place to dine

Through this post I hope to fully explain my intent behind the design. During my critique I felt that I did not provide myself with the best opportunity to completely sell my design to the class. In doing this post I hope that it will help to get a better understanding.


Responsive Duality:

duality means the means the harmony of two opposite and complementary parts that integrate into a whole

The Duality Principle
Uzma Mazhar
© 2002

Everything is responsive in some way to something else. There is interaction and responsiveness on several different levels. The table is capable of making adjustments to the size of the dining party that is being serving. Lighting as well makes the same adjustment to people and the mood that is intended to be set. The interaction with people that use the space falls at the highest level. From here the form of the space takes on the idea of linking and the response of two forms coming together to create a newer form.



It all started with the table and the ultimate desire to design something that contained the table for twelve and the side table all within one piece. This led to the decision to have some form of a divider between the two but something that does not disconnect the two completely. Upon making this decision I realized that typically this table would not be serving twelve people all the time. From here I started working with the idea that the divider could move and adjust to the number of people it will be serving at the time. The detail created down the center of the table resulted from the movable wall idea, something that reacts to this motion. It works in a zipper motion where the underneath strand is forced to move upward during the movement of the wall and interlock with the top strand, uniting the pieces. At this point in the design process I really started thinking about the major elements of the room and how the table relates outward to the many parts of the room.

It became apparent that the idea of linking or fitting together either physically or through appearance would be the best approach to create something unified and holistic. The form of the room was inspired theoretically from the table and the linking together idea. I eventually came to the idea of two U-like shapes offset appearing as they link together. This resulted in two passage ways, one leading the guest to the food first where they would then walk around the movable wall and proceed with eating, and another that acts as an exit inviting the guests into the living space where they can enjoy good conversation.

The word complement became an important word in the design process. It enabled me to make decisions on whether elements should complement the table or resemble specific aesthetics of the table. The table was to be the focal point and the only means of furniture within the space. Excess was not necessary, because it would only distract the attention of the inhabitants from the presence of the table.

The dark wood floors complement the tables lightly stained wood tabletop. Two of the major walls are of a tinted glass just as that of the movable wall intertwined with the table. To balance this, the other walls complement the table wall but simultaneously resemble their adjacent walls in same hue to resemble a simplistic, continuous form. The drop down ceiling in form resembled the table form but complements the color. The opening in axis with the table leads to the kitchen and is the same size as the table wall, giving the illusion that the table wall was pulled from the room’s wall. The chairs resemble a similar material as the glass walls but are completely clear so the vision of the table’s details are not hindered. So in order to create a duality of parts all aspects of the room would either complement or resemble the table, the center of attention for the space.

Table:

Exploded Axonometric of Table

Space:

Floor Plan

North Wall Elevation

East Wall Elevation

South Wall Elevation

West Wall Elevation

Wall Section

scene of discourse

REFRESHED : ORNATE

This composition shows a progression from a crazy moment to a moment where more breathing space is evident. The cleanness on the right allows one to contain to a refreshed feeling. A mixture of several images combined create this composition along with a image that is only present through the shape it created.

Pattern Perception

www.photobucket.com

The pattern that I was inspired by had a single item in the exact center that was the main focus. Although it was the focus it did not stand out from the rest of the pattern like other patterns that I researched. What I liked about the pattern I chose and how i decided to apply it to my image was through curves that helped form the space surrounding the center focus. Behind the curves were vertical elements that helped maintain a sense of order. I felt all of the aspects were important to include in my pattern composition. The curves help to direct the attention to Statue of Liberty, the center item.

vignette!!!

Design Manifesto

I believe that within design a priority should be placed on the importance of individual forms and their interaction with each other, which in turn involves a strategic study of the interactions and the joints present between the forms. Other aspects involved in the interaction of the forms include a contrast between size and thickness and light and shade.

Response to Computing in Design

Computing plays a huge role in our society today. We are talking about a generation that has grown up only knowing the computer. This generation will continue their everyday lives relying on technology and the many opportunities it has to offer.
In the design industry the computer is a beneficial tool along with all the many programs and systems that allow designers to complete their ideas digitally. There seems to be software directed to all the branches of design. Programs that render designs of spaces has served its purpose well, which is to inform the client of the design in a clear and efficient way. At this moment in time I am privileged enough to know CAD, Soft Plan, Illustrator, and a bite-size portion of Photoshop. I personally am amazed by the programs that allow a design to be imputed using precise measurements and then in turn is able to have a machine cut the pieces in order to make a model of the desired design. Soon enough technology will be so advanced that we might be able to talk directly to the computer and tell it what kind of design that we have in mind. I am honored to be a part of this generation and the design industry because technology through computers will enable us to do great things in the future, possibly design something that will be treasured for eternity.

Shelter Bus: Final Project

Suburban Home: Barcalounger

Located in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois is the home to an average American family. The dwelling is tucked away in the trees and can be found within the residential zone of Chicago. Similar styled houses line the street creating a repetition of modern inspired style homes. This neighborhood speaks of the style that bloomed after World War II, the idea of providing housing to the solders returning from over seas. A strong sense of repetition occurred between the dwellings but as a result of the need to housing completed quickly. This building consists of the simplest of forms, an overall simplistic exterior appearance. Gable roofs were common while the façade typically had a front door/entrance and a couple windows possibly containing some form of shutters. The interior floor plan/layout provided individual spaces to fit the different needs and functions ran within a home. Around this time, children were beginning to receive their own room. The kitchen was separated from the formal dining room that was separated from the den/living room, which on occasions was separated from a more formal living room. This idea of simplifying the layout of a dwelling works its way all the way back to Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles. Their dwellings of these three styles, all had something in common, which was that the floor plan was simplified in general being formed around a central atrium or exterior garden. Although these suburban homes are not organized in this manner they have the essence of simplicity that its predecessors strove for. The Chicago suburban style homes also had local styles being applied to the world such as the art deco movement, which looked at how new sky scrapers were being constructed, and the emerging modernist style. Unfortunately these suburban homes were not given the time of the day to take on the newer popular styles. Instead these suburban homes were built in a hurry, were not constructed well, and had the same appearance as the other thirty or so houses on the same street. The only way to differentiate them was the exterior color and the minimal ornamentation if there was any at all. So even if the suburban homes that covered the country at one point were not the most well designed and were not unique they were and still are an important aspect to our country.

Source: ehistory

Similarity: The farm house had the similar idea of adding rooms to fit the function and need that was being desired, but in this situation the add-ons were done over a span of a hundred years. Suburban homes usually had rooms for each function and each person while also trying to keep it condensed.

Difference: The Museum of Modern Art and the building/home that the barcalounger is placed in are different not because one is a house and one a museum but because the idea of constructing them was completely different. The MOMA was constructed using new materials and the drive to create something innovative and new. The idea of constucting the Suburban style homes was to get something put up fast to house the many soldiers returning home. The design of the dwelling was of less important.