interior architecture

new website & blog!

2011-08-31T01:10:00.005-04:00

as i am alllll finished with iarc, i've started a new place for myself on the internet :)

lmpetriccione.info

thank you so much for visiting, hope you'll enjoy my new site!

-leah

final board graphic

2011-05-20T23:00:00.000-04:00

final board graphic for studio

independent study final product

2011-05-10T13:09:00.007-04:00

just a quick video of my final woodshop project in action!

summit & lindsay re-design: final presentation

2011-04-25T16:20:00.004-04:00

more to come soon!

trip to atlanta, ga

2011-04-07T14:57:00.002-04:00

lovely model, heather.

me, hanging out with ray eames :)

At the end of March, we had the opportunity to attend a 2-day trip to Atlanta, Georgia. We visited 5 firms: sky design, Gensler, Cooper Carry, ai3, and tvsdesign. We also got to check out both the Herman Miller (which unfortunately was the only time I remembered my camera) and InterfaceFLOR showrooms. It was a really educational experience, as I had never been in a design office environment before, and was really surprised how much I felt like it was where I belonged. I absolutely loved the Herman Miller showroom (as you can see above!) and hope to look more into the world of furniture after graduation.

la gestuelle ou le grand geste

2011-03-08T13:37:00.000-05:00

assignment 1.0: proposal / assignment 2.0: personal marketing package

2011-02-27T14:37:00.001-05:00

As an assignment for our professional practice class, we are to keep blog posts reflecting on assignments and lectures throughout the semester.

For our first assignment, we were to generate a resume, cover letter, and work sample sheet. It was beneficial to finally have the need to produce some sort of resume and work sample sheet, but I was not very excited about my end result. Though I had a hard time on assignment 1.0, it helped me realize immediately what I wanted to change for the next try.

With assignment 2.0, I really felt I came up with a set of documents I am proud of, and can continue to add to. The hardest part for me was coming up with my graphics, as I had so many different ideas. My current blog header is what I decided on for my name.

With my graphics, as well as the work I chose to sample in my portfolio, I wanted to focus on my hand drawing and making skills. My name graphic features a hand drawn underline, and my email stands out with a hand drawn @ symbol. Below is my leave-behind graphic, which is a collective example of my entire graphics and marketing package.

font

back
Aside from our physical marketing package, we were also asked to join LinkedIn.com, and begin making "connections" with our peers and professionals we might meet. LinkedIn is a great way to keep a networking web of people you meet, and also a good way to meet new people!

premier jet (la coupe)

2011-02-18T16:28:00.001-05:00

premier jet is the "primordial or first impulse" after our sit analysis phase. from here we will move on to la gestuelle ou le grand geste, a "working model that depicts the essence of our architectural proposals."

l'analyse : site analysis

2011-01-24T19:37:00.006-05:00

building : site relationship

google maps arial view

exterior building photos

as always, we begin with site analysis. these are some images compiled after we visited our site for the first time this afternoon.

location
hartmann @ the flatiron
e lindsay st., summit ave., church ct.
greensboro, nc

features
brick exterior
brick arches
courtyard in center
porches/balconys
wrought iron gates & details
wood decking on porches
concrete steps

8 condominium units currently exist

nearby
the flatiron bar
downtown hounds, "dog social club"
greensboro historical museum
greensboro children's museum
greensboro inn
dismas charities
the summit station eatery

library & media center : ghana (final document)

2010-12-23T14:07:00.000-05:00

"you're a wizard, harry!"

2010-11-19T01:45:00.000-05:00

normally on release night of a new harry potter, i'd be in line for the midnight showing. tonight, we watch years 1-6 on dvd while swimming in glue and chipboard.

paint, glue, hair dryer, tape, x-acto, pretzels.

2010-11-16T15:35:00.002-05:00

taking a a pretzel break from model building.. we're getting there!

internship fair

2010-11-16T15:29:00.003-05:00

at last, our internships are complete! these are few images of the internship fair window the "display" group created. we printed a few of our favorite pictures, mounted on chipboard, and clipped to strings hanging from the window mullions.

vote!

2010-11-01T07:40:00.000-04:00

click above to check out the page at pepsi refresh and VOTE!

we are in the running to win $250,000! the money will fund

a lab dedicated to re-imagining trash into design materials that both

reduce environmental impact and improve quality of life.

you can vote once a day in november!!

or text 104012 to 73774 (standard text rates apply)

luminaires & light manipulation

2010-10-28T17:36:00.007-04:00

the first years are beginning their final project of 1st semester: a luminaire made from wood & any other material they've used so far. precedent studies of light phenomenons, artists, and luminaires play a big part in their designs. these images are some i felt were worth sharing :)

(source) (more information)

light artists cenci goepel & jens warnecke were among those on a list of examples handed out. they use extended exposure to create photographs and "set their 'lightmarks' in unusual landscapes."

i enjoy how subtle their creations are—almost like they are exposing an element of energy in nature that is always there, but we just can't see it. sort of magical.

(source) (tord boonjte)

not on the list but one of my favorites. "come rain come shine" by tord boonjte; "[a] lyrical reinterpretation of the chandelier, bringing playful sophistication to any surrounding. constructed from a round metal structure, the chandelier froths and preens in a handcrafted concoction of crocheted cotton, organza, silk and fabric flowers, casting a dramatic and mysterious glow when lit."

what i love about this chandelier is how many ways there are to interpret it. chandeliers throughout time hold such high status symbols, and this challenges that.

(source) (bruce munro)

"and like dry desert seeds lying in wait for the rain, the sculpture’s fibre optic stems lie dormant until darkness falls, and then under a blazing blanket of stars they flower with gentle rhythms of light."

primary school : ghana (presentation)

2010-10-19T21:18:00.000-04:00

free people

2010-10-19T21:03:00.000-04:00

been loving the free people blog lately.. especially this window display from their new store in seattle.

3 blank notes

2010-10-19T20:54:00.002-04:00

really enjoyed making these little notecards.. i will have to think of some different ideas for more :)

used: bristol board, watercolor, brown prismacolor pen

2010-10-17T22:49:00.003-04:00

pretty cool application that tracks your mouse movements.. IOGraph

primary school : ghana

2010-10-16T13:27:00.002-04:00

The past 2 weeks, Heather and I have been working on our project for studio this semester: designing a primary school located in Kyekyewere, Ghana. In January, a group of students will actually go to Ghana to build a school that our class designs, so there is lots more work to be done!

under a killer blue sky

2010-10-09T17:01:00.001-04:00

for you ♥...

drawing on this beautiful saturday afternoon... i love fall so much. i wish fall break was actually a break, however :(

be the twig

2010-09-19T20:51:00.004-04:00

some notes from the first year studio as they work on their "container for 12 twigs" project.

ideation

2010-09-19T20:26:00.003-04:00

ideas are supposed to be the easy part...

eames molded plastic

2010-09-19T19:55:00.004-04:00

i'm in love with a chair.
many more depictions of this beauty to come.
(see heather's drawing here!)

internship journal

2010-09-19T16:33:00.003-04:00

rings

2010-09-19T02:21:00.006-04:00

a few little drawings i did to (hopefully) frame and sell at the tate street festival. the sales will benefit the school our studio class is designing to be built in kyekyewere, ghana this january.

