The Life Group - 3rd Year Project

Sample Board for The Life Group Seniors Center in Palm Springs, CA

Concept Statement:

The inspiration for The Life Group Senior Center was the simple, organic lines and informal, open concept of the Mid-Century Modern style of architecture in Palm Springs.  Geometric fabrics, niches and ceiling details pay homage to the Mid-Century Modern era.  This mixed with a touch of colonial Spanish influence will create a rich, dynamic space.  The Palm Springs desert is full of vibrant, beautiful colours.  The Blue Agave and Beavertail Cacti awaken the senses with their twilight and vibrant pink hues.

The Life Group Senior Center will feel lively and fuel the creative energy that the community needs to unite and educate the residence of Palm Springs.  The exuberant colours will stimulate creativity and promote active living.  The Spanish Colonial accents will appear in the lighting to ground the space and give it a historical context and character.  The fireplace in the Lounge will enhance the atmosphere of the space and create a focal point in that area.  It will have a Modern feel with a clean simplicity and organic lines.  The furniture will continue the Modern theme with dynamic upholstery in geometric patterns.  Textural elements will be utilized in the form of tile and changes in flooring material to create interest while maintaining the open and informal feel in the space. Curvilinear shapes will be juxtaposed with geometric to create contrast and enliven the atmosphere. 

Life Group Elevations with Hand Drafted Detail

Partition Plan

Reflected Ceiling Plan

Finishes Plan

Elevation of Lounge Reading Nook

Salvation Army Shelter/Newsletter - 3rd Year

I had the pleasure this January to contribute to the IDIBC Island Chapter Newsletter. I decided to highlight an assignment which entailed taking shipping containers and creating, in my case, a shelter.  Both the assignment and the newsletter were great experiences for me and I learned so much from them.

Newsletter Article:

 

VIU – Student News

- Christina Bustard

This fall my fellow third year students and I were given the task of taking two high-cube shipping containers and choosing a shelter, a wilderness retreat, a site office or a 10,000 Villages seasonal site as our project.  Working in teams, the parameters were to create a sustainable facility that was ‘off the grid’ as much as possible using things like compostable toilets and cisterns for water collection.  Designing in a sustainable way is exciting.  New products and ways to save energy are constantly arriving in the market place and as student designers we have a responsibility to be engaged in this important aspect of design.

Three-dimensional models were built to give visual impact to the designs that were created.  The presentations included sites using geothermal technology, a wind turbine generator, and solar panels to make them self-sustainable.  No VOC paints, eco-friendly carpet and drywall were all used to create successful designs that were not wasteful, did not use toxic elements or exploited resources.

The best lesson that came from this project was that we learned so much from each other’s research and it is exciting to realize how influential a design community is to ensuring innovative ways to solve design problems while thinking of the impacts of the products used to create beautiful and functional spaces.

Lisa (right) and I presenting our shelter model to the class

Illustrations & Renderings - 2nd/3rd Year

The following are examples of renderings and illustrations that I have produced.

Logo for Modern Furniture Company inspired by Charles Rennie Macintosh

Cutlery inspired by Louis XVI Period

Candlesticks inspired by the Industrial Revolution

Plates inspired by American Arts & Crafts

Plan of Living Room inspired by Roman Empire

Perspective of Living Room inspired by Roman Empire

Rendering of existing floor plan

Perspective of lobby in the Tulip Boutique Hotel inspired by Eero Saarinen

Perspective of Reception in the Tulip Boutique Hotel

5th Street Bar & Grill - 2nd Year Project

Branding research and programming had to be established for this assignment which entailed using an existing restaurant and creating a design for a new location.

Sample Board for New Location for 5th Street Bar & Grill

Concept Statement:
5th Street Bar & Grill needs to maintain the warm, Mediterranean feel that already exists; it plays well with the type of food and pricing in the restaurant.  The brick and wood will in the original establishment will be utilized to continue the branding of it being a rustic Mediterranean restaurant; however, some updating in lighting to add sparkle as well as the use of colour to enhance the elements that will be used is essential.  Copper will be used as screening to differentiate the dining and bar spaces while creating a cohesive look without making one space feel closed off from the other.  Functional and esthetically pleasing storage solutions for liquor and wine bottles as well as stemware will facilitate making the bar a focal point in this area.  Lounge seating will be added to create a conversation space where people will feel like staying and having drinks later in the evenings.

Plan of 5th Street Bar & Grill, New Location

Sketch of Bar Elevation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sketch of Back of Bar

 

 

 

 

 

Bar Millwork Details

Bar Millwork Details and Notes

Elevations of 5th Street Bar & Grill Dining Area

Envy Jewelry - 2nd Year Project

The design constraints for this project were to use Frank Lloyd Wright as my inspiration for a jewelry store and the colour red had to be used in some aspect of the space.  I was asked to do the research and programming for this establishment and come up with a Vision/Concept statement.

Concept:
The vision for Envy Jewelry is to use the inspiration of Frank Lloyd Wright to create a sophisticated space that has sparkle to enhance the jewelry that is on display.  Organic, horizontal elements will be incorporated, such as a wood slat ceiling  to create a touch of whimsy but also sight line for customers to where the cash desk is located.  Carpet, in a sophisticated pattern and colour, will be the main flooring to help with sound absorption.  Terrariums held by metal cable from floor to ceiling will create interest and a unique display for the jewelry.  The showcase cabinetry will have clean lines and lit with LED lighting.  Le Soliel pendants will be used to add colour and pay hommage to Frank Lloyd Wright.

Rough Sketch of Cash Desk Elevation

Digitron Ltd.- 2nd Year Project

Sample Board for Digitron Ltd.

Concept:
Digitron Ltd. is located in downtown Vancouver and is a leader in computer games and software.  The inspiration for this office space is 'World of Warcraft.'  The use of a natural environment was the inspiration for the stone and wood elements that will be used in the space.  Vivid colours and the use of texture will be dynamic and create interest.  The use of Dirrt glass walls will be utilized for flexibility and to allow light to filter throughout the space.

Scale Model of Digitron Ltd. Reception

Scale Model of Digitron Ltd. Staff Lounge (wall removed for viewing purposes)