Located in the Gatewood Studio Arts Building, the Close to Home exhibit is all about the modernism that takes place here in Greensboro, North Carolina. The idea behind the exhibit has to do with connection.
The use of materials, wood, steel, and glass were commonly used in modernism years ago such as in Mies van der Rohe’s work. The exhibit was built entirely of wood for the structure and metal for the backdrop of the information and graphics. Glass was already in the space but it work well with the exhibit giving it enough open feeling as did many of the house and buildings the exhibit was showcasing. Very dim and soothing lighting as well as natural colors with a pop of teal blue in certain places made you feel “close to home”. The connection of the information worked really well. Each board or picture would flow right to the next one. Being that this exhibit was a tribute the Loewenstien, everything connected back to him. There is several ways of receiving information in this exhibit. First and most used were typed boards and images. Some of the images were hand drawn and some were photos taken by someone. Other media consisted of videos and information on the computer. All the media connected well throughout the space. Even though the information and graphics and boards were interesting and nice to look at, the video was a great way to get information across.
The video took the viewer through a virtual house, Loewenstein home. It let the viewer feel as if they were actually there and experiencing the amazing architecture in his home. The computers were the least successful in working throughout the space. They were not really needed being that the rest of the exhibit was so informative and creative.
When entering the exhibit the first thing I noticed were the tall structures that contained the information. I then look closer to the how well the information was transmitted on the structures and walls. I find myself just walking and reading going were ever my eye leads me next.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Intent and Detailed Program for My Sisters' House
With the use of furniture, light, color and texture (the good, bad, and ugly) I intend on creating a soothing and calming atmosphere for the teenage mothers of My Sisters’ House. This will be a space for relaxing, spending time with family and much more. With simple clean lined furniture and splashes of color give the room a young, inviting yet home type feeling.
BEDROOMS
• Bed with storage compartments
• Crib
• Night stand
• Wardrobe
• Lamps
• Shelves
• Comforter, sheets, pillows
• Changing table
• Ceiling fan
• Rug
• Sink
• Curtains
• Wood floors
BATHROOM
• Toilets
• Bathtubs
• Showers
• Private changing areas
• Changing table
• Sinks
• Shower curtains
• Recessed lighting
• Tile floor
KITHCHEN
• Stackable ovens
• Stove tops
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher
• Sink
• Cabinets
• Dishes
• Silverware
• Cups
• Pots and pans
• Tile floor
• Tile backsplash
LOBBY
• Couches
• Chairs
• Dinning tables
• Coffee tables
• TV stand
• TV
• Storage
• Lamps
• Rugs
• Ceiling fan
***Taking in consideration of the Good, Bad, and Ugly, some products will be of those materials in each space***
BEDROOMS
• Bed with storage compartments
• Crib
• Night stand
• Wardrobe
• Lamps
• Shelves
• Comforter, sheets, pillows
• Changing table
• Ceiling fan
• Rug
• Sink
• Curtains
• Wood floors
BATHROOM
• Toilets
• Bathtubs
• Showers
• Private changing areas
• Changing table
• Sinks
• Shower curtains
• Recessed lighting
• Tile floor
KITHCHEN
• Stackable ovens
• Stove tops
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher
• Sink
• Cabinets
• Dishes
• Silverware
• Cups
• Pots and pans
• Tile floor
• Tile backsplash
LOBBY
• Couches
• Chairs
• Dinning tables
• Coffee tables
• TV stand
• TV
• Storage
• Lamps
• Rugs
• Ceiling fan
***Taking in consideration of the Good, Bad, and Ugly, some products will be of those materials in each space***
Friday, October 26, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
self-reflection
1. This course has opened my eyes to design. Before I would have only noticed if it was a pretty building, space or object. However by taking this course, I notice whether the building, space or object is well designed and useful for the everyday life. I think to myself, is it a safe place or object, what is its purpose, is it functional and so on. By taking this course I have a better understanding and appreciation for design and all aspects of design. When designing for projects now and for later tasks, I have the knowledge of different characteristics I may incorporate in my own design.
2. Le Corbusier is a well-known designer and architect. He is best known for his modern outlook on design and protecting the environment. One of his most famous is Villa Savoye. Modernism can be seen all throughout the building. It is free of a structure frame. Bands of windows wrap around the structure to allow as much natural light possible. The building does not sit on the ground, which allows for an open area that is covered for outdoor functions and is weather protected. The roof is where the actual landscape appears. This is where green design comes into play. We as designers and architects still are trying to bring modernism and green design to the world. Slowly but surely it is making its way to a new way of designing for the 21st century.
3. Even though we seem to always turn back to the past when it comes to designing, there are innovative methods to all past designs. Today, the big “thing” is going “green”. With green products one can get recycled products that sometimes feel but definitely look like the real thing. Hardwood floor is a good example. Real hardwood floor is bad for the environment by depleting natural resources. By using recycled hardwood floor there is less tree’s that are cut down. Although “going green” is great for the environment, not everyone is so keen on it. Changing the way a person lives or does something is a very difficult undertaking. People today still do not accept change very well. But when a new idea comes about such as “going green” it takes years for people to understand and appreciate what has been done and or will do.
