PROJECT TWO | part five

For Design Development 2 we began looking at materials and color in our space.
Here are a few images from this development stage highlighting these choices.

Pure White - Sherwin WilliamsReal Red - Sherwin Williams

Polished Concrete - PCI Floors

Bamboo Flooring - Teragren - flat grain - Natural

"The Lidian" Spiral Stair Case

PROJECT TWO | part four

We have had a design development one critique on October 9th 2009.
Here are the images we have showed during the critique.

PROJECT TWO | part three

We have not begun space planning within the building to get an idea of what our design will look like. Here are some drawings we have done:

basement floor space planning

first floor space planning second floor space planning

I then began drawing out an idea for a floor plan going along with the space planning we created:

basement, floor plan

first floor, floor plan

second floor, floor plan

PROJECT TWO | part two

We are now beginning to develop a concept for the project. We decided to create a list of words that could potentially be the concept:

Hidden
Exposed
Seen
Unseen
Dynamic
Winding
Spiral
Ambiguous
Opaque
Abstruce
Enclosure
Assimilate
Peripheral
Core
Aware
Innovative
Jewel
Mend
Restore
Resemble
Parallel
Precious
Gem
Notice
Manage
Modification
Edifice
Vary
Transform
Revolutionize
Nota Bene

We chose Nota Bene as our concept. It is a Latin and Italian phrase meaning to “note well”. It is in the singular imperative mood, instructing one individual to note well the matter at hand. In present day English, it is used to draw the attention of the reader to a certain aspect or detail of the subject on hand, translating it as “pay attention” or “take notice”.


We then had to establish the essential Nature of the Problem:

The essential nature of the problem or situation of this building is the respectful connection between the Historic downtown of Durham and the fresh and innovative products and innovative products and ideas coming from Carolina Business Interiors. The company does want to be noticed, but in a tasteful manner in relation to the downtown area. We also must address the problem that CBI wants to create an inviting space, but without encouraging walk in customers. The working showroom is the heart of this project being able to relate modern furniture into a historic atmosphere is challenging, as well as creating a showroom for clients and a working environment for employees.

While developing our concept we created a few sketches/images:



We then took our ideas and made two physical models to represent Nota Bene:

Peer Critiques (Leah and Sara)

Node | Vista

Our meeting today with Leah and Sarah was to explore what each group had done so far in the design process. We talked a little about concepts. Leah and Sara have established their concept as Node : Vista. They have designed their spatial organization around a node that extends through all floors of the building. It acts as a wayfinding device as well as distinguishing different areas. The node would be made of glass and possibley 3form. Because the material is semi transparent you would be able to see figures on the floors above or below. I feel this is a unique way of opening the space without actually creating a hole in the floors. It shows the visitor there is more either above or below you and invites you to explore it. The node, hopefully, will be used to magnify the "old/historical" part of the building in a modern way by keeping the brick exposed behind the glass portions of the node. That will however rely on the historical committee and their judgment. I think the node is a great way to explore spatial division. Especially on the 2nd floor the Node alone is going to be used to divide the conference room from other work areas and showroom space. Toby and I proposed to explore ways to connect the Node with the other areas of the space. For example mimicing the shape of the Node through lighting or a bookshelf in the materials library. The idea of Node and Vista works well together in their design. The view through the Node and from within the node show the visitor where to go and what is important in the space as a whole. Great Idea, can't wait to see where they go from here!