university of oregon - school of architecture and allied arts - department of architecture
analog / digital studio – arch 484/584 fall 00 – prof. nancy cheng
This class has been exploring two issues: use of media in the design process and enhancing community through technology in the built environment. We have been studying the coastal town of Brookings, Oregon to understand how the history and dynamics of a locale could impact new development. Working from digital information supplied by the owner/builder Bill Buchanan, class members are proposing hypothetical design ideas for a Harbor Hills Community Center.
The class began with background research into Bernard Maybeck’s planning ideas, community centers and digital interactive group artworks. In a weekend field trip to Brookings, students got a chance to tour the land, discuss the plan, gather images, hear about history and current issues. By talking with lead residents, they discovered what was cherished and what was lamented about the area. The visit culminated in a seafood cookout at the site hosted by Bill Buchanan.
The sun-filled site tour highlighted the natural features of the location and the residents’ comments helped shape the final community center program.
After working to create a massing response, we took a break to work with interaction designer Wendy March on how to connect people with technology. After presenting strong examples of interactive devices and artwork, she led a workshop on using characters and narrative to develop designs. Storyboard ideas created during the workshop charette were then incorporated into the community center and developed as an interior feature.
Collaborations
To understand possibilities and limitations of digital connections, students worked on a short-term stamp design collaboration project with Joachim Kieferle’s students at the University of Stuttgart. The stamp project and the technology interior were reviewed remotely using two kinds of video-conferencing.
Students have been encouraged to develop their projects through a sequence of experiential views and by creating and selecting from multiple variants. For the final development of their projects, students have been working with a mixture of traditional and digital media. They have chosen to present their projects with data projectors and 11 x 17 reference booklets to accentuate the special nature of the studio.
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