meg mcmillan

625 Fulton St

2011-04-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More final

Informal Urban Practices Final

2010-10-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

First Part:

Open publication - Free publishing - More urban

Second Part:

Open publication - Free publishing - More in

diagramming a day

2010-10-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

In my diagramming class, for midsemester presentations, we were to diagram an entire 24 hour day. We had to create two diagrams, one had to be linear while the other was non-linear. We also had to choose various relationships to look at in our diagram. In mine, I choose a day on my midsemester trip, our first day on Kangaroo Island. I choose to look at proximity to others, noise level, density, temperature/comfortability, and open vs. closed space.

diagramming retail

2010-10-20T03:43:00.000-07:00

For another brief in my diagramming class we were to choose a site and identify the hidden flows and systems that take place on that site. For my site, I choose to do the retail store that I work at in Greensboro. I looked at the general flow throughout the store as well as how various pieces throughout the store may be connected to one another.

FIRST ATTEMPT:FINAL DIAGRAM:

[in]formal practices

2010-10-08T23:42:00.000-07:00

For the second half of the semester in my studio class, we have been able to come up with our own brief and project direction for our final project. After attempting to work in a much larger group, I'm now working in a group of 4 girls (2 from Australia, and one from Germany). We have titled our group [in] and our main focuses are engagement, and how we can get people to interact and react, as well as the using recycled or found materials to create various structures and situations. So far we've been testing various ideas that we have had for both engagement and using those various materials. You can read more about our group, [in], on our blog here.

[in]put

For our first test we created a structure that was designed to hold beer bottles that were being used at an event for all the interior design studios at RMIT. We were hoping that once people finished with their bottle, they would put it into the structure and take part in creating a light source. The amount of engagement wasn't quite what we had hoped for, but as a first test it aided in coming up with more ideas.

Open publication - Free publishing - More structure

After our first test we undertook a few more separately. Quinn worked on a project that involved people putting their used water bottle or coffee cups into a structure. You can read more about her test here.

Sarah also undertook a test that involved using lights in trash, and getting people to find the lights and bring them together in one spot. And you can read more about her test here.

Janine and myself worked on a project we called [in]duce

we created pieces out of cardboard that are capable of being slotted into one another. The pieces were laser cut and had our logo and blog address on them as well. We then took the pieces to the Queen Victoria Market. At first we put a few of the pieces together ourselves to give people an idea of what could be done with them. We then started passing out some of the pieces, asking people if they would like to join in making a structure, and that they could put a piece anywhere that they like. We received a pretty good response from that, and were even able to get in contact with some people at the market. We will be doing another event at the market in the upcoming weeks. After the success here, we decided to test the same idea in another location. We went to City Square in the CBD of Melbourne. The test here wasn't as successful as the first one, but we were able to gain more ideas from the various tests.

[in]duce at vic market

Open publication - Free publishing - More testing

[in]duce at city square

Open publication - Free publishing - More testing

sydney!

2010-10-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

One weekend here in Australia we took a trip to Sydney. The trip was organized through RMIT, so we were able to travel with other students from the school. We got to spend 3 full days there. The first day we explored the city and got to see the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour bridge. The second day we traveled to the Blue Mountains and were able to see a few sights there. And the last day we went to Manly Beach and Bondi beach. Overall, it was a great trip and I was glad to be able to see the Opera House in person (something I've always wanted to do!)

anzac memorial in the city

sydney opera house

syndey harbour bridge

three sisters in the blue mountains

bondi beach

diagramming the city

2010-10-08T05:34:00.000-07:00

Here at RMIT I'm taking a class called Multiple Layers where we are studying diagramming and how that can aid in designing interiors. Over the semester we have done various diagrams to develop our own style of diagramming. For this particular brief we had to travel from Melbourne Central to Parliament Station underground, and then back to the RMIT campus above ground. We then had to diagram our trip. This was our first shot at diagramming, and the beginning of coming up with our own diagramming style.

Great Ocean Road : Kangaroo Island : Grampians

2010-09-22T02:04:00.000-07:00

Over the mid-semester break I took a trip with Megan, two guys from Denmark, and a girl from Sweden along the Great Ocean Road up to to Adelaide, to Kangaroo Island and then down to the Grampians. I absolutely loved this trip because we rented a car and were able to stop wherever we wanted along the way, and really just enjoy all of the things that we got to see. The Great Ocean Road has some of the most amazing scenery that I have ever seen. I think my favorite spot along the G.O.R. was Loch and Gorge. We stopped for a day in Adelaide, but there really wasn't too much to see there. After Adelaide, we traveled over to Kangaroo Island. On Kangaroo Island we got to see a wide variety of things. We saw seals in their natural habitat, Little Sahara, Flinders Chase National Park which included the Remarkable Rocks, and lots of other beautiful sites. We also camped out one night on Kangaroo Island. From there we traveled to the Grampians which is a mountain area. Here we went hiking, saw waterfalls, and lots of kangaroos! Overall it was a really amazing trip and I'm glad that I got to see such a wide variety scenery.

12 apostles along the Great Ocean Road

loch and gorge

Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island

hiking in the Grampians

kangaroo and joey in the Grampians

Informal Urban Practices

2010-08-16T02:23:00.000-07:00

My studio class in Australia at RMIT is called Informal Urban Practices. We've been looking at the different ways people interact with urban spaces. So far in the semester we've been doing some research on different types of informal urban practices and then getting out in various communities and participating in these types of practices. The first assignment we had was to research a particular type of urban practice. My research was on 'random acts of kindness and goodwill.' Below is a video that I put together on this topic:

Random Acts of Good-will and Human Kindness from informal.urban on Vimeo.

The next assignment was to go into a suburb of Melbourne and see what types of informal practices go on in that area. My partner, Daniel and I, went to Box Hill. Below are images that we took while in Box Hill, along with our proposed ideas of how to change some of those practices.

The most recent assignment was to do our own informal urban practices. In our group consisting of Daniel, Jacqui, and Quinn we went into the city of Melbourne and saw how people reacted to different things such as a phone being left behind, ghosting (or invading personal space), and how they reacted to seeing a line of red string. See the experience in the following videos:

Intervention of the public from informal.urban on Vimeo.

Intervention: How long is a piece of string? from informal.urban on Vimeo.

hello melbourne!

2010-07-12T01:50:00.000-07:00

Megan and I arrived into Melbourne on the 10th of July. Sadly our bags did not arrive right along with us. Thankfully they did end up arriving the next day. For the first 3 days we haven't had anything particular to do so we've been out exploring the city. The view from our room is amazing! We have a great view of the city. the view of the city at night from our room

The first day we took the tram into the city. We found a Big W which is just like a Walmart and a Woolworths that's a grocery store. I think we were both so tired that night we ended up going to bed at 6pm. The second day (sunday) we decided to just walk around the city. The architecture here is amazing! all of the buildings are so interesting and unique. We found the Queen Victoria Market that has all sorts of things: fresh food and vegetables, clothing, souveniers and so much more. They were starting to close when we got there and we dont think all of the places were set up since it was a sunday. This is definitely a place we will be going back to. Today we walked around the city some more. We were going to go back to the market but it was actually closed today. We ended up finding a park, Flagstaff Gardens, which was pretty and definitely will be a nice place to go when it warms up.
We then found our way to Victoria Harbour where a really nice outlet mall is. The harbor itself is also really beautiful

After spending some time there we walked back to Melbourne Central which we found out is a much larger place than we first realized. There are about 5 levels with shopping, food courts, a movie theater and more.
After walking so much we got a little something to eat and sat outside the State Library of Victoria. This is right beside RMIT University. We then ventured back to our place. So far we are both loving it. Tomorrow is the first of 3 days of orientation so we'll see how that goes!

Bench Design

2009-11-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

After our initial bench designs, Megan Schwarz and I decided to work together since our bench designs had similar characteristics. We worked together to create a combined bench in the following models:

From there, we worked in the wood shop making our bench out of cypress wood:

In the end our final design ended up being quite different from our original scaled models, but we were happy with the outcome and it still incorporated the key elements that we had wanted from the beginning.

