Friday, September 26, 2008

Schematic Design Process

Our group decided to work individually as an initial process, then combining all our ideas, thoughts, concepts into one design. I went along with the concept of connection, using it in the interior and exterior of the building. Dealing with how the materials chosen connect with the existing materials, how the present day design connects with this build's past and how to connect people with the space and make it useable for everyone. These are some of my ideas for the space...

















Conceptual ways of way-finding and space layouts

















Idea of having an interior space that can be multi functional, for gatherings & events as well as a space for seating.

















Layout of the 1st floor, with the idea that there is a large opening to allow light to the basement floor, incorporating indoor seating and retail spaces

















Basement level, more of the market feeling. Having stalls for the tenants, leased out to them for a certain time. Allowed to design within their space. Looking up to the 1st floor, open space allowing seating not making it crowded.

















Looking at the space on the 1st floor with the open space to the basement. Elevator and stairs would be lead you down. Greensboro native art with be displayed over the space. Greenery is incorporated because there were many green pictures on the inspiration wall.

...Inspiration Wall...



Learning from Others...

Learning from others is often the best kind of advice/ideas given. Today, we were assigned to have desk critiques with our fellow classmates; i was partnered with Debbie and Ashley W, Jackie also joined us. As i learned about their ideas and how their concepts portrayed in their designs, i was able to connect and add ideas that connected with my ideas. Even though we are still in conceptual mode, not trying to worry about dimensions and floor-plans, we discussed that it is still in the back of our minds as to how we will fit all of our ideas in the space. We discussed how important it is to play with the columns even though there are too many of them. Also incorporating reused materials and adding Greensboro native art to the space as well. As to this weekend, getting with my group, Kelsey and Emily, we will decide what we like and go from there. Developing more from one idea will allow us to think more of the details as well as the space as a whole. Today was very helpful, it sometimes takes others thoughts to allow you to see a different perspective on things.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Market Research

Shopping Malls are buildings or set of buildings that contain a variety of retail units, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit. Most shopping malls are mainly indoors, ranging in several levels with large department stores on the ends or corners of the structure. Retail, restaurants, businesses, kiosks, food courts, department stores and large open areas consist in most shopping malls. It attracts customers of all ages having a variety of stores.

(picture courtesy of Eye Of Dubai)

(picture courtesy of ME-GO)

(picture courtesy of Flickr)


Bazaars are a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold; they are common in the Middle East. It can also be a sale of goods held to raise money for a charity. These are mostly indoors, with individual vendors selling all kinds of things, from pocketbooks to clothing to chess sets to books.

















(picture courtesy of Wikipedia)







(picture courtesy of Arto's Blog)




(picture courtesy of Istanbul Grand Bazaar)


A strip mall is an open area exterior shopping center where the stores are arranged in a row, with a sidewalk in front. Strip malls are typically developed as a unit and have large parking lots in front. Most of the stores are chains and are well recognized throughout different locations.

(picture courtesy of Picasa)

(picture courtesy of Aura Realty Investments)


Plazas have been used to describe a shopping complex. The name is currently even applied to a single building with some semi-public street-level areas, often with a hotel or office tower above.

(picture courtesy of Abbey Road)

(picture courtesy of Cool Town Studios)


Markets are a location where goods and services are exchanged. It is traditionally set up in stalls and buyers browse the merchandise. In the USA, farmers markets are more popular, selling fresh produce, flowers and fruits. Markets vary in size, range, geographic scale, location, types and variety of human communities, as well as the types of goods and services traded. The concept of a market is any structure that allows buyers and sellers to exchange any type of goods, services and information.

















(picture courtesy of Bedford Borough Council)

(picture courtesy of Rolf Hicker Photography)


An arcade is a passage or walkway covered overhead. It is enclosed on the sides with the end open or enclosed. Light it allowed overhead with the large glass skylights/ceiling.

















(picture courtesy of About.com)










(picture courtesy of Flickr)


An outlet store is a retail store in which manufacturers sell their stock directly to the public through their own branded stores. It is located like a strip mall but consist of all outlet stores throughout the whole space.

(picture courtesy of Visit Greensburg)

(picture courtesy of Expand my Wealth)


Main Street is the generic street name of the primary retail street of a village, town, or small city in many parts of the world. It is usually a focal point for shops and retailers in the central business district, and is most often used in reference to retailing. High Street is a generic name for the primary business street of towns or cities in the United Kingdom. It is usually a focal point for shops and retailers in city centres, and is most often used in reference to retailing.

(picture courtesy of the sustainability project)

(picture courtesy of 100 Percent Travel)


Times Square is considered the first of its kind, the first "vertical mall" in Hong Kong. Due to the high land price in Hong Kong, and the higher yield on retail property, Times Square departs from the common western model of the flat shopping mall. The space allocated to retail is configured over 9 stories. The mall is accessible by long escalators linking the ground floor podium and the first level of the mall.

















