Precis [02]

This second style book page represents 02 a quick hammer out of ideas for exterior and interior spaces within the Miyake showroom.  I looked at transforming of walls with notions of angular forms mimicking the folds of pleats with are really important in Miyake's garment construction.  I thought of continuous transforming walls as a way to create spaces using a single cloth-like flow between surfaces.  I thought about the exterior in terms of shoppers viewing the store front.  I would like to leave the historical nature of the exterior because this is an important feature in connecting to the city.

[Materials] Studio

During the critique session of 5.28 studio, I had the honor of listening and remarking on Meredith Mathis's cultural center for the visual arts.  The Center for the visuals arts will be located in a historical church building in Charlotte, NC.  She is investigating the notions of restoring the existing structure to create an exhibition center for the artist residents within the Charlotte community.  This new center will provide an opportunity for rising artist, architects, and designers the space to exhibit their work.  Her concept centers around the idea of city structure and growth.  She has concentrated her initial designs on finding ways to display and interact with the pieces in the center.  She looked at three different platforms for displaying the communities work.  First, creating structural displays that mimic the idea of city buildings.  These are large forms with numerous images.  Second, creating transparent glass free standing displays with platforms for sculptural works.  Third, rotating glass panels with informational written text. 

Things to think about:  1. The amount of information being displayed within the space.  Think about sectioning areas for each different design piece but remember to keep a cohesive element that ties the spaces together.  2. Consider thinking about the space and exhibits from an outsider point of view.  What is to much information? What is the best way to keep people's attention? 

I really liked the idea of creating forms that represent city buildings.  There is something unique about displaying information on forms that attract attention and cause people to interact with the structures.  I also think this shows growth and innovation.  It may be overwhelming and crowed so think about using city building as stepping platforms for display.

Precis [01]

This is the first "precis" of my thesis project. The graphic layout represent 01 of the style book into the conceptual phase of my design for an Issey Miyake retail showroom. Each week I will continue to post updates in the form of new style pages.

The Space

Located at 230 S. Elm Street in quant Greensboro, NC, the dramatic façade of the Issey Miyake showroom draws in wondering patrons.  The main strip of restaurants, bars, and retails stores are all located on Elm Street where parking is curbside.  Downtown is comprised of a wide range of culturally diverse buildings lending to the urban fabric of Greensboro’s unique population. 

As a patron enjoying a typical day downtown, you might walk along Elm Street window-shopping the various boutique stores.  The limitless options will draw your attention right and left until you come across an exterior that moves your senses.  It is hard to understand what type of interior this exquisitely detailed exterior contains.  You are memorized by the intertwining of aluminum and glass intersecting with the historical nature of the original brick façade.  The store looks like something taken right out of the heart of 7^th avenue New York. 

Who else but Issey Miyake would dare to mix modern architecture with historical references.  You are greeted by an origami like entrance that gives you no inclination into what type of store you are about to enter.  You can see small aspects of the interior through the overlapping in the exterior materials.  You continue forward through a large slightly heavy pleated metal door.  As a patron, you feel a sense of honor and stature coming into this unknown entrance. 

Your first step into the interior space reveals a dim lit open retail showroom that wraps you into a universe of contemporary clothing with functional beauty.  The space appears to be created out of a single engaging material that transforms the clothing into structural pieces of interior art.  You become part of the designer’s creative craft upon entering you feel like you are in the mind of Issey Miyake.  The showroom provides you with an insight into Miyake’s design process.  The combination of technology, structural exploration, and soft goods translates the brand image of Miyake’s design concept, to create garments from “one piece of cloth” and the exploration of the space between the human body and the cloth that covers it.  You begin to see the relationship between the interior space and the garments as well as your relationship to the forms.  The space allows you to move freely within its 3750 square feet of interactive retail space. 

You meander around the space lightly touching a range of material from soft cashmeres to ruff linens and leathers but with each touch you notice that the interior responses directly to the clothing.  Soon, you feel as if the clothing takes on a life within the space.  The showroom is not only retail environment but also an experience for the outside patron.  It is a place where you begin to understand the structural qualities of garment production.  You continue browse through the minimal section of clothing on display and realize that each piece there is an element that draws your attention.  The products begin to reveal a self-image that you find compelling.  Out of the blue, you hear the calming voice of a sales associate offering to guide you around the world of Issey Miyake.  You kindly respect her offer listening to her describe in detail the connection between the interior space and the garments.

Once you reach mid-interior, you are find an interior tranquil space where a group of people are gathered in conversation over a cup of coffee while one of the members is occupying the dressing area.  The lighting changes along with the atmosphere it becomes more of a livable environment with a wide range of material qualities.  It feels inviting and warm.

You continue to follow the storeroom associate along the back of the narrow showroom engaging with one collection after another.  You stop to touch and breath in the expensive nature of fine handcrafted materials.  Without any thought, you realize you are right back at the entrance and your journey has come to an end.  You wonder is this a retail environment or an adventure you have just encountered. 

You take in one more view of the intricate space where garment construction and structure elements overlap to create a completely sensory experience.  Once again, you are outside where you hear the sounds of busy downtown Greensboro, NC.  You look at the exterior and you now understand the meaning of the exterior aluminum, glass, and historical brick.  It is a space that balances notions of tradition and innovation.

Summer Thesis Studio

Today, I am starting a new Interior Architecture Studio.  It is summer and I am finally finally in my last semester of the program...oh my this means graduation soon.  I am not ready for this chapter of my life but here i go.

I have decided to do my summer thesis studio on retail design.  I felt this was the best way to combine my fashion design & marketing major/background with my new interest and study of interior architecture.  I began by looking at the elements that make up fashion and interior design.  I soon realized that the principle elements between designing for the human form and designing for the built environment were ultimately the same.  This discovery lead me to an interesting thesis topic.  I have decided to focus on a single designer, Issey Miyake.  I chose him because his approach to viewing form and clothing in relation to the human body creates a unique palette when translating it into the build world.  He designs using a single piece of cloth and transform the material into a structural piece of fashion that uses many elements of overlapping, movement, connection, and flow.  I was really interested in incorporating his design methods into a space that not only displays his collections but also provides the user with a sense of what is brand encompasses.  

So this is the beginning of my summer thesis studio.  Please continue to watch the retail space evolve...

Why Architecture?

Kahn was asked one question at the end of this book..."Why architecture?"  His response is great.  He merely asks back "Why anything?"  He also says "if you were to define it you would destroy it."

This is true.

Time

What is time?  How do we define something so broad?  Is it a second, minute, hour, day, week, month, or year.  Time is past, present, and future.  We have in our possession the ability to define or broad time.  So, why do we limit ourselves to thinking in such short increments of time?

I feel it is because we can'[t think of time as more then the amount of time we have experienced at that moment.  The thing is time has always been and will continue...