Designology 101

The Terrace Hotel

2011-04-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

Networking Essay

2011-04-25T00:33:00.000-07:00

Event: The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce after Hours Networking Event
Date: February 17, 2011
Word Count: 536

The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce host networking events for the small businesses of the Greensboro area ranging from bankers to jewelry designers. A great opportunity to meet other local companies in the area, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce does a great job of changing up their monthly networking events. Invited to attend by my boss at my internship Shermin Ata Architect, this was my first time really going to any event like this. Held at the Ashte’ Galleria on South Eugene St, I was very nervous.

Unlike the second event that I attended, the High Point Furniture Market, this event included professionals from all aspects of the professional field. I never realized how important it was to network outside of your field until this event. Especially in a time when the economy is not at its strongest, word of mouth is what can get you in front of your next client. Lesson learned: Network not only in your field out outside of your field as well.

While there I met several small business professionals and representative of the companies. This first was Drew Genco of Charles Schwab located in Friendly Shopping Center. An assistant financial consultant, he had great advice on starting a diversified portfolio that will help you to save money in the future.

Another small business professional I met was R. Michael Lyons, Lifestyle Coach. He has created his own chewable dietary supplement. While there he had several samples which tasted very good. The supplements are from such fruits as the goji berry, noni fruit, mangosteen fruit, and acai berry. Taken from the brochure “Chew-4-Health is a delicious-tasting, doctor-formulated, natural chewable dietary supplement derived from the most nutrient-rich sources from around the world.

Another small business that I really enjoyed talking to was A Sweet Success Bakery located 518 N. Elm St. An entity of Sanctuary House, A sweet Success Bakery gives all of its proceeds to the Sanctuary House. Taken from A Sweet Success Bakery Brochure, “the mission of Sanctuary House is to facilitate the recovery and rehabilitation of adults with serious mental illness in Guilford County so that they can achieve and sustain satisfying meaningful roles and lives in the community.” A sweet Success Bakery specializes in cookies, muffins, dessert bars, cakes, baby cakes, and specialty cupcakes.

One of the many other companies in attendance there was RAM Fitness for Women (Realistic Attainable Manageable Fitness for Women). Located here in Greensboro, RAM Fitness is a gym for women founded by Rae Anne Mullins. Not your typical large gym, RAM Fitness offers your cardio and strength classes, but also group fitness programs such as fit camps, running camps, and etc. I really enjoyed talking to the representatives from RA M Fitness. They were very nice and outgoing.

Although this was not your standard networking event hosted by design professionals, I found this to be a great opportunity as my first experience into the world of networking. Everyone was very nice. Many of the professionals could tell that I was in school. They were very interested to hear about my major. I was also able to show them my leave behinds which they were very impressed with.

Event: High Point Furniture Market
Date: Thursday, April 7th
Word Count: 665

Since 1909, the High Point Furniture Market has hosted the leading names in the furniture design world. The largest market of its kind, the furniture market allows design companies to host showrooms displaying their newest product lines. This year the market took place in downtown High Point, North Carolina from the last week in March until April 7th. The market not only attracted designers but local design students and citizens of the surrounding areas. For the furniture market’s showroom setup and display was attractive to even the non-design eye.
I along with two other interior architecture design students went to the furniture market on April 7th. As we made our way into downtown, the whole look of the city changed. No longer did you feel like you were in High Point. Although some of the vendors and designers had already left since April 7th was the last day, many were still there. The show rooms that we saw were gorgeous. From the colors, to furniture layout, to the actual furniture being displayed, everything was well designed and thought out.
While there I was able to visit three showrooms: Lane Venture, and Currey and Company. When visiting the Lane Venture Showroom I was able to see their newest collections the Cameroon Collection, Palamar Collection, St. Simons Collection, and the Shangri-La Collection, which are all a part of their Weather Master 2011 Collection. I met sales representative Teresa Beulin. She took us on very thorough tour of the showroom breaking down the signature qualities of Lane Venture. Furniture company that specializing in outdoor furniture (mostly patios and enclosed outdoor areas), their furniture is designed with a residential furniture approach outside. They make sure that their furniture is able to be used both inside and outside. Taken from the Lane Venture brochure “Like many of today’s high tech products the Weather Master Ultimate Cushion is a composite of layers and materials. Our cushion is created from a unique blend of a polyester fiber inner core encased by state of the art polyester fiber wrap layered with dry polyester fiber top and bottom. These layers include slick fiber, dry fiber, hollow fiber all combined to create the optimum durability, comfort, and drain ability. The cushion is wrapped up neatly in a polyethylene outer netting to provide airflow and encase the layers.”

The second showroom that I visited was Currey and Company, a lighting company based out of Atlanta, GA. I really enjoyed the creativity and the material choices of their products. Their chandeliers and lighting fixtures possessed various characteristics. Some were conservative while others were very funky. I would definitely recommend their fixtures to be used in restaurants and hospitality settings. I met Timothy K. Shelton, sales representative for Curry and Company. He explained their quick ship program and also gave me a catalog of their products.

The last showroom that I visited was from the Veneman Collection of Veneman Furniture. A company located in California. They specialize in beach outdoor furniture. According to sales representative Mollie Edwards, they have had contracts with the Bellagio Hotel, Wynn Hotel, and the Encore Hotel. All three of these are very well known hotels. What I loved most about this company’s furniture were the colors and use of form. I am actually considering using them for my school project!!

My first time at the furniture market I really enjoyed seeing the various design firms and hearing about their products. As I would like to go into hospitality, restaurant, and retail design, a lot of the companies that we saw would be great contacts to have, especially since the serve that kind of clientele. One of the concepts that I learned while at the furniture market is that furniture should break the mold. A lot of what I saw I was unable to tell that it was outdoor furniture or have certain features because they were designed into the product so well.

Luxury on a Fly: The Basics of Hotel Design

2011-04-25T00:16:00.000-07:00

Having grown up in a major city, Washington, DC, the hotels, restaurants, and detail design have always intrigued me. I was fascinated by how each space could take on various characteristics using lighting, materials and texture, and furniture. During my tenure as a design student here at UNCG, my design approach has been influenced by the establishments in my hometown as a point of reference causing me to see spaces as more fast paced, especially in the usages of color, light, textures, materials, and architectural design. As a result, I am hoping to pursue a design career in hospitality and restaurant design. A great feature of hospitality design is that depending on the scale of the project, you are able to work with more than just the hospitality component, but also the residential, restaurant, corporate, and some fitness design elements.
As you continue to read this paper, I will explore some of the basic elements of hotel and restaurant design while examining some present day case studies of well designed hotels.

Hospitality…What is that?
According to RANDOM HOUSE WEBSTER’S COLLEGE DICTIONARY, hospitality is the “friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers; an act or show of welcome; the quality of being hospitable and welcoming to guest of strangers (Random House).” The term often associated with hospitality, hotel, is a “commercial establishment offering lodging to travelers and sometimes to permanent residents (Random House).”
The hospitality industry can trace its roots back to the Roman Empire. Although not the hotels and resorts that we know today, their purposes were the same: to provide temporary services to travelers and guests. Under the first Roman Empire, “mansions” were the first type of hotel, and the predecessor to the hotel resorts that we see today were the Roman engineered spas (Thomas d. Davies and Beasley).
The Early Roman spas were similar in amenities when compared to present day hotels and resorts. The Roman Bath of Neptune at Ostia, in Southern Italy, had shops, entrances to the spa, lobbies with mosaic tile, cold and hot baths, gymnasiums, latrines, ground floor guest accommodations, and stairs to the second floor. Such examples show how well-developed societies were during that period. A major difference when comparing the original hotels and spas to the hotels and spas that you see today was the scale. The Roman Bath of Neptune at Ostia was approximately 60, 270 square feet, which is very small when you compare it to our modern day hotels.

Types of Hotels
Since the early Roman Empire, the hospitality industry has grown tremendously. With the evolution of the hotel and spa industry, there are over 30 types of hotels and spas. Some of them are:
• Apartment hotels- Apartment hotels are serviced apartment complexes that use a hotel style booking system.
• Bed and Breakfast- A bed and breakfast style hotel is a smaller lodging facility that offers overnight accommodations. Bed and Breakfasts are usually private homes with as few as 10 bedrooms.
• Boutique hotels- The term boutique hotel is used more often in the US and United Kingdom to describe smaller, luxury styled hotels. They tend to range from 3 to 50 guestrooms.
• Condo hotels- Short for Condominium hotels are usually found in high rise buildings. These hotels have condominium units that can be rented allowing visitors to have condo style vacation homes.
• Motels- Motels are lower priced hotels used for travelling motorists. Although not as popular as they used to be in the 1960s, Motel 6 and Super 8 are some of the larger motel chains.
• Eco Hotels- Eco Hotels are hotels that have made a conscious effort to minimize their environmental impact.
Case Study: The Gaylord National, Washington, DC
The Gaylord National is a part of The Gaylord chain of hotels. Located on the newly developed (and still being developed) National Harbor right outside of Washington, DC, The Gaylord National is not only a hotel, but boasts its own Gaylord Convention Center, making it the largest hotel and convention center combination on the Eastern shore. With over 2,000 guest rooms (including over 100 prolific suites), The Gaylord National brings individualized luxury to every guest. This 18-story hotel houses its own salon, spa (which includes a state of the art fitness center), indoor and outdoor pools, seven restaurant and eatery options, a nightclub on the rooftop, the Pose Ultra Lounge, a family arcade and on- site shopping within the hotel and on the National Harbor.
TVSDESIGN, an architecture firm headquartered in Atlanta, GA, was responsible for three of the suite designs. For each room, they used the theme of a wedding which was interpreted differently in each suite.

