Roanoke is a city located in southern Virginia, it is the commercial and cultural hub of most of southwest Virginia. Located on the corner of Day Avenue SW and 8th Street SW the site is part of the well established Old Southwest Neighborhood. The site will consist of one family home that will be integrated into the current neighborhood and will extend the neighborhood the length of the street and reinforce a sense of community. The site is located among many restored, well-kept properties including residences, businesses, churches, restaurants, and the learning center. The site is also within walking distance of several parks and the downtown area of Roanoke.
Nature is everywhere. When using nature as a model, specifically biomimicry, it can become a guide for design decisions. Nature can be used to create a sensory experience exploring visible rhythms, vivid textures and patterns inspired by the living world. Biomimicry can be used to create a seamless connection be- tween the indoors and outdoors establishing a connection with the natural world.
The Appalachian forest is one of the world’s richest temperate deciduous forests in biodiversity. Forests are arranged in layers, the stratification starting with the canopy and moving down through the understory, shrub layer, herbaceous layer and ending with the forest floor. Each stratum has its own unique characteristics. The cradle to cradle house is inspired by the organized complexity and stratification of the surrounding Appalachian forests. Like the forest the design will incorporate openings and closings as one would find as they move through the trees, Naturalistic shapes, forms, and textures are used to create a dynamic space with ambient qualities of the natural world. The design will also focus on the filtering of light into each of the spaces just as light does through the tree tops in the forest onto the forest floor.
Steelcase NEXT Design Competition - Semi-finalist
Inspired by the San Gabriel Mountains bordering Los Angeles, the Next Office strives to create a place where work is a vacation. The mountains are a place to escape, generally thought of as a place to explore or relax. In the Next Office, people can get away from the city of Los Angeles. Rather than being a place of stress the office is a place to come to relax. The design is influenced by angular mountain forms and also takes inspiration from forms and styles of lodges located in the mountains. The office is not only a work- space with desks and chairs but includes lounge areas throughout. The Next office is the work studio of the future where going to work can feel like working from home.
Walking into the reception guests are welcomed with a warm inviting space. The reception is a space where guests can relax and get comfortable while wait ing. It is a reflection of the overall space and guests immediately get an impression of what to expect of the rest of the building.
The work cafe creates another space other than the office where people can work, meet, network, socialize, and re-energize. The space doubles as a cafeteria and workspace and allows people to get away from their desks and have a change of scenery. It encourage people to connect with others from other disciplines and collaborate with one another.
The Lounge is a place were people can go to get away from the workspaces. Designed to have a high end residential feel it creates an atmosphere where people can feel like they are working from home rather than in the office.
The office provides a variety of work and lounge settings and creates warm relaxing environments. While being a very open space the design also creates intimate areas where employees can get away and take a break. The open office concept allows employees to be more involved with one another and to collaborate easier than in a closed off space. The openness of the space also allows for ideas to easily flow and for employees to gain inspi- ration from on another. The openness improves interoffice communication between employees, managers, and directors.
Haworth Design Excellence Award - 3rd Place
Founded in 1948, Haworth has had a considerable influence on modern workplace design. Haworth provides solutions for the modern office with their main focus on the organic workspace. As businesses change, the space should be able to evolve as well. Haworth produces solutions that connect spaces with a company’s organizational objectives, and transforms it into a responsive, adaptable environment, which should be evident in Haworth’s own offices and showrooms.
Inspired by Haworth’s furniture collections, the new Haworth D.C. Office on 600 Massachusetts Avenue is a unifying interior environment that encourages collaboration and team based activities, while also providing spaces for individual work. The design supports the diverse work styles and unique ways in which people work. Work styles reflect the diversity of how people work within the organization and are affected by both what is expected and how they prefer to preform their job. By providing spaces with the right furniture and equipment the design optimizes workplace performance. Spaces are provided throughout the design for people working alone or together, and also support the types of thinking people are engaging in ranging from tactical to strategic.
Haworth’s new D.C. Office is designed to reflect a cohesive customer presentation path and story that demonstrates Haworth’s research and design point of view. The showroom is designed to accommodate the new shift in work style Haworth is experiencing. Employees are now much more mobile, work collaboratively, and are less paper based than when the staff area was originally designed. The showroom also reflects the shift toward smaller sizes of work stations and offices with less storage, and less individual spaces and more group spaces. Overall, the plan illustrates the full range of individual work space and styles as well as the full range of group spaces.
The workplace floor plates shift from individual to group areas moving throughout the space. The design is organized through folding planes that intersect and interact with one another to form three main levels and different areas in the space. The planes are inspired by Haworth’s Planes collection which provides unparalleled breadth and flexibility to create a multitude of different environments.