Come Sit a Spell

2009-09-02T20:57:00.001-07:00

The first project of the new semester was actually a design competition. For studio, we were to create a bench/chair/place to sit for the Daniel Stowe Botannical Garden. The idea of the competition was to design a seat that a person might sit for a while in and enjoy their surroudings. Here is my proposal:

wpa poster

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

Hipster Haven

2009-05-02T21:14:00.001-07:00

habitable wall animation

2009-04-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Habitable Wall in Sketchup

2009-03-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

urban pathway

2009-03-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

a place to bathe

2009-03-05T19:01:00.000-08:00

A place to bathe is not only a place to clean your body but it is also an act of relaxation and cleansing of the body and soul. My design for a place to bathe is based on ideas of the Japanese Onsen, or hot spring. The bath would be for any person confined to a wheelchair in need or relaxation and renewal. The Japanese hot springs were set near volcanoes, but since I wanted my place to bathe to be located in the United States, I choose to place it in Hawaii. The fact that they have volcanoes as well as tremendous views was what determined this location. For the Japanese hot springs, it is custom for users to clean their bodies before entering the pool or tub. In my place to bathe I have provided a spot for the users to clean themselves before entering the bath. Another important part of the hot springs were the fact that most are outdoors. While I chose to have mine inside, there are two floor to ceiling windows around the bath to allow users to take in the amazing views. I feel like there is something very therapeutic and renewing about looking out at vast scenery and realizing how small you are in comparison to the rest of the world. I felt as though this idea would be good for the users, in helping with relaxation and to remind them how precious their lives are. More natural materials, such as stone, are used throughout the design to reiterate the outdoorness of the hot springs. Each bath would be for only one user at a time, allowing them their own personal time to relax and renew their mind and body.

floor plan:

wall elevations:

wall section:

perspectives:

sketch model:
The lighting used above the bath:
lighting source

Example of the tile that will be used on the floor for the ramps:

limestone tile source

Example of walls throughout space; black standing pebble wall tiles:

standing wall tile source

The body sprays that will be used in the space for cleaning the body before entering the bath:
shower body sprays source

FF&E Schedule:

Walls:

applied material: standing pebble stone wall tile

finish: color: black

Ceiling:

applied material: concrete

lighting: pendant and track lighting

Floor:

applied material: limestone tile

finish: color: cream

Inside Bath:

applied material: poured concrete

Edge/Outside Bath:

applied material: standing pebble wall tile

finish: color: black

Object Persuasion

2009-02-25T22:53:00.001-08:00

This is the poster that I designed in photoshop for my dining table.

a Pavilion place to dine

2009-02-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

Japanese Bathing Experience

2009-02-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

While bathing in any culture serves to clean the body, in the Japanese culture, bathing also serves to relax and restore the body. In the Japanese culture it is not uncommon for people to bathe together, especially parents with their children. Before entering the bathing pool or tub, they sit on a stool outside of the tub and cleanse themselves with hot water to become clean and remove any dirt. It is only after they have cleaned their bodies that they enter the pool or tub and proceed to relax. Because people enter the pool clean, more people are able to use the same water without it becoming dirty so quickly. In homes, baths are taken in a particular order; from oldest to youngest and men before women.

source:http://www.bookmice.net/darkchilde/japan/jbath.html

scene of discourse

2009-02-11T17:47:00.000-08:00

After learning more about photoshop, we were given two words to create a scene with. My two words were metallic and refreshed. At first I was very unsure about how I was going to come up with a composition that expresses these two words but I'm happy with the outcome.

Pattern Perception

2009-01-28T19:09:00.001-08:00

Our first Photoshop assignment was to take a look at victorian patterns and produce our own pattern from an urban element. For my pattern, I used the Liberty Bell in Washington, D.C.

a design manifesto

2009-01-27T20:56:00.000-08:00

Our first project of the spring semester was to consider what we thing design is and to come up with our individual statement about design. There are a lot of things that I think design is and incorporates but overall I believe that design is an adaptable process. For each new client and project we are given we need to think about the requirements and the necessities for which we are designing. We can't go into every project the same exact way and expect the very same outcome; that is what is meant by design being adaptable. As far as process: design is not your first thought or idea. It takes many ideas, many revisions, many trials and errors before you reach your final product. After we thought of our design manifesto we were then to create an artifact that represents our thoughts and ideas about design.

Computing in Architectural Design

2009-01-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

All throughout history, there has been a need for geometry in architecture. Not only was it needed as a way to determine proportions and sizes, but also as a way to communicate this information to builders. As the importance of geometry grew, it became a requirement for a career in architecture. The first tools that were used were only the compass and a straightedge. Perspectives were then brought in to play as things became more centered on the human. Geometry was also used to figure out structures. As computers came into play, they were first co-mingled with the manual design process and were mainly used for crunching numbers. It wasn’t until 1964 that computers being used to aid in architectural design got any real notice. It was mainly in academic circles that this idea of computer aided design gained interest. In the 1970s, there were two types of computer aided design; geometric modeling and building specific CAD. The use of computer aided design was first really used in the development of public buildings and those that were larger in size. As personal computers were introduced along with other things, made the use of the CAD system not only more affordable but it also created a demand for the software. The early versions of CAD for Mackintosh were great for personal computers but really weren’t of high quality for professional drafting. The increase in the use of computers as well as the growth in the quality of computers allowed computer aided design software to become more and more useful. Electronics have become more and more a part of our world and they have come up with their own software that is also able to help with design.
With each new development in computer aided design there is more and more improvement in all that it is capable of doing. While computers can do many things to aid the design process the most obvious role that they have are as tools; to make the abilities of a design more accurate, efficient and more effortless. Computers can also act as a measuring device, even for things that are not even real yet. Computers are also important for communication. They allow all members of the design field to easily share information. Computers have had a radical effect on the design process as a whole. In fact, they have had the most influential impact on design as a whole.

it's christmas time!

2008-12-18T19:27:00.001-08:00

a wreath i made for my apartment:

Seeds for Change: BUS SHELTER

2008-12-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

All semester long, our second year studio worked on a project to build a bus shelter. The process started with examination of bus shelters that are already in place, riding the bus, interviewing bus riders, and examining sites for a new bus shelter. Further in the semester everyone in the studio (about 50 of us) submitted designs for a bus shelter. These designs were narrowed down to four. The four were then revised by groups of us and one of these were chosen. The one that was chosen was then revised over and over again by a design team. The class was broken up into different groups in charge of different responsibilities for the final full scale bus shelter to be built. I was part of the communication group that was in charge of getting the word out on what the class was doing and to get people to come to the unveiling on Dec. 12, at 12 noon. After much work and lots of learning in the wood shop we were able to produce a prototype bus shelter for the city of Greensboro. In Greensboro, there are 1100 bus stops but only 64 shelters. The main goal of our project was to get the word out about the lack of shelter and seating at bus stops as well as remind people of the valuable resource of the bus system. Here are pictures of our bus shelter:
putting it all together....the final product....people at the unveiling....Our moment that was out on the initial site for the shelter...

shelter bus ii: FUSION DIFFUSED

2008-12-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

Final Project:

shelter bus ii
an opportunity for design
Drawing on your experience from previous projects and all you have learned this semester, design an
inventive and thoughtful shelter bus to meet the needs of the following four hurricane relief workers in
Eastern North Carolina:
• Lynn : a visually-impaired teacher, plays guitar, conservative Jew
• Chris : an African American nurse, training for a marathon, works 3rd shift
• Siu : a language teacher, Montagnard, broke leg recently and on crutches
• Chi Chi : a nurse from New Mexico, has a pet bird, Hispanic
Address the following:
• strong relationships between design of space and expression of concept
• significant transformation of one or more spaces by manipulating the architecture of the bus
shell (more than a sliding door)
• spaces to sleep : eat : groom : converse : read : sing : cook : clean : reflect : live
• vertical access onto and through the bus shell
• detailed exploration of innovative approaches to sections, materials, colors and textures,
built-ins and fixtures
• outdoor space(s) to satisfy programmatic requirements that extend from shell/reinforce concept
• excellence in craft for all drawings and models
Deliverables:
• two 24x36“ boards, horizontal orientation
o Board A : 1 long section and 2 cross sections, rendered with attention to color, material,
light and shadow (1“=1‘)
o Board B : 2 rendered details (minimum), title, conceptual statement (a sentence or two),
plan diagram (no larger than 6“ in width with clearly labeled section cuts)
• a beautifully constructed tectonic model (1/2“=1‘) that demonstrates spatial relationships and
their transformation
• a detailed outline of a verbal presentation that identifies your conceptual framework and spells
out design approaches and intentions, making specific reference to deliverables
• a fully articulated report on your conceptual intent and an analysis and justification of materials
specified (2 pages)

Starting out, I tried to come up with a concept for my design. I started by thinking of what I wanted the concept to incorporate and then came up with words that described this.

I finally decided on the concept of FUSION DIFFUSED.

This is the idea that these four very different relief workers are coming together within this bus and then are spreading out into the community to help others.