Why This Works?
The overarching theme in all three suites was the use of pattern and texture. Each room has a different color palette; but, the colors chosen are rich and vary from light to dark creating a sense of intimacy in the space. The addition of one or two bolder accent colors adds interest and flare to the room. The best part of the rooms is the well-thought-out use of pattern in the space. By using it in such places as the floor carpeting or as the focal wall, the spaces are not overpowered. In each space, neutral colored furniture was used and accented with the chosen accent for each space.

Basic Hotel Layout and Structure
Hotels vary from chain to chain. But, there are some certain standards that you can find in most hotels. Keep in mind, however, that hotels are graded on a star system which will determine how large the spaces would be. Some of the main or standard rooms are the main lobby, guest rooms (including standard and suites), guest bathrooms, guest room corridors, food and beverage outlets, and function rooms (including ballrooms, meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, etc.) All of these spaces serve a role in the overall guest experience and should be designed with great attention.
Of the spaces previously mentioned, the main lobby and/or foyer are the first point of contact upon entrance into the hotel. “The main lobby is the principal space around which the hotel is formed; it is the “heart” of the hotel. Functionally, it serves as the guest’s point of orientation; all hotel functions radiate from the lobby… (McGowan and Kruse).” The main lobby is the hotel’s first opportunity to make a bold, grand architectural design statement. When designing the lobby, there are several important details to be mindful of as the designer:
• Guest services
• Social activities
• Guest circulation
• Visitor circulation
When discussing guest circulation, the following factors are included: baggage assistance area, front desk registration, and exits to the main parking lots.
Another area of great importance that often gets overlooked in the design process is the hotel guest corridors. Many times, hallways lack the creativity and flare that the main parts of the hotel like the restaurant and lounge (to be discussed later), and main lobby have. One design aspect that can make a huge difference is the use of contrasting materials, color, and light. These three elements not only add more dimension and character to a space; but, they make the space more accessible.
Case Study: The Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
Located in Shenzhen, China, The Grand Hyatt is in the heart of the Lohu District. This five star hotel facility has 491 rooms, including 53 suites and 48 long stay apartments. Guests are privileged to such services as limousine services, The Shui Xang Spa, and several restaurant options. The Grand Hyatt was designed by RTKL Associates, Inc.

Why This Works?
Very different from The Gaylord National, The Grand Hyatt Shenzhen embraces a lot of natural wood material choices. In one of the photos, the wood color palette is broken up by the color fuchsia as the accent. Another observation is the use of curtain windows. This element brings the views of the city to the user giving them an interactive experience. A major difference in the bedrooms when compared to The Gaylord National is the use of color. Instead of using accent colors, the designer chose to stick with a natural color palette. The customized pattern on the wood achieves the idea of creating another eye catching element without disturbing the whole aesthetic of the room.
Lounges and Restaurants

The main life of any hotel takes place in the restaurants and lounge. The lounge area and/or sitting area fosters interaction, communication, and can be the first point where customers start to feel at home. “Conversation areas should vary in size, configuration, type of furniture and materials, acoustics, color, and lighting according to the type of privacy for which they are intended. Intimate conversations between romantic partners or family members require acoustic treatments near the source of the sound. This is often accomplished with high-back upholstered seating, lowered ceiling treatments, close sociopetal furniture arrangements, and lower levels of lighting that tend to lower voice levels. Cooler colors recede, especially under low light levels, making these areas less visually accessible from outside the areas (Pollack and Menconi).” Another key component in the design of the lounge areas, which is also important in the restaurant areas, is the furniture placement. Furniture arrangement encourages intimate conversations, as well as, prohibits thems. “Designing to accommodate reserve in conversation areas involves spacing and configuration of furniture to that social personal space distances of four to twelve feet can be maintained (Pollack and Menconi).”

Like the lounge areas, the restaurant portions of hotels have begun to take on a personality of themselves. These spaces are now becoming extenstions of the design elements exhibited in the main hotel areas. In some cases, new design elements are introduced in the restaurant area giving the restaurant its own unique feel. Either design approach works when designed thoughtfully and with much intent. A major characteristic of restaurants in hotels is scale. The scale will determine exactly what will need to be included in the rear of the restaurant (i.e. what areas to include in the kitchen, certain types of refrigeration, storage, and etc.). When designing the restaurant area of a hotel or full-fledged restaurant in the hotel, there are certain factors to keep in mind regardless of the size of the restaurant: acoustic considerations, adjacencies, spacial allocation, privacy, and color.
Taken from the Interior Graphic’s Standard Student Edition, there are various elements to be cognizant of when designing with acoustics in mind. “ Secluded banquettes and private dining rooms can be set apart for better acoustic and visual separation. Food preparation noise can be isolated by careful placement of kitchen entries or the use of a vestibule, double-entry doors, or serpentine staging (McGowan and Kruse).” Now, remember that hotel restaurants are smaller. But, the same principles still apply. You never want to mix business with pleasure. With this being said, you do not want the activites of the restaurant (the kitchen) to interfere with the overal experience of the user.
Lastly, of the various design characteristics to be aware, the spatial adjacencies and allocation are very important. These two items help to bring to life the overall design goal for a space. Incorrect placement of chairs and tables can change the customer’s experience. When selecting the type of seating to be used (i.e. round tables, square tables, etc.), here are some spatial criteria to consider.
• For square seating, allow 72in. minimum between tables.
• For diagonoal seating, allow 36in. minimum between corners of tables.
• Provide an adequate number of table types for seating flexibility.
•
These measurements and bullet points were taken from the International Graphic Standards Student Edition.

• “Many designers and restaurant owners understand that warm colors…make both food and people look better and increase appetites. However, warm colors also speed up the metabolism and increase the environmental load by attracting attention, around diners, and contributing to higher noise levels (Pollack and Menconi).”
The Bedroom Experience

The bedroom is the peak of the user’s experience. There is no feeling like walking into a well- designed hotel room and feeling like it's your own place. The idea of designing each guestroom like a residential unit is the best approach. This approach forces you to design as if the user were staying in his own home. When designing the hotel guestrooms, it’s wise to consider the various zones in the space: sleeping zone, working zone, lounging zone, dressing zone, bathroom zone, and eating zone. Not all of these spaces needs it’s own individual space. But, it is good to make sure that all of these zones are addressed in some aspect of the room.
• Sleeping zone- the most important part of the guestroom. The sleeping zone allows for a lot of creativity that is usually overlooked.
• Working zone- this area usually consists of a desk/table, chair, and possibly the guestroom telephone. The working zone is not usually designed to take the place of your home office.
• The bathroom zone- this space usually gets overlooked. The bathroom is a great opportunity to include some of the same design elements throughout the hotel into the residential component.

Conclusion

The hospitality industry has been around for centuries and will continue to flourish. The more the human experience evolves, the more it will be the responsibility of the designer to try to capture the needs of the user on a smaller scale. Hotels offer many opportunities for creativity and innovation. As a college student that is interested in entering the arena of hospitality design, I find it of paramount importance to remember in designing the hotel is to not become so focused on addressing “the standards” that you neglect to design for “the user”.

Works Cited
McGowan, Mary Rose and Kelsey Kruse. Interior Graphic Standards Student Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004.
Pollack, Julie Stewart- and Rosemary Menconi. Designing For Privacy and Related Needs. New York: Fairchild Publications, 2005.
Random House. "Random House Webter's College Dictionary." New York: Random House, 2001.
Thomas d. Davies, Jr and Kim A Beasley. Design for Hospitality: Planning for Accessible Hotels & Motels. New York: Nichols Publishing, 1988.
Hotel images taken from: TVSDesign. 28 March 2011 .

Branding Logo Options

2011-04-25T00:07:00.000-07:00

While going through the portfolio assignment, I really thought about branding and ways to make your package recognizable. I changed colors, fonts, and etc. These were some of the logos that I played with.

Mock Interview Reflection

2011-04-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

Meeting with my mentor, Paula Carr, was an interesting experience. She reassured me that I had some really good projects but I just needed to touch some of them up. I really enjoyed talking to her. She gave a small boost of confidence that made me feel like I was in the right major. Although I do not know what else I would do, being in the major makes you go crazy at times and question yourself alot.

But I would definitely keep the idea of mock interviews for next years professional practice course.

Portfolio Assignment Reflection

2011-04-24T23:48:00.000-07:00

Going into this project I was not worried about my resume or coverletter, but more concerned with my portfolio. Looking back on my time in Iarc I really did not think that I had any good projects to put in my portfolio. I always felt like I had good ideas but when it would come to the final presentation, I would never get the grade that I believe reflected the hardwork and sleepless nights that went into the project. Nonetheless, I looked into and researced varios layout ideas.

In putting together my portfolio, my goal was to make it look like a magazine. I really liked the idea of using magazine layouts as examples for how to organize my pages. As I look back on the feedback that I received, many did not understand what I was trying to do. As a result, the feedback was not that good.

But some pointers that I will utilize when I put together another portfolio would be:

stick to about 2 different layouts. helps the reader to follow easier
keep the color coding idea. it helps with separating various projects
less text
consistant fonts
keep the idea of the full page hero shot

Portfolio Materials- Leave Behind

2011-04-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

Part of the assignment was to create something to leave with firms after you go on interviews and etc. I found this to be the most exciting part of the assignment. Even more exciting than creating our portfolios. I really was able to think about the leave behind as a whole different project. I think it shows in what i turned in.

