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Oscar Horwood

Architecture Portfolio

2019 submission

Contents:


1. Editorial Photography.

2. Architectural Photography.

3. Photography Exhibition.

4. Electronic Skateboard - A level EPQ.

5. Construction and Building Site Experience.

6. Environmentally Friendly Treehouse - GCSE HPQ.

7. Basic Model Making.

8. Experimenting with different Mediums.

9. Two Point Perspective.

10. Observational Drawings.

11. Travelling.

12. What’s Next…


Editorial Photography

For this editing I used Photoshop due to the complexity of what I


wanted to do. The main focus of both of these photographs was the
eyes, as they are the main thing that we connect with when looking
at portraiture. I think this shows my familiarity with software and how
these can be transferred into other programmes such as CAD when
designing buildings instead of editing photographs.

This was a section in my photography A level where I focused on


portraiture. However, instead of taking unoriginal headshots, I wanted to
present portraits in a completely different way. The main drive for my
photography is always to generate a reaction and to make the viewer
feel a certain sense of emotion. In this case I wanted to inflict fear on to
my viewers.
Architectural Photography
Architectural photography was the main focus for my A level photography
work, which ended up being exhibited in a local gallery.

This work included me analysing a situation and the layout of a familiar


setting and trying to portray this in an unusual way. For this I looked at
isolation and how a situation can feel with the absence of people. I feel
this is closely related to architecture, not only in the simplistic aspect of
me photographing structures, but by showing how an environment can
change when people are implemented into it. When buildings are
designed, we must not solely consider the aesthetics of a construction,
but how it works as an environment for people to belong.
Photography Exhibition

For my A level Photography I was lucky enough to have some of my work exhibited in a local exhibition where I live. This was open to the public to see. They
could vote on which piece was their favourite. My topic of “Architectural Photography” was awarded the second highest number of votes.
Electronic Skateboard - A level EPQ

I successfully received an A* for my A level ‘Extended Project Qualification’ (EPQ). For this I decided to create a fully customisable electronic
longboard which was both efficient and reliable. The reasoning for me choosing this idea was because I feel strongly about reducing the reliance
we have on certain transports such as cars which are damaging to the environment. With high end electronic longboard companies designing
products with the cost of around $2000, I wanted to produce a more affordable option to tackle the problem of increasing emissions. The
originality of my design is that the board is fully customisable, meaning if a battery is no longer functioning, this can easily be replaced without
replacing the whole board. Throughout this project I had to discipline and self motivate myself and work to deadlines in order to ensure that
everything would be completed in good time.
Click on third photo for demonstration video.
Construction and Building Site
Experience

One of the things I have done in recent times for


work experience is work on a construction site in
Oxford. This project was to fix solar panelling to
the outside of the train station, set at different
angles to regulate the amount of sunlight
impacting the cars in the car park.

I understand that in Architecture, it is not just


about designing efficient buildings and houses,
but it is also the relationship between
contractors, architects, engineers, site managers
and so on. Throughout this work period I
experienced these relationships first hand, as we
were given a task by the Project Manager, this
was then overseen by the Site Manager,
teaching me that teamwork is essential.

This experience also gave me a good insight into


the initial framework of buildings. Usually we see
buildings when they are complete, however I got
to see a large project in the process of being
completed, giving me a much better
understanding of how many components and
how much work goes into a building.
Environmentally Friendly Treehouse - GCSE HPQ

As part of my GCSE ‘Higher Project Qualification’ (HPQ) I


decided that I wanted to do something which was closely
related to architecture. To link this to wider issues and do
something beneficial, I first looked into environmentally
friendly housing and ways that this could be achieved. I
then decided to look at treehouses, as this is something I
have always been passionate about and I didn’t think that
the concept of treehouses which are good for the planet
had been explored much prior.

I researched materials and ways of construction to see


which would be the most renewable and the least
damaging to the environment around it. I then decided that
it would be a good idea if I made a prototype, as this
would make it much easier for people to understand, and
so they have a visual concept to look at.

