Artist Loft-Loading Dock Space March/April 2010- Environmental Design 102

Shawn's personal painting style is very dark, eerie and kind of disturbing in some pieces, however he carries this messed, wiped, dripped style that you can clearly see through my super graphic. When I researched his studio space I found it very minimal, light walls with dark accents and when I think of the essence he gives to his viewers, the contrast between dark and light is very apparent as well as natural and rough materials which you can see through the space’s wood and cement sections. The main goal was to give Shawn a very lit studio, so I have added many windows along the north and east walls to provide that for him, also the large garage door allowing him to open and close his studio to the outdoors and fresh air. The studio space I left very open and versatile so he can customize it the way he wants. I have added shelving and rods to mount rolls of canvas as well as a table that can open to cut canvas, I have also placed moveable easels and the cement floor acts as a great way to catch the dripped paint. I have added a small visiting area and kitchen/dining area for 1 or 2 people to comfortably eat. To lessen the energy use and save space of the studio I have made the dining table into refrigerator drawers. Iron screens act as a separation between the living and studio space while allowing light to flow through the space. As you walk upstairs you will find a small bathroom and bedroom, meant and designed for exactly that, rest and an escape from the paint fumes. I have a custom made closet/shelving area that acts as storage for the bathroom, divided in half by a frost glass sheet. Throughout the space I tried to introduce rectangles like I have rectangle panes of glass in the windows and doors I tried to incorporate that into the iron screens, cupboards, shelving etc. The space I hope will represent as easily interchangeable living/studio interior, appropriate for multiple types of artists that might want to visit the Gatewood building. Simplistic, warm, and rustically chic is the vibe it gives me.

Class was divided into two large groups, my group received the "Loading Dock" on the ground level of Gatewood Studio. Our job, is to develop a proposal for an Artist in a Residential studio for any visiting designer or artist. We can choose to either focus on one particular type of artist or choose to fit the overall needs of an artist of any media. I, knowing a few very influential painters decided to create a space for a painter however it could really fit the needs of anyone. Shawn Barber stood out to me with his dark, dirty style of painting. He uses a lot of dark shades and great contrast in his portraits. He really does capture the essence I would want to as a painter myself. I like the way his paintings melt towards the edges of the canvas and the faces feel like real expressions and personalities.

I found a couple videos of Shawn working in his studio space in California, white walls, cluttered supplies, nothing extravagant or shiny there. I searched for some inspiration pictures of lofts, kitchens and living spaces using original ducts, wood and rough materials. My goal is to make the studio space unbiased. I hope it will not have one set feeling when you look at it, I want it to look sturdy and strong but rustic and clean/simple. This is what I have so far. Below you will see a series of perspective "ideas" for the space as well as the wall elevations and floor plan of the existing room. You will also see some of Shawn Barber's works of art, hopefully you can begin to see the space and environment appropriate to my scheme.

Scavenger Hunt Clues 5, 6, and 7-Pimp My Ride

One of my best friend Abby and I made a deal that we would one day save our pennies and road trip across the country together in some type of rv/bus/huuuuuuge vehicle. A "short bus" seems appropriate for our personalities. Completed with ballet accents, the fun that made us meet and become so close, our road trip is taken to an entirely new level. I used marker and colored pencil, next time i would make the assemble lighter and cleaner, hahaa but in this case i think it matches our personalities better.

Scavenger Hunt Clues 2,3 and 4

Here in clue 2 we chose an object, dissected, examined and sketch parts and forms from that object. I chose a clear tubing left over from a previous project that was partly cut open and damaged. From my set of 25 thumbnails I chose 3 patterns that stood out to me and from there experimented with different shades in my reading space. I'm a little bit limited when it comes to shades so bare with me as the color choses are my favorite either.

Sketching Scavenger Hunt-Clue 1 4/22/10

I started sketching this view in a time of stress and anxiousness, i really did not care how it looks unless it was done and although it may look unfinished. it represents the uncertainty when i walk through campus. I do not know where i will be or when i will be there, but i know this sketch will remind me of this exact emotion of this time in my life.

We draq ourselves to this structure on the daily. Huffing and puffing only to pace in the steamy elevator. The decent down "The Hill" is so sweet...we know it means meal time before we return right after....just for more work. Our butts' are looking fine however

Falling Water & UVA 4/12/10- Environmental Design 102

It was really thrilling to see falling water. It better suited the styles and personalities of me and my classmates, probably because it is a more recent model of contemporary architecture and the nature and serenity hit us as soon as we stepped onto the site of Falling Water. Again Frank Lloyd Wright was a very inspiring designer and He began a lot of new ideas about materials, structure and a sense of home. Wright main focus was connecting nature with interiors and this great example, it is clearly expressed. Falling Water is certainly a place each of us could see ourselves living, relaxing and enjoying.

The University of Virginia was a stop on our list as the bus made it's way from state to state. Also having been designed and begun by Thomas Jefferson, UVA started as a small college in a small, beautiful town and now has grown to a very historic, famous example of the importance of education reinforced through architecture.