Karrick's M.Arch Comprehensive Blog

Portfolio: Studio Introduction

2007-10-28T14:12:00.001-05:00

Our first studio in this program was about the design process, not necessarily the product of that process.

The process began with observing a retail location for Apple. During this observation we were instructed to take note of how the products were displayed, how the store was arranged, how the customers interacted with the products. From this observation we were instructed to produce a story board of perspectives and images that represent the experiences of the Apple Store. 75% of our story board should be based in the actual experience, and 25% was to be additional program that we have control of.

During this process, we were instructed to exchange work with our peers for additional commentary. I believe this exercise was intended to encourage us to truly dissect our intentions, and how those intentions are fabricated into spaces, and how people can understand and experience things differently.

We finally visited the site and were given the actual program space and requirements. The most important of the requirements was to do the best that we could to keep our storyboard, or process intact while changing the dimensions of the space that was utilized. We were encouraged to continually explore our ideas and how they fit into the space. Our motto was, “FAIL. FAST. Make something, test it, critically assess it, tinker with it, remake it. Then repeat.” Many parts of the project we explored, but we did not fully develop and polish each. Consequently, some of the images presented for this portion of the portfolio remain ‘unpolished’, or parts of the portfolio show examples of the process and not specifically a finished product.

Portfolio: Concept Statement

2007-10-28T14:11:00.005-05:00

Design an Apple Store

To create a building and spaces that embody the Apple Experience, and serves as a monument to Apple as the icon that it is. The Apple Experience is based on Apple, Inc's belief the every part of a purchasing a product is as important as the other is evident in every facet of each product. From the way that a product is purchased, to the way that the package is opened, and the product is used, is thouroughly explored and designed. Apple as an icon, it is one of the few logos that need no accompanying names for a person to know what the logo represents.

The Apple Experience

Many things take place in a Apple Store. Sales, and Service. Additionally, Apple encourages people to use and explore the products in the store. There are many samples of the products, and interactive displays. In our observation trip, I sat outside the front door, and several people started to enter the store and then chose not to. I made the guess that the reason for this is that the store looked somewhat chaotic and busy with all of the functions of the store visible upon entering. Part of my additional program was to 'control the chaos' of the store upon entering. Along with bring the Genius Bar closer to the front of the store, not only to make the staff more visible, but to provide something to 'hide' some of the activity. I believe that this contributes to the designed Apple Experience.

Apple as an Icon

The Apple logo is a very significant icon in american culture. The Apple logo lit up on the back of a laptop is often seen in TV shows and movies, besides your local coffee shop. I wanted to carry this theme through into the design of the building. This glass encased Apple (I know that it rendered a little more like a sphere, or the deathstar) is the extension of the brand recognition that Apple enjoys. No signage is neccesary. Just an Apple in a box, lit up at night. The Apple is the Icon.

Portfolio: Site Analysis

2007-10-28T14:11:00.003-05:00

Historic Copley Square - Boston, Massechusetts

The northwest corner of Boylston and Dartmouth in Boston's back bay area is the future home of our Apple Store. This location directly adjacent to Copley Square will share the square with some of Boston's and our Nation's most well known works of architecture. From the historic Trinity Church, and Boston Public Library built in the late 1800's, to the modern John Hancock Tower built in the late 1970's, the architecture of the area is diverse in theme and style. Other than these monuments the architecture is mid-century American office and retail vernacular. In my analysis, there isn't an overwhelming precident that would influence the architectural choices for this site.

The main goal of this store is obviously to sell Apple Products. To do this a strong street presence is most important to lure the customer in. The location of the site at this corner allows the store to act as a beacon from nearly anywhere around the square. The store is designed to be the large glowing Apple Icon.

Portfolio: Research and Exploration

2007-10-28T14:11:00.001-05:00

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

Portfolio: Site and Roof Plan

2007-10-28T14:10:00.002-05:00

When lit up at night you can see this Apple from space.

Portfolio: Plan

2007-10-28T14:10:00.001-05:00

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.

Portfolio: Section

2007-10-28T14:09:00.002-05:00

This was the final section of the building that I produced for the project. The core was the element that I spent the most time on. Part of my program was to control items that a visitor would see at different moments. Each level had a different program, and a different skin. As one would traverse the center stair you would see the different operations of the building, and different products. Additionally, the levels were designed to provide different experiences with the products.

This particular section was an earlier section when there was only one stair. If part of my program was to control the chaos, seperating the core experience of the visitor vs. the staff running up and down the stairs doing thier job was essential. I was encouraged to explore this quite a bit during the semester, and you will find a couple of different version of the core rendered thoughout this portfolio.

Portfolio: Elevations

2007-10-28T14:09:00.001-05:00

Portfolio: Model and Perspectives

2007-10-28T14:08:00.000-05:00

33% Increase in Tuition? Really?

