Morphological Studies - U Shaped Building Typology

I was inspired by a project that I have been working on at Method Studio to produce a diagram series for the U building type. Obviously the transformation were inspired by site constraints, views, building program, etc., but I thought I would take a more light-hearted approach to the diagram. I also figured that the machines were a bit more fun than boring arrows.

Contemporary Responses of Indian Architecture @ Blurb

Contemporary Responses of Indian Architecture by Jacob A. Gines | Make Your Own Book

Sway'd Opening Night Photos

As promised, photos from the opening of "Sway'd" - winner of the international design competition, Fluid Adagio {Amalgamation}.

Photos courtesy of Trevor Muhler Photography.
More images of the event can be found here.

Utah Young Architects Forum 2011

The photo essay above is an attempt to conduct a social criticism of architects and the sprawling milieu of conformity and down-right ugliness/mindlessness that surrounds us.

The stereotypical architect is dressed all in black - a mysterious, arrogant, haughty individual. One who has been lulled into a false sense of what can only be termed the "God Complex" - the master creator of space and time. Architecture, for him, is a self-gratifying process; one in which others are viewed as pedestrians, only being allowed to observe the process but not to touch. Oh no, don't you dare touch. Dressed in white, the architect understands that a re-birthing must occur - the establishment of the multi-disciplinary, collaborative architect. In the words of the Indian architect, B.V. Doshi, "I am not an architect. For me it is a search. A search for the known which I have not known".

Stepping into this Salt Lake neighborhood was like an eery, surreal scene from The Truman Show. The monotonous formal regularity bathed in a sea of beige, demonstrated in a lack of reality, and worse, an absence of identity. Is this the American Dream? People programed like robots to live a certain life - to be a certain kind of person - to CONFORM! Sedated by a potent tranquilizer, its citizens are mindlessly navigating this labyrinth of urban sprawl and a developers money-tree, shanty town.

Taken from the Young Architects Forum
Architecture is about physical space and tangible materials being constructed in the real world to express ideas or beliefs of a culture. Architecture has the ability to be a commodity, form of identity, cultural expression, beauty, humility, simple, complex, act of social deviance or vernacular fitness into culture. In our architectural education the studio life we once lived was about exploring these possibilities. Many of the debates we had in the studio were interesting, socially relevant, clearly articulated ideas about how to accomplish these ideas. As we move into our careers and grow as professionals we, as young architects, are faced with the challenge of balancing what we took from our education and integrating it with what we are learning as professionals within the rapidly changing world of architecture.

The purpose of the Young Architects Forum of Utah will be to encourage the participation of younger members in AIA Utah's programs and activities; and to assist young architects in their professional growth through the education of our members, as well as the education of the public of the value of quality design.

Visit the YAF here.

WHO WE ARE
Chair - Greg Walker
Vice Chair - Chimso Onwuegbu
Event Chair - Jarod Hall
Event Chair - Jake Gines
Event Chair - Heber Slabbert
Event Chair - Brittany White Johnson
Event Chair - Justin Heppler
Education Chair - Jesse Allen
EECTA Chair - Breanna Bonsavage
Technology Chair - Robert Pinon
Art Chair - Ben Wiemeyer

Sway'd - Night before Opening Night

Tonight I had the opportunity to walk the site of the recently completed public art installation - Sway'd, in downtown SLC. I wanted to share some of my photos taken from my 'rink-a-dink' phone, so hopefully they do the project justice. The projects expression is so simple yet unexpectedly tactile and audible. I have to say that I am very excited for the official opening tomorrow night and hope to see many people enjoying themselves. This installation has exceeded all expectations. Tonight it was fun watching many people stopping, asking questions, taking photos, etc... - what a fantastic addition to our cityscape! Don't miss the video at the end of this post!!! Pics from the opening to come later (and much better quality!)

UNITY DIASPORA: Millcreek Community Center Public Art Entry

The following is an entry that I submitted for a public art piece at the Millcreek Community Center (under construction). The wall will consist of 4 different modules produced in orange and white acrylic and arranged in 8 horizontal configurations. The acrylic modules will be constructed using state-of-the-art vacuum forming processes.
Some of the key concepts for this piece are...

MOVEMENT
CONNECTIVITY
FLUIDITY
MIGRATION
DIVERSITY
HERITAGE
KINETICS
UNITY
SEPARATION

Inspirational Images

Section Perspective

Elevation


Experiential Perspectives

Detailed Perspective

Vacuum Forming Diagram

'Sway'd' - Fluid Adagio Installation Winner

Many of you know that I have been heavily involved in the formulation and execution of the 'Fluid Adagio {amalgamation] Design/Build Competition' through my association with the Utah Young Architects Forum (YAF). It has been an exciting ride, not to mention exhausting at times. The first concept for the competition began over a year and a half ago and now it is finally time to celebrate. Daniel Lyman (a University of Utah architecture student) won the competition and has recently completed the installation. His installation is the largest piece of public art (that I know of) in Salt Lake City. It is a demonstration of the design potential for the abandoned/empty lots in our downtown. Please join the YAF for the opening of this installation on May 20th (see flyer above).

Here is a look at the completed installation, Sway'd. The construction fence will come down this Friday! More photos to come.

Below is the plaque/signage that will be on display at the site. Myself and Greg Walker developed the design and related graphics. Even though I was not able to enter the competition I am glad that I have a little piece of my own work on the site!