Study Abroad

VENDING MACHINE'S HABITAT /  by Po Lao

Vending Machine's Habitat is the third topic of investigation that I decided to do. For those who've been to Japan and those who have not, I think it is safe to say that Japan is probably the world capital of VENDING MACHINES! They're everywhere, big streets, small streets,  alleys, under the staircase, on a hilly slope, train platform, parking lots, and even the restaurants use automated machines for ordering. The intention of this photo-series is to look at placement in which the vending machine is housed. Although each vending machine is very similar in its design and form, the habitat in which these machines is placed is what makes it unique in his characteristics. When you visit Japan, I would recommend paying attention to this particular phenomenon that I am talking about. You will notice that a majority of them are embedded into a side of a building, and it makes me wonder if the vending machine's habitat was a part of the design process, or was it added on later in the renovation process. The question that follows is whether if the vending machine company contact the building owner before the building is built or afterward. Either way, there is something that is so fascinating about the sprawl of these machines. I know this whole curiosity sounds a bit weird, but I think its pretty cool. haha. 

Thanks,

Sreng. 

ARCHITECTURE AGAINST THE SKY /  by Po Lao

Architecture Against The Sky is a topic of investigation that I chose as a part of my study abroad assignment. The title tells it all; it is simply a photo-series that utilized the sky as the background. Similar to the DETAIL series, I wanted to explore these photos in high-contrast, black-and-white. Before finishing this series, I asked for opinions from my buddy Alex whether or not should I do this series in color. He said yes, and gave me his reasons. However, I decided to go with the high-contrast saturated aesthetic. This is because I was really interested in the architecture to be represented as a uniform structure, the synergy between architectural form and structural system. In many ways, I feel that color would differentiate the architecture into many components and distract our attention towards it instead of the form, material, and the architectural beauty of the structure.  Anyway, I hope that you would find this series as interesting and beautiful as I do. 

Thanks,

Sreng.

DETAIL /  by Po Lao

DETAIL

How does the building get constructed, How does the column meet the foundation, how does the beam meet the column, how does the floor rest on the beam, how does the wall meet the floor, how does a window sit in a wall, how does the ceiling meet the wall, how does the glass fit into the mullion, and how does the shingle attach to the roof. 

It's all in the detail of the architecture, which it describes the tectonic and synergy between the structural and architectural systems. In the most simplest term, detailing is how two things connect together. 

Therefore, I decided to launch a page that is dedicated to the detailing of the architecture that I visited during this study abroad. Hope you'd enjoy it. 

thanks,

Sreng.

IDEA /  by Po Lao

Meiji Workshop - Urban Design + Architecture

Project Site: Asakusa - Skytree - Sumida River

Background: Sep 26th, 2016 was the first day of our joint workshop - USC + Meiji University. This was a 6 days intensive workshop and it ended 3 days ago on Oct. 1st. We were split into 6 groups of 6, 3 Meiji students and 3 USC students. 

So, why is an idea so important, not just to an architecture project but everything else as well? I believe that idea is the driving force and an end goal in which it keeps us in one direction. An idea consists of many small concepts that act as the building blocks to the main structure. Therefore, I would like to introduce you to our idea for this project. The intent was to revitalize  into a pleasant community and create accessibility for the neighborhoods around this canal. We had three concepts to achieve this idea.

  1. Series of pedestrian bridges, beginning at a new pier jutting over the Sumida river and culminating at the foot of the Skytree. 
  2. Revitalization of the space under the Skytree line track. Comprised of extensive landscaping and the creation of a series of public gathering spaces such as galleries, an outdoor movie theater, and a farmers market as well as the redevelopment of the Sumida park.
  3. Renovation of building clusters on the southern side of the river, to create artist collectives, comprised of studio space, small business shops and live-work lofts.        (Project description was written by Nicole Blue).

With all the concepts in place and great teamwork/collaboration within our team, we were able to complete the project successfully in a sense that we felt good about our work. Of course, it is not perfect and it could definitely be developed into something much stronger. However, it was the process and the teamwork that made it so successful and an amazing experience to be a part of the workshop. Many ideas, knowledge, and techniques were exchanged; It was a collaboration that I never had before.

As any team project would be, there is always a challenge/questioning of the intent as well as a drift from the original idea. It is perfectly normal when this happens, and it happens a lot in studio as well as in the professional world. The process of achieving that idea drifts into a different direction, which could make it stronger or weaker. what I am arguing here is not so much about the change in the idea, and I am not arguing that it has to stay concrete and firm. But, when it drifts into a direction that makes the project weaker, we need to take a step back and re-evaluate the development. Whether or not we don't have the time required to evaluate the design development that was made, we definitely should not settle for a less successful development. As my professor Yo Hakomori mentioned in the closing comment of the workshop, "We always need to have an idea as it is the driving force and unifying component of our smaller concepts..." (paraphrased). To sum this all up, all I really want to say is DO NOT give up on the IDEA so quickly because of some obstacles or running out of time. Just take a step back, re-evaluate it, and don't be afraid to make that change if you know it will make the project stronger. 

I hope that you would enjoy my blog as my goal for this writing/documentation is to give prospective architecture students or anyone at all who would be interested in the process of design and architecture education. Before and while I was going through architecture school, I honestly wished that there was someone out there that could give me a little insight and experience to the process of architectural education. Again, thank you very much if you have read it this far, haha. 

BTW, you can look at our process sketches and final product by clicking on the title "IDEA".

Again, thanks.