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!