It was then time to figure out how this would be incorporated into the design of the bus. Here are some pictures of the process of the design:

Fusion Diffused and how concept relates to design:

Fusion Diffused is the merging of diverse, distinct or separate elements into a unified whole which is then spread out and expanded. This idea directly relates to the four hurricane relief workers, Lynn, Chris, Siu, and Chi Chi. These four workers are each unique and come from very different backgrounds. Despite their differences they are setting them aside and coming together to help a community in need. The relief workers each use their individual talents to spread out into the community and help in various ways, including teaching and nursing.
Fusion Diffused is directly seen in the Shelter Bus itself. Starting on the outside the bus takes a more curved shaped demonstrating the more fluid-like movements of fusion and diffusion. When the bus is closed, before transformation, it is meant to show the fusion of the design. Two larger pieces (in yellow) appear to be fused on to the rest of the bus (in red). These yellow sections are also made out of translucent material. That way when the bus is closed the yellow sections overlap the red to show a blending or fusing of the two colors into orange. Throughout the entire bus, the colors yellow, red and orange are used. These were chosen because they are more active and demonstrate the action of fusion and diffusion more clearly.
When the bus is stopped and transformed it becomes diffused. Each of the sections of the bus are spread out linearly. There are also two sections of the bus that have walls that pop out on the side. When first entering the bus you go into the driver area which opens to a glass door leading to the outdoor space; here there is only a roof and a floor. This is a section that has been spread out. There are wooden benches that fold down from the walls, creating a meeting space for the relief workers. Here then can converse with others or even spend time alone in reflection. This outdoor space leads to another door which slides open to the kitchen. This is the largest space in the bus, and is a big community space. Here there are counters that are fused around the stove, oven and the refrigerator. On the opposite side of the wall there is another counter space, made of wood that is for sitting and eating. The side of it is curved and made to fuse into the walls. It also has chairs that fit directly into the side of the counter space. This shows the idea of a fused together counter that then can be diffused.
The large kitchen space is open to the living room. This is an area for relaxing, reading, and conversing. When the bus is closed, this space contains a couch that appears to be a normal rounded couch. However, when the bus transforms, so does the couch. It can be spread out to three different sections with a little table in between the sections. The living room also has rooms that pop out on both sides. These are bedroom spaces for the relief workers Lynn and Siu. It is in the middle of the bus which is good for Siu because of her broken leg and being on crutches. In the two rooms on the side there is a bed that folds down from the wall. There is nothing else in the room but there is plenty of space for the workers to bring their personal items in once the bus is transformed.
From the living room, the bathroom can be accessed. There is a toilet, shower, and sink with storage in this room. The counter for the sink shows fusion by being fused to the shower as well as the wall. The hallway around the bathroom leads to the back of the bus which starts out as the storage and desk space before the bus is transformed. Here there are storage containers for each of the relief workers. Once the bus is transformed the workers can roll the storage space into their individual rooms. There are also desks within this space that can be moved into less occupied areas of the end of the bus. These desks are also made similar to that of the counters for eating in the kitchen; the chairs of the desk directly fit into the shape of the desk. This last space also has pop-out spaces for bedrooms on each side. These bedrooms are for Chris and Chi Chi. With their bedrooms at the back of the bus, they are more suited for Chi Chi’s bird, as well as, Chris having more space to train for the marathon.
This shelter bus shows fusion diffused not only in the design of the bus but also in what it allows the relief workers to do. They have a large meeting space where they can come together to recollect and learn from each other after a long day of work. The bus allows them individual space to recuperate and get ready to diffuse back out into the community the next day. This shelter bus allows them to fuse together as a group of relief workers while still diffusing out into the community and making a difference.

rendering

2008-11-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

Shelter Bus

2008-10-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

Bus Shelter: North Carolina A&T Campus

2008-10-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

This week we were split into different groups and given different assignments to complete individually. The group I was in was given the assignment to design a bus shelter at a bus stop on the North Carolina A&T campus. There were three locations that our teachers gave us to choose from. One already had a shelter, another did not have any space for a shelter, and the third (as pictured below) was the one we ended up with. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the space we were given (or the building that was directly behind it). I knew it was going to be a hard task to come up with a cohesive design that didn't completely overtake the building.

At first I had no clue as to what to design. I decided to take a look at the building around the A&T campus and try to gain some inspiration from them. This proved to be a helpful task and helped to shape my concept. A couple of the buildings that really stood out and gave me lots of inspiration was the new fitness and wellness center
and the Science Building.

What I really enjoyed about the fitness center is the geometric nature of the building and the square/cube spaces in the walls. The cube idea is something I definitely wanted to incorporate in my design. I was also intrigued by the entrance covering to the Science Building. I really like the way the glass and metal go together in this manner. From these buildings I then tried to develop some ideas for the bus shelter. Below are the sketches that I did:

It wasn't until my third page of drawings until I started to come up with an idea that I liked and thought fit well with my concept and what I wanted the bus shelter to be like. For our assignment we were to come up with a concept statement, do material investigation, produce a detail drawing, and a model of our bus shelter. Below are my final pages for the project with my concept, materials, and drawing, followed by pictures of my model.

postcard to jay lennartson

2008-09-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

diagrams

2008-09-25T22:44:00.000-07:00

Syrian Biscuit Tin

2008-09-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

The Syrian Biscuit Tin was created by Huntley, Boorne & Stevens in 1903. It was made with the technique of offset lithographic printing. The design was printed onto a glazed, flat cardboard sheet which was then offset on to the tinplate. The object has an overall hexagonal form and emulates a carved Islamic wood table from the 18th or 19th century. The colors used in the object are browns and golds. The top consists of 3 hexagons within each other, each ornamented differently. It consists of six sides and is very symmetrical. Each side is rectangular, has a square on it and is very intricately decorated. Repetition can be seen all throughout the object. Along each side is a pattern of repeating circles and diamonds. Along each top side is a pattern of diamonds and within each square is another pattern, all intricately ornamented. Along the top edge of each side is a solid band that is gold and really stands out in comparison to the rest of the object. Another part that catches your eye is the gold colored circles within each square. Overall, the biscuit tin is a solid form except for around the base on each side. Here you can see negative space between the ‘legs’ of the tin which has an Islamic shaped cut out.
One object that is similar to that of the Syrian Biscuit Tin is the Sofa by John H. Belter. The color scheme of the sofa is the same with browns and golds. The sofa is also symmetrical like the tin and is very intricately ornamented. An object that is contrasted to the biscuit tin is the Sheraton Tilt-top Dining Table. This table has a circular top and is one solid color. It also contains no ornamentation and is not as solid of a form as the biscuit tin.

communicate: get the message out

2008-09-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Here are the different marketing tactics that our group thought of to get the message out about our studio class:

people:
For marketing through people we would have a "hands across Greensboro." We would link hands from the Gatewood building down to the depot. We would also wear shirts with our logo and web address on them.

places:

For marketing through places we would wrap the bus depot and then we would also wrap bus shelters throughout Greensboro. The depot would be wrapped like the world since it is the center connecting point and all the shelters would be in green.

products:

We thought of several different products as a group. These include an umbrella, tote bag, calendar, and soap. All would include either our logo, website, or slogan...or a combination of the three.

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.

other:

We also choose to do marketing through an event. We would have a "Green Fest Weekend" where we would invite people in the community to come. There would be food, donors, concerts and information related to our project.

other group members include: Maiken, Melia, Monique, and Christyn

codes +

2008-09-18T13:24:00.001-07:00

After paying closer attention to standards and codes, as a group, we realized we needed to make changes to the way we had designed things. Some of the changes include more space for egress, handicap accessibility, the amount of personal space a person needs, proper seat heights, stair heights and other ergonomic issues. As designers we need to recognize who we are designing for. Whether that is a child, an adult, or a handicapped person; each has differing abilities that have to be accounted for. Codes help in design by making sure that the environments that are designed are safe and accessible for people to interact with. They allow for consistency in design, no matter where you go, or who the designer is. Certain things will most always be the same. As designers, codes give us basic guidelines and understanding for what will make a space functional. They are also set in place to insure the safety for people that will be using the space. It helps us remember that we are designing for people and to keep our designs grounded in reality. We anticipate that codes will change our work as designers by taking our abstract designs from first year students and transforming them into spaces and environments that are usable and safe, as well as functional. We are no longer designing for our personal interests or what we think ‘looks good.’ We are now designing for the best interest of others, aesthetically and functionally, and codes will only help in this transformation.

Shelter Bus

2008-09-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

bus shelter research

2008-09-10T00:10:00.000-07:00

postcard

2008-09-07T12:26:00.001-07:00

Dear Jenny,

Thank you for coming to speak to us on Wednesday about all the sustainibility practices here at UNCG. I think all the programs that are being practiced are excellent and I am proud to be part of a community that is doing this. I especially enjoyed hearing about all the different areas that sustainibility practices are being used. I was definitely surprised at how widespread and how many different areas there are. Thanks again for all the hard work you do to make not only our campus a better place but the world as well.

