The wing chair is a chair that was a symbol of status, especially in the late 17^th century in Great Britain. They were reserved for only the highest levels of aristocracy. The designs for the first few centuries boxy and in current day the designs of them have become more feminine and sleek. The wing chair also creates emotional security, which in design is extremely suspect. Moreover, refinement and advancement considers itself to be obliged towards rational intellect. The more modern counter part of the wing chair is expressed most notably in other more modern designers advancements of the wing back chair. For example, my object featured is the Victoria Hagan Wainscot Wing Chair (2009). The wing chair however, in my opinion all began with the design of the sultan’s chair from Egyptian culture. And then transpired into later cultures especially in the area in and around Great Britain.

Unit Sumary: 10 FAVORITE ITEMS FROM DESGIN AND ARCHITECTURE--

Black PUmps

Christian Louboutin  black pumps have truly stood the test of time. In the fashion world a staple in every woman's wardrobe is a pair of black pumps. If they happen to Christian Louboutin, then that makes them even better. 

Down Comforter

Down comforters aren't really known for their form, however, they are a great item to include under your bedding that adds to the comfort of your bed. It definitely becomes commodious, because it comforts us. I have one myself. It allows me to wine down at the end of the day and truly relax. 

La Pedrera

I love house this building is not so "cookie cutter." I really enjoy how the facade is not flat, instead it is curvaceous and engaging. 

Tavern on the Green

A whimsical place nestled in Central Park. It is so fun to eat there. The floral work within and around the restaurant makes Tavern on the Green renown. 

The Royal Caribbean

It is not the first cruise line, however, it is become known as the first floating city. Being on the cruise is like inhabiting a small city. The only exception is that it floats on water. It is truly great design. 

World Trade Center

A remarkable landmark, that ever since September 11, 2001, it has represented so much for our country. The world trade center represents strength, resiliency, and wisdom. It has become a historical reference point for my entire generation. 

Club INFERNO

Represents the fun wild side of me. I love the bright lights and colors, a truly great place to dance, and have a great time. 

Monticello

A great place that represents so much more than a home. It encompasses a realm of technology that Jefferson discovered, and was beginning to master. It is also representative of a lot of events that occurred throughout history. 

Moroccan Dishware

I love original Moroccan dishware. It really speaks to the cultural side of me. I love all of the bold colors and unique patterns. They make dinner really fun. 

Stonehenge

This is truly a mysterious structure. It has stood the test of time, and yet no one really knows specifically what its purpose was. Yet I believe one of the reasons that it is so fascinating is because we do not yet know what it was used for years ago. 

Final Draft: Alvar Aalto Experimental Summer House:

Alvar Aalto’s: Experimental Summer House-

 

  The summer house, designed by, Alvar Aalto, was and still is an important piece of architecture for not only himself, but also for all other architects and designers that were interested in creating a sustainable and bioclimatic house. He discovered the land for his "experimental laboratory," as Alvar called his summerhouse on the island of Muuratsalo, Finland, in 1952. Experimentation became a major theme for this house in particular.

Aalto’s main purpose for the house was for mass production and flexible standardization to become apart of his design. It was a testing ground for discovering what would make an outstanding mass production house. He was so intrigued with mass production because this was the duration after World War two, in Finland, and all the refugees’ homes were in ruins due to the mines. So the experimental house allowed Alvar to determine what materials and techniques were best for creating a house that could be recreated fairly rapidly for the refugees’.  

