Kelsey McCool

Stitch

2008-11-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

Thinking about the retail project, a concept hit me. Stitching. Because jeans are made up of stitches this idea seems very important because without stitching, the jeans wouldn't hold up. its what makes the two sides of the jeans connect, just like the what I am trying to do with the community. Im trying to make the custom jean store that im designing apart of the community and make it bring different parts of Greensboro together.

Sketch Perspectives

2008-11-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

Possible Textures

2008-10-31T06:52:00.000-07:00

Concrete

natural wood

Scored metal

Texured Fabric

Narrative

2008-10-31T06:13:00.000-07:00

Walking through my retail store, I want there to be a mood that is reflected in the space, comfort. Usually when you are shopping at a store and you try on something in the dressing room, you have a somewhat uncomfortable feeling when you walk out to see yourself in the three way mirrors, just because there might be people watching you. In this space, I want to design a way for someone to be confident in what they try on and have a way to view themselves in a three way mirror in a semi private space. In this custom jean store I want to use texture on the walls and furniture. Using texture from nature provides a similar concept to the idea of custom jeans. To make this retail store connect to Greensboro and the North Carolina area, there would be texture from nature that would be represented in the space, like wood, rocks, clay from the mountains, etc.Thinking about the layout of the space, there needs to be two display areas, one for the custom jean area displaying the wash of the jean and the fit, and the other display area for the already made jeans. The already made jean display should be closer to the front of the store, so that it attracts customers attention, making it look like an average retail store, but once they are inside they see more than that. The cashier area should be located in the central part of the store near the display areas. There should be a in house tailor area, located in the back of the store near the changing areas. To think about the comfort level at the changing areas, I was thinking that there should be separate changing areas for getting jeans custom and trying on jeans that are already made. The changing areas for the custom jeans should be connected to the tailor area in some way, either by a door or opening, so that when someone tries on the jeans they don’t have to be connected to the outside public. Lighting plays a key idea in this space and if used correctly the lighting can display the jeans to its fullest capabilities. The display window should be one of the most important parts of the space because of the fact that it draws people into the space. Since the front of the store is made up of glass, the display window can take any shape and any scale. For the display window I would probably design something that has to deal with the detail and texture of the jeans that I am selling.
The idea of the store as a whole is a great retail space for Revolution Mills and Greensboro for the simple fact that this retail store sells jeans that are custom fit to the body. I think that this store would bring a lot of business to this area and the design of the store would help display some of the most unique parts of North Carolina.

Schematic Layout

2008-10-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

Jean Advertisements

2008-10-29T18:06:00.000-07:00

Inspiration 2

2008-10-29T18:04:00.001-07:00

Inspiration

2008-10-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

For inspiration I found images that were very bright and intriguing. I want to use a variety of texture and color, since the retail store is steered towards women, there are more feminine colors such as reds, pinks, yellows. The design of the store is going to be concentrating on light and detail with unique furniture and objects.

Retail Precedent Study

2008-10-24T15:41:00.001-07:00

Earnest Sewn in New York, New York

This retail seems to be similar to The Jean Shop, which is located in New York as well. Earnest Sewn reminds me of Anthropologie because of the antiques used to display products. The antiques they use specifically remind me of what an old barn or farm would have. This particular store is very sustainable with its brick interior and ceiling, as well as furniture.

The Blues Jean Bar in San Francisco, California

Looking at this retail store, it seems like they are marketing towards women instead of men because of its sleek interior design, using chandeliers and furniture that is simple. The Blues Jean Bar only sells jeans unlike the other retail stores mentioned. They have a jean wall which showcases all of the jeans they have to offer. The jeans seem to be located in one area, while the other walls and areas are blank.

Upside Down in Laguna Beach, California

I thought that the display for their clothing was really successful. They used built in shelving units to display multiple size items. The design ideas seems like it mixes eclectic with modern, in terms of its furniture and lighting, especially with the lighting over the table, using flowers hanging upside down. It seems as though their concept might be moving to opposites together in a subtle way.

The Jean Shop in New York, New York

The Jean Shop in New York makes custom jeans designed to fit your body. The interior of the shop is organized in the sense that the jeans are located all over the store but are either folded or hung on the wall. The jeans seem to be spread out, on the benches on the countertop, and even used as display for a detail on the high wall. The space looks very masculine because of the dark wood and light pale colors as well as sustainable, reusing materials like hangers, ladders, wood and even jeans.

