west Side story

quotes courtesy of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

History impacts anything and everything. It is the foundation and inspiration of the future. Known as one of the purest love stories, Romeo and Juliet has, substantially impacted the fate of subsequent tales. West Side Story uses Shakespeare’s play as a mentor, adapting it to suit the appropriate issues of the time period.  Names change, locations alter, but the core-the very essence of the story- remains the same. 

Club Bus: Shelter

Concept:  Vernacular Innovation 

Although the term sustainability has become increasingly prevalent in everyday vocabulary, it has yet to infiltrate the built environment in a similar way. Many people may still think of sustainability as an expensive, distant, idealistic value, meant for design magazines and wealthy environmentalists, but in fact, green design can take the form of something as simple and common as a bus shelter. A familiar, understated structure can make a powerful statement. The detail in the simplicity of the structure demonstrates that, even using recognizable materials such as glass, aluminum and stainless steel, a vernacular structure can still be sustainable.

Change often happens slowly and subtly, step by step, so by introducing a green roof system to a familiar form, this shelter can begin to inspire change not only in the bus system, but in society as a whole. Each of the different materials incorporated into the structure is sustainable, demonstrating the way in which sustainability can and should permeate all levels of society. The green roof of the bus shelter does not impact the function of the structure per se, but it does stand as an icon for the way in which the bus system itself can be an eco-friendly transportation option. Furthermore, the use of glass, which in this case creates the ability to see through the entire structure, as well as the use of clean lines and corrugated aluminum roofing are in keeping with the contemporary architecture of the North Carolina A & T campus nearby, testifying to the fact that green design can be integrated into a variety of aesthetics.

Night View: lights line the perimeter of the structure

Side View: Shelter sits back from the side walk 

Bus Shelter during Rainy Weather

Final Model

Weekly Exercise Week 7

Stool: Multimedia

Triple Overlay Lamp in Context

Triple Overlay Lamp in Context

Plan View

Perspective

Detail Perspective

Designed with, not only aesthetic, but also technological advancement in mind, the monumental triple overlay lamp is a commodity in itself. Seldom manufactured anymore, this lamp sparked an otherwise foreign movement in lamp making. Ornate and fragile, the overlay lamp belongs in a space rich with history, and conducive to knowledge attain. In other words, a revival Gothic library would be highly suitable for housing the lamp.

Produced around the period of American Gothic Revival, the lamp is an example of the process that is community building. Manufactured in Sandwich, Massachusetts, by the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, this late 19th century piece, as well as other lamps was the source of employment for numerous workers. As the company expanded, so did the occupational needs, and thus the town as well. The lamp was a beacon of knowledge and innovation; it is only proper that the space should evoke such similarities. The library would pay homage to the advancements of the lamp, as well as the history in its wake.

It was after the introduction of Kerosene lamps, that the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company embarked on creating a lamp composed of layered glass. The ornate design, as well as the rich, luminous quality suggests that the lamp stands as a spatial focal point. Though situated in the corner of the room, the lamp causes the viewer to locate the source of contrast in the space, the colorful and bright lamp. Due to this concept, it is appropriate that the neighboring decor should contribute to the hierarchy of objects, rather than distract the attention. Via neutral colors and solid wood, the rest of the room remains subdued in order to please the complexity of the lamp. On the other hand, the lamp illuminates and highlights the features of the surrounding space. Also, the layers of the glass are reflected in the layers of wood trim and heavy drapery. The two work together to form a cohesive environment.

Though a reflection of the past, lamps such as the Monumental Triple Overlay provide insight and direction into the future of design. The individual lamp may no longer be produced, but the notion of designing for advancement and aesthetics lives on.

Perhaps most similar in concept, to the Overlay lamp, is the Candelabrum.Though an earlier light source, the candelabrum and the lamp possess ornate qualities. They are more focal points, rather than strong means of illumination. It is also important to note the progression of each piece; they were both technological advancements of the time and further shaped the lighting world.

