Study Models

For one of the first design steps for the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot, I built three study models with different spatial arrangements. These layouts are just the beginning stages of starting to develop a floor plan that will carry out through the design. The one that I mostly ended up using was the one on the top, the Single-Loaded study model. This model had only straight lines and no curves, and also had diagonal lines, which were also important throughout my design of the depot. 

Final Studio Boards

These are the final boards for the adaptive reuse project of the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot found in downtown Pullman, Washington. This overall building was to be designed into a gallery space, a studio and a residence personally designed for a regional artist. Catharine Newell, a kiln and fused glass artist is who I chose. Throughout the design I used the inspiration of the herringbone brick pattern found outside of the original depot. Line and repetition are found throughout the design and natural colors, such as blue and green are sought throughout. The design is ADA accessible and goes along Universal Design requirements, and also aids vision impairment. The egress and demolition plans were the ones that were new to me, and are important to show the accessibility of the design. The exterior brick of the original depot still remains throughout most of the walls of the new space, also windows and doors remain allowing for a sense of the space as it was. This project was fun because it allowed for the design to be derived specifically for one person, not just in general. Designing for Catharine Newell allowed for a much more personal experience and a lot of her ideas went into the design. 

Concept Model

Final Concept Model

Final Parti 

For my concept model for the Railroad Depot, I got my inspiration from the herringbone brick pattern on the outside walkway of the depot. The specific elements and principles that derived this model was the use of line, repetition, unity,balance and color. Line and repetition are the elements that are carried out throughout the whole design. In the model, I used the choice of orange, which I later changed, but I chose orange because it is a comforting and happy color. From putting together this model, I learned that I need to play around with more 3d images and ideas. The model could have been better if I had introduced more lines and views. 

Textile

For my pattern, Line and Repetition are what allowed the pattern to work together. From the herringbone brick pattern, those are the elements that came out of it. The gradation of color use was applied in my design and also allows for a sense of place and movement. The textile worked very well and shows the positive and negative space that the brick also provides through the cracks in between each brick. This project helped me understand how to have one parti and be able to multiply it in different ways to make an interesting pattern. Using Spoonflower was a great way to learn how my ideas can be transferred onto fabric. It's much more real when you're able to move it around with your hands. 

Depot Client Artist Profile

During this stage of the design process, retrieving important information about my chosen artist, Catharine Newell, for the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot in downtown Pullman, was somewhat difficult. The main way that I got my resources were from a personal interview that I had with her over the phone that greatly helped me with being able to design a residential space, a studio and a gallery that would be suited just for her. The images selected on my posters were the chosen works of Newell's that I thought portrayed her art philosophy the most obviously. This part of the process was successful because the information that I retrieved is going to help me throughout the whole design process. A part that I am sort of fuzzy on going to be the use of materials in all of the spaces. Because most of her work is neutral and black and white, that leaves for a wide variety of color that can be placed throughout the depot. But overall, talking with Catharine was the most helpful.

Inclusive Design Related to Vision Impairment

For the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot in Pullman, we were asked in teams to do some contextual research on the railroad and Pullman history, design styles prevalent at the time, designers of the time, adaptive reuse, the history of the Northern Pacific Railroad depot itself, and art galleries. I chose to to focus on inclusive design that relates to vision impairment. I researched a residential case study that is of a foundation in Wisconsin that has basically a show case house that allows designers and architects to further their knowledge on accessibility issue and ways to accomplish their goals to reach full-accessible designs. I also had to research strategies for the vision-impaired and find an art exhibit that displayed some of these needs. When doing the visual workshop recently described on my blog, many of these strategies are put into play to help those with certain disabilities. I learned a lot while doing this project, and will definitely consider many of these new findings to develop my depot design.

Vision Disability Workshop

Recently, I had the chance to put myself in somebody else's shoes and feel what it's like to be legally blind. As a glass we worked in partners of two and we each had to go through different obstacles with sunglasses that had petroleum jelly smeared on them to reduce our vision. Our obstacles consisted of walking around the cub, going up and down stairs, using the ATM machine, and using the elevator. Because I am "legally" blind without my contacts or glasses on, I know how it feels and looks like to not be able to see.

Some of the problems that I encountered were that there wasn't any braille on the ATM buttons. This would definitely cause a problem for someone who was visually impaired. Throughout my experience I realized how important certain precautions and accessible materials used throughout the built environment are. Even though it may be costly, it is worth it to those with those disabilities who need them on a daily basis.

When looking through the glasses, I experienced that one of the things that what I could see resembled a rainbow. Everything wasn't completely black, but colors looked smeared around and blotchy. I also figured out how useful it was to have a partner who was there to guide me through the process. Being reliant on someone else isn't what most of us are fond of, but if the built environment payed more contributions to those with disabilities they could act more independent.

Carrie Vielle's Studio

Our present project involves designing a small apartment, art gallery, retail area, and an artist studio for a regional artist of our choice. What better way to understand the functions of a great artist that visit one of our own professors studios. Carrie Vielle gave us many pointers on the do's and don't for any artist. Even though all artists creative process may be different, there are some things that they prefer that are in common. Such as the amount of space. Many artists are not necessarily clean, but many are cluttered with their work because they need so much surface or floor space to finish all of the different stages of their pieces. As for Carrie, she could not emphasize enough how much space was essential. Not only space, but storage for all of her materials, books, knick-knacks, her artwork, etc. Some other pointers that Carrie shared with us was that lighting is extremely important for most artists. Blinds on all windows are usually needed, and task lighting is very important. Also, know if the chosen artist separates their studio completely from their other living space; do they need a refrigerator, microwave, etc. This studio visit helped me visualize some of the specific questions I need to talk to my artist about in order to design a perfect studio for them.

These are some photos of Carrie's studio and also her AWESOME Alpaca's and Llamas! :)

Habitat For Humanity Design

                    

We had the opportunity to design a house for Habitat for Humanity in teams of two. I had a wonderful experience working on this project because we got to work with the people who were going to build the house because they didn't know yet who was going to occupy the house. I imagine it was much like what a real design project would consist of. The design process was fun and I learned a lot about working with a teammate. Our design came from three inspirational words: Comfort, Tradition, and Individuality. We tied all of these concepts into the overall design.Working with such a small amount of space and fitting so many things into the plan was difficult, but we were successful with the final product. We also got some good feedback from the viewers when we were presenting these to Habitat for Humanity. I would love to have a chance to get to do something like this again.