2007-05-02T17:08:00.000-05:00

So... last year we entered into a program that in 2007 will cost us $18,000. But is 2008 due to the increase in tuition and the condensed schedule will cost us $36,000. That is a 50% increase in our yearly responsibility, assuming they don't raise tuition 33% each semester. Hmm... WTF!!! Almost seems like bait and switch!!

Images For Final Review

2007-02-17T16:24:00.000-05:00

Apple Plans

2007-02-10T18:04:00.000-05:00

Continuing Perspective Study

2007-02-05T09:53:00.000-05:00

Joe Punts His Project: A Film Short

2007-02-03T10:52:00.000-05:00

Sorry it took so long to post this.

The Core: Reconsidered Several Times

2007-02-01T21:10:00.000-05:00

I'm tired, I'm going to go home now.

Detail Investigation. The Core.

2007-01-29T19:56:00.000-05:00

While I was working on my apple, I developed this core to transmit the experience vertically through the Apple. I thought the forms created with the spiraling stairs and the spiraling glass were very intriguing and kind of cool.

In response to Anne and Paul...

You mean like this???!!!

Section

Apple Store Images

2007-01-23T20:06:00.000-05:00

Each image is posted with the original electronic version, and is followed by a scanned version of the image with written comments from the final 'crit'. My remarks/rebuttal are included on these images, but also in the text of the blog.

:I was really trying to not dilute one of my initial drawings
While it isn’t exactly the same... there is a resemblance
between these 2 drawings. That was what I was aiming for.
To do that really required enclosed space on the ground floor.

:I know my apple looks like a sphere. I intended
the sphere to be an apple... i guess I thought if
I called it an apple enough people would use thier
imagination, and see an apple instead of a sphere.
OOPS!!!! The apple really started to become a sphere
when I was attempting to model it physically. After I got
away from the physical model I should’ve done a
better job of modeling an apple instead of a sphere.

:I made the majority of the first floor solid to
force the experience upward into the apple. I also wanted
to keep the city out of the store on the first floor. Upon entry
the most important thing is apple. If the first floor walls
were glass the city would start to seep in.

:I was feeling a little like
james in the giant peach as
I was working on this.

:I should’ve ‘pasted’ pictures of the
surrounding buildings to help this.

No Comments

:I thought it was important to narrate some of my ideas
to get the point across. I was under the impression that
we weren’t going to be presenting the work.

:I know the entry is weak from the exterior
I was concentrating on the entry as a moment
from the interior. The exterior didn’t really get
much attention.

:There are several comments regarding the necessity of the glass box enclosure.
I think there are several important things happening with the glass box.
Most important is the experience upon entry. Without the box the first floor would need a roof.
This would eliminate the unobstructed view of the apple in that first moment. Additionally the
box creates an interesting ‘negative space’ between the apple and the box. Finally if the box
was gone the exterior envelope would be the edge of the apple, which would keep people from
experiencing the apple from within the slices, and they would just become a round room.

:I agree one of the weaknesses of this project is that the ‘apple’
looked too much like a sphere.. because it is a sphere. Even
though the intent was to have it be the apple.

:I believe the apple is the icon. The apple shaped
windows on the ground floor provide enough interest at
that level. When you see this apple you already know
what is inside.

:For this particular exercise it was important to control
the moment of entry, and what was seen at that moment.
The location of the entry is extremly intentional, even though
it was very understated.

:The closed box is the edge that controls the view from Copley square.
It also contains the vertical shafts, stairs, elevators etc.

:It is ok to me that this might look like a library
rather than a store room. I think that helps get
my point across. The apple boxes are attractive
enough to display.

:I’ll look into that thanks. I love this view.... I wish I would’ve had a little more time to investigate it.

Mission Statement

2007-01-23T20:02:00.001-05:00

(This is edited from what I had originally written)