Each level in the space is reserved for a different purpose. The first level onto which guests and employees enter accommodates the reception area, refresh, and kitchen, which are meant to be relaxed environments. Moving onto the next level, encompassing the showroom and work area, the environment is very open and promotes productivity through both individual and group work. Lastly, on the third level, consisting of the private offices, DRC, training room, media area, and conference room, are more enclosed spaces providing additional privacy not found on the lower levels. Guests and employees experience each of the various environments as they are elevated through the space.
The clean, linear design allows for the Haworth furniture and products to be prominent in the space. Assortments of materials are used throughout the design. The materials are in contrast to one another distinguishing each space. The stark white and cool concrete are in direct opposition to the warm oak.
The color palette is based off of an analogous color scheme, using various shades of blue. Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness, and also symbolizes wisdom, confidence, and intelligence, all of which are beneficial to an office environment. While the overall design of the space is sleek and modern, the comfortable furniture and warm environments provide a relaxing serene atmosphere.
Inspired by Swedish design The Green Leaf is a high end restaurant in Brooklyn, NY, specializing in organic cuisine.
The design of the restaurant is based off of the organic structure of a leaf. Leaves are generally thought to be organic with their soft curving edges, however, if you look closely a leaf also has a grid of veins giving it it’s shape and adding rigidity. Like a leaf the interior of the restaurant is structured by its squared walls and orthogonal layout, but then interrupting this is the curving floor and ceiling element that moves throughout the space. The curves connect the spaces and create a smooth flow around the restaurant.
The layout of the restaurant is meant to control acoustics and separate each space while also allowing people to move easily from one space to another. The kitchen is placed in the middle of the plan to serve as a boundary separating the three main areas of the restaurant. Having the kitchen in the middle also allows easy access for the waiters/waitresses to bring food in and out to the tables. The path of travel or circulation moves in a circle entering and then being able to go right to the bar or left into the main dining area.
A popular movement in food and health is the organic food movement. There is a growing consumer interest in health and nutrition, the growth of the green movement, and the focus on conservation and environmental issues, which has stimulated the development of the organic market.
Environmentally friendly materials and living walls make the space feel more green and compliment the type of organic cuisine that will be served. All of the materials chosen are sustainable and energy efficient. Cork flooring covers a majority of the space offering visual texture while also providing acoustical control. All of the fabrics chosen are also eco friendly. The furniture used in the space made by sustainable companies and offers a wide variety of materials, textures and colors.
The restaurant is meant to feel natural and healthy. The green, brown, and grey color scheme are all colors commonly found in nature. The color green is commonly associated with growth or change, calm, abundance, and energy. The walls are painted light grey to accentuate the white curving forms moving through the space. The flooring also changes from cork to concrete reflecting the curves of the ceiling.
Across some of the walls are plant installations, or green walls. The plants follow the organic theme of the restaurant and help in bringing the outside natural environment into the interior. The benefits of plants can be seen across many studies in the cognitive, psychological, social, and physical realms. Some benefits include, increased self-esteem, improved mood and sense of well-being, reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, increased feelings of calm, relaxation, and optimism, and lastly, increased sense of stability and control.
Organic restaurants present opportunities for organic farmers, restaurant owners, organic handlers and the organic community as a whole to work together. In the heart of Brooklyn there isn’t a lot of access to greenery or the natural landscape. It isn’t possible for people to grow gardens or have fresh produce most of the time. Many farms are located outside of the city and are hard to get to, making it hard to find organic food options. The Green Leaf gives people the experience of being more connected to the natural environment that they are missing out on in the city and provides the organic cuisine that can be hard to find.
Inspired by the natural landscape, the New Elementary School is to be used for second graders and is located in Boulder, Colorado.
Simulating within the built environment the features of the natural landscape
Fractal patterns are irregular, self similar geometries that occur virtually everywhere in nature. They can reduce stress levels and humans tend to find them simultaneously stimulating and restful. Angles and triangles form each space and can be found throughout the building in different patterns.
Importance of play and hands-on experiences for young chil- dren. Enforced learning will not stay in the mind, avoid compulsion, and let children’s learning take the form of play.
The interactive play space forms a landscape itself through the level changes and forms that create seperate areas. Children are able to roam throught the space to select different settings for different activities. The same sort of design layout is used in the focus and team areas providing multiple areas within the one space for children to work individually or collaborativley. Forced learning is quickly forgotten by children, allowing them to learn through play and discovery.
