Meghan Kaufmann

Southeastern Building phase 3

2012-02-07T19:29:00.005-05:00

Phase 3 - Diagrams and matrices for the Southeastern building

Final Critique

2011-04-29T13:59:00.001-04:00

Images from our final critique in Studio. Next stop: Chicago!!!

Final Renderings

2011-04-20T23:09:00.002-04:00

These are the final upper lobby renderings I produced for our skyscraper project.

Assignment 4: Interiors

2011-04-16T21:47:00.003-04:00

For this assignment, we each got to design three interior spaces in the skyscraper.

On one of the top floors is a restaurant:

One of the middle level floors, a typical office space:

On the sixth level, the second lobby space:

Tertia Mock Firm Video

2011-04-10T13:52:00.000-04:00

Charlotte Charette

2011-04-01T16:03:00.001-04:00

Process

2011-03-16T15:41:00.000-04:00

Early iterations of skyscraper ideas. The First shows the layering idea and terraces, while the second gets it's form from the idea of breaking out of the rock.

Light diagram model for the Lovejoy Building in Portland, Or.

diagram models: Bank of America Tower

2011-03-16T15:22:00.000-04:00

Diagram models created for the Bank of America tower in New York.

Hierarchy:
Circulation:
Building Envelope to Structure:
Circulation:

Assignment 2: diagrams

2011-02-04T12:53:00.002-05:00

Skyscraper precedent: Bank of America Tower, NYC

Workplace precedent: Lovejoy Building, Portland, Or

Precedents

2011-01-24T13:25:00.004-05:00

Workplace precedent: Lovejoy Building, Portland, Oregon

Image source: Integrated Design in Contemporary Architecture, Kiel Moe

Skyscraper precedent: Bank of America Tower, NYC

Image source

Rick Steves: Stockholm and Helsinki

2011-01-19T15:20:00.003-05:00

http://www.hulu.com/watch/106465/rick-steves-europe-stockholm-and-helsinki

http://www.hulu.com/watch/199827/rick-steves-europe-stockholm

Sky Scraper ideas

2011-01-18T22:06:00.000-05:00

Here are some sketch ideas for the Mock Firms competition project:

My initial concept ideas:

It’s important for this skyscraper to look like it fits in with the city and not a random shape. All of the existing historic and modern architecture is much smaller in scale than 60 stories. Therefore, the current skyline is full of buildings that are slightly taller or shorter than each other. This design is the opposite; each floor is slightly longer or shorter than the one above or below it. The shape I designed separates each floor and has them cantilevering over one another. This brings the skyscraper to a scale that is appropriate for the city.

Main Ideas:

· Mainly inspired by the bridges and the idea of suspension over the water, which shows through the cantilevered floors

· Sustainability

o Overhanging floor above will help with sun exposure

o This design allows for many balcony spaces that can be used for rooftop gardens, practicing

o White material to reflect sun

· The shape is inspired by the surrounding environment and looks like it belongs

o Reminiscent of the existing skyline, just turned on it’s side

o Scale-breaks the building down into modular pieces that are similar in size to the buildings in the city

Honors: Concept images

2010-12-11T18:37:00.000-05:00

My concept is about the weaving of different parts into an overall composition. I looked fo images that used a weaving structure in interesting ways.

source

Honors: Precedent images

2010-12-11T17:25:00.000-05:00

When looking for precedents, I searched for showrooms and stores that had interesting ideas for displays. Each of these also have strong linear qualities that flow throughout the whole space, something that I want to do with this project.

The AVL showroom in Milan, Italy. Designed by Fabio Novembre.

Stuart Weitzman store, also designed by Fabio Novembre.

Snaidero USA showroom, by Giorgio Borruso.

Honors: Programming

2010-12-10T20:04:00.000-05:00

First step: programming and ideation. Scans from my sketchbook:

What's needed:

Sustainable design in the carolinas
promote and supply sustainable design services
living space that demonstrates sustainable processes and products
interior that integrates universal design, sustainable design, functionalism, and creativity
follow LEED guidelines, design excellence
attractive displays and staff areas
entertaining clients

Client info:

Lisa Han, owner
Business manager
sustainable design specialist
maintenance people
sustainable product specialist

Concept adjectives:

Collaboration
Cooperate
Joint
Intersecting

Types of products featured:

Plumbing/water collection
Low VOC wall covering/paint
Flooring
Textile
Lighting
Recycled products
Geo-thermal system
Solar energy collection

106 Parrish St-Apartments

2010-11-23T11:23:00.003-05:00

Larger Loft:

106 Parrish St-Apartments

2010-11-23T11:19:00.002-05:00

Smaller Loft:

Apartment:

106 Parrish St-Wine Bar

2010-11-22T21:21:00.003-05:00

Design Development 2-Central Regional Hospital

2010-10-18T16:24:00.004-04:00

Seth Riskin lecture

2010-10-04T21:09:00.000-04:00

Seth Riskin’s lecture showed the passion that he has for something that most of us overlook, light. He went through the history of art and pointed out how different artist used the concept of light in their work. Many of the earlier artists he showed would have a glowing light, usually a religious painting. Then he showed how art evolved to the impressionist period, where the natural quality of light during the day was portrayed. Once the modernist period started, it wasn’t about showing a literal representation of light. The brightness and contrast of colors would give a sense of light in abstract pieces of work.

Seth uses his work to manipulate light in a way the observer hasn’t seen before. It has an architectural element, sometimes highlighting the shapes of buildings and interiors. He mainly focuses on how the human body and light can be combined. Like the classical paintings he studies, his own artwork tries to give a glowing light to humans in real life. He does this through the use of holograms and other technical methods.

Design Development: phase 1

2010-09-20T17:24:00.002-04:00

Design Development: phase 1

2010-09-20T17:17:00.003-04:00

Design Development: phase 1

2010-09-20T15:51:00.004-04:00

some more ideas...

2010-09-16T14:03:00.003-04:00

Graphically in the space I want to use an abstract image inspired by trees in the forest. This can be used on all surfaces and also be a way finding device. I want it to made of cork or similar materials to create a change in texture. Tina suggested that it could become more 3D and possibly used for spaces people can sit on/crawl into. These images also show what I'm thinking for a color scheme. I want soft and neutral greens, browns, and blues/violets.

