End of Semester

UT and Sketchup Model Downloads

P.S. The elevator is activated by shooting at it ONCE

P.S. The elevator door for Jobs space is activated by BUMPING on it.

Final Model:

Draft 2:

Draft 1:


Sketchup Elevators and Table Model:

CLICK HERE

Final Model

THE FINAL MODEL

OVERVIEW:

By observing the layout of the whole model, the first thing of interest is the reason behind putting the Zhang space above the Jobs space. There are two explanations to this: one is that money is still a dominant factor in current societies, therefore as Zhang has the upper hand for this aspect, its reasonable to place her at the top; the second reason is that Jobs tend to produce miniature products, therefore I visualize Jobs' building as being miniature compared to Zhang's, therefore not suitable to be placed on top.

ZHANG SPACE:

The power behind Zhang's building is symmetry, where the left and the right of the building is symmetric. Symmetry in a sence symbolize stablility, because no matter how the scale of a symmetric picture is altered, the symmetric property will still remain. This refers to the stability of Zhang's profession as a paper recycler, and also indicates the stability of her income.

This is viewing from the elevator entrance of Zhang's space. As shown, a lengthy walk is needed to walk from the elevator to the building itself. To draw people into the building, I have installed a few orientally-designed arches along the walk way, which creates a sense of scale and as though sucking everything in. Notice how the two building comples having glazing on the wall facing the elevator.

The side entrance of the side building complex. Notice how the side buildings are elevated to a higher platform.

The lower block/arch is the more official entrance to Zhang's space, which mimicks Chinese city wall designs. The circle is the space to insert the company logo of Zhang. The block is bold but open compared to old city wall designs, stating that Zhang's industry is both expanding and strong.

The central stairway to Zhang's main office is contracted inwards to create a greater sense of scale, with the main office radiating Zhang's financial or social dominance.

The side room is slightly tilted backwards, first to allow more sunlight from the glazed side, and the second is to enlarge the ceiling height on one side, creating a more dynamic space. The orientation is also again a play with scale when seen on the outside in order to enlarge the building magnitute.

Another thing to notice is the rectangular beams and coloumns being dressed with a metallic texture to suggect strength and stability in the foundation of Zhang's business.

The glass platform shown in the picture acts a sightseeing element for the pond below (Yes, there's water underneath it), replacing traditional design of making a mini-round-about. The use of glass in this space is an innovation and symbolism of how to intergrate new technology into old designs.

The side pathway here also creates greater circulation of between the main office and the side buildings, indicating how a successful business needs greater circulation.

The main office is also installed with glass for views and sunlight. The office table of Zhang is designed to suit the form of the octagon which appears frequently around the whole space, and its representation very similar to the Zhang elevator.

THE BRIDGE:

As shown, the old bridge provided is bacially demolished and recreated into platforms which functions as pools. The source of the water comes from the original part of the bridge and flows from the top platfrom down to the sides. Then from the sides down to another lower platform.

The water gradually flows to the lowest platform where the elevator entrance is, this creates a general swiftness of flow for the Zhang space, representing fluidity for Zhang's business.

The two picture shows how water from Zhang's space slowly flow down the glass elevator path walls to the octagon beam shown in the 2nd picture which collects the water and slowly drains the water down to the platform shown below.

Finally, the water is flown from this platform into the meeting space floor where the flow of water and Zhang's space comes to an end.

ZHANG'S ELEVATOR

Zhang's elevator start at her space. When activated, the elevator moves down the octagon glass hallway and follows the flow of water as indicated perviously to the meeting space.

Zhang's elevator start at the meeting space. Design of elevator is explained in my other post so i will not repeat again.

MEETING SPACE:

For the meeting space, I have tried to integrate the simplistic design of Jobs with the wealth sybolism of Zhang. The resulting space is a glass cube surrounded by a metal frame. The cube represents the power of form while the curved and lavish metallic frame represents the power of wealth. The cube is divided into 3 levels: the top for Jobs, the middle for the dining table and the bottom for Zhang's place. Zhang is located at the bottom this time to finish the flow of water from the bridge above. Note how rail designs merge in the middle.