There are three seperate classrooms, all with different purposes. There is a lecture classroom with rows of desks for lecture style teaching and it is a good place for the teacher to gather the students to give direc- tions and to get their attention. A smaller classroom sits next to this and is meant to be used for small group or individual learning. Students who need extra help can be brought into this classroom to have less distractions. The last classroom is the largest and is meant to be used for activities such as music or art or small physical activities. It can also be used as a traditional classroom if necessary.
Located on the second floor is the snack area and library. The library is closed off on all sides for acoustic control but is open with windows to the interactive play area allowing in extra sunlight. The snack area is open on one side to the rest of the space letting in extra light and also allowing students to see into the interactive play area.
Small focus areas are located on each floor for students to use at their convenience when working on individual or group work.
The color scheme analogous and is inspired by the colors found in nature. Warm greens and cool blues provide a relaxing environment. The color green dominates the landscape while the light blue serves as a support. The colors reflect the landscape outside the space and make it seem as though there is no separation between the indoors and outdoors.
Blue is often associated with serenity, and calm. Green is strongly associated with nature. In today’s world, we have become increasingly concerned with preserving our planet ecologically. Green color meanings have become closely tied with this trend and encourage students to think about this as they are learning in the school.
Sustainable materials are used throughout the space. FSC certified wood is used as the main flooring while older reclaimed wood is used decoratively on the walls and also to make some of the furniture pieces. 100% wool acoustical tiles cover the ceiling dampening sound in each area so that the space doesn’t become too loud. To soften these hard surfaces is grasslike carpeting that chil- dren can sit and play in. All of the materials are sourced from either Boulder or Denver keeping shipping at a minimum and using local materials.
Most of the furniture pieces are custom made. Pebble like cushions are placed throughout the building providing seats for the children that can be easily moved around at their convenience. Hanging from the ceiling are triangular pendant lights. These lights provide interest to the space while also following the fractal geometry.
The client recently purchased this home and was looking for a design that used their existing furniture and current paint color on the walls while incorporating some new pieces. A blend of old and new, the space uses a mix of patterns and textures in a palette of blues, teals and greens, to add interest and dimension. The space reflects the lifestyle of the client being refined and functional, but also comfortable and relaxed. A place where they can host friends and family but also somewhere they can unwind and spend time with their young child and dog.
Located in a large garage building the client was looking to turn the unfinished space into a small kitchen reusing cabinets that they already had from an office space. The goal was to arrange the cabinetry in the space using all of the pieces with the addition of a larger pantry cabinet. Exposed shelving with metal brackets, stainless steel appliances, and subway tiles give the space a subtle industrial feel. In addition patent drawings of various car parts are used as decor to keep on theme with the space being part of a garage.
The client was looking to update and open up their kitchen in the new home they recently purchased. The proposed design opens up opens up the space by taking out one of the walls and adding a bar counter to still separate the kitchen from the living area while providing additional seating. The space has an industrial feel with the stainless steel appliances, butcher block prep table, subway tiles and concrete tiled floor.
Indigo Records skybox is inspired by indie rock and bold designs. Indie rock is defined by its sense of sincerity, authenticity and independence. A combination of eclectic elements shape the space while dramatic textures are complemented with subdued colors to create interest while also providing a feeling of comfort. The design strives to give an impression of luxury but with a deliberate lack of polish and an authentic roughness. In indie rock it is common for notes to overlap, a note comes in then dissipates as another note is beginning. This sense of overlap and undefined merging spaces is also established in the design. Environmental responsibility is taken into consideration through the use of sustainable materials, furnishings, and finishes. Indigo Records logo and brand identity is incorporated throughout the design on a large and small scale conveying a sense of place. The unique, one of a kind design embodies the individuality of the artists and indie rock genre.
Round abstract forms project from the ceiling into the space creating a dramatic texture that runs through the bar and fades into the entertainment area. The forms add a pop of color and visual interest to the room. The abstract forms were inspired by the visual textures of paint splatter and the individuality of each of the splatter marks. The paint splatter and forms relate to the indie rock genre in how each band is very original and different in their styles and sounds.
A structured grid interrupted by a flowing form. Inspired by the layout of the city of Dallas the design of the space mimics the interruption caused by the trinity river through the grid of downtown. A wide green corridor banks the river and is simulated in space by a curving hallway that runs across the width of the building. The companies working in the space will be selling eco friendly athletic wear, promoting sustainability and physical fitness. An analogous col- or palette consisting of shades of green is used along with neutral colors to give the space a sense of fresh- ness and energy. Green is also directly related to nature and is used to promote the “green” products being sold by the startup companies working here. Sustainable materials such as eucalyptus wood and 100% recycled fabrics are used in the design.
The lobby is located right off of the elevators and has two entrances into the space. One entrance leads into the main hallway while the other leads directly into the flexible workspace for employees convenience.