Revit- Bianchi House

2011-02-21T07:16:00.000-08:00

Assignment: Build the Bianchi House in Revit using floor plans and other construction documents.

Premier Jet [la coupe]

2011-02-21T07:09:00.000-08:00

Assignment: Individually prepare and extemely detailed abstract section of your proposal. Must depict spatial intention as well as character of spaces- not structural strategies.

One Page Design Analysis

2011-01-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

Vance Chavis Lifelong Learning Library- Children's Area

2010-12-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

NURBgallery

2010-10-08T06:33:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Design and construct a Gallery. Within the space design a NURB system installation.

The Hemphill Branch Library

2010-10-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Research a Library in the Greensboro Library System. Anaylize through photos, 3D Models, spatial analysis, and etc.

The Phillip Exeter Academy Library

2010-10-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Do a detailed precedent anaylsis on a library of your choice from the given suggestions. Include photographs, diagrams, 3D models, and etc.

Vertical Connection- Reading Room

2010-09-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Eaach student shall identify a space in or around the Gatewood Studio Arts Building that will serve as the site for his/her design. The space shall be large enough to accomodate a space roughly 10' X 15' that will allow for at least 3-4 people. The site must have accessibility to faculty and students

Located in the Lobby of the Gatewood Studio Arts Building. The reading room connects the lobby and the 2nd floor.

Through the use of the spiral staircase, the user is able to interact with the reading room without even having to be in the actual space.

View looking into the reading or lounge area.

The highlighted blue square shows the staircases relationship to the lobby and remaining floor.

Top orthographic View

Circulation Diagram

Center City Sounds- Albermarle Downtown Revitalization Presentation

2010-09-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

Albemarle Final Framework

2010-09-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Final Presentation of the downtown revitalization of the Albermarle, NC Old Belk Building. This was a partner project. I worked with Kurt Huizenga. We worked together on the overall building design and concept. We individually worked on the residential units. I designed Residential Unit #2 and the Laundry Room. All of the perspectives were rendedered by Kurt Huizenga using Sketchup with Podium. I was responsible for all Floorplans, Data Communication Plans, and Reflected Ceiling Plans.

Design Framework: Next Phase

2010-09-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

The next phase of the design process produced more finalized perspectives, details, and etc.

View from the restaurant area. Here you are able to seeing the catwalk in relation to the rest of the space. Also notice the ceiling treatments.

View of the Bar Area

View of the residential units facing the North Side.

View of the South Residential units done by partner Kurt Huizenga

Design Framework

2010-03-05T11:49:00.000-08:00

Project 1: Daylighting

2010-01-31T16:52:00.000-08:00

The Assignment:

Design a daylight model in groups of two. Choose daylighting strategies of one or more designers known for daylighting design as precedents for your model. You could select designers + projects from the list below.

Alvar Aalto

- Church in Imatra

- Academic Bookstore

Eero Saarinen

- MIT Chapel, Cambridge, MA

Jean Nouvel

- Institute of Arab Affairs, Paris

Jorn Utzon

- Bagsvaerd Church, Bagsvaerd, Denmark

Le Corbusier

- Monastery at La Tourette

- Ronchamp Chapel

Luis Barragan

- House by Luis Barragan, Tacubaya

- Giardi House, Tacubaya

Louis Kahn

- National Assembly Complex, Dhaka

- Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth , Texas

Mario Botta

- Evry Cathedral, Evry, France

Mies van der Rohe

- Barcelona Pavilion

Murphy/Jahn Architects

- United Airlines Concourse, O’Hare Airport, Chicago

Santiago Calatrava

- TGV Station, Lyon

Steven Holl

- Chapel of St. Ignatius, Seattle, WA

- Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland

- D.E.Shaw & Company Office, New York

Tadao Ando

- Koshino House, Ashuya, Hyogo

- Church of the Light, Ibaraki, Osaka

Site and Program:

Imagine the space is located in Albemarle, NC on a flat open piece of land with low vegetation. The space is 20’ wide by 35’ long with 15’ high ceilings. The interiors should include two spaces: (1) a place for gathering large groups of people, sharing information, socializing and informative meetings; and (2) for quiet contemplation, spiritual reflection and intimacy. The walls and ceilings may be shaped or altered if conceptually relevant. The wall thickness will be designated by you. There is no other constraint except that you should focus on the interiors of the space, and adhere to the overall volumetric requirements of the project.

USING OPENINGS and APERTURES, DESIGN A MODEL WHICH DEMONSTRATES A STRATEGY FOR DAYLIGHTING USING THE PRECEDENT STUDIES AS YOUR INSPIRATION.

Materials and Scale:

Build a model at 3/4” = 1’-0” scale or larger. This model should be built out of a white material: Bristol board, illustration board, or form core are acceptable materials. The model should be neutral in color (white/ off-white only); therefore any colored or foam edges would have to be covered and made to match the rest of the model. Indicate north direction on your model.

Presentation:

(1) The model will be displayed at the entrance foyer of the Gatewood Studio Arts Building. The presentation of your model must include reference diagrams to the site and its orientation. Think of ways to present the model that will allow the viewer to see the interior well enough to experience the designed lighting effect.

(2) A well-composed presentation: two 11”x17” posters (pdf format) should include images of this model discussing your precedent study (with pictures, name of projects + designers), explaining the daylighting principles and strategies that you have used, their function and impact on the interior space. Also, include at least one sectional-elevation drawing showing daylight penetration at a labeled time of the day and year + one plan view in section. Include your names, date, and indicate building orientation.

(3) Take daylit photos of your model (at least three jpeg images at more than 800x600 pixels and 150 dpi.)

Submit the poster and the images of your model on the Interiors Server under our course name and section (IAR 302 SP10-01 or 02). Bring printed posters to the final presentation.

Inspirations Came from Steven Hall, Le Corbusier, and Jorn Utzon

Beginning Ideas

First Sketch Model Ideas

Next Phase: Improve model

Final Model and Design

Final Project

2009-12-13T17:39:00.001-08:00

Sustained Living the Final Product

2009-12-13T17:26:00.000-08:00

Sustained Living: Part One

2009-09-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Creat a graphic displaying your floor plan and product for residential assisted living unit. Your graphic should include floor plan, product design, address buildling and accessibility codes, materials list, address some aspect of sustainability.

Inspiration Photos

Rough Sketches

Finalized floor plan

Finalized Product Design

Graphic Poster

Nature's Mixture

2009-08-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

Hipster Haven: Functional Flare

2009-05-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

Functional Flare

The objective of the overall design of the apartments is to provide a spacious, flowing environment that uses crisp, clean colors to give a young age flare. The spatial layout of the apartment enforces the idea of functionality and flow. By alleviating the use of doors and increasing the size of the hallways, a sense of openness is achieved.

The color scheme of chosen for the design helps to further enhance the idea of a well designed environment with a crisp flare, With such colors as white, black, and gray as the monochromatic backdrop for the apartment, blue and red provide the apartment with that much needed burst of color.

This is a view of the entrance. The floor is a gray marble terrazzo tile. As seen in the picture, once you enter the apartment you are met by the staircase made of concrete and a frosted glass acrylic.

This is a view of the living and dining area. The walls are painted a bright red and white.

In the view you get a better sense of the layout of the apartment. You are also able to see one of the special apartment features. The floor to ceiling glass wall that leads you into the courtyard. You are also able to see how the loft area relates to the rest of the space.

Here is the kitchen arean. The floor and countertop are made out of a black granite. The cabinetry is a maple wood with a brierwood finish.

This bathroom is the only bathroom in the apartment space. Located on the main floor, the bathroom has a shower, toilet, and sink.

The loft bedroom area. In the view you are facing the one white wall in the space. The other three walls are painted blue. The floor is covered with a gray carpet.

Construction Drawings

Plan A is a plan of the the loft area.

Plan B is a view of the main floor.

Section views. Sorry about the scale of the last image.

Staircase Drawings

Even though the we are not designing a furnished apartment, I went ahead and designed a furnished apartment. So here is what furniture I would put in the space.

Furniture FF&E

Furniture and Fixtures
Space Location
Dimensions
Materials
Manufacturer
Price
Color
Quanitity
Image
Barcelona Daybed
Living Area
H 25" W 39" D 78" Seat H 15"
African mahogany sapele hardwood; cowhide leather straps; rubber webbing; polished stainless steel legs; Spinneybeck Volo leather upholstery.
Knoll
Bought from: Design within Reach
$7,563
Black
1
Barcelona Chair
Living Area
29.5"w 30"d 30.25"h seat; 17" h
single piece hand-buffed stainless steel or chromed frame, Individual hand-welted and tufted leather panels
Knoll
Bought from: Hivemodern.com
$4,328
Black
2

Barcelona Table
Living Area
stainless; 40" w 40" d 17" h
stainless; glass plate
Knoll
Bought from: hivemodern.com
$1,371

1

Terrazo Marble Tile
Living Room, Dining Room, Office Area
4”x4”
1/8” thickness

Fritztile Industries, Inc.
http://www.fritztile.com/

Gray

Large Floor Lamp
Living Room, Office Area
L 12”x W 6.75”x H 48”
Solid aluminum base with frosted glass
Alex Ogus Design
http://www.ogusdesign.com/

3
Le Corbuiser Dining Table
Dining Area
200 mm x 50 mm x 2 mm
1/2" (15mm) thick clear glass
Steel frame with clear glass
Stores.advancedinteriordesings.com

