Author: Miko Coronado

Returning from Santiago, Chile

When I return home from Santiago, Chile, the first thing I thought was that I am very grateful that I had this opportunity. I learned a lot about architecture, landscape, and about myself.
The experience of seeing the project we learned in a lecture on the site and taking time to sketch on the site was very special. Especially design details that correspond to the climate and locations (such as sun shading strategies etc), I could understand clearly by being at the exact site.

One of the most interesting things about the city of Santiago was how it interacts with water, pedestrians, and landscape.
The water was used in many different ways in everywhere through the city. different forms of water vary from fountains and ponds in parks, steam fan in a metro station, and water walls and falling water art in a mall. It was clear that the water element was utilized to cool down from the hot weather. In contrast, when we went to Valparaiso, water elements were less used in the city due to colder weather.

The driveway and pedestrians street are very close in Santiago. First, I was feeling it is close to Tokyo, Japan. However, as I see more places, I felt that the separation between driveway and walkways is more ambiguity than Japanese street. Not only the walkways on right next to driveways but also many parks, restaurants’ seating areas, benches, tennis courts, markets, and even kids parks were located on the right next to driveways, sometimes next to highways. Usually, vegetations, section level, lower objects (ex. semi-sphere stones at Plaza de Armas) and/or material shift separates the two zones. They are very ambiguity separations and I sometimes felt it may not safe. However, I also thought it is very interesting how density the city is and pedestrians space are more dominant in the city, trying to maximize the pedestrian’s spaces.

This was the first time to sketch on site. First, I struggle to find a good spot to draw and how to express my findings of the building. As I sketch more and more, I could find what I am most interested about the project, and how to sketch them better and faster. I feel I can analyze buildings better now and I actually enjoy sketching. I will definitely continue to bring a sketchbook when I travel.

I learned many skills to analysis. I am very happy I could travel with my classmates and all members could return safely.
I appreciate the instructors for planning this travel and provided various opportunities for us to learn. Thank you!

Copper Wall Openings

Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral’s copper surface was very interesting to me. The first sketch is showing my analysis of the panels which is being used to create the surface. I observed two types of panels. One from least to middle-level opening. The other one is from middle-level opening to a max level of openings. The surface is created by the combination of these two types of the panels by cutting in a different size, flipping upside down and gathering/scattering the same level openings.
For the wall, more north side and the top has more openings to let light into the building. Less opening panels are used on the bottom of the wall more for the privacy. The second sketch and the third diagram is showing the organization of opening levels.

it was great to learn how the simple panels can create a variety of surface expression as well as the shading system.

2 Panel types idea diagram

 

West side wall: higher it goes, it has bigger and more frequent openings. lower wall has less and smaller openings.

 

organization of opening diagram: more openings on top for light and less opening on bottom for privacy. Also north side has many openings for light.

East side wall image

west side wall image

Transparency Inside/Under the Thickness

I was very excited to visit one of the Pritzker winning building today. It is Alejandro Aravena’s the Innovation Center at his graduated university

The dynamic openings are very deep and high (three story hight) which control the light and separate spaces inside. The contriver blocks were creating shadow and adding powerful gesture for the project. The simple shape and move, but the project stand out from surroundings due to its large scale. While the entire project’s scale is very large, the façade treatment/molding patterns match to human scale. The color changes slightly on the bottom. About 1/3 of bottom façade are darker than the above facade which adds visual volume and dense on the bottom.

Unlike the heavy and sublime feelings on the exterior, the interior spaces are very open and transparent. When you ride the elevator, you can see all of the floors and even the parking garage in the underground. A large part of its structures are exposed and an excessive amount of glasses are used. The light through the skylight and the punctured openings reflect those glasses. It makes the datum wood framings look like floating. The view from the openings is fantastic. I could see the view from the elevator. It was hard to believe that we were in the thick volume building when you see how transparent to the outside from the inside.

My sketch trying to show the volume of the balconies and the cantilever.

Inside: central void space looking up. Excessive lighting and reflection makes wood frames look floating

The Campus lo Contador was very surprising. I was not very prepared for this visit but it ended up a very great experience. I liked how they used the underground level and the ground level. I usually avoid using an underground level on my project because of the lighting issue. This project taught me how effective it can be to utilize the underground level, how to lets light in, and how to connect to the ground level.

Campus lo Contador: Section Sketch

Into the Darkness (Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino)

Dark stairs with minimum light on the handrail

Today is Day2 in Santiago, Chile trip. I was very excited and had high expectation about the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino from today’s itinerary. As soon as we enter the museum, I started to explore the underground level’s exhibition. The experience going to the underground level and the exhibition space were incredibly amazing. The stair walls become higher and the white wall becomes black and darker. It is dark that you can not see the path you just came down when you look back. I felt that both walls are getting closer and make the path narrower because of the darkness and the tall black walls. When you arrive at the underground, you will see lighting from the top, spotting the gate to lead the guest to the exhibition space. Once you enter the exhibition room, it opens up dramatically with the three-story height walls. Both ends space have a higher ceiling with top light from the ground level. The soft light falls to the historical Chilean arts. All of the characteristics of the space such as the dramatic space characteristic change from the path, darkness, high ceiling, materials, and top lights makes the exhibited arts gracious/holly look, and makes visitors be quiet. There were many visitors in the space. However, it was very quiet I could even hear the sound of the air conditioning and feels the air flow. The quietness and darkness stimulate the visitor’s senses sharper. I had a great experience today. I am excited about the rest of the stay as well!

 

Stair analyze sectional diagram sketch

stair sketch

 

Diagram sketch of the underground exhibition: plan and three walls facade

Miko’s Pre-Departure Post

Buenos días!

I can not believe it comes so quick. In about 6 hours from now, we will be flying to Santiago Chile.
I remember that when I transfer to the Ohio State University, the advisor at Knowlton Hall was explaining a variety of study abroad programs at the Knowlton school. I was really excited and thought if I would be able to join.

As I started the Knowlton program, I started to feel fear to apply for these study abroad programs due to the financial matter and the fear of traveling with a group of people I may not comfortable with. However, Fortunately, I got wonderful friends, and we were able to apply to this class together. Aimee always makes her lectures very interactive and had some activities to make classmates know each other.

I am now very excited to travel with my classmates and friends! and I am excited about the colorful mountain town, Street dogs, Vega Market’s food, and the Chilean Cultural Museum. My only regret now is that I did not have enough time to research fun places for the free time. But, I still have a long flight time which is perfect for last minutes research! I will double check with my baggage and…. I am ready to go!!