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.