[DEPOT] CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT-TEXTILE

The design concept of those two modules is derived from the post and beam structure which can be found in licensing department. The white steal material and rivets compose the design elements. The arch-like structure provides design characters in the modules.

The first design concept of this module is derived from organic ideas, and it emphasizes the balance relationship between natural elements and artificial products. The central element presents the symmetrical layout and geometrical shape. This part represents the rational structure and shows the principle of harmony and balance. The centralized pattern looks like an industrial products, and it presents the sense of stable. Another part in this module is constructed by variable lines. The curve lines emphasize the dynamic form and show the principle of variability. It symbolizes the organic concept and expresses the natural elements in this pattern. The first part of pattern is overlapped by the second part, and it represents the idea of protection. This module is combined by first and second part, and it shows an interesting combination. And it also symbolizes that the harmonious relationship between natural figures and industrial elements. In addition, it not only shows the rational, but also displays the dynamic one. The final module expresses the radial layout and the centralized patterns show the three dimensional form.

The second module is derived from the industrial elements which can be found in the toilet of licensing department. The vertical element is simplified to be a symmetrical pattern which is similar to module1. And it shows the natural element and represents tree stem.  The green ideas can be brought into the module by this vertical element. The oval patterns are constructed by three semicircular, and it looks like a leaf. The leaf shaped pattern also symbolizes the idea of sustainability and the harmonious relationship between nature and human beings. The second module is constructed by geometrical patterns and presents rational layout. Moreover, the symmetrical module shows continuous curved lines and presents the principle of harmony and balance. 

TEXTILE

VISIT TO ARTIST STUDIO

I visited Carrie Vielle’s studio in Colfax. Carrie Vielle is a local artist in Palause area and she also teaches art history class. And this time we went to her residential area and observed her working environment. Her studio is located at Colfax, a small town nearby Pullman. The site is on the hillside, and this place has a good view to see the landscape of Colfax. This place does not connect to the main boulevard and isolate from the strip commercial area. It will be difficult to find it if you are not familiar with Colfax. . She enjoys working surrounded in natural landscape and use nature resource to refine herself and her works. In addition, the innovative spirit and endless energy support to pursue new unforgettable ideas and beauty of art. I think that Carrie wants to run away from big cities because of congestion environment. The human beings are just like to be isolated from concrete jungle. Carrie wants to build an environment which is between realism and idealism. 

Carrie studio is also separated from her residential area, and it is an independent space which has no connection with other buildings. I think that Carrie wants her studio to be enclosed by natural environment. And she also wants to maintain a distance from civilized world. In her little world, she will not be disrupted by daily chore. And then she can concentrate on her painting. She also makes an effort to make her working environment become more efficient. The storage space is arranged appropriately. I think that she also tried to display Jefferson’s philosophy that desires to make the life more efficient and finds the ways to refine our life. I think that it is a good experience for me to understand the artist’s studio, and it is also very interesting to combines some ideas from class with my observation. 

[DEPOT] CLIENT ARTIST PROFILE

Mark Zirpel is a famous glass artist in north-west area. He is good at using multi materials to present the dynamic, kinetic, and inventive works. His works are related to human’s body and natural patterns. He earns a good reputation in presenting movement and organic function. In his works, we can find that he enjoys using glass, rusticated metals and rubber to mimic our circulation and sensitive system in order to explore the meaning of life. Mark Zirpel id dedicated in art field for a long time. He was invited to be the assistant professor in University of Washington since 2007 because of his achievement in art field. In the 3D4M program, he taught students to apply multi materials, such as ceramics, class, and steal, and used those materials to represent contemporary art. Mark Zirpel uses dynamic design to show the relationship between realism and idealism. In addition, he also emphasizes that “Genius lies not in the perfection of technique, but in its invention”. The innovative spirit and endless energy support to pursue new unforgettable ideas and beauty of art. He said that eighty percent of his works are garbage, and he needs to push himself to satisfy viewers’ demands. Some of his ideas are derived from his early experiences in Alaska. Natural environment inspired him to design the physical artwork. Moreover, he would like to establish his studio in rural setting. He enjoys working surrounded in natural landscape and use nature resource to refine himself and his works. He also got a lot of inspiration after his father was dead. He started to reconsider about the meaning of life and the life process. His famous serious “Body Work” is derived from those ideas and another serious “Water Oregon” also shows that he desires to explore the path of life. Mark Zirpel does not care about how much money he can earn from his works or how many people understand his design philosophy. On the other hand, he cares about how to maintain the endless creativity and innovation how to transform his thought into his works. This project is design for him a space which is included the residential area, gallery and studio area. This space will reuse the historic depot to apply his design philosophy into the space. The separate residential area and studio presents the spirit of independence. The space arrangement is derived from his design concept and tries to create a space which can maintain the endless creativity and innovation. The depot project not only focuses on the aesthetic needs which Zirpel concerns but also demonstrates how to create an effective environment.

:http://www.travergallery.com/gallery_artist_details/Mark-Zirpel.aspx

HABITAT FOR HUMANLITY

In this project, we try to design a space which can offer the basic demands for a single parent family. The total space of interior area will be restricted on 1,100 square feet. The designers, Ko & Lue, need to use the limit space and budget to design a sustainable house in this project.  The energy conservation and circulation also need to consider and we need to use minimum resource to create maximum efficiency. This house which we design is really rational and well-organized. The symmetrical and geometrical layout can save more money and space. It not only tries to satisfy functional needs, but also approach the aesthetic demands.

[DEPOT] CONTEXT POSTER

This case study wants to demonstrate how to built a environment which adopt abundant natural light in a reused building. Sand studio was designed to satisfy different demands and function. The commercial area is perfectly connected with residential space. The designers in this project pursue the maximum daylight and try to create a harmonious atmosphere in interior space. The clerestory and glass atrium help to induce light into the space, and the translucent glasses help to diffuse the light. The well illumination not only satisfies aesthetic needs but also functional demands.

[DEPOT] Vision disability workshop

I had a great experience in this Friday. We used different materials to experience vision changes. First, we used the plastic bag to see the newspaper. It is really difficult to understand the words on the papers because the words can't be clear. And then we used the vision simulator tool to observe the environment. I think that it is really difficult to see the environment clearly, and it will be very dangerous for disable people to walk in CUB. We also wore the special glasses to walk through the hallway. I found that it can be hard to read the sign when the sign does not have good illumination. If the words are too dark, I also cannot read the words and it can be very dangerous. The stair in Holland library has nice natural light, so it is really safe to go through there. We also used the ATM machine in CUB. I think that it will be difficult to recognize the number in key-pad because it is lack of light. In my opinion, I think that we should built a environment which is accessible for everyone. The universal design in public space is really important, and we don't need to consider to cost of those requirements. If we can't built the friendly environment, it will let disable people be unproductive and cannot be self-reliance. And it will be increase the social cost and create negative externalities  to our society. I hope that I can find some information about new technologies which can make the world more accessible and apply those ideas in my projects.

BLUR VIEW(KEY-PAD)

THE WORD IS TOO SMALL

Field sketching of St. Ignatius

This is my second time to come to here, and I still enjoy to visit here. St. Ignatius is a beautiful church and I really love to see how the designers use the light. The designers use different ways to bring the natural light go through the colorful glass windows. It not only creates the harmonious atmosphere but also gives the special religious meaning. Ko and I found that the orange light will occur in the center of church at twelve o'clock.  In addition, I really enjoy to look at the shape of ceiling and the movement when I sketched. It is a good experience to observe the well-designed space and learn the sketching skills from Bob.