California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

SPRING 2015
BRACCO
ARCH 133

CRAIG CHAO

Age: 19
My name is Craig Chao and this quarter I learned that architecture is about perseverance. I learned that being a good student meant more than individual achievement. Being a good student meant that one had a sense of community and team
work. I learned that its impossible to do everything alone, to be comfortable with looking for help, and most importantly to
help others. Because together, perseverance is a lot easier.

MORE WITH

TEAMWORK

DESIGN VILLAGE
TEAM 225

S
T
U
D
Y
M
O
D
E
L

I
N
V
E
S
T
I
G
A
T
I
O
N

D
E
S
I
G
N
C
H
O
I
C
E

F
O
R
M
S
T
U
D
Y

RHINO FORM STUDIES

P
L
A
N

P
E
R
S
P
E
C
T
I
V
E

E
L
E
V
A
T
I
O
N

RHINO SUN STUDIES

JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS

PERSONAL WELD CONTRIBUTION

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

INTERNATIONAL DWELLING

CASE STUDY HOUSE 20A

BY RICHARD NEUTRA

Public Space
Private Space
Backyard

Public Space
Private Space
Backyard

RENDERINGS

MOTION STUDIO

P
H
A
S
E
T
H
R
E
E
M
O
D
E
L

This model continued the circulation aspect of the monochromatic model while developing a relation to ground
and earth and attempts to
make dwelling space obvious.

F
I
N
A
L
P
H
A
S
E

The final model perfects the

circulation of its form in relation to its site. It furthers the
structural aspects of the pillars
and makes dwelling space obvioius. The deck undulates and
becomes benches and tables
maintaining the linear theme
of the form. The concentration of the arrayed pillars from
plan view imitates the exhale
of smoke and the floor plan reflects the trail of light patterns
from a long exposure camera.

Reflection

The academic year as a whole has been quite the experience. Spring Quarter in particular has been the
hardest. On April 4, 2015, I woke up to the call of a
panicked and sobbing aunt at 11:54 a.m. It was a call
that changed my life and sent me packing my bags to
go home in tears. I saw my dead father in the viewing
room 5 hours after his death. The strangest part of being in that viewing room with my family was that I was
the only one who did not cry. Ive had brief moments
of catharsis where Ive cried getting ready to sleep or
waking up for classes but, the grief has not been as
hard on me as it has been for others. I dont truly believe that we can lose anyone. Through the cherished
memories that we have with our loved ones, we can remember what they were, what they stood for, and what
they would have wanted for us. I believe my father
can still exist as long as I remain true to being his son.
In his loving memory, I continue to do what I do here in
Cal Poly. That is what he would have wanted. Many
have told me to take a quarter off - to have some time
to myself to mourn for his departure but, I believed that
finishing the year strong was the best way to honor
him. Working on a failed Design Village piece to the
very end despite inevitable failure is how Ive shown
my father that despite his absence, he has a son
that is strong enough to continue a life without him.
Working on a frustrating research project the hardest I can in the aftermath of his death is how I have
proved my perserverance. Making six iterations of
my motion study model is proof that I can move on.
This quarter was for you Ba ba.

Every place youve ever imagined...

Its real.
There is a fictional city in your
mind and you know every
corner of it.
Each of us is a place.
Your mind is a world.