4. Educations in the 1950’s and the 1960’s have had a large influence in the way students are educated today. During the 50’s and 60’s disabled children were allowed to attend school. Currently, they are allowed in public schools and treated like any other student. Desegregation was just beginning in the 50’s and 60’s allowing African Americans to attend the same schools as white children. In today’s world one may see many different races in a school. Back then more people were starting to attend school. The GI Bill had been created allowing veterans to attend college paid by the military. Today this still stands and even more people are attending college. In college today age, race, or gender does not matter.
2. Le Corbusier is a well-known designer and architect. He is best known for his modern outlook on design and protecting the environment. One of his most famous is Villa Savoye. Modernism can be seen all throughout the building. It is free of a structure frame. Bands of windows wrap around the structure to allow as much natural light possible. The building does not sit on the ground, which allows for an open area that is covered for outdoor functions and is weather protected. The roof is where the actual landscape appears. This is where green design comes into play. We as designers and architects still are trying to bring modernism and green design to the world. Slowly but surely it is making its way to a new way of designing for the 21st century.
3. Even though we seem to always turn back to the past when it comes to designing, there are innovative methods to all past designs. Today, the big “thing” is going “green”. With green products one can get recycled products that sometimes feel but definitely look like the real thing. Hardwood floor is a good example. Real hardwood floor is bad for the environment by depleting natural resources. By using recycled hardwood floor there is less tree’s that are cut down. Although “going green” is great for the environment, not everyone is so keen on it. Changing the way a person lives or does something is a very difficult undertaking. People today still do not accept change very well. But when a new idea comes about such as “going green” it takes years for people to understand and appreciate what has been done and or will do.
4. Educations in the 1950’s and the 1960’s have had a large influence in the way students are educated today. During the 50’s and 60’s disabled children were allowed to attend school. Currently, they are allowed in public schools and treated like any other student. Desegregation was just beginning in the 50’s and 60’s allowing African Americans to attend the same schools as white children. In today’s world one may see many different races in a school. Back then more people were starting to attend school. The GI Bill had been created allowing veterans to attend college paid by the military. Today this still stands and even more people are attending college. In college today age, race, or gender does not matter.
Monday, October 8, 2007
My Sister's House Team Statement
The Combination of geometric and organic shapes flowing through the space gives a sense of embracing and comfort.
My Sister's House Narrative
With all the many charrettes, project analysis, and researched artists and so on, I have progressed in understanding and designing of My Sister's House. The charrettes are small but helps me as well as my team to gradually progress in our design. The project analysis have helped me to progress as well. They allow me to see what I have done wrong, missed or need to improve on. It is always best to have other opinions. The researched artist have allowed my team and I to see many ways of design in our decade. There is sculptors, painters, fashion designers, architects and more. They each have characteristics that we took to inspire they way we wanted My Sister's House to look and feel. Our inspirations were mainly shapes, color, community, comfort and embracing.
Friday, October 5, 2007
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Dragon Fire October 5, 2007
Our goal for my sister’s house is to allow the design to provide a welcoming, calming, and safe atmosphere while encouraging a positive outlook on life.
Today is my first day visiting the shelter where I’ll be staying for a while.
I’m excited and nervous at the same time.
Okay, I’m here and the place looks really nice from the outside.
It’s a uniquely constructed building, unlike the other plain shelters I’ve seen.
It’s time to see what the inside is like.
I walk into the lounge area and am overwhelmed with the sensation of being at home.
The room is suited perfectly for my son and me.
He points out how cool the recycled blue jean couches and curtains are.
He wants to take the pair he has on and make something with them.
I ask him if we could wait until he grows out of them, that shouldn’t take long.
I appreciate how resourceful they are by reusing the jeans; maybe they could let me in on a few tricks.
As we stroll into the kitchen my eyes are drawn to some very attractive cabinets.
I’ve never seen cabinets like these before.
They look like glass but feel more like plastic and they seem to have been dyed in a ray of beautiful colors.
This room is already one of my favorites,
it instantly raised my spirits.
There’s also fencing hanging horizontally from the ceiling used to hang pots and pans,
another resourceful idea.
Next we go into an office area,
another one of my favorites.
The room is sectioned off into private areas by using these dividers that look and feel a lot like the cabinets in the kitchen.
The dividers open and close by simply pulling them one way or the other.
This room will be perfect for when I need to do my schoolwork.
I’m about to be starting high school so I’m sure I’ll have a lot.
Finally I make my way over to our room.
It’s very nice and already has a few decorations.
There are several lamps hanging that are made from that same plastic-glass material I saw earlier in the kitchen and office.
They’re so cute and look like they came straight out of the 50s.
This place is amazing and I’m so blessed to finally have a place for me and my son to call home.
Friday, September 21, 2007
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