Peer Evaluation

2010-09-15T11:32:00.004-04:00

Greg Hickman

Greg has really considered the users of this space and how the current design does not support them physically or emotionally. He points out that the hospital seems more like a child friendly prison. With this idea in mind, he wants to bring the idea of exploration as a child into the concept of his project. I would like to see more sketches and drawings exploring his concept and how it will work in the space.

When it comes to materials and colors he wants to warm the space up and make it more comfortable. Making it a more homelike environment is important in his concept idea, and the CMU walls that are currently in the space do not help with that kind of aesthetic. He wants to incorporate more natural light into the space by having larger windows, but I’m not sure installing new windows is feasible for the hospital. But I think it’s important at this point to “dream big” and then bring our ideas to a smaller scale.

Shape and form is something I’m very interested in learning about with Greg’s project. So far he has the idea of introducing curvilinear forms that contour to the body, presumably for furniture pieces. I’d like to see if these forms are going to be used for walls, floors, or ceilings.

Brittany Stiles

Brittany has chosen “Growth” as a concept for her design of Central Regional Hospital. She’s done a great job of relating this concept to the needs of the users of this space. The children and adolescents of the space have possibly been stunted in their psychological health and they need to push out of this place and move on.

So far she plans to show growth through forms and shapes that expand and contract. I would like to see more exploration of colors and how that will fit in with the concept and the needs of the patients. More sketches of the space and how it’s divided up would help me understand her ideas better. The bubble diagram helps me get a better understanding of how the spaces relate to each other, but an image with the plan and proposed designs would help even more.

I really like the fact that Brittany has thought about what actual activities the kids will be doing in the spaces. She knows that they need stimulation so that staff can understand how the kids are doing. It would be great if she can discover those activities and cater the design to them. She has also considered the users with her custom idea for the reception desk. It is transparent to allow clear visualization but it also has different heights to accommodate small children.

Schematic design

2010-09-13T20:25:00.004-04:00

Here are some drawings from my sketchbook exploring the schematic design for the Central Regional Hospital. I want to incorporate materials and colors that evoke the natural environment of the forest. I'm using panels on the ceiling to divide spaces. I want to further this idea to the walls.

Concept: Central Regional Hospital

2010-09-13T20:03:00.008-04:00

My concept relates to the organization and systems found in the forest, something I thought was relevant to the Central Regional Hospital. The site for the hospital contains lots of wooded areas and I want to bring that to the interiors. When studying what environmental effects are good for psychiatric hospital patients, nature and light were repeatedly mentioned. The natural environment of a forest will bring in both of these aspects.

The ideas of layering and protective vs. open areas in a forest relate to the spaces needed in the CRH. For example, in the large group room, the staff want to have smaller spaces in order to have smaller groups of patients. I want to use layers of vertical and horizontal planes in the space to divide it up. This concept also inspires different ceiling heights, which would create more intimate spaces that patients would feel more comfortable in.

Some inspiration photos:

Quick drawings done relating to the density of materials in the forest and the floor plan in each ward:

Precedent study

2010-09-03T22:03:00.007-04:00

Sketch and diagram done for this study.

The blue area is for 3-7 year olds, yellow for 13-17 year olds, and green for 7-13.

Powers of Ten-Final

2010-08-29T19:02:00.005-04:00

Project statement:

This piece connects the story of where one element, Aluminum, is found in the world around us. It allows us to see it from the molecular state, to the human scale, and finally to its creation in a cosmic explosion.

Reflection statement:

In an attempt to explain the intricate processes of our world, Charles and Ray Eames’ film, “The Powers of Ten” brought science to the masses. It shows the relationships between objects in our universe from the molecular level to the scale of the cosmos. This film caused me to think about many ideas including scale (micro to macro), one person’s place in the universe, and the age of information and technology.

With this idea in mind, I wanted to trace the story of a specific element that is around us all the time and something we use as designers. Aluminum is the most prevalent metal found in the Earth’s crust and is used to make countless items in our world. My physical response to the “Powers of Ten” shows aluminum at the molecular scale with the structure of its atom. Next it shows objects that are built from aluminum at the human scale. Because aluminum can be produced so quickly, it is used for a wide range of items, from a soda cans to a plane construction. The last item represents a supernova explosion, which is the moment when all elements are created and spread across the universe.

I’ve created this 3D piece to create more of an understanding of where the world around us comes from. Just as the Eames’ film did, I wanted to simplify the complicated systems of nature and play with the idea of scale. This piece brings all three representations of aluminum to a consistent size that can be seen with the human eye.

Powers of Ten

2010-08-28T21:05:00.005-04:00

Our first project in studio this semester asked us to create a response to the short film by Charles and Ray Eames, Powers of Ten. Some of the things this film had me thinking about:

Scale-micro to macro
understanding the everyday world in a new context
age of information and technology
one person's place in the universe
microscopic systems to universal systems-things we can't see
size-how objects relate to one another
use of space
distance

Here are some pages from my sketchbook showing my process:

"Computing in Architectural Design"

2010-05-22T18:24:00.008-04:00

“Computing in Architectural Design” from Architecture’s New Media by Yehuda Kalay, The MIT Press, 2004, pp 63-81

This article was pretty interesting, especially because it goes way back into history to explain how computation was first used in design, something I had not thought about before. Beginning in Mesopotamia, architects needed to use mathematics and scientific formulas to create buildings that were structurally sound and aesthetically appealing. Research and experimentation with computer aided design occurred in schools, but it didn't take off until the invention of the personal computer. Drafting programs were created early on for macs, but they were limited in the amount of work they could do. After faster processors and printers came out, companies started to develop programs that were suitable for professionals to use. The article points out that the electronics industry has been able to develop software that actually aids in the design process. It knows when you are creating something that is physically not possible and therefore speeds up the design process. Software created for architecture needs to catch up to the other industries to become more efficient.

austin

2010-05-06T22:47:00.004-04:00

Drawing I did of my nephew based on a photo. I love him and i'm excited about another one on the way!

thank-you

2010-05-04T17:01:00.004-04:00

Thank-you Suzanne for this gift and everything you have done for me these past two years.

happy

2010-04-27T21:20:00.005-04:00

The last project for studio this semester is all about happiness. To start it off, we were told to find a design that makes us happy, and something we would be happy to re-design. I found the first image from Kendall Wilkinson design and I am in love with this view of the room. immediately feel happy when looking at it. Besides the pops of fresh color, I love that it blends clean and modern style with traditional elements, like the molding on the walls.

