Objective: To explore how light, material, and spatial design influence sensory perception and create an atmosphere of reflection and contemplation.
Exercise Brief
Design a Small Pavilion intended for contemplation or meditation, focusing on how light, materials, and spatial layout create a peaceful, reflective environment. This exercise will encourage students to think beyond aesthetics and consider how their design choices impact users’ sensory experiences.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Define the Purpose:
Imagine the pavilion as a quiet space where people can escape daily life for reflection or meditation.
Consider the atmosphere you want to create. Should it be warm and inviting? Minimalist and introspective? Calm and serene?
Design Parameters:
1.Lighting:
Use indirect or filtered light to create a soft, calming atmosphere.
Consider techniques like clerestory windows, perforated walls, or small skylights to bring in controlled natural light.
Think about light and shadow—how can shadows from the structure enhance the mood?
2.Materials:
Choose materials with sensory qualities that contribute to the atmosphere, like:
Wood for warmth and natural texture.
Stone for solidity and grounding.
Concrete for a minimalist, cool feeling.
Reflect on how these materials feel to the touch, their temperature, and their visual qualities.
3.Openings and Views:
1.Design openings that either frame specific views or allow natural elements like light or wind to enter.
2.Use narrow or strategically placed windows to emphasize intimacy and focus.
3.Openings can frame a natural landscape, a tree, or even a distant horizon to reinforce a connection to nature.
Concept Development:
Sketch Ideas: Begin by sketching ideas for the layout, light sources, and openings.
Reflect on the Sensory Experience: As you design, ask yourself:
How will someone feel entering this space?
How does the interaction of light and material affect the space’s atmosphere?
Deliverables
1.Sketch or Model:
1.Create a conceptual sketch or simple 3D model of the pavilion, showing the spatial layout and main elements (lighting, openings, material placement).
2.Focus on clarity—ensure the design communicates the intended sensory experience.
2.Sensory Description:
1.Write a short paragraph (-200 words) explaining how the chosen materials, light, and layout contribute to the pavilion’s atmosphere.
2.Describe the sensory experience you aim to evoke. For example:
1.”The natural stone walls cool the space, contrasting with the warm light filtering through wooden slats overhead, creating a calming balance of warmth and coolness.”
Presentation
Presents the pavilion concept to the class, highlighting:
The sensory experience they aimed to create.
How they used light and materials to achieve this effect.
Feedback and Discussion:
After each presentation, encourage peers to provide feedback on how successfully the pavilion conveys a sense of contemplation.
Discuss any improvements or additional ideas for enhancing the sensory experience.
Scale for Drawings
Floor Plan and Sections:
Scale: Use 1/4″ = 1′-0″ to show overall layout, wall placement, openings, and materials.
Detail View of Lighting or Materials:
Scale: Use 1/2″ = 1′-0″ for focused views that highlight tactile qualities, lighting techniques, or shadows cast by structural elements.
Perspective or Axonometric View:
Optional but highly encouraged. Not scale-specific; instead, focus on conveying the atmosphere of the pavilion and the relationship between light, materials, and space.
Deliverables
Conceptual Sketch or Simple 3D Model:
Overview: Provide a clear visual representation of the pavilion’s layout, including the positioning of light sources, openings, and material applications.
Content:
Floor Plan 1/4″ = 1′-0″: Showing the layout, including main areas, entry points, and openings.
Section Drawings 1/4″ = 1′-0″: Highlighting lighting and material interaction, such as light streaming through openings or specific material textures.
Detail View 1/2″ = 1′-0″: A close-up of a feature that shows texture, material choice, or light filtering through openings.