$860
Black
1
Designer Chair 1249
Dining Area

Beech plywood with a steel frame
http://www.firststopfurniture.com/
$99
Black
6

Giogali Chandelier
Dining Area and Entrance Hallway
Handblown Murano glass rings
Design Within Reach
$2,100
Clear
2
Galant Corner desk
Office area
Length: 63 "Width: 47 1/4 "Min. height: 23 5/8 "Max. height: 35 3/8 "Thickness: 3/4 "
Corner table top right:Particleboard, Ash veneer, Foil, Stain, Clear acrylic lacquer, Solid beechFrame for corner table top:Steel, Pigmented epoxy/polyester powder coating
IKEA Furniture Store
$210
Black/Brown
1

EA217 Soft pad Chair
Office Area
H.840-960 x W.580 x D. 570-650mm
Aluminum and leather
http://www.einrichten-design.com/
$3,949.66
Red
1
Oceano sink
Bathroom
W: 31 1/2 "D: 22 1/2
Bathroom vanity includes clear glass top with integral bowl and chrome brackets
Lacava
$3,400
clear
1`

Kubista bathroom faucet
Bathroom
H: 6"SPOUT: 4 3/4"
CR polished chrome
Lacava
$490
chrome
1

Tatami Shower
Bathroom
W: 13 3/8"D: 27 3/16"H: 2 3/8"
Ceramic shower brick
Lacava
$445 each
white
n/a

Glassline shower doors
Bathroom
Glass
http://www.bathroomheaven.com/

W1071 Waterblade Shower Arm Showerhead
Bathroom
15 3/8"D x 2 3/8"H.
Polished chrome
Lacava
$210
1

Nouveau White Toilet and Close Coupled Cistern
Bathroom
950mm high x 360mm wide x 650mm depth.
http://www.livinghouse.com/
$680
White
1

Bathroom mirror, with shelving
Bathroom
Width:
80 cm
Depth:
18 cm
Height:
77 cm
Weight:
15 kg
aluminium frame - metal matt; side boards – wood finish
http://www.intedoor.com.uk/
1

Dar Libra Bathroom Lighting
Bathroom
Dimensions: H. 15cm Ø. 36cm Bulb(s):1 x 100w ES GLS
A Libra round flush IP44 bathroom ceiling light. Mirrored glass rings and opal glass.
InsideOut Lighting

1
Crew Low Energy Ceiling Lighting
Kitchen
Height 11 x Length 68.5 x Width 29 cmsLamp: 1 x 38w Fluorescent Lamp
Clear Glass Finish
http://www.lighting-direct.co.uk/crew-low-energy-kitchen-ceiling-light-p-9827.html
$95
1

Kitchen Cabinets Doors
Door Style: Aberdeen Maple
Kitchen
Wood: Maple Finish: Brierwood
Home Depot

Kitchen Cabinet Style
Kitchen
Home Depot
Thomasville Cabinets

Granite Tile Flooring
Kitchen
24 In. x 24 In.
Granite
Home Depot
$9.50/sq. ft.
Black

Luna Nero Black Granite Tile Countertop
Kitchen
Granite
Home Dept
Black

Luceplan - Metropoli D20/27p Outdoor Ceiling/Wall Light with Optional Component
Bedroom
Overall Dimensions: 10" H x 10" W x 4.2" D
http://www.allmodernlighting.com/Luceplan-D20-27p-LCP1355.html
$348
12

Wall FF&E Specifications

Space
Wall
Applied Material
Wall Finished
Windows/Door
Ceiling
Flooring
Entrance
2-3
Wall plaster
White paint

1 chandelier light
Concrete w/ terrazzo marble tile covering 4”x4”

French Door- Maple, Brierwood Finish

Living Area
1
Wall plaster
White paint

Concrete w/ terrazzo marble tile covering 4”x4”
2-3
Wall plaster
Red paint

Dining Area
1
Wall plaster
White paint
1 chandelier light
Concrete w/ terrazzo marble tile covering 4”x4”
2

Floor to ceiling window
Door w/ glass window

Kitchen Area
1-4
Wall plaster
Gray paint

1 chandelier light
Concrete w/ granite tile covering 4”x4”
Bathroom
1-4
Wall plaster

Office Area
1-2
Wall plaster
White paint

Concrete w/ terrazzo marble tile covering 4”x4”

3-4
Wall plaster
Gray paint

Bedroom
1-2
Wall plaster
White paint

1 chandelier light
Carpet flooring

The Presentation

Presentation Board

Materials charette, apartment sketch model, staircase sketch model, and booklet that included the concept statement and FF&E.

Sketch model

Staircase sketchmodel

Material Charette

wpa poster

2009-05-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

The colors on the poster changed in the process of uploading it onto blogger.

Individual Togetherness

2009-04-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Urban Pathways

2009-04-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

Scene of Discourse

2009-04-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Create a compostion using the words weathered and confused.

3DS Max

2009-03-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

Assignmet: To take our sketch up model and load it into 3DS Max. From there we were to add materials, lighting, and etc.

MY ADVICE...DON'T USE 3DS MAX...I PREFER SKETCHUP!!!

Hipster Heaven Phase 1

2009-03-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Design schematic design for overall complex. (See previous post of the Beecher Weaver House).

Exterior view: Drawn and Designed by Mira.

Model made by: Mira

Rough sketch of the coffee shop and community area by: Monique

Completed drawing of coffee shop and community area by: Monique

Weathered and Confused

2009-03-26T01:35:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Find pictures that convey the mood and emotion. Stay away from using people.

Confused Images

Weathered Images

Beecher House Photos

2009-03-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

Pattern Persception

2009-03-23T20:03:00.001-07:00

Assignment: Using the techniques taught in class, create a composition transforming pictures to create a pattern. The goal is to create a pattern that you plays tricks on your eyes.

A Place to Bathe

2009-03-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

Concept:
Spiritual Progression

The goal of this design is to create an innovative Islamic inspired spa for the
handicapped that brings the religion to them. Using the Five Pillars of Faith as
inspiration, the building is broken down into five spaces: sitting area, hallway,
meditation room, bathing area, and pool. Through the use of shape, color, and
symbolism, the Islamic religion is made reachable for the handicapped world.

The octagonal shapes are reminiscent of the shape of the Islamic mosques.
The geometric shaped patterns used on the tile are a combination of Islamic inspired colors and shapes.
By combining the message and meditation room, the average handicapped person is allowed the space to lie flat while facing east to prayer without causing harm to themselves. While praying and meditating they have the privilege to receive a message.

Going into this project, my first idea was to look at the Indonesian bathing culture. After much research, their bathing culture focused around the Islamic religion. This led me to further research on the Islamic religion. After much research, I found the Five Pillars of Faith. The idea of the Five Pillars of Faith was very instrumental in the design of the spa and bathing area.

In this zoom in rendered plan, you are able to see that the pool area is covered in turquoise blue tile. The use of blue tile gives that appearance of a deep blue water.

This is a view of the bathing area. The design and color scheme is be duplicated in the meditation room and sitting area. To create a uniformed islam inspired environment.

Here is an up close view of the overrall tile pattern in each space. The pattern is broken down into 2' x 2' custom made ceramic tiles.

In this view you are able to see how the ramp interacts with the rest of the pool area. Also a key design element in the room is the use of floor to ceiling windows as walls and skylight. There is also a waterfall in the pool area.

A place to bathe- phase 1

2009-02-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

Assignment: Select a distinct culutural bathing experience and research the aspects and elements of the experience. Creat and post a research synopsis on your blog. Research the requirements and recommendations for universal wheelchair access standards.

Indoneisan Splendor

During my freshman year in studio, I found an article dealing with Indonesian design. What i loved about the house that I found was that it incorporated natural materials such as woods and outdoor textures with prints and bright colors. This interesting combination proved to be a great one. Although very decorated, you get a taste of Indonesian design and you see where it gets its influences from.

Indonesia is a country known for its oriental design and Chinese inspired designs. One interior designer Leksmono Santoso decided to showcase the essence of Indonesia in his home, five house combined to create one huge estate. Indonesian design is greatly inspired by Chinese design and therefore can be seen in one of Santoso's rooms. Using the motto "more is more," there are 285 pieces in the Chinese Room. This room combines pieces from Yuan, Ming, and Qing. Throughout the house are brightly colored patterns and brightly colored painted walls. Mixed with Indonesian design is a Bohemian feel which can be seen in their Asmat room. The Asmat room is decorated wth tons of sculpted masks and bright colors. One color that is dominant throughout the house is the use of orange. Leksmono uses many traditional Indonesian style rugs . The purpose of his home is to tell a story of the Inodnesian history through patterns, colors, sculpted masks, and artifacts.

This is just some of the research that i found when it came to designing a bathroom/spa for the dissable.