The sybolism of the table is also discussed in another post. Note how the red cusions stand out drastically as none of the model has sharp red color. This automatically defines the meeting space and isolates this area from the others. Another elements the glaze floor for Job's top floor, it is done to increase the openess of the meeting floor.

JOB'S ELEVATOR

This is Job's elevator start at the meeting space. Again, the design of it is explained already in another post. The elevator is accompanied by the arc-like glass doors which slide open on contact.
This is the view of the Jobs space when descending from the elevator.
This is Jobs' elevator start at Jobs' space. Glass doors are also installed for this space.

JOBS SPACE:

After considering the power behind Jobs space is the power of form. Jobs make products which are simple and iconic and so will be this architecture. The form of the building is based on different products produced by Jobs, which Jobs himself would have approved of.

The exterior is plated with slick and reflective steel planes, while the interior is covered entirely in vivid blue carpet. This emplifies the power of simplicity in relation to form for Jobs space. In order to not create another symetrical structure, i have displaced one of the platforms to the bottom. This creates a straightfoward flow for the whole design, which is similar with Jobs' products, and in the same time creates unique spaces that can be distinguished easily.

This is elevator entrance to Jobs' space. Notice how the directional textures on the sides focusing on the same direction and drawing people into the building.

The entrance is erected with slabs of decreasing proportion, again playing with scale and giving attention to the entrance of the space.

The innovation of this entrance design was first inspired by one of the various Apple store entrances. Then meaning is integrated to it as the increasing size of slabs represents the increase in volume (as in sound), and by using a text texture, the entrance is almost as if shouting a message to the bypassers with increasing volume.

These few pictures show the 3 distinct areas within the Jobs space. The most interesting feature of the interior is how the carpet covers the whole of the interior, even the roof, and displays the power of completeness and uniformness. The last two pictures shows the staircase which lead to the main office on the top floor.

This is Jobs' main office in his space, the circular glazing on the top and sides provide ample daylight within the office. Considering this room is the smallest within the 4, it amplifies its dominance over the other rooms. The desk for Jobs is also based on the general form of the building, and used same metallic textures to resonance with the whole structure.

Marksheets of other work

2nd Draft Screens

This is the overview of the second draft. As shown, The two spaces are already very much in shape. Basically, the only difference between the final and this draft is mainly orientation of the spaces and application of textures.

This is the Jobs space, like what I have mentioned before it takes shape of various products designed by Jobs himself.

This is the meeting space, the interior is still in development but the form of the space would remain.

This is the Zhang space, which is very oriental-like as I have stated in my conceptual thinking. Someone stated that my tutor would fail me for making my model too real or too cultural, I hope not... (/gulp).

Elevators and Dining/Meeting Table

Dining/Meeting Table:

The first element of this table would be the curved table surface, it is curved in all six sides so the four corners of the table, which symbolizes expansion. This includes the expansion of wealth, the expansion of ideas, and of course the most important --- the expansion of ego.

The two half circle stands which support the table has used glass in order to create an effect as though as the upper table surface is floating above the ground, this symbolizes noblety and superiority, and also is another symbolism of ego.

The red cusions which accompany the the table creates a significant contrast between it and the table. This not only furthur articulate the centre slab, but also makes the dining table more iconic and easily identifiable.

Steve Jobs' Elevator:




As Job focuses on simplicity in design, I have made his elevator into a circle, which is going to be accompanied by a long glass tube which sucks the elevator up or down. This also feels like the most efficient design of an elevator for an efficient man.

There will be a set of arc-shaped glass doors installed in front of the elevator, which would open up the entrance by rotating along the elevator. It also prevents the blocking of view outside of the elevator.

Zhang Yin's Elevator:

As i have mentioned before Zhang is not a creative person, which bring me to the design of this elevator, which is simple and resembles my final model design for its octagon shape.

The different sides of push-ins and pull-outs is actually another symbolism of how even something simple can have details, which refers to Zhang's paper recycling profession, a field she must have excelled in.