Meg McMillan

Taking a ride on the bus

2008-09-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

the bus stop we choose to start at

about to get on the bus
detail picture of the seats on the bus

pulling up to the depot

seeing a person waiting at a bus stop...they look asleep

our ending stop

For our second project in studio we were ro take a ride on a city bus for at least a mile and take note of our surroundings as well as read an excerpt from William H. Chafe's Civility and Civil Rights. Despite the fact that I've riden on public transportation before I was nervous about this experience. I have never riden the Greensboro city bus and had no clue about the routes. Before going, Megan, Sara and I looked online to find the bus stops, where each route goes and the times. When we pulled up the website for the Greensboro Department of Transportation it took us a while to find out where the information we needed was. And even once we found it we were still unsure about what we were doing. We eventually found a route that we thought would be good to take and there was a bus stop right near my apartment so we decided to take that one. As we were getting ready to leave we asked Jenni if she wanted to go with us.
We eventually got at the bus stop and waited only a few minutes before the bus was there. I was kind of anxious about what was to happen because the bus stop signs that were there didnt give you a lot of information about where that route would take you, the bus fares, or any other information.
As we got on the bus, the bus driver asked us if we were going to the Depot, if we were going to transfer. I didn't know what this meant. I had assumed that the bus continually went along the route and that we could stay on the one bus until we got back. The four of us took a seat in the back and preceeded to take everything in. I had taken my sketchbook with me and had planned to draw on the bus, but it was way too bumpy for that. Jenni videotaped the entire trip while Sara and Megan took some pictures. The four of us definitely felt out of place on the bus, and people were definitely looking at us.
The bus then arived at the Depot and we had to transfer to a different bus. We had no clue which one to get on so I asked the bus driver which bus we would take to get us back to where we came from. His response: "well why did you get on the bus in the first place." We told him it was for a school project and then he pointed to the the one we needed to take.
We got on the second bus but there wasnt room for all four of us to sit together so we split up. Eventually we got back to where we started and everything worked out fine. However, I have to admit that it was not the greatest of experiences and a little bit stressful.
After riding the bus I read the reading by Chafe. The reading was about segregation of races. And for me personally it did not influence my perception of riding the bus. While we were on the buses I noticed that there were people from all different types of races; not just one in particular. I also noticed that a lot of the people looked like they were coming from a job or on their way to one by the way they were dressed. Some people slept on the bus, while others just sat there, but not many people really talked to one another. While I dont think there was an segregation as to race on the buses I definitely think there was a sense of segregation of class. We didnt see anyone dressed in a nice suit or someone that looked like they came from a high paying job.
Another thing that I noticed on the bus was how there was no information or clues that told you what to do. If you had never road the bus, you wouldn't know...and thats exactly how I felt. The only thing I knew was the little bit of information we saw on the the website and that was even unclear. What about the people that dont have internet service? I think a lot more could be done, could be designed better so that people could travel on the public bus system more easily. From this experience I learned that things need to be designed well so that people can easily understand it. That they dont have to ask people question or look very hard to find the answers that they need on how to get somewhere. Also, things should be designed so that people from all different walks of life can function easily, and confortably within a space.

A lesson in "Wayfinding"

2008-09-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

So this first week of school has been a good but busy one. We've already completed our first project in studio that had to do with 'wayfinding.' We were each given a destination in Greensboro to go to. Along the way we were to take notice of what stood out to us and the different things that helped us to reach our destination. My destination was Dana Auditorium at Guilford College. The previous post shows all the things I saw on my journey. Along the way the different things I noticed were paths, edges, districts, nodes and landmarks. All of these things make up a city and help you to find your way or recognize where you are.

After each of us drew vignettes of our journeys we were to work as a group to create a composition of how our paths cross, converge or diverge. My group choose to each create a node, landmark, or edge that stood out to us in our journey. We then put all of these together to show how all of these work together to create a city.

After the four different groups in our studio class did there own group composition we had to work as an entire studio to create something even bigger that demonstrastes wayfinding. As a studio we decided to make a game that not only demonstrates the sense of wayfinding but all aides in learning the different elements in a city.

From all of this I've really learned about design and the way in which things should be planned out. Interior spaces should be designed well so that people can easily move around in them and understand the space and this should not be limited to signs. There are many other things in our environment that help us in wayfinding.

Path Vignette Drawings

2008-08-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

a trip [elsewhere]

2008-05-07T21:39:00.000-07:00

At the end of this semester my drawing class went downtown to a museum called Elsewhere. But this isn't your usual museum. There are soooo many things in Elsewhere and at first it was quite overwhelming. You would be surprised at how much is there, and how many things you can find from your childhood. It's kind of a hard place to describe and it's definitely a place that you would have to visit to understand. Anyway, one of the first days when we were at Elsewhere we were to take a sticky note on put it on things that we wanted to draw. Here are a few of those things:

suitcases
time magazine display

kids toy blocks

dresser with a pillow of pins

While we were there, we were also to pick out a spot in the museum to draw. The goal of this was to create sort of a map that could better describe the place. So we each marked off spots on the floor to show the area that we would draw. The area I chose was to the left after you entered the museum. In it, you could find christmas decorations, boxes and boxes of strings, clothes, ribbon, tea cups, model cars, different types of bottles, and plenty of different types of toys, and also a manequin leg. The area was made up of two shelves so I decided to draw the two shelves separetly so I could get into more detail with it. First is the top shelf and then the bottom:

I then drew a few detailed drawings of items in the space (mainly just some neat bottles that I saw):
ground jamaica ginger
bayer aspirin

cool and cozy; cold weather lotion

We also had time to draw other things in the space that we wanted to. I choose to draw several things from inside the front window display and on the front door. In the front window that had a clothesline up, advertising a display that they were having soon:

Also in the front window were a couple of toy shoes on wheels that I decided to draw as well:
On the front door of Elsewhere they had a couple of signs that I liked and wanted to draw. The first one really explains a lot about the place, "nothing for sale". Elsewhere is set up like a store (it was once a thrift store) but nothing in it is for sale and nothing leaves the space (but things can be added or moved around).

So that was Elsewhere--you should go!

Greensboro Arboretum

2008-05-07T20:48:00.000-07:00

Final Project

2008-04-28T17:21:00.001-07:00

Perspectives of my final project. (more on the project coming soon!)

drawings from d.c.

2008-04-21T22:32:00.001-07:00

EUC perspectives

2008-04-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

Drawing Class went to the EUC to do perspective drawings. Our assignment was to do 3 different perspectives; one from above, one below and one from normal view:

Elsewhere

2008-04-21T22:01:00.001-07:00

My drawing class is spending the next few classes going downtown to Elsewhere. The first day we were there we went through and put a sticky note on 5 things we wanted to draw. Here are those drawings:

More will be coming soon...

Object Vignettes

2008-04-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

SketchUp

2008-04-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

washington, d.c.

2008-04-11T22:27:00.001-07:00

el carreton drawings

2008-04-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

rendered furniture

2008-03-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

Unusual places to sleep

2008-03-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

Bottle Caps!

2008-03-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

For our first project after spring break we were to take bottle caps and find a new use for them using only recycled or biodegradible items. For the project we were to work as partners and my partner was Christyn Dunning. We decided to make salt and pepper shakers out of the bottle caps and using parts of plastic bottles. We also wanted to try to make a couple of salt and pepper shakers that would be 'collectibles' with the soda labels on them. One of the problems we came across was finding a way to hold parts of the shakers together; like with glue. If these were really to be made we would find a biodegradable glue for the salt and pepper shakers with the soda labels. However, for the small shakers no glue or adhesives would have to be used at all. You would only need two bottle caps and the top part of the plastic bottles. Here are some pictures of the salt and pepper shakers and the various ones that we made:

Baths of the Diocletian

2008-03-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Nature and Tools as Teachers

2008-03-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

figures in spaces

2008-03-05T20:23:00.000-08:00

Drawing of Doors and Windows

2008-03-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

Plan and sections from worksheet

2008-03-05T12:00:00.001-08:00

Fisher House

2008-03-05T11:58:00.000-08:00

Plan from worksheet

2008-03-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

Pat's chair-plan and sections

2008-03-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

25 scale figures

2008-03-01T16:14:00.001-08:00

Here are my 25 scale figure drawings that I did for Suzanne's class. I'm not really sure whether I like them or not. This wasn't really the style I wanted to do them in, but when I tried a different style I couldn't get it to come out right...so, I guess for the style that they are in, I like them.