The ADA and the ADA Approved Bathroom

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed July 26, 1990 and became effective on January 26, 1992. It is landmark federal legislation designed to open up services and employment opportunities to the millions of Americans with disabilities.
The ADA requires that all washrooms, whether they're newly constructed or renovated, must be usable by people with disabilities. The original law was composed of five titles dealing with different aspects of prohibiting discrimination against disabled persons, with Title III being the portion of the law that established structural accessibility requirements for design of the ADA compliant bathroom. These standards replaced CABO/ANSI A117.1-1992, which were adopted by many states.
The United States Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. They developed and continue to assess and evaluate the accessible design guidelines known as the ADA Accessibility Guidelines or "ADAAG". The ADAAG contains requirements for new construction and modifications to existing structures to ensure accessibility in accordance with ADA. The Board’s guidelines in and of themselves are not mandatory on the public, but instead serve as the baseline for a variety of federal agencies who do enforce the standards. View the original ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, as amended through September, 2002. These guidelines have been subsequently revised and updated.
In July, 2004, the U.S. Access Board announced the release of new design guidelines. View the new ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, as published in the Federal Register July 23, 2004 and amended August 5, 2005. The new design document is the result of a comprehensive, ten year review and update of the Board’s original ADA Accessibility Guidelines. The new document is more consistent with model building codes and industry standards, and has a new numbering system. It's more streamlined in structure and in the organization of chapters. The guidelines are more compatible and consistent with the level of access specified under the guidelines for Federal buildings under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968, which required accessibility of facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with Federal funds. All information associated with the changes in the guidelines is available on the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines Homepage web site.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law over 15 years ago, yet there is much work that remains to be done. View the 15th Anniversary web site to obtain a glimpse of what has been accomplished, and what remains to be achieved.
ADA Grab Bar Requirements for Shower Stalls, Bath Tubs, and Toilet Stalls

Note: The source for the information below is the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities as published in the Federal Register July 23, 2004 and amended August 5, 2005. If you would like to see the previous ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities as amended through September, 2002, click here.

Grab Bars in Toilet Stall Requirements:
Side Wall - The side wall grab bar shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) long minimum, located 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the rear wall and extending 54 inches (1370 mm) minimum from the rear wall.
Side Wall
Rear Wall
Rear Wall - The rear wall grab bar shall be 36 inches (915 mm) long minimum and extend from the centerline of the water closet 12 inches (305 mm) minimum on one side and 24 inches (610 mm) minimum on the other side.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. The rear grab bar shall be permitted to be 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum, centered on the water closet, where wall space does not permit a length of 36 inches (915 mm) minimum due to the location of a recessed fixture adjacent to the water closet.

Grab Bars in Shower Stall Requirements
Transfer Type Shower Compartments - In transfer type compartments, grab bars shall be provided across the control wall and back wall to a point 18 inches (455 mm) from the control wall.

Figure 608.3.1 Grab Bars for Transfer Type Showers
Standard Roll-In Type Shower Compartments - Where a seat is provided in standard roll-in type shower compartments, grab bars shall be provided on the back wall and the side wall opposite the seat. Grab bars shall not be provided above the seat. Where a seat is not provided in standard roll-in type shower compartments, grab bars shall be provided on three walls. Grab bars shall be installed 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from adjacent walls.

Figure 608.3.2 Grab Bars for Standard Roll-In Type Showers
Alternate Roll-In Type Shower Compartments - In alternate roll-in type shower compartments, grab bars shall be provided on the back wall and the side wall farthest from the compartment entry. Grab bars shall not be provided above the seat. Grab bars shall be installed 6 inches (150 mm) maximum from adjacent walls.

Figure 608.3.3 Grab Bars for Alternate Roll-In Type Showers
608.4 Seats. A folding or non-folding seat shall be provided in transfer type shower compartments. A folding seat shall be provided in roll-in type showers required in transient lodging guest rooms with mobility features complying with 806.2. Seats shall comply with 610.
Grab Bars in Tub Requirements
Bathtubs With Permanent Seats
Back Wall. Two grab bars shall be installed on the back wall, one located in accordance with 609.4 and the other located 8 inches (205 mm) minimum and 10 inches (255 mm) maximum above the rim of the bathtub. Each grab bar shall be installed 15 inches (380 mm) maximum from the head end wall and 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the control end wall.
Control End Wall. A grab bar 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the control end wall at the front edge of the bathtub.

Figure 607.4.1 Grab Bars for Bathtubs with Permanent Seats
Bathtubs Without Permanent Seats
Back Wall. Two grab bars shall be installed on the back wall, one located in accordance with 609.4 and other located 8 inches (205 mm) minimum and 10 inches (255 mm) maximum above the rim of the bathtub. Each grab bar shall be 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum and shall be installed 24 inches (610 mm) maximum from the head end wall and 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the control end wall.
Control End Wall. A grab bar 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the control end wall at the front edge of the bathtub.
Head End Wall. A grab bar 12 inches (305 mm) long minimum shall be installed on the head end wall at the front edge of the bathtub.

Figure 607.4.2 Grab Bars for Bathtubs with Removable In-Tub Seats
Controls. Controls, other than drain stoppers, shall be located on an end wall. Controls shall be between the bathtub rim and grab bar, and between the open side of the bathtub and the centerline of the width of the bathtub. Controls shall comply with 309.4.

Figure 607.5 Bathtub Control Location
ADA Shower Seat Requirements
Note: The source for the information below is the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities as published in the Federal Register July 23, 2004 and amended August 5, 2005. If you would like to see the previous ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities as amended through September, 2002, click here.
Shower Compartment Seats - Where a seat is provided in a standard roll-in shower compartment, it shall be a folding type, shall be installed on the side wall adjacent to the controls, and shall extend from the back wall to a point within 3 inches (75 mm) of the compartment entry. Where a seat is provided in an alternate roll-in type shower compartment, it shall be a folding type, shall be installed on the front wall opposite the back wall, and shall extend from the adjacent side wall to a point within 3 inches (75 mm) of the compartment entry. In transfer-type showers, the seat shall extend from the back wall to a point within 3 inches (75 mm) of the compartment entry. The top of the seat shall be 17 inches (430 mm) minimum and 19 inches (485 mm) maximum above the bathroom finish floor. Seats shall comply with 610.3.1 or 610.3.2.

Figure 610.3 Extent of Seat
Rectangular Seats - The rear edge of a rectangular seat shall be 2 1/2 inches (64 mm) maximum and the front edge 15 inches (380 mm) minimum and 16 inches (405 mm) maximum from the seat wall. The side edge of the seat shall be 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) maximum from the adjacent wall.

Figure 610.3.1 Rectangular Shower Seat
L-Shaped Seats - The rear edge of an L-shaped seat shall be 2 1/2 inches (64 mm) maximum and the front edge 15 inches (380 mm) minimum and 16 inches (405 mm) maximum from the seat wall. The rear edge of the "L" portion of the seat shall be 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) maximum from the wall and the front edge shall be 14 inches (355 mm) minimum and 15 inches (380 mm) maximum from the wall. The end of the "L" shall be 22 inches (560 mm) minimum and 23 inches maximum (585 mm) from the main seat wall.

Figure 610.3.2 L-Shaped Shower Seat
Structural Strength - Allowable stresses shall not be exceeded for materials used when a vertical or horizontal force of 250 pounds (1112 N) is applied at any point on the seat, fastener, mounting device, or supporting structure.
ADA Mirror Requirements
Note: The source for the information below is the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities as published in the Federal Register July 23, 2004 and amended August 5, 2005. If you would like to see the previous ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities as amended through September, 2002, click here.

Mirrors - Mirrors located above lavatories or countertops shall be installed with the bottom edge of the reflecting surface 40 inches (1015 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground. Mirrors not located above lavatories or countertops shall be installed with the bottom edge of the reflecting surface 35 inches (890 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.

Finalized Views

2009-02-23T07:06:00.000-08:00

Assignment: We had to put one of our first year projects in sketch up. These are the finalized views.

Structural Individual Togetherness- Dining Room Assignment

2009-02-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

Structural Individual Togetherness

The objective of this design is to create a fresh and innovative approach to the traditional dining room. The concept behind my design was structure, material, and color. These three elements have combined to create a fresh and funky dining room that still holds true to some of its traditional elements.

Inspired by the arrangement of restaurants and such modern designers as Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, the idea of structural individual togetherness can be seen in the design of the table and color scheme of the room. Incorporating the individual tables of restaurants and materials of the modern era, the table is broken into three individual tables while being joined together by a long metal strip to create the illusion of one long table.

The combinations of materials and colors join together to create a funky yet inviting dining room area. The use of metal with the mix of houndstooth curtains and a splash of blue chairs makes for a fresh innovative environment. While such furniture pieces as the dining table and side table provide a small sense of tradition by keeping such standard pieces in the room.

Tear Sheet of Furniture

Panton Chair

Verner Panton's cantilevered stacking chair (1960) was the first single-material and single-form chair to be made and has been produced by Vitra through three decades of development in plastics technology. This version consists of a single piece of strong, flexible polypropylene with integral color that will not fade over time. As striking as modern sculpture, this classic piece is appropriately durable and easy to clean in cafés or restaurants, and is comfortable enough to use as an occasional chair in an office or residence.

Measurements:H 33" W 19" D 22.75" Seat Height 16.5"Materials:Polypropylene.
This chair will be the main chair in the dinner room. As it will be the seating at the dinning table.

Designer Chair - Model No. DD102M

· Designer Chair upholstered with Blue or Grey Fabric Leather.
· Chair Dimensions (W / D / H) - 57 / 58 / 67 cm.
· Complement this Designer chair with one of our Side Tables.
· Delivery Time: 2-10 weeks subject to stock availability.

This chair will be placed on the north wall of the room in between the two windows.

FF&E w/ specifications

Sketchup Project

2009-02-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

Assignment: Use on of your projects from first year and draw it in sketchup. Take pictures of the different views and place on your blog.

Design Manifesto

2009-01-27T17:10:00.000-08:00

Assignment:

Step one: research statements about design by two designers or design movements by whom/which you feel inspired.
Step two: write a statement that expresses your own beliefs as you know them at this point.

Step three: create an artifact that expresses, contains, or celebrates your personal statment.

Concept Statement

“The architect…must be looked upon as something much more than a designer of buildings- lovely, elegant, charming, and efficient- though they may be. His greater role is that of being the delineator, the definer, the engraver of the history of his time.”

