Summer is here

I've been exceedingly quiet recently, due to my project being in full swing. Finally, as deadline was on Monday 2nd May, I can finally update with my outcome.

I tried to create an interior that reflected The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency's (SEPA) field, as well as creating a fun space in which to work. I also wanted new visitors to be surprised by their interesting surroundings, thus promoting the crucial work that SEPA do. When I visited their branch in Arbroath, it became apparent they were working in mundane office conditions which makes motivation within their staff difficult to achieve, as well as downplaying their work for visitors entering.

I tried to create an urban jungle, taking industrial brutalism and infusing it with the impurities and lack of uniform seem in the environment. For example, the 4 managers office spaces are all next to each other, however I made small differences between them, similar to how tree's grow. You can plant them in a row but no two will grow the same. Some have slightly bigger floorspace, however have a lower ceiling, or partial ceiling. Some have views into communal areas of the building, and some have drops from the above floor down into their space - however all have smart glass facades, which may be turned "on" or "off" depending on the privacy required.

Details

EcoOffice: All Quiet On The Western Front

I suppose I've been pretty quiet in terms of posting about my current project.

We were given an extension over the Easter break as it seemed that the project was too large in comparison to the time scale we were given. This works out at an approximate extra 4 weeks - which is a huge amount of time. As a result of the extra time however, a more refined and substantial presentation is now expected to warrant the large extension.

exterior cladding and signage (foliage)

entrance

reception area and lift shaft to rear left, with waiting area to left (out of shot). Green wall to right in reception, and containers housing two meeting rooms, which can be adjusted to create one much larger space

Cantina space with CEO office at rear, glass panelling to rear left allowing views into lab space. Glass partition doubles as a white board for staff notices.

Lower: quiet space and digital library (kindle bar). Upper showing two of four manager office spaces.

Upper level for main work space, with locker facility (foreground, right) and large windows (top left). Views into lab space from rear right. Obviously work still to do here, as there is no barriers along platforms! Green wall to right, and on lift shaft.

I'll blog about this further when I have more time, apologies for the short but sweet post!

That's all folks!

EcoBuild: One week until LDN

Well, I have had my confirmation email, assuring me my pass for EcoBuild 2011 is on it's way!

To those who are reading this and are not in the sustainable industry, I am not surprised if you are moving your cursor to exit this post now - but don't.

Everybody is in the sustainable industry. Do you eat? Do you heat your home? Do you travel by any means other than walking or cycling? I'm going to put all my money on your answer being yes.

Without sounding like a Green Peace volunteer that chases you down the street asking for phone numbers and email addresses - protecting and reviving the environment is something we should all concern ourselves with. People seem to think (or tell themselves to ease the guilt) that it won't affect them in their life time, so why bother. It's too much of an irritation to their daily life to consider recycling that sandwich carton, or not take the plastic carrier bag for their meal deal at lunch.

Well, without harping on - it will. I try never to use plastic bags, either just using that age old technique of carrying the one item you have purchased by hand, or using reusable jute bags. It's so easy to incorporate into your lives, and, if everyone was to do this also - would make a difference. I posted a video a few weeks ago about turning off computers - something that seems to trivial and tiny, but, on mass makes an astounding difference.

EcoBuild 2010

Well, why am I going on about saving the rain forests and being green? Aside from it being a personal interest - next week is EcoBuild in London - an annual conference in which thousands of people from various industries gather to educate and promote sustainable products. It's a fantastic opportunity for us young student designers to gain knowledge about products covering a vast array of topics, including contraction materials, surface finishes, techniques, and services that are all from a sustainable background - and the best part is, it's free to attend!

There are also various speeches given throughout the 3 day event (Tues 1st March - 3rd March 2011) including several familiar names - one household name this year being Kevin McCloud - although I personally am not a fan.

This will be the second time I myself will be attending, although hopefully this year without the mix up of passes there was during 2010's event - to which we waiting in a line longer than the average street.

I will post my findings after my visit - along with any other worth while things I encounter during my visit to London.

EcoOffice: Materials Documents

Below are a few of the pages from the pdf I am currently putting together, documenting all the materials I plan to use throughout my building renovation. It will read as somewhat of a brochure that has been specifically put together with this building in mind, and include as many sustainable products as possible.

