Clearing the Path

The goal of this project was to adaptively reuse the North Pacific Railroad Depot and to newly incorporate three different spaces; an art gallery, a residence and an artist’s studio. The completely renovated space's design must accommodate for the visual impaired spouse who would also be a resident. The artist’s studio has to be functional use of space for the their work as well as incorporate universal design throughout the space. The artist I chose to design for was Martin Blank, a glass blower in Seattle, WA. The gallery must consist of an universal design while also including an ADA bathroom while still using the depots existing structure to portray his art work in the highest fashion.

Without an inspiration object there is no concept development or ideas that can be formed for the design. By visiting the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot I was able to be in the explore thephysical space that I would be renovating and understand the impression of the surrounding atmosphere. There was so much detail and histroric features within the interior but I wanted to focus on the main component of the depot, which I believed was the train. There are so many elements to the train itself which caused me to go even deeper with my concept. Smoke came as an inspiration due to the overall fact that the train’s name was the Pufferbelly. That was an imidiate connection but incorporating the historic value of the train led me to include the concept of movement and change that was associated with this object. This would soon influence the overall design.

When first starting the renovation process, the interior is a blank canvas and can be formed to adapt to any new atmosphere. The client values the historic character of the depot and it was required that the design repsect the historic aspect of the structure and property. All of the exterior walls would be stationary which created a very difficult challenge of space restrictions and layouts. Before thinking of the furniture and window treatments I first had to complete bubble diagrams to determine the space designated for each area. This required me to figure how I wanted each space set up; continuously thinking about flow, use and function.

Once adding color, gradiants and visual texture to my parti design I had come to a completed design. The next step was to develop the textile pattern through use of graphic exploration that would still correlate to my concept. This textile pattern would be incorporated into the overall design in at least one sufficient area. This required a great deal of different placements, rotations and adjustments of the small parti. This was enjoyable but a little diffficult due to the almost infinite arrangements possible. Through much exploration I came to a finalized pattern that was able to incorporate my concept while creating additional components. I was able to take these different components of the parti and incorporate them throughout the design.

Once I had chosen my inspiration object I was to then begin the abstract exploration. This included completing an object analysis using sketch techniques exploring different elements of my inspiration object and portraying them using design elements and principles. These small sketches are supposed to assist in portraying my 3-D object in a small abstract 2-D sketch. This step must accommodate for the concept of the design with abstract design elements and principles.  During this process I continuously came to a halt due to my too literal interpretation of my object rather than an abstract approach. I would have to step back and think about what aspects of my object first sparked my interest. An abstract exploration will vary from person to person, these sketches are to free the mind and to start thinking in a different perspective.

The aesthetic appeal is the first impression to a client when entering the newly renovated space. This is a challenge in itself, but incorporating other required needs created additional obstacles. The entire residential space must be designed to accommodate for the visually impaired spouse incoporating several aspects of universal design. The residential has to be functional and safe for the client while still incorporating my concept. This was accompished through the use of contrasting colors and materials to assist in the ability to distinguish different areas. I was able to design a safely furnished residence due to the Egress plan that depict all of the necessary clearances and other building codes required for this establishment.

I believe that my design work has improved greatly throughout each step throughout this semester. My ability to think in an abstract state of mind has become easier leading me to explore more ideas. I have a continous self-battle due to my desire to keep the physical object visible throughout the design but at times I must take a different approach and just sketch what I feel from my object. Any thought can be incorporated successfully through proper planning and consideration. With time and understanding I have improved my rendered perspectives. This is a tremendously important technique when presenting to the client so they may get an accurate vision of the spaces designed for them. Visualizing what an entire room will look like with small samples is very difficult for most, and it would be my responsibility to correctly represent the materials and the individual spaces. Incorporating materials and colors within each space is slowly becoming a simpler act due to its importance. The interior’s aesthetics is just as important as the structural elements and due to the enormous range and constant new suply, it will take a great deal of practice before it becomes second nature.I also believe that my board assembly and compostion has evolved allowing my drawings and plans to be organized and presented in a manner that the client can understand. 