I am interested in and concerned that there is opposing architectural review boards on opposite side of High Street in the Short North District of Columbus, Ohio. The Victorian Village commission has jurisdiction over the west side of the street and there is a 35’ height limit over most of that jurisdiction. The east side of the street is governed by the guidelines of the Italian Village Commission, and there is a 60’ height limit. The area is in transition and a considerable amount of residential mixed use development is taking place.
High Street in Columbus is a major urban corridor that bisects the city north south. It connects some of the northern suburbs, with the central business district, and continues south to the southern suburbs. Along its path are many major institutional, commercial, and cultural locations, which include; The Ohio State University Campus, The Columbus Convention Center, The State of Ohio Capitol building, and several other urban art and business districts. In addition to the two architectural review commissions that I had previously mentioned there are several other governing bodies that effect the development of High Street along its length. The Clintonville Area Commission (CAC), The Brewery District Commission, The Downtown Development, German Village Commission, and The University District all have a stake in what development can take place along High Street in their respective neighborhoods. High Street is more important to the entire City of Columbus and arguably the entire State of Ohio, than each of these development districts. My concern is that over the next few years, with an extraordinary amount of property being developed along High Street that this very important urban corridor will be relegated to an incoherent conglomeration of sizes, shapes, densities, and architectural styles.
There is no more perfect example of this problem than a pair of projects that my firm is involved with in the Short North. On the west side of High Street in Victorian Village our client is developing a 5 story, 44 unit condominium project (The Dakota). On the east side of the street in Italian Village almost directly across from The Dakota the same client is developing a 10 Story - 180 unit condominium complex which has been informally named Ibiza/Urban Oasis. The Victorian Village commission barely passed a variance to build The Dakota, and the prevailing reason for passing it was that there is a historic 4 ½ story building adjacent to it on the south. It seems as though their efforts not to adversely effect their neighborhood with a tall massive building was in vain, because right across the street the “other” commission has approved a 10 story building. I will refrain from submitting my judgment on either project in order not to dilute my argument that some effort must be made to rectify this situation. I believe it is important for each of these districts to arrive at a set of standards that are symbiotic and represent the importance of High Street as a contiguous urban corridor for the entire city.

(Peer Comments)

Anne wrote:
You have hit on something I am interested in too. High street to me is one of the most lively and urban parts of our city. One thing we should both look into is what role the association of high street communities could play in the implementation of new guidelines.
Choose whether you will develop a separate commission or invite all communities to sign on the set of guidelines for this portion of their communities.
Which items would be most important to encouraging a healthy and growing environment on High Street that could spread to other areas?
How could these be presented to the communities as positives? How could you educate these communities?

Ken wrote:

Being an outsider looking in, my first thought is ‘political struggle’. A difference of opinion within the haves and have nots, both have an interest, all may have an agenda, all may have a solution. You mentioned it already, to have a good solution ‘do they need to work together’?
I cannot recall a perfect example of issue/resolve regarding this issue.
My guess is find the resolve of each group and where/how give and take can be reached.

Assignment 2: Tension Investigation

2007-01-11T18:59:00.000-05:00

Adaptive Re-use

2007-01-10T14:34:00.000-05:00

Anyone interested in discussing this?

From Broad to Specific

2007-01-10T12:50:00.000-05:00

IF... I were to choose the kind of architect that I will be, it would be an architect of specifics. I find that The Science of Shopping resonates so much more with me personally, not just because the reading is easy, and even entertaining, but because I am much more interested in a specific user, than a general populous, more of a psychologist than a sociologist. I find myself desperately trying to remember all the conversations I have had with my wife about things I would do differently in the design of a restaurant, or how I would dress a room in a friend’s house. These things I find so much more interesting, maybe because they seem like tangible things that I might actually be able to effect. It is a smaller bite to chew vs. the magnitude of changing the course of history through educating, not only clients, but clients that have a budget big enough to change a broad enough stroke of the built environment to theoretically change the way an entire community interacts with each other.

Assignment 1: Closing Thoughts

2007-01-10T08:51:00.000-05:00

This is a very interesting experience for me... as I am sure that it is for everybody in the class. Over the last few years I have been working personally with some pretty 'green' developers. When I say 'green', I mean inexperienced. Therefore I have spent countless hours 'dumbing down' architecture, and the specific use of spaces, the requirements there of, and the people that use them. Now I have just broken the surface of the academic world of architecture, which seems so far removed from these experiences, I am having trouble switching gears. This may be the reason that in the diagrams for the first assignment I might have over simplified the objects that I was attempting to compare. I am open/asking for comments/suggestions from my classmates that might help me 'catch up' to the academic language of architecture.

Contrast/Conflict creates Beauty/Entertainment

2007-01-09T08:09:00.000-05:00

Well, I have finally decided which images to analyze. The theme of the show is conflict, this is obvious. Without it, there would be no show, because it would be boring. I think this theme is too important to over look when analyzing the spaces, and the object within. From the shows that I have watched it seems as though the kitchen is a major place of interaction/conflict. I have chosen to take a closer look at it from a few different views. They are as follows.

Each one of these views shows how the shows creators have facilitated the conflict that is necessary for the show to be entertaining. I wonder if the characters within have noticed the conflicts in the space design, and could they learn to use different rooms to their advantage?

The inherent collision between the rectangular peninsula counter top and the huge round table is undeniable. Place these items on a red field, and space the main part of the counter away from the wall as if the motion towards the table is not only implied, but in progress, and sit back and watch the fireworks.. Notice how the characters have arranged themselves in the space between these two objects as if they are waiting around for the big crash, or taking part in it themselves.

