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This week, we are showcasing the work of second-year student Julia Rocha from Assistant Professor Sida Dai’s lab.

“In this project, we are exploring and documenting a section of a public space that we find interesting or inspiring and imagine it isolated by that frame. My project focuses on the Moss Arts Center which I choose because of its unique location at the transition between campus and downtown Blacksburg. We began by developing precise architectural drawings, focusing on the accurate depiction of structural elements, elevations, and sections from on-site measurements we conducted and translating the real-world spatial dimensions into detailed 2D digital drawings. 

The project is at the inception of exploring how architectural spaces evolve over time and how modifications to layout, furniture, and circulation influence both functionality and aesthetics. The idea is to not only design the space but also design the activities that occur within the space, exploring how narratives can communicate the essence of a space and enhance its design. This is done by incorporating figures in the drawings, and documenting the natural signs of aging, such as material wear.

Through this process, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of material properties, construction details, spatial relationships, and the complexity of architectural space.”