It was hard to find a space that I would be happy to redesign because there are a lot that come up. I chose this room because it has great bones to start with: cool windows, a fireplace, and even the same molding detail on the walls as the first room. There are a lot of things that could be changed to make it a happy space.

IAR 202: Final presentation

2010-04-23T21:37:00.003-04:00

We presented all of the work we've done this semester, from the makeshift shelters to phase 3 of Unity Village. I'm so proud of the work this studio has done and I'm happy I got to be a part of it.

Final Presentation board

2010-04-22T19:06:00.002-04:00

Specifications

2010-04-22T19:01:00.003-04:00

All of the furniture or lighting is from Room and Board or vivavi.

Final Perspectives

2010-04-20T22:32:00.010-04:00

These are the final perspectives for the phase three project. I had time to experiment with a more loose rendering style and love how they turned out.

Phase 3 programming

2010-04-16T22:07:00.001-04:00

Inspiration images: phase 3

2010-04-16T13:27:00.002-04:00

Here are some images I've found that express the ideas that I want in Jamel and Grants apartment. The first thing you see when you walk into the space is the living area with huge windows that let in a lot of light. The bright and open space invites you into the environment with streamlined and rectilinear elements. There is also a lot of wood added for warmth, which helps the space transition into the more closed-in parts of the apartment. I found this website helpful for thinking about open spaces.

process: phase 3: perspective

2010-04-16T13:00:00.002-04:00

I did this perspective quickly because I was getting frustrated with my sketch-up. It is hard for me to visualize things in sketch-up so I decided to print out what I had and do a practice rendering. I was experiencing with materials and colors to find out what works and what doesn't. I'm not quite done with my design and sketch-up but doing this helped me a lot with my process and confidence in the design.

Process: phase 3: color

2010-04-16T12:53:00.004-04:00

I did this quick process sketch to figure out how the color on the walls will work. My concept is about bright and open spaces transitioning into dark and intimate places, so I want the walls to reinforce this idea. I'm also trying to decide what colors to use and tried out green in this example. I am leaning towards using red in the entertaining spaces and blue in the private spaces. I was also playing with ideas of lighting and where fixtures will be located.

Designer Strengths: Carlos Smith

2010-04-13T22:50:00.006-04:00

I decided to write about Carlos' design strengths because he always has the most unique vision of everyone in the class. He doesn't think about architecture and design in a typical way. He uses his imagination to come up with new forms and shapes to incorporate in the design and doesn't limit himself on what design can be. I would like to learn from this to come up with different shapes that really appeal to the users of the space. His renderings are always great and draw you into the space, sparking your imagination. His scale figures interact with the space making it seem real. The drawings are dynamic and engaging which only makes the design stronger.

Process: Models

2010-04-12T14:21:00.004-04:00

These are sketch models that I created for the apartment.

Built-In Desk and bed:

Built-In couch and dining seating:

Concept: Evolved

2010-04-12T11:45:00.002-04:00

For the new residential spaces, we are using our same concept as before. However, we need to evolve the concept and make sure it fits the space and the users.

Tracey and I had the concept of openness and the flow of light through the space. All of the spaces were open to each other allowing natural light to reach places it otherwise wouldn't. We used white to reflect light with pops of color to make the space lively. The shapes and forms in the space were rectilinear and modern to appeal to a broad range of people.

Now the space has changed to a residential unit shared by two people. There are open and bright spaces that are for "public" use, but there are also areas that are private and intimate. These spaces will be darker with the use of color and materials, creating an environment to relax. Attention will be paid to how the open spaces transition to the enclosed spaces.

Standards

2010-04-12T11:44:00.003-04:00

Walls/floors/ceilings should be covered with materials with a 30 minute fire rating (eg. drywall); or materials with a 15 minute fire rating and interconnected smoke alarms, throughout all dwellings in the house
Walkway width: 3 ft

Kitchen:

countertop depth: 2ft
length between countertop and upper cabinets: 18"
upper cabinet depth: 12"
landing space next to refrigerator and sink: 18"

Apartment Area with two bedrooms:

240 sq ft each room
100 sq ft kitchen

Width of space:

Living, Dining: 12 ft

Strengths as a designer

2010-04-11T13:23:00.000-04:00

My strengths as a designer have to do with the fact that I truly care about the users of the space. I put myself in the position of the clients and what they need or want. The function of the space is very important and I try to not insert ideas just because they look good. I make sure to properly research them, especially if it’s a user I don’t know a lot about. This allows me to design spaces that they appreciate and that work for them. Having drawing and rendering skills is very important to me as well. This allows me to quickly get my initial ideas out, develop them, and finally create the designed space in a visual form. I find hand renderings to be more appealing and sparking the imagination and emotions for the people looking at them. Lastly, I work extremely hard to make sure I am putting my best work out there. This has developed more as time has gone on. I will sacrifice sleep or fun in order to get my work done. It is important to me because if I’m not putting my best work out there I will regret it.

User Needs: Grant and Jamel

2010-04-10T18:18:00.005-04:00

College students:

Quiet space to study-Soundproofing
Space to entertain friends for poker/playing video games/watching sports

Entertainment center for TV/game consoles/DVDs/music
Functional but small kitchen because they don't cook much (mostly use refrigerator and microwave)
Storage space for sports and computer equipment
Storage for books
Space that is used for fun but also space to relax
Quality lighting for doing school work

image source

process: phase 3

2010-04-09T12:20:00.003-04:00

Here are some views of the sketch-up that i've created so far. I've got the walls up and the general placement of furniture and units. Next I need to further the design of the couch, kitchen, beds, and wall storage units.

