. As shown in the picture there is a lot of horizontal symmetry shown here. From the roof, to the floor, to the railings. The Chinese paid close attention to the placement of everything.

A diagram of how Feng Shui works

http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Travel/forbidden-city.html

With that said, Feng Shui is another thing that influenced Chinese architecture in the aspects of placement, color, and numbers. Feng Shui, is an art and a science in orientation. If something was not oriented or placed correctly, the Chinese who believed this thought that the incorrect placement would be bad for the family, spiritually, and physically. For example, let's say you want to build a house near a river. According the Feng Shui, you should place so that the door faces the river. If you don't, then it will cause illness and just be plain inconvenient.

http://www.mountainvalleycenter.com/feng-shui-guide.php

An example of a house following the code of Feng Shui

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/ex/template_content_corner/ex35/lg.html

Architecture at Everest- Semester 2: Week 3 Post 1

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
6/3/13

June 3rd, 2013

Field Trip-Locations: Fox Century Theater Redwood City Plaza, Burlingame Train Station ( All of these locations are in California)

 A view of the Fox Theater from the front.

What's a great way to start a Monday? Field trip. We started off one of the most frequently visited places in our town, the RWC Fox Theater. This theater is unlike any other theater here in Redwood City. This is possibly the oldest theater in Redwood City and the architecture was the style of the Gothic revival on the outside while the style of the Islamic revival on the outside. The theater finished construction under the Reid Brothers guidance in 1929 and was originally named the New Sequoia Theater. The outside of the theater is very flamboyant and boasting. What really catches the eye about this building is its crown-like roof. The amount of detail that went into the roof is very nice


http://www.pacificeurohotel.com/area-attractions

 A frontal view of the Burlingame Train Station.

Our next stop was the Burlingame Train Station. Just the words "train station" make people already assume that is ordinary. I assure you that this one is unique compared to the standard white and silver box shaped train station. This particular train station's structure takes influence from the Spanish revival, a time period where styles, culture, and architecture from Spain were being used again. In this case, to make a train station. This building was created in 1894 and used the architectural styles of Spanish Colonial, and Mission revivals. This building has also been dubbed a California historical landmark. The first thing I noticed about this building is how bright the orange is. Most of the architecture found in this building is colored in orange. So most of the featrues are visibly noticed like i.e. the arch or facade. The other major feature of this building was the arch tile roof. This design lets rain flow off of it easily. Not to mention how it really tops the whole Spanish look. All in all, the Burlingame train station may not be very large, but it makes up for that in its unique design.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/osinek/5602073627/

A small view of the railway that passes through here ( Back of station)

http://www.caltrain.com/stations/burlingamestation.html

Architecture at Everest-Semester 2: Week 2 Post 4

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
5/30/13

May 30th, 2013

Short Project: Institution for  Independent Adulthood Preparation

A view of the back of our school (W.I.P.)

Today, Rafael tasked us with a short project that prompted us to create a learning institution for teenagers to learn how to become independent. We started off with different compounds with different purposes. We separated the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th, graders from each other because we don't want students to be running around everywhere to get to class. Each one of the student compounds contains many other classrooms inside of it, so depending on a students schedule, all the students have to do is move around their compound. Everything is supposed to gravitate around the central library. This is where all of the students will be reading, researching, studying, and using computers during the day. Also on the library we have a hexagonal shape for a skylight. We felt that this shape provided the most angles for sunlight to come through where students don't have to use lamps but natural light.


Behind the library are the fields that are dotted with trees and benches and seats, some with umbrellas. There also multiple shacks and restaurants for teenagers to learn how to provide themselves with food. There also simulation centers for teens to try out activities from the adult world, without the real stress. This gives teens a sense of what awaits them later in their life. Compared to other projects, our school does not have dorms. The students must visit our facilities every day. Also, our school does not have a single rectangular building or structure. The whole build site was circular, because we believed that the idea of free-flow was very important in the fact that transitions between classes occur quickly.