However, I also believe that Alvar incorporated the nostalgia of the ruins into the experimental house as well while still designing the house for the refugees from the ruins. He does this by creating hidden presences within the house. This is very visible because he creates solitary walls and empty openings all throughout the house. The themes of empty and solitary return to feelings expressed from the ruins of the war. As Aalto said, " Nothing old is born anew. Yet it doesn't disappear completely either. And what has already been arises again and again in new form."( Aalto, Louna Lahti, pg. 71.) I feel that this quote really ties into the main theme of this house, experimentation. To me this quote speaks volumes about the refugees, and how Alvar wanted to create mass production housing that was more than just putting some wall together and calling it a home. I really do believe that he did not want the refugees to be forgotten. Therefore, the house became about testing quality materials in different ways, like brick for example, to go beyond what was considered appropriate living for the refugees. The land he chose, for his testing site was heavily forested alongside a series of lakes. The actual house was composed atop of a rock that jutted up and rose about the water. Alvar considered this house to be his very own laboratory for architecture and developing ideas about what is best for not only the refugees, but also better design for all. He wanted to create a place that was applicable to all humans in a sustainable matter. He was enthralled with creating a better place for all people, from “all walks of life.” Alvar did that the best he could by considering many things while designing for the refugees and all other people. He was an architect that was very aware of key aspects of nature that were surrounding his design of the experimental house, that eventually became summer-house for he and his family. The aspects of nature that he studied and considered for the design of his experimental house was the topography of the land, climate where the house was located, solar patterns, and he also considered some type of flood protection. Aalto was also particularly aware of solar angles, and within his design of the summerhouse he is speaking to many bioclimatic concerns.

Alvar adopted modernism as well as principles of modernism into his design. Due to the incorporation of modernism in his work, the materials and form were very rich and bold. Therefore, he used red bricks to really allow the house to contrast nature. He also used white plaster around courtyard to cover the bricks. Alvar made the courtyard one of the most important features of the entire house. He designed the house to where all of the rooms of the main section, are grouped around the courtyard. His studio space is also located in the main section of the house.  Aalto liked to incorporate central objects within his designs. He also used the courtyard as a way to refine the boundaries of the overall house. Which again incorporates the nostalgia of the ruins from the refugee homes.

However, Alvar incorporated the nostalgia of the refugees into the house was a submissive theme of the house being used for experimentation. His design of the house was very mystical due to the cohesiveness of the building itself compared to the nature surrounding the house. The house itself is said to have an archaic and romantic spirit due to the hidden presences, Aalto created to become indicative of the emotions expressed through the ruins of the refugees homes. Alvar designed the experimental summerhouse at a point when his career activity begins to decline nearly twenty years after he designs the house.  

Alvar Aalto’s experimental summerhouse also relates to the Gray Home Management Building, on the UNCG campus, designed by Robert E. L. Peterson.  The Gray Home Management building is relative to the Experimental Summer House in the sense of its placement and designing for an evolving purpose for people.  However, the Gray Home management building, speaks to that theme through a different style as compared to Alvar’s Experimental House. The experimental house is more of a modern style, where as the Gray home is more traditional ranch style house.  Although, they both were designed nestled in a wooded area that speaks of how both of the buildings are of great contrast.  Alvar and Robert used the woods in different ways to create a certain expression for their building. Robert used trees and nature to cover certain parts of the home originally to engage you at its most interesting points. Where as, Alvar used nature to contrast his bold and rich materials of the experimental house. He also used the surroundings to soften the harshness of the boundaries of the house to were it speaks directly of the softness and quietness he was trying to create to emulate to the repressed emotions of the refugee ruins.

Overall, Alvar Aalto created a laboratory of various ideas and techniques that could possibly be channeled into mass production homes. However, he did more with the experimental house than create and devise ideas, he captured the spirit of the refugees, and how they felt after having what little they did have destroyed by the war. Although, he also incorporated into the experimental house the ideas of bioclimatic and sustainable design. Even though this house is not as renown as its designer, it still speaks volumes of a period of time that was searching how to create better design for all.

EXPLORATIONS UNIT SUMMARY---

CHRYSLER BUILDING

This explorations unit is all about good design for all. The designers of this time were really taking inspiration from a variation of art styles. Some of these styles are impressionism, post impressionism, expressionism, and futurism. However, with exploring all of the art styles we still were not accepting of international style at first. Therefore, designers and architects really begun to play with notion of fluidity. They ideally wanted the actual structure or "bones" of the building to appear as if it was holding up the skin or facade of the building literally. This is also around the time designers begin to ask, "What constitutes modern design?" Well no one has ever really created a definite answer as to what does constitute modern design. Perhaps it is the search or quest for new materials, or possibly even the longing to become unique and completely original; instead of borrowing from past civilizations style of architecture. Thus came the Chrysler building, that is most indicative of the explorations unit. It speaks heavily of the streamline design that was becoming of the city. However, The Chrysler building is also inspired by the automobile. Which leads to the overall themes of the building, speed, sleekness, and coming into the future. It also is true that all of these themes are indicative of what the explorations unit is all about. 