Next we will be making sketch models of different elements of the space, due Monday.

process: phase 3

2010-04-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

These are the initial sketches of the space from my sketchbook. I'm focusing on bringing in the previous concept of light, openness, and geometric shapes. I really want to create a custom couch/dining seating in the living room space. One side will be for watching the TV and playing video games, the other side will be seating for the dining table. The dining table is important because it will be used for holding poker nights two times a week.

unity Village: Phase 3

2010-04-08T14:18:00.009-04:00

For the final phase of the project, we will each be designing a residential unit for a given client. My clients are two male college students who share an apartment. They don't cook, like having their friends over, hold poker nights, play video games, and watch sports. They're pretty much the exact opposite of me, which makes it a fun challenge to design for them. I plan on evolving my previous concept to fit the new space, which includes a curved entrance. I will keep using clean lines, geometric shapes, taking advantage of natural light, and pops of color. Here are some images of inspiration I've found so far:

This is an inspiring images just because it mixes the idea of fun and functionality. It is something unexpected and youthful, both important ideas for my design.

I love the idea of incorporating wood on the walls. I might do this instead of having wood on the floor and ceiling. This makes the bed a huge focal point and it even has rectangular cut-out.

I plan on integrating some of the seating in the living/dining area.

Neighborhood B reviews

2010-04-02T15:46:00.005-04:00

Ground floor

I loved the overall color scheme of this design and the curved shapes, which weren’t overdone. I wish they had worked to make the renderings lighter because the space seemed dark, which I’m sure was not their intention. The concept didn’t come across as very strong to me. There could have been more elements representing expansion and contraction. The ideas of the concept could have been embedded in the presentation to make it more understandable. Overall the space seems like it would be a very positive environment.

1^st floor

This space had a lot of character and they did a great job of adding entourage into the space. Again like the other groups that used podium, the renderings would have benefited by being a bit lighter. I appreciate the idea of the concept of blending the old and the new, which would appeal to the groups living here. However it could have used more development. I wish the vintage furniture and the modern design elements had some more commonalities. I think the mix of textures and the colors are also warm and inviting.

2^nd floor

The concept of wind and nature came across very well in the floor plan and perspectives in this project. They did a great job with filling their perspectives with people, making it very community friendly. Although I like the subtle and natural colors, I think the space could benefit from something a bit more dynamic going on. The floor plan is very interesting to look at, but you don’t necessarily see the same shape and movement in the perspectives.

Our group:

I am very pleased with how our space turned out. It looks like it would be a very happy space that would lift your mood if you were there. I wish we had worked more on making the colors less bright. They could have been closer to the colors in our inspiration images, which were less primary. Our space was very unique, most of the other groups had curved elements and no one had an abundance of white. Another thing we could work on is making the space more appealing to senior citizens, which may be turned off by the modern lines and shapes. We definitely considered how to make the space work for them functionally, but not necessarily if they would like how it looked. The only complaint I have about our process is that we didn’t incorporate enough time to work on the courtyard area, which we wanted to integrate into our design.

Final Presentation: UNITY VILLAGE-ground floor

2010-03-31T23:52:00.005-04:00

These are the slides from our final presentation. We also had to write a script for each slide which made the day a lot less nerve-wracking. I am so happy with how this project turned out and how hard we worked. Working with Tracey was a great experience because we have the same goals and standards when it comes to our work. I'm looking forward to moving on to the residential units in UNITY VILLAGE and getting the chance to work on individual designs.

Renderings

2010-03-26T23:40:00.001-04:00

These are the renderings I created for the Unity Village project, focusing on the grocery and laundry areas. Although Tracey and I have different rendering styles, our renderings are consistent with each other to create a unified presentation. As long as you are using the same colors to convey materials correctly different styles are a great thing to show when presenting the design.

Precedent images

2010-03-23T14:43:00.004-04:00

We've been trying to find interesting precedent images that relate to our space and concept. Here are some for the grocery area:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

User Needs

2010-03-22T11:18:00.002-04:00

Mexican Fathers

Come home to a peaceful, comfortable home

Work long hours in strenuous job and need to relax

Functional space to raise family

Many have young children
Possibly have extended family living with them

Opportunities/Resources for family present in living community

Many decide where they live based on what things are available for them their (i.e. schools, etc)

Space for entertaining family/friends

Often invite lots of people over for holidays, celebrations

Vibrant colors evocative of their culture

Want to incorporate bright colors reminding them of Mexico

Community in Greensboro

2010-03-19T21:22:00.008-04:00

Natural Science Center

One of the most important resources in Greensboro, NC is the Natural Science Center. It is an area attraction that encourages people to learn more about the natural world around them. Anyone who lives here knows that visiting it is one of the most fun things you can do in this city.

The interior design allows for visitors to meander through the different exhibits and activities. It easily allows large groups of people to fit in the space, but they have to gather closer together to view and participate. This allows for natural fellowship to occur with strangers. The design really shines in the outdoor park area. You follow along winding paths to different animal destinations. The same gathering between strangers occurs, especially under the covered viewing areas. These spots allow for a chance to rest comfortably and watch the animals, another area for natural conversation to begin.

People young and old have the opportunity to learn about science and animals, up close and personal. Not only can you visit on your own, events are held there to teach and entertain large groups. You can even have an outdoor picnic while watching tigers and monkeys! Whether a person goes on their own or with a group of thirty, the science center offers a fun and accessible place for people to congregate. It is also representative of something people in the area are proud of and cherish.

what is design thinking?

2010-03-19T19:31:00.017-04:00

Design thinking is problem solving. A designer's job is more than making something look nice. The point of design is to figure out how to make something function better, which does involve aesthetics. You have to think outside the box and approach a challenge in a new way. If you don't there is no evolution in design.

Community is the most important aspect that we have to think about in Unity Village. Design thinking is being used when considering who we are designing for. A quote from the Tim Brown video we watched about design thinking says, "Design is too important to be left to designers." This statement means that you have to put the client and user's needs first and make sure that you are satisfying them. A designer is no good if they are only satisfying their own ego. We have done a lot of research about the users of Unity Village and what kind of things they need in a home.

Collection of design standards

2010-03-19T19:31:00.016-04:00

Ground Floor design standards

HALLWAYS

Hallways should have a minimum width of 36 inches.

All interior doors intended for passage must have minimum clear opening

width of 34 inches.