Oki-ni in London

This retail store is unlike the rest. In the picture there are only a select retail items that are on display. This is because their line changes all of the time so the clothing collections never last long at all they are always interchanging. Even though they don’t have a lot of items to display, they have a distinct place in the store. They are displayed in the middle of the room or on the wall. In order to buy on of these pieces, you would have to get a hold of a customer service person and ask for your size in the back room and if they don’t have your size they would order it for you.

retail idea 2: Jeans

2008-10-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

Now that im thinking about retail stores. Im wondering whether to stay with the idea of selling lighting. After thinking about things to sell that would attract someone to Greensboro I thought about my personal life. When I go shopping I always have trouble finding one thing, jeans. They either fit too tight, too loose or too long on my body, I can never find the perfect fit. That got me thinking, what if there were a place where you would get a professional opinion and help on finding your best jeans, because after all every person in this world own a pair of jeans. If there were a store somewhere around this area, I would definitely travel long distances to at least go there once and I think that other people would do the same.

Since im thinking about this idea I dont want to completely give up the idea of selling lamps but maybe selling lamps that are more simple and not the complete focus of retail in the space but they would be for sale.

Retail Space Ideas

2008-10-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

Artichoke Lamp

After a well rested fall break, we were given our final project in studio. We were given some idea of what we had to do but we didn't know all that was going to be given. Now we know. We have to design a retail store (of our choice) in either the Shops at Buffalo Bridge or Biomech Mills. Since I was working on the Shops at Buffalo Bridge I decided to stick with that idea. As for the retail store, I was thinking about selling lamps or organic lighting fixtures. I have a particular company in mind to sell from, Stray Dog. In my personal experience, the store that I worked for sold these lighting fixtures and they were very successful. People came from hours away just because of the lamps we had in the store, and they weren't cheap either. So I think that people will do the same if my retail store sells the same type of items, something that is unique and thoughtful. These lamps will draw people into Revolution Mills and the Shops at Buffalo Bridge.

Installation Ideas

2008-10-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

Sketching in the Kitchen

2008-10-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

Another boring day at home, making some cookies. YUMM..

Lighting Research

2008-10-11T13:22:00.001-07:00

On my spare time I wanted to look up some objects that we could possibly use in the Revolution Mills space. The lighting that I sketched represents some of the items that would have an interesting appeal in the space . The item above is called Spade Drum Pendant. Its made of a thin wood material creating a three dimensional shape on the outside of the shade.

Arabesque Bowl

Cobble Sconce

Jeremy Cole

Metamorphosis at Revolution Mills

2008-10-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

This section shows the ceiling planes and the wall heights.

Section south wall looking at just the cafe area and lounge. We took the existing windows and used them as walkways to the patio area.

This is the section of the stairway. The stairway is made up of glass, metal and cement.

These are the sections that I produced from this project. We worked in teams of three and we had to produce sections, perspectives, a conceptual plan, and details inside the space. When we first met as a group we decided to come up with ideas separately and come together later in the group and come up with a concept with ideas about the space. As we went over our ideas about this project we all had a similar idea, the idea of connection. We wanted the viewer to walk through the space and get a different take of the area everytime, thus the idea of metamorphosis. We used different ceiling planes, floor planes and provided areas of interest throughout the space. The entrance was in the basement and the exit was on the first floor, allowing the viewer to be forced to walk throughout the space, experiencing our design of evolution.

Moving Forward with Revolution Mills

2008-10-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

As soon as our concept overdrive project was due we received yet another project. This project was for Revolution Mills. Revolution Mills is an old fabric mill on the other side of town in Greensboro, and might I add in the middle of NOWHERE. The exterior of the building looked as if the mill was still in use, but the interior was another story. The interior wasn't used to its fullest capabilities but it was a progress from where the mill was before. The mill used reused wood flooring, with drywall and pre-existing brick.
Our new assignment was to design a portion of the building that wasnt being built yet. So on our field trip to the mill we took pictures to better understand the idea of the mill and the emotions we feel when we walk through the mill.

