BENV1010- Tracey Lau: Week 5-6:

Studio Activities:

Basic Models:

Room measurements and dimensions

1. Paper (Net)

The first model made was a basic net form to understand the room dimensions.
This was done at a scale of 1:50.

Materials: A3 sketching paper

Net drawn onto A3 sketching paper

Net outline

2. 1-Ply Cardboard and Waxed Cardboard

This model experimented with a plan view of my domestic workspace, it also includes a door and windows unlike the previous model. This was effective in experimenting with different types of cardboard, how they work structurally and appropriate techniques to use. I found that the 1-ply cardboard was very flimsy and would not hold the distinct diamond shape of my room. The waxed cardboard was also very difficult to work with. Although it provided clean results, PVA and normal glue-sticks were unsuitable adhesives, and double sided tape had to be used (and later the model fell apart as the tape was not strong enough).

Compared to the paper model, the cardboard provided a sturdier, cleaner and more professional finish. As paper is thinner, it was a lot easier to cut and glue, although it was quite flimsy and delicate. Cardboard was more difficult and time-consuming to create models from, but provided a greater outcome.

This was done at a scale of 1:25
Materials: 1-ply cardboard and waxed cardboard

1-ply cardboard. Individual walls and floor cut out, with tabs included.

1-ply cardboard. Window opening

1-ply cardboard. Entrance

Waxed cardboard. Window opening

Waxed cardboard. Entrance

3. Corrugated Cardboard and Paper
This model experimented with a thicker cardboard, as an issue identified previously was the flimsiness of the 1-ply cardboard, and the difficulty in usage of the waxed cardboard. I chose to reuse old corrugated cardboard boxes which I knew could be easily glued with PVA, and also provide structural stability. I chose to layer paper over the cardboard designs for a cleaner finish. To have a clean edge finish, I chose to reduce the thickness of the edges to form slots for the model to easily piece together.

This was done at a scale of 1:25.
Materials: Corrugated cardboard with a layer of plain printer paper.

Example of cut edge slots

Room pieces cut, with edge slots where appropriate

Window opening

Entrance

Top view, example of how natural lighting would infiltrate the room

Model with scaled figure

Folding Techniques:
Various techniques were explored using paper. These techniques involved massing and texture manipulation. I found myself particularly drawn to the x-form spans and the ribbed crumpling techniques due to their significant textural development from a smooth, flat piece of paper. I am interested to see how those techniques in particular would look in models, and the shadows and patterns that would form as a result. This activity used plain printer paper.

Basic Pleats

Simple Spirals

Crumpling with Ribbing

Masu Box

Dividing the Paper

X-Form Spans

No Crease

V-Pleats

4. Ideal Workspace: Corrugated Cardboard and Paper with Crumpling

In this model, I intended to experiment with adding forms to my room to create a larger workspace. As a result, the ceiling was raised and a mezzanine was included. I also wanted to experiment with light and shadows. As a result, I included I wide panels on the slanted roof, an angular, shaded window I saw on Pinterest, and experimented with the crumpling paper technique. I also rotated the original diamond shape of the room to try and create an altered space whilst still respecting the original form.

This was done at a scale of 1:25.

Materials used: Corrugated cardboard with a layer of plain printer paper, and a crumpled A3 sketchbook paper accent wall.