3D Model

Now that I'm getting to the deeper stages of this project I realize that there's so many ways to tackle the design of my project. So after many failed attempts to draw it out on paper, I made a model. I needed to clearly translate my ideas onto this model to draw out the angles and measurements needed. I guess I needed more of a visual, so this model has truly helped me understand my ideas. It's not really proportionate or to scale but its everything I want to see in the lounge, as in the outside view. The interior is yet to come, but the outside is definitely priority of course. 

Multi-Purpose

Well, through the week I've been looking at spaces on campus and realize there's not much. So being efficient with little space comes into the picture.  The best space seems to be in the area between the boys dorms and the science building. When in architecture, Emily brought up a word: Multipurpose. Having the lounge being able to transform into different space by moving things around. This makes the space even more efficient for several uses. There's plenty of furniture that can be used in different ways such as tables and chairs. The smallest things have caught my attention like electrical outlets and their placement. Having small things like this hidden would be great to prevent any damage to them.
This week I really learned how looking and studying different architectural structures  bring up new ideas. Other ideas can be applied to other structures to make them even better. So I'm learning to open my mind even further. There's a huge importance in finding significance in each aspect of my design for this lounge. Everything is there for a reason, not simply for decoration. I'm starting to sketch out the exterior of the building. I'm really just putting all my ideas on paper and moving on from there with help from my group.

Around Me

So I'm getting to know the plans that are on the way for the boys dorms and all the remodeling that will happen. I came in contact with Jen Pickering and let her know about my project to see if our ideas coincide about a senior lounge. So I'm waiting to hear on that. Also through the architecture class, I've teamed up with Lucy and Alejandra from my class to help me with my project and its design. I've started to use Google Sketch Up so I can get a hang of it. I'm hoping to be able to design a virtual model of the senior lounge with my group. That's still going to take a while, but the more I get used to the program, the better. I'm also learning more on architechture and its great! I'll update you soon..

New Found Hope!!!

A few days ago a met an architect at school who's thinking of building the same thing for Chinquapin, a SENIOR LOUNGE!. So that's quite a coincidence and good one too. So as of right now I'm trying to contact her so she could hopefully be in my panel and help me.
So there's an architect, Emily, who decided teach an architecture class at my school. It's called the design team. So two good things popped up than can definitely help me on my project. We just had our first class and was really interesting and fun. A class I definitely look forward too. Emily let us know that we would be working on a project of our choosing. That's not all, the winning idea and design would be actually constructed at our school. This is the best news I've heard!, well relating to my project. So far things are going well and opportunities are showing up left and right when I least expected it.

What Now?

So the Dyrdek Foundation which I probably put too much hope in, told me they weren't able to fund my project. I knew that there was a chance they wouldn't, since most of the stuff they got involved with was skaters, but I didn't let that keep me down. I contacted them and they told me they only funded projects that had to do with  building skate plazas around the city. Though, they did wish me luck. I'm still on the search to find someway to fund this senior lounge.
I do realize there's still several ways to find somebody to fund my project. Another program I've been looking into is the National Endowment for the Arts. They allow you to apply for grants, but I'm a bit hesitant to try and do so. I've been hearing about a couple of other great opportunities and people who can help me out, but I'll fill you in as soon as I find out.

Just One Sentence

Over the course of working on my project, I've come to the realization that architecture isn't confined by what we see, but what we have in mind. This is it, "So in all I've worked for, I designed the exterior design of my senior study lounge."

Project Blog: Progress

In continuing with my project there's one thing that was pretty difficult, finding my panel members. With some help, i was able to find someone in the specific field of architecture that happens to also be on the Chinquapin board. Bill Anderson is his name, and architecture is his game. He helped design many of the buildings that are Chinquapin today. Although he is retired, I'm hoping he'd lend a hand in my project. Mr. Anderson will be grading how well he believes I learned about architecture and put my knowledge to use. I also plan to invite Courtney Tarty who specifies in historic architecture. This requires a different set of skills and appreciation for historic buildings and their architecture.I'm hoping she might help inspire how I design the senior study lounge. She will be grading me on my overall design and sense of originality. My current mentor,Mike Mahlstedt, I believe also did a bit of architecture but is now a Realtor agent for Martha Turner. I've known him for quite a bit more time than the other two and get along quite well. He has quite the experience and I'm sure that with all the houses he's sold, has some idea of buildings and their structure. Mike will be grading me on my effort towards the project since i'll be keeping a close with him through the project.  As my last invitation, I will have Craig Duncan. He's quite the math wiz and my pre-Calculus teacher. His mathematical skills will definitely come in aid in my project. He'll be grading me on my mathematical calculations and how accurate and effective they are. I'll be showing him my work as i go on.
My research has honestly been a bit mediocre. I have accomplished to raise awareness of my project at school, as shown in my e-portofolio. I also have more information on my project in my e-portfolio. I see need to do more research on the actual designing of a building and see if I'll be able to find someone who'll teach me a beginners course on architecture. The actual research I've done has inspired my design, but I'm sure it'll change some with talking with my panel members. Really finding a way to learn actual architecture will be my goal over the break so i can effectively get started with my project.