Monday, May 25, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
power post.
So the final sketchbook review is tomorrow. With that in mind I was able to finally get out of my very very busy life in barcelona... to scan some sketches?
Parc Guell
Bilbao Calatrava Bridge
Some sketches that I thought fit my scale theme:


Bilbao Calatrava Bridge
Barcelona Pavilion
Rioja Calatrava Winery
Montjuic Botanical Gardens
Caterina Mercat
Monday, April 20, 2009
Evolution in scale.
Just as scale changes from one space to another, I would say: so have I. Whether you’re standing next to a Barcelonan dog or standing next to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia… you will always have that feeling of scalar change. In saying so, this past weekend I’ve come to the realization that this semester abroad is coming to a fast close; I’ve seen many things and with those many things I’ve learned a great deal. Having lived here for almost 4 months now, I can say that when I leave Barcelona I will have no regrets. Until then, I have made a “Things left to do in BCN” list. Of that list, I accomplished 2 this past weekend: The Botanical Gardens + Ras architecture bookstore.
Despite April’s random sunshine and shower storm days, we ventured out to the Botanical Gardens, located just behind the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. Walking through the gardens, the landscape architecture was notably tranquil and “angular.” It combined the elements of the landscape with the individual through angular and planar space. As you walk up the gardens, you feel a balance of scale between yourself and the exhibit (plants). Similarly, the space in its entirety is situated in a vast portion of Montjuic, overlooking its denser neighbor of the inner city. Very anti-climatic, the actual exhibition building at the top of the gardens was reverse of the actual garden. Larger in appearance on the exterior façade, the interior was a simple-narrow rectangular plan.
On our way back down, we came across an unexpected water show. Lucky for us, we were able to see one of the greatest / dramatic “fountain shows” we’ve ever seen just at the footsteps of the Catalan Art Museum. Noteworthy of its monumentality, the fountain amazingly shot out 50 feet of water upward into the air. At the climax of each song, the height of water would most certainly place itself in my “scale” category. Water as element and height as catalyst, the fountain show had presented itself as a monumental scale element in the idea of “display culture.” It was also interesting to note the location of the fountain in comparison to the rest of the city. Just off of the metro stop of Espana, the area is very open and is focused on community and public spaces. Open in landscape and large in building scale, the space brings a unique characteristic to the area.
Despite April’s random sunshine and shower storm days, we ventured out to the Botanical Gardens, located just behind the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. Walking through the gardens, the landscape architecture was notably tranquil and “angular.” It combined the elements of the landscape with the individual through angular and planar space. As you walk up the gardens, you feel a balance of scale between yourself and the exhibit (plants). Similarly, the space in its entirety is situated in a vast portion of Montjuic, overlooking its denser neighbor of the inner city. Very anti-climatic, the actual exhibition building at the top of the gardens was reverse of the actual garden. Larger in appearance on the exterior façade, the interior was a simple-narrow rectangular plan.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Architecture land in Valencia.
Aside from Calatrava’s usual “dynamic” trademark, I felt that the scale of his buildings was brought out most importantly by his use of public and water spaces. Clear and blue, water surrounds the opera house and the arts and sciences center, creating somewhat an edge for this “inner city of the city.” Adding on, spatially they provide for the illusion of “atmosphere’s” scale. Futuristic in every sense, his buildings portrayed a very unique environment, almost unreal.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Sahara where donkeys roamed
We spent 5 nights in the city of Fez in Morocco. We stayed in a palace. We also lived like kings. Literally, the service and accommodations at Hotel Al Dar Andalus was truly amazing. Small scaled on the exterior, the interior space was that of a Dar style (enclosed courtyard). As contrasted to the rest of the urban fabric around it, the hotel was spacious in terms of both public and private spaces. Following the idea of the “Dar style,” it was relaxing to stay at such a space where the interior is introduced with the exterior. Even more, we were helped with any needs we desired by our two friendly bell hops. However, despite the luxury of the “inside,” the outside appeared very free and ‘out of this world.’
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tasting Bilbao + Rioja
On our way to the Guggenheim Museum, we experienced one of Santiago Calatrava’s bridges. His footbridge yet again exemplifies a work of elegant movement (in my opinion). In this particular one, the cables in tension twists along with the bridge across the water, giving the pedestrian a sense of movement and an awareness of self. In a way, this also portrays scale in respect to the human body.

And of course with architecture comes wine – tasting. Over the course of our trip in Rioja, we were able to wine-taste from Zaha Hadid’s Winery Space, to Gehry’s iconic Hotel, and to Calatrava’s dynamic winery. All together, it was an experience for both understanding wine and the architecture that attempts to express that taste.
And then we traveled the world…
From sunrise to sunset, breakfast to dinner, maps to maps, the guys and I spent an entire week of seeing three major countries. Spending roughly 3 days per city, we went from Paris to London to Rome. All in all with our experiences between speaking and seeing, I would say each city had a very unique characteristic with its own defined set of order, working for its own benefit in their own way, all with pros and cons. (But to just throw it out there, if I had to choose the best city out of the 3: London)
So much to see and so little time? Despite the little time we did have, I was happy with how much we were able to see in so little time, however sad to say… I had to sacrifice my usual sit-down sketching sessions. Though I do have one or two rough ones, I will soon post them up in latter blogs ASIST (as soon as I scan them).
PARIS. Starting off the break, we arrived in Paris at 7 am, with only a map to the hotel and a guidebook with key phrases. We did not know how to speak French. Little did we know, we picked up the language pretty quickly with our handy-dandy phrase book and within hours was able to say a few phrases. By that time, I could already see the difference of Paris from Barcelona. More welcoming, brighter, and spacious in scale, Paris didn’t seem as confined as aggressive Barcelona.
After spending the first day walking from the red-light district (location of the Moulin Rouge + our hotel) to the Eiffel tower and to the Louvre, we were able to meet up with three of our friends from the CUArch Rome program under the Eiffel tower (cool I know). Deciding to walk up the steps of the tower, we were able to see the very complex structure of the tower from the semi-interior. Massive in scale from the exterior, its four legs gives an outward branching expression which with observation, is probably why it has that presence of magnitude. Both a monument and landmark in a very open space in Paris, the Eiffel tower gives you a sense of reference and orientation within the city.
We were also lucky enough to venture out into the outskirts of Paris and visit Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier. Deceiving f
Pompidou Center. I would have to say the interior exhibition spaces are more beautiful than the skin of the building, but I wouldn’t say more interesting. Despite its really intricate and rough qualities, the design of the façade is pretty interesting. Bringing on a new aspect of inside outside, Renzo Piano had made pipes, cables, and structure visible on the exterior which I guess in a way invites the individual. The very intricate layers of structure on the façade along with its tubular vertical circulation also brings on a scale reference to the occupant.
The Louvre. Yet another icon of Paris, the Louvre is very massive. Its very Romanesque quality brings on the Parisian culture… very grand and enormous. Did you know that it would take roughly 9 months to successfully look at each individual art work at the Louvre? Yeah, our main goal was to see the Mona Lisa.
LONDON. I lo
ROME. When in Rome… you get to see all the major sites in one sitting? The city of Roma all in all built the future around its ruins. In one day we were able to see the Coliseum, and the rest of the Roman Forum. The following day we had the chance of seeing the Spanish Steps at sunset, giving us prime view of Rome. Lastly, we were able to go to the Vatican however Pope Benny didn’t make an appearance.
And so yet again, another conclusion to a successful adventure abroad.
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