(Overview) (Method) (Survey) (Mt. Airy) (Michigan) (Exeter) (Syllabus)

Phillips Exeter Academy Library

(Exeter Intro) (Exeter Model Study) (Exeter Survey) (Exeter Student Evaluation)

Student Self-Evaluation of "Lessons Learned" - Nelson Leung

Phillips Exeter Academy Library

I first did background research from book readings and drawings, to understand and to document the materials used, the scale and design intent. From this, I built the interior model. The model construction was far more complicated than as I originally conceived. Drawings were not a clear as I wanted, so I had to work from photographs. I built the model in approximately the same steps as the actual construction, that is, structure, interior, envelope.

Upon completion of the model, I traveled to see the actual building and to test the lighting from field measurement and occupant surveys. The people who completed the survey included two staff, students from Philips Exeter and several visitors. From the field inspection, I determined that the clerestory windows at the top of the atrium were not contributing very much daylighting, although this was not a perceived problem as there is ample electric lighting. I learned a different story about the windows around the reading carrels one all sides next to exterior windows, which have direct light that is more than ample. Until only recently, electric light remained on even during bright daytime periods (they have recently installed photo sensors to turn these lights off automatically when not needed).

I found the whole experience of research very valuable and essential, including model testing and field visit. Thank you for giving the chance to do this research and learn architecture through a different perspective.

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Created: 05/13/97
Revised: 09/09/02

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