 Though both evoke a sense of the past, the Overlay lamp and the Tiki lamp are rather different. The later of the two is theme oriented and much more assessable than the rare Overlay Lamp. Also, the Overlay lamp was considered an advancement in both aesthetics and technology, something that would be questioned in the case of the Tiki Lamp. 

Sources:

-Cape Cod Travel.  Incredibly Rare Sandwich Glass:http://www.capecodtravel.com/towns/sandwich/sandwichgl1298.shtml

-Virginia Museum of Fine Arts:http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/accessions2008_mar.html

Bus : Shelter

System of Growth

Concept

Association and cohesion are the basis of an ideal, functioning community. In attempt to obtain said community, each sub-category is required to work with, as well as benefit from one another. In other words, small parts work together with the holistic end in mind. The concept of this project is to provide the basis of a community, piece by piece, starting with the individual approaches. Plainly stated, the project provides a system of growth. The bus shelter uses core aspects of communal design to create an area for active riders of public transit to unite.

The site location, situated in front of Saint John’s Lodge on North Carolina A&T’s Campus, pays tribute to a system of growth, purposefully having progressive and proportional elements as the dominating features. Symbolic for a system’s foundation, the shelter initiates as an individual space. The design allows the occupants to experience the open nature of the shelter, as well as an intimate perspective, due to the expanding shape, and seating arrangement. Just as the growth of community system enlarges, so does the atmosphere of the shelter. Via proportion to signify growth and area, the shelter progresses into a broader structure, allowing for more people to inhibit.

The site and position of the shelter directly relate to the concept of systematic growth.  Simply designed, the structure’s materials and assembly further investigate said notion. The metal of the frame, roof, and seats, represents the goal of growth and awareness. The window panels, on the other hand, represent the clear path in which a goal can be obtained. The simplicity of the design is meant, not to distract the viewer from the surrounding location, but rather guide the attention to the greater community.

Every structural component of the shelter is displayed, allowing the community to understand the concept of small mechanisms working together to benefit the whole. The end result of this systematic growth potentially could and should expand far beyond comprehension, successfully reaching a communal goal. 

Materials

Detail

Drawing Exercise Weeks 4-6

Week 6

Coffee Table: Charcoal 

Week 5

Desk: Colored Pencil

Week 4

Beach House: felt tip pen

Revolving Lines

Shelter: BUS

Concept

Devastation and turmoil are amongst the various terminologies used to describe the aftermath of a natural disaster.  Fearsome to behold, these forces have the ability to snap the backbone of a community in mere seconds. Just as natural disasters follow a path of wreckage, the relief thereafter should pursue in its wake. The concept of this project is to provide said path of aid, by means of four volunteers, to revive a community in need. In other words, it institutes a revolving line of action to use. The shelter vehicle borrows core aspects of building and growth seeking, to provide shelter for volunteer relief workers.

Revolving and movement shape the interior of the vehicle; the focal point of the space being the datum line that runs the length of the bus. Symbolic of a pathway towards a goal, the datum hallway branches to the targets, or areas of the bus. Using proportion, as well as level progression, the hierarchy of space extends. Private and public rooms appear as the flow perpetuates. Since the only barriers between transitions are the pull-down screens in the thresholds, the atmosphere further develops the concept of flow and advancement. As not to complicate the environment, the color palate is natural and subdued.

This particular shelter bus aims to progress and revive a disaster stricken community. Working closely between the bus volunteers and the community would support the idea of support and growth in time of need, thus understanding aspects of beneficial, public design. 

Process to find Concept(a portion of it)

Working on a large sheet of trash paper, I tried to write anything and everything that pertained to my concept. It was helpful to have a large piece of process which showed going from  broad information to a more detailed approach. 

Initial Bubble Diagram:

 

 

Flow Diagram

Public Private Plan

4 Cross Sections

Detail Drawing: Pull down screens for privacy

Longitude 1

Longitude 2