[ranch] : art analysis

[bungalow] : final boards

[bungalow] : process

[bungalow] : initial sketches

magazine research

we researched home and design magazines throughout history. the magazine i was assigned was better homes and gardens for 2009. the recurring ideas for the year were home organization, achieving high style for low cost, mixing styles and patterns, using color and accessories to transform a space, and living a well-balanced lifestyle in all areas.

great buildings

our first assignment of the semester was to research great buildings from history. i researched villa capra [vicenza, italy - 1566 - andrea palladio] and casa rotonda [stabio, switzerland - 1980-82 - mario botta]. both feature a centralized plan accentuated with natural light at the center. situated in the countryside, the residences are carefully positioned take advantage of the views while holding a specific dialogue with the landscape. villa capra was a residence used for entertaining and display of status. on the contrary, casa rotonda's role was that of a traditional private residence.


botta's intention with casa rotonda was to make the shell circular to eliminate any true facade, thus preventing any direct confrontation with surrounding buildings. the dialogue was between the landscape and the distant horizon. a central north-south sky light floods the interior with light, placing emphasis on the central corridor.


when desiging villa capra, palladio intended to provide a compass, a blueprint of the ideal building. the geometric nature of the plan and overall symmetry are imitated for years to come all over the world.