From Bojagi to Model

From Bojagi to Model

Bojagi: wrapping cloth

I told myself I'd make more models in Grad school. As of yet, I never really gave myself the time to invest in a quality physical model. Which is why I told myself I couldn't wuss out on the 1/50 sectional model we were "required" to complete for our final review.

For those non-architecture, 1/50 means 1/2 centimeter = 1 meter. Which means, big model.

My project was inspired by the traditional korean dress, the hanbok, as well as the korean quiltwork, jogakbo. Themes included use of crease, seams, and folding to create an envelope that wraps the site. This wrapping was inspired by the bojagi, which koreans use as a utilitarian way to wrap objects for transport, storage, or gift wrapping (sometimes a jogakbo is the bojagi wrapper).

the traditional hanbok

jogakbo = jogak (pieces) + bo (cloth)

bojagi

Here are photos of some process...

folding / creasing a flat plane

 sewing fabric in different jogakbo seams

Older process model, made after midreview

Consulting the digital model

Roof Terrace

Final Review

Final Review

There are a few basic rules of studio I always try to tell myself to keep no matter what:

1) Always maintain a regular shower regimen. No one likes greasy hair (among other things)

2) Try to get sleep every day. Yes, naps (meaning 0-3 hrs of sleep) do count.

3) Always leave studio before the sun rises.

Well, at least I kept up with rules #1 & 3. The day of final review, I had been up for around 36 hours already, and running on adrenaline. I promised myself I'd finish that 1/50 scale model before I went home, which I did. I walked home a few hours before review to accomplish Rule #1, and eat. I had thoroughly impressed myself with how I had survived in the past three weeks with such lack of sleep, and I must admit, I was getting delirious towards the last night, especially when I was the only one left in studio.

I was third to present, and I presented without coffee coursing through my veins, which was surprising to me. My tactic to stay awake was not to wear a jacket. It was bloody freezing in the presentation space (Koreans, ever heard of proper insulation?!?). After taping (masking tape, classy) my boards to the wall, my brain went dead. I couldn't seem to mentally prepare my thoughts, so I said to myself, "I guess I'm winging this thing again."

Somehow I pulled it off because afterwards my professor said to me," I don't know how you pulled it off, but you did!" Comments from the jury were all positive; and I was glad I made that big model. It's good to finally get an overall good review after a blood-sweat-tears kind of semester.

Me trying to gather my thoughts

Showing my stitchwork, done with lack of sleep

One happy Seoul studio (afterwards of course)

Our last time at the Black Tent

After BBQ we walked to another place to have drinks. On the way, I walked beside Junsung and asked him if he was going to miss us American kids.

He replied: "Oh yes, or course. My body will not have the ability to NOT miss you all. You know, before you guys came, I was really discouraged with teaching the Korean students. They aren't easily self-inspired or self-motivated; it's really hard to teach them. After teaching you guys, I have more of a motivation and inspiration to keep teaching."

I was really moved by that. Junsung is usually a very dramatic person when it comes to expressing his feelings about architecture and whatnot, but I really felt that he was being really candid. I'm glad we could affect a professor just as much as they have affected us.

T-Minus 11 Days Left

T-Minus 11 Days Left

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, but it didn't feel like it, mainly because we had two classes. It's my first time in my life that I have been apart from my family on Thanksgiving. It's kind of sad, but in a way I am relieved because the pressures that loom during the thanksgiving holiday during school is usually immense; there's always that inner struggle of whether to go home, and if you go home, will there be time to get work done?

My crits with Junsung in the past weeks have been interesting. I think he is a great person to talk to, and you immediately feel his passion for architecture, especially the sensuality of it. This week there were tons of changes that he told me I should consider. I'm usually calm through my crits, but I was at a breaking point. This was last Tuesday.

Jun: "You should really change this part right here... and here... and here... and it would be really wonderful if you...add secret stair...moonbounce..."  (secret stair, yes... moonbounce..i wish)
Me: "TOO LATE JUN! Too late for changes!"
Jun: "No, it's not too late. You have three more weeks."
Me: "Are you crazy?! We have a week and a half!"
Jun: "Oh...well you should change it. And take this stair out. It sucks. It reallllly sucks. I never liked it."
Me:"Why didn't you tell me two weeks ago??" Sighs. "Yes, I guess you are right."

I never like to hide within any bad project, to I bit the bullet and made the changes, which of course made my project better. I hate when people hide from their professors because they might "change everything." Isn't this why we are all slaving away in architecture prison school to begin with? Make ourselves better designers?

Anyways, yesterday's crit with Jun gave me some hope. After I showed him some changes, he says--

Jun: "Your project is really developing nicely. If you had three more weeks, it would be really fantastic."
Me: "Yeah...but I don't."
Jun: "I know. I know."
Me: "Thank you?"


Another post to follow about Thanksgiving dinner!

Back to the Studio Grind

Back to the Studio Grind

Studio is officially in swing, as well as September. Whew, where did the summer go?! This calls for some cake and champagne, right? At least it does in Korea! Although our studio and classes started last week, Konkuk University officially started their class this week. Their graduate all-school meeting consisted of faculty introductions as well as cake, champagne, donuts and bananas (random at first, but now that I've been here a few weeks, seems ordinary at this point).

Our professors making toast to a new semester.

Our quaint little studio space (first desk crits with Professor Kim)

My slice of pie, window seat

Gettin Crunky up in studio

...And this is how the korean students live in studio. (keyword=live) Nearly everyone lives in their studio space, and it seemed pretty common that the student had their foldable own bed-on-wheels, hangers with clothes, shower caddie, etc. It seems they are caged in... I guess it saves money on rent. The good thing is that there isn't any food allowed in studio spaces. Nothing like some ripe kimchi to ruin the studio environment!

Humble Korean Archie Abode

After studio last week, Professor Kim took us to the "Black Tent." It gets its name from the tent structure that gets pulled out every night from the side of the building. barbeque grills and chairs are pulled out, and voila, instant restaurant. During the day, the structure retracts back into the side of the building. Technically the place's permit is for a "garage," loosely interpreted. I have a feeling we will be frequenting this place a lot =)