inspiration drop

2010-09-18T00:16:00.032-04:00

lately i've been in a design/creative funk. in an attempt to break out, this post is a gathering of lots of different things i've been loving lately. i think i should do this more often :)

(sources at the end)

sources (in order of appearance):
lena wolff
the annuals
anthropologie | june 2009 catalog
passing notes
the sea defense coffee table/shelves
egg press
thevoicethatsaid | flickr
yarmee | etsy
anthropologie | merriment tee
objectified
the silent giants
widjedal racki bergerhoff architects
ben klinger and shay carmon
the bungaloo | etsy
design*sponge sneak peek | shay ometz

maxime's study

2010-07-26T23:18:00.001-04:00

The working chandelier (made from book covers, embroidery hoops, and burgundy satin cord) is accented with the very same copper flashing, cans, and magazine cut-outs as are present in Maxime’s art-wall display.

maxime

2010-07-26T00:43:00.001-04:00

With Maxime de la Falaise (a 1950’s fashionista, model, and designer) as inspiration for this fall concept, the front-of-store was transformed into her world. Rich coppers, aged knick-knacks, and bright, bold patterns defined “Maxime”.

material culture

2010-07-24T19:28:00.007-04:00

Material Culture was the first interior fall concept I helped with. Centered around the new fall bedding and home product, it is meant to be the bedroom of a sophisticated world traveler. Bright and eclectic colors, patterns, prints, props, and textures make up Material Culture.

The canopy above the bed is made out of braided and woven burlap, canvas, twine, twill tape, and cotton fabric; embellished with brightly colored embroidery floss and fabric tie-ons.

love

2010-07-13T19:54:00.002-04:00

last friday, i had to say goodbye to my baby.
my heart is broken, but time will heal it.
he filled 12 years of my life with laughter and happiness,
and i will always love him.

iphone fever

2010-06-20T13:11:00.004-04:00

my whole family is catching iphone 4g fever this week, in anticipation of thursday's release date. first image made in my brand new illustrator cs5, for father's day :)

"..it opened up my eyes, i saw the sign!"

2010-06-08T20:38:00.006-04:00

Signage is the name of the game the past few days (and more to come!) I have been helping with "Fresh cut"/sale signs, bedding tags, and new product pricing- there is always a need for a new handmade sign. Our process includes material and font choice (what works best with the product we are labeling), placement and sizing, and careful construction.

Aside from signage, we have been readily prepping for next week's store inventory, as well as the new interior fall concepts and displays.

completed window

2010-06-02T22:12:00.005-04:00

"the pop" - pink paper woven in
the hanging process- 12' ladder, achy arms, and really hot lights!
sea grass rope used to finish the ends and hang the baskets
front entry moment
main window display

below are some interior shots:

first day

2010-05-20T18:25:00.009-04:00

today was an experience. slightly overwhelmed with new routines, faces, and tasks, but ecstatic nonetheless. i had a blast today working on pieces for the new window displays, "weft & weave". i can't wait to get back to it-- it's going to be a very interesting summer!

getting started...
bottom half completed!

mostly all done (:
process notes: the main supporting reeds were soaked first in water to make them more manageable. we then collected 9 or 11 reeds in a bunch and bound them, using anything round (bicycle wheels, serving trays, cardboard) to hold the shape, and then wove and wove and wove around it- until we could remove the forms. we used 3 different shades of reeds for weaving- some natural, medium stained, and smoked- gluing the ends of each piece together to continue the spiral.

arizona flowers

2010-05-15T15:16:00.004-04:00

Testing out Garrett's new camera...

styrene modeling : process

2010-05-08T02:57:00.005-04:00

Our final for 565 is due soon- a styrene product model. I designed a chair (which you can see in the sketches above.) Below are a few pictures from the process so far-- I'll be posting more of the finished product very soon! (Thank you Heather for the silly one of me in action!)

Heather's project

4 down, 1 to go.
Bending.
Product so far.

Sanding away.

A little about the process- we first cut the sheets (my design required a quarter inch thick styrene) into the size we need, then build "jigs" or forms out of MDF. We then heat the styrene with a very hot heat gun (as you can see in the photos above- the temperature I needed was 500°F, as my pieces were so thick) and mold them around our forms. After this part, I sanded all the pieces and will assemble them with a plastic glue, and spray paint white for the finish.

sketch modeling

2010-04-24T13:49:00.003-04:00

the next 2 weeks are going to be tough.. but summer is at the end of it :)

{inspiration}

2010-04-15T00:02:00.005-04:00

Our final project this year are shelters for Haiti and Chile. I am a member of the Haiti group.
Below is a composition of my initial inspiration images during this past week's beginning stages of development. Sketches and models coming soon!

concept thoughts: abstracting the form and function of { } [ ] ( ) brackets and parentheses.

albemarle : in season

2010-03-26T22:33:00.008-04:00

Today we presented our "final" Albemarle projects. Working with Mira and Sara, we developed our proposal around the concept of "in season." Below are a few key conceptual ideas, as well as how we translated them into the space.

passing of time/cycling of seasons --> daylight, views, and vegetation
climate change/adjustment --> indoor/outdoor space, stepping elements
growth --> awareness --> wayfinding through slat features

We also incorporated patterns from "A Pattern Language" by Christopher Alexander.

Climing Plants: "A building finally becomes part of its surroundings when the plants grow over parts of it freely as they grow along the ground, blurring the edges between natural and man-made."
Front Door Bench: "People like to watch the street." "Inviting interaction and relaxation at a threshold, the front door bench helps us transition from one space to the next."

Below are just a few images from our presentation.

exterior superimposed perspective

street level plan

basement plan

2nd floor plan

exterior slat detail
(green blocking indicates level change from street to basement)

tilt-shift

2010-03-24T03:51:00.007-04:00

Found this pretty neat website today that allows you to upload photos and quickly create "tilt-shift" effects, which makes everything look like a tiny model! I tested it on a few different kinds of photos, and landscapes with far away things in the background seemed to look the best. This one turned out really cool looking- one of my favorite pictures I took in Italy.

Could be a useful one day, and it's really fun to play with!

albemarle : schematics

2010-03-05T12:42:00.008-05:00

The past few weeks we have been working on the schematic design of our downtown Albemarle repurposing project. These are just a few images of our building so far, more to come! The space will be a market/cafe with 4 apartments on the top level.

more illustrator fun

2010-02-24T20:34:00.005-05:00

fonts
Arsenale White (with extra line added to the beginning of the L)
Vegur Light

colors
#3B3B3B (grey)
#889BB5 (blue)

wasting time on illustrator

2010-02-15T21:46:00.004-05:00

This started out as a doodle in my sketchbook.. so many possibilities with this thing.. I like it.

no more plastic bottles

2010-02-02T18:26:00.003-05:00

+ some notes from social/behavioral.

project 1: daylight study

2010-01-28T18:15:00.002-05:00

Our first assignment of the year, we were asked to create a model "demonstrating a strategy of daylighting" based on a specific precedent study. Our location, Albemarle, NC, was said to be a flat and open piece of land with low vegetation. We also needed to include two types of spaces within our design- a public/gathering space, and a private/contemplative space. Lauren and I were inspired by Jean Nouvel's Louvre Abu Dhabi, and chose to utilize the layering opportunities we found in rope or string as a vertical canopy for our space. We also took building orientation and its shape into consideration when developing our final model. This project opened our eyes a little wider to the effect of daylight within a space, and how it sometimes isn't so easy to get the lighting qualities you think you will get.

