Design Process

After a recent conversation I realized seeing one's design process is both interesting and eye opening. Therefore, I've decided to show a bit more of my thesis work by talking about my design implementation process. 

During the summer of 2010 I decided to design a residential treatment facility for eating disorder patients. I then spent the fall studying similar projects, my building site, architects I admired and current research in healthcare design. I also applied for and received a grant to go to France to study the therapeutic qualities of Le Corbusier's La Tourette Monastery. 

During the spring of 2011 I began with my design implementation, by imposing my program on an abandoned warehouse in Richmond, VA. 

I began with a Conceptual Design Phase

This process involved building conceptual models (as seen in the previous post) and asking questions such as...

Are the haptic qualities and materiality of the spaces different or identical?

Does form distinguish between spaces?

Is there one connector or many?

How does the connector influence the structure? 

The concept models are not meant to answer questions, rather to discover more questions. Concept models are visual aids meant to drive the overall design.

Next I approach the Programmatic Design Phase

During the programmatic design phase information is gathered regarding what spaces are needed, what square footage is required, what major and minor adjacencies exist and so forth. As the spaces are laid out the design begins to take shape through sketches. 

At this point I jump around a lot, really depending on my mood, where the project is and what deadlines are in front of me. I go to a lot of people to get critique and feedback and then continue to refine the design. During this time I do color studies and begin to visualize what materials and color palettes each space will have. Taking fashion magazines I cut out different colors and textures  analyzing patterns and putting together my own color schemes.

Eventually I arrive at a final floor plan, make final FF&E choices, and produce construction documents and renderings.

Some of the greatest things I learned about the design process during my thesis and graduate school experience was that design will always take longer than I planned and I have to be willing to go with the flow. I have to be open to adjusting ideas and hearing critique, knowing that there is both tension and conflict in creating good design. Finally, at the end of the day I must be able to make decisions and move forward with a design solution.

Design Manifesto

Interior Spaces critically impact the health and holistic quality of every individual’s life.  

 This impact can be negative or positive.  

 Therefore, I believe the following to be true of design:

Design awakens us from the mundane; 

drawing our attention to the inventive and imaginative nature of our world.   

Interior spaces move us out of two-dimensional living, 

where we settle for a flat, bland version of ourselves, 

into a three-dimensional awareness 

that reminds us of who we are and what makes us come alive.

Design engages each of the senses through authentic and honest construction, 

creating a distinct and tangible connection between us and our environment.   

This connection enhances our sense of self and enriches our relationships.

"In memorable experiences of architecture

space, matter, and time fuse into one singe dimension,

into the basic substance of being that penetrates the unconsciousness.

We identify ourselves with this space

this place

this moment

and these dimensions 

as they become ingredients of our very existence. 

Architecture is the art of meditation and reconciliation." 

Pallasmaa

MFA Thesis Show

The thesis show has happened and it was incredible.  What a great night of celebration!  For those of you who could not make it here are my exhibition boards.  I will post photos of my model, concept models and the event in general when I get a chance... but for now enjoy!

 

 

 

One studio project from last spring was to design an apartment in New York City.  My concept for the apartment was Sartorial Space and I looked to current fashion trends to inform design decisions.  The largest challenge with this project was space planning.  The program had MANY elements and space was TIGHT.  Looking for ways to best capitalize on space and flow was incredibly important and I learned so much through the process!  I loved how the project turned out... enjoy the images!

Research Travel Grant to France

The past week has been a flurry of activity.  I received the good news that I was being awarded a travel grant through VCU School of the Arts Graduate program.  In less than three weeks I will be traveling to La Tourette, a monastery in France, designed by Le Corbusier.  This building is the main architectural precedent for my thesis research!  I plan to arrive at the convent and stay two nights in hopes of absorbing as much of the "feel" of the space as possible.  I will also be traveling to Basel, Switzerland to visit the Vitra Museum.  Here there are projects by Frank Gehry, Nicholas Grimshaw, Zaha Hadid, Tadao Ando, Alvaro Siza, Herzog & De Meuron and Sanaa.  This trip should be a remarkable experience, enhancing my understanding and experience of design in so many ways!  Below is an image of a poster I presented at the Virginia Counsel of Graduate Students 2011 Research Forum.  It gives an overview of my research and why a visit to La Tourette is essential.

 

Exterior image of La Tourette taken by elyullo retrieved from Flickr Creative Commons.

Interior image of altars taken by Pieter Morlion retrieved from Flickr Creative Commons.

public baths

"The large issue here is that simulation can be a poor substitute for the tactile experience."  Richard Sennett

Last fall we were given a studio project in which we needed to design a public bathhouse, creating an experience similar to Peter Zumthor's Therme Vals in Switzerland.  I loved this project!  It gave me a chance to create an experience where one is connected to his or her environment through the use of all the senses.  This projected started me down a path of wanting to understand how architecture and the senses connect one to the environment.  Clearly as a result The Eyes of the Skin by Juhani Pallasmaa became one of my all-time favorite books.  Another piece of this project that fascinated me was the actual creation of my model.  My model was created out of various concrete forms.  Working with concrete, getting dirty and having and intensely hands on approach allowed me to realize that the process of designing should also involve each of the senses.  I believe that when our process of designing can mirror our desired experiential outcome, really great design can emerge!  Here are some final images of my model: