precis 9

precis 8

plans

3rd floor plan









2nd floor plan

1st floor plan

basement level plan

precis 7

i was encouraged to explore ways of offering a unique point-of-view of the artists as they work, by elevating the audience to peer down on them. while excavation downward was encouraged, it proves difficult to offer ample linear square footage for this. i was also concerned about providing daylighting to artists if they were lowered. as a way to offer this idea, i have changed the 2nd floor to a viewing area, and added a loft where visitors can peer down to the 1st floor and view work. this maintains lighting on the first floor for them.

precis 6

precis 5

after an extremely helpful peer review last week, i feel that i am finally moving forward to where i should be in the design process. as my precis explains, i am finally joining my concept ideas with the aesthetics and programming needs of the space.

precis 4

this week we looked at the codes and ergonomic considerations that must be made for our spaces. we also had a review on monday, and natural lighting, material choices, and entry/exit pathways were brought up as concerns. i am looking into how to provide a "storefront" effect to face out on elm street, and allow passers by to enter the building safely and easily.

precis 3

light prism images

in my search for images that represent the style i am envisioning, i am drawn more and more to the images of light refraction, specifically in prisms. these precise, asymmetrical angles make them inspiring images, and indicative of the creative outlets artists posess. like the light rays created by the prisms, artists allow others to see issues, experiences, or the future in a new or different "light."

inspirational images

in an effort to define my design concept, i have collected a few images:

precis 2

precis 1

schematics 5.28

our charette yesterday in studio dealt with materials, finishes, and fasteners. we were asked to create 5 "moments" of tactile experiences. here's what i've got:






my reviewer from yesterday suggested (not surprisingly) that i need to work on defining my concept. to me that sounds kind of like putting vaseline on my teeth. i usually seem to have some trouble verbally articulating my project. i'm not sure that an essence really encapsulates everything my design intent needs to be.


i want the space to be sculptural, angular, and inspiring, like planes coming together to create form and space. i want it to be familiar but unrecognizable, noticed but not distracting. i want it to cradle the artists, their creative thoughts, and their tangible work. right now the only thing i can think of that it reminds me of is light refraction - the way the shapes and angles happen.

the weatherspoon "wrap"

yesterday i presented edgar and gwen's project for review. they are working on a design/build thesis for the new weatherspoon art museum store, located right next to the gatewood building in greensboro, nc. they have done an excellent job of defining their concept and developing their materials and production techniques to suit the existing space.

their concept is wrapping, and many of their drawings include a linear element like the one below:


they plan to use this element to provide shelving, storage, and display areas. the edges are rounded so as to create a smooth transition around corners and further suggest the continuity of this ribbon-like plane. although they have already done made excellent progress toward manifesting their project, there were a few thoughts i had that i thought might help them move further:

- as designers, take notice of the beginning/ending of this element. are there points of stop and go? is there a starting point? a given direction?

- do not limit the wrapping element to the inside of this space. explore options such as wrapping it around the perimeter wall, or using it outside to pull interest towards this concealed corner. take advantage of the wayfinding opportunities it offers.

- allow the element to enter a human scale. note places where it can come away from the wall. allow human interaction with/on/in the wrapping.

from our first day 5.21

here are some images from our first charette. we were asked to do some modeling, write a narrative, and design a graphic image with descriptive words about our space.

the words i used to describe the space:

-intentional

-adaptable

-unconventional

-angular

-inspiring

-precise

-variety

-change

-future

welcome! for the next 2 months, this page will display my progress on my studio 5x5 thesis project. a few times a week i will add sketches, photos, or writings for your review. any comments or suggestions are welcomed. enjoy!