THINK BOARD
Southern Exposure with ADU
The Ely project, is a single family custom residence. The drawing depicts a a plan that was based on a project brief, which was developed with the owner. In addition, The design process serves to order the initial objectives before getting to far down the path.
This early phase represents a cost-effective way to develop the design narrative. Especially when the design is still flexible, and can be adjusted. The sketch also facilitates the process of inevitable adjustments and how it leads to additional ideas .
The design required a maximum exposure to souther view. Like any project it it also requires a balance of objectives and establishing a meaningful order. An otherwise complex program was simplified to account for various functional requirements, room relationships, and overall meaningful solution.
The design begins to layout possibilities and establish a strategic approach to meet the program objectives. It is also vital to provide a frame work by which to move the project forward to the next phase.
In addition to the early strategic planning, it also began a simultaneous process of minimizing risk, and, maximize on meaningful solutions. The ability to discern and address program criteria early and align it with a meaningful design saves time, and money. And this must occur before the construction shovel hits the dirt.
The Ely residence block diagram delineates a process that seeks to order and develop a meaningful end result that simply cannot be achieved without some planning and research.
''Cookie Cutter' Design Problem:
The project began with a call from a local builder / developer who requested design services for a new town home project that bordered a Golf club. The builder was looking for ways to improve his same old cookie cutter plan. (contractor design not shown) I told him I don’t do cookie cutter plans. He said, if I could improve his box it would represent opportunity for me to influence and improve several additional units along the course
Applying strategic design thinking to an existing project represents one of the worst and most challenging projects to take on. In large measure all the major design decisions have been made and ability to create value is limited. I proposed creating a small scale study model, as shown above which proposed design improvements to the roof structure, simplifying and enhancing the function + aesthetics.
I began my work and changed the rear of the town home with a dual view design that created a ‘v’ at rear to maximize the views to the existing golf coarse. (Note. the contractor’s model was just a box)
The next change concerned reorienting the garage so that it created more natural light to enter at the main entry and also provide greater visibility from the home. Unfortunately most of traditional suburban developments puts the garage out front and center! (note, contractors plan had the garage blocking entry) To be fair its often driven by an outdated zoning code, but there are solutions to this, which deserves a separate post
Using a scaled massing model, I was able to quickly convey complex design issues and use it as a way to propose concepts that could be quickly interpreted and evaluated.
Information Kiosk @ Normandale Community College
Project design challenge began with a request to design a new information Kiosk at Normandale Community College. However the real challenge was to develop a solution with a limited number of available materials. The information Kiosk was required to utilize only the ‘spare parts’ that existed on the college campus storage facilities. And the proposed kiosk was required to be a minimum of 90% sustainable.
The Kiosk houses a computer terminal and allows for user interaction and interface with the campus network system. The elevation side view (drawing) on left depicts various ellements that were included in the project.
The project was designed as an independent system and crafted as a piece of furniture. With the exception of a new computer system, and applicable fasteners. Most all of the materials were harvested and reutilized from on site storage. The project became a one of a kind sustainable piece of equipment.