This slice of the entryway to the Dana building can say a lot about the architect's intended use for the space. There are many changes in height between the stairs, railing, stair wall and the ledge outside the staircase. For example, the height of the metal railing is almost always taller than the stair wall. There is also a gap in between the two. This could be interpreted as a blockade from the wall, as if the railing was put there to prevent people from getting to the wall. There is a gap between the outer ledge and the stair wall as well, making it seem as though the wall is not meant to be accessed from either side. The fact that the wall is high up from the ground could be a third way to confirm this. While a strong, solid looking feature of the entryway, it is interesting that this brick stair wall seems to be so well protected.
The handrail is also a notable feature, that could also show protection. The handrail itself, the part meant to be touched by those going up or down the stairs, juts out from the fence-like structure it's attached to. The designer obviously meant for those going in and out to use this part of the rail to stabilize themselves, and by distancing it from the rest of the structure, helps to protect that part of the rail. The gaps between the handrail and its supporting structure, and its supporting structure and the stair wall, really limit the access one would have to the wall.
The ledge to the outside of the stairwell, though, seems like a contrast to the rest of our slice. It is at a much lower height than the other features in our area, making it more inviting or welcoming to a passerby than the rest. The low height of this ledge gives one an opportunity to sit, and possibly read or study. No other spot on our slice seems to welcome this, but the ledge, at roughly a foot or so off the ground, is a good height to sit. It is also wide, as to accommodate multiple people. It is interesting that the architect chose to put such contrasting features, from the guarded and inaccessible wall to the low and inviting ledge, right next to each other. In a way, they compliment each other, in that the inability to access the wall as a spot to sit or hang out makes the ledge more inviting, and the attractiveness of the ledge as a spot to stay helps keep people away from the wall. This slice can say a lot more than one may originally think.
The location we chose for our first charette contained many different objects interacting in interesting ways. Though at first I looked at it as just a staircase with a guardrail, ledge, and a stone bench to the side. While it is still just a staircase with a guardrail, ledge, and a stone bench to the side, by analyzing the space using the theoretical section cuts we made with tape it was much easier to see how and why the architect put the objects together in the way that he or she did.
One of the most interesting things analyzed using the section cuts was how all of the heights of the various objects in this six foot by six foot span interacted. The section cut through the second step made me analyze the thought process of the architect and why this height would have been inappropriate for a first step, and how the heights of the steps were carefully planned for ease of movement. Next you notice the height of the guardrail. First there is a shorter guardrail, which was strategically put at a height that would be easy to grasp with one’s hand while walking up the steps. There is then a second rail alongside the guardrail that is taller. This particular rail was a bit confusing to me, as I couldn’t quite decide why it was put there. However, it makes the space smaller in between the guardrail from the ledge, hopefully, in the architect’s mind, preventing people from going up the stairs in that space as opposed to the open space on the rest of the staircase.
As you move to the outer portion of this staircase and beyond, you notice the ledge and the stone bench. The heights of these two options play an integral role in the architect’s intended use for them. The stone bench comes up to roughly the knee of a person. At this height, it is perfectly accessible to sit down and relax. While not an actual bench, by placing this stone piece at this height it has given it a purpose and function. On the other hand, the ledge is too tall for a person to sit on with ease. While it may be easy to climb up onto it for some, the height shows that the architect did not intend for this to be a piece used for resting.
Through the process of establishing section cuts in small areas of interest, the notions of scale, proportionality of objects and proximity as a tool of communication for architect was reaffirmed. As we look from the bench to the railing, the variations in height allow those entering the Dana building to classify a habitable space from an obstruction. The brick wall serves a barrier, allowing individuals to visually differentiate a transitional space from a non-transitional space. In this six-foot section we see two very unlike spaces from the bench to the stairway. The brick wall provides separation from the intermediate space as students and faculty are entering and exiting the building. For those siting one the bench, the height of the wall provides sufficient division.
The height of the bench possibly indicates that an individual is meant to sit close to the edge with their feet on the ground, rather than sitting toward the back end of the bech. Proximity of the wall to the bench allows for individuals to also put their back against to the wall. The height of the bench was significant for this space because it is just short enough to prevent people from attempting to climb onto wall. A simple design choice such as the height allows for the designers to address any possible safety concerns a client may have. This is apparent on either side of the wall with the two stair railings positioned close enough to prevent anyone from standing on the wall. Not only does the wall act as a barrier, but also the small indents, that run vertically and horizontally along the bench designate the space allotted for each person. Often people dislike siting in very close proximity and the indents create comfortable sectioned seating, respecting the idea of an individual’s space.
Accommodation is also an aspect of importance when addressing both the proximity and scale. As seen in the section, the stairs rails are two different heights. The innermost railing is lower, possibly for those that might need more leverage and support as they going up and down the stairs. The outer railing acts as another barrier with the height always greater than that of the brick wall. The restriction of six feet facilitated closer observation of the slight design alterations. These small decisions come to define the experience of the individual as they pass through or occupy the space.