-Eugene Raskin, Architecture and People, 1974

As designers we are to understand the wants of the client, and the deeper meanings that lie within those wants and desires. The same way colors have special meanings, so do the desires of our clients have special meanings. These meanings can be achieved through and by adding color to a space like during the time of the cubist and destijl movements, colors were chosen to highlight or achieve a certain mood or feeling. This continues to apply in design today. We as designers are forced to thing outside the box of mediocrity and design extraordinary designs for clients by seeing the deeper meaning within their desire and needs.at expresses, contains, or celebrates your personal statement.

Iar 212 Assignment 1

2009-01-24T20:27:00.000-08:00

The design world has come a long way thanks to the constant progression of the computer. Without the computer, occupations such as architecture, interior design, and engineering would still be using some of the same time consuming practices that our predecessors used. But realizing how much we rely on computers in our field raises the question of what will the future hold?

The use of the computer in the design world brings both positives and negatives. The positives of having computers to figure out the complexities of our design are that it opens the door for more creativity. With the steady progression of computers, out design creativity has very few limits. Some of the negatives of using computers so heavily are that we as designers loose the basic hand skills once used in drafting and designing. We become mentally handicapped because we no longer can calculate certain measurements and dimensions on our own.

Rendering

2008-11-11T18:42:00.000-08:00

Assignment: We had to take the rendering techniques learned in class and rendered the space.

Below: Rendered space with concrete walls and a red marble floor.

Below: Rendered space with maple/birch wood paneling and a blue tiled floor.

Below: Rendered space with a brick wall and dark wood floor.

Throwup sheet: Shelter Bus

2008-11-02T20:05:00.001-08:00

Assignment: Create a throwup sheet that shows some of your ideas and planning for the shelter bus II on a 11x17 layout.

Katrina's Bus Shelter Redone

2008-10-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

Assignment: To take one of the four finalist designs and make revisions to their design.

Here is our design done by Ben.

I was responsible for doing some of the construction drawings for the design.

Oasis: Shelter Bus

2008-10-22T10:32:00.001-07:00

Assignment: To create a mobile residence for 4 hurricane relief workers. At least one component of the shelter must rotate, slide, fold out or transform.

Deliverables: Concept statement, programmatic diagram, 4 cross sections, 2 longitudinal sections, one detail drawing.

landmark: bus/shelter

2008-10-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

The assignment: design a bus shelter for the GTA bus stop adjacent to the Weatherspoon Art Museum on Tate St. Deliverables: Concept Statement, material investigation, detail drawing, and model.

Concept Statement:

The objective of this design is to create an inventive and dynamic bus shelter that is attractive to the Greensboro Transit Authority and its riders. The concept of my design is nature, visual aesthetic, and function. These three elements have been combined to create a bus shelter that is eye catching while not taking away from the local vernacular of Tate St. and the Weatherspoon Museum.

Inspired by the triangular columns of the Weatherspoon Museum and the surrounding landscape, the shape of the bus shelter takes on a triangular shape. Three individual triangles have been combined to create a sense of community while creating the overall bus shelter. Taking its surrounding landscape into play, the goal of the design was to bring in nature. The abstract designs on the windows have been taken from the abstract patterns created from the intertwining of the leaves and branches of the surrounding trees. Such abstract patterns result in a visual aesthetic not found in many bus shelters.

The third goal of this design was function. Not only did I want to add more seating, but also I wanted to add a level of security and comfort to this bus shelter. To ensure more security, the windows with the abstract patterns will be solar powered windows that light up at night. This provides for a higher sense of security being that the bus stop is located between trees. Not only does this provide more security but comfort. Taking comfort even a step further more seating was added as well as a color scheme that evokes relaxation. The color light blue gives a sense of comfort, peace, and relaxation, which are all important to GTA riders after having such a long day from work.

Postcard to John Linn

2008-09-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

Precis

2008-09-26T08:04:00.001-07:00

Assignment: Provide a graphic and written summary of the bus/shelter and shelter/bus projects.

Context Presentation for Bus/Shelter

2008-09-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

The assignment: Our symbol groups are to collect and research information on our given topic. Here is our presentation.

Communicate

2008-09-21T11:11:00.001-07:00

The assignment: Communication is about the process in which information is being passed from a sender onto a recipient in order to creat a shared understanding. Utilizing the information gathered throughout all six charrettes, consider the following:
people
places
products
print materials
htt[p]

This is the logo and motto

Image: "God Creates Man" by Michelangelo

People

We decided we would have an event called “Hands Across Greensboro.” Anyone would be welcomed to come and join hands from the bus stop to the bus depot. This would show how design in our community is impacting everyone from everywhere.

Places

We chose to take a different approach to the "place" aspect of this charrette. We wanted to created mass interest while clearly informing the community, both the bus riders and non bus riders about us. Thus we have "Ode to Christo and Jeanne-Claude". Our local version of a wrapped building or physical art. We felt that by doing this living art installation the viewers would not only get a shocking experience but they would be forced to look at the good old Greensboro Bus Depot and it's surrounding environment with "new" eyes. The ultimate goal would be to energize and excite the community to find out more about Community by Design and what we are trying to accomplish through design. The installation would only last for a few days but it would be long enough to make a great impact on the community.

It was also decided that the surrounding bus shelters be wrapped in a bright green with the same graphic wording - Gatewoods Gateway to the Gate City and our web address. It's our hope that it would allow people who wouldn't necessarily travel to the main depot to see and experience what we are doing, and again hoping to stir a natural interest in the project.

Products

The Calendar: we thought that the calendar would be a great way to promote the bus shelter project as well as promoting sustainability. The calendar will be printed on plant paper. [look further down for more info on the paper]

Print Materials

For print materials our group thought of using Grow-a-Note Paper which is a seed embedded paper that recycles into the ground naturally as the seedlings grow.
We would have the paper done in the shape of our logo and on one side we would print our slogan ("Gatewoods Gateway to the Gate City") as well as our website (http://www.communitybydesign.blogspot.com/). On the other side would be instructions on planting the paper.

We would not only hand these flyers out but also put them in the Greensboro newspaper so it could reach people all over Greensboro and beyond.

http: As far as marketing on the internet, our group decided on making youtube videos on all of our other marketing ideas and events that happen. These videos would be posted on youtube as well as our studio blog.

Events

Green Fest Weekend
The purpose for GreenFest is to educate people about the positive effects of sustainability while promoting our bus shelter project.

The GreenFest Weekend would take place around the month of August for two days. One day of the fest is dedicated to educating the community through different lectures. There will be several lectures that day, which discuss different issues of sustainability within design and in our everyday lives. The lectures will be geared more towards architecture firms, landscapers, engineers, material suppliers, designers, and those interested in coming.

The second day of the weekend will be a GreenFest carnival. The purpose of the festival is to educate the community about living green through fun filled activities and rides. The carnival will have green friendly venders as well as healthy food stations. We will also sale our products throughout the whole event. The money raised from the weekend will go towards a green friendly organization.

Codes+

2008-09-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Codes

Egronomic

Codes

Proxemics

Our experience with the various requirements to support human activities and needs was very informative. Much of the information that we read over was helpful in our understanding of what was needed in our models and how much we needed to change. For example the details in the Interior Graphics Standards helped us to realize spacing issues within our models. After we designed both our bus shelter and shelter bus we ran into problems. Some parts of our spaces would not accommodate wheelchair accessibility. Other issues were seat spacing to ensure comfort, and the bathroom design. Working with a small space like a bus, and having to provide care for people is a huge challenge; however codes are set as a guideline. Within the requirements we did fulfill the needs of seating, sleeping, care and comfort. These needs however must be adjusted to fit code standards. Codes are very vital in the design process. Codes are what make design functional. They give guidelines for designers to create functional environments. It was not until doing this assignment that we realized the importance of codes. Building codes allow for the designer to design safe environments. Although codes can sometimes limit the creative process, codes do allow the designer to think realistically, which is always a good thing. Building codes also prevent the designer from being selfish because it forces them to consider the needs of others, instead of just themselves. In the design process it is usually best to design without restrictions first, but to be aware of them and use them strategically. This allows for the design to reach many possibilities. If you’re only thinking about the codes and restrictions while designing in the beginning then your ending place will not be as creative as it could’ve been when focusing on the actual design. As long as you have code in the back of your mind while designing with all creativity possible, this makes design limitless. Codes won’t change your design as long as you design with them, that way they are an incorporated feature and make sense with the whole design.

The Precedent

2008-09-16T20:27:00.001-07:00

The assignment: In your symbol groups draw a minimum of 15 drawings from your observations of the bus stop on Tate St.

Here is our sketch model of the bus stop for spring garden and tate st.

Above picture: You can see the solar powered windows that we decided to install. This would help with the lighting of the bus stop at night to create a safer environment.

The Container Project

2008-09-16T20:04:00.001-07:00

The assignment: Identify 10 needs that arise in the event of a hurricane. SElect two needs that you as a group would like to address. Generate two bubble diagrams. Produce a minimum of 25 beautiful sketches of ideas that address these needs. Produce two sketch models. One for each need.

So in completing this project, my group decided to break up the needs. We decided on a hospital and shelter. Diana and myself did the hospital. Take at look at our drawings and the final model.

Above picture: What are you looking at are the hospital beds and shelving space for storage.

Above Picture: Here you can see a bench for quick service for needs such as blood pressure checks, shots, and etc.

Above: Here is a good view of the wood dividers that divide each bed.

Here is the second sketch model done by Maurshell and Krista.