Desk Crit with Classmates

2008-09-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

Talking to some of my classmates I developed a better understanding of the project (Revolution Mills). Allison and Matt had suggested to me that I keep in mind the original building and add a sense of modern architecture, to where they could be looked at as a whole building and not a renovation. Looking at my inspirational photos, i want to keep those in mind. The fabric and flower petal light fixture and the columns and beams would be a good consideration in the space but using them in a different way adding more detail in the area. In the area I wanted to include a patio area facing the creek, and actually having the back facade facing the creek being an important part of the building, either creating an open area, or adding windows. I do have to keep in mind the actual dimensions of the area and keep the columns in mind because not everything can be taken away without the building collapsing. Then Matt suggested that I use different materials instead of what is already in the space like, concrete or slate with the reclaimed wood or the use of a different veneer brick than the pre-existing one. When I spoke with Jimmy about my project he suggested to break away from the square shaped building. Speaking with my classmates helped me understand better of what i need to do, and now that I understand I think I can develop my ideas further.

Inspirational Photos:

Market Research

2008-09-18T18:58:00.001-07:00

Mainstreet

Main streets are in a linear layout with roads parallel to the buildings. The buildings can be anything from office spaces, retail spaces, or apartment complexes. They can have any type of façade with signs extruding from them. Sidewalks are what are in between the buildings and roads providing a pathway around the area.

West Edmonton Mall

Characteristics of a usual mall include vendor’s set inside a large building. The vendors can sell anything. They usually display one of everything with large storage in the back. The malls could have more than one floor with a food court usually set in the middle of the space. In this particular space, the storefronts have an exterior façade, making it seem like the space is an outlet mall instead of an indoor mall.

Turkish Bazaar

Bazaars are usually located next to mosques and this particular bazaar is one of the best bazaars in the world. It is set up in a flee-market layout, with many vendors selling many different things. This particular photo shows the display of merchandise where verticality is not a problem. In a bazaar, they want to show all the items that are on sale since they barely have any storage to put them. Bazaars can take place indoors or outdoors depending on where they are and can be small or large.

Market:

In this retail space, they are usually selling one type of product. In this market, they are selling produce. Markets usually are placed outside underneath a tent or shed-like structure. All the merchandise is set out so the consumer can choose which item they like best because no two items are the same. The space is set out in a linear fashion with crates or inexpensive materials to display items.

plaza:

Plazas are usually set with buildings around it. The buildings can be anything from retail to office buildings. There are statues or fountains or a main attraction in the center of the plaza. There are also sitting areas located around the area with landscape. Plazas are mainly around well-populated and high wealth areas.

Arcades:

Arcades have bright colors with shapes and different textures to accommodate their clients, children. They have games that are displayed and played on and there is no storage. The layout of the space is set in a linear order, making isles to travel through.

Revolution Mills

2008-09-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

Revolution Mills

Revolution Mills started when two brothers, Moses and Caesar Cone, started a textile business. When they moved to the south because of their father, they began a partnership with C.E. Graham in Ashville in 1887. They began a cloth manufacturing company with their partner and began marketing it in 1889. Their firm was established in Greensboro due to its cotton, transportation, and building location. Although they began their firm in 1890, their first mill wasn’t built until 1895 and renamed Revolution Mills due to its textile circles. There were other mills built around 1902 but the first Cone mill was the largest of them all. In 1982 the mill closed its doors and was sold to a company for offices and apartments and was sold again twenty years later to a private non-profit organization. The Revolution Mills, LLC bought the mill in 2003 to convert it into offices. It occupies ninety-seven offices and now has wood floors, high ceilings and large windows.
The buildings layout is a typical mill layout, its utilitarian. Its large space allows for an easier workflow and makes room for larger machines when needed. It has a lot of windows to allow natural light inside the building and outside the building are large beautiful courtyards. There is a large open lobby with conference rooms that are shared by the other occupants. The setup for the space is set around a studio-like setting with large open spaces, making the already large building even larger.

