Submission 1

 Cube Building

Building One

For the first model i had was in fact made out of cardboard. In this design i have taken the cube like shape and form a space where it can act as a separation from the public and private spaces. Since this building is where he works and lives, it is important to have some boundaries. Being abstract is the key element in this design as it plays a roll to separate large open areas in to small closed. This will give my character some privacy and not have the feeling of being intruded by the public.
Having different levels can also help the differences of open and close spaces and a separation of work and living.

Building Two

Cherry Blossom Building

The next design was drawn up on 3D max, which i found it a good experience. This design is different from the first, as i went on a different approach. Instead of a cube like structure and being abstract, i went on a curve and more simple style. I also want to design a building where there are some cultural connection to my character background and his occupation. So, in this design, the idea is from cherry blossom petal, which became a cultural part of Japan. By observing this delicate petal and its curves, as well as how fragile it is at the tip of the petal. I implied light weight materials at the front of the building and heavy materials at the back of the building to express the key elements of the petal. At the back of the building has a big open space where he can enjoy the scenery of the Japanese garden or a place to meditate.

Building Three

Armor Building 

For my third design is another cardboard model. In this design i have tried to explore different ways to express the Japanese historic background by layering materials on top of each other, like a samurai armor. This building have a exo-skeleton structure which makes the building more interesting as well as flooding natural light in some area of the building. Once again this building creates a lot of open space and no much separation from the public to his personal life.

Building Four

Finally for my final design is once again drawn up on 3D Max. In this design, I have concentrated more on the spaces between public and private. So the idea in this design, it to construct a building where people from the public get an understanding of not being welcome in to my characters personal life. In this is design the building is more closure than open as concrete walls are secure around the premiss.

Curator of Japanese Armor - Museum of Japanese Armor

Kneeling silently in the dark, behind the closet door, he peeks through a hole and watched his parents being pinned down by intruders. Being terrified, tears rolled down the boys face as they slash his parents throat before him. A spray of blood went on the walls and the floor as his parents slowly die in silence. Now, after seeing his parents bloody bodies, his anger starts to rage up. As he is about to attack with as much courage and bravery as an eight year old could have, a disturbing light reflecting off of this object blinds his sight and he trips to the floor.

As he recovered his sight a man with gold and silver plate armor emerges from the bright light, he appeared to be a samurai. He was fast as lightning, as he flashed across the room towards the intruders and used his sword to slice through their stomach like a fruit. The boy sat there scared and shocked as he witness this event but then was drawn attention to the samurai’s armor and the sword that was used to defeat the intruders. Dragon like sculpture wrapped around his armor and the way the samurai used his sword mesmerized the boy. The samurai took the boy to safety and gave him his sword for his own protection and left without a word. For the first time the boy observed the craftsmanship of this sword and promised himself that he will keep this for the rest of his life.

Due to the loss of his parents and no support, the boy became a member of the Yakuza Clan. Dealing drugs on the streets and other criminal activity as well as collecting protection money from small businesses, he soon became a respected Yakuza. Eventually he rose to became one of the head leaders of the Yakuza clan. With such success at a young age he was loving life due to the wealth he receives, loyalty and respect from his clan. With such power he can get anything he desires.

Forty years has passed and the young Yakuza is now a curator of the ancient Japanese armor in the museum of Japan. After the horrific loss of his parents and his experience with the samurai saving his life he grew an obsession for Japanese armor. By learning more of his cultural background, he went off studying the Japanese history. With the power of his clan he is able to travel around Japan collecting famous samurai’s armor and displays them in his museum. The curator thought it was important to keep their legacy going by keeping their history. The samurai sword that was given to him was not displayed for the public but was displayed in his living room in order to show his appreciation and respect to the samurai whom saved his life.