STIR Competition

STIR is a competition where colors picked from the Sherman-Williams collection can connect back to my design concept as well as create a beautifully painted commercial space. By redesigning this local historic train depot into a residential, studio and gallery space a new beginning is created within this space. I incorporated my concept, without movement there is no change, throughout the use of a gradient color scheme. The train depot was the place people visited to experience adventure. Smoke is how the train is able to travel to a variety of regions, while the single front headlight breaks any darkness, clearing the way and exposing the path ahead. As the distance of the element increases the source begins to fade. The trips took many days at a time which the dark colors represented within my gallery entry. The concentrated power is also represented through the use of dark, rich colors. As your eye rises, the colors begin to fade as well. I turned to dark, deep blues to represent the dark, thick smoke and the nights many people encountered through their journey. The light neutral paint colors balance this darkness by incorporating a lighter, less-intense, relaxed atmosphere. By using the ColorSnap app by Sherman-Williams I was able to find the perfect balance and compliments of my main color scheme. Sherman-Williams paint colors allowed my space to have the impact I intended it to have. Hopefully I will be entering many more competitions as they come to enhance my digital poster representation techniques as well as being able to explore the hundreds of paint colors Sherman-Williams has to offer.

Art Gallery Experience

During my spring break I took a trip to the small town of Twin Falls, Idaho. I explored the small shops and boutiques while there and came across Jeni B art studio which was filled with photography. This gallery was completely different than the ones in the large city of Seattle. At most the square footage of the exhibit space was about 200 square feet. The photos were hung on the wall and were framed with very thick, detailed frames, some even contained color and pattern. A studio space was attached along the side where many of the photos were set up and taken. The size of the photos were generally about 2 to 5 feet in length and 2 to 4 feet wide. Since the area was on the smaller side there weren't any extra movable walls or pedestals to block the flow of traffic. Plain white walls allow the color of the photographs to become the main focus of the exhibit. The only artificial lighting consisted of a few tracks along the ceiling that allowed light to hit the photos. These bulbs must accommodate for the type of art, as to not fade or damage the photos. Natural light fills the entrance as the light flows through the glass doors leading you to a brightly colored staircase. The natural light ends there to further protect the photos from any UV damage. The path is narrow and straight so there is no question on the direction on which the observer is to go. This makes observing quite simple and easy. Rich, dark wood flooring continues through the entire space which is a great contrast to the white walls. The ceiling is also white which doesn't draw too much attention or interest too it, allowing all of the focus to be on the photography. The reception area included brightly colored furniture and was filled with natural light from the floor to ceiling windows. Many textures and different elements were added within this space giving it a very unique atmosphere.

Impaired Vision Experience

When a sense is taken away from someone, there are definite challenges they must face on a day to day basis. Vision is taken for granted by many people and many don't understand the difficulties that vision impaired people face. Without drastic contrast, seeing different levels is very difficult. Walking down the stairs are extremely nerve racking because injuries can occur from poor design. When walking into an elevator, the amount of glare and bright light caused me to become very disoriented. Trying to find any small buttons was basically impossible due to the lack of contrast. My attempt in using the ATM was unsuccessful because I could only find the card slot because of the light blinking, but I feel that after that I would not be able to use the machine. It was verifying that there was an audio option for those who are visually impaired but many aspects of the cub and bookie were not designed to assist those who have problems with their vision. The library consisted of a great amount of natural light which helped immensely in finding my way around. Overall, unless I was familiar with the area, it would be extremely hard to find my way around without proper design.

Concept Development

Visiting the Northern Pacific Depot in downtown Pullman caused me to really look at every aspect of the railroad station so that I could find my concept inspiration. This depot contains exterior brick that is historically beautiful, rustic and detailed. The perfectly geometric roof has many qualities that could peak inspirational thoughts as well. I tried to find something completely different, leading me to trace back to the name of the train station, The Pufferbelly. This historic train ran on a resource creating thick smoke to escape from the top. There was another element that I gravitated towards, and that was the single headlight. This source of light created a pathway of vision for the conductor. It allowed the opportunity for many people to adventure off into new lands. The smoke, a main component of the train, is very concentrated when first appearing but then expands and drifts into the air. 

The components of expansion, original source, discovery and flow are represented within my parti. The shape is inspired by the smoke's fluid movement when the train is in motion. Leaving the shape simply white embodies the headlight's ability to allow visual clarity, breaking through the darkness. The gradation from top to bottom, or bottom to top, however the parti is viewed expresses the expansion process both the light and smoke endures. Not only is the gradation smooth, as most travelers wished their trip would be, but is also represents how a passenger would view outside during their travels.