Packed Pixels

2008-09-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

Here is the final work for the concept driven challenge, hope you enjoy!

logo:

Logo in 3D:

Exterior:

Black slate and concrete material
beams copying interior
pixel windows

Interior:

light boxes to enhance items
pattern on ground lights up when weight is put on it, reflects on ceiling
pixel display/storage container on walls
pixel wall on side of window ( lights up and moves)

Floor Plan:

arcade style layout

Detail 1:

featured display pixel box
larger than the other boxes
pull up door with display behind

Detail 2:

display area with storage behind
pull out drawer

Detail 3:

storage pixel box

Window Display:

Tags:

Bags:

(click on pictures to make them larger)

Pixel Process

2008-09-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

As we were working on a previous project involving concepts we were hit with a curve ball. We were told to change our whole design concept with someone else in our studio. This was a very hard change to make, I was just getting use to my first concept on fusion of opposites while selling atheletic shoes now im forced with the concept of Arcade Games while selling travel accessories. PHEW! As i was talking to the person i was switching with, Emily, i wanted to keep her same ideas and tweak them, since her design wasn't finished or completed i thought it would be a challenge. She focused on the ideals of pixelation and movement centered around old arcade games.
To begin this process I thought about her idea of pixels being boxes and beams to give an idea of a game. Well to take it further i wanted to add this idea of a pixel wall and have light in certain pixel boxes and flash them on and off to give off an idea of movement. The color scheme for this retail store would be black and white and certain bright colors in certain places to think of games.

Also, to keep the idea of arcade games in the interior area, I was thinking about actually making the plan look like an actual arcade game. In plan view with lit boxes on the floor and ceiling, i thought that it would be like the person was playing their own game. When the person steps on the boxes the box would become lit and play a certain tune, and as they walk through the room on the path, the boxes would become lit.

Anthropologie Visit

2008-09-07T20:16:00.001-07:00

Wall Detail made from Recycled BooksWood Posts attached to the wall

Light fixtures

in house design
store for ages 35-50 (typically)
the store director is given a budget
found objects "antiques" for sale
sell case goods
permanent and temporary materials
design changes every six months
front of the store changes every three weeks
window changes every six weeks
elements for all the stores are the same
same firm designs stores with different architects
floor plans change
recycled materials used- barnyard wood flooring
display- scent, sight, and music simulation
different sections of the store have different themes
USING THE UNEXPECTED
every season, given a notebook displaying theme wanted, the design coordinator then comes up with the design
idea of three is important
company started in 1992

Case Study 1

2008-09-07T17:50:00.000-07:00

Recrete Onal Equipment (REI)

The entryway for this retail store is emphasized by wooden beams creating a cantilever, and is a great way to attract a viewer’s attention. With the large windows behind theses wooden beams, you are able to see what this store sells as well as making you believe that the wooden structures are holding themselves up. The beams remind you of the outdoors because they take the shape of a shelter in the woods.
REI

Nintendo Store- NYC, NY

Looking at this store the whole building is used as display. The façade is mainly windows and metal and bright lights to attract viewers attention. You are able to see the level change on the façade and it is incorporated in the design of the front. The bright lights are blue and surround the building. There are TV screens that display featured games and the main entry is off to the side.
Nintendo

Brighton Retail Store- Charlotte NC

The main entry is enclosed by a hallway but is the same level as the display windows. The main item you notice is the iron decoration in the windows and doors. The design of the iron reminds you of the items that are sold in the store as well as the logo. Above the windows are tiles in the shape of a rectangle, they don’t really fit the idea of the store but they are an added detail to the design.
Brighten

Gap Retail Store- Salisbury MD
I focused on the actual window for this case study. The main attraction to this window is its use of LCD lights. The LCD lighting captures your attention first, and then you tend to focus on the display. There were a lot of materials used in the display. There is a brick façade, wood flooring, paint and a poster. The display protrudes from the store, causing you to focus on the display itself.
GAP

Wild Surf Co. - Los Angeles CA

The display for the store is on the corner of the building. Inside the window there is a lower wall displaying a checker pattern with pictures and metal. The sign for the store is protruding out from the wall and is backlit. The wall is sitting on a stage area that can also be used as a display area. The main material used is sheet metal, it is on the stage the checker pattern the sign and the shelving behind the wall. The sign is the first thing you notice because the color is contrasting to the metal behind it. The display is very simple and eye catching.
Wild Surf Co.

