Sunday, July 27, 2008

New Casino project in Catalina Island_03



Aperture and Penetration

In this project, there are two methods to deal with aperture and fenestration. One is the controlling the gap between roof edge (eaves) and landscape, and another is controlling the density and proportion of columns and its branches. By this way, I could make the each space different from the others. During the movement along the pathway, the variation of aperture between eaves and ground provide the intentionally controlled views toward the Avalon bay or other spaces like a courtyard. On top of that, ‘the forest of columns’ makes a ‘filter effect’ or ‘frame effect’ from inside to the bay area. For this effect, each columns height, diameter, dividing point of branches are very important factors. I wanted to show this roof structure very gossamer and light and a lot of dividing branches toward 6 provide an appropriate condition to make this expression.

In addition, the transparency of access is another significant factor for discussion about transparency, together with visual transparency which is secured by aperture and fenestration. Aperture makes a physical gate not only where the light can penetrate, but also where people can pass through. In this sense, the existing Casino building consisted of very thick and opaque wall, so people couldn’t go into the building’s inside easily. Only permitted tourists who bought ticket for Casino tour can see inside of the building. The visual transparency of this building has no meaning to person who cannot go into the building. Therefore, transparency of access is an absolute term to feel the visual transparency of building. In this sense, I would like to cite two examples which have opposite characteristics about the transparency of access.

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