People came to the Northern Pacific Depot from a variety of places. Everyone got together in this one place to travel, to adventure new areas. Passengers arrived from all over and spread out once they left. This was the original place of travel during that time. I wanted to incorporate that importance through my textile pattern by vertically mirroring my parti, allowing the narrow element to match up. I then mirrored that section, creating a flowing in-and-out motion by both the white segment and the gradation. The gradation created another pattern element within the textile. The bold dark segments seem as if they are almost moving through the open spaces.

Through the study models I wanted to represent the motion of not only train but the smoke as well. Smoke does not have a specific form. It is not a solid structure. Because of that I wanted to focus on the fluidity of the smoke as well as the harsh lines light creates when appearing through the dark. A mix of organic and geometric shape began to appear. Both elements are transparent, giving the viewer somewhat the ability to see what is on the other side. It's a mystery, and if the person waits long enough it may become a discovery. Each of my models started from one point and expanded beyond it. This embodies the importance of the station that many migrated to. Everything has a source and it's always a goal to expand from there. 

The final model, when vertical, does physically represent smoke. The shape is familiar and common. All of the pieces are an organic shape that increase in length but become thinner as they rise. There are roots associated with this railroad station. The beginning was strong as complex as smoke is when it first is released. The thick, dark smoke rises from the train but then begins to flow and fade away. There is a transparent square attached to the bottom pieces, but when this model is turned in different angles, the viewer is able to see through that piece and into the organic segments.  

Contextual Investigation

Another availability to work in a group has come to me once again. This research was based upon looking through history and discovering the design styles that were popular during the time period of 1890-1930. I took on the responsibility of finding the important aspects of Colonial Revival style.  This style was also a very strong foundation when it came to architecture. The Chicago Columbian Exposition and American traditionalists influenced the Colonial Revival style. Traditionalists preferred this style due to the symmetry and Dutch Colonial characteristics. Minimal Traditional style homes were created by the Art Deco themes changing from complex motifs to the cleaner Streamline forms. The influence of simple colonial designs and honest use of materials contributed to the popularity of Colonial Revival.
Learning the aspects and history of this style has allowed me to become more familiar with the aesthetics and benefits of Colonial Revival. I would like to become familiar with the popularity of this style in today's design era. My research allowed me to find a create amount of information of this style but many of the typical features are unfamiliar to me. These would be some topics that I would need to further investigate and learn more about. Such as gambrel roofing that was so popular throughout this design style. My design vocabulary and knowledge of the variety of different types of features would need to enhance and increase.

Habitat for Humanity

The ending result of this project came out to be very successful. At the beginning the group I was in got off to a rocky start because we didn't realize a few of the due dates, which caused us to rush the first part of the design process. We then mapped out what should be done and by what time. The work was split up quite evenly allowing each of us to have a part in the end result. The material choices did not get as much attention as it should have compared to other aspects of the project. We did make sure that the criteria of a habitat home were met as well as including a variety of storage areas to make sure that no space was left unused.
As a team we decided to split up the work. My responsibilities included completing the model, inking and dimensioning both floor plans and drawing the kitchen perspective. My teammates took on the responsibilities of creating the other two perspectives, rendering the them, creating the façade elevation and starting the final poster. Each of us were included in the floor plan layout discussions as well as the material choices and paint colors. There were many different options that we came up with to insure that the space was being created to allow a great deal of space and comfort.
My strengths included taking on my responsibilities and finishing them on time. I was also able to take on extra work when my teammates needed me to. This did leave me to become slightly unorganized because I did have multiple parts of the project going on at once and whenever I got stuck at a point I wasn't able to discuss the possible solutions with my partners until they returned, shortly later. My computer program skills and techniques still have room to grow and enhance. I do believe that I can make very clean work and a professional finalized product. I do take a little more time when trying to make an aspect look exceptionally well done.
I do plan on increasing my ability with the computer programs as well as being able to balance multiple pieces at once without getting overwhelmed. I would also like to gain more confidence behind my ideas so that I do not need another person validation because I do understand that in the future all aspects of a project will come from just myself and I would like to be sure of myself and my ideas. I believe that my team worked together very well and that created a very successful product.