A long curving hallway cuts through the space as the main path of travel and also serves as a wayfinding feature.
Four person workspaces are provided for companies with multiple employees. Cubbies are also located in the flexible workspace for individual or group use. Lockers are located on the backside of the space for employees to store personal items during the day.
More private spaces are located toward the center of the space while more open collaborative spaces are located along the perimeter of the building.
The social space functions as a workspace during the day then at night furniture can be moved to create display areas for companies products. Treadmills line the far wall and can be used by customers coming in at night to try out products or by employees during the day for exercise. A bar and catering area are also part of the social area for guests to use at night along with a variety of seating throughout the space.
Visual Magnetics are used on some of the walls in the form of white boards that employees can use to draw and write on when working in either a collaborative or individual environments. Other walls feature large scale graphic maps of the city of Dallas. The maps provide visual interest and also giving employees a sense of place.
Acoustic ceiling tiles are used in all of the spaces along with hanging acoustic panels to control sound and to provide easy access to systems in the ceiling. Rubber flooring tiles are used throughout the space as a soft surface to stand on throughout the day and also to help with sound. The tiles can be easily replaced should they be damaged.
A boutique for running shoes, apparel, and accessories. The design was inspired by the characteristics of the gait cycle in running, such as repetition and rhythm.
Large abstract arches fill the space creating a rhythm throughout the store. Repetition is used on different scales to represent the different rhythms in running from the large arches representing a slower rhythm with longer strides to the steel extrusions on the far wall representing a faster rhythm which would be used in sprinting. When you run you feel alive and I wanted the store to have that same feeling of liveliness. White is used on the walls, arches, and displays to keep the space light and emphaisze the dramatic shadows that move through the space throughout the day, the use of white also highlights the merchandise being sold in the boutique. Polished corian used on some of the surfaces gives the space a sleek, contemporary feel. The bright green and orange provide a pop of color and also add liveliness to the space. Customers and employees can easily move through the space to see all of the displays and merchandise.
The shared spaces is a unifying interior environment that encourages the White River, South Dakota community to come together and solve problems. The space was inspired by the culture of the neighboring Lakota tribe which heavily influences White River, South Dakota today. Lakota translates to friends, allies, or those who are united. These values were incorporated into the design in order to create a space that is equally welcoming for designers and the entire community. One specific cultural element that was incorporated into the design is the Lakota medicine wheel which is a sacred symbol used by the tribe to represent all knowledge of the universe. The wheel is split into four sections. Each uses different directions, colors, elements in nature, and character traits to link humans to the environment where they reside. In the interior, various spaces represent different sections of the medicine wheel, which helped to shape the floor plan and define distinct places.
Restaurant is located in St. Petersburg, Russia and was designed based on the concept of parts to whole. Inspired by the architecture in St. Petersburg where there are many different styles and details such as the ornament on the buildings brought together throughout the city. Used many different elements in my design, including various pieces of furniture, lighting, and materials, bringing them all together as one to create a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. The circulation flows from one area to the next using the existing lines of architecture to layout each space and the furniture arranged within it. The restaurant includes seperate areas for the bar and dining and also has different seating arrangements for individuals and groups of people.
Sushi is the most famous Japanese dish outside of Japan, and one of the most popular dishes among the Japanese themselves. Sushi is a relatively recent arrival in the U.S., making its first small appearance a decade or so after World War II. By the mid-1970s the chef at Tokyo Kaikan restaurant in Los Angeles had invented the California roll. In Los Angeles alone there are almost 300 sushi restaurants.
Nori is the Japanese name for a type of seaweed from the genus Porphyra that grows wild, like other sea vegetables, off of rocks along shallow coastal shorelines, mainly in the Pacific Ocean. Japan produces more nori, both in quantity and variety, than any other country in the world. Nori seaweed is generally used to make Maki-Sushi. Maki-Sushi is when the rice, fish, and/or vegetables are rolled up in a seaweed wrap.
The Nori light fixture mimics the curving form of seaweed flowing in the ocean. In most seaweed, the thallus (or body) consists of flat or leaf-like structures known as blades. Blades originate from elongated stem-like structures, the stipes. The holdfast, a root-like structure, anchors the kelp to the substrate of the ocean.
The idea started out as a simple curving structure. From there it was simplified to an abstract curving form influenced by the essence of seaweed in the ocean.
LED tubes run along either side of the curving structure illuminating the form and causing it to glow and emit light. The lights are placed on both sides of each mirror providing light to each area. The base of each light is integrated into the wall to create a seamless connection between the surface of the wall and the lighting fixture.
