Community Service Project: Conceptual Development

This community service project was a great learner experience as there was a real client whom we talked to and discussed the goals and requirements of the design. The goal was to create a venue space on an island of the park where it mostly is rented as a wedding venue, as well as other community gatherings. I was face with several challenges while designing the conceptual layouts. I first worked in concept development where I took similes and metaphors relating to marriage and the venue. I came up with several ideas such as the island is a secret garden, the island is a hidden gem, Love is infinite… the concept I moved far with is life is like a journey, where I further found the quote “Where there is love, there is life”  by Mahatma Gandhi. I thought this quote fit perfectly as I wanted to incorporate both the celebration of love in the nature setting.

Several factors I was faced to with were preservation of totem poles of the island, privacy issues, and sound issues, keeping a light footprint on the island, as well as using existing buildings as a commercial kitchen for catering as well as restrooms and a bridal area.

Addressing each of these issues caused me to think logically and critically about how I would go about working with these issues. My ideas to work with them are as follows:

Relocate totem poles to different locations of the park for both better picture opportunities as well as having them be seen by more people, allowing for more learning opportunities for their history.

As this is a public park and people have the right to travel through the park as they please, privacy will be an issue while events are taking place. My proposal would be to add a new bridge spanning on the South side of the island that connects two existing bridges. Not only will this allow for great up close views of the river, but the public can conveniently move around the wedding without interrupting.  

The sound can get very loud when the river is active, so I thought the best plan of action was to put the ceremony space where there is an existing amphitheater which will help direct the noise toward the crowd while blocking the sounds of the river. I also tried to bring the reception and ceremony space inward of the island so they are not directly next to the loud noise.

Working with Revit I was able to develop several renderings that show the existing buildings as a new commercial kitchen for catering, restrooms, and a private space for a bride and her bridal park to get ready.

Traced Revit model of building exterior, hand drawn scenery additions

I also worked with the Landscape Architecture students to help me choose appropriate plants and greenery to incorporate in my design.

Aerial view of wedding venue in color pencil

Overall I took a minimalist approach as the island had many useable features and did not need a lot of renovations. The biggest change would be relocating paths to push closer to the edges of the island, and additional plants, flowers, and greenery. I feel I grew in my concept development skills and ability to work with client requirements and provide a great venue space.

From Upper Left: Venue Plan, Inspiration Images, Concept Statement, Aerial View of Venue

From Upper Left: Totem Poles, Ceremony View, Landscape options
From Upper Right: New Bridge Proposal, Demolition Map, Commercial Kitchen/ Bridal Area Plan

Pufferbelly Depot Renovation

Redesigning Pufferbelly Train Depot in Pullman, WA into a Gallery, Studio space, and residence for a glass blower, was a long process of concept development, trial and error, and working with codes and regulations. This specific project was a new experience in having to consider applying elements for ADA codes in the public space, as well as considering Universal Design elements for the residence as the artist's spouse had a visual impairment. In addition, this was a historic preservation project, requiring the ticket wall and stairs wall to remain in the new building.

Site Plan of Pufferbelly Depot

Exterior Elevation of Depot

With the guidelines in place, I tarted off with concept development, I explored the history and inspiration from a picture of this concrete slab with purple and blue glass circles embedded in the concrete outside of the building. I was drawn to the colors, shape, and history behind them as they had changed color over time, and were used for a skylight to the basement. I explored lines and cracks within the concrete, representing paths people take in life, whether they be easy are hard (thick and thin lines), to the element of light and changing over time. The most powerful images and ideas that came from this exploration was circles, change, and repetition.

Inspiration Picture

After completing several pages of idea generation, I compiled multiple parti sketches, demonstrating my three inspiration words: Shape, Color, and Repetition. These words would derive and form the rest of my design process. With four of my favorite parti sketches chosen, I took two of them and developed modules to be placed several patterns that would soon be taken and made into a textile that would be incorporated into my design. I used this textile as a wallpaper in the Gallery bathroom, paired with white subway tiles that are currently used in the building.