Kickers Retail Store
This retail stores main attraction is the main entrance. Its entry is rectangular with an organic shape inside of it. The organic shape is a bright color, which contrasts the other colors used. It also creates a hallway in which you have to walk through to get inside. The sign for the store is also in red, which makes you connect the sign to the store. The organic shape also creates a hierarchy; with the sign above the highest point of the shape you subconsciously think this store is better than the other stores.
Kickers

Toys & Co. - Greensboro NC

This storefront caught my attention first with the yellow and red tile surrounding the building. The colors and the idea of the umbrella like structure overtop the main entry felt like the store was going for a circus like feel, with the umbrella structure symbolizing a circus tent. You could tell that the stores contents contained things for children because of the color scheme, bright catching the child’s attention when walking by. Surrounding the store was other outlets whose colors were very dull and ordinary, so the toy store stuck out like a sore thumb. Looking at the store, there are rectangular like shapes varying in color, the main entry on the other hand has a circular shape enticing the viewers attention.
Toys & Co.

Great Outdoors Provision Co.- Greensboro, NC

The main attraction of this store is its cedar wood façade. Since the store sells outdoor items, a cabin like feel is appropriate for the façade. It has bay windows surrounding the store and they are used to display items. The color of the doors is green, which is a complementary color to the dark wood, and reminds you of the outdoors. This retail store also attracts your attention due to the contrast with the stores around it.
Great Outdoors Provision Co.

Apple Store- NYC, New York

Apple stores usually have a great window display creating a simple idea, but the apple store does this as well but in a whole building. The façade of the apple building is made up of metal beams and glass, making it classy and simple. The logo of apple is placed in the center of the building and is backlit. Metal beams are the main idea of the structure but are used to create different patterns, vertically as well as horizontally. The first level of the building is filled with windows and is used as display areas. The main entry is directly underneath the logo with a cantilever drawing your eye.
Apple

National Product- San Franciso CA

The façade of this building caught my attention. It has a classy and unique storefront. There are exterior lights directed toward the window display and the display windows creating a hallway to walk down enclose the main entry. The exterior is covered with a teal color making it eye catching for viewers as they walk by. Also, there are details in the façade that make it more appealing. The sign for this store is in between the display windows by a metal rod, making it appear to be floating.
National Product

materials board

2008-05-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

For our final project for second year we used bright colors along with tan colors, we also used a lot of textured glass and patterned fabric. The first panel represents the floor material, the middle panel represents that upholstery and the last panel represents the color palate with the textured glass.

CNNC final ( more pictures later)

2008-05-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

For the final of the CNNC building, we used bright colors and textures in every room. We kept the tall ceiling structures and vertical windows in our design but we also added the idea of levels into our design. In the office room there is a drop down ceiling to add a sense of level. In the playroom there are levels of play areas that reach up to 13 feet. On the reception desk, there are levels of table tops. in every area there are textured glass or curved glass to resemble the curve of the building.

Connection of wall and ceiling and floor and ceiling

Reception Desk Section

Reception Desk Axonometric

Reception Desk Perspective
Reception Desk ModelOffice Section

Office Axonometric
Office Perspective
Office Model
Playroom Axonometric

playroom section

Playroom perspective

playroom model

logo

2008-04-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

florence

2008-04-22T08:34:00.001-07:00

Stone Advertisement

2008-03-26T20:07:00.001-07:00

this advertisement is used to promote a stone material for a certain company. I think that this is a creative ad because it uses the surface of the stone as if it was apart of the human figure. The ad as a whole shows more than one type of stone as well as the surface texture. The quote that is used " as genuine as you" makes you feel as though the stone was made for you and only you. The composition of the advertisement is well thought out and looks like it was meant to be there.

Moods of Many

2008-03-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

For this assignment I had to design an illustration for the mood "frustration". For this design I considered what frustration meant to me... anger, sadness, loneliness and hesitant. I chose to use desert for loneliness, cloudy sky for anger and the tree for sadness.

pattern perception

2008-03-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Schematic Floor Plan for CNNC

2008-03-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Click Plan to Enlarge

MSH Viz renderings

2008-03-17T06:20:00.001-07:00

These renderings were formated in Autodesk Viz

Schematic Design for CNNC

2008-03-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

First Level Floor Plan

Second Level Floor PlanSection A-A'

Section B-B'Staircase/Rest Area

Rest Area

Hallway ConnectorConference Room
Presentation Board

Plan Idea

2008-02-25T21:16:00.001-08:00

(click images to make them larger)

Main Building:
Smaller Building:

Overall structure:

Layout Idea

2008-02-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

in the bubble diagram above, I have a layout of what offices and other rooms that need to be next to or near eachother. In the diagram below i have a rough idea of where each room should be placed. The larger bubbles show the important spaces and how large each room should be compared to the other spaces.

