Taking Flight - Submission 1 Equus

Design 1

It's not easy to live a life unquestioned. It is hard to stay in the shadows, to hide, to cease to exist, without someone to question, why? what? how? My design needed to achieve this. It could not be invasive, it could not attract attention, it merely needed to exist, basking in its own beauty.

This is my first design, developed through my numerous beloved monstrosities. The idea all began with the birds wing, however developed as I tried to incorporate the 12 units. The main point to be made regards the tower. Although not necessarily obvious, the glass windows inbetween act as a point where the public is able to look in at Uccello, rather than him at the public, allowing a glimpse into the mysterious character, and also allowing him to reflect on what he has become.


I have tried to keep the design relatively simple, only using necessary space, as that is all that is required for the obsessive nature of my character.

Design 2

In terms of the facade it is extremely similar to the initial design, however, in producing a card version I found significant changes needed to be made to the interior and general size of the building. The study in the initial building was bugging me, I wanted it to be purely dedicated to his work, rather than sleeping, eating etc incorporated into it. In doing so meant a general change of the entire building into something much more refined.

Here is the study showing relation to stairs and the floor below. I wanted to keep everything very simple as I wanted the house to be a frame or boundary for Uccello to exist in, not something he is part of,so by keeping it simple it is not dragging attention away from what truly gives the building expression; Uccello.

Design 3

After finding it difficult to let go of the first two designs, I have tkaen yet another step back to where I was looking at the birds wing, and taking another literal approach by starting to look at flight, and the idea of a bird taking off.

There was a large problem with light in the last design, so certain adjustments have been made to help with this.

Design 4

This final design is based on a bird taking flight, again using this pixelated, distorted view on how a bird actually looks.

There are still similarities within the building such as the general floor plan, and the idea of the central viewing tower.

However the distorted shape I feel allows for the building to be more versatile with its surroundings. I feel the main highlight is the public space created beneath the left block. Floor area is reduced to a minimum.

Light has been addressed well in this design, while still using the simple, single window approach, light can now be delivered without shadow due to overlapping. Only question is whether the direct light may become too much...

I am also worried that the design may attract attention more than the earlier designs, however I do feel it keeps the peculiar, distorted feel that Uccello's personality holds.

ps. If you are wondering why it is a bit all over the place, the blog keeps doing that, it doesnt seem to matter what I change, it still rearranges itself. ARGH