This slice of the entryway to the Dana building can say a lot about the architect's intended use for the space. There are many changes in height between the stairs, railing, stair wall and the ledge outside the staircase. For example, the height of the metal railing is almost always taller than the stair wall. There is also a gap in between the two. This could be interpreted as a blockade from the wall, as if the railing was put there to prevent people from getting to the wall. There is a gap between the outer ledge and the stair wall as well, making it seem as though the wall is not meant to be accessed from either side. The fact that the wall is high up from the ground could be a third way to confirm this. While a strong, solid looking feature of the entryway, it is interesting that this brick stair wall seems to be so well protected.
ReplyDeleteThe handrail is also a notable feature, that could also show protection. The handrail itself, the part meant to be touched by those going up or down the stairs, juts out from the fence-like structure it's attached to. The designer obviously meant for those going in and out to use this part of the rail to stabilize themselves, and by distancing it from the rest of the structure, helps to protect that part of the rail. The gaps between the handrail and its supporting structure, and its supporting structure and the stair wall, really limit the access one would have to the wall.
The ledge to the outside of the stairwell, though, seems like a contrast to the rest of our slice. It is at a much lower height than the other features in our area, making it more inviting or welcoming to a passerby than the rest. The low height of this ledge gives one an opportunity to sit, and possibly read or study. No other spot on our slice seems to welcome this, but the ledge, at roughly a foot or so off the ground, is a good height to sit. It is also wide, as to accommodate multiple people. It is interesting that the architect chose to put such contrasting features, from the guarded and inaccessible wall to the low and inviting ledge, right next to each other. In a way, they compliment each other, in that the inability to access the wall as a spot to sit or hang out makes the ledge more inviting, and the attractiveness of the ledge as a spot to stay helps keep people away from the wall. This slice can say a lot more than one may originally think.
The location we chose for our first charette contained many different objects interacting in interesting ways. Though at first I looked at it as just a staircase with a guardrail, ledge, and a stone bench to the side. While it is still just a staircase with a guardrail, ledge, and a stone bench to the side, by analyzing the space using the theoretical section cuts we made with tape it was much easier to see how and why the architect put the objects together in the way that he or she did.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most interesting things analyzed using the section cuts was how all of the heights of the various objects in this six foot by six foot span interacted. The section cut through the second step made me analyze the thought process of the architect and why this height would have been inappropriate for a first step, and how the heights of the steps were carefully planned for ease of movement. Next you notice the height of the guardrail. First there is a shorter guardrail, which was strategically put at a height that would be easy to grasp with one’s hand while walking up the steps. There is then a second rail alongside the guardrail that is taller. This particular rail was a bit confusing to me, as I couldn’t quite decide why it was put there. However, it makes the space smaller in between the guardrail from the ledge, hopefully, in the architect’s mind, preventing people from going up the stairs in that space as opposed to the open space on the rest of the staircase.
As you move to the outer portion of this staircase and beyond, you notice the ledge and the stone bench. The heights of these two options play an integral role in the architect’s intended use for them. The stone bench comes up to roughly the knee of a person. At this height, it is perfectly accessible to sit down and relax. While not an actual bench, by placing this stone piece at this height it has given it a purpose and function. On the other hand, the ledge is too tall for a person to sit on with ease. While it may be easy to climb up onto it for some, the height shows that the architect did not intend for this to be a piece used for resting.
Through the process of establishing section cuts in small areas of interest, the notions of scale, proportionality of objects and proximity as a tool of communication for architect was reaffirmed. As we look from the bench to the railing, the variations in height allow those entering the Dana building to classify a habitable space from an obstruction. The brick wall serves a barrier, allowing individuals to visually differentiate a transitional space from a non-transitional space. In this six-foot section we see two very unlike spaces from the bench to the stairway. The brick wall provides separation from the intermediate space as students and faculty are entering and exiting the building. For those siting one the bench, the height of the wall provides sufficient division.
ReplyDeleteThe height of the bench possibly indicates that an individual is meant to sit close to the edge with their feet on the ground, rather than sitting toward the back end of the bech. Proximity of the wall to the bench allows for individuals to also put their back against to the wall. The height of the bench was significant for this space because it is just short enough to prevent people from attempting to climb onto wall. A simple design choice such as the height allows for the designers to address any possible safety concerns a client may have. This is apparent on either side of the wall with the two stair railings positioned close enough to prevent anyone from standing on the wall. Not only does the wall act as a barrier, but also the small indents, that run vertically and horizontally along the bench designate the space allotted for each person. Often people dislike siting in very close proximity and the indents create comfortable sectioned seating, respecting the idea of an individual’s space.
Accommodation is also an aspect of importance when addressing both the proximity and scale. As seen in the section, the stairs rails are two different heights. The innermost railing is lower, possibly for those that might need more leverage and support as they going up and down the stairs. The outer railing acts as another barrier with the height always greater than that of the brick wall. The restriction of six feet facilitated closer observation of the slight design alterations. These small decisions come to define the experience of the individual as they pass through or occupy the space.