Idea for the Exterior View of the CNNC Building

2008-02-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

Exterior Perspective: Front Elevation:

For the exterior of the CNNC building I wanted to focus on the idea of light. Since the building is very dark inside i wanted to make this space welcoming for the immigrants and staff who worked there. For the entry way i wanted to make it seem more important than the rest of the building so what i did was have it stick out from the building to attract attention to people walking or driving by. Immediately after the entry way would be the lobby / reception desk, making it easy to see from the main entry way windows. To make the building more dynamic I pulled and pushed the outer shell of the building ( still keeping the same square footage)

CNNC Kickoff

2008-02-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

We have now begun our second project for this semester. For this project we will be designing a center for the CNNC ( Center for New North Carolinians), which is an organization that helps immigrants adapt to US traditions and provide a place to associate with other immigrants. For the sake of the project we will be designing the center at the old Leon's beauty school building at the corner of Accock and Lee street. We have about 10 weeks to complete this project. As a class we visited the site and took pictures and then split up into groups to discover more information about the current building, the immigration progress and the current staff of the CNNC. Below are a couple pictures of the current CNNC building and the old Leon's Beauty School building.

Current CNNC Building

Bathroom ( the only one in the building)Conference Room

Shared Office Space

Leon's Beauty School main room

Main Hair Stations

Detail of Wall
Hair Station
Side area behind hair stations

hallway to classrooms

My Sisters House

2008-02-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

my sisters house using podium

2008-02-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

Living Room ( without furniture)

Inside the bedroom (with only built in furniture)

Kitchen

Final Welcome Mat design

2008-01-30T08:57:00.001-08:00

This is my final design for the Welcome Mat project for the Jamaican Culture. The Jamaican culture has strong beliefs about their colors and symbols. In Jamaica, the color black symbolizes strength , gold symbolizes wealth and beauty and green symbolizes hope and agricultural resources. To keep along with their culture, I choose to use the colors, black, gold, and green. I mainly used the color black because it seemed to have a stronger meaning in the Jamaican society, probably symbolizing their independence as a country. To go along with their independence and strength i choose to use a chain design. To blend the Jamaican Culture with American culture i choose to simplify the design and make the mat a 2 to 1 ratio. The design itself has a curvature in each chain. These curves create a comfort when walked on and develop on the idea of what "welcome" means.

final project for My Sisters House

2008-01-28T14:47:00.001-08:00

Final Plan

Kitchen Area

Kitchen and living area

Living area and entrance to bedrooms

interview with Perez

2008-01-27T16:15:00.001-08:00

Interview with Genaro Perez Kelsey and Candice

Name: Genaro Perez
Country of birth: South Mexico
Age: 50
Occupation: Janitor at UNCG
How did he get to the USA?
Traveled from Southern Mexico to Northern Mexico, crossed a river, took off his clothes and then traveled through the desert for two days. Then he knocked on doors and finally came across and Indian man in Arizona and he gave him food. Perez then traveled by bus to Texas and got a job at a car dealership making one hundred dollars a week.
Family:
Perez left behind his three children in Mexico. The children’s mother and him are separated, yet they still keep in contact. Two of the children came to America a couple years later.
Life in America:
Jobs:
Job in Texas in car dealership
Maine picking blueberries
Florida picking tomatoes
New Jersey picking blueberries
Pennsylvania working in construction
Picking apples in Pennsylvania
Firewood company in Pennsylvania
North Carolina working at the Biltmore Hotel and Homewood Suites
North Carolina inspecting pills
North Carolina as a Janitor at UNCG
How did he adapt?
Learned language and customs of America through his girlfriend who was an English teacher at an apple farm. Also watched peoples faces and ate American food.
Challenges:
Only got jobs through word of mouth from fellow Mexicans. He missed his family incredibly, however he said that he was never discriminated against by fellow Americans.
Goals/Intentions/Dreams
He longs for his home country and would like to go back there in the next five to ten years after he retires to be with his mother.

