7X1X0_Summary_Topics
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,Theme 1 – The City and its Territory
Subject 1 – Drawing and Describing
Concept A word, together with its meaning, which helps us understand a
relationship between us and our environment.
> Concepts help us understand ourselves and our environment
> Concepts can establish order in chaotic and confusing situations
> Concepts can help us see things we otherwise wouldn’t have noticed, by
identifying patterns and things
A concept in design is a word or description (text and/or image) with which we
try to illustrate our ideas.
One can only understand a concept when one understands the components
defining this concept.
Drawings One can identify different sorts of drawings
> Sketches: A simple drawing of an idea
> Parti sketches: concept sketch
> Analytical sketches
> Generative sketches
> Sketch plans
> Diagrams: An abstract drawing (of an idea)
> Relationship diagram: shows which rooms should be where
> Process Charts
> Bubble diagram [vlekkenplan]: mind map of a building
> Layered approach: Different drawings of the same thing
> Routing diagram: Circulation of people in a building
> Presentation drawings
> Plans
> Sections
> Elevations
> Perspectives
> Specification drawings [bestek]: shows exactly how a building
should be built. Contains conditions, exact descriptions of design,
technical specifications of construction and materials and legal terms
and conditions
> Working drawings
> Revision drawings
> Installation drawings: drawings of installations inside a building
> Detail
> Render: finished presentation of an idea
> Model: 3d-model of an idea
> Exploded view: an object which is taken apart in different parts
Abstraction Latin for “to pull away”. An idea derived not through observation but
through a process of reasoning. Something that has an unclear
relationship with observable reality.
Abstraction is an instrument of our mind which helps us in
understanding complex things.
, Subject 2 – Elements of the City: Paths, Edges, Districts, Nodes & Landmarks
A city consists of multiple elements, according to Kevin A. Lynch:
Path A path is an area over which people can travel from
A to B (walk, drive, cycle, sail, etc.). A path connects
different locations (buildings, cities, etc.).
Edge An edge is a line (river, road, railway, walls, etc.)
which separates places (districts) from each
other.
District A defined area of a city or country. Districts are defined by some
identity or character. This identity or character is often in
administrative forms.
Node A node is a place where paths intersect.
Landmark A large building or other object which really stands out. A landmark
functions as an object for recognition, orientation and navigation.
Kevin A. Lynch found these five elements as key elements of a city. He wrote these
elements down in his book The Image of the City.
Subject 3 – Elements of the City: Plot & Block
Plot A plot is a confined area of land on which a building can be built.
> Burgage plot: The plot stays the same while the buildings on it change.
Block A piece of land cut off by three or four streets.
When everybody wants the same, you get repetition. Thus, you lose
identity of single houses.
Cars in front of houses create fortresses. This leads to less social
interaction and it will make streets a place where you don’t want to
be.
Sometimes people build their own houses without permission. This is called
informal development.
The plot is influenced by (natural) external elements (Sunshine, Access, Wind, Vegetation, View, etc.)
In 1916, New York City introduced a law which imposed limits on the amount of the plot a
building could use on certain heights. This was done to prevent the buildings from blocking
the streets from light.
The Eixample plan was a plan for expansion of Barcelona in the 19th
century made by Mr. Cerda. The plan consisted of a grid with blocks.
The blocks
would have a green area in the middle part and buildings shouldn’t
be higher than four stories. The area would be crossed by diagonal
streets. All blocks would have eight sides, this would make
intersections larger, so they can handle more traffic. The plan was
never fully executed.
Subject 4 – Elements of the City: Street & Square
A street is not only a place to get from A to B, but also a place to live.
A street is made by facades, designed around the human body (or should be, at least), it can
also be a way to show off (Champs Elysee for example).
An occluding edge is and edge one can’t look around.