Graphic Reflection

 

Starting this poster required me to find many of the previous finished projects that best showed my progress throughout the semester. I tried to include the works that best showed off my abilities and skills. By sketching out quick thumbnails I was able to put together the posters with ease. I wanted to include an aspect within the posters that connected all of them together and would also give an aesthetic appeal. This ended up being the weekly sketches running along the left border. The color behind these drawings was taken from the most common color used within these sketches. When scanning the various layers throughout this project, many appeared dark and slightly tinted gray. I learned a new skill in Photoshop that allowed me to created cleaner looking drawings. I aligned most of the text on one side of the posters as well as keeping them within the same size text box to create a sense of repetition. I structured these posters based upon the assignment required. By making the final layer the largest the audience can focus on how the final details came to be as well as getting the idea of what my process was, through the smaller photos. The border along the bottom area accent strips pulled from the main colors used within that poster. I believed that these were able to enhance the posters not only through the use of color but also through continuation and repetition. I am very pleased on how my assignment turned out and I believe that these three posters prove that my skills have increased and advanced.

Design Firm Visit

Before break I contacted the EHS Design Firm to visit once again. This was the design firm that I job shadowed at previously. Danielle offered me to come back and I believed that she would give  me a great amount of feedback and advice. I prepared by collecting all of my final drawings and made sure they were protected so during the transition of my project nothing got ruined. I also brought all of my materials so I could set them out to explain how I wanted each room to look.

Once I got to the firm, after driving around in Seattle traffic, she met with me and brought me to one of their multiple presenting rooms. She then allowed me to hang up some of the drawings on the board. I started by giving a quick overview of the point of the project was, how I ended up at that point and the process I went through. Next I spoke about the drawings that were on the board. I presented in the order of assignments that we completed. I then brought up what I will be working on for the rest of the week. I really enjoy going to EHS Design and getting feedback and advice from a designer in a company firm. I do feel that I always learn something valuable after visiting this design firm.

As Dani gave me her feedback she focused on the technical aspect of the drawings. Such as the universal representations within the floor plans and perspectives. She then informed me the way she uses for projects. She explained the minimal space needed within doorways, the way to show the elevator and levels of stairs in the floor plan and the benefit of using line weights. At the end she did mention that she liked how my renderings turned out. She then offered to supply me with better materials and fabrics. I was very thankful for her generosity and advice because I have difficulty when picking materials. There is such a large variety of options that it becomes overwhelming at times. During this process she asked how we were going to present and would explain what she was looking for when putting materials together. When leaving she wished me luck and left me feeling much more inspired that when I first arrived there. I hope to visit again soon.

Danielle Nevils LEED GA
EHS Design/EHS Architecture
Exchange Building
821 2nd Ave, Suite 400, Seattle WA 98104
Phone: 206.223.4999
Fax: 206.223.2990
dnevils@ehs-design.com

Habitat for Humanity

On September 28 I went to the Habitat for Humanity site with a few other class mates. The weather was not the nicest and it was slightly raining. Once we got there we got an overview of what Habitat for Humanity does. We met all the workers and the woman who would eventually be living in the house. We went over the safety rules to make sure none of us got hurt, then we got straight to work.

There was a wall that was already started, so we got to assist in finishing it. There are these pieces called "greenies" that are nails with a circle of a rubber substance around the top. This allows a better protection against water and they were only used on the water proofing section of the wall coverings. Once nailed they are completely flat, as long as it was done correctly and they are easier to see. Next we were ready to put up the wall. Before that Bob, the head construction worker, put little pieces underneath the wall so that we could get a grip on it. All of us were spread out which made pushing the wall up much easier. We had to hold up the wall while it was connected to the other walls with nails. When putting up the wall we had to make sure that the floor line was straight against the designated line along the edge of the floor. It was a successful lift.

Next we started on the opposite was, but this time we had to build the whole thing. We had to get the pieces of wood, but before using them we had to make sure that they weren't warped in anyway. To check that, you have to hold up one side and look to the bottom to see if it curves. Each section had windows that needed to be accounted for. There are specific dimensions and wood lengths that need to be used. Hammering is no joke and after a while my arm started to become tired. Thankfully we got a break for lunch. After that we continued the wall and set that one up just as we did the other one. This wall was a little off the line so someone on the had to hammer it from the outside.

