Sequential Sketches

GORDON CULLEN & SERIAL VISION

Gordon Cullen

British architect

Description

Thomas Gordon Cullen was an influential British architect and urban designer who was a key motivator in the Townscape movement.




Sequential Sketches

Telling a story through drawings...

WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

  • ·     Allowing the user to experience a space
  • ·     Demonstrating views
  • ·     Horizon line + perspective
  • ·     Follow a journey from A to B in a chronological order
  • ·     Also referred to as ‘SERIAL VISION’


 “The definition of urban design raised by Gordon Cullen (1961) really inspired me recently.  Cullen believes that cities should be designed from the point of view of moving people since residents “apprehend urban environments through kinesthetic experience” (Gordon Cullen, 1961, 118). Gordon Cullen (1961) also raised the idea of “Serial Vision”, which means people can experience a revelation of views while walking along the streets at a uniform pace.” - https://eli530blog.wordpress.com/2016/10/09/serial-vision-by-gordon-cullen/

 

I really like this black and white style that only shows the light and shadow; however it can only be successful with strong architectural structures.


 My sequential sketches, see example below, focus on serving the function of representing the main elements that define the space using human figures to provide a relatable scale. Even just a simple sketch can visualize effectively a person’s perspective. The addition of sequencing these images as part of a journey can create a narrative depicting a particular story, for example, zooming in on a detail or travelling around a sight like a sculpture.

 


QUOTES FROM ‘UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE THROUGH DRAWING’ BY BRIAN EDWARDS

 

“Sequential sketches can also be employed to explore the line of continuity” therefore, the chronological order of arranging the visualizations is critical in understanding their context. Perspective also is an underlying factor in legibility as we as users experience the world with a restricted view, they are “part of the architect’s two-dimensional toolbox, alongside the plan and the section.”

 

Note also, that these drawings are generated purely from my imagination, with the help of a scale model in relation to building heights. I always start with the horizon line and the vanishing point as typical of a two-point perspective drawing method with a person in the near foreground to add scale. “This way of working can therefore hold high didactic value (meaning to convey) in relation to the imagination and spatial understanding”, as when interpreting an image, we will subconsciously look for familiar objects that we know their size and scale of. For example, when an artist plays around with the scale of recognizable objects is when we get that uncanny feeling that something is off and doesn’t look “right”, like with this surrealist painting by René Magritte:

 

The challenge comes when dealing with irregular natural forms that can often hide their true proportions, so the addition of trees is essential to ensure scale is eligible. Gordon Cullen in fact despised uniformity as he felt it too boring for the pedestrian. Pace is a key factor to consider when designing experiential spaces and so my treetop walkway design adds a new element to view and experience the space; for these drawings, I made sure to include a balcony to address the height change and often with the user overlooking the ground below to give that raised sense. Annotation helps a lot to identify important aspects.

 

The method of serial vision is a version I have previously explored in art and photography where you take snapshots of places as you walk around and through this collection of photos, you will be able to grasp the place’s character. It is in quantity sometimes that reveals characteristics that may not have been spotted beforehand. My goal in this design project is for a user to be able to look at any aspect of the space and be able to easily identify it as having an organic flowing character whether that be the car park’s green matrix wall or the flowing paving that leads through the forest. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Analysis of the Cheltenham Local Plan

Image
Analysis of the Cheltenham Local Plan Legislation and planning are key components in Landscape Architecture as they can underpin creative decisions. This blog post is a quick summary of Cheltenham’s Local Plan in relation to the North Place design project. (I’ve previously studied this document for a different module to do with Cheltenham’s housing demands) I have highlighted the key areas to consider on the contents page, see below. It is important to note that this plan, adopted from July 2020 till 2031, was written in compliance with the Joint Core Strategy (JCS), published in December 2017, as part of Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury, in order to deliver a cohesive future vision for the county. In addition, the policies have been informed by the National Planning Policy Framework as set out by the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government in July 2021.  Along with the separate specialized sections, as highlighted above, there are three main objectives, A,...
Read more

James Corner: Intimacy VS Immensity

Image
Exploration of the contrast of intimacy and immensity: James Corner was infamous for his design of the High Line in New York.  defines landscape architecture as being ‘about the planning and design of space under the sky’ and uses the High Line as an example of how a perceived non-space can become a highly valued component of an urban landscape design: " As a young person in school, I was really interested in an exercise called intimate immensity which still shapes the way I think today. Intimate immensity is what it’s like to be in a forest where things are immediate and intimate and tactile and intimate, but at the same time you are in the forest and the forest seems immense." - James Corner This theme is a contrast I want to explore for the North Place design project because there is scope to create a series of spaces with different levels of seclusion.  Why do we enjoy spaces that occupy the balance between intimacy and immensity? It goes...
Read more

History Of Pittville Park

Image
  Over the past few weeks I have been researching the history of Pittville Park to put together this informative poster. I wanted to find out how the park has evolved over the years to be what it is now.  Distinctly, how the East estate came to join the West side to create an over-arching green space alongside Cheltenham of which members of the public utilise to travel through. It is clear through my research that the Pump Room is the central focal point and has been since the Park's creating. Joseph Pitt envisioned a 'new town' to rival Cheltenham with a spa and pump room to attract tourists. What surprised me after my research, was finding out that originally, the park was not open to members of the public and visitors had to pay an entrance fee to gain access through the gates. However, after Pitt's death the council purchased the estate making it open to everyone, a sentiment that can be felt today. Next, I hope to analyse the park's circulation. With my newfoun...
Read more