Puzzling Architecture

Based in Chinatown of downtown L.A. this project aimed at creating an art museum that reflected itself as a work of art. Puzzling Architecture was taught by Oyler Wu Collaborative, part of the Barber McMurray Endowed Professorship.

 

Capturing and understanding detailed assembly methods, this project focuses on puzzles and how their intricate configurations can apply to assembly in architecture. After initial studies of Miguel Berrocal’s sculptures we were tasked with creating our own 3D and 2D puzzles. Based on assembly techniques from the Berrocals, we designed pieces that had intricate interconnectivity, created spaces, carved out form, and played with materiality to blur boundaries.

 

A total of three 3D printed models were created with a combination of carbon fiber and black spray paint. From the puzzle models we then began applying more spatial concepts and ideas of circulation and program into a combined model that ultimately became our building design. 

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Team: Kathryn Parker, John Hooten