Building the wall and putting it up opened my eyes to how a house is constructed. Having to do the physical work really proved to me the construction of a house is very important. I got to see all the aspects to constructing a house and it made me appreciate the structure of buildings.

Sketch Crawl

We met the Seattle Urban Sketchers at the Seattle Center Armory to sketch around the center. The best advice they gave was to never stop sketching and that I can only get better the more I work at it. Their sketches were what I hope mine will someday be. I realize that everyone has their own style but I want to enhance my sketching skills and my familiarity with the markers and other sketching utensils. Through sketching I also wish to increase my ability to draw to scale, because right now I do feel that I have the tendency to draw a little larger than what I am actually looking at. I do feel that my drawings end up looking quite well but I want to not run out of room when trying to draw a space.  I know that I have evolved since the beginning of last year and know that I can only get better. Only an hour a day can create life-long sketching skills.

EHS Design Job Shadow

My job shadow took place at EHS Design with Danielle Nevils. It was great and very eye opening to me. I walked through an incredibly elaborate room where the elevators were located into an open business area. Danielle gave me a tour and a brief history of the building. It was first the Seattle Stock Exchange building and the owner of EHS design decided that they would use as many of the original pieces as they could throughout the space. The building has open spaces for the interior designers, the architects and another company that they shared the space with called PicMonkey. I was able to watch Danielle work on a project using autoCAD and I got the opportunity to ask her some questions about what I needed to learn and to do so that I am prepared to work in the real world. So I wasn't only sitting there watching her finish the project, she had me go into their elaborate library and  gave me the opportunity to help with another project. She told me that there are times that she is working on 3-6 projects at once. I am going to have to perfect my time management. Dani allowed me to assist her in one of the projects for a building where music will be made. She had already started the project but had me help pick out a table. I was able to see the wide collection of books that they had. I found a few different ideas that I believed would fit very well into the space. After that she had a meeting with a product representative, Juila Gütt, who brought in new samples of carpet. Many of these new products were mainly for office spaces and other corporate areas. I was able to see how those pieces could be applied. Being able to see a quick before and after was very enjoyable to me because seeing the small sample and the ending product is inspiring to know that I could be doing that type of work. They then took me to lunch at Boka, a stunning and beautifully designed restaurant. Once we got back she gave me an assignment to work on. She wanted me to figure out a color scheme for a beer website she was working on. I went on the internet to look up the different types of beer and the aspects that related to making beer. We discussed what worked and what should be altered. It was great to get an opinion from another person. I had a fantastic and inspiring time at my job shadow and hope to visit EHS Design again soon.

http://www.ehs-design.com/#/home

Frye Museum

 

We visited the Frye Museum and met the architect, Rick Sundberg. He wanted the museum to be a visitor experience more than just a museum. The design could have been typical with the main entrance in the front but that’s not what they wanted, they desired something better and more extravagant. The water that you walk by is eye-catching and very calming as you walk the ramp up to the entrance. The reflection of the light from the water shimmers against the wall in a constant flowing motion. The purpose of the renovation was to make natural light a main priority. He didn’t want the museum to be lifeless and dull. To help involve daylight, they created navigation through it. The dome in the entrance is a perfect sphere. It is incredibly big and creates a sense of openness. The rooms are very large and have only a handful of pieces in each one. Many of the pieces were extremely unique.

Chapel of St. Ignatius

The Chapel of St. Ignatius was stunning from the outside to the inside. The exterior is made of concrete and has dynamic arches that aren’t typically found in church designs. The water is in a tilt up concrete barrier that was not originally thought of. The structure is breath taking. The large door swivels to open up for a larger entrance. On the doors are oval windows and large, rusted, curved handles. These aspects give more visual interest just to the welcoming space. The church is right in the middle of Seattle University’s walkway, so it’s impossible to miss. The designer believed that it was so special that it should be placed in the center. The white light relates to the collection of students. He believed that faith and knowledge would become the light into our lives. Walking in there are grand arches on the ceilings with a pattern on the walls that can only be seen when light hits it. It is a random, yet organized pattern. The light that reflects into the chapel is affected as the time of day and the position of the sun changes.  The front is lit up with the colors of blue and green that is caused by the natural light shining in through the glass. As the use of color is quite exquisite, I believe that the arches are also a pleasing interior focal point. He made this space unique and grand in many aspects and I am glad that I was able to witness them.