GROCERY STORE

Maximum shelf height 72”

Circulation zone 30”-36”

Activity zone (pulling items off shelf, etc.) minimum 18”

DAYCARE

¨ All walls and ceilings in rooms which are used for day care purposes and are part of the exiting path shall have surfaces of noncombustible construction (plaster or gypsum wallboard).

¨ Rooms where occupants receive care in I-4 and R-3 adult and child day care facilities shall be on the level of exit discharge.

Number of Exits. Group E and Group R-4 adult and child day care facilities shall have two exits.

Exception: Rooms where occupants receive care are located on the level of exit discharge and each of these rooms has an exit door directly to the exterior.

LAUNDRY

Wheel Chair turnaround space

The development’s community laundry must consist of at least 1 washer and 1 dryer for every 10 units in the development. Exceptions: a) If all units in the development have washer/dryer connections, then the community laundry must consist of at least 1 washer and 1 dryer for every 15 units in the development; b) If all units in the development have a washer and dryer furnished at no cost to the tenants by the development, then the development is required to provide at least 1 washer and 1 dryer; and c) Developments consisting of Single Family Detached Units exclusively.

RESTROOMS

Water closets:

1 fixture for each sex (1-15 people)

2 fixtures for each sex (16-35 people)

Lavatories:

1 per 1-20 people

2 per 21-40

Inspiration images

2010-03-19T12:41:00.009-04:00

These are some images that Tracey and I pulled together as inspiration for our concept for the ground floor of Unity Village. The images represent color, light, movement, openness, and interaction between spaces and people.

We want our concept to pull all of the spaces together on the ground floor, bringing people together making the spaces more user friendly and fun to use.

Chapter 6: Ideation

2010-03-19T12:41:00.005-04:00

We read Chapter 6 in Rengel's book Shaping Interior Space. This has come in handy while Tracey and I are trying to figure out our concept. According to Rengel, the point of a concept is to "give the project a sense of cohesion and identity." Concepts help you figure out design decisions such as shape, orientation, placement, and color. Concepts have to address the challenges of the particular project and provide stability to the design process. He makes it clear that most concepts are not going to come from a sudden flash of genius, you have to think about it and find out what the space needs.

Ideas for the Ground floor

2010-03-18T21:05:00.007-04:00

Here are the first sketches I did for the ground floor of unity village. I quickly wanted to get down the ideas of we've had for the daycare and grocery store. The daycare will have bursts of color throughout the space, with those colors being carried out to the other rooms in a more subtle way. The whole floor will be light filled and open, with the ability to see all the spaces from any point.

Here are some of the initial notes about our concept idea:

Unity Village: Ground Floor

2010-03-17T20:46:00.006-04:00

Phase two of the Unity Village project involves designing the interior of the first three floors. Tracey and I are working together on the ground floor, which includes a daycare center, grocery store, and laundry room. We haven't completely nailed down our concept but we know what we want in the space. Most importantly, light will play a huge role. The natural light coming through the windows in the daycare will flood into the other parts of the space. There is not much natural light on the other side of the building, so openness on this floor is extremely important. We want the spaces to flow into one another with no distinct barrier between them. This means that we will probably use glass or another material that lets light through. The spaces will be connected through common colors and shapes. Some images that inspire us:

Unity Village: Phase 1

2010-03-03T12:51:00.005-05:00

In groups, we recently completed models, diagrams, and programming for the Unity Village project. We are using the existing Gateway Plaza building as the site for the apartment complex which will house students, immigrants, and the elderly.

1/4"=1' model of first three floors:

1/16"=1' model of building:

diagrams and programming:

Sketch-Up model:

My Sister's House

2010-02-15T22:20:00.005-05:00

Our studio visited the opening of My Sister's House on Monday. It was great seeing so many people coming together and celebrating this project that IARC had a huge hand in creating. The space will be home to 5 teenage mothers and their children, providing a sanctuary for them. After touring the space, a lot of us commented that it would be awesome to live there ourselves! The design is modern and appealing for young people. Each suite feels individualized and is its own private space, yet there is a sense of community in the rest of the facility. An example that was pointed out in the ceremony is that there are no microwaves in each of the individual rooms, that way the girls can eat together in the kitchen and dining room. This project makes me very proud of IARC and I hope we will get to participate in an Urban Studio project in the future.

Video: Fostering Community

2010-02-15T13:03:00.002-05:00

Here is a link to my group's video about fostering community in Greensboro.

mousepath

2010-02-13T15:06:00.001-05:00

My mousepath! I'm a little obsessed with this thing.

MAKESHIFT PROCESS: revised

2010-02-11T19:13:00.003-05:00

For the makeshift shelter project, I was a part of the sleeping shelter group. Working in this group was a very good experience because everyone wanted to participate and pull their weight. This made my personal process more successful since I could work off of my group member’s strengths.

As soon as the project began, I started sketching my initial ideas, as well as coming up with the traits our shelter would need. I presented my ideas along with everyone else in the group, and we came up with a “sleeping pod” idea. We searched for our materials together and found everything on group outings. The next step was the physical building of the design, which we all worked at equally.

During the building process, there were moments when I suggested changes to the design to make it stronger. The group agreed on all of these changes and felt it improved the shelter. The final part of this project was creating the banner. I had a large hand in this aspect of our project. I planned out where all of the drawings and images went. I also drew the technical drawings and wrote the statement.

The sketching and writing exercises of this project helped me a lot. Writing about what we were doing made me think about different aspects I might not have thought about before. If you were to look at my sketchbook you would see that every part of this project is sketched out and thought about in detail. It shows many of the ideas we had and how the design progressed to what it is now. It is interesting to look back and see what changes were made and why. Beginning sketches, construction details, and other helpful drawings are included in my drawing process.

This project has taught me more about what I enjoy about design, which is working for a broader range of people, as opposed to the privileged in society. I tried to put my self in the shoes of the users of these shelters and figure out what they would need. For me, this kind of design would be more rewarding and make a larger impact on the world and the lives of other people.

My individual process in this project is very strong and I think I was a very important part to this group. I always make sure that I am putting as much as I can into any project, especially when other people are relying on me. There were many challenges that I had to adapt to in this project. I experienced learning to overcome difficult aspects and figure out a solution, which is how designers grow.

