Questions Answered

This past week or so has included several wonderful opportunities to hear and network with people in the design field. We had a visit from Mary Jane Grigsby (President of NCIDQ), heard a presentation from Nick Christopher (an Architectural Designer at Gensler in LA), a presentation from Debbie Nestvogal (an Interior Designer at CJMW), a visit from Paula Carr (a Senior Associate at tvsdesign), and we took a trip to Durham where we toured the Freelon Group Architect firm as well as the Durham County Public Library, which they designed. All these opportunities were extremely informative for me in reference to several aspects. Mrs. Carr talked to us about the ways they went about process work in their firm; how they presented their work, and how they worked with clients. The most apparent point in her presentation was that tvsdesign was basically formed like our studios are now. That was pretty reassuring to me. Another thing I found interesting and that really blew my mind was that they sent off their renderings to China for someone to set up and complete. That is still astounding me today. The trip to Durham was great as well. We were able to hear from several associates about pertinent portfolio information, how they work together, see the different areas in the firm, and see projects they were working on. The other opportunities of the week were just as intriguing and helpful as these two were. Mrs. Grigsby’s talk was enlightening as well. She was able to give us information on taking the NCIDQ test after we graduate. The great thing about this is that I don’t have to wait three years to take it after graduating. We are able to take the first part of the test right after graduation! It was a bit daunting to think that in a little over a year’s time is when this will happen. On the other hand, it’s so exciting!        

Intrium critique

Today was the next critique for our continuing library project. I finally figured out where to go with my design of the space. I took Patrick's words I heart when he said think out of the box. I believe I am on the road to accomplishing that task with my idea of what I call 'pods' in the space. The following sketch illustrates my idea. This is as far as I have gotten: I haven't looked at the scale, relationship to people, or the space yet. My thoughts are to have these big installations really make the space, so we'll see what happens with them.

Design Manifesto

The ultimate factor in designing anything and everything is to design specifically for users of a space, object, or idea-meeting their needs-and then to make that atheistically pleasing.

-Anna Behrendt 

Along with this, I am including a quote from How Buildings Learn by Stewart Brand. It might not be the perfect parallel to my manifesto but on pg 63 he states, "The simultaneous seizing of power and shedding of responsibility by contractors puts the onus on architects to anticipate perfectly all of a building's needs. Nothing is left to the builders, to the client, or to the actual usage." I think that it cannot be this way. Builders, clients, and usage have to be an integral part of the design. These cannot be overlooked or cast aside. Ultimately what is designed and accomplished is for the client/user. It has to be suited for them. Designer's jobs are to aid in illustrating what the client/user expresses to us. If we have not met the need to fulfill the desires and vision of the client/user, I say we as designers have not succeeded.          

Classmate concepts

In looking at other classmate's diagrams from the last step in the analyzing process, I found that Kacie Leisure had some interesting ideas pulled from systems. I thought that her concepts from light and water were the strongest. First, the light diagram was simple and easy to read and relates itself to an actual design layout later. Her first statement here was 'a beacon of light is a form...intended to serve as a guide'. This immediately brings an illustration to my mind about what the space could be. Way-finding in this library is extremely difficult so designing this space with guides in mind could really help connect areas, allowing them to be used to their full potential.      

http://www.kacieleisure.blogspot.com/2012/01/systems-conceptual-development.html

In viewing Kacie's water concept, the sub-concept I found was 'flowing'. This goes hand in hand with her light concept in that providing a flow to the space with furnishing placement or design in general could aid in the potential utilization of the entire space.
Right now I have been at UNCG for almost three years and I have not spent time in, let alone, seen the entire library. This mainly has to do with the overall design of the space. Every time I enter, I want to leave as soon as possible. The space is broken up into sections and does not have smooth transitions that would assist to a flowing circulation.    

http://www.kacieleisure.blogspot.com/2012/01/systems-conceptual-development.html

The rest of her diagrams were informative, but I believed the two above to be the best in regards to communication with the graphics, information included, and how they pertain to the Jackson Library.

Concepts from Systems

The next step in our library process was to find concepts from systems of the building. This included lighting, electricity, water, technology, and structure. We were to design diagrams around these concepts, focusing on how they relate specifically to our library. I realized through this exercise that a concept and inspiration do not have to come from outside a project by bringing something new into it, but by looking at the existing and pulling from that. How do certain elements work in this space? How can we make them better and celebrate what is/has to be there?  

Precedent Libraries

While looking at our own libraries on campus, we also looked outside of the city to various libraries around the world. The libraries I analyzed were Library of Papyri, Abbey Library St. Gaulen, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina. I found these libraries to be so different from each other in the way they are designed. I focused mostly on diagrams to capture my point but still stuck to the seven categories from our campus libraries. I have included several diagrams from the analysis. They have little blurbs to aid in understanding the concept as well as the library name. First though, I have shown the summary page for each library which include photos from the actual site. 

Music Library Light Analysis

One of the major projects this semester is to design one of the two libraries on campus. Before actually designing the space, we are first analyzing it from the inside out and then the outside in. Our first step in this process was to look at the of the space. Each person had one out of seven categories: users, systems, circulation, transition/boundaries, materiality, furnishings, and sensory experience. I was given systems which I then furthered narrowed down to lighting. I felt this was the most important aesthetic system in the space and the one that needed to be looked at the most. I made a section of the space and showed the intensity of the light in the work area as well as the book stacks. The light path and source are slightly over exemplified in my illustration because I wanted to make apparent that this lighting situation is not the best and could be (will be!) changed for the better.