Week 1: Raiding The Pantry

The first design exercise in Design Practice-2 class involved a lot of making! We had to select 3 ingredients out of a list of 11 to start with this entire process. These 3 ingredients had to be associated with the materials/ matter we use in our creative practice. Then with the help of different methods/ tools/ processes, these ingredients had to be explored to make postcard sized artefacts. Constraints of time and scale (postcard size) were used to produce these artefacts. Time constraint was 12@5mins, 12@10mins, 12@15mins, 12@30mins, 3@1hour. The artefacts also had to in someway reflect our research question.

My Over-arching Research Question (Version-9)

How can we create an experiential, dynamic, biophilic free play space for children in order to nurture holistic development and provide a prototype for developing a child-friendly community space?

Ingredients:

The 3 ingredients I selected were – 1)Raw 2)Porous 3) Sticky

I divided my time constraints equally for each ingredient so that I could explore each one diligently.

1)RAW

Raw means sensitive, tender, open, exposed, something which can combine well with other ingredients.

Nature is Raw – it is sensitive, open, exposed and can easily combine well with humans. Children are also Raw – they are tender, sensitive and can adapt easily to different environments. These are two main contexts in my research project. Through my research project I am exploring how biophilic spaces can help in nurturing children. In the following artefacts I have used hand drawing/sketches and models as my tools as this helps me explore and connect with the ideas better.

4 artefacts @ 5 mins – Raw

The first 4 defined the material board for my project. Some of the ‘Raw’ materials that I would explore in my project. Materials/elements from nature make interesting, involving and sensorial play surfaces for children

4 artefacts @ 10 mins – Raw

Tree with a Wooden seat around is a ‘Raw’ free play space

Heaps of fallen Autumn Leaves are ‘Raw’ free play spaces

4 artefacts @ 15 mins – Raw

Reflection of Trees on Glass forms interesting ‘Raw’ patterns

Tree Shadow on Wall forms interesting ‘Raw’ patterns

Reflection of Trees on Water forms interesting ‘Raw’ patterns

4 artefacts @ 30 mins – Raw

Playing on these wooden planks through the woods is ‘Raw’ free play.

These wooden logs arranged at varying levels and patterns form ‘Raw’ free play space.

Patterns with grass and stone pavers on floor form ‘Raw’ free play space

Grass Tunnel Mounds are ‘Raw’ free play spaces

1 artefact @ 1 hour – Raw

2)POROUS

Porous is something which alters movement of one material to the other.

Inside-Out and Outside-In spaces are Porous. Permeable spaces which form a network of connections with each other are Porous. Spaces which absorb or engage are Porous. Transparent surfaces are Porous. Through my research project I would like to explore Porous spaces which are seamless and can absorb children for long hours.

4 artefacts @ 5 mins – Porous

Layered Walls with cutouts of different shapes and sizes are ‘Porous’

4 artefacts @ 10 mins – Porous

Framed blank glass/ transparency is ‘Porous’

Perforations on film or facade are ‘Porous’

Perforations in film or surfaces form patterns which are ‘Porous’

4 artefacts @ 15 mins – Porous

Spaces which have Connections Inside out and Outside in are Porous spaces

Spaces which actively engage or absorb children are Porous

Getting the Outside in…… to form Porous Spaces

3)STICKY

Sticky spaces makes one’s stay/ experience longer or linger on more.

Sticky spaces are attracting, inviting and engaging. Sticky spaces add curiosity or surprise. They can easily add the Wow factor to any space.

4 artefacts @ 5 mins – Sticky

Black Canvas is Sticky – it invites and engages children.

Unknown Paths are Sticky – they add curiosity.

Spiral Paths are Sticky – they are engaging and add curiosity

Random Levels are Sticky – they are inviting and engaging free play spaces.

4 artefacts @ 10 mins – Sticky

Multi functional cutouts in spaces are Sticky – they attract and engage children.

Rock Climbing Walls are Sticky – they get kids hooked on!

Cozy Spaces below staircases are Sticky – they engage children

Water Puddles are Sticky – they invite free play

4 artefacts @ 15 mins – Sticky

Undulating Mounds are Sticky – they are inviting and engaging.

Butterfly Garden is Sticky – it engages kids.

These spaces with pipes to blabber and listen are Sticky – they are engaging and inviting for kids.

This space with net & ropes to move through is Sticky – it is an engaging & immersive play space

4 artefacts @ 30 mins – Sticky

Flooring with 3D Patterns like these are Sticky – they are inviting and engaging free play.

Transitory Passages likes these are Sticky – they are inviting and engaging.

Spaces with mirrors in different shapes and sizes are Sticky – they are inviting and engaging free play

An interactive Color Wheel is Sticky – it is engaging free play

1 artefact @ 1 hour – Sticky

Spaces like these with cylinders stacked over each other are Sticky – they invite free play

The Presentation

Reflections

These 51 artefacts helped me explore my initial ideas for my research project. The process along with the constraints assisted me in being more organised. I decided to explore elements of free play spaces which would form the spaces for my research project. I intend to get these ideas together to design an interior+exterior space which would have these qualities of Raw, Porous ans Sticky to it. I am excited to start this journey where ideas related to the recipe matrix are being used to evolve creative design concepts.