Thanks, Bijan I am sorry that I couldn't be there at your presentation. I'd like to commend you on the well organised presentation: both statements are well addressing what was asked of you - the issue/ the problem and your thesis/ your stand. Also, presenting your research that led you to development of strategies makes sense to the audience: by doing this, you are building our confidence in you as an expert, i.e. that you looked up the theory and practice (case studies) and learned from them. I wish, though that both sources and case studies were presented differently: it is not important really for me how much "big wigs" those guys are, but rather what did you learn from these books, i.e. what did you find there that left impact on you and influenced your position. The same goes for the case studies: no need to describe the projects, but rather to provide critical review (what was good and what was not so well resolved in those projects, so you can identify something that you can build upon). Moreover, 2 of 3 examples are high-rise buildings, which is not something that you are doing here... So, how do you address that? I thought that the slide with strategies was well presented, with demonstrating design tactics right on the spot. Although, no.2 is more a tactic then a strategy. You can, maybe, think about how to re-formulate this one. Finally, in your design, I see the intention, but I am sorry that you shy-away from really making a stronger gesture: after all, you are taking a prime location, building something that is not only addressing a food supply in the city core, but also serves as a display and educational tool for public and potentially a commercial space (maybe you were talking about this in the class, so forgive my comments if this is somehow addressed). The dwelling unit is quite basic and bare, especially the ground floor. The entrance area to the dwelling is a bit awkward, living room is tiny, and generally, when 2 people eat together, they like to face each other. Additionally, if I understood correctly, in order to bring plants, soil, feed, etc to the upper floors, one has to walk through the living room and kitchen, right? Opening the door into another door is not good space resolution, and potentially, unsafe. Finally, is it worth building all of this for a relatively small green-house, in such a prime location of the city? This is where you could have been bold, and, potentially break the 800 sq.ft. "limit" and enlarge the green house portion, expand it deeper in the lot, potentially provide access from the laneway in the back (directly to the staircase), and still have small & efficient dwelling unit right in the middle of the green house. The income from the green house would economically support the high price of the real-estate on the Queen St. East. The final slide (the money shot) is striking, but knowing that there is a skinny building behind it, seems somehow as a "fake advertising".
Please, forgive my comments because this is based only on the images that I have seen and the story is constructed in my head without you providing the clarifications. At the same time, this may be a good exercise in communication, and you can test whether your slides managed to get the idea across to the unsuspecting viewer. :) Thanks again
Hi Milijana, Thanks for the comments and they were definitely noted. Some of the issues you raised here I had addressed during the presentation, however they should have been made clearer in the graphics so I apologize for any ambiguity. Besides the graphics, I have responded to your comments here and Vince's observations and questions in the Follow-Up report. If there is anything you feel still needs clarification in terms of the direction of the thesis topic and where it may be headed (as I'm still trying to figure it out myself) please let me know as it will be helpful to me also to structure my thoughts about the topic and the project. Thanks again for the feedback
Thanks, Bijan
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that I couldn't be there at your presentation.
I'd like to commend you on the well organised presentation: both statements are well addressing what was asked of you - the issue/ the problem and your thesis/ your stand. Also, presenting your research that led you to development of strategies makes sense to the audience: by doing this, you are building our confidence in you as an expert, i.e. that you looked up the theory and practice (case studies) and learned from them.
I wish, though that both sources and case studies were presented differently: it is not important really for me how much "big wigs" those guys are, but rather what did you learn from these books, i.e. what did you find there that left impact on you and influenced your position. The same goes for the case studies: no need to describe the projects, but rather to provide critical review (what was good and what was not so well resolved in those projects, so you can identify something that you can build upon). Moreover, 2 of 3 examples are high-rise buildings, which is not something that you are doing here... So, how do you address that?
I thought that the slide with strategies was well presented, with demonstrating design tactics right on the spot. Although, no.2 is more a tactic then a strategy. You can, maybe, think about how to re-formulate this one.
Finally, in your design, I see the intention, but I am sorry that you shy-away from really making a stronger gesture: after all, you are taking a prime location, building something that is not only addressing a food supply in the city core, but also serves as a display and educational tool for public and potentially a commercial space (maybe you were talking about this in the class, so forgive my comments if this is somehow addressed).
The dwelling unit is quite basic and bare, especially the ground floor. The entrance area to the dwelling is a bit awkward, living room is tiny, and generally, when 2 people eat together, they like to face each other. Additionally, if I understood correctly, in order to bring plants, soil, feed, etc to the upper floors, one has to walk through the living room and kitchen, right? Opening the door into another door is not good space resolution, and potentially, unsafe. Finally, is it worth building all of this for a relatively small green-house, in such a prime location of the city? This is where you could have been bold, and, potentially break the 800 sq.ft. "limit" and enlarge the green house portion, expand it deeper in the lot, potentially provide access from the laneway in the back (directly to the staircase), and still have small & efficient dwelling unit right in the middle of the green house. The income from the green house would economically support the high price of the real-estate on the Queen St. East.
The final slide (the money shot) is striking, but knowing that there is a skinny building behind it, seems somehow as a "fake advertising".
Please, forgive my comments because this is based only on the images that I have seen and the story is constructed in my head without you providing the clarifications. At the same time, this may be a good exercise in communication, and you can test whether your slides managed to get the idea across to the unsuspecting viewer. :)
Thanks again
Hi Milijana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments and they were definitely noted. Some of the issues you raised here I had addressed during the presentation, however they should have been made clearer in the graphics so I apologize for any ambiguity.
Besides the graphics, I have responded to your comments here and Vince's observations and questions in the Follow-Up report. If there is anything you feel still needs clarification in terms of the direction of the thesis topic and where it may be headed (as I'm still trying to figure it out myself) please let me know as it will be helpful to me also to structure my thoughts about the topic and the project.
Thanks again for the feedback