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.