An interesting thing came up as I was tracing these images. While the counters mass changed size quite dramatically from each view... the table remained generally the same. Round objects seem to lose perspective much more than rectangular ones.

Finally, the 4th image that I would like to analyze is the image of the Head of Household room. I don’t think that there is an absence of conflict in this room, but between the colors of the room and similarity of the shapes, this room is designed, just as you would assume to illicit a sense of calmness. Does the design of this room create a sense of calmness for the winner of the HOH. Does this create more conflict because they can let their guard down and relax? YES… awesome.

The juxtaposition of the calming colors of this room, vs. the intense colors of most of the other rooms in just another example of how the shows creators are using color to inform not only the participants of the show, but the viewers as well, the potential activity of each of these spaces.

(This room is for fighting)_______(This room is for sumpin' else)

This is actually kind of fun!!

2007-01-04T22:46:00.000-05:00

I have been reading some of the blogs of my other classmates and find myself enjoying it more thoroughly than I thought I would. I was skeptical at first about continually bouncing from blog to blog trying to remember who's conversation that I had commented on, but it really isn't that difficult. I'm sure as time moves on, and we actually meet and get to know our other classmates in person it will continue to get easier. Along with becoming veteran bloggers.
Thanks

Introductions: Hi, I'm Karrick

2007-01-03T23:33:00.000-05:00

Hi folks,

I'm Karrick, yes it is an Irish name, no, I'm not irish. My parents picked it out of a name book. If you met me in person you would forget my name, even though you would remember that is was somewhat interesting. But it doesn't matter what you call me... as long as you call me.

I am a light hearted and generally easy going person... as we all get to know each other, hopefully that will become apparent. I'm not a particularly holistic or religious person... but I try to live by a simple creed.

---Happiness is a choice you can make today and everyday---

It seems like most of us are pretty new to this blogging stuff, as well as am I, but if anyone needs help talking through anything don't hesitate to email me. Additionally, if you get a random email from me asking for help, feel free to be honest and don't hold back any punches.

The techinical stuff about me...

I hold a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado in Boulder. I was born and raised here in good ole Columbus pronounced 'com-blo-us' Ohio. A bad break up and a family illness brought me back from Colorado. A good job and meeting my wife got me to stay.

I've been working in the field of architecture for about 8 years. 6 years for Berardi + Partners Architects. Our bread and butter is Elderly and Assisted Living Facilities, but with the downtown luxury condo boom here in town our firm has gotten a fair share of that business which has been fun... and even though it might not display good design citizenship, I think it is still fairly good design.

I am very excited about this program even though it might seem like just another hoop to jump through, (and an expensive one at that), I have a whole s--t ton to learn, and it will be exciting and interesting to take part in academia now that I have a reasonable amount of applicable experience.

Happy New Year to all!!! And I look forward to seeing you all in Boston.

P.S. It seems as though there is a large contingent of Columbusites in the program this semester... Maybe we should arrange a get together here in town prior to our trip to Boston. Email any interest to me at karrick_1@yahoo.com. I'll set a tentative date for Wednesday Jan 10th at 6:30 at the new Bar Louie in the Arena District. There is no hockey that night and the space is actually pretty nice... even though it might not display good design citizenship! Sorry Herb, just yankin' your chain.

Thoughts and Comments on Constructing Inequality

2007-01-03T22:14:00.000-05:00

I know we are supposed to read this article and contemplate it as a whole as we would poetry or art, so I hope I am not breaking the rules when I pull the following statement out of the article for more in depth conversation.

"When citizens (on either side of the gate) are daily and thoroughly seperated from those who are 'different' from them (in terms of race or class, homelessness or joblessness), it requires an inhuman amount of imagination to have a genuinely democratic public." (Bickford, 363)

"The United States is the longest-surviving extant constitutional republic, with the oldest wholly written constitution in the world. Its government relies on representative democracy through a congressional system under a set of powers specified by its Constitution. However, it is "not a simple representative democracy, but a constitutional republic in which majority rule is tempered by minority rights protected by law." (Wikipedia) I might need a refresher course on how to quote sources

I would argue that if we lived in a genuinely democratic polity the divergence in which the author writes would be greater. While we like to blame our elected representatives for the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, I can't imagine what this country would look like if we trusted every issue to the will of an uninformed and generally uncaring democratic public.

I'm sorry Paul, I guess that means you'll need to continue to live on that farm 35 minutes from the city if you want your neighbors to watch your kids jump on your trampoline. Of course with 10 acreas in Johnstown... I have a friend that is a developer... we could write into the CC&R's that trampolines are OK!!! We haven't met yet, so I should let you know that I am just having fun!! But it kinda adds to my argument. Good Night All!