how is galeries lafayette mega?

My understanding of mega is not only that something is big, but that it appears that way. The galeries lafayette is not mega, it appears mega. The facade of the building reflects the surrounding skyline while the entry-level is transparent and glows with light. By viewing other buildings reaching the sky on the exterior glass, galeries lafayette is the tallest - it merges construction and nature.
The interior atrium is not mega either, based purely on size. It is not an impressive megastructure. But what Jean Nouvel designed is mega because he has created a structure that appears to reach infinity. When you stand on the ground floor and look down into the atrium, the glass and reflections seem to carry the cone shape downward - here exists the illusion of infinity.

24.09.06 progress

All of the foam and masonite ribs have been cut on the CNC. We have finally won the battle (over control of the CNC... we have owned it for the last week at least). Next is fitting in the clear side panels. They are sandwiched between outer masonite rings and held in place by a layer of foam. The SUMO logo looks amazing! We are glueing the last of the chair - the end is near. The SUMO is going to be beautiful! Clean-up and then all that is left is the door (and any other finishing touches).

graphics proposal

graphics proposal for lexan or lucite side panels

foam ribs

First foam ribs cut with the CNC! Check out the cool joints!
Today Vinnie and Trevor taught us how to use the CNC to cut the foam using two different files. They built a wood frame to keep the foam up from the base so that the router can cut all the way through the material. It seems pretty easy to use. All that is left to do after the CNC finishes cutting is to sand off the tabs and fit the ribs together.

lost in translation

This is me, before going down to the woodshop!

tgif

My work for today consisted of making changes and modifying the pod file, helping melissa research and test solutions for seating cushions, and glueing the wooden rods to the cardboard ribs of our rather unsturdy lifesize model. My face expresses all of my feelings at this moment...

galeries lafayette

In exploring MEGA, what is bigger than the building itself? Structure is what it is, but elements such as light and space have the ability to change a person's concept or sense of a building. Do these elements force someone to think in terms of scale? Can buildings appear to be larger, deeper, wider, or taller than they really are?

I am doing a study on a series of independent megastructures lining Friedrichstrasse in Berlin. The first, located on block no.207, is the building accomodating the Galeries Lafayette, a french department store. It was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel from 1991-1993, and constructed from 1993-1996. From the outside, the building's sleek glass surface shows a reflection of the sky and surrounding buildings. Not only does the reflection cover the large glass structure, but it gives pedestrians a phenominal view. The four sides of the building AND the roof are made of glass; transparency, which is simultaniously paired with reflection, enhances both lighting and views inside and out; it is a theme to carry light to the inside space, but also give off light to the outside at night. Lighting makes the building appear taller, longer, and larger and makes the inside appear more open. Inside the building, there is an atrium structure made of two cone shapes, one inverted and covering the lower cone. The larger cone opens from the ground level to the ceiling (seven storeys) and the smaller cone penetrates the four underground floors.




The building's eleven storeys are opened up by this whirlwind-like shape to allow natural light into every level from one common core. The light filters in and fills the central space, enabling people to see not only reflections, but all other floors up and down. A person can view the multifunctions of the building by looking through the glass. From the ground level opening, one could lean over and look up or down into the atrium. When I was there, I saw people shopping, dining, working, etc. I also wondered what would happen if I dropped something into the lower part of the atrium, which seems to spiral down infinately.