18 SKETCHES UPDATED AND DEVELOPED

Below are 18 new sketches that are further developed from the ones in the earlier post. For these sketches I decided to change my original adjective, noun and verbs. 

Top

Above: serene

Below: scrupulous

Bottom

Above: serene

Below: simplicity

Top

Above: serene

Below: slice

Bottom 

Above: drive

Below: scrupulous

Top
Above: drive
Below: simplicity

Bottom
Above: drive
Below: slice

Top
Above: experience
Below: scrupulous

Bottom
Above: experience
Below: simplicity

Top
Above: slice
Bottom: experience

Bottom
Above: slice
Below: serene

Top
Above: experience
Below: slice

Bottom
Above: scrupulous
Below: serene

Top
Above: simplicity
Below: serene

Bottom
Above: scrupulous
Below: drive

Top
Above: simplicity
Below: drive

Bottom
Above: slice
Below: drive

Top
Above: scrupulous
Below: experience

Bottom
Above: simplicity
Below: experience

STAIR PORN

This stair/ramp is inspiring when thinking about Shinya Kimura because of the simultaneously dynamic and peaceful atmosphere it creates.  Motocycles are often seen as a "loud" thing not only because of the sound they make as well as due to the great machinery and mechanics involved in their production. Despite these "loud" elements of motorcycle design and building, Kimura places strong emphasis on the experience of riding the bike and the peace that one feels when the ground and sky become one. This idea of ground and sky becoming one plane I think is present in this ramp where the rise is gradual and smooth. It is not steep and harsh but almost horizontal as it moves slowly upwards. At the same time, the crossing curves give a sweeping feel of dynamism.  

This stair expresses for me the strong feeling of intimacy one might experience when dining at Ono's restaurant, entering the small space, being allocated your pre-determined seat and then sitting in front of Ono while he serves the sushi first-hand and watches you consume every little piece. I think the timber box structure is quite a modest and humble material that evokes the simplicity of Ono's philosophy. Although he is a Michelin chef and bookings for the restaurant must be made sometimes up to a year in advance, this place is not pretentious or elite, it just comes down to hard work and commitment. There is something very special about this place and I think entering through this enclosed structure would make one feel as if they are about to experience something intimate and unique. 

SKETCHUP MODEL SECOND DRAFT WITH CUSTOM TEXTURES

36 TEXTURES

Read number labels downwards left column first

BELOW 

1. ridged
2.layered
3.dense
4. woven
5. metallic
6. magnetic

7. oxidised
8. sandy
9.  coarse
10. grainy
11. aggregate
12. crumbly

 GROUND LEVEL

1. transfixing

2. rubbery 

3. matrix

4. rustic

5. interlaced

6. palpable

7. decayed

8. perforated

9. stark

10. kneaded

11. caged

12. dusty

ABOVE

1. sparse

2. crystalline

3. pressurised 

4. reflective

5. multifaceted

6. skewed

7. austere

8. atmospheric 

9. aromatic

10. coruscated

11. matte

12. bare

STAIRS

 Stair down to up #1: Jiro Ono

Stair down to up #2: Jiro Ono

Stair up to down #1: Shinya Kimura 

Stair up to down #2: Shinya Kimura

18 SKETCHES

Top left
Above ground: bike
Below ground: raw fish

Bottom left
Above ground : raw fish
Below ground: bike

Top right
Above ground: minimalist
Below ground: slip

Bottom right
Above ground: slip
Below ground: minimalist

Top left
Above ground: minimalist
Below ground: sleek

Bottom left
Above ground: sleek
Below ground: minimalist

Top right
Above ground: minimalist
Below ground: raw fish

Bottom right
Above ground: raw fish
Below ground: minimalist

Top left
Above ground: drive
Below ground: sleek

Bottom left
Above ground: sleek
Below ground: drive

Top right
Above ground: drive
Below ground: slip

Bottom right
Above ground: slip
Below ground: drive

Top left
Above ground: drive
Below ground: raw fish

Bottom left
Above ground: raw fish
Below ground: drive

Top right
Above ground: bike
Below ground: sleek

Bottom right
Above ground: sleek
Below ground: bike

Top
Above ground: bike
Below ground: slip

Bottom
Above ground: slip
Below ground: bike

3D SKETCHUP MODEL

Chosen sketch

Above ground: drive

Below ground: raw fish

Top level: drive
Bottom level: raw fish

Materials for the top level include reinforced concrete exterior or frame with black rubber interior walls and ceiling that continue into a platflorm floor. Materials for the bottom level are rock. The stair way void is primarily reinforced concrete, however there are small rocks covering the ground in the stairway pit. This rocky ground cover may potentially continue into or around the bottom level (perhaps in an outdoor area, yet to be developed).

ADJECTIVE, NOUN, VERB

 SHINYA KIMURA : serene, drive, experience

ANTONIO STRADIVARI : musical instrument, play, hand-crafted

JIRO ONO : scrupulous, simplicity, slice

THREE IMAGES

As I have not done much hands-on creative work myself, this is a picture of a small exhibition I recently curated at Canberra Contemporary Art Space (CCAS). It was called Control & Contain and brought together the work of Sydney artist Lucy Boyle and Canberra artist Alex Lewis. Both these artists' works straddle the divide between art and design and deal with issues of control and containment. Boyle works with textiles whilst also drawing and painting and Lewis works with 3D printing and other digital imaging technology as well as with more traditional etching processes. 

 This house is called Tread Machiya. It is in Tokyo and was designed by Japanese architects Atelier Bow Wow (2008). Atelier Bow Wow's deisgns often incorporate furniture as built-in parts of the building. The design studio is known for clever, practical designs that give great consideration to the client's needs, overcoming design challenges such as living in a densely populated city with little space.

This is a picture of a smoothie I had on Sunday morning with some flowers on my kitchen bench. I have been inspired by a blogger from Copenhagen called Ida Laerke (http://idalaerke.com). She puts things together very thoughtfully. I like the light, colours and balance.