Development- screen shots of design process -note final design not shown

Inhabit

Second Life

In my design for my inhabited space is looking at the idea that the Owen G Glen Building is somewhat an unfriendly environment. Most students are only truly welcome in the basement floor and even then there is a set behaviour that is expected. Also many of the spaces in the building are designed to flow through and not stay in. Therefore I wanted to capitalize on these phenomenon’s and exaggerate what is already occurring. Therefore my design works as a critic of the building. I designed this by a series of moving discs that on first glance the disc/seats look inviting, but when one takes a closer look they realize that they are not as they are moving and do not encourage people to stop and rest. They also work by moving people through the space. These seats are symbolic of the Owen G Glen building is it glassy and glamorous but really the spaces are designed to intentionally move people in and out efficiently and only pause in select spaces. I then pick up on these subtle pauses and designed a walk way up to the top of the lecture room to look into. These discs do not rotate so they allow the inhabitants to move up to the window. I also wanted to do this as currently the space is not telling the inhabitants that it is a lecture area, thus allowing people a greater insight to the building. The materiality of the discs are in the building carpet texture, continuing the idea of the design being harmonious with the building. The discs also work to soften the space as currently it is very sterile and harsh.I also integrated a senseof playfulness into the building as well, to bring some excitement to the space. I also thought about the idea of not being able to change emotions in architecture. So I provided a design that did not totally submerge the occupants in, allowing different outcomes depending on the person.

Min's Critique copied from Facebook-

"I totally agree with your idea of unwelcoming environment of OGGB, and how there are more space encouraging the flow rather than staying in. I think your design, really appeals the idea of flow of movement. Still, i don't quite get the idea of why it is in form of staircase, because i think it would be better to contrast the unwelcoming environment with welcoming device.

I find softness and cozy atmosphere from the chosen material, carpet, and i think it really contrasts with the material used in the upper floors. Also i agree that your design softens the space and integrate playfulness, and i think the material strongly encouraged it to happen.

I really like the idea, how it works from people moving through the space. I think your design links very well with the 'solitary contractuality'. Also how you can directly experience hierarchy by looking down the lecture rooms. "