Ideas for the Welcome Mat

2008-01-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

Final Design Idea:

Computing in Architectural Design

2008-01-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

Computing today has become an important element in the design process. In the beginning of computer development, they did not assist the designer or user to its fullest potential. The computer could only do so much for the designer.
Software such as CAD assisted the user in model construction and drafting.
It seemed as though it had a mind of its own. This software could correct mistakes the designer had made and even assisted them in dimensioning and made it easier for the designer to convey their ideas to their clients.
The computer has developed into its own environment. It could now control the actions of other objects, such as doors, surveillance, and electricity. This device has also allowed us to discover the internet, and the world with a touch of our fingertips.
In the future I could see computing systems actually taking over the design process, or even taking over jobs for people. I believe that computers will actually enable a thinking process that could correct its own mistakes and develop something on its own. I could also see computers control things such as cars, in controlling the speed of drivers with a touch of a button. This invention could even prevent car accidents or traffic jams.
Computers have ceased to amaze me. I believe computers will never stop being developed. There will always be something that they could help us with.

A Welcome Mat IAR 202

2008-01-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

to kick of the new semester our first project is to design a welcome mat for a visitor from a country we selected from a hat, without using text. we need to create a prototype and is due at the end of the week.

My Country:

Jamaica

art is influenced from culture
island on west indies
small
made of volcanic hills, blue mountains, limestone plateau and coastal lowlands.
discovered by Christopher Columbus on May 4, 1494
resources include - sugar, coffee, spices , and tropical fruit
constitutional parliamentary democracy
weather: average 82
currency: 62.50 to $1 US
"Out of many, one people" - motto
African and European influences ( include Music)
English- main language, and Patois, a combination of english, spanish, portuguese and african
landscapes made up of vibrant colors
multi racial roots
Economy: tourism, agriculture, mining, construction, and shipping

Symbols:

Jamaican Coat of Arms
Jamaican Bird: Doctor bird ( swallowtail humming bird)
Jamaican Fruit: Ackee
Jamaican Flower: Blue Mahoe
Jamaican Tree: Lignum Vitae - wood of life

Ackee

Blue Mahoe

Jamaican Coat of Arms

Lignum Vitae

Doctor Bird

color palette ideas

2007-11-15T18:48:00.001-08:00

intent narrative and detailed program

2007-11-15T18:45:00.000-08:00

The intent of my design is to recapture the idea of evolution of life using color and objects, incorporating the good, bad and ugly materials and other materials that are needed. Keeping in mind to produce a relaxed appeal, I will be using natural colors including shades of green, brown, tan, and blue. Since the idea of the building is to feel like a home for these young girls, I will be using furniture and lighting fixtures that generate a domestic feel.

In each bedrooms there will be a bed (3’w.6’l.2’9”h) that will have storage drawers underneath, a dresser (2’w.3’l.7’h) a fold down nightstand (1’w.2’l.3”h) and a crib (2’6”w.5’l.4’h) with storage drawers underneath. The flooring for the bedroom will be carpeted with natural colored walls and a fan with lighting in each bedroom. For the bathrooms there will be a countertop with a sink and storage underneath. The countertops will have glass tile and the floor will be tile also. There will also be a mirror overtop the countertop with lighting fixtures overtop the mirror. There will also be a toilet and a shower/bath. In the storage area there are shelves that start at two feet above the floor. The shelving on the outside of the storage area will start at four feet above the ground. There will be lighting emphasizing the shelves and a large pendant lighting fixture in the center of the communal area. There will be reclaimed wood as the flooring for the communal area.

close to home

2007-11-15T18:31:00.000-08:00

Past Present and FutureThis sketch shows the flow of the space, how each figure is spaced together to allow movement throughout the area. You can also see the base of the structure and where the posters are placed on them.

Looking at the Close to Home Exhibit in the Gatewood Studio Arts Building, there are many interesting facts about the history of modernism. The exhibit talks about some of Edward Loewenstein’s work and works of women who were enrolled in the program years ago. It was very interesting how the information was displayed. The structures inside of the exhibit provided a better visual connection with the viewer and the way they were arranged made a better flow of traffic and allowed you to be able to view all of the information provided in the exhibit. This installation provided information about the modernism era to the viewer in hands on fashion, allowing them to relate to modernism and giving them inspiration to design.

