peer crits (kaytee & toby)

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.