This was similar to my A Level EPQ, as I had to discipline


myself and set targets and goals to achieve in my project,
to ensure that I completed It within the deadline.

If I were to adapt this today, I would go for a different and


more advanced design, and research more into the
stability of treehouses so I could base my design around
this.
Basic Model Making

For GCSE Art I built these models. For this project I looked at the famous sculptor, Anthony
Gormley. I decided to base my project around the structural side of art and how this can be
accomplished.

Anthony Gormley is particularly famous for his sculpture ‘Angel of the North’ and his work has a
quite a prominent architectural feel to it. I wanted to incorporate this into my work, so I decided to
recreate iconic buildings out of coloured matchsticks in order to physically show architecture
and sculpture, rather than it just being shown on paper.
Experimenting with different Mediums
The photo on the left was an observational piece I completed in acrylic for my
GCSE Art exam, showing trees in the autumn being reflected in water. I like this
piece of work due to its vibrancy, which I exaggerated when painting in order to give
the piece a more abstract feel.

The two pieces above were done in chalk, where I completed copies of some of
Monet’s finest pieces of work. In the bottom piece I decided to experiment with my
work and try a different technique where oil paint is added on top of soft chalk in
order to make some of the aspects more defined.
Two point perspective

This shows the process of me completing a


drawing of a city in two point perspective.

In the first stage I wanted to make the first


step and just get something on paper and
then I would build on what I already had. I
first drew two buildings, one in the
foreground and one just behind.

In the second stage I wanted to add more


detail to the front of the drawing, so I drew
an entrance for the first building.

I then started to add more to the


background, so there would be more of a
packed feeling, which you would usually get
from a city.

After this I started to add detail such as


windows and other features to each
building, so that every building had variety.

To make the buildings stand out, I went over


them in pen, if I had an assortment of pens I
would have used different line weights in
order to more effectively show depth.

To give a sense of depth I shaded areas in


which the light would not directly impact. To
do this I imagined that light was coming
from the left hand side of the drawing, and
then increased the darkness where there
were overhangs in the buildings.

The problem with this is it isn’t true to life, I


have only drawn buildings using squares
and rectangles. In reality, the assortment of
shapes is more vast.
Observational Drawings

These are some observational drawings and simple design


ideas I completed. One of the reasons that I am really looking
forward to studying Architecture is to learn how to draw and
think like an Architect. At this point in time I do not consider
to be the most fantastic artist or sketcher in the world but I
am very excited to learn how to express the ideas I have in
my head accurately in all forms.

With the drawings on the far left, I had the intention of


focusing on shades and where the sun would reach. With
the sketches in the middle, I wanted to completely simplify
my ideas and express them in the most condensed way.
The final drawing I decided to just draw and see what came
out on paper within a couple of minutes.
Travelling

I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to travel, recently doing a road trip around the West side of America and also interrailing
through Europe with my friends. I have decided to include this as a section in my portfolio as travelling has opened up my eyes incredibly and has
changed the way I perceive the environment. I believe that by immersing myself in other cultures, this will benefit the way I design and see buildings
and space around me.

Hoover dam

Airstream - Joshua Tree

Budapest

Split - Croatia

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco


The photo above is taken of a Hogan, used by the Navajo people of
Native America. This would ordinarily be used as housing or for a place
of worship. This is a perfect example of minimalist design, with one
door and a hole in the top of the roof. This design works to regulate
light and temperature, as it stays warm in colder periods, and cooler in
the summer times. In all hogans of the Navajo people, the door always
faces East in order to optimise the light throughout the day. It also
works as a natural alarm clock.
Whats next…

I also have some more personal work experience lined up with a local architect ‘Michael
Collins’ who operates where I live. I have been in contact with him and we have discussed
meeting to give me an insight into what his work involves.

For my gap year, I hope to gain experience in the field of


architecture and to get more of an insight into how a practice
works and how to think like an architect.

Because of family ties I am looking to spend a couple of weeks


working for Gensler Architects, as well as a local architecture
practice ‘Saunders Architecture’.

Examples of his work -


http://www.michaelcollinsarchitects.com/#/
eastward-avenue/

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