REFLECTIONS UNIT SUMMARY---

UNITY TEMPLE

This reflections unit, is for creating a style that is what Americans wanted to be expressed as. They did this by using new materials, that were indicative of the modernism period. The modernism period is the period that was all about discovering new materials and how they all work together. Some of these materials are glass, wrought-iron, and concrete. These materials are practically a precedent for new buildings to come such as the Mayer store department building, designed by Sullivan. It uses concrete, and glass, however, incorporates  Neo-classical design elements. At this time the designers and architects are searching for the modern. To me this style is lead on from the Unity Temple designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. He used all of the modern materials to create a church that was like not other. He set a precedent for the modern era. That is why I feel that his Unity Temple is most indicative of what the reflections unit was all about. "We have had enough, and to spare of the arbitrary reproduction of historic styles. In the progress of our advance from the vageries of mere architectural caprice to the dictates of structural logic, we have learned to seek concrete expression of the life of one epoch in clear and crisply forms. " (Roth, pg. 519) This quote is very expressive of the previous time before the modernistic period. 

Rough Draft of Precedent Analysis: Experimental Alvar Aalto Summer House-

The summer house, designed by, Alvar Aalto, was and still is an important piece of architecture for not only himself, but also for all other architects and designers that were interested in creating a sustainable and bioclimatic house. He discovered the land for his "experimental laboratory," as Alvar called his summer house on the island of Muuratsalo, Finland, in 1952. The land he chose was heavily forested alongside a series of lakes. The actual summer house was composed atop of a rock that jutted up and rose about the water. Alvar considered this house to be his very own laboratory for architecture and developing ideas about what is best for "us," humans. He wanted to create a place that was applicable to humans in a sustainable matter. Alvar considered many things while designing his house in Finland. He was an architect that was very aware of key aspects of nature that were surrounding his design of the A-A summer house. The aspects of nature that he studied and considered for the design of his house was the topography of the land, climate where the house was located, solar patterns, and he also considered some type of flood protection. Aalto was also particularly aware of solar angles, and within his design of the summer house he is speaking to many bioclimatic concerns. Alvar adopted modernism as well as principles of modernism into his design. Due to the incorporation of modernism in his work  the materials and form were very rich. Frank O. Gehry, another great architect of  the modernist era similar to Alvar Aalto. He however, focused on deconstructivist architecture. Although this is still a form of modern architecture, Franks design speaks still of modern architecture, and also incorporates sustainable materials throughout most of his designs. For example, the Guggenheim Museum, in Spain.  However, Aalto has been labeled the father of bioclimatic design. His A-A summer house was built and designed in sections. The foundations rest upon the natural rock. Then the first section, the first phase of construction was composed of bricks painted white. Next over a year later, Aalto created the guest wing of the house. He composed it from wood and he also chose it to be painted white. Also he incorporated an interior courtyard. All of the rooms of the main section  are grouped around the interior court. His studio space is also located in the main section of the house. However, the kitchen and the bathrooms are contained in the connecting section of the house. Aalto liked to incorporate central objects within his designs. His design of the A-A summer house was very mystical due to the cohesiveness of  the building itself compared to the nature surrounding the house. As Aalto said in 1921, " Nothing old is born anew. Yet it doesn't disappear completely either. And what has already been arises again and again in new form."( Aalto, Louna Lahti, pg. 71.)  

Deliverables Articulation:Aalto Summer House---

Aalto Summer House

Outline for Aalto Summer House 500 Word Essay:

1. Intro: Basic facts of the house and interesting facts. 

2. Body: Comparsion of house to other summer houses, and draw a tie to a previous form of design/ architecture from the past. 