Our next (big) project continues in Albemarle, with a site visit/analysis coming soon. A so far, so good start to the new year!

2010

2010-01-18T00:53:00.003-05:00

A new year, a new semester, a new decade.

2nd semester always feels so much quicker than the 1st. With spring and summer on the way, it's not hard to guess why.

my resolutions:
get a job
eat healthier
save money
stay on top of my school work
get good grades
stay motivated
relax more
draw more
stay happy

project 3 : durham fire tower

2009-11-20T00:45:00.008-05:00

For our 3rd and final project of iar 301, we spent a week conceptually exploring yet another old building in downtown Durham, the old fire drill tower. Above is my final product, and below are some photos I took of the building from the site visit a few weeks ago. I chose to change the tower into a desert bar/lounge, as I was really intrigued with the idea of people (and buildings) constantly coming and going around Durham (which led to my concept: the relationship between solid and void) It was a really cool space, and a fun project!

cbi showroom : final images

2009-11-19T17:13:00.015-05:00

Tomorrow is our Third Friday event in Durham!

final board
These past few weeks, Sara and I have been working nonstop finishing up our final submission for the CBI project. We had our final critique, and then continued revising for our 3x4' poster and booklet, which will be on display tomorrow. We are still working on our final programming document, which will come later. Below is our final concept statement and our final images- perspectives, plans, sections, a few diagrams and extra conceptual images, as well as our 3D model walkthrough animation.

concept statement (edge : node : vista): The CBI Durham showroom is a space defined not only by the purpose of the company, but the surroundings of Durham as well. With wayfinding as the basis of the design, the space suggests good organization and circulation. Upon entering the space, it is soon apparent that the building is divided into sections with various purposes enclosed. Each section of the space, or node, is where the main activity takes place. These zones are further separated by the translucent edges- the edges define the boundaries of the nodes. These entities also connect the layers of the space, thus performing as a guide through the extents of the building. As the nodes and edges progress through CBI, the visual sense of a vista begins to form. As one enters the space, the branding of CBI serves as the iconic view, whereas upon exiting, the view of the Durham Post Office reigns superior. Each of the three components work together to create a sense of space that is engaging, not only with the products, but the company, as well as the surrounding downtown Durham.

edge: boundaries between two phases, line breaks in continuity.
node: a center of activity; moments of shift from one element to another.
vista: a distant view of prospect, especially one seen through an opening, as between rows of buildings or trees.

1st floor rendered plan
2nd floor rendered plan

2nd floor perspectives
reception area perspective

reveal detail perspectives

kitchen/lounge/office perspectives

1st floor / chair display
1st floor vista

3form detail
lounge/bar detail
stair detail

long sections

cross sections

finish floor plans

1st floor lighting plan
2nd floor lighting plan

data/communication plans

project logo

abstract model images

3D model walkthrough

experimentation

2009-10-27T19:56:00.003-04:00

Messing around with a photo I took of our site in Durham.

design development 3..

2009-10-26T19:27:00.003-04:00

Today was our desk critique for the 3rd development stage of the project, and there is a week left until our final presentation. Here is a sneak peak of what's to come!

design development 2

2009-10-17T21:58:00.012-04:00

This past week was design development stage 2. Sara and I made some big conceptual and physical changes this time around. We found that our concept worked better with the addition of edge. EDGE : NODE : VISTA allowed us to better explain our decisions, as well as organize the circulation and installations within the space more logically.

According to Kevin Lynch, a city planner and author of The Image of the City, an edge is defined as a dividing line between districts, boundaries between two phases, and the linear breaks in continuity. Our large 3form features worked better as edges, allowing the actual spaces to become the nodes (strategic spots which an observer can enter, primary junctions) - together creating the vista notion. We also added 2 more colors to our scheme, a grey-purple and a yellow-orange, pulling from CBI's website navigation to help better direct traffic within our space, as well as warm it. Below are the images we created to help communicate where we are at this point in the design process.

first floor plan
second floor plan
perspective from conference space
perspective of chair display
perspective of reception with the Post Office vista
perspective of showroom from reception
perspective of kitchen/lounge
east long section
west long section
south cross section
north cross section
first floor ceiling plan
second floor ceiling plan

Our next step is further refinement and detail design for design development 3, to be completed by next friday!

design development 1

2009-10-10T22:34:00.016-04:00

This past week, Sara and I have been working on the latest stage of our CBI project, and yesterday, we had an interim presentation in front of a few professional guest critics and our peers. We received some really great feedback and are excited to move forward. In this stage we further developed our space, producing a more finalized spatial layout, perspectives, and construction drawings.

perspective of the front entry/showroom area

first floor plan

second floor plan

perspective view looking towards entry from the back of the building

cross section of back stair/elevator area

perspective of stairway

long section of entire building, entry on the left side
*This section is best for explaining the relationship of the "nodes" to the building- piercing each floor, dividing areas, and becoming skylights.

perspective of kitchen/lounge area, stairs on the right

perspective of conference area, above the entrance

2nd floor reflected ceiling/lighting plan

materials:
As of right now, we have chosen to use 3form's Chroma product in "cranberry" for the main "node" feature and walls encasing the stairs, as well as a colorless Chroma product for the 2nd node. We are going with polished concrete on the main floor, and a light bamboo on the 2nd, as well as a light gray paint for the walls, as we cannot keep the existing brick exposed (which would be ideal) due to historic preservation issues.

We were also to create a 4x8.5 "precís" or "snapshot of our project" to pass out to our guest critics. We chose a view of our site, the vista, and the post office all in one.

2 more design development stages and the final to come! A few things I feel will be our next challenges: more concept development, moving towards "warmer" materials, kitchen/lounge development, and engagement with the exterior/street.

site analysis sketches

2009-10-05T19:48:00.004-04:00

These were some sketches I did as Sara and I figured out the minimum space necessary for each task area within our design.

peer crits (kaytee & toby)

2009-10-02T01:47:00.004-04:00

On Wednesday this week, we had peer critiques on our schematic design. We were to respond on our blogs with notes on what we discussed. Sara and I were partnered with Kaytee & Toby.

When we met, Kaytee & Toby had explored a couple different ideas for spatial organization, and were still working on incorporating their concept more strongly. With a concept of "note bene" (Italian, meaning, "to note well"), their initial exploration consisted of a few different types of spirals, something I thought could be a really interesting way of organizing the space. As the building is a narrow rectangle, forcing circulation or spaces in a spiral shape around the middle was the first suggestion we could think of- a unique solution. Initially, Kaytee & Toby were interested in including a spiral staircase towards the front of the plan, but we felt it wasn't making a big enough statement were they had placed it. We felt that their physical model (a spiral made up of different sized pieces, with one piece a bright green and the rest white) was intriguing, and that they should take the next step in bringing the notions within the model into their space. Suggestions of "layers" came up as well- they had included a raised platform area on the 2nd floor as a way of utilizing the windows while highlighting certain display pieces at the same time. We thought that creating vertical engagement in that way was a really strong idea, and joining that with a spiral type circulation, and moving people within layers, could become something really strong to go with their concept. Material choices and use of light would also aid in further accentuating the spiral circulation and layering concept throughout the space.

