P3 Detail Development Presentation

Be prepared to present your details in tomorrow's studio. This presentation should include a section matrix at 1/8". I explained or sketched this type of drawing with most of you. It is a building section with a minimum of detail. It indicates the limits of the project envelope and the jogs and shifts of envelope that create spaces that mitigate inside and outside (spaces and atmospheres) BUT, most importantly, including lines of structure: column lines and bearing heights (floors in most cases). This section establishes the parameters on which your detail exists. This drawing is very much like the one you will do in the future with your structural and other engineers. You will box out your details in this section matrix.
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Check this post again later for specifics on the details. 

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Now is later.

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As you've heard to many times now detail is very important to me. You've also heard me say that I want to teach you what I can about detail. Without saying it again, I want to ask you to get together and take your best shot at it. I know, it doesn't require a knowledge of Rhino or Photoshop, etc. It does require a knowledge of architecture. Funny, that's what we're supposed to teach you. (Not funny, ha-ha, funny, ironic).

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Details contain the necessary but not always visible substance of architecture. Space and the experience of it exists as an effect or side-effect of the particular combination of materials that details describe. In this way details are sublime. I have a tear in my eye.

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Details also contain the information necessary to describe the constructability and durability of  architecture. The detail is the most important component of the communication between designer and builder. Because of this it is also the place where the practical concerns of building (space creation) are encountered and (hopefully) solved. I have seen hundreds of sets of construction documents, by as many architects. I have seen building contractors curse and admire an architect's details. I always wish for the latter. I wish it for you. I have a tear in my other eye. (On second thought, if they curse you, I want it to be because you have describe a difficult detail in order to create an otherwise impossible experience).

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In our travels we have seen a range of constructions requiring a range of solutions both spatially and technically. On one end is Markli's La Conguinta (the concrete boxes in Giornico), the requirements for which are: a shelter particular to the display of special art, be durable and keep water (rain, snow, sleet, ice) out. Not exactly weather tight in all respects and certainly not comfortable for long human habitation (except perhaps cro-magnon). On the other end might be the Edificio de Oficinas Media-TIC en el 22@ Barcelona by Ruiz. The building is a technical tour-de-force with a mixed use program and climate control craziness suspended in a monkey-bars structure. My point in bringing these projects up is simply to say, your details will demand attention toward different concerns depending on the job the building is doing at the point of the detail. Sometimes space will be virtually all that matters (generically speaking, when water and atmosphere are not concerned). Sometimes water or air or sound will be what matters and envelope will be the driver in the placement and arrangement of material. I describe what I mean by material below. This is important. Many of you think only of finishes.

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With the three above paragraphs in mind it will be apparent that your details must include the following information.

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MATERIAL - Material means:

primary structure (steel shapes, precast concrete, cast-in-place concrete, composite systems, timber, engineered wood, etc)

secondary structures (steel shapes, 

sheathing

membranes and flashing

cladding

glazing

screens

and of course finishes (that are not already included above).

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LABELS and GUIDES - labels and guides are the denotative information required to specifically describe the materials and the intricacies of their configuration since they are necessarily shown using a reductive symbol language. Include the following information:

Materials (be as specific as you can. use an arrow with text, called a leader)

Column Lines (use a centerline linetype with a letter or number bubble).

Bearing Heights (use a target elevation mark)

Dimensions (there is a logic to dimensioning: dimension assemblies together and then associate them with a reference such as a column line or elevation line)

If materials are the visible finish label them "exposed". For example, "exposed board formed cast-in-place concrete"

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Deliverables.

Section matrix at 1/8" marked with detail location boxes.

3 details at 1 1/2" = 1'-0" minimum

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Do your best. Deliverables may be posted on blog (be sure they are legible) or posted on wall.

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