Architecture at Everest- Semester 2: Week 2 Post 3

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
5/30/13

May 30th, 2013

Documentary: Ancient Architecture- Mesoamerican Architecture 

 Here is the great pyramid of Cholula

 Instead of architecture in the East, our class takes a look at something a little closer to home. The Mesoamerican land or Central America is home to some of the world's most imposing architectural feats such as The Aztec and Mayan temples. The more important and amazing thing about Mesoamerican architecture is that fact that most of the structures were created from mortar and mud bricks. Just the though of natives moving and lifting these massive blocks just like the Egyptian really gives off a sense of awe, as you can see here at the Great Pyramid of Cholula. This pyramid has an altar on top used for religious purposes and whatnot.
 http://www.anthroarcheart.org/tblv90.htm

This is the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan

Here is another large pyramid that was built by the Aztecs. This is known as the Pyramid of the Sun of Teotihuacan. This Pyramid is located in the center of Southern Mexico. It presides as one of the largest Mesoamerican pyramids to this day. It stands at 738 ft making it the 3rd tallest pyramid in the world. This pyramid is a key part of religion for the Aztecs, as it is located on the Avenue of the Dead in the City of Teotihuacan. The pyramid itself poses a very strong sense of foundation and power.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Teotihuacan

Architecture at Everest - Semester 2: Week 2 Post 2

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
5/29/13

May 29th, 2013

Documentary: Ancient Architecture- India

The Kanheri cave is example of  creating a building from natural rock

Our class takes another look at ancient architecture, but this time we delve into the Indian Subcontinent for remarkable structures. As opposed to the standard square building, the ancient Indians build structures from natural rock. They carved out columns, entrances, and statues from the rock. Due the landscape, they did not need to move resources and tools to create structures because the buildings were already there, they just needed to be "cut out". For example, the Kanheri Cave (right) one of the many temples that were created from a mountainside. This particular temple represents the Buddhist influence on India starting in about 100 B.C.E.

 http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/West/Maharashtra/Mumbai/photo1287909.htm

A look from the inside of the Bhaja Caves Chaitya

Halls were also a large part of this form of Indian architecture. Also known as a Chaitya. Chaityas were used to honor leaders or someone worthy of that kind of merit.  One of the most famous halls was the Bhaja Caves Chaitya. However, this halls was mainly used for prayer. There are floor plans and schematics for this hall. Like almost all good architecture, it had plans and models created first before the real thing was built. Like the Temple in the Kanheri Caves, the Bhaja Cave Chaitya was also a Buddhist place of worship and prayer.






http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/0001_0099/karle/interior/interior.html

Architecture at Everest- Semester 2: Week 2 Post 1

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
5/28/13

May 28th, 2013

Field Trip-Location: St. Mary's Cathedral, San Fransisco California

Today, there were multiple destinations for our architecture longing class. But for now, the most notable piece of architecture that I found the most interesting is the Saint Mary's Cathedral on 1111 Gough Street. This was the very first stop on our field trip, and a very memorable one indeed. Just a glance out of a car window will make feel tiny and you will realize the gargantuan proportions of this building compared to a single human being. Upon getting closer you will notice the unique tower-esque structure on the roof, thus establishing symmetry. Above the entrance is a large depiction of Jesus Christ and his followers.

The average person is approximately 2/3 the size of one of the doors located at the very bottom of the picture

http://simplywhimsicalevents.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/top-picks-for-bay-area-catholic-churches/

Once you enter, you are greeted by a large Baptismal tub

The cathedral is brilliantly lighted and can seat about 2500 with another 1500 standing in the back. There is a large pyramid that is supported by 4 pillars. The pyramid also contains skylights and about 1500 triangles, each one supporting the other, making them very stable shapes. On the right, there is a very large organ, that is played by a control panel located by a nearby bench. The sound of the organ and voice of the priests enunciates because of the pyramid's hollow shape. So no surround sound system is required.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidyuweb/4544568915/

 A Picture of one of the pillars on the left

As I said before, triangles are a very geometrically sound shape, so they are relatively stable, hence why the four pillars are composed of triangles. The pillars are 9 stories deep and penetrate all the way to bedrock. This church has also survived the Loma Prieta Earthquake, with the aluminun rod chandiler only shaking. The texture of the pillars is very smooth, as if it could glide across the surface of the Earth.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2010Jun14-CathedralOfStMaryOfTheAssumption-SanFrancisco-Pillars.jpg

