Field work

I am wrapping up my Fulbright year in Japan, so the thing that is foremost on my mind is field work. Later on I would like to offer some written resources, but here I want to say a few brief words about engaging with the physical artifacts of architecture, interviewing, and other activities you will do this summer.

I find that even though you could line up any research proposal I have written and find it a neat match for the outcomes, the truth is that the manner in which the research unfolds is always a surprise. I thought this book was going to be broad and thus not as deep as my first. The truth is that it has unrolled as a narrower, deeper text, demanding that I take on historical roof styles and structural character, contemporary ship-building practices in building structures, religion, aerchaeology, abstract art, and much more. A eclectic list. And, whether your ultimate result is a book or a building, you want it to come together in a clear way. (Remember, those of you who are interested in academe or something other than designing - even activites like being the technical or detailing person in an office, having a big role in the business or programming side, etc - may want to do a written thesis rather than a design thesis. This is a rare opportunity Berkeley offers, and one too few students recognize the potential for.)

As I develop an understand of a building, I read all I can get a hold of that has any plausible relation to it, interview the architect repeatedly (and whoever else seems to be suitable), and spend time with the building, not once but repeatedly. I would strongly recommend that you do the same for design projects by:

- Consuming an extensive pile of related readings on your topic.
Take notes - because good ideas can fade with time. I use 3x5 cards and a big box with dividers. I sketch on them, etc. Organization helps make sure you can easily revisit ideas.

- If you have a client, or know of people knowledgable on the key points of your project, try to interview them. Make a list of questions that you consider relevant before going, tape it, and turn the interview into notes as quickly as you can. Human resources are an important part of good research, because you get the points specific to your interests very efficiently.

- Commune with the site. Spend a lot of time there. Use photography, sketching, pacing, and other ways of seeing the site at a deep level. Go back often, to see the site at different times of day, in different lights, etc. If you have good written resources on the site (on its history, for example), take the book or notes along and read while there, pinpointing physical elements.

- If possible, bring someone with that will also look at the site and have discussions with you; talking with my husband, who is also shooting with me, is an important part of my process. While on the site, talk to folks who want to share their thoughts on it. Listen.

If you are doing a design project for your thesis, you may also want to find some precedents that you can study closely in a similar way. I find it very helpful to compare and contrast structures. Here are things that might be helpful:

- How does each precedent communicate? Does it communicate differently to people with different knowledge?
- How does each precedent relate to its site? I am looking at several buildings, for example, that are nestled into the ground, which is not a typical Japanese gesture - so what they do and why they do it are helpful to consider.
- What materials are used? How hard are they to get, to build with, etc.? How do the parts relate? Is it a Semperian or Corbusier separation of parts? How are corners, bases, etc. handled and what is intended in these gestures?
- How is light handled? Is decay present? Is the interior in nature or isolated from it?
- How do the precedents relate to each other? Are there some commonalities that seem to make sense for you, too? Or perhaps they all seem to ignore a strategy or character you are sure should exist?

I could go on, but have another interview tonight, so will wrap this up. Just a few last points:
1) Do not get tired of the big idea mid-point. You will get more from sticking with it and enriching it than you will by fighting it.
2) Work every day. Let your project possess you.

More on field work related references soon~