hipster haven : phase 2 : 2nd year final project

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...

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!

hipster haven : phase one

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!!

a place to bathe : final product

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

design research : geothermal energy & iceland hot springs

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

(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.