(picture courtesy of more than i can say)









(picture courtesy of Simon's Photography)

(picture courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)


I consider Revolution Mills to be a mixture of the different types of shopping centers. I would considered it mostly under a shopping mall. Within the space, i would want to see a courtyard space allowing light in, maybe on the side of the creek. The needs would consist of several retail shops, eating/restaurant area, bathrooms, gathering space, janitors/utilities spaces. This space needs to invite outsiders to come shop, eat, relax and feel welcomed as well as the residential renters next door.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Revolution Mill Studios

I honestly did not know how important the textile industry was in the Carolina’s as well as Greensboro. Being unfamiliar with the history of Greensboro, it is fascinating to know that the Cone Mill Corporation was the world leader in textile manufacturing of corduroy, flannel, denim, etc during the 20th century. Two brothers, Moses and Ceasar Cone, started becoming interested in the textile empire traveling back in forth from Baltimore to the south and seeing the rapid expansion of manufacturing. They quickly partnered with C.E. Graham in Asheville in 1887. Knowing that southern manufactures needed local selling agents in order to compete with the northern mills. In 1890, Moses Cone established a firm and located it in Greensboro to take advantage of its proximity to cotton field, gins, warehouse and railroads. In 1895, the mill was built on the North Buffalo Creek adjacent to the cotton fields, named Proximity Cotton Mill. Life long friends, Emanuel and Herman Sternberger were convinced in 1898 to establish a flannel mill, named Revolution Mill. After the establishment, in the 1900’s, other mills were formed under the Cone’s name. By the 1930’s, the mill was the largest producer of flannel in the world. During the early 1900’s, Revolution Mill began an expansion project to double the size of the mill as well as adding wings. The focus of the expansion was to make it utilitarian and make it safe and efficient in aesthetics. In 1982, Revolution Mill closed and was sold to Revolution Associates for offices and apartments. It went through several sells until Revolution Mill Studio bought it in 2003. A five million dollar renovation began and throughout time, with the help of the Historic Preservation tax credits, the project reached to 40 million dollars in renovations. 97 businesses consist in the 250,000 sq ft of the 600,000 sq ft space ranging from all different kinds of business. Original maple floors, large windows, clearstories, and high ceilings are parts of the past that still exist in the mill. When completed, Revolution Mill will serve again as an economic center for the neighborhood. After doing research, I am excited to see what will happen as we visit it tomorrow.

Monday, September 15, 2008

...Rainy Daze...



Storefront


The front facade of my store attracts customers by the display window featuring a water display. Having umbrellas ranging in different sizes, shapes and patterns placed uniquely to allow the water to runoff and act as if it was raining. The display is five feet deep and has a hidden water basin at the bottom to catch the water.

Fixtures

Mid-Floor Fixture










































This mid floor fixture displays and contains umbrellas that are ready to be purchased. I placed two of these fixtures in my space because i feel that more people will be more likely to buy off hand than to custom make one. The fixtures throughout my space are white with color reveals for unexpected surprises. I added the foot of glass near the bottom with a reveal of pink to add color and make it stand out to the customers and draw their eyes toward the fixtures. This fixture is 4'3"W x4'9" L x3'6" H, containing "cubbies" for the umbrellas. The "cubbies" are covered with a frosted glass that slides back and forth to open and close. Inside the cubbies, the color pink is applied to add an unexpected surprise. Each umbrella pattern/style has its own cubby, having eight in each fixture. Six inches above the sliding panel consists of a narrow strip displaying each umbrella in front of its cubby. This fixture is a way of presenting the umbrellas without them all out in the open.

Point of Purchase

















This point of purchase fixture is designed to sit at the cash register. There will be two set up on each end of the counter. I wanted this item to be something fun and creative, and making your umbrella stylish. The arms of this fixture extrude out from the cylinder center, curved to allow the strands of beads to stay attached. I plan this to be jewels of all kinds, glass, plastic, clay, etc. This fixture is a fun way of personalizing an umbrella and making it cute and unique.



Wall Fixture



My wall fixture displays the custom umbrella fabric throughout my store. As you walk in, a "tent-like" ceiling is seen and the fabrics drapes on the wall. This allows the customer to see the patterns clearly and also lets them feel the texture of each one. I plan to have the fabric stop at a four foot mark, then chair rail to cover the seams. There are 16 panels with each unique patterns. Since my color scheme is black, white and pink, umbrella fabrics come in all different color coordinates. Some might be all different shades of pink, some might be black and white, there is a variety to choose from. In the center of the store where all the panels meet, there is an upside down umbrella chandelier to add light and also draws attention to the wall fixture. I wanted to make this like no one has ever seen before, drawing customers in to see the display of fabrics.



Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Ideas+Brainstorming...

Undiscovered:
1. Not found: undetected, unexposed, unfound

Treasure:
1. That which is very much valued
2. To collect and deposit, as valuable things, for future use; to lay up; to hoard; usually with up; as, to treasure up gold.
3. Wealth accumulated; especially, a stock, or store of money in reserve.
4. A great quantity of anything collected for future use; abundance; plenty.
5. Any possession that is highly valued by its owner
6. A collection of precious things

Process....