I plan on gaining most of my knowledge base for this aspect of the project from EcoBuild at the end of the month, which is held annually in London.  As I develop these ideas, I will add the relevant pages as and when they are created. 

EcoOffice: Material Research

I thought I would just take the opportunity to share with you all some images I have been collecting for my current project.

The areas I have been directing my research towards include renovation, loft and warehouse apartment conversions, old freight elevator cages (mostly wooden), factory conversions, reclaimed wooden railway sleepers, industrial renovations and a lot of other stuff down the more technical route, such as smartglass and various eco-insulation brands. 

factory conversion

although these are eco friendly, I'm not sure I could take any more pallets!

this is one of my favourites so far, although I had more space in mind!

incorporating 'living spaces' within the office I think will prove valuable, as not only
will it increase the feel good factor having an impact on staff morale, but it will reduce the
carbon emissions

Terramac is an ingenious product from Japan which is essentially an indoor
living carpet

Kubala-Washatko Architects in Wisconsin, USA have converted an old
factory for their sustainable offices

the open plan space keeps the air circulating, exactly what is needed in a
communal area such as a reception and waiting space

this type of structure on show is how I envision the offices to be, although
with more platforms creating partial floors

bringing nature indoors serves as a reminder to protect the environment

Further to this research, I looked at freight elevators to provide disabled access. I want to keep the industrial factory-esque theme, and a salvaged fright elevator would be ideal. These are commonly seen in loft or warehouse apartment conversions, seem most often in the likes of Boston, New York, San Francisco, and London. 

these old industrial freight cage elevators are highly sought after
for warehouse conversions, and can be salvaged from old
factories and warehouses

We are set to visit the site on Thursday, however as it is close to my house I took a wander there this morning armed with my DSLR. Unfortunately however, aside from the rather overcast sky, it is right next to the stadium for Dundee United Football Club - and today happened to be a day where they are playing at home. Aside from police cones along the road, the road being blocked off, a man from Sky Sports wandering around, and a coach in the way, the Hibs coach turned up - so I decided to call it a day. Hopefully Thursday will be more successful - and at least we will get a look inside the building as well, as it is currently under lock and key. 

EcoOffice: Not A Home Afterall!

On Tuesday we presented our findings in our designated groups on our topic we were issued; we were given "green design".

After that, we were issued our briefs commencing from then until 1st April. Instead of what we assumed would be renovating a pre-existing site into an sustainable home, we have been given the similar task of designing a sustainable autonomous office in an existing industrial style building on Tannadice Street, Dundee.

Within this we must create: an entrance and reception, a waiting area, offices housing space for 24 employees, CEO office, 4 manager's offices, a cafeteria, toilets, 2 meeting rooms, a research lab for 4 employees, a library and "quiet space", storage facility and cleaning stores. 

We must concern ourselves with trying to maintain sustainability throughout. I intend to aim for LEED standards, and as autonomous as possible. Thankfully there is no budget to concern ourselves with!

I also intend to try to aim to increase employee eco awareness, and thus not only reduce the emissions of the building on it's own, but also the personal emissions of the employees. The office is hypothetically to be housed by SEPA, so aiming for 100% zero emissions of the building and employees is essential. I have created a few mind maps which I will add once I scan them.

Here is my preliminary research (A1):

On 1st of March EcoBuild will be held in London for three days, to which me and a few classmates will be attending, gaining invaluable knowledge in the eco building materials world. Unfortunately this means a lot of flyer collecting - which is not too environmentally friendly. Whoops!

EcoHouse: Go Green!

By not driving, and turning electrical items off properly rather than leaving them on standby, I have reduced my footprint below the UK average. It feels good! 

Currently we are researching in small groups, as a small mini project before beginning "EcoHouse". I took a short test to see my Carbon Footprint, which you can take on The Guardian's website.

We are in the middle of creating a presentation, trying to condense the term "green design" into a concise definition - something that sounds simple but is quite complex once you start digging into the terms sustainability, eco-friendly, zero emissions, and carbon neutral etc. 

I used my new app "MindNode" to clean up our mind maps, which if anything, show how exponential it can get. I hope to post our final definition on Monday, as presentations will be held on Tuesday. 

There is more to be added - we broke it down into the following: architecture, energy, interiors, product design, furniture, health and materials - which have been delegated amongst us to research further over the weekend. I will be looking at architecture and energy.