I personally find their ideas really unique and interesting, and the idea of the spiral circulation/layering within a long, narrow, rectangular space presents a challenge that will surely yield and interesting result. The next step for Kaytee & Toby I think, should be starting from the center of the spiral and moving outward- really developing the concept, and how it will take form within the space.

site photos

2009-09-30T21:18:00.006-04:00

This photo shows our site (left), Orange St., and the vista to the Post Office- a big part of our concept.

what a beautiful day

2009-09-29T21:05:00.000-04:00

Today was absolutely beautiful!! So I relaxed with the window open and watercolored for a bit. This is my favorite time of year, when the weather finally starts cooling down and the humidity is mostly gone. You might recognize the vases, which were birthday present from my parents. :)

More studio project updates coming soon!

conceptual framework powerpoint

2009-09-23T19:41:00.009-04:00

Our 2nd project of the year focuses on designing a satellite showroom in downtown Durham for CBI, a Knoll dealer catering (in this case) to Duke University. Our site, 322 Chapel Hill St., falls under historical preservation regulations- one of the many constraints (as well as opportunities) we have to take into consideration when designing the space.

These are screenshots of the powerpoint Sara and I made to present our initial conceptual framework for the space. The street adjacent to the building, Orange, is labeled as a "vista" to the historical post office across from 322. A vista is defined as "an integrity defining view of the surrounding environment," an idea we felt could become the basis for our concept of NODE : VISTA and future design. Our next step is a more in-depth programming exploration, which will lead us to a more refined idea of our concept and design.

what shade of green is that?

2009-09-12T16:01:00.004-04:00

A poster/flyer I designed for Deborah Dunning, a guest speaker for IIDA.

from nature to architecture

2009-09-04T16:38:00.004-04:00

In this weeklong project, we began by studying objects from nature, and were asked to design 2 spaces inspired from 2 our choices. These are my final 18x24 boards.

nature in sketchup

2009-09-04T16:37:00.001-04:00

Images of my final sketchup models of the nature I chose for our current project.

lighting evaluation

2009-09-02T17:03:00.007-04:00

In this assignment, we were to choose one space within the Gatewood building to evaluate, mostly focusing on the way the lighting affected its function. Below is our group consensus:

The student lounge of the Gatewood building is a space equipped with tables and chairs, primarily used by students needing a quiet place to study. It is adjacent to the vending area, as well as lockers for art students. The lighting in the space is comprised entirely of electrial track/suspended florescent and flood lights, with no access to windows. We rated the space halfway between public and private, as the actual study space is rather small and is only ever used by a few students at a time, but also serves as a pathway to lockers and vending. Students trying to study will be easily distracted by contstant circulation of people. Overall, we do not feel the space is designed well for what it is meant to be used for. The space feels cold (as there are no windows), and is not a very pleasant work environment. Below is a table of our overall group rating of the space:

group members:
Lauren Foster
Sara Easterling
Heather Link

impact of light on health and welfare

2009-09-02T14:08:00.004-04:00

           When you really take time to consider all the ways light affects our daily lives, it is hard to count just how many. Everyone has experienced waking up on a cloudy day, and feeling gloomy and tired, in the same way that a warm and sunny day with big puffy clouds makes us feel happy, awake, and relaxed. A lot of the time, however, we tend to take our exposure and connection to light for granted, as it is almost always present in some way, the same way we don’t notice how many times we blink each day.
           The truth is, without light, there would be no life. According to the article, Influence of Architectural Lighting on Health by Eve Edelstein, the term chronobiology has been coined to describe “The influence of light exposure on human physical and mental health, as well as behavior and performance.” Much like a plant cannot flourish without a daily dose of natural light, research shows that humans too need substantial exposure to natural circadian rhythms of sunlight and darkness. Edelstein writes that “Disruption of exposure to normal circadian light patterns for significant periods of time may lead to negative health effects... [such as] Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).” SAD is a “mood disorder” in which people experience some form of depression when the seasons change, possibly causing them to sleep too much or have little energy.
           However, overexposure is just as bad as the opposite. We all know by now that too much sunlight and exposure to ultraviolet rays can be detrimental to one’s health, cancer being the main predator. But now, according to a Washington Post article, Lights at Night Are Linked to Breast Cancer by Rick Wiess, “...too much light at night can raise the risk of breast cancer by interfering with the brain’s production of a tumor-supressing hormorne.” And going back to Edelstein’s article, “studies of night-shift factory works and flight crew have also revealed increased cancer rates.” Also, according to an article in the New York Times, The Claim: Daylight Saving Time Can Affect Your Health by Anahad O’Connor, when we change the clock backwards or forwards by one hour, it leaves your body’s “internal clock” unadjusted with it. “Studies suggest that this disconnect between body time and clock time can result in restlessness, sleep disruption and shorter sleep duration.”
           The overarching idea in each of these articles is that humans need a healthy balance of natural sunlight, darkness, and “artificial” light. On another note, while the weather and light quality of each day affects our mood, it is also important to consider that artificial light, when utilized and presented in a pleasing way, can also create certain feelings or moods.
           Lighting is a major programming entity in the design of interior spaces. Connection and exposure to the outside world (fresh air and natural light) is essential for a healthy lifestyle, and therefore, it becomes the designer’s job to create interior spaces that effectively provide access to these essentials. Depending on other programming items for each particular space, a designer must work to find the best way to use light to enhance the quality, experience of the space. As Edelstein addresses, “Research on the influence of light on health and behavior may be translated to guiding principles that inform changes in architectural and lighting solutions in bulit environments.”
           Essentially, it is up to the designer to create balance of light and adequate exposure to all types based on physical need, health, and aesthetics. The design of a space should also be centered around the needs and best interests of those who will be living in and using the particular space the most. As in the case of the night-shift workers, maybe they need a place to escape the artificial light, or plenty of variation in the intensity and type of lighting provided, as sunlight is not available.
           Over all, the balance of different types of lighting, as well as darkness, should never be overlooked in design, and it’s benefits as well as setbacks should always be considered objectively. Light is just as much a part of a space’s program as entrances or exits. When it really comes down to it, without light, would our universe even exist?

sources:
Edelstein, Eve. "Influence of Architectural Lighting on Health." Implications 7(2005): Print.
Anahad, O'Connor. "The Claim: Daylight Saving Time Can Affect Your Health." The New York Times (2009): Print.
Weiss, Rick. "Lights at Night Are Linked to Breast Cancer." The Washington Post (2009): Print.

lots of good stuff in nyc!

2009-08-31T10:27:00.011-04:00

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to visit the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. It was incredible to actually be in the space after learning about it, and seeing so many pictures. The building itself was just as much a work of art as any of the pieces on display, so it was almost overwhelming to take everything in. Aside from just being there, it also happened to be during the 50th anniversary; the entire way up the spiral in the areas overlooking the rotunda, there were hundreds of Frank Lloyd Wright's drawings, renderings, plans, and models of almost every building he'd designed. Sadly, no photographs were allowed above the ground level, but I did manage to sneak a few from the top looking down.. how could I not?!

