Ceramics in Architecture

The reading was disjointed and technical but here are a few talking points for discussion:

Ceramic tiles require 4 things: earth, water, air, and fire.

The section on Processes for the product customization was interesting and easier to understand then the previous section. I was familiar with the grinder, hydraulic cutter, disc cutter and sand blasting but was interested in the future of the laser technology. When was this published? Has it grown in its industrial applications?

The last section was more historical and anthropologically based. It is amazing that the ceramic qanats (or canals) have lasted for so many years.

Architectural Metal Surfaces - L. William Zahner

Metal is a subject I feel that I know very little about. This reading was good to give me a better understanding of the subject matter.

Talking points-

Anodization: if you polish aluminum before the anodization process does not result in a more reflective surface after anodization. If you try to polish after anodizing, will damage the oxide film.

Copper: The color variation of this metal has always interested me. The patina is a result of sulfur and oxygen from the air that has combined with the surface copper atoms. The green patina of the weathered copper roof is very appealing to me.

Stainless Steel: This naturally reflective metal is a power metal with its corrosion resistance properties. It is interesting to note that the more this metal is polished, the longer its performance life.

In the Cause of Architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright

"The character of the wall-surface will be determined also by the kind of stone, by the kind of mason, the kind of architect."

I like this paragraph, "The Goths made most of stone. But stone became for the Gothic imagination a mere negative material which they employed supremely well in a structural sense."

Negative material?

I found it interesting that the second half of the readying Wright refers to mankind as "he", "him", and "his".

Textile Reading

This reading was a refresher for me since I took Textiles in my undergraduate. I was amazed at how much I had forgotten. I am so glad that I purchased this text to use as a resource as I continue with my studio work. Tables 3.1- 3.3 are flagged because I can see these being great references in the future. The weaving chapter, 5, was good to provide the proper vocabulary for talking with vendors and clients.

Concrete Reading

Highlights:

Le Corbusier had a great impact of the view and application of exposed concrete with the "invention" of beton brut from his Unite project. Beton brut is "concrete whose surface bears the imprint of the molding process.

Paul Rudolf took exposed concrete a step further when he created the Art and Architecture Building at Yale University. After the molding was removed, he had the exterior hand-hammered to expose the aggregate. Vincent Scully quote about the building: "slotted and bashed surface is one of the most inhospitable, indeed physically dangerous, ever devised by man". I can image the was the walls feel based on this description. I have scraped skin off my hands getting to close to such a surface.

In the 1960's the trend was to have the same materials on both the exterior and interior. Louis I. Kahn took concrete from one dimensional to 3D. He explored the realm of cast concrete.

GGA

I took part in Student Options that was offered through the ASID Washington Metro Chapter and IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter. This was a day long conference that allowed us to tour the GGA firm, the USGBC, and the Washington Design Center. We also to part in several seminars. The best part of the day for me was visiting GGA. The offices are Platinum Leed and are amazing. I didn't have my camera but I did find a few pictures off of google to post. The low walls allow for them to maximize the natural light. They reused parts of their former offices cubical cabinets by hanging them under all the windows and in other places around the office. These hold files, samples, and other supplies.