Reading about community

2010-02-07T19:01:00.004-05:00

Chapter 5: Housing and Community

This reading helped me understand the complex process of building neighborhoods and communities, and why so many suburban neighborhoods are built the way they are. It also suggests that the larger a community is the less unified people are in them.

One thing I tried to understand while reading this is how communities affect the people in them. The researchers found that members of the community will try to the behavior they see around them, whether it is positive or negative.

The chapter explains in detail how community development regulations affect the building of housing. The strict regulations can protect the quality of a neighborhood, but it can also contribute “to problems of housing affordability and to the reduction of personal freedom to make use of one’s own property.” I don’t think I could live in a neighborhood that controls what color or style my house could be, what kind of fence I could have, or even what the shed looks like. Factors of these homes and yards are sometimes held to a standard that it locks out middle and lower income families.

Also, houses and neighborhoods are built to be further and further apart, which wastes resources. Power lines and other utilities have to stretch further distances, making those communities more expensive.

That brings us to the idea of New Urbanism, which seems like it might be a way to build stronger communities. It says that a neighborhood should be no longer than a 10-minute walk, which gives it a human scale. There should be different family types, income levels, and lifestyles. This means that families can grow and change and still remain in the same neighborhood. Also, having stores and public transportation available in the community means that residents don’t have to leave get those things.

Case Study: Community

2010-02-04T21:30:00.014-05:00

Cloyne Court Hotel (Berkeley, California)

Student housing Coop located on the University of California at Berkeley
Opened 1904 by John Galen Howard
Originally designed with 32 suites, each with its own stairway
Fireproof walls and doors, which allowed the hotel to house refugees from the 1923 Berkeley fire
Was owned as a hotel by James and Margaret Pierce for 42 years
Used by university professors at one time
1946-USCA (University Students Cooperative Association) bought the house
1972-62 female students moved in making it Co-ed
1976-renovations allowed it to house 151 students
Called the "Animal House" because of parties and drug use
National Historic register #92001718

Community aspects:

14 balconies overlook the courtyard, which allows residents to interact outside of private space
Went from a hotel to a home for faculty and their families to a student coop
Rivalries with surrounding fraternities (Beta Theta Pi)
Muraled walls created by members
Members promote individualism and self-expression
Hold community service days
Members of the Coop manage the community collectively
The "U" shape structure encloses the residents from the rest of the campus
Hold shows and concerts the bring the community togetherSources:

http://www.berkeleyheritage.com/berkeley_landmarks/cloyne_court.html

http://berkeleystudentcooperative.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=62

Image 1

Image 2

Carolina Theatre-Greensboro (Greensboro, NC)

Opened 1927 as a 2,200 vaudeville theater
At the time, considered to be the best between D.C. and Atlanta
Holds films, performances, musicians, ballet, seminars, meetings, receptions and other public events
On the National Resister of Historic Places
popularity started to diminish in the 1960's due to suburban theaters
United Arts Council raised money multiple times to keep the structure aliveCommunity Aspects:

Interior designed in Greek fashion to give a fantastical experience
Cost is affordable bringing people from all walks of life together
"Going to the theater signifies participation in social life of the city" (Associates, 24)
People arrive early and stay late in order to socialize, snack, and observe
Builds up the neighborhood by bringing people to nearby businesses
During the silent era, the audience would have sing-alongs
Attracts 65,000 people downtown each year
Exterior lighting-"At night provides unexpected warmth, a welcome haven in the dark city" (Specter Chapter 7)
Stadium, balcony, and orchestra seating allows everyone to a good view, unifying the audience

Sources:

http://www.carolinatheatre.com/

Image 1

Pen Pals: Clairissa Anderson, Ino Loloci

Scenes of Discourse

2010-02-02T11:53:00.002-05:00

This is a composition created in photoshop for visual communication. I had to make the image give an uncomfortable feeling, while using industrial imagery.

What's it all about?

2010-01-27T22:13:00.004-05:00

photo credit

Our writing exercise today asked us to consider what our studio project means. What impact will this installation have on people that come to see it?

I think the point of this project is to acknowledge everyone in design, especially a demographic that would normally be over looked in our profession; those without shelter. We have to figure out how to make someone that doesn't have a home feel comfortable, both physically and emotionally. Things we have to think about are what will they be doing in the structure (in my group's case, sleeping) and how to make that experience better.

Its interesting to contrast this project with our last project from last semester, which was a residential kitchen for a celebrity. Although there are major differences between the two projects, the overall goal is the same. As designers we want to create a positive interior experience for the user.

EUC Rendering

2010-01-24T18:05:00.003-05:00

This is a rendering done for Visual Communication of a public space on campus. I tried to experiment with adding shadows and contrast. I can now look back at work I did last semester and notice ways to improve things, which shows me that I'm continuously learning.

Experiencing the sleeping pod

2010-01-23T13:33:00.010-05:00

An interior architecture student, Bob, was rushing to make it to class on time, about to make his way into the Gatewood lobby.

He was approaching the elevator when he noticed five makeshift shelters, all set up on display by fellow IARC students. Though Bob was in a hurry, he couldn’t help but want to go inside the little homes.

The last one he walked up to really caught his eye. It seemed to almost look like a pod intended for sleeping. He was attracted to the gentle and flowing curves of the structure.

Bob climbed inside the cocoon-like space and appreciated the cushion of the floor, which was created with foam. It even had a pillow built in to rest his head. He noticed that the structure had a flap to pull down, creating a private space. He pulled the door down, making the shelter dark and perfect for sleeping. One end of the pod had been made into a plastic window, in order to let just a bit of light in.

A sense of tranquility came over Bob due to the soft textures inside the space. There were no distracting or out of place features in the pod, such as fabrics with patterns or odd shapes. This environment did not invigorate Bob; it comforted him and helped him fall asleep.

Makeshift shelter

2010-01-21T12:56:00.005-05:00

Our first studio project of the semester is underway and already sparking a lot of ideas from the class. In a small group we are to create a makeshift shelter for someone in Greensboro, using only found materials and objects. Young, Brittany, and Shane are in my group and we are focusing on a shelter for sleeping.

