SCHEME DESIGN:
After a few weeks on this particular project we engaged in a scheme design review, this was particularly helpful for me and expanded my ideas for the overall space of the heart space. Speaking to both Dennis and John (course tutors) I was able to gain feedback which positively criticised my design and ideas, this enabled me to widen my creativity and experiment with space even more than what I was doing. Originally I had produced a very creative and bold piece of furniture however, the space was very basic and minimal. John, Dennis and Craig all told me that I should be more experimental and bold with my space like I was with my furniture. Although at the start I was let down by their comments I am now incredibly thankful for their constructive criticism. This criticism has helped me to develop as an interior designer and has shown that I should always be bold with my ideas and not always go for something simple and minimalistic.
I have always been interested in Olafur Eliasson’s work and speaking to Dennis about this he suggested I looked into using the height of the space in my design. Height is incredibly important in interior design, especially when producing large installations. Using my sketchbook I roughly drew a variety of different ideas, one of my favourites included the use of large geometric installations which extended up into the space. These will be situated in a position which will partition off GeoPods, therefore groups can work collaboratively in a private yet social environment. Alongside this, I looked into how these installations would affect the light which enters the space. I decided that if I used different coloured geometric installations the light will penetrate through them and then reflect different coloured light into the heart space. This adds to the mood and atmosphere I wanted to create which I was incredibly happy about.
After researching into a variety of Elliassons work I decided to experiment in my sketch up model and add different coloured ( slightly transparent) installations, all of different heights and sizes. Throughout this development process, I found that I became very critical with my work and most of the time not liking what I had designed. After a series of attempts designing different shaped installations; I decided to stick with the theme of geometric/rectangular shapes. This would, therefore, match the structure of the GeoPod.
During this period of development, I looked into how the GeoPod would be accessible for wheelchair users. This is incredibly important as I wanted my furniture to be easily accessible for a variety of different users. The GeoPod’s main function is to have the ability to be easily taken apart and put back together due to its interlocking, non-permanent mortise and tennon joints. Using SketchUp and my sketches I experimented with putting a wheelchair into the pod. For this to function properly parts of the GeoPod will have to be taken apart. The main seat and leg space of the pod will have to be removed to leave the shell of the pod exposed. With these sections removed a wheelchair can easily be manoeuvred into the correct position. This showed me that my design is inclusive for all.
Below are images of the single GeoPod being used by a wheelchair user.
I believe that during this scheme design development I have thoroughly engaged, attended and committed to the project; because of this, I have produced a piece of work which I am incredibly proud of so far.
Charlotte's blog 