Model Building

Okay, so it is officially the start of my study break. All of my classes have ended for this semester and two weeks from now, my exams will commence. I'm quite startled by the fact that my first semester is already coming to an end. It's just so fast. If only I have more time.

Out of my five subjects I'm taking this semester, only three of them have actual final exams. The other two are based on our assignments and work which really puts a strain on us. We really have to work our ass off just to achieve the desired grade. But I've got a feeling we haven't seen the worst that the architecture course has to offer...

So like three posts ago, you saw one of my assignments, the one where I stencilled three faces of myself. Well, another assignment has come my way which I have just handed in on Thursday. It was actually given to us just before I left for China, so as you can imagine I haven't got much time to fully concentrate on it. But I hope what I've done is good to earn me a grade I hope for.

On to the assignment: Basically we had to comprehend and incorporate the design principles (which we have learnt from our class) into a 3D piece of work. In short, use a model board, cut, cut, cut and arrange, arrange, arrange to form 3D shapes which use at least two of the design principles. Jon completed his model wayyy ahead of time and it turned out to be a hit among us coursemates. On the other hand, I was really cracking my head on what to do and how to start. Plus, I had to juggle this model building assignment with an English presentation and a two-point perspective drawing.

I ended up playing with the model board a bit trying to get ideas and also seeking the opinion of my friends and lecturers who were kind enough to help me in the matter. Here're some pictures:

- I used the Repetition principle by creating these triangular shapes using white model board.


- I arranged them around here and there and this is what I came up with. The typed out paper explains my model. This is what it looked like prior to submission.


- The mess left behind on my work table. I think I wasted alot of model board...darn.

Safe to say, I'm satisfied with my model and I sure hope my lecturers are too. The only thing I disliked is the gluing. Yeah, I kinda left glue stains here and there, making it look untidy. But I liked the concept though, we had to type that out in the explanation sheet I said earlier and submit it together. However, I think I made the explanation kinda...umm...complicated. I think I used too many words. Here is what I typed:


"Assignment 3: Poetry in Composition.

Inspired by the skeletal features of the spine and ribs and also the elliptical shape of an eye, my work encompasses a number of principles to create a harmonious composition. Firstly, from an aerial point of view, my elliptical shaped composition displays the principle of Axis. There is an inverted symmetrical balance which can be derived from this view. When a line is drawn through the middle of the composition, both sides are symmetrical, but inverted. Secondly, this composition also employs Rhythm and Repetition. The basic triangular segments are repeated seven times, each time with a decreasing size; to form the skeletal-like shapes on each side. These shapes, along with the recurring rectangular strips in the focus point, which is the middle, are able to emanate a sense of Rhythm. The way the triangular segments are repeatedly arraged, gives it a life-like flowing movement when viewed from an elevation point of view. Lastly, since the aerial view of this composition exhibits an elliptical shape, there is a Radial form which can be noticed as lines radiate from the main focus point. The vertically placed rectangular strips are also carefully arranged to complement the similar sense of radial symmetry and balance."

After reading it for the second and third time...I kinda got blur myself.