Reduce|Reuse|Recycle: New Year, New Project, Re[new]able Energy!

First of all, let me just wish everybody a Happy New Year and all that! 

The festivities are over once again, that is of course, until the inevitable giant magical revolving calendar door does a full circle bringing us into 2012 - along with the Olympic Games and the end of the world (if Nostradamus is anything to go by). But enough of the apocalyptic chat.

On a lighter note: I got a morph in my stocking! YAS!

After a much needed rest after first semester - I'm more than recharged for jumping back into the deep end with my forthcoming project: sustainability. There are a few aspects to this project, but from what I have gathered from last years briefs which are still available online, we are required to consider (but not solely limited to) the following: 

1. Investigate and question what the journey is surrounding books, including their content and presentation. What makes a book? Concern ourselves with the art of book binding, and the creation of precious texts and so forth. 
2. Sustainability within design. How does the environment influence design? What products have been designed specifically with the environment in mind? What must we be taking into consideration when designing for the future?
3. Locating possible job positions that we would like to consider as a graduate - what would we consider as a derivative position from the course content?

From the above background research, we are asked to then create a book with green content in small groups. As a result, we will have an upcycled handmade book - that is, to recycle and reuse existing products and waste materials into something of equal or better quality and therefore reduce the need to manufacture brand new products (to downcycle is to create new products that are inferior to the original)(McDonough & Braungart, 2002). 

Further to the aforementioned pre-project tasks, we are then to carry on our findings, progressing onto redesigning and upcycling an existing 2‐storey dwelling with attic extension incorporating living/working accommodation for a client, Emma Fraser, who is a book conservator in the University of Dundee. 

We must accommodate for our client’s requirements, including: a space to cook and eat, a space to bathe, a space to entertain and/or relax, 2 spaces to sleep one for Emma and one for visitors, a space to work (40m2)(24m2 studio – clean space, 10m2 dirty area and 6m2 storage), and a space for outdoor living/working.

art is what you can get away with, after all

I've already downloaded the plans and printed them, and even got on with some preliminary SketchUp ideas - I was after all feeling like I needed to stuck in with something new. I've also just ordered my Design Studies books, as the snow's melted, and deliveries are now possible again! Whoopie! 

I got several things this Christmas that will be joining me in the studio when we return; including a Morph in my stocking which will join me at my desk, as well as origami post-it notes! My favourite silly gift is still an Andy Warhol "inspiration box" that houses a miniature Andy Warhol to help inspire me when it's rainy and windy and not very pleasant - so that's daily really. 

It will soon be time to visit EcoBuild in London again (I've ordered my pass already), but this time I think it will be much more valuable - as our project is more concerned with these aspects of building. Sustainability is something we should always concern ourselves with, as it is our future. I'm gathering a library of ecological materials that I will research into further in time, but for now as it is still the holidays - they can continue to gather dust in my Eco bookmarks folder, while I continue to add more as and when I come across them.

See you all soon, folks!

Furniture Design: Implosion!

Welcome to our final outcome - our light installation development video. 

There was a minor disaster early on the morning of the presentation, as when the final arch was moved to make space for the 4th years critique session, the arch collapsed. Fragile, much.


With help from Malcolm the interiors workshop technician however, it was erected again and put on display in the Level 5 Matthew Gallery space for presentation. A series of stills were shown interlaced with short video clips of the processes we went through during out time in the workshop. Among our presentation were our final InDesign presentation sheets, which can be viewed on my Portfolio page.


We got a good reception during presentation, and with all the usual difficulties associated with group work aside - I think we are all pleased with the outcome.  Below is a series of images after the original completion:

Furniture Design: Deconstruct-Reconstruct

Since the last post about my on going project in the studios with Emma and Hamish, we have decided upon several things. Firstly, the "living" aspect of it - to which we had intended on incorporating living plants within the pieces, has been scrapped. Secondly, we have decided that, given the pallets may only be cut in a set amount of ways to maintain their strength, we thought it best to build these on SketchUp and play around with compositions in blocks, not unlike Tetris.

This modular aspect had several benefits - one of which being that is allows us to create an "interlocking" system using the pre-existing blocks, to perhaps allow users to arrange the piece in ways suited best to them. It meant that it was more sociable, and catered for perhaps two individual smaller groups of people, or a larger group. We also had mutually agreed to keep the light sculpture aspect, as it created a recreational area by day, as well as being an installation come light feature by night. Currently, we are researching into how to tackle the outdoor lighting issue. For the purposes of this project, I think we will provide indoor lighting, with plans for it to be on a grander scale including safe outdoor lights.