Moore Explored

2008-03-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

In drawing class we were put into groups to look at and draw different buildings on campus. My group had the Moore Humanities building (MHRA). During the course of this project we had to draw different perspectives of the building using inspirational drawings and also to include scale figures. We also did several function diagrams of the building along with a few small detail drawings. As a group, we then had to put together a presentation board of our perspective drawings, a few diagrams, and a few details. Here are some pictures of our board along with my 3 perspectives.

Drawings of Moore

2008-02-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

Here are three of my drawings from the Moore building on campus. The point of this assignment was to look up and find drawings in different styles and then use those styles in our drawings of the different buildings. My favorite would be the first one. I feel like I did the best job at using a particular style on that one.

I will have my inspiration drawings and another two drawings of Moore up soon!

drinking [coffee] and drawing

2008-02-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed this assignment a lot. It was nice to sit down and relax, but also to draw whatever interested me. I'm really happy with the way these drawings turned out.

there will be a couple more of these drawings coming soon...

entourage!

2008-02-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.terraingroup.com/s_project_renderingportfolio.html

http://www.bondystudio.com/Charrete/CharretteHome.htm

http://www.edubajzek.arq.br/ingles/full.htm

http://www.yakubiuk.com/wordpress/

Thumbnails

2008-02-06T16:45:00.001-08:00

Architectural Details

2008-02-04T20:27:00.001-08:00

Here are some detail drawings we had to do for Suzanne's class:

two by four

2008-02-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

Our first project in studio this semester was to take an 18 inch 2x4 and create a self-sustaining system (using the complete 2x4, no more no less). At first i had absolutely no clue what to do; i had never worked in a wood shop and was practically clueless to what could be done with the different machines in the wood shop. After taking a day in the woodshop to practice cutting, i had finally started to get some ideas.

Here is my final 2x4 project:

Overall I am really happy with the way this project turned out. I absolutely love my idea. However, the craft could have been better; there are definitely several spots where things didn't fit together as well as I wanted them to (and there were even a few cases where pieces broke). But overall, I love it!

Pat's Chair-Orthographic View

2008-01-30T09:46:00.001-08:00

messy drawings

2008-01-28T20:09:00.001-08:00

drawing a leaf!

2007-12-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

our final drawing project:

10 Buildings

2007-12-10T00:55:00.000-08:00

The Fred and Ginger building is located in Prague and was designed by Frank Gehry. I really enjoy looking at this building because it seems to look very wimsical. There is a certain playfulness about it that you would not normally get from a building. I love the left side of the building and how it has the affect like it is moving. I also enjoy how the windows on the right side are not in a straight line. These different elements really bring this building to life.

Palacio de Las Artes Reina Sofía is located in Valencia, Spain and was designed by Santiago Calatrava. This building probably gives the most visual interest of any building that I've seen. It has such an unusual shape that really catches your eye but then there are other elements of the building that keep you looking. The white color of the builiding is perfect for it because it allows you to focus more on its architecture. I love the roundedness of the building and how it is contrasted by the straight lines of the windows towards the bottom of the building. It almost appears that there is an outer shell to the building as if it is being protected. You usually do not see that type of thing on a building but it works really well in this case.

Taipei 101 is currently the tallest building in the world that is completed. It is a 101-floor landmark skyscraper located in Taiwain. It was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners and contructed by KTRT Joint Venture. In 2004 it received the Emporis Skyscraper Award. The thing that really stands out to me about this building is that it is so tall but the design of it is not boring. I like how the bottom of the building goes out while you can see different levels going upward. It almost looks like the building is keeps growing out of itself. Another interesting element of the building is that it lights up different colors each night of the week. Overall, Taipei 101 is a really beautiful building.

The Biltmore house located in Ashville, NC is the largest home in America. It is truly a stunning and enormous house. It took 6 years and an entire community of craftsmen to building this home. The architect of the homem was Richard Morris Hunt and the landscape designer was Frederick Law Olmstead. Hunt modeled the architecture of this home after the French Renaissance. Not only is the house amazing to look at, but it is set in the mountains and amongst beautiful gardens. The intricate details of the house along with the steep sloping roofs make it even more dynamic than it already is. I can not imagine living in a house as big as the the Biltmore House.

The Sydney Opera House has come to be one of the most well known buildings in the world, not only representing Sydney but also Austrailia. It was designed by John Utzon and the original plan was put forth in 1950 but the ideas of Utzon were not put into place until 1973 due to architectural and engineering abilities of that time. The curved roofs of this building are what really make it stand out, especially since it is at the waters edge. The simplicity of the neutral colors used are perfect in showing off the architecture of building.

This is Fallingwater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This is one of his famous homes that he designed. I love how it is set in the wood and the beauty of the sharp angles that it has. It looks cozy tucked away in the woods. I reallyl like the different levels to the house and how the rock is incorporated into the structure of it.

I absolutely love the design of the US Air Force Academy and how it is shaped similar to a plane. It is located in colorado. The architect was Walter A. Netsch, Jr. and was completed in 1963. The main materials that were used in the making of the building include steel, aluminum, glass, and concrete. The function of this building is to serve as a chapel. The more you look at the design of it the more interesting and attention grabbing it is. I love the pointed roof and how there seems to be many layers or dimensions to it.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral is located in Paris, France. The architect was Maurice de Sully and was completed in 1250. Stone and masonry was used in the making of the building. The cathedral has a Gothic style to but it is very intriguing. The diversity in shapes along the building add more visual interest to the building making it more spectacular. Also the way the building reflects of the water adds even more to it.

The Eiffel tower is a well known tourist attraction all around the world. It was completed in 1889 and the architect was Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. It is located in Paris, France and the main material that was used was iron. The Eiffel tower is such a well known structure with such an interesting design. The bottom part of the tower is interesting because it is in an arch shaped as opposed to a more square shape like the rest of the tower. It's tremendous height makes this tower even more dynamic.

The Chysler building is located in New York City and was completed in 1929. The architect was William Van Alen. It was mainly constructed out of concrete, steel, stainless steel and stone. The building functions as a corporate building. I love how the building has a larger base but gets smaller as it goes towards the top. Also the top of the building is probably the most intriguing. I love how the lights shine from the top of it making the Chrysler building easily reconizable.

final project

2007-12-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

here are a couple of pictures of my final time capsule:

orthographic view!

2007-12-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

10 Graphic/Media Designs

2007-12-01T10:45:00.000-08:00

This was a menu design for the IIFA-International Indian Film Awards. The peacock design is based on the national bird of India being the peacock. I like how this has a simple black background but then there are bright colors to show that this was probably a fun and exciting event. The design is very elegant and somewhat simple but i find it to be really beautiful.

The above graphic design was done by Debbie Albin for a photography company. It was done as an 8 page product brochure. At first this graphic design didn't really catch my eye. The background seemed plain and boring. However, when I looked at it a little bit more i really liked the way the pictures within it were overlapping in the different circles. This is also a somewhat simple looking design but there is a lot more to it than when you first look at it.

This graphic design is several abstract posters for a Norwegian company, Jordan. They were designed by Ilinca Dumitrescu. Each of the posters have an interesting quality about them. The use of bright colors plays a big part in the the designs by making them really stand out. These look like posters of toothbrushes but I don't really see how the backgrounds have anything to do with the toothbrush. I think the overall design is interesting and intriguing but when you really take time to look at it, there doesn't seem to be a lot of connection within the posters.

The graphic design above was for a book cover. I love how the material of the strings looks so real on the cover. I also like how there is a square of it that is blurred to display the title. It's simple and I enjoy that there are not a lot of words on the page. This allows you to focus more on the design of the cover more than anything else. I'm not sure if I like how there is one yellow strand towards the bottom when the rest of colors seemed to be grouped with like colors. Other than that I enjoy the simplicity of the yarn in the design and the repetition in it.

This was a poster for the musician Bob Dylan designed by Milton Glaser in 1967. I love how this graphic design has a silhouette of the artist and then all he color is seen in his hair. It shows a lot of personality and fun about the artist. One thing I don't really care for is the lettering of his name "Dylan." Also the color does not work well on the black silhouette. If it was placed in a different spot or if a different color was used it could be better. However, I do kind of like how you aren't focused on any words but more the design.

This graphic design was marketing material for a starting business that organizes surfing trips to the Cornish coast. Overall I enjoy this design. It is very well organized and I like how they incorporated a picture. Another thing that works well in this design is the use of different fonts. The colors also work well together and go well with the picture that was chosen. My favorite part of this design is the wave that was created over the words "Big Friday." I like how it isn't just a normal wave but how different sizes and shapes of blocks were used to create it.