I also had the chance to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was ecstatic to see many of the chairs and artifacts we studied in history and theory last year! (as well as some amazing modern art pieces.. my favorites were the Rothko's) The museum is home to Nothing Continues to Happen, the Zigzag chair, MR Chair, Wassily chair, an Eames molded plywood (with cow hide), Charles Rennie Mackintosh's washstand, and a few others. Very exciting, as I had no clue that those would be there; the whole thing was a great experience. (Photos were allowed at this one!)

back to school again..

2009-08-26T21:08:00.006-04:00

As usual, summer was way too short! But I am happy to be back at school.
This week in studio we were asked to find 5 "pieces" of nature to draw inspiration from. We then sketched and studied our items, and will now begin modeling them in sketch up (since we also learned some interesting new tools today). Below are a few photographs of my choices.. I will post my sketches later on, as well as images of my sketch up models.

this has got to be...

2009-05-17T03:45:00.004-04:00

quite possibly, the cutest thing i've ever seen. (link)

hipster haven : phase 2 : 2nd year final project

2009-05-09T11:20:00.019-04:00

premise
In phase two of hipster haven, we undertook the detailed design of an individual unit from our joint schematic design in phase one. I chose the bottom right corner unit (see phase one floor plan), with two exposed brick walls, and 2 existing concrete ceiling beams running lengthwise. We were to design around the beams and the other existing structural elements.

perspective view from entryway/living space
concept
I began with the concept of Heather and I's overall building concept, of the environment acting as a human's third skin. From this starting point, I was really excited to look at what skin does for humans, how it works, and how it develops. I got stuck on the idea of creating a kind of "skin" that would attach itself to the existing structure and form spaces more purposed for human living than the warehouse currently is. From these ideas, my research took me to exoskeletons.
An exoskelton acts "not only as a protective covering over the body, but also as a surface for muscle attachment, a water-tight barrier against desiccation, and a sensory interface with the environment." From this starting point, I began forming my space.

process sketches
stair design
I began with the stairs, as this was the structural element that would be the connection between all the individual spaces. It made sense to start with the stairs, and have everything else branch off from there. I really wanted my staircase to be a strong conceptual element in my space. The white base structure appears to be a suitable staircase in itself, but it isn't, and the orange 3form fills in the unuseable space, making it more comfortable, and better fit for humans.

images of stair sketch model
As the stairs were the most important element in my design, they needed something to act as an exciting and lively contrast, yet at the same time, somewhat belonging, to the space that previously existed. A bright orange color was the solution. The following detail drawing shows how the steps would be supported where the white base structure did not meet every other step.
stair detail

liveable spaces
Next in the process came the pushing and pulling of my stairs to form the rest of the unit. Working around the beams, incorporating the exposed brick walls, and making sure ceiling heights were accessible to everyone were my biggest challenges. In placement of separate spaces, I focused on the public/private factor, and overall logical circulation needs. Following are the other perspective views, some additional un-rendered images of my digital sketch up model, sections and floorplans to further explain the space as a whole.

view to 1st floor from 2nd floor landing
view of stairs and bathroom from 2nd floor landing
view of 3rd floor loft (stairs on left side)
view from front entry
view of kitchen space (other side of entry partition)
view of loft from top of stairs
view of office space (located below bathroom)
first floor plan
second floor plan
third floor plan
long section 1
long section 2
cross section 1
cross section 2

The following wall section details how the wall meets the floor and ceiling in most cases throughout my design. I chose a product called Tektrim, a metal piece that easily allows for the drywall and baseboard to be flush. The wooden baseboard would be painted the same color as the wall above, with just a tiny void between the two.
wall section

materials, etc.
As the vibrant orange of my staircase came first, it was easy to choose materials that would both compliment and contrast it. For our presentation, we were to design a materials "board" that wasn't just a board. I chose to include the things I used most throughout my space.

White painted reclaimed hardwood would make up all the floors but the 1st, on which the already existing concrete would remain. I chose muted blue paint, walnut wood veneer, and translucent walnut 3form accents to add warmth to the cold, existing industrial structure, as well as the white paint of the main staircase structure. These accents compliment the energetic orange of the stairs, as well as the hue of the 2 large existing brick walls. Following is my final FF&E schedule, outlining the specific materials chosen.

light
As my unit was located on an external wall, I wanted to incorporate as much natural light as possible. I found the solution in floor to ceiling windows, with shades built into the glass, which would be operated electronically. In the case of the bathroom, the most private area, the glass on the window would be frosted. There is also a skylight strip running parallel to the beams within the bathroom and above the living space.

windows highlighted in blue

presentation board
Finally, my presentation board. As Heather and I presented together, we coordinated our boards by mirroring the placement of our drawings, with our overall schematic design in the center.

Overall, this project has taught me a great deal about my personal design process, which I hope to continue to develop. What a journey 2nd year has been, I can't believe how much we have progressed. 3rd year is just around the corner! (Though a break is in order first!) :)

almost done...

2009-05-05T15:21:00.003-04:00

one drafted wall section, one hockey game (GO CANES!!!!), one materials test, and one HUMONGOUS blog post (final studio project) between me and summer...
2 years down!

wpa poster

2009-04-27T23:58:00.005-04:00

The Work Progress Administration (WPA) was the largest "New Deal" agency under president FDR. The original posters "..were designed to publicize health and safety programs; cultural programs including art exhibitions, theatrical, and musical performances; travel and tourism; educational programs; and community activities." (source)

Our assignment was to modernize the WPA posters, focusing on present day issues. I chose to focus on the plastic vs. reusable bag issue, something I have been trying to be more conscious of lately. Last semester, I gave a persuasive speech on the topic for a communications class, and what I found out then has really stuck with me. According to Reusablebags.com, 1 million plastic bags are consumed per minute! Plastic bags that end up as litter harm and kill animals, don't biodegrade, and are of the "12 items of debris most often found in coastal cleanups, according to the nonprofit Center for Marine Conservation." (source) By choosing reusable bags instead, we can make an impact.

I was inspired by the layout of this WPA poster, for it's minimal text and very large, bold graphic which communicates most of the point. I really enjoyed doing this assignment in Illustrator.

object persuasion

2009-04-20T21:27:00.002-04:00

For this assignment, we were to create an persuasive Photoshop ad for the tables we designed in studio. We were to incorporate a "hero" shot of our models, a line drawing, some form of context, and informative text. I enjoyed this a lot, it is fun to play around with text and image placement.

urban pathway

2009-04-08T22:08:00.002-04:00

For this assignment in 212, we were to find an image of an urban pathway, and use Illustrator to trace over it and make a vector. This was extremely tedious! But still relaxing, and I'm happy with the outcome.

scene of discourse

2009-04-01T19:54:00.004-04:00

In 212 this week, we were to create a blend of images in Photoshop to convey 2 phrases we were given; mine were "dynamic movement" and "mysterious." This assignment was a lot of fun and stress relieving. All the photos in my composition were taken by me.

final 3dsmax renderings

2009-03-30T23:53:00.008-04:00

These are my 5 final 3dsmax renderings. With this program, we imported our SketchUp models, reapplied materials, placed lighting, and adjusted views, and many, many settings. It was definitely a challenge to work out, but it was interesting to learn. I'm pretty happy with the results, but I think I like Podium better!

hipster haven : phase one

2009-03-30T20:49:00.005-04:00

Our final project of the year, "hipster haven," is centered around the repurposing an old warehouse, and turning it into a housing complex for first time owners of the XY generation. In the first part, we were to work in teams of two (my partner was Heather Link) to create a schematic design for the overall complex. We were to organize as many 900 square foot units as we could fit, plus a community center, into the existing building plan.