Client Charette

2008-09-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

As part of our assignment, we had to interview different GTA riders and create a video. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QP7DZcsCUg

The second part of the assignment was to create 4 sketch models to help prevent a natural disaster. The disaster my group chose was the famine in Ethiopia. We decided to build a greenhouse where they could grow food and plants. We also decided to build a water system to go with the greenhouse. Take a look.

Sustainability Postcard

2008-09-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

these pictures were taken from Microsoft Clip Art photo gallery.

Reading+Riding+Recording

2008-09-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

When completing this assignment, I decided to do the bus route first. I really did not want to take the bus down here because that was the reason I had brought my car, so I would not have to take the bus. I guess when you grow up in the city and you take the bus for most of your life, hearing that your assignment requires you to take the bus really doesn't get the juices flowing. But I am glad to say that the bus ride I took down here was quite different my the bus rides I've taken back home in Washington, DC.

So Nacarra and I got together to take our bus route. We ended up getting on bus 1 going towards Wendover Ave. Of course I have been to Wendover Ave. plenty of times, but going on the bus forces you to take a different direction and pay attention to things that you never even knew existed. On this bus route I got to go through different neighborhoods ranging from the nice college towns to some of the lower class neighborhoods. It kind of reminded me a lot of home. The only difference is that at home the buses usually don't go through different neighborhood classes. If you stay in the projects that bus only goes through the projects. There are some exceptions. So lets get to the pictures of my bus trip.

After taking my bus route, I read the assigned reading Civility and Civil Rights. The reading talked about the era of the 1960s and the fight for desegration not only in the South but across the country. This is a subject that I have studied a great deal especially being that I have always gone to all black schools. No matter how much you read it, you never really get used to hearing about the discrimination that your people faced, even your own family members. The part that I think about the most after reading this is the torture that students had to go through when trying to get a better education. Just to think that someone my age had to face rocks being thrown at them, death threats, verbal abuse, and so much more, my hat always goes off to them. If it were not for them paving the way, I would not be here at UNCG.

Although I have studied the civil rights era in much detail, it was refreshing to hear about what the HBCU's did to contribute to the civil rights movement. One fact that I did not know was that Martin Luther King spoke at Bennett College. A fact that I was aware of but motivates me every time is to know that students at North Carolina A&T started to sit-in movements. To know that although you are a young person you can change the world is mind boggling.

After reading the reading and taking the bus route is is great to see how far Greensboro has come even though they still have fare to go. Along my route I saw a mix of races but when it came to neighborhoods, the racial segregation was distinct. One of the areas that my bus route took me through was an all black neighborhood and sad to say it was not a well to do neighborhood. Its still sad that some of these stereotypes we still carry.

the start of my 2nd year

2008-09-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Coming into second year I had heard alot of things about studio...."its hard"..."patrick will kill you with work"....of these quotes i dont doubt but i am very excited. I really want to do alot better than i did my first year. I dont think that last year was terrible but i really just want to improve. But the first week was very interesting. When thinking of what to draw to describe my first week, I could not narrow it down. So i decided to find pictures online that captured my first week.

Postcard Assignment

2008-09-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

When going into this assignment I knew that i wanted to write about the My Sister's House project. The only problem I had is that I did not know what to do for a sketch. I did two postcards but I really do not like either one.

My first postcard

When doing this postcard, I wanted the theme of the postcard to be childlike. But for some reason, it did not turn out well.

The Final Postcard

I kept the same color scheme but went for a more simple layout. Still not happy with this one but I decided to use this one as my final.

PATHWAY PROJECT

2008-08-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

The Final:The Habitable Wall

2008-04-30T15:42:00.001-07:00

The Assignment: To create a habitable wall for our assigned person. 20x20x14 were the measurement requirements.

My assigned person was jazz singer, Nnenna Freelon
When going into this assignment there were some elements about Freelon that I wanted to keep in mind.
-bold
-flow
-femininity
-entertainment

Step one:
I first went through magazines before i did my sketches. But here are the sketches that most influenced my project.

The next phase of the project was to make different sketch models to more explore our first ideas.

This is the idea that i finally decided on. This model received the most postive feedback for what I was trying to achieve, which was a space that was bold and feminie while incorporating a unique look.

After doing the sketch models we had to do a scale model of our more refined idea. When doing this model, I was forced to address the separation of space: public vs. private. When addressing this, I created a private space for her by extending the curve to create a space behind the wall.

Time to add color! The next phase was to add color to our models. When adding color, I wanted the color to speak to who Nnenna Freelon was as an artist. So I chose black, purple, and clear to be in the public space. I chose these vibrant bold colors because that is what I think of when I think about jazz music. I think of the creativeness and boldness that goes into such jazz genres as scat and improvisation. For the private space, I wanted to use more serene colors.

The Final Projects

The presentation board:

The model

Her private space. I added more shelving for storage.

For the public space, I raised the bar to be 4 1/2 feet tall.

My attempt at Sketch Up

2008-04-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

The Assignment: To recreate Stoel's house in sketch up.

In this view I was able to make the walls transparent. I was also able to add tile to the floor.

In this view you are able to see the tile and the shadows that I was able to create. You are also able to see that I still need help creating my window. :)

This was my first time using sketch up. Even though I still have a lot of unanswered questions, I found sketch up to be very fun. Once I learn how fully use sketch up, I can see myself being very good with sketch up...but until then...I still need a lot of practice.

Time to Sleep, pt. 2

2008-04-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

Assignmnet: Create a sleeping space, zone, or cavity. Make sure the space is able to hold storage.

Requirements: 3 4'x8' surfaces
1 12' linear surface/ object
1 3'x3'x4' object

Process

when we first received the assignment, i knew that i did not want to make the stereotypical bed. with that in mind i looked through several interior design and architecture magazines for some ideas. these are some of the interiors that i used to inspiration.

Sketches

The 1st Model

The Final Product

in the final product, i changed the material of the shelves from bristol board to clear acrylic. i also changed the colorful fabric to a solid black fabric for a more sleek finished look. Here is the final product.

Time to Sleep

2008-03-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Children like to sleep in tents.

i guess if you tired enough, you will sleep anywhere including a playground.

Unfortunately, we have people that sleep on the streets

The airport is the perfect place to find people sleeping.

I know its a convenient store, but i did not know you could sleep in the convenient store.

Precedent Study: Baths of Diocletian

2008-03-23T22:15:00.001-07:00

CAPitalizing on RE-USE

2008-03-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

Assignment: all items used to build your bottle cap model must be salvaged or biodegradable. expect to justify all of your materials through the lens of "Radical simplicity".

just some ideas

when i first received this project, i googled bottle caps to see what images i could find. after getting some ideas i thought about doing jewelry or either a trash can. but i decided on neither because after hearing others ideas, i found out that my original idea was not so original.

1st model

the idea behind my first model was a pencil holder. for the first model i only did a portion of the idea. this idea did not get chosen because it was held together with glue and of course glue is not recyclable. but i guess that what first ideas are.

the final product

if you look closely, you are able to see the whole and the wire being weaved through.

this is the inside of the bag. we mixed smaller lids with larger lids to create the bottom. i thought that this was a very interesting picture.

me and my partner finally decided to do a grocery bag. something that is used on an everyday basis that gets easily thrown in the trash. we made our grocery bag out of plastic lids and wire. we puched holes in the lids and connected them by weaving the wire through them. when looking for the lca of plastic lids i was unable to find it because many websites show that it is hard to tell the lca of plastic.

A Simple Mixture Presentation

2008-03-06T21:04:00.000-08:00

The last step of our nature as a tool project was to present our project. My group members were Hannah Daugherty, Jazmine Hairston, and Ashley Blackburn.

Drafting from Handout

2008-03-04T21:41:00.000-08:00

Assignment: Follow the directions on the handout using a 1/2": 1' scale. Then create a model using a 3/4": 1' scale.

Scale Sketch

Vellum Sketch

Doors and Bathrooms

2008-03-04T21:33:00.000-08:00

Assignment: Complete assignment in Ching, page 140-141.

Scale Sketch

Vellum Sketch

Fisher House

2008-03-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

Assignment: Complete the assignment from Ching, page 139.

Scale Sketch

Vellum Sketch

Broccoli: Toolwork Mania

2008-02-29T08:10:00.000-08:00

Assignment: Find a tool and incorporate it with your produce or fruit to create patterns.

Broccoli: Pattern Craze

2008-02-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

Assignment: We were to investigate our fruit or produce and draw the different patterns within our fruit or produce.

Broccoli 202

2008-02-29T07:56:00.000-08:00

Broccoli 101

2008-02-29T07:38:00.000-08:00

Assignment: In this project you will investigate and record a natural object, fruit or produce. You will extract patterns and relationships from your investigations to create 2 dimensional, 3 dimensional and architectural statements of your revelations. All your submissions should respect a 6x6 format with name and date.

Notes and Dimensioning

2008-02-13T13:35:00.001-08:00

Assignment

Draw building on handout at a 3/4":1' scale.

Draw on 18x24 vellum
1/8 Lettering with 1/16 space
Copy notes from the handout (i.e. door, wall, and window)

Thumbnails/ Notes

Notes and Dimensioning on Vellum

Section Views

2008-02-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

Assignment:

Draw Pat's chair...choose a view and two sections.

18x24" vellum
1 1/2" : 1" scale
Setup same as orthographic view
Each view has 2 dimensions

Thumbnails

Scale Sketches

Orhograhic View

Two By Four

2008-01-30T15:00:00.001-08:00

The Assignment

Objective: Design a self sustained system
Parameters: Make no less than six cuts...use all the material provided; no more, no less use no
fastners and no adhesives
Materials: 18" long 2"x4" pine board

Thumbnail Sketches...just some ideas

Final Project...what i finally decided

*Notice how the dials have a square shape and penetrate through the piece of wood through circle cutouts.