I'm not really sure what this graphic design was for but it really caught my attention. I know it has to do with power, and it looks as if it might have to do with how we now rely on power a lot. The color scheme of the design is good and the colors work well together. I like how the use of different power cords are used throughout the design without looking like a power cord. I especially enjoy the lettering of the word "POWER." Overall this design is intriguing and i would want to know more about what the design is for.

The above was a graphic design for Unwired September issue of Game Axis magazine on the theme of "video gaming". I think it does well to show video gaming. However there seems to be a lot going on in the background and it might could have been a little more simple and still have gotten the point across. I do like how there are the little Pacman-like characters in the design. I think that was a really neat element to have in it.

This was a poster or ad for a beach volleyball competition. I really like the use of color in this design. It's not necessarily what I would normally have pictured for a competition like this but I think the color works really well. The design around the people really seems to bring them to life and add movement to the design. This works well considering it is a sport and really grabs your attention.

This last graphic design really caught my attention even though I don't know what it is for. I like the contrasting black and white; it works really good in this design. I also like how the face was made by putting other things together. From far away it looks like a simple white face but when you get close up you can seen so much more in it. I really appreciate that far away you can see a lot of different values in the face and that really makes it appear three dimensional. Overall I think this design really gets you to notice it, despite the fact I don't know what it is for.

Where does it go???

2007-11-29T08:23:00.001-08:00

This drawing shows where my time capsule will be placed and how it looks in the space.

drawing tiffany

2007-11-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

time capsule zine

2007-11-25T20:15:00.001-08:00

Our class has just finished our scaled models of our time capsules. We also each had to make a zine of our process (which you can see above). Although everyone in the class has their own ideas, you can see several distinct concepts through out the class. Some of these concepts include, community, the chaos or craziness that we as students feel, building blocks, change, and just time in general. Our final stage of the project is supposed to be a full scale model of our time capsule. While it would be cool for each of us to make a full scale prototype I honestly don't see how it would be probable. Overall, I've enjoyed this project despite the fact that it has been very frustrating at times.

drawing homework

2007-11-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

Sustainable Design

2007-11-20T01:29:00.000-08:00

The goal of sustainable design is to design places and products so that we reduce the use of non-renewable resources, lessen environmental impact, and relate people to the natural environment. Another part of sustainable design is good design.

In the November 2007 issue of Dwell they said that they promote projects that are sustainable in their ecological footprint but not only that, they also believe that evern project they show is sustainable in terms of timeless design. To further promote sustainability, Dwell will begin printing their issues on recycled paper in 2008 and are commited to finding ways to lessen their environmental implact, and showing environmental solutions that will make sure we have a sustainable future.

In the November 2007 issue of Metropolitan Home there is a section that has facts and information about the green market. Also in this section it has information about LEED Certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. When they look at sustainable design they look for things like site use, water and energy efficiency, design innovation, and indoor environmental quality.

Green Source is a magazine of sustainable design. When looking through the April 2007, all throughout the magazine you can see various ways of having better sustainable design, saving energy, and doing things with considering the environment. In one ad that I noticed there is a quote that says "sustainable solutions that support the environment." This tells me that sustainable design has to consider the environment that it is in and take care of it, support it, and not harm it.

In the November issue of Metropolis there was an article about the LEED and how they are becoming of increasing importance because it is the way many American builders are trying to handle all of the environmental challenges that they face. In this issue, they said that "LEED's vision of environmental sustainability is exceedingly broad, taking in site development, water efficiency, building materials, and fresh air, among other issues." The article also talks about how it has not been easy for buildings to be certified. Why? because that means that architects would have to design a better building. "Achieving significant energy reductions inevitably forces designers to use an integrated approach...trading more elaborate walls and windows for fewer elctrical and mechanical components."

In a November article in Contract magazine the focus was sustainable design and what it is. The article stated that the concept of sustainability is normally defined as "meeting the needs of the present without inhibiting future generations from meeting their own needs." This article also mentions LEED and tells of the five areas they focus on: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

In the June 2007 issue of Interior Design Magazine there was an article called "LEED by Example" about the U.S. Green Building Council headquarters and how they would be an example in 'green' design. The article tells of the different things they did in designing the building so that it would be better on the environment; supporting it and not harming it.

In the October/November 2007 issue of Interior Sources there is an article called "Top 10 LEED Projects" The LEED has provided a way to build a more sustainable environment. The LEED system is for all building types including new construction, existing buildings, commercial interios, homes and neighborhoods. The article gives the 5 key areas that LEED focuses on like the previous articles mentioned. The Top 10 LEED projects include: Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse; U.S. Green Building Council Headquarters; Herman Miller's National Design Center; New York City Office of Emergency Management; Berkeley City College; Hubbel Lighting Headquarters; St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic; SoFlo Office Studios; Armstrong World Industries' Headquarters; and Orchard Garden Hotel.

An article in the November 2007 issue of Architectural Record talks about new Asian cities and their pursuit of sustainable design. SHoP architects are designing Sector 61 in India and are in charge of designing 100 buildings. The plans of these buildings will stress sustainable strategies which could include solar orientaition.

In the December 2007 issue of Environmental Design and Construction magazine I looked at an article about Stillwater Medical Group incorporating sustainable strategies to balance budget with conservation. This article says of sustainable design; the goal is "promoting and protectnig the health and wellbeing of the community." For many smaller organizations it is harder and more expensive for them to pursue LEED certification.

In the October 2007 issue of Residential Architect there was another article about LEED and using it the right way. LEED and sustainable design movement have gained a lot popularity. In 2007 the green building market is expected to exceed $12 billion. And 3 percent of new commercial developments in the U.S. are pusing LEED certification. Some people do not see how some points are awarded in certain situations for the LEED certification but LEED is changing and adapting. "LEED helps the design team think about sustainable strategies important for specific projects."

more sketch model shading

2007-11-15T05:16:00.000-08:00

I am really happy with both of these drawings especially the first one. The second one doesnt really look any better or worse than the first one I did of it (you can see that in a few posts earlier). But overall I'm really pleased and I feel like my shading is getting better.

people and cubes...

2007-11-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

I am really pleased with both of these (except for the fact that they both look like little kids). I really like the one of Lindsey a lot.

sketch model shadings

2007-11-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

I'm really happy with this first sketch of one of my sketch models. I really like the shadows that it created. However, my other sketch model was a lot harder for me to draw. It was supposed to be a lot of little boxes of different sizes stacked together. I first tried to do the entire thing but I became too overwhelmed, so i decided to do only a portion of it. This part of it was still difficult for me and I wasn't really happy with the end result.

2 New Technologies

2007-11-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

Chicago Metallic's Eurostone ceiling panels

These ceiling panels are environmentally friendly, have a long term value and have a very classic style. They are lightweight, inorganic perlite panels that feature a Class-A fire rating. These panels enhance acoustic performance as well as light reflectance. It is also safe for the environment because it doe not include any coatings or biocides and it supports indoor air quality while also defending against mold and growing bacteria. These panels come in a wide variety of edge details and surface textures. With growing importance on sustainability these ceiling panels are great for interior environment that promote being environmentally friendly. I really like how this company is offering these panels in several varieties. This allows designers the capability of using environmentally friendly products without compromising design.

Research Frontiers' SPD-Smart Glass film

The the SmartGlass film can regulate light, glare, and heat passage through windows, doors, and skylights through the use of suspended particle devices. When there is no electrical voltage present, microscopic particles permit less than one percent of visible light to come through. When there is voltage applied, the particles align and reduce the tint level. This SmartGlass can block more than ninety-nine percent of ultraviolet light and therefore can help to reduce heating and cooling. Aslo it offers dramatic daylighting and view preseravation benefits. This is also another great new technology that is great for sustainability. The fact that it can reduce heating an cooling as well as block ultraviolet light is really great. This would be a great glass to use in interiors.

shading boxes

2007-11-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

more shading

2007-11-06T08:32:00.001-08:00

I'm a lot happier with the one that was done in pencil. I'm not really sure I fully got the idea when I used pen. It just seems like I didn't do something right, or that something is missing.

a practice in shading...

2007-11-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

For drawing class we had to do some shading excersises. Here are a few of mine. I'm not as happy with them as I would like them to be, but they are still ok.

This picture above was done in pencil using the hatching, cross-hatching and random methods. I think out of all the shadings I did, this was my favorite.

In the picture above I used pen to show shading. I used the hatching, stippling, and cross hatching methods. I think the hatching and cross-hatching methods achieved the idea of making the figure look three dimensional, but I did not accomplish that with the stippling.

