Reminiscing

Belief played a roll as the wheels were dismantled.

Time flew by with the wind as it brushed my face and swept my hair.

Remembrance of a newly found joy as I road my bicycle for the first time without assistance

observation

OBSERVATION. The power of observation overwhelms the absorption of instruction. It is to experience through another world other than your own.

To notice details is a gift. “…brown-pink creature who released colored dust on his fingers.” The Skin of a Lion, to notice the “peach-green aphid [who] appear[ed] to be constructed of powder.”

Observing is a way of absorption and learning. Whether by sight, touch, or other bodily senses that we have been gifted with.

The wind, the crackling of fire, the chirp of the birds, the chattering of peers, the instruction from experience.

Observation is a powerful tool.

The Book

The book is the binding that holds the craft together, that molds the minds of the observer, and that overlooks the inspiration established. The book is the story that holds its ground, yet leaves room for interpretation and opportunity for imagination to flourish.

The book holds its ground. The book remains firm, while in its own imagination it shapes new imagination from which it is construed.

Within the walls there is an inspiration and imagination flourishing. It is as if stepping into the mind or result of the book.

SILENCE IS BEAUTIFUL

Shoes colliding with pavement, voices echoing, giggles reverberating, wind gusting past, the noises that surround on a blind journey. To be blind, to experience sensations in a diverse way, outside of the norm.

Throughout a chaotic day, sounds may perturb, itch, crawl, and agitate.

Examine the rare, soak in the surroundings in a new light, adore the heightened senses.

Shoes chatting with the brick below, collisions among strangers.

“Don't talk unless you can improve the silence.” Jorge Luis Borges

Silence in one’s mind and blindness in one’s eyes opens up the gateway to an array of wonders. The eyes no longer see to interpret first impressions, while the mind is open to diverse senses that may divulge something novel.

Silence is beautiful.

caught by the sparkle of the rain on the ground

I share the name of a woman addressed by a 14th century Italian poet, I’m a work in progress, learning new every day, with every moment, with something captivating around every corner. Joy is found in the minute, in the magnificent, in the shaded, in the unknown, and in the transparently beautiful.

I find peace in the miracles that abound. I smile at the trees in the summer and sparkle at the flowers in the spring. My heart rushes with the current of water and delights in the reflections of contrasting lights.

I live where the strawberry fields once thrived, where bridges were burned, and men have fallen. I live where there is a rich history of war, and a culture that is now at peace. The wind blows, the river flows with great force, and there is a gathering on the shoals frequently. It is a small world from corner to corner, yet the grains of sand are many, and I am one.

I have a desire to experience new cultures, eat new foods, and travel well. My heart lifts as the planes prepare for flight.

Having my fair share of trials, I endure forward, knowing I am not alone, and I’m on a beautiful journey with the opportunity to leave footprints in the sand.

laura

flourish - prosper - grow

Composer's Retreat - Final Semester Project

CLIENT: WYNTON MARSALIS

In the following assignment we were called to transform our existing garden of light and shadows into a "pavilion" retreat for a particular composer that we chose from an original list.

"Remember that design is about engaging creative exploration, taking risks, and making good decisions." ~ David Matthews

In the development of my new pavilion retreat, I chose to build off of my existing plan. In the previous plan I was inspired by Mies Van der Rohe's clean, modern works. In the original pavilion I chose to create a similar effect that Van der Rohe chose to create in the Barcelona Pavilion, stretching walls beyond the roof or continuing them to create a sense on infinite view or possibly motion. Because my original intent of the first site was to create a long journey to a final destination, this concept of stretching the walls to draw one's eyes towards them and beyond was why I was inspired by his works. I wanted the pavilion to be the final destination on the journey, and by drawing one's eyes to it, it seemed to create this motion.

Once I chose a composer, I began to listen to his music and see how I could transform what I had into the space. I wanted to take a risk and turn the pavilion into the focus of the site. I chose to do a curved roof pavilion because it mimicked the smooth movement of Wynton Marsalis' jazz compositions. I knew it was a risk, but I thought it would be a risk worth taking.

Leaving the major portion of my site similar to my original design, while altering it simply to give a better sense of circulation and motion, I also chose to incorporate a seating area for 4 to 6 people within the major space. I went with an ampitheater-type design facing the south, towards the pavilion, so that the pavilion would remain the focus. The geometric shapes behind were pools of running water to create a slight sound to give peace to the space, as I feel one senses when listening to Marsalis' jazz compositions.

Under the pavilion I incorporated the requirements asked. My non-structural wall consisted of a semi-opaque surface and gloss surface, while surrounded by a repeating pattern lattice wall. The lattice wall was painted a deep green to mimick nature and life. I chose this correlation because of the life in jazz music and to bring ties to the lively motion of the running water at the beginning of the site, while the journey brought you to the grass-covered ampitheater seating.

The curved roof was originally a challenge in understanding how it may structurally be sound, but after discussion with my professor, David, the best solution would be ribbed structural supports. This also allowed a the roof to continue past the point I orignally had desinged, creating the same sense of continuous motion I tried to convey in the site and through the circulation of the site.

In this I learned that taking risks also comes with great consideration, learning new processes is very important, how to use programs and skills in the correct moment and order is key, and obtaining a continuity and reasoning behind every move on a site is of great importance. I am open to criticism and any advice, from this I wish to continue forward. I have learned to consolidate ideas so that a site may not be overwhelming with many strict portions. Overall, while making creative explorations and taking risks is important, making good decisions cannot be left out.