Hunting Down Design: Assignment 3

Team members:Ben

Process
With the aid of my trusty android phone the scavenger hunt became very short but still informative. I already knew where the first one was, but Ben had 1, 2, and 4 figured out. Still, for the other two I just used my phone to search google and the answers became clear. As for the picture taking, it was done on my camera as well (thanks 8 mega pixels). As for the hunt itself we decided not to go in particular order, rather which clues were in proximity to each other we planned our route on the fly. First it was clue #4 (Math Tower) then it was to Knowlton for clues #1 and #2. finally we tackled clue #5 (Thompson) then finally clue #3 (Wexner center).

Here I go!

#1. First up is The Barcelona Chair, designed by Mies Van der Rohe in 1929. The chair's original design consisted of the metal being bolted together and the leather was from pig skin. Though the new design has steel connected by one piece for a seamless finish and modern black leather. The Primary owner of the design and rights is Knoll and has been making these chairs since 1953.

#2. The second clue and the chair I am sitting in is called the Wassily Chair which was designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925-6. An interesting fact about the designer is that he studied and taught in the Bauhaus. What made the chair a symbol of modernism was the bent steel tubes used to construct its frame. The magazine I'm reading is called Sex+Design. A rather odd magazine showing that relations of the adult world and design. It is also mentionable to say that I visited their website and they are very liberal with their language, pictures, and design.

#3. The third clue led us to a design by Peter Eisenman, The Wexner Center. This building not only looks complex but it sort of plays mind games with you as you walk through it. An interesting fact is that the old armory was there before but because Eisenman wanted to keep some characteristics of it he included several structures that resembled a castle.

#4. Next up was a design of Philip Johnson. Ben and I picked the Math Tower. We both took our pictures under the archway entrance because if one were to take a
longer look at the building they would notice that the arch is a re-occurring feature. Also a notable feature of the building is that there was so much brick used that it gives the building a strong character.

#5. Finally, last on the list was the building designed by Acock & Associates. Drumroll......Thompson Library! Though what is the most interesting about this building is that it was built in three phases but eventually was renovated to compliment the time by Acock & Associates. Their mission was to make the library more of a hub for the university than ever before. Quoted from their website before the renovation "the physical environment falls short of its expectations." I do say so myself that seeing this library is a truly beautiful project and it will serve the university for many years.