This project comes at a time when thousands of people have lost their homes in Haiti and are therefore having to create their own makeshift shelters. I love the fact that studio this semester will be focusing on and considering everyone in the world when it comes to design. Most people in the world don't have access to a designer, and I want to design for them. Suzanne shared a quote with us in class, "Earthquakes don't kill people, buildings kill people." This points out how important our jobs are, and that design and architecture make a huge difference on the world.

The next step we are taking in our project is the collection of our materials. We are all individually looking for scraps and we will meet together soon to find some more. We are inspired by the idea of a cocoon or pod to sleep in, as this space needs to comfortable, cozy, warm, and dark. After we find what we have to work with we can come up with a more concrete design.

image source

Jeff Corwin Project

2010-01-19T13:40:00.010-05:00

These are the final drawings for the kitchen project in studio. We were assigned a celebrity and floorplan and asked to create a residential kitchen for them. Jeff Corwin was a very interesting choice because he is passionate about many things. As a biologist is is passionate about the environment, as well as traveling and cooking. I wanted to incorporate all of these characteristics in his space and make it a functioning kitchen for him and his family.

Kitchen logo

2009-11-13T00:17:00.004-05:00

Our So You Think You Can Draw for this week was to create a logo representing the concept of our residential kitchens. I wanted to get the idea of transition, curved shapes and fluidity, inspired by Coastal Wetlands.

Concept Composite

2009-11-12T00:06:00.000-05:00

The concept for my residential kitchen is Coastal Wetlands, inspired by where Jeff Corwin comes from.

Entenza perspective

2009-11-04T21:29:00.002-05:00

Axons

2009-11-04T21:20:00.004-05:00

These are the axonometric views of the Entenza house. This type of drawing provides a lot of information about about the layout of a building. It's kind of like a combination of a floor plan and perspective. It's easier to understand how a space flows and how rooms connect to one another. I'm particularly happy with how the shade and shadow came out on the black and white drawing. Showing gradient on surfaces is something that I'm starting to work on.

The Victorian Era

2009-10-22T18:29:00.002-04:00

Our assignment for So You Think You Can Draw this week was to create a perspective from another era. I chose to do the Victorian age. I tried to hint at the use of patterns and all of the "clutter" people liked to show in their homes. Heavy draperies and carved furniture were also important during this time period.

Case Study Elevation

2009-10-22T18:26:00.001-04:00

This is the elevation for of the Case Study 9 house that we have been working on. Showing line weight and shadow is important in conveying depth, especially in an elevation. These are things that I worked on with this drawing. I need to work on showing more texture to differentiate materials.

Case Study 9 Section

2009-10-15T18:06:00.000-04:00

This is a section of the Case Study 9 house that we have been working with. We have done a rendered floor plan, elevations, and soon an axonometric view. We were able to add our own furnishings and items to the house. Just like with the other drawings, line weight is important when conveying depth. Things closer to the viewer have thicker lines than things further away.

Rendered Floor plan

2009-10-13T18:02:00.000-04:00

Getting digital

2009-10-01T18:00:00.004-04:00

Our 4th "So you think you can't draw" assignment was to do a contour drawing of a camera and then add color in photoshop. Even though there isn't much color on the camera itself I wanted it to pop. Therefore I added a muted green color in the background to make it stand out. I created the circular reflection in the lens and then decided to use that as a super graphic of sorts across the whole image. It's a lot easier to experiment and try different things and be able to undo instantly with photoshop.

Inspired Composition

2009-09-29T09:42:00.002-04:00

For this project we created a composition in photoshop featuring multiple assignments over the past month. We used the floorplan, black lined perspective, photoshopped version of our rendered perspective, and the Maud Gatewood painting we got our colors from. I titled this project "Inspired Design" because the room we desgined was inspired by two different things. The very first assignment we had to draw a grid based on a perspective that inspired us. Then our rendered perspectives were inspired by the colors found in Gatewood's work. This assignment has really furthered my skills with photoshop and now the process of printing an 18' x 24' document.

Photoshop Fun #3

2009-09-23T22:16:00.003-04:00

For the last one I adjusted the levels once again. Then I used the paintbucket tool to change colors of objects and also give it a more "cartoony" look. I was surprised at how accurate it was with staying in the lines. I used it on certain lines in the image because I thought it looked really cool. I also used it to make the ceiling lighter in order to make the room seem larger. I used the burn/dodge tool to add and take away shadows.

Photoshop Fun #2

2009-09-23T22:14:00.003-04:00

In the next one I also used the dodge tool to lighten shadows. I adjusted the levels to get rid of unevenness on the floor, which was much easier than the technique I used in the first one. I used the clone stamp tool to fix little mistakes. I used the polygonal lasso tool to separate my scale figure from the image and darken him because I felt he was too bright. I used the lasso tool, paint brush, and the multiply option for the layers to change the colors of certain objects.

Photoshop Fun #1

2009-09-23T22:12:00.003-04:00

For this assignment we got to take our latest rendering and play around with it in photoshop. We had a workshop lesson about the basics of photoshop and now we will create 3 new renderings from the one image. In this one I experimented with the dodge tool to lighten some of the shadows and smudges that were too dark. I also used it to add highlights. Then I played with the hue/saturation to create a whole new color scheme.

West Perspective Rendering

2009-09-22T11:25:00.004-04:00

For this assignment we were to choose another view from our sketch-up model and render it by hand. We could either do it in a really clean and polished style or the sketchy style. I decided to do mine clean in order for people to better understand all of the straight lines.

Experimentation

2009-09-17T20:20:00.004-04:00

For this assignment we were to take the sketch-up image from my previous post an create 3 different styles of rendering. To do this you have to either trace over the image or use transfer paper to copy all of the lines. We also were only able to use four colors inspired by a Maud Gatewood painting. I chose this painting:

This first style is very clean and polished:

The second is somewhat clean, but also sketchy:

The third style is inspired by Ivo Drpic and is supposed to be completely loose and free.

Sketch-Up

2009-09-15T12:42:00.001-04:00

This is the East perspective from our first sketch-up assignment. We're going to use this image to create hand renderings.

North Perspective

2009-09-11T12:34:00.004-04:00

This is another perspective view of the room we have created in Suzanne's class. This is the north view. One of the main things we needed to focus on was line weight, things closer to the viewer have thicker lines.