This last one was done with pencil. I think it does look three dimensional but I am not sure if I did all of the shading correct (like where all the lights and darks should be). But overall I think it is ok.

more gesture drawings

2007-10-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple more gestures drawings that I did in my Contemporary Moral Problems class:

10 Interior Environments

2007-10-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

This interior below was probably my least favorite because it seems to have too much going on. I do like how it is spacious and functional with plenty or room to prepare things, cook, and eat. However, the busy tile along with the intricate carvings in the wood, flowered wallpaper and curtains all seem to be too much. With all of these nice looking items in the kitchen the floor doesn't seem to fit in with it. It almost seems boring and the color doesn't go well with the rest of the kitchen. While the kitchen has an expensive look about it, I feel it could have looked a lot better if it wasn't sooo busy and if a couple of those elements were done instead of all of them.

The kitchen below looks really nice and has several unique features. One thing that really stood out to me was the island in the middle and how it isn't all one level. Another unique element is how the drawers are curved and also how the wine rack is built in. Although there seems to be good lighting in this kitchen it still seem to be rather dark because of the dark wood and counter tops. This kitchen does look spacious and very functional.

The thing that first caught my eye about this kitchen is the blue countertop of the island and how that same blue is repeated on the wall. Also I love the cabinets and the square pattern on them, it seems very unique. It is also really nice how the floor and cabinets are a similar color, they really work well together. The kitchen also seems to be very functional with plenty of storage space for all types of things.

The bedroom below seems to be very simple but the one thing that really stood out to me was the cabinets and storage around the bed. It seems custom made to fit the room and the bed. I like how there are lights coming from the top cabinets shining down on the bed. Also the small shelves around the bed are a nice addition. I don't really care for the brass looking bed because it doesn't seem to fit in the room well.

I choose to look at the The Super Group interior designed by ai3 because we had heard the lecture from one of the designers about this space. I think hearing all the needs and wants of the client as well as hearing how the designers approached the space really helped me to appreciate it more. The space was designed just how the clients wanted it and really fit their needs making it a great space. I love all the custom designs that are a part of it. It seems very functional and provides all the necessities that the client needed in that space. The choice of color really adds to it and gives it even more interest. It is very unique and something that you would not find in just any office. The main reason that it is such a great space is because it was designed well for the client and was all that they wanted it to be. The designers were able to take what the client wanted done and make it happen.

I really like the kitchen pictured below. It seems to be very spacious and well organized. One of my favorite things about it are the cabinets on the bottoms where you can kind of see through the glass to see what is in them. I love the wood that is used and the rich color that it has mixed with the metal that is used in the kitchen. One thing that does seem out of place about this kitchen is the cabinets at the top. The color used for them doesn't seem to really go with the rest of the kitchen. Other than that I love the neat clean modern style of the kitchen.

When I first saw this room I was really intrigued by it. I love the simplicity that the room seems to have even though it isn't simple. The many angles to the room give it a lot of interest along with the wood that was used in it. You see this wood in the fireplace, the small table and the chair, and it all works very well with the room. I really love the built-in seating area. The color scheme of purples, white , pink, and brown works really well for the room and makes it seem more comfortable.

The interior design of the room below really caught my eye because of the repeated pattern that you can see through out the room. The blinds in this room are what really give this room a lot of personality. I love how the blinds are not all one color and also how they are vertical. This idea of lines is seen throughout the rest of the room in the pillows, rug, bowl on the table, and a couple of other places. The color scheme gives the room a very cool and relaxing feeling.

The bathroom below has a very beach-like feel. The use of boats, lighthouses, and sea horses give it that feeling. Also the blue color, like the room above, gives it a calming and relaxing feel. I wish the shower had frosted glass instead of this clear glass that you can see perfectly through. Other than that, the bathroom has a very simplistic and beachy feel about it.

To have a bedroom like this would be very nice. I love the openness of it and the door with big windows on it. It seems like a nice relaxing retreat. The white drapes give it an airy feel along with the other white furniture. I love the bed with the dark wood and how the dark wood is repeated throughout the room. One thing that the I dont like the room is the bed spread. It seems out of place and doesn't go with room as well as something else could. Maybe if the color of the strip was blue or even green it would work a lot better.

more contours

2007-10-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I went to Homecoming at Gardner-Webb University (the school I was at before I transferred here to UNCG). I had some time to myself in the afternoon so I did a contour drawing of the bell tower there.

Gesture Drawing

2007-10-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

Monday in class I tried a couple of gesture drawings and here is one of them:

Portrait Installation

2007-10-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

I actually really liked this project despite the limited amount of time we had to work on it. I was overall relatively pleased with my portraits, even though some of them looked nothing like me, and I really liked the way in which I displayed them.

shading

2007-10-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of my sketches using shading:

The picture above is the first shading that I did. On this one I used diagonal shading. The picture below was of a soda can and I used random shading on it.

10 Architects/Designers

2007-10-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Llyod Wright was born June 8, 1867 and died April 9, 1959. He was one of the world's most influential and well known architects. His architectural career lasted from 1887 until 1959.
When he was a child, Wright spent a lot of time playing with the kindergarten educational blocks forming three-dimensional compisitions. This helped in influencing his approach to design. Many of his buildings are noted for their geometry. Wright never went to high school but he was admitted into the University of Wisconsin in 1885 as a special student. While he was in school part-time he was an apprentice to a local builder and professor of civil engineering. In 1887, Wright left the university and moved to Chicago without receiving a degree from the university. In Chicago he joined the of Joseph Lyman Silsbee but within a year he left there to work for Adler &Sullivan. Frank Lloyd Wright married his first wife, "Kitty," in 1889, built his first home and eventually his studio in Oak Park, Illinois. When Wright left Sullivan he then started his own practice at his home and by 1901 he had completed about 50 projects. Some of his works include: Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Illinois, Midway Gardens, Imperial Hotel in Japan, Hollyhock House in California, Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, Price Tower in Oklahoma, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wisconsin, The Illinois-mile high tower in Chicago, and many many more.

Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier's real name was Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris. He was born October 6, 1887 and died August 27, 1965. He was a Swiss-born architect and a writer. He is most famous for contributions to Modern Architecture. Growing up, Le Corbusier was attracted to visual arts and studied at La-Chaux-de-Fonds Art School. Here he had an architecture teacher, Rene Chapallaz, who largely influenced Le Corbusier's first houses. Some of his works include: Villa Cook in France; Church of Saint-Pierre; National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, Villa LaRoche, Armee du Salut, Place of the Soviets, United Nations headquarters in NYC, Chapelle Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, France; and many more.

Antonio Gaudi

Antonio Gaudi was a Spanish architect, born June 25, 1852 and died June 10, 1926. He was part of the Art Nouveau movement and was most famous for his unique stle and highly individualistic designs. He was an architecture student at the Escola Tecnica Superior d'Arquitecturea in Barcelona from 1873 to 1877. Some of his major works include Casa Vicens, Palau Gueel, College of the Teresianas, Casa Calvet, Casa Mila, and Park Gueel.

Frank Gehry

Born February 28, 1929. Gehry is a Pritzker Prize winning architect that is based in Los Angeles, California. He was born to a Jewish family in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He studied at the Los Angeles City College and eventually graduated from the University of Southern California's School or Architecture. He also studied city planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design for only a year without completing the program. Gehry was a big fan of hockey and designed the trophy for the World Cup of Hockey. Some of his other works include the Easy Edges furniture series, Harper House is Maryland, Gehry Residence, Loyola Law School in California, Santa Monica Place in California, Frederick Weisman Museum of Art in Minnesota, Disney Village in Frace, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, Dancing House in Prague, Walt Disney Concert Hall in California, and much more.

Eero Saarinen

Born August 20, 1910 and died September 1, 1961. He was a Finnish American architect and product designer. Saarinen had a close relationship with Charles and Ray Eames and was good friends with Florence Knoll. He studied sculpture at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris, France. He also studied architecture at Yale University and finishing his studies in 1934. Some of his works include: CBS building in NY, Washington Dulles International Airpport, Gateway Arch in Missouri, John Deere World Headquarters in Illinois, Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, the Womb Chiar, Grasshopper Lounge Chair and ottoman, side and arm chairs, and the Tulip and Pedestal groups.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

He was born March 27, 1886 and died August 17, 1969. He is regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture. He used such materials as industrial steel and plate glass in his designs. He called his buildings "skin and bones" architecture. Mies never received an formal education. Some of his works include: Westmount Square, many residential homes in Germany, New National Gallery in Berlin, Bacardi Office Builiding in Mexico, Barcelona Pavilion in Spain, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in D.C., IBM Plaza in Chicago, Seagram Building in NYC, Lafayette Park in Michigan, the Barcelona Chair and Brno Chair.