3. Body 2 / Conclusion: Discuss how the natural elements around the house affect Alvar's design and how that becomes a precedent for other architects and designers.

 

Drawing Types/Views/ What type of Media:

• (2) Perspective drawings, One would be a Southwest view, and the other one would be a Northwest view. They would be done in ink on vellum with a bond backing. 
• (1) A Plan oblique, It would show an overview of the summer house, while still putting the house into perspective. (1/2" = 1' scale) 
• (2) Plan views, The house has two levels. So I would do a plan view of each. (1/4"=1' Scale)
• (2) Section view of the building, One would cut the building to the North and the other cut would be made to the South. ( 1/4"= 1' scale)
• (2) Elevations, These drawings will be focusing on the two most interesting sides of the building. (1/2"= 1' Scale)
• (1) Scaled Sketch of the house, This will allow you to gather the big picture of the concept of the building.

Questions???---

- What scale should  I do this Summer house in?

Precedent Analysis Project-Part 1:Aalto Summer House-

Aalto Summer House 

The Aalto Summer House is designed by Alvar Aalto. It is located in Muuratsalo, Finland. It was built in 1953, in the 20th century.  It is a small house, that the architect himself Alvar Aalto lives in. It is constructed of wood and bricks. However, the interesting thing about this house is that he uses many different brick patterns, but displays them and the entire house in a completely modern style. I really am interested in this building because of its location and unique style. I feel that Alvar really redefined the way architects and designers could and can use bricks to add "flare."

Precedent Analysis Project-Part 1:Johnson Wax Building-Frank Lloyd Wright

The Johnson Wax Building: Frank Lloyd Wright/Wesley Peters

" There in the Johnson Building you catch no sense of enclosure whatever at any angle, top or sides... Interior space comes free, you are not aware of any boxing in at all. Restricted space simply is not there. Right there where you've always experienced this interior constriction you take a look at the sky!"  ---Frank Lloyd Wright, In the Realm of Ideas, edited by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer and Gerald Norland

This is another great building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is also know as the Administration building.  It is located in Racine, Wisconsin, and was built in 1936.It is composed of over two-hundred different sizes of bricks, and also different shapes. This building is a prime example of streamline design. The bricks used are a cherokee red, and they are all have curved edges. When the main architect Frank Lloyd Wright was designing this building his main concepts were compression and the release of space. Within this building he created a room that has no internal walls whatsoever. It is called the great room, as referred to by Frank himself. Instead he used a series of dendriform columns. Also the building consists of these glass tubes that it plays with light because the light shines into the building. However, you cannot determine where the light is coming from because you cannot see the tubes from the outside. The building also contains original furniture that Wright designed. 

Precedent Analysis Project-Part 1:Fallingwater-Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright's: Fallingwater

Fallingwater is a remarkable landmark in rural Pennsylvania. Frank Lloyd Wright is the actual architect, that used optical illusions to make this house stand out from other residential architecture. It was built in 1935, during the turning of the 20th century. It is not far from Pittsburgh, only about a half hour away. I am enthralled in the fact that the house is above a waterfall. It looks as if it is going to slide off the cliff. However,  in all actuality it is very stabilized. Frank uses a modern style throughout the entire design and layout of the house. I also enjoy the cantilevered floors. The materials that he used throughout the house, stone anchored to the bedrock, concrete reinforced terraces. He does a great job of integrating natural elements within the actual house. Frank Lloyed Wright devised an interesting house, that allowed people to view architecture in a new light. 

