Why Biomimicry...

As mentioned one of my Design theories are Biomimicry...

The reason why I chose it was after reading up and looking at old photos of my building and surrounding area I discovered that their was a garden behind my building and Market Square that is paved and used for parking now was once known as Mayor Garden with a beautiful center fountain and greenery all around as seen in these photos below...

So as I am focusing on the history of Port Elizabeth and wanting to restore its beauty I thought it would be appropriate to bring back the nature into the area with the help of biomimicry in my design.

Nature is Incredable

As my body has healed it self after the surgery it just shows how amasing natures works...

Why I mention this is, I am busy with the theory part of my design proses at the moment and one of my theories is Biomimicry. 

 

"Biomimicry is the examination of nature, where we use nature-inspired geometrical forms by looking at the organisms itself and applying its form and/ or function to a design"

 

 

 

 

Here is an example in architecture

 

 

 

it's been a while...

It's been a while since I have posted something on my blog... the reason being I have been recovering from a very bad appendix surgery the last 3 weeks but I am glad to say I am strong and doing much better...

With the help of AMASING class mates and lecturers I am keeping on track and working hard to get work done so when I go back to varsity next term I can continue the incredible journey with my fellow Btech class mates!!!

Our Btech group is like a family, always their for each other and always their to help...and they shore know how to make you feel special....

So l came in to varsity this week just to talk to my lecturers and show them where I am with work and to get feedback form them whilst getting spoiled with cake, flowers and get well soon cards from my class friends...

So a big thanks to everyone!!!!

My subjects for Betch

Because doing one project the entire year our subjects revolve around that.

We have our:

• Main subject Design (where we do design)
• Theory (all the theoretical parts of the design)
• Technology (all the technical details to our design)
• Computers ( where we learn all the skills to put this all the above to life)
• and other small subject regarding Interior Design

In Computers at the moment we are learning new programs to do 3D modeling in. So to start of we had to take a image of an interior and replicate it as realistic as possible, using Auto Cad 3D which we all ready now how to work just to get us warmed up again after the holidays.

After this we will use the same image in the other 3D modeling programs to compare which one you as designer work best in and which works best for you to bring your design to life..

Below is the real images and the Auto cad 3D image done by yours truly...

 

 

 

The Fleming House today

So I have showed you some history of my building now to show you the Fleming House as it looks today...

 

The Fleming House 2015

 

As can be seen in this photo some changes have been made to the original building...

The front entrance door has been removed and places on the left side of the building.
The two bottom left timber windows have been changed to an in air-conditioning.
The two-storey building is now three-storeys.
The coat-of-arms that was above the original door of the building has been removed.

Historical problems...

Having a Historical building over a 100 years old their are many positives as well as negatives...just to name a few!!!

Positives, the building being 149 years old meaning beautiful architectural features to work with in my design and being surrounded by historical buildings the views are just as great... 

Negatives, the building being 149 years old and finding information regarding the building. Important information like architectural plans and sections indicating the buildings structure....

So with no luck finding any form of sections and only finding floor plans I had to work with what I could gather from photos and by analysing the building to get the vertical structure of my building.

BACK TO HAND DRAWINGS IT SEEMS...

Fleming House History

Little bit of history

 

This week I got historical information about my building. Not only was it a learning experience to find out the history about my building but to discover and learn more about Port Elizabeth's history. What I wouldn't give to have lived 150 year ago for just one day to walk in the dirt roads of Port Elizabeth and go in to all those buildings...

 

We live in such a beautiful city with so much history and potential.

 

 

 

"City Hall with The Fleming building behind on the left"

 

The Building I chose for my Final year proposal is one of the oldest buildings in Port Elizabeth built in the 1800's.

 

The now know Fleming House was once known as The Custom House. Owned by William Fleming and designed by Alfred Warren the first Custom House was completed in June 1866.

 

After a new Customs House was built in (1889-1891)just down the street, that was once Jetty street and now Fleming street, the fist Customs house was used for commercial purposes.

 

  Whilst the building is three storeys at this stage it was originally only two-storeys when it was first built in 1866.

 The third storey was only added on in 1922 by Jones & McWilliams. The Coat-of-arms which you can see in the photo below was removed when the third storey was added and placed on the second Customs House down the street.

 

 

"The once Known Customs House 1866

now

the Fleming House"

 

 

"The Second Customs House
now only a piece of open land"