[[EXPERIENCE]]

When designing the first floor of Unity Village, we wanted the space to give a feeling of liveliness, movement and fun for the user. No matter what age, the space is designed to appeal to the needs of all.
To a 72 year old man in a wheelchair the space is inviting and stimulating. Here, he is encouraged to interact with others and also lead to interesting spaces by directional markings throughout. Although it is spacious, the user still feels as though he is connected with others.
To a 6 year old girl this space is whimsical and fun. directional symbols on the floor and walls create a gameboard that entices her to skip, hop and play. The space also feels safe and secure.
To a 42 year old working mother in the space, her office serves as a retreat from her busy life. here large windows and warm color embrace and relax her. In her office, although she is working, the office is spacious and encourages community with her coworkers.

The First Floor of Unity Village: Linguistic Symbolism as a concept

Through the use of linguistic symbolism the first floor serves as an active and integrated core for all of Unity Village with expressionistic design system.

[precedent images]

Linguistic Symbolism is an expressive system common to people in a community, which is varied, gestural, and emotional. Because the first floor of Unity Village will house a lobby, conference room, community room, event space, mail center, offices, and a break room, it is important that the space serves as a directional core for its users. This floor is the first impression users will get of the space, and should be viewed as mobile, energetic, and having textural elements. The lobby serves as the hub of the first floor, offering a classic, yet contemporary feeling that directs the user through the space. Through the use of curves, light, and gradient design properties, the lobby feels as though it is in motion through verbal expression. A balance between natural and artificial light paired with curved forms bring a cozy feel, while geometric shapes and directional lines imitate conversation that is accentuated by hue and texture.

Ornamental language connects spaces adjacent to the lobby, both private and public, such as the conference and community rooms, and offices with a break room.

Through the use of linguistic symbolism the first floor serves as an active and integrated core for all of Unity Village.

Unity Village

A rendered view of the entrance


Exterior of Unity Village


First three levels (Ground, first floor, second floor)

[us] MY SISTER'S HOUSE

On Monday, we visited the grand opening of My Sister's House, the final project for the Urban Studio class. I was most excited about the trip because I would finally get to see what Interior Architects actually DO in real-live space!
The structure is a large contemporary home with six bedrooms and a large kitchen for housing teen mothers and their babies. I thought that this was a great project for Urban Studio, considering that it helped the community and also practiced sustainable design.Each apartment had plenty of space for the residents and was formatted in a way that would bring them together as a community.
My favorite features of the house included sleek contemporary fans and student-poured concrete counter tops in a deep chocolate brown.

Fostering Community

Makeshift Shelter Reflections

When we began the makeshift shelter project, I was interested to see how we would use individual processes combined with group work to create a space for sketching. When we were given the project I immediately began thinking “what constitutes shelter?” and trying to understand what elements would be important to the space. Upon receiving our group assignments I was excited to see how all of our many thoughts would come together into one cohesive idea. When we began discussing the project as a group, I realized that many people thought of shelter as a structure with a roof over it; but we needed this space to be much more than that. It was necessary for the space to evoke inspiration and wonderment for a person in the space. After coming to a conclusion about what we wanted our space to feel like, we began working in our sketchbooks. Personally, mine is filled with many different shapes, as I was exploring how to create this space. After many drawings and notes we talked about how we would complete the tasks ahead. As a group we pointed out the strengths of each member and what part of the project would be their main focus. I chose to be responsible for the construction and final presentation of the project because my week points are definitely drawing and rendering!
After some discussion we decided to go out and find materials. We rode around Greensboro with Chris Fay, who took us to several junkyards piling all kinds of materials on his truck. After we got back to the studio, we began using the materials to aid us in building models and drawing more realistic sketches. We also began tearing apart wood pallets to construct our walls.
After many long days and nights of trying to create a cohesive shelter we finally took some materials down to the lobby and did a mock construction. This finally got us on the right track. After so much work, the final installation was a breeze, including my twenty-four foot process poster. Overall I was very pleased with the outcome of our shelter.

Neighborhoods & Communities

Communities and neighborhoods harmonize splendidly to compose the intricate song of our social and geographical constructs. Although they are different, each plays a special role in creating the networks of people and spaces we call our own. A neighborhood is defined by its geographical boundaries, while a community consists of the people brought together by both geographical and social ties. Other key concepts of neighborhoods and communities include sociology, psychology, and economy. I found this interesting in the reading, being sociology minor. It is a basic theory that people mock those around them and strive to have the things that their neighbors have; therefore, we end up with similar wants, needs, hopes, and dreams among neighbors. For example, just among Interior Architecture majors, everyone is striving for a large salary, nice home, and a luxury vehicle as status symbols for success. Using this same concept, properly formed neighborhoods act as a place for positive development among those involved. So if good neighborhoods affect people positively, what are the affects of community? Where do neighborhoods end and communities begin? I believe communities are important because they bring people together from a larger geographical span and create groups that also stimulate encouragement and positivity. I personally believe in the power of neighborhoods and community because I grew up in a close-knit neighborhood where all of the neighbors looked out for one another and also did community activities such as dance, gymnastics, and church participation. I find that the bonds that my family formed with the neighborhood and surrounding community are still strong today.

Think About It...[makeshift.shelter]

blog.quarterliving.com

"Simple detail and the beauty of found materials lend to a sacred space to enjoy time with oneself and a sketchbook..."

The importance of the makeshift shelter lies in the joy of its inhabitant. The creator of this abode must delight in its tiniest detail. A detail which gives hope for a better future.
So what is the point of of this whole makeshift shelter project?
It shows us how humankind can survive with the most minimal resources.In the wake of the hurricane in Haiti, we are learning how people (including ourselves) can come together for a positive goal. We have come together to create these shelters based on one common activity. For our group it is sketching, but this has a more substantial parallel. For the people of Haiti, the common goal is survival. They must work together just as we do, but in their case to rebuild their shattered country. Here, we must learn the importance of teamwork and togetherness. From building a simple shelter there is so much to learn about ourselves and others.

Solo Reflection

As I walked through the doors of the Gatewood Studio Arts building, the sight of a small makeshift village met me. I was immediately drawn to these small huts, with just enough space for one to enjoy. Each was different, yet all served the same purpose: to shelter the activities of human life. Most intriguing to me were the bits and pieces that made up these sanctuaries. Some natural, some manmade, all designed together in a way that pulls one in to explore.
The little township boasted shelters of salvaged wood, plastics, cardboard, and fabrics…and although the shelters were made of rickety boards and paint-splattered tarps, there was something beautiful about them. I saw each wrap of twine, carefully situated around each board. I saw each strand of yarn, pulled taut and presenting its colors. I saw each person, putting their heart and soul into a space they call home. I was excited to explore these homes, and was even more excited upon exploring their interiors. For each one served a special purpose. Some were for sketching, some were for sleeping, some were for eating, but each was important. At this point, I knew that this town was special, that these makeshift shelters were important to show the ingenuity that humans possess over simple found objects. And I knew that the same character possessed by the creators of the little huts was what made our world so beautiful.

Makeshift Shelter

I am very excited for the upcoming semester of IARc. Our first project is to design a makeshift shelter. Our class was split up into groups and I teamed up with Charese Allen, David Harrill, Hope Talley, and Pamela Liles. The catch for the project is that we may only use five found materials and two adhesives. We've already been dumpster diving!!! how fun...
Now, we are trying to come up with some preliminary sketches to figure out what exactly we are building! :]