So you think you can draw #1

2009-09-08T01:06:00.007-04:00

Our first assignment for the weekly contest was to draw a joint. I chose to draw the clasp on a German stein.

Draw your neighbor

2009-09-05T12:37:00.004-04:00

This is a drawing exercise from last week to get us back into the habit of drawing.

Chapel composition

2009-05-08T18:07:00.003-04:00

Precedent analysis-final draft

2009-05-07T00:22:00.012-04:00

Mies Van Der Rohe designed only one religious building, the Chapel of Saint Savior on the IIT campus. It is composed of a simple design, where its modest structure is completely exposed. This is in contrast to the Gothic and Romanesque churches that we have studied through the ages. This different approach to a religious building shows humility and disclosure, things that are necessary in a religious experience.

Van Der Rohe is one of the most recognized architects of the 2oth century. Coming out of the Bauhaus movement, he pioneered the modern style and strived for simplicity in design. The Chapel of Saint Savior, also known as the Robert F. Carr Memorial Chapel, was built in 1952. Therefore it is at the heart of the mid-century modern design movement. As the head of the architecture department of the IIT campus, Van Der Rohe designed 16 of the buildings located on it. Design and architecture is extremely important to this school, therefore there is a holistic approach taken to its planning. The chapel fits in perfectly with the clean lines of the other structures such as Crown Hall. However, it uses brick walls instead of a steel structure.

The building measures 37 feet wide, 60 feet long and 19 feet high. A load-bearing brick system makes up the walls, with an exposed beam ceiling. The altar is a solid block of Roman travertine with a stainless steel cross in front of it. Behind the altar is a graceful screen made of raw silk. This is the main interior décor in the space and in turn makes a large impact on the viewer. The structure and quality of materials provides for a sound design, abiding to the firmness requirement of architecture.

This semester we have looked at churches from the Middle Ages and Renaissance that were anything but minimal in style. Designers of these churches used paintings and stained glass windows to display biblical scenes on the walls of these cathedrals. They wanted to reach as far as they could into the sky to connect to heaven. Columns and flying buttresses were ornamented with many details, which were awe-inspiring to anyone in its presence. This is one approach to the design of religious buildings that we’ve seen. However, the 19^th century was a time architects broke tradition and showed a new perspective on design.

The role of a church is a place of refuge and worship for a person. The design of this chapel fits perfectly with its function. Mies Van Der Rohe created large open spaces inside his buildings, which creates an all-encompassing feeling. This concept relates to the fact that it is a non-denominational church. People of all religions can gather in this space with one goal—to gather in worship. The clean lines and unadorned style of the space also creates a comfortable spot for meditation and reflection. The exposed beams on the ceiling show the humbleness of the design, as well as the fact that you can almost see the entire structure just by looking in the front windows. This shows that there is nothing to hide, just as what happens when a person enters a church.

From the outside, one would not know this was a church if they were not told. Some may view this as a drawback, however in the age of sustainability it is a success. This building can hold a variety of functions, from a church to a classroom. The function of a building or space doesn’t have to be instantly recognizable when looking at it. What’s more important is that people can inhabit the design and value its performance.

Explorations-Top Ten

2009-05-05T23:57:00.021-04:00

Durham, NC

LACK shelves, IKEA

Gattaca, 1997

Washington DC mall

The Fall, 2006

Monticello

Fallingwater

Versailles

Spanish Steps

Hill House, Mackintosh

1
2
3
4
5
6-me!
7-me!
8
9
10

coming full circle

2009-04-28T22:22:00.004-04:00

These are all images from my final studio project. We had to design a lounge to be used for the graduate students, that gave a sense of both celebration on meditation.

community

This first year of IARC has taught me a lot about community. We all rely on each other for help, inspriation, and friendship. In a greater sense, we are learning how to contribute to our global community. We are creating spaces that people will live in, work in, and use regularly. We have to understand the needs of the community and environment in order to successfully design for it. The images of my studio project show that I created a place the graduate students could enjoy together as a community, whether they are gathering together or alone.

stewardship

"The conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care." (source) We are currently in a new era of design called sustainability, and the goal of this is to design responsibly and take care of our environment. Humans are the ones in charge of this planet and yet we haven't done a very good job managing it. This is the same idea as with community; we have to carefully consider what we are designing and what it's implications will be.

innovation

It takes innovation to move society and the design world along. It takes "thinking differently" to break out of the norm and create something revolutionary. Our history class has showed us many innovative designs from the beginning, from the post and lintel system to the sky scrapers of the 21st century. However, innovation shouldn't be the goal of a designer. I think innovation is a result of trying to create a good design.

authenticity

Designers need to strive to be original and true to themselves, or else it's boring if everyone is designing the same thing. Everyone has an individual aesthetic that is just as interesting as the next person. Sometimes it can be hard to be yourself and you want to change to be accepted. However, you have to be yourself and possibly fail, because it's even worse if you fail while trying to be something you're not.

[pair]ing down...opus 13

2009-04-27T22:17:00.001-04:00

meditation/celebration

Our assignment for the light habitat project was to create something that showed the duality of meditation and celebration. Above are photos of my final project. I created meditation through the soothing color and texture of the papers. There is a graduated rise to the center of my window which creates both meditation and celebration. This central focal point creates drama and energy, hence celebration.

light/shadow

I used different forms of paper to create different light effects. The white poster boards on the corners of the windows create more importance to the open triangle windows, which let in direct light. I chose the lace paper because it had a triangle pattern that mimicked my design. I wanted it to have a delicate look, yet have strength to resist tearing.

transpose/juxtapose

These words have to do with how you orient objects in a composition. My inspiration/precedent for the light habitat was the cuts of a gemstone, so I attempted to take those patterns and turn them into something more abstract. I changed the orientation of the triangle shapes found in those designs to create something that was my own. This involved moving shapes to be side by side.

literal/abstract

The balance of literal and abstract is something that we have dealt with a lot in studio this semester. We started out drawing inspiration from stories and trying to abstract them down to their essence. This principle is something that I now deal with through all my projects. It's very easy to get trapped in a design that is too literal, which is why we are always encouraged to abstract more.

monologue/dialogue

How objects relate and communicate with each other in a composition creates a monologue or dialogue.