Depot Design Project. Photograph Flow.

As the month comes to an end, so do the latest project components of the Interior Design Depot Project I have been working on. For the last few months I have taken on the challenge of re adaptive use on the historic Pufferbelly depot station located in Pullman, WA. My project titled, Photograph Flow took on some of the most important challenges and criteria that a interior designer may face in the real world. The course developed and built upon the reuse of the Pufferbelly station, specifically for an artist from the Pacific North West. I chose to work around a photographer, Shellie Gansz. As it was established their fictitious partner was vision impaired and we had to develop and design a studio/gallery (commercial space) that would satisfy the Universal Design guidelines and ADA requirements established, as well as a residential component that would satisfy their needs.

One of the most beneficial components in understanding how to design for my artist was getting to know a little bit more about them. The Artist Questionnaire really gave me a great starting point to develop a design concept and approach for the use of the existing space. I don't feel as though I would have been successful without the interview component where I established a greater knowledge of the work that they do, and how they approach their work as an artist. Shellie Gansz is a family photographer who works around the idea of capturing moments with real life emotions and expressions, she feels as though it is her duty to connect with her families on a one on one basis to better capture their bliss. Just asking her questions about her philosophy was very beneficial. I also got a better understanding of the work that she most enjoys doing. I took advantage of her knowledge and became more mindful of the spaces she needed to better design a commercial space.

As it may have it, the design of the commercial space was very important as Shellie required specific attributes to best create her work. One major component was the use of natural light in the interior of her space. She also wanted high vaulted ceilings and the ability to to create wide open spaces as well as close intimate ones. In developing my concepts I was to retain the original ticket wall located within the depot, and the facade of the depot itself as it is listed on the State Historic Registry. I found it to be a challenging progression in the way I placed certain walls and allocated spaces within the depot, but ultimately developed the best possible solution. The demolition plan best shows the final adaption and use of space. This type of plan was new to me, as I had never done anything like it before, It was as if I had a blank slate and the ability to mold my interior. The ability to represent that space is seen in the key drawn adjacent to the plan. I worked the space as to best retain many of the existing walls and water lines from the original plan, and created a great utilization of the natural light provided by existing windows.

My concept development stems from the textile component of the semester were we worked around a image that best captured the Pufferbelly Station for us. The multiple parti drawings and abstract craziness that filled the flimsy i used really offered a great deal of possibilities. I ultimately worked around the idea of water pipes that jetted out from the walls of the Pufferbelly station. I thought that there was something really special about the way they looked and believed that they had something great to offer. In my design of both the residential and commercial space I tied the concept together with two large semi-circle architectural wall features that represented the three major components of my design development, which were, power, control, and nature. I separated the commercial space from the residential and created long flowing halls that offered a guided path for the user. When examining the space it feels as though those two original images placed amongst my boards really translate into the design of the space.

I also took into consideration the needs of the visually impaired spouse with the use of contrasting color that revolved around an analogous color scheme and use of non reflective surfaces. I considered walking paths and clearances as they were important in complying with Universal Design and ADA design. Ultimately it is visually a balanced composition throughout the space, and was all possible from getting to experiment with the activities done outside the classroom and within the readings. I have become more aware of my impact in the built environment as I can really effect the way a space can be used and utilized. I may have not thought of these factors before hand but getting to do things outside of my comfort zone really gave me a better understanding on how I should design. The Egress and ADA plan portion of my plan drawings illustrates my knew knowledge of the use of the requirements and components required in commercial spaces.

Ultimately the most challenging thing for myself was time management, I knew that there were a lot of components that had to go into the design of this space, taking into consideration many different aspects and putting them all together, but that was one of the most enjoyable things about the past few months. I have learned so much about the world in which we design for. The use of space and the historic nature that will guide our ideas and values for the future. I know that this project has offered a compilation of all of my skills, the way I work with requirements and the use of tangible skills, I take pride in the work I have produced and in particular the model can best represent the new space for such a great artist.

Bathroom Design

Working again on the "Santi" residence I have come across a new challenge, this time I was developing my concept that tied together the idea of unique individual definition of what a home is to a bathroom design. Along with the concept and mentallity of functionallity and aesthetics I was taking into consideration the accessibilty aspects, this was a challenge when deciding were I was to place my toilet, sink, and the design of the shower. I knew that I wanted to have a open floor plan that would allow easy turning peraminters for people who may be wheel chair users without compromising the look and feel of the project, the materials were all chosen to reflect my thought and concept that related back to the clients need as well as my conept of creating ones own definition of what home may be defined as.

After a process of creating smaller floor plans, I decided on a side mount accessible taoilet with that advantage of a roll in shower and fully accessible sink. I made sure that there were side bars on the side of the toilet that followed ADA recommendations as well as sink and countertop heights and storage space. This was a really eye opening expereince to recognize how much things can change with just a matter of inches.

Overall the completion of this project was in my opionion was successful, but could use a lot of improvement. I would have to say that more time could be used to add sketches and possible perspectives, and the overall poster layout could use some improving but I would say that I am happy with the result.

Seattle, Showrooms and Habitat for Humanity

While in Seattle I was fortunate enough to find some real important locations that I had never really heard of or knew even existed. I have live in the Seattle area my whole life and have driven past many of the showrooms we go a chance to visit.