Gallery Bathroom: Textile inspired Wallpaper

With my concept development in progress, I developed a bench design that will be placed the entrance of the gallery space. Developing the bench was a challenge because glass and concrete were the two important materials that I wanted to incorporate in the design, so figuring out how to combine them in a unique way was difficult. My original design proposed a challenge in how the bench would be able to balance properly, therefore I had to redevelop a bench with some sort of leg. I came up with 9 cylinder legs on each side reflecting the number of glass tiles and in a repetition form.

The biggest part of this project I found challenge was spatial issues due to the glass blower needing a very large studio space, taking away from the residence and gallery. I knew for the gallery space, I wanted an open space that could be versatile to the different displays and pieces he makes. In relation to having a retail space within the gallery for sales, I kept the original ticket window in this space and this also connects the gallery space to his office, storage and studio space for a nice transition to all the public space. In the residence space, I wanted there to be an open living area and a more private bedroom area. To achieve this, the entrance opens to a little hallway with a storage closet to the left and a circular bench to the right. Stepping farther into the space, an open plan combines the laundry/ 1/2 bath, dining area, kitchen and living space while giving the bedroom and master bathroom it's own private area to the side. I found using the study model was very useful in developing spatial awareness of room and how the design would truly work outside of 2D paper space.

3D Study Model

Overall throughout the design, I incorporated my concept and ADA/UD elements into the design. All doorways are 36" wide, all passing hallways and barriers are no less than 36" wide, and high contrast of colors are included to accommodate people with vision impairments. Natural light was combined with additional levels of lighting throughout the space. Tying into both UD design and the use of colors blue, purple, and grey textiles and paints from my concept can be seen throughout the design, as well as circular furnishings. Darker floors and lighter walls allow for clear determination of the floor versus the walls. Also, a sustainable factor was taken into  desperation, keeping a few existing walls in addition to the two required wall, sustainable materials, and shared water walls. The drawings that were completed in the project reiterate and demonstrate the applications of these concepts as seen in the Egress Plan, Demolition Plan, and Furniture Floor Plan.

Furniture Floor Plan

Demolition Plan showing walls and doors to remain, be added, and torn down.

Egress Plan: Farthest travel distance to a safe exit and ADA space requirements.

This project took my work as a progressive Interior Designer to a new level. New technical aspects that I was expected to incorporate were applied, following real building codes, and overall working in a time frame that pushed me to be both creative and accurate. Creatively, I believe I improved on developing a concept and carrying that throughout my design and not losing sight of my direction. I In addition to working on my creativity, I was able to practice on my rendering skills and perspective drawings (seen below). Another aspect that I gained sight on is all the different paths I can take with an Interior Design major, whether that be commercial design, residential design, furniture design, textile design, and even being a person that develops concepts and does research on projects. I really enjoyed this project and think it was a great learning experience.

Gallery Perspective with ticket wall to the left.

Studio space with fire resistant concrete floors and existing brick walls.

Entrance of residence, looking into kitchen and living area.

Master bedroom, with view of master bath and walk in closet.

Dream. Design. Grow. One Bedroom Apartment and Common Area

Dream. Design. Grow.

Original Floor Plan

Vision
Building on my work from the previous kitchen and bathroom design of the two bedroom design, the one bedroom design in the St. Elmos hotel is the display of the process I went through to design a home.  Starting of with an inspiration song of what a home means to me, I chose the song "The House that Built Me" by Miranda Lambert. In this song, I understood a home to be a place that someone dreams about, and making those dreams come to life. A home starts out small, then slowly starts to grow, it may not always be perfect, but in the end, it is a place you call your own, and make memories.

Final Parti Sketch and Preliminaries

Building a Concept
From there, I brainstormed multiple parti sketches, in which I incorporated the ideas of  home, dreams, and building. Choosing a parti where I incorporated a swirl for a dream into a straight line, with small lines representing a a wooden fence, which is used in a "home". From there, a concept model was developed that resembled the parti sketch. I used brown materials and wood to emulate building materials, where in the apartment and common area, I used a significant amount of wood, metal, brick, and glass. I wanted the design to come out feeling warm and welcoming, while still meeting the guidelines of the client. Taking these concepts and ideas into mind, I can up with a concept statement.

