Reflective Diary

1st Week

On the first week I started my research about Paradise that is the theme for my Final Major Project.
I also research about Contemporary Architecture and existing 3D models, because it did help me a lot to analyse my own ideas, as I wasn’t sure about what my house could look like, because I had no designs.
The first week, I also started to gather information about materials that I could use and also the properties of them, so I know that it was the right materials to use.
I got pictures and examples of 3D models and analyse them, because it did help me to understand what I could do and what could be more difficult to obtain and included on my research.
With the research about the 3D models and Contemporary houses it made me understand that I would to really think about my design and I would I make it meet my statement of intent.

On the second week I researched about architects that I like and that helped me to develop my ideas through their work.
I also researched about model makers, because as I am doing a 3D model, it is always useful to know about the people that make this a job. And also there’s websites about Model Makers that give some advices and tricks.
I also researched about the equipment that I would need and explained why I would use them.
Even that my Statement of intent says that I would start making my 3D house model during 2nd and 3rd week, I thought that it would be way better if I get all the research needed during the first 3 weeks, because once I started my final major project I did understand that wasn’t as simple as I thought and also that I would need way more information that what I thought I would need. Also because once I start making the house, I don’t want to do it wrong and have to start all the way from the beginning, I want to make it properly so I will use my time and research effectively.

During the third week I researched about Architectural drawings to have a brief Idea of what it is, and I did my house designs using different types of media as: water colours, pencil & pen.
I also used Sketchup to make my designs digitally as it is always better to have them done in 3D (digitally) and so I could see all the views I want of the house. Also I did some research about SketchUp and computer software to create houses.
On the 3rd week I did the floor plan too, and I realised a problem –different countries have different house areas, and so I would have to find a country where my house could fit in the environment and also the size of it.-so I had to do a brief research on it also.
To finish the 3rd week I did some sample work, as I was supposed to start making the actual 3D model, and also I tried some new techniques I learned on YouTube.
After all even that I didn’t start the making, the research I did on the 3rd week was really useful because I would realise this problems way to late and then I would have to get a quick solution, so as I realised earlier it was easier to research about it and find a way to make my ideas fit in the required information.

On the 4th week I started making my 3D model , as my designs and plan was finished.
During the first week I started making the support for my house, as I didn’t want it directly on the floor because it is right in front of the beach. Instead of going directly for my final 3D model I did a sample model, to have a brief Idea how I should stick my walls together and how to make the windows, as I tried out on my samples before.
I started making the first outside walls, to have the outside shape of the house, also I also cut out the windows and doors and put everything together. It took me some days, as I had to measure everything and check all the positions.
I also did my samples with paper of the floor, as inside the house I wanted stairs, so I had to make samples to be able to cut it properly on the foam board.
It was a difficult week as when I started I didn’t know what to do first, but at the end of the 4th week I had my ideas organised and I knew what I had to do!

On the 5th week I carried on with my construction.
During 5th week I made the inside walls and put them together, so the form of the house was making sense now with all the windows and doors. Also I made the stairs that give access to the 1st floor.
I also finished the ground floor and started the 1st floor. Once again I used paper to make samples of the floor and started to make all the windows on the walls and doors to be able to stick them together. After having all the windows done I did measure all of them to place the acetate to create the idea of glass.
I was able to finish my house in the 5th week as my trick was to measure and make all the walls first and only after stick them together, it did save my time because I know I would of wasted lots of time trying to fit all the walls together, and as I had all the measurements it was easy to make them right.

During the 6th week I checked all of the walls of my house to see if they were right or not, also placed the roof on the top, and my house was completed.
On the 6th week I managed to make my garden and balcony for the house, also I was able to make the outside space for the house, to give the beach atmosphere.

On the last week all I did was checking my house and put everything properly as the garden and the house together, I also glued the sand and it would come of if done before.
I checked all my research on sketchbook to see if something was missing, and evaluated all my work.