These photomontages were used as the first assignment for site analysis. We were to focus on different aspects like movement, edge, and public vs. private.
I decided to examine the different shapes a rower’s body makes throughout a single stroke. Being a rower myself this process was not too difficult. I made the diagram above showing the position of the oar at the beginning of the stroke and the corresponding position of the rower’s body at that point. Moving from left to right of the diagram you see one full stroke of the oar and the oar returning to the beginning position of the stroke.
I took my idea of movement that I used for my diagrams early on and twisted it to relate to the actual movement and position of a rower’s body through their full cycle of “drive and recovery” used to push the boat across the water. Also, I gathered some inspiration from the movement of the oar along this process. These shapes and curves that are found through this study are represented in the shell of the boathouse. The boathouse is also designed to fit well to the elevation of the natural site, which in turn creates a pleasant courtyard nestled between the boathouse and the slope of the land, perfect for a gathering or stretching area. Overall the boathouse gives rowers an aesthetically pleasing and practical place to store their boats and workout, while also giving the public an engaging view of a building that has no particular front, back, or side.