Street Bean Espresso and Shelter

We visited the New Horizon Teen Homeless Shelter. We were informed that many of the kids that came into the shelter were there due to family disruptions and/or were victims of adults. Many of those teens believe that the streets were safer than being at home, which is heartbreaking since home should give a sense of comfort and safety. I was glad to see that there was a place for teens to go to and that not only were they able to visit there, the shelter also assisted the teens with clothing, food and counseling. They also assisted them with job opportunities and other new possibilities. The shelter mainly got kids from the age of 13-22, but there have been children as young as 9 years old. The shelter wanted to redesign their space to be a more inviting space where the teens felt safe. They have been in business for about 15 years and renovated in 1996. Their idea was to make the upstairs an office space and dorm rooms where the kids could actually stay since the shelter is only open Monday through Friday from 10 AM-12 PM then 7PM-9:30 PM. It was great to hear that they don’t turn away anyone that needs help.

The space is very industrial because it is in constant use by many people. The shelter’s drop-in space was once a loading dock and is also the transition space. I feel that they tried to make it more inviting by painting it with bright colors but it is still quite dim and dark. They had a problem with graffiti so they painted a part of the wall with chalk paint so the kids could still draw on the wall if they pleased. One of their main goals is to keep the kids safe so this space is able to let them keep track of everyone coming in and can confiscate any possible weapons, as well as hold any pets the teens might have. Many of the basic needs such as food, laundry, and clothing are provided at the shelter. They do need to keep the space open and completely viewable due to the possible dangers that can occur in closed spaces. The shelter holds activities that the space must also be able to accommodate to.  Many of the people that come in are also handicapped so the area must be ADA accessible. It’s very sad to see that so many kids come into the shelter, but it is also reassuring to know that there is a place they can go so they can be safe and hopefully turn their situation into a positive one.

 

The Street Bean Espresso has a great sense of design. The flow of the space is functional and it is very aesthetically pleasing. When you walk in, the space is open and the color scheme suits a coffee shop. The decorations give the space a little unique flare and it is organized very well. Since the shelter wants to incorporate the coffee shop into their new design, I feel that it could enhance the space quite well.

Westlake Residence

 

The construction site at 325 Westlake that we visited was amazing to me. I was able to learn about the structure and the bones of a building. When creating the building the architects and owner decided that they wanted the industrial look and they would have the structural pieces exposed. The wood was African Iron wood and it is very long lasting and durable. The workers also focused on weather proofing the top patio space. The view was magnificent and the patio space could be used for multiple purposes. Everything that was in plastic would eventually be replaced with glass. Some of those areas included full walls of windows that would face a beautiful view. This site contains some of the largest pieces of glass anywhere. They have about 120 square feet of windows which is huge. Each apartment includes two stories. They have European style bathrooms, which were a bit smaller and more compact. The upstairs included the bathroom, washer and dryer, a closet and a space where a bed could be. The braced frame would be exposed and the additions to the room are built around it. A wall is built along the stairs for storage use. There is a one foot space between the floor and the construction underneath. The ADA space was currently the office but would be put to use once the building was finished. The original building had a bit of work needed since it was built in 1908. I will never forget that code rules, since no designing can take place if the building is not up to codes. I do have a bit of trouble envisioning the space when it is only the construction work and I hope to strengthen that ability. I also hope to revisit the building once it is finished.

zHome

The very first visit on our Seattle trip was the zHome. This apartment complex consisted of two and three bedroom apartments. At first look the exterior is very stunning with interesting geometric designs. Each roof contains solar panels to help provide energy for lighting. These solar panels are able to create the correct amount of energy needed during the season, so nothing is lost. The outside is also filled with a variety of plants instead of lawns because grass is an "exotic" plant that requires too much water and they save a large amount by not including grass. The exterior is also painted with warm and neutral colors such as reds and oranges and wood panel as well. They are close together reducing the amount of space needed. There are two garages that are shared under a complex, so that all of the parking could fit. Not every design is perfect and that just happened to be one of the sacrifices that were needed to be made. Once you walk into the studio apartment through the sliding glass doors the space was open and inviting. The woods panel was tiger wood imported from Brazil and it is long lasting and if I may say very beautiful. The kitchen is quite large in comparison to the overall size of the apartment. The countertops were made of recycled glass and there was no vinyl on the windows. The walls were designed with a special insulation so that the heat and cool air does not leak out. The deck was also made out of the tiger wood instead of having a synthetic deck. The complex is also designed around play areas to create a sense of community. These apartments are a great way to live because they work with the environment instead of against it.