Project One

2008-01-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

Assignment

Using single laminate chip board to model the 3/4" MDF at 1 1/2":1' scale design and build a seat/ table/ server/ workstation.

Inspiration

Thumbnail Ideas

Scale Sketch

Orthographic Views

Rough Model

Scale Model

Sustainable Design

2007-12-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

In today's world, we are always faced with questions about protecting the earth and bettering our environment. And as we move into the future, that question is something that has to be addressed in our designs as architects and interior designers. We have to address sustainability. So now here is the time to address sustainability. What it is? How it affects us? How can we achieve sustainability?

THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY

The concept of sustainable design has come to the forefront in the last 20 years. It is a concept that recognizes that human civilization is an integral part of the natural world and that nature must be preserved and perpetuated if the human community itself is to survive. Sustainable design articulates this idea through developments that exemplify the principles of conservation and encourage the application of those principles in our daily lives.
A corollary concept, and one that supports sustainable design, is that of bioregionalism - the idea that all life is established and maintained on a functional community basis and that all of these distinctive communities (bioregions) have mutually supporting life systems that are generally self-sustaining. The concept of sustainable design holds that future technologies must function primarily within bioregional patterns and scales. They must maintain biological diversity and environmental integrity, contribute to the health of air, water, and soils, incorporate design and construction that reflect bioregional conditions, and reduce the impacts of human use.
Sustainable design, sustainable development, design with nature, environmentally sensitive design, holistic resource management - regardless of what it's called, "sustainability," the capability of natural and cultural systems being continued over time, is key.

THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability does not require a loss in the quality of life, but does require a change in mind-set, a change in values toward less consumptive lifestyles. These changes must embrace global interdependence, environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability.
Sustainable design must use an alternative approach to traditional design that incorporates these changes in mind-set. The new design approach must recognize the impacts of every design choice on the natural and cultural resources of the local, regional, and global environments.
A model of the new design principles necessary for sustainability is exemplified by the "Hannover Principles" or "Bill of Rights for the Planet," developed by William McDonough Architects for EXPO 2000 to be held in Hannover, Germany.
Insist on the right of humanity and nature to co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diverse, and sustainable condition.
Recognize Interdependence. The elements of human design interact with and depend on the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design considerations to recognizing even distant effects.
Respect relationships between spirit and matter. Consider all aspects of human settlement including community, dwelling, industry, and trade in terms of existing and evolving connections between spiritual and material consciousness.
Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being, the viability of natural systems, and their right to co-exist.
Create safe objects to long-term value. Do not burden future generations with requirements for maintenance or vigilant administration of potential danger due to the careless creations of products, processes, or standards.
Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluate and optimize the full life-cycle of products and processes, to approach the state of natural systems in which there is no waste.
Rely on natural energy flows. Human designs should, like the living world, derive their creative forces from perpetual solar income. Incorporate this energy efficiently and safely for responsible use.
Understand the limitations of design. No human creation lasts forever and design does not solve all problems. Those who create and plan should practice humility in the face of nature. Treat nature as a model and mentor, not an inconvenience to be evaded or controlled.
Seek constant improvements by sharing knowledge. Encourage direct and open communication between colleagues, patrons, manufacturers, and users to link long-term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility, and reestablish the integral relationship between natural processes and human activity.
These principles were adopted by the World Congress of the International Union of Architects (UIA) in June 1993 at the American Institute of Architect's (AIA) Expo 93 in Chicago. Further, the AIA and UIA signed a "Declaration of Interdependence for a Sustainable Future." In summary, the declaration states that today's society is degrading its environment and that the AIA, UIA, and their members are committed to:
Placing environmental and social sustainability at the core of practices and professional responsibilities
Developing and continually improving practices, procedures, procedures, products, services, and standards for sustainable design
Educating the building industry, clients, and the general public about the importance of sustainable design
Working to change policies, regulations, and standards in government and business so that sustainable design will become the fully supported standard practice
Bringing the existing built environment up to sustainable design standards
In addition, the Interprofessional Council on Environmental Design (ICED), a coalition of architectural, landscape architectural, and engineering organizations, developed a vision statement in an attempt to foster a team approach to sustainable design. ICED states: The ethics, education and practices of our professions will be directed to shape a sustainable future. . . . To achieve this vision we will join . . . as a multidisciplinary partnership."
These activities are an indication that the concept of sustainable design is being supported on a global and interprofessional scale and that the ultimate goal is to become more environmentally responsive. The world needs facilities that are more energy efficient and that promote conservation and recycling of natural and economic resources.

Taken from http://www.nps.gov/dsc/dsgncnstr/gpsd/ch1.html

Another part of sustainable design is recycling the many materials that we as designers use in construction. Here a ways to recycle those materials and promote sustainability.

Paper-Though not strictly a building material, a great deal of paper waste is generated during the design and construction of a building. Many types of paper are now recyclable. In addition to white office paper and computer paper, colored paper, fax paper, and even junk mail can be recycled. Newspapers, magazines, catalogs and phone books are also recyclable, though they need to be sorted. Unfortunately, blueprints are not currently being recycled in this region. An alternative is to use xerographic reproduction on bond paper, which is recyclable. Ask your blueprinting service about this. Use recycled paper in your office, have business cards and letterhead printed on recycled stock, with soy-based inks. Print on both sides of paper. Set up strategically located, clearly marked recycling bins at the office and on the job site.

Concrete-Concrete waste is ground up for road base and reused as aggregate for new concrete.

Asphalt-Asphalt from shingles and paving can be recycled into paving or road base.

Metals-Most steel has been reincarnated at least once. Some recyclers will accept metals mixed in with wood wastes because they can be separated magnetically, but check first. Did you know that it only takes 11% of the energy to recycle aluminum as it does to produce it initially from bauxite ore?1 That is why there is always a market for aluminum cans. Copper is so valuable that pipes are routinely recycled.

Wood-Wood waste can be ground up for particle board, mulch, or to mix with sewage to make fertilizer. Check with the recyclers for any restrictions. .

Corrugated Cardboard-Cardboard waste is remade into boxes and packaging.

GlassFloor tiles are being made from recycled windshield glass and from light bulbs. Although not yet manufactured in our region, they are locally distributed. Stained glass artisans may be able to use your leftover glass. Please note that for health code reasons, window glass cannot be recycled with glass bottles and jars because these are recycled back into food containers.

The more difficult materials to recycle are:

Plastics-These can be an environmental problem: rarely recycled, non-biodegradable, and when improperly disposed of, dangerous to fish and wildlife. Animals can become tangled in plastic and drown, suffocate or become injured. Waterfowl eat their fill of foam packaging, which is not digestible, and subsequently starve to death. Plastic is a petroleum-based product and, therefore, is not renewable. Research is being done to develop biodegradable plastics. There are also a variety of building materials and consumer goods that are being made from recycled plastics.

Insulation-Foamboard and fiberglass are not readily recyclable, although they can often be reused if not damaged in demolition. Cellulose insulation, made from recycled newsprint, is biodegradable. (Biodegradable means that with exposure to air, sunlight and/or moisture, the material will decompose into naturally occurring, harmless components). Unfortunately, the conditions in a landfill are not conducive to this process.

Gypsum Board/DrywallRaw gypsum is plentiful and inexpensive therefore recycling is not considered cost effective in our region. Transportation costs quickly exceed the value of the used gypsum board. One local recycler is experimenting with composting drywall waste. It is a biodegradable material.

Paint and Solvents-It is illegal to dispose of paints and solvents in most landfills. Many communities have special arrangements for toxic waste disposal. Call your city government for information. To prevent or minimize the problem, avoid using or specifying paints with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful ingredients, such as heavy metals. Carefully estimate the amount needed to avoid large quantities of leftover paints or solvents. Leftover paint can be used as a primer on another project or given to someone who can use it. In Seattle, Habitat for Humanity has a program where leftover paints are combined and used as primer or finish coat where the desired color happens to be “Seattle Beige.” Check with your community to see if such a program exists.
To encourage recycling, there must be a demand for the end products made from the recycled materials. For example, wood waste is made into oriented strand board siding, particle board (non-formaldehyde preferred), or landscaping mulch. Throughout this guide you will find building products made from recycled materials. Encourage recycling by specifying and purchasing recycled products.
When implementing construction site recycling, presorting is almost always required. Recyclers operate on such a tight margin, that the time required to remove contaminants by hand causes it to be unprofitable. If the load is not pure enough, it is likely to end up in the landfill anyway. Check with your recycler for sorting guidelines. The need to involve and educate everyone on the building team cannot be over emphasized. Consult with the workers to help decide how to best implement the sorting process. Label bins clearly with symbols and words. Use bilingual labels, if appropriate.

Taken from http://www.aiasdrg.org/sdrg.aspx

One architecture firm, HOK, is making sustainable design there main priority. This is what they have to say about sustainable design.
"We embrace our responsibility as one of the world's most influential design firms to advance sustainable design for every building type, geographic region and budget level. Our people are impassioned by the opportunity to design healthy, environmentally friendly buildings that improve our planet's overall environmental condition. By designing solutions that enhance aesthetic goals, limit resource consumption, improve building performance, and promote health and productivity, HOK is leading the way toward an increasingly sustainable future."

To read more about what they are doing to help sustainability you can go to http://www.hok.com/sustainable/, there you can also view pictures of their work.