Precedent Analysis Project-Part 1:Biltmore Estate~

Biltmore Estate

I personally love the Biltmore Estate. I have visited there numerous times. It is a French Renaissance inspired chateau. It is near Asheville, North Carolina. It was built by George Washington Vanderbilt. It took eight years to build the estate. It is known as the largest home that is privately owned in the United States.  Which is understandable due to its square footage of about 175,000 feet. It also has two-hundred and fifty-five rooms. The architects for this great private estate are Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted. George Vanderbilt's main purpose was summer estate getaway house. His inspiration came from Europe. The two main buildings that were of great inspiration were the Loire Valley chateaux and the Chateau de Blois. Vanderbilt also wanted the grounds to be great. That is why he hired Frederick Law Olmssted, he is a famous park designer. I would enjoy doing the Biltmore Estate because of how important it has become for North Carolina to attract tourists. It definitely is a major source of commerce. Aside from the commerce it is a beautiful piece of architecture that was designed with an  European inspiration and grounds that imply its splendor. These are all the main criteria that make me want to take a closer look at the Biltmore Estate for this precedent analysis.    

Light & Shadow: Comparison of 3 Cathedrals---

This is the graphic for our group. We really focused on comparing the cathedrals Amiens, Cologne, and Salisbury through light and shadow. By using light and shadow as our comparison we portrayed how important it was to convey the religious message to the people of the medieval times. 

Precedent Analysis Project-Part 1:Sydney Opera House

This is a side view of the Sydney Opera House. I really like this image because it allows you to see how dynamic it actually is.

This is the amazing and beautiful Sydney Opera House.

" There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is a masterpiece. It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image a great beauty that has become known throughout the world- a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent."

- Jon Utzon (the Danish architect of the Sydney Opera House) 

One fascinating fact about the Sydney Opera House is that it is not solely an Opera House.  However, it is  in fact a multi- serviceable performing arts building. The Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It truly is a remarkable landmark for Australian culture and society. The Sydney Opera House all started when  a man named Eugene Goossens discussed and made known that there should be a larger venue for major theatrical productions. Fortunately, Goossens hopes did not take long to get started in creating one of the best performing arts buildings. He was supported by a member of NSW, and the plans were sent out to design a one of a kind place for the arts. The Sydney Opera House was built in three stages. First, the upper podium was built from 1959- 1963. Then  from 1963-1967 they built the outer shells of the building. The last attributes that they worked on to create this marvelous structure was the interior design and the construction.  The Sydney Opera House was completed in 1973, and all affiliated with the performing arts rejoiced. I personally feel that it is a prime example of great design and architecture. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it serves a great purpose by contributing heavily to the arts. It also has many structural stabilizer's. Overall, it is a remarkable building that I cannot wait to learn more about its majesty  and amazing design. 

1600 B.C.-A.D. Timeline:

1600 B.C.

Governance:

- Rise of Mycenaean civilization in mainland Greece. 

- The Shang Dynasty become the first to rise of power as a dynasty. 

- In Egypt, a revolution broke out against the Hyskos and rule spread throughout the South and began to spread. 

Institutions:

- John Smyth founded Baptism

- Burial sites were discovered in the city of ancient Nubia. They were mounded burial sites.

Technology:

- The Nebra Disk was found. It was a twelve inch gold disk. It was founded in modern day Germany. And it was an artifact of early German astrology. It recorded images of the sun and moon, and also 32 different stars. 

- The Canaanites invented the first alphabet of sorts.

- Pictographic writing in China.

- The Hittites invented iron forged weapons.

Commerce:

- Chocolate was discovered in Honduras, and was traded throughout the community.

- The late Minoans discovered pottery and used it to trade and make peace with others.

1600 A.D.

Governance:

-The first charter was granted to the Virginia Company.

- The first English settlement occurred, in Jamestown, Virginia. 

-Spaniards settle Santa Fe, New Mexico.

- Timbuktu gains independence from Morocco.

- Death of Elizabeth 1, lead to James 1 becoming king of England and Scotland. 

Institutions:

- Nurses and hospital sites became increasingly important after the outbreak of smallpox.

Technology:

- Tobacco is first cultivated in Virginia. This is important because it allowed them to have trade and produce money of sorts.

Commerce:

-Dutch slave traders exchanges his cargo for African Americans.

- The first Dutch trading post was established in Banten, West Java

-The Dutch and English sign the treaty allowing England a third of the spice trade.

-The East India Co. is established in England, and has exclusive trading rights with India.  

http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk

http://ehistory.osu.edu