Ride, Don't Walk

I was the first partner to use the wheelchair. My first step was to get into the elevator to ride it down to the second floor of the Carpenter building. The elevator was wide enough for me to enter but I had to turn around when I was in it, if there were to have been more people, that action would have been almost impossible because to turn around, there is a great deal of space needed. Next I had to go into the bathroom and enter the handicap stall and turn around. The door was not ADA approved because there was no automated door button and the door opened into the bathroom but was incredibly heavy and difficult to open. The sink wasn't too hard to approach and use. Then I had to exit the bathroom which was again very difficult due to the weight of the door. The coffee stand on the first floor was my next destination. The ordering stand was much too high and was slightly awkward to order from. I was only able to see the cashier's head. The stand where there were napkins was accessible, but with reach. The wheelchair accessible exit to Daggy hall was a ramp that was much too steep and I crashed due to the incredible steepness. The Daggy hall ramps are also much too steep and when I left the building the front wheels would tip up which made me almost fall completely backwards. I then returned back to the fifth floor to return the wheelchair.

Through this exercise I realized that using a wheelchair is very difficult and time consuming. I had to go around main entrances to be able to enter a building at all. I would have to wait for elevators to enter a different floor. Many things were out of my reach and/or my knees would be in the way. Many of the ramps I had to use were definitely not ADA accessible and were very dangerous due to the steep slope. It was hard for me to stop because of the speed I was traveling. I crashed twice which isn't safe for handicapped people. By doing these tasks I have realized the difficulty of everyday life while being in a wheelchair. Many places are not ADA approved and there should be changes so that anybody can enter and use any space or area.

Personal Sense of Home

When I think of home I think of a sense of comfort and safety. I believe that anywhere can feel like home if there is a personal connection to that area. I feel that if there is an area that I consider "home" I would also have to have some familiarity in the space and have put my own personal touches on it. Not only do I need to have a sense of comfort but I believe that a home isn't quite a home without those special memories that cause you to have emotional attachments to that space. I have moved from my house that I lived in for 16 years and I will always considered that my home no matter what because I had so many experiences and memories within that house. I loved all the aspects to it and because that's where I grew up, it is a little difficult to remember all the details to my adventures but I can always remember where something happened and how I felt at that moment. Having all my childhood experiences take place within that house will cause me to have such a strong connection to it for the rest of my life.

Every part of that house made it special to me. Not only did my house have the tallest ceilings which caused anyone to feel instantly in awe by the immense space that was in the entrance. I loved all the aspects to the house, expect for the fact that during the summer my house became incredibly hot and we tried everything to cool down. I had this play set in the backyard that my dad built when they first bought the house. It had a swing, a teeter-totter swing next to that and connected was a little tree house section that led to a slide. This play toy gave me endless amounts of joy when I would play on it. Whenever my friends came over, all we did was head straight to the backyard. My backyard wasn't incredibly large but we did have this section against the fence that was layers of rock then dirt and so on. While my mom gardened I was able to climb on those layers and have my own little adventures because when you are a child, everything becomes a possibility. It's the memories that will allow me to remember that house forever because of the fantastic experiences I had throughout my childhood growing up and to this day I still miss it.

Poster

I have gotten use to all of the different tools Illustrator offers. By completing this poster I have learned to use the scanner and how to place an image on not to copy and paste. By using a picture instead of a plain color I have accomplished creating an interesting background to the poster. I had to change the layout multiple times to accommodate for all of the different elements to the poster. I found a successful layout until I came to the realization that the oblique was not the shape I was assuming. I believe my poster came out very well explaining my growth as a designer through this class as well as having examples to prove my progression.