THINK BOARD
Our journey of exploring and creating the client’s project stories
Southern Exposure with ADU
The Ely project, is a single family custom residence. The drawing depicts a a plan that was based on the project brief, which was developed to address the clients goals and objectives. The schematic drawing at left delineates a flexible design process that facilitates long term solutions.
This early phase represents a cost-effective way to develop the design narrative. In the process, we discovered ‘a way’ to place the garage and service entrance to the side — allowing us to create a formal and clear entryway to the home. Such a vital aspect of a home, it created an opportunity to advance the design.
In addition, the client required maximum exposure to south. This also presented opportunities to balance the objectives and establish a meaningful order to the internal functionality. A program that was simplified to account for various internal + external functional requirements: room relationships, and overall meaningful solution to the entire site.
The design established a strategic approach to meet the program objectives through its holistic approach. The plan also serves as a frame work to move the project forward to the next phase with clarity and meaning.
In addition to the design process, a simultaneous process of minimizing risk, and, maximize on meaningful solutions was analyzed. The ability to establish program criteria early and align it with a meaningful design, provided further opportunity to create value. One of the reasons we advance this strategic design process that must occur before the construction shovel hits the dirt.
The Ely residence schematic design also delineates a guest house or possible ADU. The design introduced a methodology that allowed us to create order early in the design process and create a design narrative that would be utilized throughout the project.
''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.