Author: Natalie Perri

Santiago Chapter Personal Reflection

My chapter in Santiago, Chile has been written and finished. I have been so lucky to experience Santiago and Chilean culture with my peers and I discovered a lot more architectural design and structural systems. I can already tell my personal adventures abroad will influence my studio projects, as I was so inspired by everything that I saw. From Chile’s metro stations to cultural centers to their sustainability designs, I personally believe America’s melting pot of culture can learn from them and adapt promptly. 

As I stated earlier, I believe that students should learn not only inside the classroom but outside as well. I never would have taken away my new perspective after reading a textbook or attending one lecture. Undoubtedly, these academic perspective allows for formal training, however,  by experiencing architecture first hand, I know I grew as a student. 

Traveling to Santiago made me eager to experience other cultures. I am thirsty to engage with other types of sustainability designs that other countries have effectively incorporated into their cultures. Not only is this practical and functional, sustainability guarantees a much brighter future for future generations to enjoy this culture that my generation can have an impact on through architectural design. 

Although this chapter has concluded, I cannot wait to begin a new one. And of course, I will always refer back to this chapter and recall what I have learned and how it has impacted me. In all,  my travels to Santiago have been absolutely wonderful. I will miss it but remember it with smiles. 

Exterior Facade Design at the Centre Gabriela Mistral

At Centre Gabriela Mistral, I was primarily focused on the cladding technique. Not only does the oxidized steel serve to block sun, but has a various aesthetic features. The building’s ambition of transparency is clearly achieved with its exterior facade design. Specifically, there is a clear system of solids versus voids on each sheet of steel. There is a small, medium, and large size. These panels arrange the several sizes of voids across the sheets, yet remaining in a very strict gridded organizational system. The panels are then hoisted up to elegantly wrap the entire building.

 

This sketch is overlaid on top of a photograph, showing the gridded facade design of the punctured oxidized steel.

 

Not only does this exterior quality serve for aesthetic purposes, it also acts as an exterior sun screen. By using this cladding technique, less sun radiates and warms the building throughout Chilean hot summers. This is a very sustainable idea for cladding a building, as it improves a building’ efficiency. 

Detail of the connection merging the exterior building to the steel facade skin. Note the various sizes in voids in the steel and how the light is filtered to inside of the building.

Another unique component of the Centre Gabriela Mistral is that it blends many artworks into its design. For instance, on the exterior there’s a large stained glass roof feature. The beautiful colors will radiate into the covered courtyard space.

Pictured shows how the roof stained glass roof features bleeds its colors onto the facade. This creates interesting lighting designs.

The colors will bleed onto the oxidized brown steel, adding color and breaking the monotonous organization of the steel panels. In all, the exterior facades have been gracefully designed, through a clear system. Not only does this cladding serve a unique aesthetic purpose, making it a very iconic building in Santiago, it also serves sustainability purposes. 

Detail of the stained glass feature on the top of the roof in the outdoor atrium space.

Sculptural Installations at San Joaquin

At the UC Campus San Joaquin, one particular design aspect truly captured my attention. In front of the innovation center, there was a sculptural piece, comprised of several concrete orbs. The spheres consisted of various sizes, with a diverse range in height and diameter. The installation was interesting. At first glance, I assumed it was just a sculpture garden. Located in front of the innovation center, I assumed, like most museums, they were displaying some sculpture or art piece that compliments the architecture of the building, and also hints at the main entrance to visitors and building occupants. However, after further observation, these concrete pieces are not only sculptural and can be used for a social gathering space. 

The innovation center shows how the floors are obscured and obstracted, but also shows how the concrete becomes somewhat sculptural. The series of wooden form work indentation on the concrete becomes a sculpture in and of itself.

From my observations of Chile so far, similar pieces like these concrete orbs are found throughout parks, campuses, and exterior spaces. With the beautiful Chilean climate region, it encourages users to explore exterior spaces more, versus in colder climates, these exterior spaces are not as mindfully designed. Even the planters on campus have a gentle lip to them, to encourage students and visitors to sit outside, enjoy the weather, and engage in discussions with their counterparts. 

Sketch analysis of the concrete spheres outside of the innovation center. Shows the various sizes of this sculptural piece.