Concept Statement

A home starts with thinking of multiple ideas, designing, rethinking, and redesigning. From there, an idea is taken, written down, and brought to life. As the building progresses, all the pieces grow together and function as a whole. A home leaves the impression of being warm and welcoming. As well as having a welcoming home, a home is a place where people grow and create memories. Evolving through time, a home needs to be incorporate sustainable elements for longtime use. This warm, sustainable feel is put together in neutral browns combined with a complementary color scheme of green and red tones. The materials continue to represent the building blocks of a home, shown in the metals, wood, and tile work. The completion of a home is a vision long in the making, full of components that will benefit a family both presently and into the future. This design is not only useable for day to day life; it has plenty of room for entertaining, growth, additions, and will be timeless design for whatever the future will hold.

In the spaces, I used the concept of warmth in a home to choose a color palette of neutral, yet warm browns, and use the accent complementary scheme of greens and browns. Since this is an apartment that can be used by a variety of users, this design will accommodate all.

Client Requests
Incorporating this statement and ideals to my design, I found the one bedroom apartment somewhat difficult to plan. Given a large space, I wanted to give the apartment an open feel, but yet warm an welcoming. Coming in from the entrance, I provided a space to walk in and built in storage to set your coats and shoes, next to a framed opening, which emulates a vision, looking into the rest of the space. The overall space needed to comply with ADA visit-ability standards, therefore, I designed all the door openings with 36" space, allowed for a five foot diameter turn around in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as the counter heights allow for side reach access, as well as the toilet being side accessible.Also to keep with accessibility, I redesigned the building's exterior in order to include at least one operable window in the bedroom. With this choice to redesign the windows, I created a more organized appearance on the outside, with 4' 6"x 5' windows, evenly spaced at either 6' or 12'. Not only does this provide organization to the home, but brings in extra natural light to the important gathering spaces of the home; the living area and kitchen.

To meet the sustainability requirement of this design, I chose a few sustainable materials to incorporate in my design. I originally chose a maple wood veneer to use on the cabinetry in the kitchen and the bathroom, later finding out that that wood was for commercial use, I had to find a different material. I then found a Soft Maple wood sample in which comes with the option to choose one of four stains to apply. For the bathroom, I choose to contrast the light porcelain floor with the darkest stain, and oppositely in the kitchen. Also in the kitchen, I found a dark cork floor that is made from cork tree. Lastly, while the rest of the apartment remains a wood floor, I found a carpet made out of recycled material for the bedroom.
In the common area, I wanted to bring restoration and reuse of materials from the original building into the space. With this goal, I designed a half brick, half glass wall on the left side of the entrance from the stairs, as well as two brick pillars . With the wall providing some privacy from traffic flow, around the other side is seating is available for the residents or the users of the spa to gather and enjoy each others company.


Reflection
Through this process work to a final presentation I grew as a designer in my work. I discovered and worked through many small details that came up along the way.  These details include looking up dimensions, knowing proximity requirements, drafting techniques, picking out materials and presenting my work in an way that is understandable to anyone who were to look at it. Time management was a large factor in this project, keeping myself of a schedule I find will be crucial in future projects in order to not rush my work and provide the best possible end product. If I had to change anything about my project, I would try to be more inventive and creative with my design. I do not feel I necessarily played it safe, but I would like to have included something that was a distinct focal point in the space and was easily recognizable from my concept sketch. Overall, I am very proud to show my completed project as I spent a lot of time thinking, asking questions, reevaluating, and coming up with my final product. 

Final Presentation Boards

Process Work: Parti Sketch (top left), Concept Model (top right), Concept Statement (middle right), Second Floor 1/8" Floor Plan (bottom left), Section (bottom right)

1/4" Floor Plan of One Bedroom and Common Area.  Elevations of One Bedroom.

