Over the course of this Fall 2020 semester, I have learned about a variety of materials and methods employed in architecture and construction- some for the first time, and some as more in depth explorations. The main areas/materials we focused on were wood, concrete, steel, stone, brick, roofing and glass. Specific things that I learned for the first time in this course include the production of concrete, production and use of steel in buildings, curtain wall technology, specific types of materials, roof construction and the durability of glass. It was so interesting to learn more about these materials that I always took for granted. For example, I didn’t know anything about curtain wall technology; I had always just assumed most of the buildings with masonry were full masonry systems (a stone cladding system is shown in Figure 1). The duality of material was also new to me, as I hadn’t really thought about all the different ways to make one material. Cast iron vs. wrought, extruded vs. molded brick, and lightweight vs. standard concrete- these opened my eyes to the variety of materials at my disposal when I design. For example, in Figure 1, the variety of stone on the right results in an eye-catching design, Glass was another thing that I was intrigued by but knew little about. Today, glass is used heavily on facades of buildings and I always wondered how durable it actually was, especially with the common conception that glass shatters extremely easily. I was very interested in all of the revolutionary advancements that glass has gone through over history.
Figure 1: Drawings of Stone and Brick Masonry Wall
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I got a 105/100 on this Homework Assignment so I did not revise anything on it.
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There were, however, things I did know some about but got a closer look into within this course. For example, I knew a moderate amount about wood framing from an architectural program I did in high school (we actually built a framed shed as a class which was very fun). However, it was still interesting to learn about the different types of wood construction, how it has evolved to today, and the detailed aspects of how it holds up in comparison to other materials. In general, I appreciated learning about the history and earthly connection each material had. I knew of some buildings that had used these materials in the past, but until now I regarded them more like decoration or a blank face than an important part of the building system. I feel like we spend so much time around buildings that we just take them for granted without understanding and appreciating the amount of work that goes into them as well as what comes out. Usually, I only think of dynamic institutions like transportation or general industry as the culprits of climate change, but architecture itself is not passive in the world around us. Learning about where these materials started and where they are today also gives a look into how all of what we do and build is rooted in the Earth around us; context is key. The importance of context is echoed in the model I made last year, shown in Figures 2-3, which emphasizes how creativity within architecture can come from creatively finding solutions to incorporating context into a new project.
I understood most of the concepts this semester. For example, the different types of wood defects were confusing to me at first because there were so many different options and, I didn't understand at first what the grain was. The way I learned this information was by going back over the lectures and readings before the exams to make sure I really understood it. I had a similar course of action for two other concepts that confused me, including steel connection and language and types of glazing systems. Personally, it was easier for me to understand these concepts when looking at multiple drawings from different points of view in order to grasp the whole system. Often I would also look up outside resources for help, whether that was readings, charts or YouTube videos on construction techniques. I know I learned something because I did well on the exams, and I also feel like I know the information.
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Figures 2-3: Creativity in Architecture Project
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Connecting this class back to the other architectural courses I am taking makes for interesting contrasts and comparisons. For example, I have studied Villa Stein in both ARCH300 and ARCH226, and with my knowledge from ARCH462, I was able to recognize the importance of its concrete column supporting slab idea in how revolutionary it was in the development of building framing In the assignment on concrete framing (figures 4-6), I learned about different methods of laying out beams, joists and columns that made me wonder about all of the different creative way one could support a building system. When writing my final paper on Jamaican colonial architecture, I began to notice how materials are impacted by local and historical traditions. Even just learning about other architecture encourages one to see how certain materials are part of certain traditions and thus take on new meaning in that way. I feel as though I have developed a beginner architectural vocabulary (with a ways to go). I am able to identify crucial parts of the structure, understand the merits of some materials over others and recognize the construction progress. The building code is an important part of the architecture’s civic duty by prohibiting certain practices that ensure the safety of structure inhabits. Building codes are continuously being shifted and reevaluated, so it is very helpful to have some beginning knowledge about how they work. It also makes me really take a second glance at the architecture all around to appreciate how much thought and importance it has. I think, by utilizing everything I have learned this semester, I will be able to make more informed decisions within my own designs. The exchanges between architecture and construction become more cohesive, with the end result a more adaptable and considerate building at the finish line, when we take into account the properties of materials and our methods.
Figures 4-6: Drawings of 3 Concrete Joist Systems
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I got a 98/100 on this Homework Assignment because I had forgotten to size the drawing on the 11x17" page correctly (I did fit to page instead of zoom). I made the change because my TA commented on it in her feedback .
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