The Workshop

So what do we teach students in our workshop?

WARM-UPS

We begin with simple modeling exercises in class.

We start with students working with a very basic modeling material - good old GREY CARD.

Students model:

1. The perfect cube using two different methods of construction

2. A 1:1 replication of an everyday object

Skills: drawing preparative diagrams, measuring, clean cutting, neat gluing of edges.


"TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION" PROJECT

After warming up, we immediately launch into a project involving the transformation of an existing domestic space.

1. Students measure-up and make a sectional model in grey card of half of the home they live in showing surrounding spaces and context at 1:50.

2. Swap model with another student and make a copy of this model in balsawood at the same scale.

3. Operate on this model using a selection of ‘actions’ with the aim to transform this space. The aim of this is to effectively communicate the selected 'actions' without having to tell us verbally.

To do this we encourage use of alternative materials to balsawood, use of colour, careful composition, use of imagination and fearlessness.

ACTIONS include:

splitting

attaching

subtracting

folding

wrapping

linear distortion

enclosing

elvating

sheathing

crumpling

concealing

exposing

selective removal

peeling back

Skills: measuring-up existing spaces, documenting, translation of diagrams into models, crafting grey card, modeling different wall thicknesses, describing architectural soace through modeling,analysis and critique of space, composition, material research and selection, courage.

For precedents of these actions please refer to the "Transformative Actions.pdf" on Emustore.

Why we make models?

A young Harry Seidler in 1950 presenting a model with great gusto to a client. We encourage the same amount of enthusiasm from our students.....
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/when-harry-met-sydney/2006/03/09/1141701634169.html?page=fullpage


In architecture, we make models for

1. REPRESENTATION of our designs in 3 dimensions
2. as a tool of COMMUNICATION to explain to clients, investors, tutors and lecturers what we are proposing.

Models are the one of the quickest means of communication as they are a single object that describes our designs.

We make different types of models for different situations, often at different stages of the design process. Different types include:

CONCEPT MODELS
STUDY MODELS
DESIGN PRESENTATION MODELS
CONSTRUCTION MODELS
MARKETING MODELS

More examples of these different types of models please refer to our lecture material we have uploaded on the UNSW fbe's emustore website titled "Material Modeling Lecture.pdf."