Perspective Views of Common Area (top), 1BD entrance (top left), Living Area (bottom left), Kitchen (bottom right) and Common Area Materials

Exterior Elevations and Materials

Dreaming. Designing. Growing.

This kitchen design for the St. Elmo two bedroom apartment demonstrates a culmination of many skills I have acquired throughout my education. Starting off with a previous project of developing a concept of what a  “Home” is and creating a model to demonstrate that statement, I further developed that idea into a kitchen.

The elements that were included in my final presentation board for my kitchen design consisted of two floor plans, one in ½” scale of the kitchen to living area, 1/8” scale of the whole 2^nd floor of the apartment building, my concept statement, parti sketch, two ½” wall elevations, four one point perspective and one two point perspective drawings, one ¼” section, and a materials mock up board.

Throughout all these elements, I have learned that the process of designing a space is very detailed, takes a significant amount of planning, and most importantly time.

Throughout this project, I practiced my use of line weights, marker rendering and freehand drafting;hit-go-hit, professional dot, professional gap, and crossed corners.

Presentation board.

In the top left corner is a scaled floor plan of the apartment, showing the features in the kitchen and living area. A few key highlights included within my plan are two counter pantries, a dishwasher, double basin sink, Lazy Susan counter, stove, and french door refrigerator with a lower freezer. I placed these components in a U-Shaped kitchen in order to accommodate ADA codes in regards to  allowing a five foot turn radius from wheelchair accessibility. To keep the work space uninterrupted, the larger appliances and cabinets are located at the ends of the counter and the lower appliances in the middle with adequate counter space for daily tasks. The upper cabinets are 18 inches from the counter tops, and 12 inches from the wall, allowing plenty of work space underneath. Another feature included are the lights underneath the cabinets for added lighting in the work area.
Moving into the living area, due to the limited space in apartments, I added a storage closet, built in desk, and a built in booth with wheelchair accessibility. Keeping in mind specifications requested in the client interview, no microwave was added, and an open floor plan was keep in place. This plan works and relates to my concept statement because as the people living here grow older, they can adjust the space to their needs and easily navigated through the apartment.

This concept statement is demonstrating how my ideas of a home relates into my kitchen design. This ties in with a previous 3D concept model I developed from a poem and song inspiration.

Elevations of the East and North walls.

The view of the East wall on the left shows the relationship of the kitchen to the built in booth dining area. From this image the color scheme of complementary green and red are shown between the two areas. On this wall in the kitchen, there is a Lazy Susan cabinet on the far left, counter space, double basin sink, dishwasher, and built in pantry to the right. Viewing the North elevation, starting from the left, the 24 inch deep pantry/counter and 30 inch refrigerator are viewable from the West wall, and on the North wall, there is some counter space, the stove, pull out drawers, more counter space, and the 24 inches of the pantry on the right.

Perspective drawings

The top left and bottom three drawings are in one point perspectives showing the views as if you were walking into the space. The top left shows the relationship looking into the living area from the kitchen. In the two point perspective in the top right, off of the left of the kitchen is a built in study nook and storage closet. Also with these drawings I practiced my rendering skills by adding color.

This section view demonstrates a cut through of the interior, soffit, and exterior wall. There is a 6 inch interior wall, 8 inch soffit, and 9 inch exterior wall.

3D model of my kitchen design.

A 3 dimensional display of the kitchen, dining area, and a layout of the floor plan is shown. With the 10 foot ceiling height, the space appears larger than it is, and utilizing an open floor plan with a U- Shaped kitchen, this space is able to adapt to universal design in time.

Materials

With a goal in mind to use as much sustainable material as possible, I wanted the kitchen to feel light, clean, and green. For the cabinets, I chose maple from Knoll, with stainless steel handles. The counter tops are an off white material called ESurf, from the line ESeries from Formica. This product is made from 15% recycled content. Another sustainable product I used is cork for flooring. A business located in New Zealand called Cork Concepts. For the back splash, I chose the style of 1x1 inch tiles called Fiji Mosaic from DalTile. Undecided on all colors of paint, I want to use a light beige and white in the kitchen. All appliances are Samsung with a stainless steel finish.