Unofficial Post #3: Attempt 1

Unofficial Post #2: Fire Tree

Fire Tree

                        Drawn by: Gabrielle Moran
                        Colored by: Gabrielle Moran, Lorenzo Tenorio and Teejae Benevidez

     This was drawn August 26, 2011 during Bibstud class. Our first attempt in coloring and drawing nature. I suppose you can say we are excited to take our Free Hand and Color Rendering classes. I sure hope to improve on my drawing skills...and mixing colors as well.

Activity 7: Architectural Manifesto

                 Architectural Manifesto: My Future As An Architect

               It has been a long time since I last played with my Lego blocks. I have two buckets full of Lego, and when summer comes I would scatter them on the floor of my bedroom. My mom would always reprimand me for not cleaning up after I play, because I would play with them for weeks! I have Lego plates; they had a green space to put on the Lego and another for the roads. I would stick them together by creating walls and then I would start making structures. After building my colony if I had extra Lego left I would build a space ship. After playing with them and my mother had enough of the messy room I disassemble them until the next time I could play with them again. Lego was part of my childhood; no other toys could make me happier. Along with growing up with Lego, I also grew up living in an old Spanish-Era house, made in the late 20’s. And so I have always been intrigue with the structural designs that an old Spanish-house brings. Since my father is an architect he had the house renovated many times, yet he still retains the facade and the atmosphere of the house. It may as well be the reason why I am fond of old structures found in Vigan and Manila and the old Churches around the Philippines. When my dad will go his job sites I would also go along with him, inhaling the painted walls, saw dust and the mixture of sand and gravel. I would listen to the conversations that my dad would have with the foreman and the engineers on site, listening to the problems and solutions. I do not know why but I enjoyed every minute I had in those job sites, especially the complicated ones because its really interesting how buildings shape up to what they are now.

There are many things that I could have applied for, like interior or Industrial but do not know how nor why, I just knew that deep inside me, I was meant to walk along this path, the path of an architect. My mission: “Provide solutions to the architectural problems of society. Build structures that will stand as an inspiration and one of a kind. Incorporated with these structures are new technologies and an Eco-friendly and organic approach to the designing, and planning future buildings and houses.” I wish to help building houses for the squatters and restore old houses. In a way it is helping the Philippines get back on its feet. I have dreams of creating houses very unique and have an Eco-friendly feel into it. My vision: “Steep in prayer, wisdom, knowledge, creativity and understanding.” Prayer because all the things I do is for God’s greater glory and it is because I get my inspiration and strength from God. Next is wisdom, because of the decisions that I will have to make in the future. I placed knowledge after wisdom so that I know where to use my knowledge and because I need a lot of information in order to design and make structures. The next one is creativity, so that whatever I make is still fun to look at and can inspire others. And lastly understanding, so that I know what I can do and see other people’s perspectives, not only my own. Though this can change in time, my mission and vision, I can improve on them further.  

I want to be seen as the architect who is well rounded. Why, well because I want them to see that I can integrate many things together yet it still creates good impact on the audience and still controlled If not then a playful architect. Or better yet someone unique and isn’t afraid of a little adventure. I want to explore many various things and turn them into a masterpiece. There might be a time I will create something very geometric then the other very organic. I guess you could say I want to be flexible in what I design and also integrating different ways of architecture turning it into a genre of its own.

My philosophy in life often changes, if not always. Yet my past philosophies are embedded on my heart as well because they have helped me see things in another perspective rather than my own. Now, however, I have three different philosophies. One is related to my logo and the other two reflects on my situation. The first is “Be like a sponge, absorb what you can then share it so the whole world can see.” I love to learn new things especially things that are interesting but to the things that bore me I try making them fun to learn. When I learn new things I like to show or tell them to others, or I use them to further improve myself. When I teach others and they too improve then it uplifts my soul because I was able to help someone grow. My second philosophy is “In order to become a leader, you must learn how to become a good servant.” I do not remember who said that but it sure works for me. You could say that ever since I was small I was always the follower, never the leader. I always thought that I would never lead, I’ll always be a follower and I’m good at it but because my dad is such a great leader (family and as an architect) I also wanted to lead but where to start? I never thought I would be the ‘mighty bond’ of my ‘barkada’, but all of a sudden I feel like a bigger part has been handed to me. Whether I am ready or not I take the challenge though I would prefer to be the follower at times, especially when it gets tough, no matter I know I will do my best.  Last but not the least a philosophy that came from my logo: “Let the Rock be the foundation of my life, may it grow and prosper so the world can witness His glory.” This was conceptualized from the book of Daniel 2:44, wherein the Rock smashed the bottom of the statue. The Rock that was not cut by the hands of any human represents Jesus Christ entering the world and starting God’s ministry. I want it to be my foundation because I know that He will not let me down and that I can help in expanding His ministry through my thoughts, actions and works. Rocks have been used since the Neolithic Era and have proven that it can stand strong, but this Rock is different from the others because it was not carved by any man and is stronger than any element on earth.

Though I am just starting to become an architect, I know for sure that I will not back down from the responsibilities that I will face and that no matter what my friends, family and God will be there to give comfort and strength. It is a long process but each moment is something I will treasure and every experience will be something I can use to grow. I may have my limits but I will continue to surpass those limits so that I can reach others expectations and reaching my primary goal in life to be like Jesus a master carpenter.

Activity 6: Scale Model of a POD

What is a POD?
         - POD is a small area designed for the needs of people and it should be portable.

Design Concept: We want to show movement outside of the POD, colorful and attractive as well. The interior, we wanted it to look big despite the small area.

Target Audience: Students of Saint Benilde

Problems:
1. Private working spaces for students
2. A place where students can place their things
3. Sleeping quarters for stranded students (or when projects are taking their toll)
4. How to make it Portable

Solution: 
1. Loft type (Desk under, bed on top)
2. Desk could be inclined
3. Space for things (Cabinet)
4. Glass windows (Could be tinted or one-way mirror)
5. Using steel to make the structure so that it would be lighter and easily disassembled and vice versa.

Top View (Without Bed)

The desk can be inclined, and the shelves are on top.

The Small stair, then ladders going to the bed and a cabinet.

From the outside the fixed sliding door is made our of glass (Tinted or one-way  mirror).

Activity 5: Philosophy In Life

"Above all else, guard your heart,
   for everything you do flows from it."

                                         - Proverbs 4:23

Words that escapes our lips, every thought we thing and every move we take can dictate the course of our lives. That is why we must be careful of what we think before saying the words in our mind or act upon those thoughts. I have always guarded my thoughts, my tongue, and my actions. Maybe that is why I am who I am today; it is because of the restrictions I have placed around me. The word caution is written all over my mind. But by guarding my heart I know that I will not fall nor fail because what I guard myself from is path of wickedness. God will always be by my side and He and His angels will help me follow the path of righteousness. That is why guarding my heart is important in order to not let others falter.

"When you commit to something do it wholeheartedly and never turn away from the responsibilities that lies within." Gabrielle Moran 

                I think the line has made itself clear. When I tried joining many things at the same time, I couldn’t commit to them wholeheartedly meaning my time was half into doing this and that. But because I took the initiative to tackle all responsibilities needed of me I was able to commit myself to all the things I joined, though with great difficulty and time consumed days. Yet it was worth it because I was able to learn many things and I gained the insight of other people.