Charles Eames

Eames was born June 17, 1907 and died August 21, 1978. He was an American designer, architect and filmmaker. He worked along with his wife, Ray, and the two were responsible for many of the classic iconic designs of the 20th century. Charles studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis briefly before he was dismissed because of his strong interest in modern architects. Eliel Saarinen had a great influence on Charles, and Charles began to study architecture at the Cranbrook Academy of Art where he became a teacher and head of the industrial design department. Some of his work includes: Meyer House, Bridge House, Case Study House #8, Eames House,Eames Lounge Chair, La Chaise, Eames Aluminum Side Chair, Eames Eiffel Plastic Side Chair, Eames Sofa Compact, and much more.

Oscar Niemeyer

Neimeyer was born December 15, 1907 and is a Brazilian Architect. He is considered to be one of the most important names in international modern architecture. Niemeyer went into the Escola de Belas Artes where he graduated as an engineer architect in 1934. In 1939, Niemeyer with Lucio Costa designed the Brazilian pavilion at the New York World's Fair. The mayor then presented Niemeyer the keys to the city of New York. Some of his other works include: the Pampulha Complex; Ibirapuera Park, the Copan Apartment building, the JK building. Neimeyer also built his own house in Rio de Janeiro-the House at Canoas. He also built the Niemeyer luxury apartment building in Belo Horizonte.

Richard Meier

Meier was born October 12, 1934. He is a contemporary American architect that is known for his use of the color white. Meier attended Cornell University where he recieved his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1957. In 1963 he started his own practice in New York. Meier built a lot of his work off that of others, especially Le Corbusier. In 1984 he was awarded the Pritzker Prize. Some of his works include One Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, NY; ECM City Tower in Prague; San Jose City Hall in California; Jubilee Church in Rome; Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art in Spain;and High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia.

Arne Jacobsen

Jacobsen was born February 11, 1902 and died March 24, 1971. He was a Danish architect and designer. He has had several architectural achievements that include St. Catherine's College in Oxford, The Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the Danish National Bank (Copenhagen), along with several town halls and other buildings in Denmark. Jacobsen has also created a lot of original furniture designs including the Ant Chair, the Swan, and the Egg chair. He is probably most known for his Model 3107 chair, also known as "Number 7 Chair."

Design Journals

2007-10-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

Contract Magazine

Contract is a magazine that is devoted to commercial interior desing and architecture in the US. I choose to look at a magazine from the US because this is most likely the place I will end up working after completing the program. I really enjoyed the clean designs of Contract and how it is well organized. The main genre of the magazine is commerial interiors and architecture and you can see that throughout the magazine.

Hinge Magazine

This is a design and archtecture magazine from Hong Kong. Its focus is to provide a strong focus for design with an attitude that is distinctly international. This magazine has a somewhat modern feel to it. It is not only focused on Hong Kong but other locations as well.

Canadian Architect

This is a magazine for architects and other related professionals that are practicing in Canada. In the magazine they feature different articles on current practices, different building technologies, and the social issues that affect architecture.

Architecture Australia

This is a premier magazine that looks at the architecture activity that takes place in Australia and also Australians that work all over the world. In the publications that show recent project, award winning works, and other issues, events and politics of the industry. It is published 6 times a year. Architecture Australia is for architects, interior designers, building designers and other building industry professionals. I like that this publication is not only about what happens in Australia but what Australians are doing in other parts of the world. The magazine is more modern and well put together.

10 Websites of Design Firms and Organizations

2007-10-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

In viewing various design firms and organizations online one that I came across was Innovative Spaces, Inc. Inovative Spaces or I.S. is a interior design firm that specializes in creating imaginative spaces for children and adults. After viewing the site you can tell that their main focus is children and that they really try to cater to the childs' needs. The site was relatively easy to navigate; with clear titles to pick from which led to more and various information about the company. There really were not a lot of graphics on the website. And while there were pictures of their work, I would have liked to see more pictures of the work that they do.

Another design firm is Slifer Designs. They are located in Colorado and are dedicated to creating luxury living experiences. I really enjoyed looking at their website. It was easy to navigate and to find the type of information that I was interested in. They had everything well organized where you could find their portfolio, services, shopping, their blog, and contact information. Their portfolio was full of interesting projects they had done; complete with pictures to give you the full idea of what everything looked like. The website gave plenty of information about the different services that it offers. The whole website was very professional with well taken photographs. I loved the designs that they had done with several of their locations.

The Neutelings Riedijk Architects website was one of the more interesting website that I had looked at so far. The layout of the website itself was very interesting and intriguing. And even though it had a more interesting layout it was just as easy to navigate. The use of colors and lettering helped in making this easy. Everything was well organized where you could see their realized works, current portfolio, competition designs, development strategies, and then their office information, news, awards, and backlist. The quality of the website is very good and very professional. I really enjoyed looking at their various buildings that they had already completed. The architecture of the buildings is outstanding and the design is sooo interesting. Each building is unique and different from all the rest. As much as I enjoyed the buildings they have already completed, I also really liked looking at their current projects. Since these have yet to be completed there are only drawings and the ideas for these buildings. Overall I found this website very intersting and informative.

Jensen and Macy Architects have a really neat and interactive website. At first you have to click on the website to enter it and this leads you to all of their design work. There are several different categories to choose from; ranging from their restaurants, to residential work to retail. Once you click on one of these categories there are different pictures, or projects you can choose to look at. The website was very informational and showed a lot of their work. One thing I did not like about the website was on their information page, where you click to see other things about the architects and this opened up a new window. I would have like to see this information opened up in the same window. Other than that the website was very professional and very clean. I loved the quality of the pictures and the unique thumbnail pictures that they used for each project.

Mark Brand Architecture is an architecture and interior design studio that "balances high design with practicality, combining understated elegance with elements of drama." The layout and design looks simple and clean but their designs seem to be anything but that. From the home page of their website you can view their portfolio, more infor about them, links, and also their contact information. For their portfolio you could view pictures of the different projects that they have completed. Also, they gave a lot of information about each project; as to what materials were used, how they were inspired, and other aspects of the project. I really liked the amount of information that they provided. Some of the other design websites did not include text with the pictures of their projects, and I think this worked well for Mark Brand Architecture.

When I first looked at the Mary McKenna & Associates, Inc. website it seemed very simple and not as sophisticated or complex as other websites I had looked at. However, what I first took as a bad thing really wasn't bad at all. I not only liked the simplicity of the look of the website, but the website itself was easy to navigate. From the home page you can choose to look at the portfolio, studio or contact information. The portfolio contained different projects that the company had completed. Here were pictures, drawings, models, and information about each project. I really enjoyed looking at the drawings and models of the different projects, just as much if not more than the pictures. Several of the drawings you can tell are just sketches and not long, thought out drawings. I love that! I really liked being able to not only see the final project but also the process. I think that is only thing that really made this website stand out from others that I've looked at.

Narofsky Architecture had a really neat website. The firm is made of architects, interior designers and furniture designers. And they design for almost anything. Their website was very easy to navigate; showing their projects, recognition that they have received and how to get in touch with them. Their projects were so interesting to look at. You are able to view pictures of both the interior and exterior of the project. I would have liked to have seen more of their development and initial ideas for the projects- their process and how they got to their final product. However, I really enjoyed their designs and their photography of their projects is amazing.

A Squared Studios is a "co-operative design environment commited to all things art + architecture." They do architecture, graphic design and photography. When viewing their website I first thought that it appeared to be well organized and easy to navigate. However, when I was looking through the work they had done, I had a lot of trouble trying to view all of their pictures. I could look at the first picture of a project but when I tried to look at others from that project I could not get them to show up. However, I still really enjoyed this website and design firm because it was not completely an interior design and architecture firm. I also really liked looking at their graphic design stuff and their photography.

AJC Architects has a nice, neat, and well organized website. Everything is very clear and easy to find. Their use of subtitles are very helpful in locating the information you are most interseted in. They have information on awards that they have received, all of their portfolio work, work that they have not yet completed, information on those that work for them, and how to contact them. The website is very interactive and interesting. Their designs are intriguing and really grab your attention. This firm does everything from schools, to commercial buildings, residential, and government buildings. They seem to be very diverse in the types of jobs that they do and all of them seem to be equally as good. They also included a lot of their process work and not only photos of the finish product.

Hurlocker Homes has a very nice website. Although it seems simple in looks it is very interactive. It was easy to navigate and pretty well organized. I really enjoyed the designs that they have done but you can tell that a lot of their projects have some similar elements or designs in them. Just like other design websites that I've looked at it included pages about their portfolio, different projects, team members, and contact information. Even though the pictures of their projects were good, I would have liked to see more diverse pictures and also items from their process; whether that is first drawings or models. Other than that the website was well organized and did provide adequate information.

keys!

2007-10-18T21:39:00.000-07:00