the Project V&A at Dundee - kengo Kuma

Last month I had been to the Library of Abertay Dundee University to see the V&A exhibition. There are six design plans for the Dundee Waterfront Project. All of them are very stunning. I chose the one that is designed by Kengo Kuma as my favorite. First I was attracted by its amazing appearance. It is a very modern design, its shape is like two inverse Centrum. The external wall of it is consisted of many sheets, and there are many spaces on the wall. It must be very beautiful during the night, and together with the reflection in the sea, a tempting image of Dundee’s beach can be created.

The most difference from other five designs is that this project has the walkway around the building. People can come here to go for a walk or do some sports. Due to this, this building is not just a museum. There is a huge hall in this building, it can be used as the publish place. People can have a seat and relax themselves here when they are tired. Furthermore, there is a big hole between the two parts of this building, it looks like a door for the old ship near it. Other five projects are very good as well, and have their own distinct characteristics.

PS: Kengo Kuma is a famous Japanese architect. He has won many projects including the prestigious Architectural Institute of Japan Award.

Last Project - Analysis of Precedent

The

The project done by our group during last three weeks is named Rudin House. The designers are Herzog & De Meuron. They won the Pritzker in 2001 and they are good at using single material to achieve unusual effects. Like this house, it is made of concrete and there are no ornaments on the external walls. It looks quite simple, just like a big stone lying at the foot of a hill.

This house is stand on three columns and some walls. There is a thick platform between the house’s body and the columns. On one side of the platform is a water pool, like the model’s picture show. We can see the sky, the sun from the water. In addition, the water pool has another function - it can collect the rain water which is transmitted by the gutter on the roof. 

The staircase between first level and second is very amazing. We made the model of this part(left picture), it is very narrow and this space is directly to the roof with no floors. A window on the roof provides sunlight for the stairs. At the end of this staircase is three rooms, two bedrooms and a big shower room, they are very harmonious. Assuming a visitor walking on the severe stairway and suddenly he gets into the harmonious bedroom, he must feel very impressive.

This project is teamwork, we have faced many difficulties in this project, and this is a start, we are ready for the next….