We began with the idea that a human's environment is almost like a skin. The environments we create contain and shelter us, but they most importantly should be adapted to fit our needs. A person's skin grows with them, adapting and changing when it needs to, containing the life inside it. Our housing facility stands as a skeleton, something that once had another purpose, and is being brought back to life.

floorplan

perspective

perspective

These perspectives are views of the 3form paneling (see below) that would wrap around the walls and ceiling of the community center and hallways, providing a "skin" for the exposed "skeleton" and more industrial elements; those that are normally hidden.

example of paneling

In the next phase of this project, we will be working individually to design one specific 900 s.f. unit from our combined plan. More process to come soon!!

pattern perception

2009-03-23T17:59:00.004-04:00

This half of the semester in 212, we are working with 2D graphic programs. Our first assignment was to take a picture of an "urban landscape" and create a pattern in photoshop, inspired by a traditional Victorian pattern. I chose a picture of 40bond in NYC, an apartment building.

This was really good practice with learning the basics of photoshop, it was fun to make.

goodbye, spring break

2009-03-17T22:15:00.004-04:00

Over spring break, I flew 2,100 miles to Arizona to stay with my boyfriend and his family in their new house! I had a great (and too short) time. I drew this on the trip home. I attempted to watercolor it, but it got dark right as I started, so I kept it this way.

Summer can't come fast enough!

another page from my sketchbook

2009-03-06T10:39:00.001-05:00

The dinner was drawn from memory in the first year's class. It looks like a big plate of goop, but I like how it turned out! The rest are my notes from MM&T.

a place to bathe : final product

2009-03-06T04:16:00.007-05:00

perspective view of entry

When first beginning my research, I was extremely influenced by the idea of using the earth to heat water. Iceland is a country that gets over 99% of their energy needs from the earth, through either geothermal or hydroelectric. In a place to bathe for handicapped individuals, I felt that natural energy and healing from the earth would be most beneficial.

process sketches
The idea of layering was a reoccurring one when designing my space. The way the earth renews itself for the life on it by adding layers and regenerating it's resources was a prominent thought. I wanted a form that would encompass the users, creating the feeling of being within the earth, thus feeling healed and refreshed upon leaving.

floor plan ; 1/4" = 1'0"
The main ramp circles around the entire space, creating different layers as it descends. On the inside walls on the railing, a series of long reeds begin engaging the bathers right from the entrance. When the reach the entry to the pool, they can wade into the middle of the space, or relax in a more enclosed area underneath the ramp behind the wall of reeds. The pool itself has a vanishing edge, to eliminate traces of a man made space. The water spills over the vanishing edge and collects, then renters the pool by trickling down the north wall through the reeds- renewing itself. The water would be heated by geothermal energy.

east wall elevation ; 1/4" = 1'0"
west wall elevation ; 1/4" = 1'0"

The two main walls, where the water entry and space entry/exit are located, are made of laminated cedar boards. These walls add to the idea of layers using natural materials. Cedar is a wood that does well with water contact.

north and south wall elevations ; 1/4" = 1'0"
The wall elevation details the glass wall and the vanishing pool edge where the water re-enters the space.

orthographic section ; 1/4" = 1'0"
This section cuts through the center of the space, showing the area where the water collects underneath, as well as the proximity of the vanishing edge to the main walls.

reflected ceiling plan ; 1/4" = 1'0"
The ceiling plan shows the glass paneling which creates a ceiling plane, allowing for plenty of natural light during the day.

perspective view from underneath the ramp

images of sketch model

hm..

2009-02-25T22:14:00.004-05:00

Yesterday in the first year's class, we had them do blind contours of their neighbors. I did one of Jon and added watercolor.. I kinda like it. It's always nice to revisit stuff you forget you know how to do.. practicing this way helped me remember what to focus on when I draw.

design research : geothermal energy & iceland hot springs

2009-02-23T23:24:00.007-05:00

Our newest project, a place to bathe, is focused around "designing a bathing space for the use of special submersible wheelchairs for users at a special needs spa." Through this task, we will be exploring codes for wheelchair ramps, and handicap accessible spaces.
We first were to research different cultural histories of bathing, to gain a better understanding of the way in which water impacts our lives through cleansing.

When I first began my research, I was first struck by methods of geothermal energy, and using earth's natural sources is a sustainable and renewable energy source, which is significant in today's surge in green efforts. I was then drawn to areas of the world which primarily use geothermal energy- and extremely good thing. Iceland is one of two countries to generate a significant amount of power from renewable resources.. the other is the Philippines. Along with geothermal energy, Iceland also uses a good amount of hydroelectricity. Together, these two renewable and natural sources of energy make up over 99% of Iceland's primary energy needs. (source)

Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge as well as the Iceland hotspot (responsible for the island actually being created), and has very high volcanic activity. With the abundance of tectonic activity, geysers, and hot springs, Iceland has a few famous public bathing spots. One in particular, the Blue Lagoon, is the most popular.

(photo credit)

"The Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater is a part of an ecocycle where nature and science work in harmony. The seawater originates 2000 meter/6562 ft beneath the ground where it is heated by earth’s natural forces. At this depth the temperature is 240°C/464°F and the pressure is 36 times the pressure on the earth’s surface. The geothermal seawater comes into contact with cooling magmatic intrusions and captures the earth’s minerals, resulting in this unique natural source known for its healing power and actives." (source)

Learning about these geothermal processes and natural energy from the earth sparked ideas of the way the earth impacts the life that it supports. The earth is constantly healing itself, and through the use of these natural energy sources, it helps heal humans as well. We as humans have a responsibility to take care of the earth in return. This cycle of the earth supporting the life on it, and (hopefully) humans in turn living more responsibly on it, is an important one.
Imagine if more of the world were like Iceland, who hopes to be a zero carbon economy very soon (though their priorities may have changed, as the current economic crisis hit the country hard) by eliminating unnatural and non-renewable energy sources? Human life and the earth would be in harmony. These are big ideas I hope to bring into my design for my place to bathe.

a place to dine : final product

2009-02-19T17:37:00.016-05:00

(perspective view of space)
When I first began this project, I was intrigued by the idea of eating to survive, and eating to enjoy- a way of celebrating life. Throughout human existance, we have worked to make food more enjoyable through recipes, different cooking methods, technology, etc. Through this enjoyment, we and our lives are more energized.

With these ideas in mind, I began to focus on nature at the core of life, and how the same ideas of energy transference (food and celebration > our lives) apply to nature and humans as well.

In designing my table, I wanted something that was simple and functional, using materials that conveyed the same ideas of transference of energy through human enjoyment. I chose a simple wooden frame with metal legs, and a leaf vein pattern embedded in the 3form table top. The leaf veins are ultimately the energy transference system at the core of the room, and the dining experience.

The table would also be lighted from underneath, to provide the main source of light at night. The buffet table is lower to place further focus on the main table top. It would be on wheels, and can roll directly into the kitchen when not in use, and in between the two tables for serving.