The first stop was at the Seattle Design Center, located on fourth Ave. I never knew what was behind such a simple facade, I was taken back by the showrooms that were located within this center. I am excited to travel back and take some more time to peak around, I know that this will be a key location for my future, after that we were escorted around near the area to tile and marble showrooms and warehouses. The amount of information that given was almost like an overload, but so helpful. I was very impressed by 3form, the place was amazing! We got a chance to learn so much about lighting options and the possibilities of resin, as well as how the process of these fixtures can help in the innovation of our own designs.

Another great site that were able to visit was at the Seattle Center Pavilion, there we had a chance to visit a new project that Habitat for Humanity is getting ready to launch and mass produce. It is called "House of the Immediate Future", a very remarkable step forward for low income housing and a great focus on sustainability. The key feature that I would have to say I was not too thrilled about was the double fill walls that wrapped the exterior. Just as it sound they have placed two full structured framed walls to keep better insulated the whole house. I am sure that the amount of conserved energy will be great, but feel as though there really could be a better solution to the problem with a less invasive building process.

Overall the project and visit to all the showrooms were a great experience, and I am so thankful for the time and expertise by all the people who showed us around and gave us insight to the world of design.

Seattle Urban Sketch Crawl

This was the first sketch that I completed at the Seattle Sculpture park In Seattle. There was a great turn out from the Seattle Urban Sketcher, and was a lot of fun working around them and seeing how they approached the park.

My second sketch below was a quick 10 minute sketch that was influenced by my teacher Bob K. he had previously suggested that I try a more free and loose style. I think that I was able to accept that it was very sloppy after the fact that I recognized that the features in the environment were still coming through on paper.

Kitchen Project

If there was one major thing that I have learned thoughout this process of developing an idea to a final design solution it would be how important the idea of time is. There is no 25th hour and the time that is allowed is not an impossible feat to work with. I have to say that there were some sucessfull exectutions that I am proud which completed my vision, but at the same time there are many things I would like to go back an fix.

One of the most successful features would be the elevations and section in my drafting, I dont know why I colored them in, matybe to offset the fact that my perspectives seemed to be so poor or to really give an additional vibe of completion.

There are way to many things I would go back and fix but know that no matter what I would never be fully satisfied with a "finished" project.

With that being said, I feel that my board could use a lot of improving, as well as my perspectives, and the overall layout that was the result of my rushing.

Some detailed information:
-The shelving that wraps around the dining and kitchen area, would be modular, allowing for more or less storage space. Gloss blue finish.
- The counter top is white.
- The Cabinets below are of a dark Birch Wood.
- All appliances are Maytag EnergyStart, in a white finish.

Job Shadow

During a visit to Seattle I was able to go and shadow one of the leading design firms here in the state of Washington. Callison Design Firm, on 5th Ave. I would have to say that the experience was one of the best in my life. I really got to got a feel for the style of company that I would one day like to work for, everything from the design aspect to the enviornment really gave me an eye open experience.

My partner, Stephanie Chahan, and I were escorted around the offices that over looked the North, East, and West side of Seattle by a Junior Designer, Beta, who had recently graduated from the Interior Design program at Washington State University. She introduced us to many important people that all take part of the design process for many of the projects that the company works on. I learned that there is more to design that aesthetics, budget, and willingness to work, It has a lot to do with the connection that you are making to the built environment, the people who use the space, and how you are making an impact for the future. We had a chance to ask many questions and soak in all the information that they had for us.

They had very useful tips and information for a student like myself, and gave me the extra push I feel I needed to ensure my success in the field. Since the visit I would say that I have been more focused on becoming a better designer and student, so that I one day could go back an apply with confidence.

Some of the steps that they allowed us to observe gave me some insight into the type of work that I should be applying as a student. They not only were very helpful in that aspect but they were very informative in the importance of hand sketching as well as reassuring the idea of becoming knowledgeable in all drafting programs and focusing on portfolio, which I just started to work on.

Accessibility Sketch Journal

Exiting Carpenter Hall.

Working on the idea of accessibility in our built environment has been an eye opening experience. I have had some understanding of people with sensory disability in the past when I took courses on American Sign Language and would go to the meet ups and gatherings, where Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and even Blind people would come together to hangout. I tried to keep up and felt like I could never really understand and grasp the full understanding of their situation in the environment that they lived in. I just felt like I was an outsider looking in, which resonated again with the project that I participated in.

Daggy Faculty Break Room

In a group of two we were given regular everyday tasks of going from one location to another, but this time in a wheelchair. I started off by using the elevator and heading to the bathroom on the second floor, this is when I first met a student that is a wheelchair user. I asked him if he had any tips and he mentioned that the wheel chair we were assigned with actually was meant to be pushed rather than to personally operate. I knew from there it wouldn't be easy. As I entered the bathroom I recognized the inability to fully operate both door and wheel chair, I had a real tough time maneuvering within the space and getting in and out of such a space.

The next task was to head to another building relatively close requiring exiting and wheeling myself through a more uneven and rough surface. I didn't expect the change in terrain to be so drastic but it really shook me up to see the difficulty I was having. The doors were heavy and narrow, the carpets where like quick sand, and the halls were hard to maneuver around.

I really can't imaging the difficulty some may have when going to new places, having to re evaluate every move, and hoping that the accessibility will make it possible for them to live theirs lives. As a design student I truly hope to subconsciously make smart and informative decisions. The cost and innovations of these design solutions should not be a second hand thought, as a human race we should think with understanding an acceptance that not everyone is "average" and that there is more to the design world than what may be visually pleasing to some, but rather to make all things pleasing to all. If we allow ourself to limit the accessibility to some rather than others we will only continue to drive a divide between ourselves and limit our possibilities as a human race.