2023/01/28 Model Making

Inspire by Glen Taylor and Pierre Sernet. I decided to use various materials to make my conceptual model. It includes timber, clay, knitting wool, paper and fabric. Firstly, I used timber sticks to build a cube shape frame. And then, I divided the cube into four parts to explain the journey of eating disorders. They are “Sick”, “Incident”, “Recover”, and “Normal”. I use different materials to represent various situations in each part. The advantage of multiple materials is they are different in texture, colour and transparency. Thus, it can help me to clarify those four parts which I mentioned in the earlier time. Therefore, light and colour become vital elements in my model. I’ll explain that in the following words with photos.

First, I show a brief view of my model.

Conceptual Model

A diagram explains the model concept.

Concept of My Conceptual Model in Plan View

Part 1 “Sick”

“Sick” is the darkest and most complex part of the model. Bruder Klaus Field Chaple, The chapel design by Swiss architect Piet Zumthor, inspired this part. In this part, I aim to create an intense and depressed space. Therefore, it has a narrow and sharp space inside.

The entrence of “Sick”
Bruder Klaus Field Chapel, <Peter Zumthor-Buildings and Projects> Volum 3
Inside View of “Sick”
Sections of Bruder Klaus Field Chapel , <Peter Zumthor-Buildings and Projects> Volum 3
Inside of Bruder Klaus Field Chapel, <Peter Zumthor-Buildings and Projects> Volum 3

Part 2 “Incident”

This part forms by knitting wool. Compared with “Sick”, “Incident” is less than the sense of “forbidden area”. It’s more like a semi-open space. Material is softer and more colourful. Meanwhile, lights start to go through barriers.

I look back at Peter Zumthor’s work after finishing the model. And I realise the “Incident” has the same design logic as Bregenz Art Museum. The building’s facade was inspired by fog on the lake. Both of them are semi-transparency spaces. However, it’s no doubt that Zumthor’s project is more delicate and elegant than my work.

Outside View of “Incident”
Inside of Bregenz Art Museum, <Peter Zumthor-Buildings and Projects> Volum 1
Inside View of “Incident”
Exhibition Hall of Bregenz Art Museum, <Peter Zumthor-Buildings and Projects> Volum 1

Part 3 “Recover”

The precedent study of this part is the Cuadra San Cristobal design by Luis Barragán. Besides having a substantial visual impact, the whole building project is full of joy and passion. I want to keep his building atmosphere. Hence, I decided to put a series of open walls and doors with bright papers in “Recover” after I referred to his plan.

Soft and Bright Buffers in “Recover” Part
Open Walls in Cuadra San Cristobal, Photo from AMPC Studio (2021)
Soft Curves form the Structures
Water Landscape in Cuadra San Cristobal, Photo from AMPC Studio (2021)
Cuadra San Cristobal – Luis Barragan

Part 4 “Normal”

“Normal” is a Neutral State between “Sick” and “Recover”. It’s a tricky state. I made an open space in there. It represents people can choose by themself to go to either side. “Normal” is a connection, also a decision. It’s up to people’s minds. Besides, it’s also the current situation that I have. I’m back to “Normal” now. But still can go back to “Sick” or stay in “Normal”. Or return to “Recover”. It’s hard to say. It depends on what my decision is.

Open Space in “Normal” Part
The Way leads to “Sick” and “Recover”
Bruder Klaus Field Chapel , <Peter Zumthor-Buildings and Projects> Volum 3

Looking through Layers

Process of Model Making

2023/01/23 Methodology

During the tutorial on Monday. I decided to use my architectural skill to explore my journey of eating disorders. I will make a conceptual model to curry on my project.

Here is a selection from my architecture portfolio at the Sheffield School of Architecture.

‘Plan, Analysis and Relationship’ These are three keywords I learn after the tutorial.

Three keywords after tutorial

Plan: Architecture technical drawing. I am using my architectural skill on projects. 

Analysis: Analyse any factors I put in projects. 

Relationship: Keep remembering the relationship with food. Build /Broken relationships.

2023/01/22 The Incident

<Friends> Season 1 Episode 13

2016 is an important year for me. I was watching an American TV Drama called . There has a famous script “Remember, they’re just food…they’re not love.” Those words are really like an “Apricity” that comes to me. It likes the warmth of the sun during winter. Because, at that time, I felt utterly exhausted from my eating disorders. I thought I was going to be like this forever.

Luckily, I have new thoughts about food after watching this episode. Food is just food, one of the simplest things in the world. If I eat a lot today, I can eat less tomorrow. I felt pain at that time because I made it complicated. Therefore, I started to correct my diet. Finally, my life has changed.

2023/01/20 What’s inside my box? And the answer is…

Eating Disorder.

According to the NHS definition, It is a mental health condition where unhealthy eating behaviours are used to cope with complicated feelings and issues.

I have suffered from an eating disorder for six years, from 2010 to 2016. It starts in my high school. When an eating disorder strikes, I eat a lot more than usual.

I’m born into a traditional Asia family. Of course, My parents love me. But they also want me to become a “good girl” conventionally, be acquiescent and be gentle. As the time I grew up, I felt lost in my way. On the one hand, I am still in the “good girl” field, making everyone feel happy except myself.

On the other hand, I’ve realised I can have different roles in my life. Not just someone’s daughter. The change in my mind made me feel stressed. However, I couldn’t do anything then because I was just a teenager. Food is the only thing I can control.

Therefore, I start to eat a lot. It is a lot. I can eat a big size pizza by myself for lunch or dinner. After that, I also eat cake, cookies and sugar. “Eat” has become a heavy duty in my daily life. I felt my stomach has a hole. It can afford anything. But apparently, it doesn’t. I throw up, eat, and throw up again—a vicious circle.

Meanwhile, my parents didn’t know I was sick. They just thought I’m just hungry because I was a teenager. A teenager should eat a lot.

I felt shame to tell anyone I’ve got a mental health problem. Because there has an invisible rule for fame in traditional thought: “a girl shouldn’t eat a lot.” It is a wrong thing, but I hadn’t realised that. Therefore, I keep using food to cover my anxiety. And I tried to draw my feelings.

<Sweet Tooth>
2014-2015
A self-portrait to document every cake I’ve ever eaten
<Marshmallo>
2014
Keep track of what I have eaten
<Mint>
2014
<Tiramisu>
2014
<Cooking>
2015
<Gombo>
2016
<Brainstorm>
2015
A self-portrait to show my state of mind at the time
<Out of Control>
2015
<Breakfast>
2015
<Butter Toast>
2016
<Chiffon Cake>
2016

2023/01/17 Meet “Box of Uncertainty”

The second project in my MA Applied Immigration course.

Really abstract subject.

According to the Brief, “We would like you to identify or produce a range of objects, or resources, that can be placed into your ‘box of uncertainties’. These objects and resources are intended to represent materials, artefacts, and experiences in your life that provoke you to ask questions about the unknown or places in your areas of interest that you are uncertain about.” I start to look back at my life experience…