(axonometric table design drawing; created in sketch up)

The chairs I chose for my table are Eames DCM (Dining Chair Metal) chairs, as these chairs are designed around the idea of human comfort and taking a natural material and forming it around the human. Its simplicity is also something I wanted to reiterate in my table design, as it puts all the focus on the humans and activities taking place. Below is my chair "tear sheet," which lists the specifics of the chair.

See my first and second previous process posts for more sketches and thoughts behind my table design.

(space idea sketches)
My initial ideas for my actual dining space began with the idea of juxtaposing and overlapping two different materials, visually representing the balance between eating to survive and eating to enjoy. I wanted my dining place to convey this idea as well as the transference of energy eating provides for us. My room design drawings are below.

(floorplan)
(reflected ceiling plan)
(north wall elevation)
(south wall elevation)
(east wall elevation)
(west wall elevation)

The "L" shapes of the wooden ceiling and frosted glass overhang create a balance between natural and man made materials. The skylights and their continuation on to the west wall repeat features from my table, and allow as much nature into the space as possible during the day, whereas at night, the table is the primary source of light. The green walls on either side contrast the neutral materials, and lead the eye along the "U" shape created by the east, west, and ceiling planes. While I had imagined the hue of green to be a little less bright than my drawings, I wanted a color that was both calming and energizing, which I feel works in it's sharp contrast to everything else in the room. Below is a wall section detailing the connection of the concrete floor, green drywall, and glass ceiling overhang.

Next is the furniture, finishes, and specifications schedule, specifying all the types of materials used in my space.

And lastly, my presentation board.

In all, I feel this project allowed me to more thoroughly explore a specific process of designing in a way I haven't experimented with before- from actual product, to sculpting the space itself as a product. I felt this type of process really helped me focus on the simplicity of the space, and the idea of "sculpting" it helped eliminate unnecessary elements. Thinking about things this way keeps thoughts and ideas more productive and organized. Hopefully I can bring what I have learned with this project into my future ideas, as I really enjoy designing a space this way.

process podium images

2009-02-19T15:00:00.005-05:00

This week in Tina's class we have been working with Podium- a rendering plugin for Sketch up. These are some of my process images as I've been playing around with different lighting effects and views in my habitable wall model. Will post my final images soon.

sketch up: habitable wall walkthrough

2009-02-17T01:45:00.002-05:00

a place to dine : more process

2009-02-10T20:20:00.004-05:00

I've finalized my table design- for the most part. Just a few small decisions left to make. Then on to the room! Here are some pictures of my model:

The main dining surface is a frosty 3form, a more durable material than glass, with generally the same effect. The top will sit on a walnut finished wood frame, with thin metal legs, similar to the chairs (Eames DCM Dining Chair). I'm still working out having the leaf pattern actually etched into the table top, or having fiber optics from inside create the same effect, but the leaf pattern is staying. The serving table (the middle lower section) is a simple walnut wooden piece, with the same legs. Once I design the room, the serving table may or may not have wheels so it can slide from the kitchen to in between the 2 tables. 6 people will sit on each side.

So far, I have a few different ideas about how the room could be designed, and my concept is almost solidified. I want to try and do a post on my conceptual process, and I think I will give sketchup a try for this, and post some images of that soon.

sketch up junk

2009-02-10T20:12:00.001-05:00

Today in Tina's class we learned about components in sketch up. Was messing around and thought these were neat.. Enjoy? :)

a place to dine : process

2009-02-05T23:46:00.007-05:00

Our second studio project of the year, "a place to dine," (for 12) is well underway, and I hope by posting about where I am so far, it will help me organize my thoughts. The project began with designing a table & buffet, which serves as the basis for the eventual design on the entire space. We are to focus on color, texture, pattern, softness, hardness, finishes, etc. to define a sense of place for our space, treating it like the design of a product rather than "a room."

Initially when I began brainstorming for this project, I was stuck on the idea of eating, cooking, and dining traditions as a celebration of life & living, juxtaposed with the idea of eating for nutritional sustenance. This really grabbed my attention as I'd never really thought about this balance before, and it got me thinking about how architecture and design work in the same kinds of ways. Architecture is about creating spaces that better the quality of human life, and celebrate it- it is not just for providing shelter, which it does do as well.

I want the dining space I create to celebrate the energy that eating provides for humans, and create a better environment for eating. Eating engages all of our senses, and while it does provide us with the necessary energy to live, it is also very centralized around the "pleasure" of eating- turning something we need to live into something that is enjoyable.

*What I have visualized so far, for the table primarily, is a sort of frosted 3form table top, lighted from underneath. I love the idea of fiber optics creating a leaf vein like pattern with light.. literally acting as the points of energy being transfered through the food. The table would be split longways, 6 people on each side, and the buffet would slide in the middle, and be just high enough to fit snuggly underneath, so diners can serve themselves. When the buffet isn't in use, the two tables can be pushed together to make one again. I am still considering the possibility of having the buffet actually slide back and forth from kitchen to eating space.

I am not really where I want to be with my concept though... still have a few more days to completely get it worked out. More updates soon.

a page from my sketchbook

2009-02-05T01:13:00.003-05:00

Can this be considered part of my opus? I think so.

sketchup : habitable wall process

2009-02-05T00:13:00.006-05:00

I am finally starting to get more comfortable with SketchUp. While I did run into a few problems from my last post (made the glass waaaaay too thick) it was easier starting over again since I was more familiar. For tomorrow, we were to generate 5 interior views of our space. I found this a little challenging, as my space turned out to be a lot smaller than I thought I'd designed. Below is a variety, though I'm not sure if I'm happy with them or not... I'll update more when my model is complete!

bleh. feet.

2009-02-04T23:07:00.002-05:00

I don't really know what happened to my right foot (the one on the left), but my left foot (the one on the right) turned out pretty good. Yesterday we drew feet in the first year's class, and worked on capturing the essence of human poses in 30 sec-1 min drawings: a really good way to start thinking about scale figures. I think I need a lot more practice with this myself.

The first years are also learning about watercolor right now- something I have been loving lately. I need a lot more practice though!

learning sketchup

2009-02-03T15:43:00.005-05:00

A screenshot of my model in progress.. Our first assignment in 212 is to model our habitable wall projects from first year in SketchUp. I am pretty excited about finally learning it, and it is starting to come more easily to me. More updates soon!

artifact & manifesto

2009-01-26T17:07:00.005-05:00

In this first project of second semester, we were given a week to create an artifact that represented our own personal "design manifesto" based on research and what we have learned up to this point.

my manifesto:
design is everywhere- even in the everyday. design should have meaning and purpose in order to influence a better quality lifestyle for humans. the experimentation and development stages in design should be celebrated, as these processes are what allow designs to become the best they can. the artifact i have created is a container for ideas and endless possibilities. its hidden compartment symbolizes the idea that good design requires trial and error, mistakes, and failures, and that good design does not appear out of thin air- it is a learning process.

This project was a great way to take a step back and really make sense of all we have learned about design in our iarc journey so far. It really made me think about the process of designing something- laying it out in steps, and think about what exactly is important to me. I hope this project, the process, and my artifact will help trigger my memory when I get stuck in the future. Next we will be beginning our first 3 week project- "a place to bathe."

a response to 'computing in architectural design'

2009-01-24T19:49:00.003-05:00

It amazes me how far design related technology has come. The idea that anyone can imagine something, design something in their head, and then (once they've learned how) have the ability to translate it to a digital reality is remarkable.

