Author: Belinda Tran

SEMESTER TWO : Bath House

Posted on by Belinda Tran

Te Aranga Principles
I wish to convey the principle of Manaakitanga.
It is said to be “The art of hosting visitors, being generous and caring about the treatment of others translates naturally to tourism and ensures that international visitors are made to feel welcome in New Zealand, no matter who they are or where they are from. ”
My bath house is open to everyone and will provide water as a basic necessity to offer your guests.

Quote retrieved from: https://www.newzealandtrademanual.com/manaakitanga-giving-new-zealand-visitors-an-experience-of-true-hospitality/

After many trials of recreating my model I had finalized my idea for my bath house.

I have created a space where up to ten guests can accommodate the space, the have a memorable bathing experience. The space cannot hold too many people as it is a little tight on space. Mainly in the restrooms, as I had tried to create as many showers and toilets as I could similar to a normal public bathing areas.

Toilet Research

In the end I had chosen to chose the Tornado Flush toilet as it is simple and we do not need anything fancy.

In the end I adopted for a sink that cuts in the counter. Neither of what I have found as I don’t think it looks that great with my design.

The private pools has also adopted the plain white curtain I had also used in the showers in the restrooms as a way to link them together as they both contain a private aspect.
We shower alone and it is a private experience, as the private pool is as well private.
Also, it is used just to create a border from the pool to the rest of the space as it is supposed to be “private”.

Below I have attached a photo of the physical model of the site.

I was unable to create a toilet. That is the only detail in the physical model of the space that I could not provide due to how small the model was.

Research – Forest Bathing

Posted on by Belinda Tran

Shinrin-Yoku (SY), also known as Forest Bathing (FB) is a “traditional Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature by mindfully using all five senses.”

The findings of the healing components on therapeutic effects on:
1. The immune system function (increase in natural killer cells/cancer prevention); findings of the healing components on therapeutic effects on:
2. Cardiovascular system (hypertension/coronary artery disease);
3. The respiratory system (allergies and respiratory disease);
4. Depression and anxiety (mood disorders and stress);
5. mental relaxation (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder);
6. human feelings of “awe” (increase in gratitude and selflessness)

This diagram demonstrates the stages of the human physiological and psychological systems in nature therapy:

I can agree to the reading as when visiting forestry areas I tend to feel more calmness and relaxation than I am in the city.

Reference

M. Hansen, Margaret & Jones, Reo & Tocchini, Kirsten. (2017). Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14. 851. 10.3390/ijerph14080851.

Project three: Presentation

Posted on by Belinda Tran

I was quite satisfied with the critiques for my presentation. However, my tutors pointed out how even though my ideas I tried to convey in my work was shown as I spent most on my time working on the entrance and sleeping platform area of my site, I should’ve thought more of the rest of the space (bathroom etc.). I also should have put more detail in my section drawing for occupants to understand how environment Outside the building interacts with the interior of the space.

PROJECT THREE: SLEEP/WAKE TWO STRANGERS

Posted on by Belinda Tran

During the first week, when we were introduced to this project. In the presentation given by the tutors, the following slide stood out to me the most as I found it very interesting as the sleeping platform is able to be used in both spaces. I had decided to use this to inspire my project.

Image result for Alex Wexler projects
http://www.allanwexlerstudio.com/projects/crate-house

Wexler uses a smaller confined space within a larger space for minimal areas to be used allowing the occupant more room to utilize.

Table for the Typical House     2010 http://www.allanwexlerstudio.com/projects/table-typical-house-2010

This is my prototype of my model. I hadn’t thought that much into it when I was making the model. However the wall gave the model the threshold aspect so I decided to include that. I had made the sleeping platform to spin. However, due to it’s lack of stability it tended to tilt even though it wasn’t my intention for it to.

3Broward.jpg
https://www.aaycock.com/broward2008/

After seeing Aycock’s work of Whirls and Swirls and a Vortex on Water (2008) I had decided to keep the unintentional tilt of the sleeping platform as it seems really interesting and I thought with this when the strangers lie on the bed they would need both occupants to lie on the sleeping platform to allow them to feel comfortable. This would be a great start for these strangers to grow comfortable around each other.

Narration
Two strangers that are open to meeting new people but are fearful of initiating a chance of interaction. They both retire from the big city in solitary, into this space where they both meet. However, due to their timidity they lack interaction as they go with their day in the space. When the sun sets and they decide to retire into a slumber on the same sleeping platform. It is then, where they will be in a vulnerable position to be sharing the same space but will find comfort i the balance and presence of the other individual provides.

During this project I thought it is important for correct usage of materials, so I did my research. I had found out that natural materials are the to be used to create the comforting atmosphere I would like to provide for the occupants. The article said ” A thoughtful composition with views to nature can become a form of positive distraction, calming the senses by reducing anxiety.” This is relevant to my project as I would like to create a calming/comforting environment for the occupants so they are able to grow closer.

I had eventually chosen to use wood as the platform where the strangers would rest on and the bottom part holding the platform would be glass. I had chosen this as wood is a natural material so it would help the strangers feel calm and reduce their anxiety of sharing the same space. The glass was chosen because it represent vulnerability/transparency as this would be how the stranger would be feeling.

https://www.contractdesign.com/projects/

Site Map

My site map displays the building the site is located in. I have included images of the view of the city taken over the pedestrian bridge of the city and the outside of the gallery with people outside, highlighting the business and movement there is. As I would like to continue this view as you enter the gallery but would come to a stillness and distancing away from the city life.

Floor Plan

Section

My 1:50 site model does not have much changes to the building. However, I had decided not to include some windows and removed one of the rooms. My reasoning for this is because the windows placed near the back of the site would bring in light into the space when I had intended to be dark. I had removed a room due to having no use for it and to create a larger space for the “stillness” aspect in the space.

Elevation

The elevation drawing especially the right end of the drawing was too light so was hard to capture that part. I had adjusted the lighting after I had taken the photo so it would be should at least a little.

Interior Shots

I have taken shots of the inside of the site to experience being inside. I have included people to document how the space is being used.