Architecture at Everest Semester 2: Week 1 Post 5

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
5/22/13

May 22th, 2013

Short Project: Playground for Apartment Complexes "Happy Land"

An overview of the entire playground

Today's short project was focused on the creation of a play area for a community of 64 family households. I knew this was a big project, so I worked with a partner today so that our ideas could mix and create something truly unique and thus, this playground was born. First we started with what do kids like the most. It was running around interacting with each other. We decided to make build site large so that the children have space to roam around. We then knew that interactive play structures are what really made a playground. We started off with a climb-able castle with tons of ladders, ropes, ramparts, and ramps. Children love to role-play so that is what all of these extra castle add-ons are for. It sparks their imagination, so that when they grow up, they can think sophisticatedly and logically. On the far right corner of the castle, there is a tower so children can see their parents sitting at the benches and whatnot. It also gives them perspective.

This is a picture of the tower in the castle

The crawling tube can be seen here.

A front view of the castle with the water fountain

Children also like to crawl and be close to the ground, so we incorporated a little tube that kids can crawl through, like the ones they have at other playgrounds. Since children easily wear themselves out, my partner and I placed a little water fountain near the castle entrance for the kids to refresh themselves.

A picture of the swing set.

The ground is made of a soft foam material so that the children do not harm themselves on the swings or slide. We also included a sandbox for the kids that are not as active or like to play with toys.

Architecture at Everest Semester 2: Week 1 Post 4

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
5/22/13

May 22th, 2013

Lecture: Mesopotamian Architecture

Here is what the City of Babylon might have looked like in ancient times.

Today in class, we learned a little bit more about ancient architecture. This time we take a look at the Mesopotamian civilization and their contributions to the world of architecture. One legacy that the Mesopotamians left behind was their version of sections, overviews, and blue prints, also known as city planning. In order to create massive cities such as Babylon, they had to make plans of their cities so they knew where to place buildings and such.

http://archangels-bloggy.blogspot.com/2011/06/ancient-history-of-babylon-and-noahs.html

Here the arch is at use as an entrance

The Mesopotamians might also be the reason for the creation of the arch. Though it might not be as elegant as other civilization's arches, the concept of the arch can be credited to them. Arches are self supporting structures because of the bricks applying equal and opposite forces to each other. The arch can be used as a multitude of things, varying from supports for bridges, entrances, and decoration.

http://ant3145-mesopotamia.wikispaces.com/Housing+and+Construction-+Lauren+Schreck

Architecture at Everest Semester 2: Week 1 Post 3

Intersession
Architecture and Design
Audie Santos
5/21/13

May 21th, 2013

Short Project: Jewish Octahedral Star Temple

This is the model of my Jewish Star Temple

Today's short project was to build a sacred place of worship for the inhabitants of Redwood City. I began to think which religion would I would be building this scared place for. Christian Churches are common in my area, so I decided to make a Jewish Temple. I started to think what could I associate with Judaism. This led me to a star. I decided to create a star-like building that would have great lighting. I was wondering, which type of polyhedron star should I make. Then it hit me, I had to use the octahedral star due to its 8 vertices and the fact that it resembles the Star of David. 4 vertices would face upwards while the other 4 downwards. The upward facing vertices will face the North, South, East, and West. Where 2 outward facing triangles meet, there will be a triangular window on the upper triangle and a rectangular window on the lower triangle. In total there are 4 entrances, each one adjacent to the window faces.

This is the interior of the Jewish Star Temple

On the interior, the speaker or priest would be placed in the center so that every person would view him at different angles. The seating is arranged like bleachers. To get to the top of the seating arrangement you enter from the bottom. Even the my model depicts the temple having 2 floors, it really only has one large chamber with both floors mixed into one large ceiling to create a vaulted ceiling. This vaulted ceiling would help the speaker's voice project and emanate across the chamber, so that every person can hear whoever is speaking. The window design allows for light to come in freely during daytime sermons so that the cost for electrical implementation would be low.