Portfolio: Research and Exploration

This was the first perspective that I created. It was concieved from the experience of our visit to the Apple Store where customers would take one step into the store, and then turn around and leave because it looks (and sounds) particular chaotic. The concept was to hide the chaos and only show 'Apple: the icon'.



This is an image from the model that was created from/based upon the original image. I was really attempting to create some of the same characteristics as the original perspective. All you see is Apple, and the 'Everybody Bar' is front and center.



This is the original perspective of my concept of the 'Everybody Bar'. I thought the branding of the 'help desk' as a Genius Bar is a little intimidating. This was also part of the idea to keep people in the store longer, make the 'Everybody Bar' more comfortable. Similar to the bar in a coffee shop where you can feel comfortable lingering and chatting with the people behind the bar.


It was important to me that this feature still be included in the final design. Even though we had another dimension, and space to use, I thought that this was still an important central theme. A Core Idea.


The use of the stair migrated back and forth through the development of the project. I had provided stairs and an elevator to the different floors so I wasn't too concerned about getting the customers to the different areas of the store. For the person who really wanted to 'explore' the space the glass enclosed spiral stair took you up from the bar through the core of the apple to experience each space as the customer traveled vertically. The original intent was the doors controlled access to the different levels, but one could still see the activities on each level.


As the process continued, I revised the central stair element into a double spiral stair. The inner spiral stair was only accessible from behind the bar for employees only to access the storage, and break spaces along with all the other levels. The outer spiral stair accessed only the levels that the general public was allowed. The central solid cylinder actually serves as a 'dumb waiter' to deliver product to the different level as directed by employees on the floor, and supplied by employees in the store rooms.


This cross section of the core stairs, shows fairly well the different stairs and the levels that they access. Plus it took me forever to draw, so I wanted to show it off.


We discussed the process of this project, and were instructed that the intention is develop some initial perspectives and focus on those perspectives through the entire project. Even though it was expected as we continued in the process that the original perspectives would get diluted as the constraints of site and program were attached, I think I have attempted to hold true to those original perspectives. Unfortunatly, as seen in this drawing, as I populated the floor plan with the items that are required for a retail store to funtion. IE cash wraps, security, even my original idea of controlling the chaos was quite diluted.


Study Model