Portfolio: Studio Introduction

Brief: The first semester studio assignment was to design an Apple store that reflected the typical programmatic elements that are inherint in Apple stores (i.e. Genius Bar, Monumental Stair feature, kiosks, etc) as well as implementing a new feature element, unique to our personal experiences/observations of an Apple store in the Boston area. The studio began by physically observing an Apple store, and how people interacted in the space and with the products. Through these observations, we created a conceptual/generator diagram. The initial diagram served as the basis of our concept which was further developed in perspective modeling. By developing the project initially in perspective, it focused us on how people inhabit and perceive space and how it effects certain interaction (i.e. shopping). Following our initial studies, we developed the project into a full scale building - and further developed in perspective as well as traditional architectural drawings (i.e. plan section and elevation).

Portfolio: Concept Statement

Brief: Observing a typical Apple store and how its consumers interact with its products demonstrated that the typical consumer only superficially interacts with its products. The average consumer walks into the store and played on the internet, either checking their email or the scores to a sports game. The consumer never fully realizes or experiences the ease of navaigating through programs on the computer or the full potential of the software that is included (i.e. iLife, iPhoto, etc). The objective is to create centralized locations where the average consumer and/or professionals may interact with the computer and its software on a more personalized level.

Portfoio: Initial Hardcopy Portfolio

The images below represent the hardcopy portfolio pages for the first semester studio project. The layout was produced for initial review/critque for the portfolio submission (later changed to an online format). The goal of the layout was to show the progression of the studio project from inception to the evolution into the final building product.
(The layout was included as a means of supplying additional information on how the project was structured and completed.)

Portfolio: Generator Diagram

The process began by developing a "generator" diagram, a diagram that explores the conceptual statement graphically (see previous posting for concept statement). The diagram depicts units/pods that contain major features/software of the Apple brand located in a central location

-iTunes/Garage Band, iLife, iPhoto, and a misc. area (used for learning/teaching or graphic capabilities).

Portfolio: Intensive Drawings

The drawings/perspectives below depict the work that was produced at the Boston intensive. The drawings produced was a culmination of the work that began as a study in perspective space and relationships of the consumer within a space. The goal was to create a series of pods that the consumer would inhabit that allowed them to interact with the Apple brand on a more intimate level(either the software or the computer itself). The pods themselves were placed within the central core/atrium so that the consumer shopping was not only able to interact with the product itself, but was seen from the sales floor interacting with the Apple brand.

Portfolio: Site/Roof/Floor Plans

The floor plans are arranged so that all of the products are contained around the perimeter of the space, allowing for the pods to be located in the central core/artium. The monumental stair is meant to be a medium for the consumer to interact not only with the open space of the atrium but also the pods and the sales floor at the same time. The consumer has the oppurtunity to occupy any of the pods or leave the stair for the sales floor to purchase any of the products offered.

Roof Plan:


Fifth Floor Plan/typical plans:


First Floor Plan:

Portfolio: Section/Details

The sections show the different relationships throughout the building, the open space of the core/atrium to the spaces/uses of the individual pods to the confined spaces of the thick wall that one must experience prior to entering the pods or the openess of the core/atrium.

Section 1:


Section 2:


Section 3:


Details were produced to help understand the different components of the building and how each relates to the building as a whole.

Details:
Feature Element Connection Detail:

Stair Axon:

Stair Detail:

Portfolio: Elevations

The intent of the elevations was to keep a very simple facade that would not detract from Copley Square, yet offer the pederstrians a minimal glimpse into the space inside. The pederstrians at the street would be able to catch a shadow of the inhabitants inside shopping or be able to see the consumer travelling on the monumental stair at the front of the building - creating interest with the building itself and the products contained within.

Front Elevation:


Side Elevation:

Portfolio: Model and Perspectives

Perspectives were produced to simulate the different points of interaction and different views that would be offered to a consumer travelling along the monumental stair.

Final Review Drawings: Thursday

Brief: The images displayed below represent a progression of the studio work that has been produced since the Boston Intensive, where the program and project were first explored as both a problem and solution. The initial studies began with a diagramatic exploration that evolved into studies in perspective spaces. The images I have chosen represent the progression of how I approached the problem and moved toward an architectural solution.

Image 1: Initial Study Diagram
Annotation: This diagram is in response to one of the observations made at the Apple store; that consumers would only superficially interact with the computers, either checking the latest score of a sports game or to check email. The diagram begins to depict a centralized region that would allow consumers to utilize the specialized applications in a more intimate atmosphere.


Image 2: Perspective Study
Annotation: Throughout the intensive session in Boston, we produced perpspective drawings, exploring spatial relationships and the beginnings of the store architecturally. The image below, begins to show different relationships and organizations for the "feature" element, the spaces where consumers are able to interact with the different products and applications on a more intimate level, while being observed by consumers navigating through the space.


Image 3: Rendered Perspective
Annotation: The rendered perspective (and proceeding perspectives) show the progression from the intial diagrams and perspectives to what is a more formalized layout of the space. The key elements are the "feature" cubes, the "thick" wall, the suspended stair and the central core. The perspectives show the relationship of the cubes within the space and begins to explore materiality. The perspectives also look at how the stairs allow the consumer to continually experiance the central core in different views/experiances.


Image 4: Perspective
Annotation: Further exploration in spatial studies of the cubes and the central core and the vertical circulation (i.e. suspended stair).



Image 5: Perspective
Annotation: Further exploration in spatial studies of the cubes and the central core and the vertical circulation (i.e. suspended stair).


Image 6: First Floor Plan
Annotation: The first floor plan is dedicated to the feature items that Apple would market, such as new products or specials for holidays. It is also the area where the point of sale and Genius Bar would be positioned. The main floor would be very minimal as far as products are concerned, it would serve more as a point of interaction for the consumers and the Apple representatives.


Image 7: Fifth Floor Plan
Annotation: The fifth floor would be dedicated to accessories and applications that would directly reflect the actions/purposes of the cubes. The cubes on this level would be used for the "iLife" application, dedicated to the larger box, since more users would be using this set of applications. The box would be comprised of a maple wood, which is a little warmer and inviting material, and glass, which would create a sense of transparency, allowing others outside the box to visually see the actions inside. The second box would be comprised of a red polymer material, which would signify a design related use (i.e. graphic designers, web designers, architects, etc).


Image 8: Section
Annotation: The section emphasizes the importance of the central space and the interaction of the boxes that are cantilevered off of the concrete walls. The important item to note is the notion that to occupy the "feature" boxes, one must move from the relative openess of the space and occupy the much more enclosed wall to access this space. The one feature that does not show up here (but can be seen on the elevations) is the transluctent curtain wall for the exterior of the building. I think part of the importance of this, is that it creates a sense of curiosity from the outside, seeing shadows that move throughout the floor plates and clearly seeing individuals navigate vertically in the space (from the suspended stairs).

Final Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details

Final Drawings for the Apple store:

Drawing A: (Roof Plan)



Drawing B: (First Floor Plan)


Drawing C: (Fifth Floor Plan)


Drawing D: (Front Elevation)


Drawing E: (Side Elevation)


Drawing F: (Section 1)


Drawing G: (Section 2)


Drawing H: (Section 3)


Drawing J: (Detail of Cantilevered Boxes)

Drawing K: (Partial Axon of Suspended Stairs)

Drawing L: (Enlarged Detail of Suspended Stair)

Drawing M: (Partial Detail of Curtain Wall)