I was really pleased with where I made it for my final review, despite pushing myself past reasonable exhaustion. The constant caffeine headaches have finally subsided, but now I’m hesitant about many things. Before I blog my personal reflection on my project, I need to let the air clear and things settle a bit. I’m afraid I might start hitting my head against the wall and may start to lose the energy I was feeding into my project.
My abstract presented to my jury was as follows: ”My design proposal in Casco Viejo, old town Panama, examines the message architecture can convey of cultural cohesion: Reflect local patterns, but bridge the old and the new with a sensitive response to an urban edge. Currently, only 20% of the buildings in Casco have been renovated, but the daily life within the barrio is vibrant, as seen through art, food, nightlife, and small businesses clustered around plazas. To preserve identity and culture and balance the modernization of urban Panama, these ideas need to be considered to sustain the vibrant barrio of Casco Viejo.”
In terms of direct comments I received, it was suggested I examine these local patterns and write a “code to design.” Many of the items or documentation, my jury was wanting to see was all contained within my abstract booklet. Good thing I had it on hand nearby. We didn’t get to continue the conversation after this was revealed, but I did have one juror say I had a “well thought out building” and the sequence of my spaces were “logical”. Another juror recommended that I not compete or detract from the daily life seen in the plaza, but ideas of passive cooling, shade, and aesthetics should be areas I focus my design intent towards.
I will update with my next design considerations for explorations soon to not allow my current reaction get the best of me.
As a holiday home owner in full time job, and subject to the typical PAYE tax circumstances, this a real whack! If vacation home owners were to make themselves a ‘company’, might this be aside of continuing in order to declare tax relief against deficits and investment capital expenditure as at present?
Excellent post with some good info, think i’ll share this on my twitter if you don’t mind and maybe even blogroll it depending on the feedback, thanks for sharing.