The exhibit can be entered from either side of the room. The information can be either viewed from earliest to most recent or visa versa. Inside the exhibit are laminated vertical structures that are stained, painted and nailed together. The information for the exhibit is displayed on posters that are attached to metal panels with magnets. The way these structures are designed is as though they are abstract views of houses, with a post and beam design. Since modernism is an idea of striping away ornamentation and focusing on the purpose and function of a design, these structures would be perfect for the exhibit.

The lights inside the exhibit are used to provide light for the posters as well as display shadows from the structures, making the exhibit more eye catching. The colors are very neutral except for the metal panels. The materials provide a metaphor for the dominate materials used for the design of modernism buildings, wood being the structure of the building, metal being the industrial aspect of the building and concrete on the floors as a design element for building materials.

In this illustration you can see the full structure. You can see the beams and the overhang, which is similar to a house structure.

Inside this exhibit there are posters that display events in that time era and magazines and other media that provided a way for design to travel around the world. There are also projectors and computers that provide further information. These technology items provide information that pops out to the viewer, since the screen is constantly changing. The computer does provide more information but because of its placement in the room (turned on the corner in the back of the room) it doesn’t necessarily help with the exhibit. The cables from these electronics are distracting from the structures. The images being displayed in the exhibit all have an idea of modernism, from the designs of the past women in the program to Edward Loewenstein’s buildings to the design of the structures by the students in the program this year.

In this illustration you can see the multiple structures being placed together to allow movement throughout the space. You can also see the skeletal structure inside the figures to replicate the structure inside of a home or building.

color model

2007-10-26T08:19:00.001-07:00

our group model that shows the main color scheme for our building for my sisters house

my individual model idea

History and Theory of Design II self reflection

2007-10-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

1. History and Theory of Design one and two has changed the way I view architecture in many ways. It has made me see that there are connections between each design era, how one design can lead to another in twenty years or so. In each design era, I have noticed that not all buildings have to be identical, they can be different but they need to convey the same message as the rest of the buildings. I see architecture as a learning experience; it can help me make connections with buildings I see around me. I can take my knowledge of previous design and incorporate it with my own.
2. An object that I think connects us with design today is No. Chair 14 designed by the Thonet brothers in the 19 century. This chair was the most mass produced piece of furniture in the beginning of the industrial revolution. Its design is very simple and easy to manipulate and produce. It could be easily transformed to fit into small spaces. Its design could have easily been altered for café style chairs or folded up wooden chairs. We still see this design today, either original or manipulate by material or with petite design changes. The way this piece was designed paved the way for future mass-produced furniture.
3. To embrace both the past and future we need to incorporate them both into a design. Instead of copying a design to show us history we need to add our own little twist on it to incorporate our style today. For instance, if we wanted to design the Parthenon, we don’t need to go by the exact description of the building we need to interpret our views on it. If we interpret the columns that surround the building as large and square we need to incorporate that in our design, as long as what we design still reflects the intent of the building.
4. McCarthyism (to my understanding) was all about fear and power. The people who had power had control over everything and abused it, while the citizens living in fear had no control. They had the fear of dying or being criticized by everyone. I think that we are still living in a world between power and fear. We are frowned upon if we do not go along with the norm. The government for example has most if not all of the powers in this country and can have a haughty manor, while we, the citizens, have no control over it, we have to abide by their rules.

intention

2007-10-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

individual intention:
This building has large open spaces, like Alexander Calder, we took our surroundings for this building into consideration. We thought about how the sun sets and rises in relation to the window placements. Inside we want free flowing spaces to improve the movement throughout the room. Bold designs and strong shapes make the layout of the building distinct from the rest of the residence around the area.

Team Statement:
Our design consists of communal areas connecting individuals to open spaces with bold statements through color materials and innovated forms.

the Good Bad and Ugly

2007-10-03T12:30:00.001-07:00

The Materials:
Good: Reclaimed Wood
Bad: Clear Cut Ebony
Ugly: Brass 1970s Punch Ventilator Grille

charrette number one

2007-09-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

For this Charrette we needed to create a "machine" and put it on a site and take pictures of it at three different time periods to capture light, shaddow and etc. I used an open book to show multiple shaddow lines.

Morning around 11

Afternoon around 2

Evening around 6