Jesse and Robby

Week 5 Blog Post

September 24, 2021

Monday:

We began the week with a second sketch up tutorial, with the goal of getting more comfortable working with the software. Sean introduced us to a number of useful tools so that we could begin designing 3D mass models of the home, focusing especially on various roof pitches and how this could influence the structure's relationship with its surrounding environment. In the afternoon, we discussed the floor plans we had created in the previous week, and came to a final concept. This concept captured the similar themes present across each group's floor plan. With this final plan in place, we are now ready to move on with our design in Sketchup.

Tuesday:

We began the day with a morning discussion on the differences between fabrication and prefabrication. Put simply, fabrication is a process where a structure is constructed on site, whereas a pre-fab structure is built off site and then must be transported to its final destination. This was an important reading as it gave some insight into how the rest of the semester might unfold given that we are going with the pre-fabrication route and building the home in panels on the Yestermorrow campus before transporting it to the site in Vershire. In the afternoon, we further developed our Sketchup skills, with a particular focus on dimensional lumber, copying components, making them unique, and how to use the tag/untagged tool. We then had an amazing chicken dinner- our only critique to Meg is to make more next time!

Wednesday: 

Today started with a guest lecture from Laura Bailey on building science. A graduate of Williams College where she studied environmental design, Laura has an extensive background in design and sustainable building and currently works at an architecture firm in Waitsfield. She provided a thorough overview of building science, with a particular focus on the importance of air flow, insulation, and building material types for colder climates. In the afternoon, we worked on developing 3D Sketchup models for 8 different proposed roof plans, along with a site model including topography and scenes. At the same time, other members of the class got started on drawing floor plans, elevations, sections, and a site plan in preparation for next Wednesday’s presentation with the department of architecture at UMass Amherst. The presentation has forced the group to learn how to work better together and approach tasks as a team.

Thursday:

The day started with a programmatic discussion on roof style and how timber framing would be incorporated into the project. The students and client have decided on a sort of timber frame hybrid, where two rows of timber frames will provide support for a gabled roof and the second floor. The walls will be constructed by making prefabricated panels on campus using the more common method of stick framing. Making this decision today was critical based on the current wait time of up to 6 weeks to have the timber cut at a saw mill. Our semester class is looking forward to joining forces with a timber frame class come mid November, when it will be all hands on deck to get the timber frame raised! In the meantime, we are continuing to iron out the details of the drawing and Sketchup models for the presentation, and are looking forward to getting into the wood shop next week.

Friday:

We started off the day by discussing our reading on race, space, and architecture. A particular emphasis was placed on how modern and historical violence must be considered in the architectural field, and in the context of design curriculum. Following this discussion, Anastasia presented a drawing tutorial on how to incorporate openings such as windows and doors into our floors plans. She also revealed some of her poché tricks to help make our drawings clear and readable. In the afternoon, we pushed on with our presentation work by preparing sections, plans, elevations, and physical models.