Design.

As first year architecture students at University of Dundee we are now facing our first design project. With no limitations in budget, topography and creativity we can all (technically) astound teachers and students with our ideas. Unfortunately, the one major disadvantage is our lack of knowledge and experience, which drags out the design process and stubs our imagination. The issues of impracticality and regulations cause our tutors to direct us towards changing our concepts, making it difficult to remain within a clear sight of who yourself are as a designer. Over the last four weeks I myself have gone a long way from my initial ideas that catered for an artictic family that liked to party - in my head a house inspired on the gothic revival movement (fig.1) was a brilliant way to go.

Fig.1

However, after discussing the matter with my tutor and friends, I had realised that all the requirements and issues I had overlooked placed my 'dream house' on the extreme side within its concept. From there, my thought pattern made a 180 degree twist, and I became interested in the works of Shigeru Ban (Fig.2) and Mario Botta.

Fig.2

As my design evolved, I had to address many other issues, such as meterage, positioning and sizes of windows etc., to make the house a true landmark within its landscape. With a couple more weeks of hard work on the project, I hope it all works out.