Computers and technology advances have changed the architecture and design professions immensely, in some ways better than others. On the positive side, design programs like AutoCAD work with codes and standards easily, saving lots of time drawing each window, door, or wall if one was drawing by hand. The drawings can also be easily duplicated or edited on the computer, another major time saving device. On the negative side, there was a point when "the emphasis on the unique attributes of buildings was sacrificed for the sake of generality." While there have been some steps taken to overcome this factor, I sometimes feel that hand drawing and hand rendering and modeling is the best and more efficient way to express unique designs. Of course we cannot let computers completely generalize the structural world around us. Isn't the uniqueness and bettering "the now" and "the ordinary" a major issue in the design profession?

Designing and modeling something by hand is usually perceived two ways: better (because the designer is more skilled and dedicated "in real life") or worse (as computers are such a prominent part of the world today, it is almost a mandatory skill to be proficient in). Hand drawing and modeling allows designers to communicate directly from brain to client, eliminating any inability to create exactly what they have perceived through the computer. But as this may be due to the designer's incomprehension of computer aided design, and cannot solely be blamed on the actual program, I feel computer programs are overall beneficial the design today. On the other side, someone who cannot model something by hand may also be considered unskilled. It seems a good designer must be well rounded in both hand and computer aided design skills.

Technology developments today allow us to imagine and create things more advanced than we, or ancient architects, ever thought possible. The technology saves us time and energy, and allows us to see things we may not be able to see when not utilizing these tools. And as technology is always moving forward, the future of architecture and design will only get more in depth, precise, and better than we ever could think possible.

(assignment 1)

new beginnings

2009-01-22T23:39:00.006-05:00

It was a short, but good break, and I am really, really, really excited to be starting second semester :)
New Years always brings about thoughts of reflection, and thoughts for improvement. This semester I am a teacher's assistant for the 1st year drawing class, and they are beginning a project entitled Opus. The project is about creating an "illustrated chronicle" of their spring semester, making connections between all iarc classes. Not only will I be helping peers, but I definitely will partake in it as well.

The idea of keeping a record of life, experiences, influences, ideas, and creations has always been something I wished to do, though it has proved itself a challenge over the years. Today, while working with the other T.A.'s to create the header for the Opus blog, I rediscovered all my old journals, remembering none of them are even half-way full. (Hopefully one day I can fix this...) It is my New Years resolution to FILL sketchbooks, and really record my experiences here (and away) to the best of my ability.

I hope that doing this will really benefit my learning and design this semester. Another new years resolution is to really find myself, and find my own way of thinking and doing and making things. Find my "manifesto," our first studio project this year. I want to be able to look back through my sketchbooks and remember things, draw from everything I see and hear, to become a better designer.

design autobiography

2008-12-14T01:30:00.002-05:00

1. etsy is a website to sell all things handmade. this pair of earrings is one that reminds me of the craft and hard work that goes into making things by hand, which i love to do, and always think about in design.
2. womb chair is my all time favorite chair. it's simplicity in form and clean contours are something i always strive for. i hope to own one someday.
3. church of the light is all about capturing and making light the centerpiece. light represents a lot things in this design, and it amazes me how simple this church is, while still speaking a powerful language.
4. the water cube is so technologically intricate and structurally detailed, but is still so simple. i love this building for it's innovation and overall calming ambience of the modules of "water."
5. the star by alexander calder is fascinating to me. i love kinetic sculptures, and the science and precision that goes into creating a mobile. calder's work also reminds me of the sky and space, which has also held my interest for as long as i can remember.
6. ikea brings modern and innovative design to the everyday person, at reasonable prices. it doesn't get much better in my opinion.
7. italy is my all-time favorite on the list of places i've been. everything about it amazes me- from its incredible history to its delicious food, and beautiful islands. italian culture is very dear to me as well, as my family is italian.
8. the guggenheim museum in new york city is a constant reminder that art and design surrounds us everywhere we look. i love the architecture for it's simple form that speaks a powerful message.
9. long island, ny is where half of my family lives, and another one of my all time favorite places to be.
10. apple computers is another company that has the right idea. simple, clean, powerful, innovative machines (and advertising, and packaging, and retail stores.. should i go on?) that are easy to use. why does anyone still like windows?!

seeds for change

2008-12-13T19:37:00.003-05:00

photo by edgar cabrera.

What a great experience this has been. The unveiling was a lot of fun, and while we weren't able to actually build on our site, it still turned out great. I have learned a lot from this project, and the lessons will definitely stick with me in the future.
1st semester of 2nd year down! 1 to go... :)

we're done!

2008-12-12T10:00:00.004-05:00

But no pictures of it complete until after the unveiling today at 12 noon!

rendered elevation, plan, and perspective

2008-12-10T22:24:00.003-05:00

Our last assignment in 211. I enjoyed doing these, I think they came out pretty well.

buildbuildbuildbuild

2008-12-09T21:31:00.005-05:00

shelter|bus final : process, design, model & board

2008-12-09T02:03:00.002-05:00

As happy as I am to be finished with my final shelter|bus project, and no matter how fed up with it I got, it was one of the most interesting learning experiences I've had in IARC so far.

Process is always something that is so exciting to look back on. Endless sheets of trace paper and sketches; all the work leading up to the final product. This project in particular took quite a lot of process.. it wasn't an easy idea for me.
In the beginning, I was drawn to ideas of light and the actions of light depending on different situations. Through my research, I found refraction; the bending of light when it encounters something new. Refraction of light, and the way it adapts to its surroundings was a strong idea I felt I could really work with as the concept for shelter|bus.

Light is something we often take for granted, much like having a home. In the situation of a natural disaster, the victims are thrown into change, something that is frightening and inevitable all the same. It is in this way that the victims of the disaster are forced to bend; refract their normal lives in new ways. On another level, the relief workers also act in the same was as the refraction of light by changing the direction of their own lives to help others, and they are literally the light in the darkness- illuminating the better possibilities for the future. The community as a whole must also bend and adapt as light does when refracted. All of these ideas come together in the physical form of my shelter bus as well.

I first began with a programmatic bubble map of all the different spaces the workers would need on the bus, which ultimately aided in spacial organization of my final design.

Through my scale model, I was able to display these spacial relationships, as well as visually explain the bus's transformation. The two halves slide open and closed for reasons of mobility, accessibility, and privacy. 4 specific workers were defined as the inhabitant of the bus, and as one of them was on crutches, an elevator was necessary for easy circulation for all. When the two halves are open, the elevator openings are aligned, allowing movement between the two "floors" as well as opening up the entire bus for use. When closed, the bus is sectioned off for more privacy, and easy transportation.

My final presentation boards included long and cross sections, as well as a detail of the elevator, and a perspective of the entire bus, as my model and renderings only displayed the transforming section.

Overall, the biggest lesson of this project for me was developing and connecting conceptual ideas to design, and how a solid concept impacts every aspect of good design. I struggled with the project at many different times, but it has been a very beneficial experience overall.

All that remains is our bus shelter build- still in the works. Now that almost everything else is complete, all of my efforts will be going into the build, and I can't wait to see the outcome. Will be posting lots of pictures and build updates soon!

the build continues

2008-12-07T17:49:00.006-05:00