Master Bathroom Project

The inspiration for this room came from a children's book about Africa. I felt that this was appropriate given that the overall concept was inspired by a quote about Africa. The many colors of Africa run the entire spectrum. There are the hot colors of red, orange and yellow. And the cool colors of black, purple, indigo and blue. When these two spectrums meet you get green in the middle. Green is the symbol of growth and vitality, very appropriate for designing for a child because as a designer you want the spaces they are in to inspire them. Focusing on primary colors and dividing the room into three sections to highlight three very different areas of the room. When first entering the room you are drawn through a hot, exciting red tunnel towards a bright, cheery green wall. This red area is to inspire activity. The dresser is placed here so as to motivate the children to dress quickly. Once you pass through the red room, you enter the green space. Here is a desk for two, to provide a space to study and learn. To the left of the green room, are the beds. The bedroom walls are a tranquil blue to provide a restful and quiet area, perfect for sleeping.

Kitchen Design Project

In designing the Gregory's kitchen, there were a lot of factors that had to be considered and brought together to create a seemless, efficent space. Patti, who is a wheelchair user, is one of the main users of this kitchen and therefor it needed to fit her needs. Countertops, shelves, cabinets and appliances all needed to be accessible.

In the design, I was keeping in mind my concept of influence and impression. The central oval island's curves 'push' out and impress curves into the surrounding counters and banquet. Wide 4' aisles and expansive lowered counters provide abundant work space for all users. Multiple sinks allow for dishwashing to be seperate from more quick applications like getting drinking water or quick rinsing.

Concept Development

From a long quote by an idol of mine, Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen), in which she describes how much Africa changed her life and made such an impression upon her but wonders if she left any impression upon it, I developed my concept for the Gregory apartment remodels. The quote is about being so influenced by something that it changes you and you will forever have the impressions that it left upon you. I think this relates very importantly to the way one should feel about their home. Home's decor, style and all it's associations have forever influenced everything about us.

From this idea of influence and impression, I sketched some parti drawings reflecting these ideas. A dominate shape of curves, similar to a ripple effect, started to emerge. An idea of an implication of constant movement was formed. And upon this path, representations of influence would be present.

My model shows these ideas through its curving shape, implying continuity, and through abstract representations of a figure moving along the path, encountering another larger object, passing through that object and coming away with something from that object.