33% Increase in Tuition? Really?

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

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.

Apple Plans

Continuing Perspective Study

Joe Punts His Project: A Film Short

Sorry it took so long to post this.

The Core: Reconsidered Several Times

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

Detail Investigation. The Core.

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

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.