Other things that have been discussed include: it's purpose, who would use it? For this we have come to the decision that it could be potentially mass produced, and used in recreational parks. The interlocking feature of it also allows for it to be transported.

Obviously due to the many compositions available we will continually be developing the final outcome. I suspect that by the end of the project, we will have some form of light installation come seating - however what form it shall be in, is yet to be set in stone.

I have included some images below to document our process so far. Two of the delivery pallets have been sawn down in the two basic ways we have agreed on. From here we will arrange, re-arrange, de construct, and arrange once more until we are happy!

Furniture Design: Pallets Pallets Pallets

I haven't updated about the recent goings on in my current furniture project. 

It has been mutually decided that we will use 100% found and recycled objects to build our piece. Initally we had been keen on using a log, however it turned out to be unfeasible - not only would it be difficult to locate, but it is unmanageable in the workshop. So therefore, it was on to plan B. Pallets.

Fortunately we got our hands on a selection of pallets from our Students Union who kindly let us huff and puff them up a set of stairs, up a ramp (on a hill), then across gravel, and into the studios. We kept them there for a few in days in order for them to dry off as they had been somewhat damp due to the beautiful weather we are currently encountering. This also gave us a few days to mull over what to do. 

What to do, indeed! Some items had been delivered to the university on clean new pallets to it was decided that we should do a trial run with our first batch, in order to get used to working with this type of material. After our recent "bomb project" we thought a quick, one day installation project using the pallets would be appropriate, so came up with building a pallet tree - by this I mean, crow barring apart the pallets and using the reclaimed planks to build a tree sculpture. It also had the nice aspect of putting the wood through a full cycle of life - once a tree, then it was felled, made into a pallet, used as intended, and then back into a tree. 

It's not entirely finished because as it turns out, crow barring these are not as easy as it was first thought. 

I'd make a rubbish car thief.

Furniture Design: And So It Begins...

Hurrah! Finally, a new project to get my grisly teeth into! 

Out with Jute and in with furniture! Again, this is a group work task, and for this, I shall be working alongside Emma and Hamish. 

recycled planks have been cleaned 

up and used as surface materials

So far, after a matter of hours, we have several ideas buzzing around in our busy little beaver heads. Wood. What woods? Hard woods? Scottish woods? Salvaged woods? Wood at all?

Plastic? Vinyl? Lamination? The list goes on! Melting old vinyl records into shape has also been discussed - another way to recycle (at least we can disguise it as that, but really it would be sweet revenge on the ear bleeders of the 70's).

We seem to collectively have taken to the reuse-recyle aspect of the brief, which is always a plus given the economic climate, with costs of plastics in particular fluctuating more than Amy Winehouse's rehab status.

hide yo stumps, hide yo doors, cause we stealin'
errthing out there!

But, where to start with things like this? Of course we don't want to get in any serious trouble while foraging for salvageable materials, although I'm sure a cheeky rap on the knuckles would be worth it - in the name of art! You must suffer for your art after all, I guess. Stray planks we find by "chance" for example isn't hurting anybody, or a few delivery pallets. We may draw the line at front doors though. 

Throughout this post is a selection of research I have accumulated already, with particular interest focussing on raw bark use and the use of recycled planks. I'd love to get my hands on some of those well known delivery crates, however that may be a tad more tricky. I may need to be a bit of a "Connector" and call upon some of my sources and acquaintances! See what I did there? 

It is of course, only the first day of the brief so lets not run away with ourselves quite yet. Tomorrow we plan to use some of our new found mind mapping skills to gain some kind of order over all the ideas that instantly start buzzing around. The straight forward "chair" piece has been pretty much disregarded as it has been highly dominant throughout several of the previous years, although that is not to say that we will not design a new, highly successful pioneering chair design which will transform us into multi millionaires. Ok, I know it's unlikely, but I can dream, can't I?

I'm not kidding about the goat idea.

In all seriousness though, I think we want to steer away from that, edging towards something different. We're not sure if it's a table, a lamp, or a goat we're going for, but whatever it is, I reckon we will aim to do something entirely different from the previous example outcomes seen from this module.