UNIT 05

PRIESTLEY CHARTER SCHOOL

ARCHITECTURE + CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN PROGRAM
BUTTS RHODES VETNE
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map \m p\ \ mæp\ noun. Ety. Medieval Latin mappa (mundi) map (of the world),
from Latin mappa cloth. 1a. A representation, usually on a plane surface, of a
region of the earth or heavens. b. Something that suggests such a
representation, as in clarity of representation. 2. (Mathematics & Measurements /
Surveying) layers of geographic information such as roads, towns, relief,
rainfall, etc., that tell us where we are. 3. (Astronomy) a diagrammatic
representation of the distribution of stars or of the surface of a celestial body a
lunar map. 4. a maplike drawing of anything 5. Mathematics The correspondence
of elements in one set to elements in the same set or another set. 6. Slang The
human face. 7. Genetics A genetic map. verb. mapped, maps 1a. To make a
map of. b. To depict as if on a map: Grief was mapped on his face. 2. To explore
or make a survey of (a region) for the purpose of making a map. 3. To plan or
delineate, especially in detail; arrange: mapping out her future. 4. Genetics To
locate (a gene or DNA sequence) in a specific region of a chromosome in relation
to known genes or DNA sequences. 5. Mathematics To establish a mapping of (an
element or a set).
2
map•ping \m p ng\ \mæpɪŋ\ noun. Ety. Common usage in modern
architectural tradition. 1. layers of geographic, emotional and
phenomenological (of or having to do with nature) information that tell
us how we feel about a place.

PROJECT STATEMENT
Quarter One, Fall 2010
fig.01. Australian
aboriginal elder MAPPING
walking an
ancestral storyline. The map is one of the oldest forms of nonverbal communication. Humans
were probably drawing maps before they were writing texts. Map making
fig.02. Australian
aboriginal may even predate formal language. As far as historians and geographers
dreamtrack painting can determine, every culture in every part of the world uses and makes
by artist Dorothy maps. This deep lineage (tradition, roots) reflects the importance and
Napangardi usefulness of maps and the stories they tell.
depicting the
movement of the
Mina Mina women The act of making a map has always been about the relationship between
ancestors as they what is mapped and how that place makes us feel. For the past ten
journeyed across thousand years, the aborigines in Australia, perhaps the first map makers
salt Lake Mackay, have used maps to mark out the stories of their ancestors in the
an important site
near Yuendumu in landscape around them. They believe that every year they must walk
central Australia. these paths, or storylines, and tell the stories of their ancestors or the
Throughout their world will come to an end.
travels the women
used digging sticks
during their
During Medieval times, religion was the most important thing to most
ceremonies. people. It affected the art, government, and daily lives of everybody. Real
"maps" as we know them didn't surface until the Renaissance (with people
like Leonardo Da Vinci), so the maps during medieval times were less
accurate and more like diagrams. This map shows a diagram of the three

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continents, Asia, Europe, and Africa, being joined by Jerusalem. Because
Jerusalem is the center for all things religious (in Christian, Muslim, and
Jewish religions), it was thought of as the center of the world at this time.
It makes sense, then, that this map shows Jerusalem as the center of the
world. For this map, it doesn't matter that the land masses aren't
accurate. It shows an idea.

Even today in places like New Orleans, maps are both useful as tools and
to tell stories about our personal lives. For example, after Hurricane
Katrina, maps were drawn that showed the level that the water rose
across the city. But for many people who were in New Orleans at that
time, those maps brought back memories of the disaster and their own
personal experiences after the storm.

Mapping, since the beginning of civilization, has become our way to

understand who we are relative to the people, places and landscape
around us. Mapping is a way for us to understand who we are, where we
have come from and where we will go. Of course, this storytelling is
important for architects so they can better deliver information about the
buildings they design to contractors and clients. But more importantly, it
is essential for us to learn how to tell our own story so that we can
connect ourselves to the places and people we care about. Finally,
mapping is a way for us to understand the meaning our life has and to
describe how we feel about the world to others. Mapping is a way for you,
and for all of us, to have a voice.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

First, students will re-make a mapping that someone else has created.
We will use James Corner’s “Taking Measures across the American
Landscape” as an example. Students will first take apart and then put
back together a mapping found in that book. This exercise will introduce
students to storytelling in design. It will help them to understand how
designers compose (arrange) information to tell a story.

Second, students will practice the principles of storytelling, composition,

and graphic technique learned from the first exercise. Students will create
an original mapping of their own design. Students will use a personal
photograph of their choice as the first layer of information. The
photograph can be of anything, but the student should be able to use it to
tell a personal story or memory. The other layers of the mapping will be
based on this personal story (concept).

The mapping will contain four (4) minimum layers of information

including the following elements:

• Base map
• Personal photograph (must have by Wednesday, September 8)
• Line work: drawings or diagrams
• Words and symbols

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OBJECTIVES

The project is based on principles of concept, composition, and graphic

technique. Students will gain formal ordering and critical thinking skills,
speaking and writing skills, and graphic skills. Students will learn to find
their voice through storytelling.

MATERIALS

As much as possible, we will supply all the materials you will need to
complete the project. However, you may be asked to help us by bringing
in certain items. In any case, you will be required to have a pencil
and your sketchbook in studio every day, no exceptions.

RESOURCES

BOOKS

Corner, James and Alex MacLean. Taking Measures across the American
Landscape

WEBSITES

www.aboriginalartstore.com.au
http://msrmaps.com

SCHEDULE (subject to change)

AUGUST
Week Two
17 Project Introduction
18 Lecture and Discussion: What is architecture. Art and
science
19 Lecture and Discussion: Layers of information.
Hierarchy
20 Lecture and Discussion: Maps and mapping.
Week Three
23 Activity: Maps.
24 Lecture and Discussion: Images. Making and meaning.
25 Activity: Manipulation of images
26 Lecture and Discussion: Linework. Drawings and
diagrams
27 Activity: Linework
Week Four
30 Lecture and Discussion: Words and symbols
31 Activity: Words and symbols
SEPTEMBER 1 Composition of map
2 Critique
3 Critique

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Week Five
6 Labor Day
7 Professional Development
8 Personal mapping exercise begins. Lecture and
Discussion: Storytelling
9 Activity: Manipulation of images (personal photograph
due)
10 Activity: Storytelling
Week Six
13 Activity: Maps
14 Lecture and Discussion: Diagramming
15 Activity: Linework
16 Lecture and Discussion: Composition
17 Composition of map: first draft
Week Seven
20 Critique
21 Critique
22 Critique
23 Open House
24 Activity: Response to critique
Week Eight
27 Activity: Remake image layer
28 Activity: Remake map layer
29 Activity: Remake linework layer
30 Activity: Remake words and symbols layer
1 Composition of map: final draft
Week Nine
4 Exams
5 Exams
6 Exams
7 Exams
8 Exams