an update for my two lovely neighbours...

conceptual designs ~ the wooden horse

Influenced by the Klein Bottle House write up I found in one of my old architectural reviews, I decided to take a similar approach with my design; being the way he reveals no certainty about how or where the interior lies within the large oblique structure. Here are some explorations I did in the tutorial....



After much thought I have settled on the concept of a volcano and all that it represents, for the basis of my design. The dictionary ordinarily defines it as "a vent in the earths crust through which, lava, steam, ashes are expelled" but rather than something that causes destruction and loss, ultimately a volcano is a fundamental part of our existence; all naturally formed and birthed of the earths core. At this stage (in the sketch below) it could almost be confused with a cave but, what I am ultimately trying to achieve is a form or structure that is unrecognisable as a house from the outside, yet well accomadated on the inside. Still in the early stages....

Equus; card model two.

Equus; card model one

Equus; model one.

Equus; model two.

Equus;

The character I was fortunate enough to receive was the Fire Chief. I found my character to have many distinct characteristics which aided my design process. The very first line of the paragraph which is relative to my character says ‘He reads and re-reads books about the Joan of Arc...,’ I thought this was ironic because the fire chief himself possesses similar qualities to that of the French maid who saved France during the war. Similarly, the Fire Chief possesses a high level of leadership and charisma; and to the people he saves, he is a saint. When I think of a saint, symbolically, I think of the most predominant religious symbol today, the cross. This symbol then formed the main pathways or dividing of spaces at the core of my first model or idea, with the units surrounding. This model is a series of large open spaces which are predominately separate but also linked by small details extending from one space into the other. I thought that this model best conveyed how the fire chief possessed a number of separate and unique characteristics which intertwine with the good work he does on a daily basis. When the fire chief walks down these paths, it should evoke a reflection on his persona. I later manipulated this to better suit my design.

Funnily enough the second model or idea is based upon a rock. A rock is a humble, yet strong, resistant, fire withstanding part nature. The base of this Monolith Structure (a large single upright block of stone) is a pentagon with the tower featured at the roofs peak. Internally there is a large mirror panel above on the smallest of all the roof panels. This is deliberate, as I wanted this experience to make the Fire Chief feel small and almost insignificant when he looks up at the mirror. At certain times of the day it can be a pleasant space and at other times a reflective space. It’s also a reminder of his weaknesses; how powerless he would be without his crew and a method of dampening a growing ego. The long, thin openings on the roof serve to manipulate the light across the interior throughout the different stages of the day, drawing him into the empty space at sunset to reflect and digest the happenings of each day.

Juanita Castillon

The Fire Chief

All his life, the fire chief has trained for this one moment. Every single move he makes could mean the difference between life and death. He is constantly in combat with one of mother natures truly dominating and unpredictable elements. The heat it brings instigates a rush of blood to each limb, an adrenaline rush of the heart and mind. Although he is not a religious man, the experience of merely escaping being consumed in the heart of the fire is a constant reminder to him of how precious the gift of life really is.

He is a 45 year old, middle-class man, thankful for what he has. His hunger for material items was lost the first time he witnessed another family’s house being swallowed by a circus of hot red, orange and yellow flames, spiralling as high as 80ft into the air. All that remained was the hot gray ash, still glowing orange as the wind blew and the immensely dense, thick, black smog, impairing the vision of everyone it encountered. The parents left in a fragile state of mind to pick up the pieces and start anew.

The fire chief is a humble hero living in amongst an urban society, quietly and unrecognised he goes about his days with no regrets. Each day he awakens with the sunrise, says goodbye to his beautiful wife and two girls, never knowing whether it will be his last. Simply the thought of losing them, provides him with the endurance and determination he needs to pull himself through each vigorous day.

He is a masculine, strong and courageous being, a leader in amongst the ruin, he gives hope to those that have given up, he provides direction to those that are lost, he reassures the uncertain and more importantly he protects the vulnerable; children, families and the elderly. He truly is a gem amongst a pure breed of selfless beings; a genuine breed respected internationally for their noble work. Without the fire chief, his immense strength and his leadership, the others would be lost.

And lastly, he is a role model. He is more than just a “fire chief”. He is what almost every little boy dreams of growing up to be when their young. Little do they know then, that chances are they will grow up to be something completely different. Perhaps, trapped in an office all day, wondering what that dream could have been like to fulfil. But, my point is that it is the character and nature of the fire chief that draws us to him. It’s not what he does necessarily, but who he is.