At the innovation art center, there were several sets of these balls clustered together. This not only allows for users to move toward the shade with the moving sun. But also, it shows strength in numbers, and has a heavier, more dominate presence versus if there was just one cluster of them. Furthermore, the shape of them strongly contrasts with the linearity of the innovation center. This juxtaposition strongly identifies and diagrams exterior space and interior space.

An exterior shot of the innovation center, on campus. The jut out beaks the box and barrier of the defined building.

Various Lighting Manipulations at the Pre-Columbian Art Museum

At the Pre-Columbia’s Museum, designed by Smiljan Radic, there are several circumstances in which Radic manipulates natural and artifical light. Both interiorly and exteriorly, the architect successfully created various lighting conditions, that relate to the museum’s program and space usage. The aspirations of the lighting design allow visitors to experience a variety of emotions as they progress throughout the museum.

The artifical lights, against the white interior walls are positioned against the darker materials used Radic for the circulatory.

 

At the lowest level, Radic incorporates natural exterior light, from the main level courtyard. It filters in subtly and reflects against the floor, which has a sheen to it, complimenting the other dark building materials used at this level. A sense of uncomfortableness is perceived, yet peacefulness when noting the natural light creeping in.

Sketch analysis of the lowest level at the Pre-Columbian Museum, showing how light slightly filters in from the skylight. It’s very subtle, and heavily contrasts against the dark materials used.

Lastly, Radic predominantly uses natural light on the upper levels. On the ground level, the atrium features an ETFE roof. This glazing feature allows natural light to deep into the atrium space. The ETFE allows the light to not be too harsh. It’s very welcoming, and is gentle to visitors. It encourages them to enter and feel comfortable with the space. It is not as harsh as the interior, lower level darkness. In short, the multiple lighting juxtaposed give the visitors a chance to not only immerse themselves with the artifacts but also the architecture.

The roof glazing filters the light so it is not too harsh, giving a more calming experience.

Pre-Departure Reflection

Saint Augustine once said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” I personally believe traveling the world is essential for education but also for personal fulfillment purposes. It’s important to experience a variety of cultures. People can grow in a multitude of ways that they perhaps would have never done inside a classroom.

For me, I have always dreamed of going to South America. I just never had a program I could happily participate until now. I currently look at my fully packed suitcase, eager to being this journey tomorrow. I cannot wait to discover a realm of different culture. I have been graced with an amazing opportunity to blend my love for traveling with architecture. I know I will discover first-hand a different form of design, influenced by Southern American cultures.

The highs and lows of traveling all create such a unique experience for every individual. My personal highs for an adventure like this is discovering local cuisine, conversation with locals, and exploring traditional neighborhoods, parks, and streets. Conversely, I am not looking so much forward to the long, tedious flight. Regardless, they all comprise this journey to Santiago, Chile, and I cannot wait until it commences! I am beyond excited to broaden my horizons and read a couple more pages that the world innately holds in its colossal book.

Natalie Perri’s Biography

My name is Natalie Perri and I am a third year architecture student at The Ohio State University. I transferred into architecture’s major as a second year. I was previously an Industrial Design major at OSU. I have always loved art since I was a young girl, but definitely wanted to incorporate creativity but also S.T.E.M. into my career field. After I changed majors, I fell in love with architecture ever since. I am also the residential advisor and coordinator for the architecture, landscape architecture, and city scholars at OSU.

I grew up in Norristown, PA, which is approximately a half an hour outside of Philadelphia. I absolutely love my hometown. A fun fact about me is that I am adopted from Russia. I think about my humble beginnings often and am grateful for these life adventures, such as traveling to Santiago, as a blessing. I am so excited to study abroad this spring!

Regarding my family, I come from a middle-sized Italian-American family. I have one biologically related brother, Nicholas, who studies cyber security in New York. My father works as an HVAC contractor and my mother works as a receptionist. My grandmother, Natalie, is eighty-eight years old and also resides with my immediate family. I am proud to say I am named after such an amazing woman.

My hobbies include drawing, painting, photography, anything creative really! Unfortunately, I am terribly bad at anything involving hand-eye coordination. Therefore, I express myself through visually creative outlets. Another interesting hobby of mine is learning American Sign Language. I absolutely fell in love with this expressive, visual language. I hope one day to be fluent in ASL.