Spring Semester 2011 Jazz Bar

Hello again! its been awhile, but let me assure you I have been quite busy at school and in the working world!


But for now, I wanted to get out some things I am thinking about in a new project for a class at school.

The asignment is to design our 'dream bar' being 5-10 years into the furture. Seeing as I don't really partake in the partying and drinking antics of MSU's typical college student lifestyle, I found it a bit easier to realize what a mature young professional might look for in an ideal bar.

I settled on the idea of a Jazz bar, which I feel East Lansing is in dire need of... So I started with the needs of:
-a stage
-a lounge
-low lighting

And from there, I found my theme- Miles Davis in the 1920's.

As per a real project, the focus of this project was to plan a lot more than we have in our past classes. Using code books and standards. (all of which I have been desperately wanting since the day I first took an Interior Design class, but only just now am I realizing why the curriculum dictated them being taught much later in the process. There is so much to learn!)

After planning out means of egress, actual exits, building type, prep-ing for occupancy load calculations, diagramming adjacencies, bubble diagrams and mapping out flow patterns, I am almost ready to start actually placing furniture! :) I love my major!

 I decided to almost solely use SketchUP to design this project. It is serving my needs quite well and I am getting to know the program better everyday. But I realize that AutoCAD definitely has is benefits and I may opt to transfer some aspects into the CAD program as the need arises. But for now- SketchUP is doing wonders for me.

My next hurdle after finalizing my floor plan will be to design the facade of the building and to settle upon signage for the bar.

After that I plan to develop the reflected ceiling plan (including lighting, electrical and mechanical considerations), make my section and elevation drawings and organize my finish, lighting and other acessory item schedules.

In the past, I have found that under pressure my schedule symbols do not always link up with the drawings and actual samples. I hope to take my time with this and all future projects to ensure that everything matches up.

As of today I have 22 more days to work, I hope to have an update in the next 10 days and hope to have made quite a bit of progress! Wish me luck!

Interior Design

I am starting this blog to showcase design I enjoy or aspire to match in my study of interior design at Michigan State. I will probably also add my current project or try to think about problems I might be having  in my design courses- because Lord knows they happen all too often.
but for now- the definition of Interior Design:

Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability.
The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.^[1]
The work of an interior designer draws upon many disciplines including environmental psychology, architecture, product design, and traditional decoration (aesthetics and cosmetics). They plan the spaces of almost every type of building including: hotels, corporate spaces, schools, hospitals, private residences, shopping malls, restaurants, theaters, and airport terminals. Today, interior designers must be attuned to architectural detailing including floor plans, home renovations, and construction codes. Some interior designers are architects as well.
Not to be confused with interior decoration, interior design, which evolved from interior decoration, involves a multitude of technical, analytical, creative skills, and understandings of architectural elements. There is a wide range of disciplines within the career of interior design. Domestically the profession of interior design encompasses those designers who may specialize in residential or commercial interior design. Within residential design one can specialize in kitchen and bathroom design, universal design, design for the aged, multifamily housing amongst others. Other interior designers may dwell in the commercial or contract realm of interior space design. In addition to the above commercial interior designers may specialize in furniture design, healthcare design, hospitality design, retail design, workspace design, sustainability, and if they are a registered architect they can focus on the interior architecture of a space. It is the intent of the professional interior designer to improve the psychological and/or physiological well being of their clients. The professional interior designer achieves this by understanding their clients needs, seeking appropriate solutions, respect their clients social, physical and psychological needs and applying them in a safe and ecologically sensitive manner that promotes the health, safety and welfare of the clients. Interior decoration deals with the home renovations that can be easily and quickly changed, and at lower budgets such as changing kitchen cabinets, selecting wall paper, selecting furniture and usually does not deal with structural building codes. An interior decorator does not need a degree, but has a certificate in interior decorating, while an interior designer would have a four year degree in interior design. The word "decorator" in the phrase "interior decorator" is not an accurate one, since the decorator also changes style and quality of life with a home renovation, so the phrase should be: interior decorator/stylist.

there! wikipedia has a great article all about interior design and is actually quite accurate in the roots of the profession! check it out if you are interested!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interior_design

until soon- I'll be here thinking!