Personal Space Keeper

So part of my studies is a course called 3D studies which looks at how people people react in the space that surrounds them. This here is my project which is meant to keep others out of personal space. 

I think it is quite elegant yet effective. 

Table Maquette

For my furniture design class I designed then built this small scale model of a table. I am really pleased with how it turned out. There were a few tricky points that took some working out, like when I was bending the sides up and one broke right off! It all worked out in the end though and I'm glad I kept it simple because the frustrations I had were relatively small compared to some other people's in my class. 

I also discovered that I actually love working in the shop at school on this project. It's really cool to have an idea that you use your own hands to build, according to the CAD drawings I did to go with this. Below is the working stage. 

Home Grown

The Wall Street Journal had a great article.....

3DS Max

Condo

I think I am starting to finally figure out this program!

Laboros-Lux-Librae

Environmental Law

I have chosen to focus on environmental law as a focus for this project. The main details of the work done in the environmental area of law tends to be focused on the "health of the greater good" and so the workers will in effect toil for the benefit of others (as well as themselves).

Taking this in perspective there seems to be a need for the employees to be free to aim for a healthy life-work-balance.

Hence Laboros-Lux-Librae (latin for Life-Work-Balance)

This is a law firm that strives to achieve results that exceed expectations through our commitment to our clients adding maximum value to their business. Handling complex and sophisticated matters efficiently and responsivly through commitment to our communities. Providing extensive and worthy pro bono and public service and through active involvement and leadership on the part of our firm we commit to sustaining an enriching our environment through diversity and teamwork. We strive to improve while celebrating our accomplishments.

The firm will always focus our conitued effort on the work at hand while our workplace is modern, innovative and fun so that our own well-being is not compromised in the process of helping others.

680 sherbrooke street ouest

"Le 680 Sherbrooke Ouest" was completed in 1976 and is quite recognizabale with its distinctive coloured semi-reflective glass. This glass facade building has a unique shape that also helps it stand out from the crowd of highrises in the downtown core. The exposed modern columns on the street level also make it a memorable place as this is certainly not a commonplace feature.

The tower was extensively renovated in 1992 and is a class "A" rated facility. There are 20 floors above ground.

The building is a not-so-typical office tower that has an average floorplate of aproximately 14,000 square feet. It has quite a prestigious address adjacent to the main campus and gates of McGill University. The building is co-owned by McGill University and Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. who are also key tenants in the impressive tower. Industrial Alliance has 124,000 square feet while 168,000 square feet are occupied by McGill University. The balance of the tenants are other high profile clients such as financial industry consultants, accounting firms and various other intellectual business types and also Hydro Quebec.


There are many convenient city amenities located steps away and also McGill Metro station just a short walk making it a very convenient location for clients. There are numerous coffee shops very close by and a Copy Express is a street level service tenent. Security is in the main lobby where the building directory is located. There are fitness facilities, shopping of all kinds, art galleries and more in the direct vicinity.

The clients and tenants alike are an upscale demographic and most would be well educated. The users tend to be prominent persons be it through their academic and/or financial endeavours. The ideal place for conducting business be it confidential or high profile in nature.

Written by Stacy Wolfenden

Public - A Restaurant

This is an interesting restaurant in New York city that I would love to go to. Public.Concept and design is by the AvroKO group whose work I am really liking from the looks of what I see (virtually of course;click the image to see closer.)


Located in the NoLita area at 210 Elizabeth Street in NYC, the restaurant serves International food served up by renowned chef Brad Farmerie. The globally inspired menu items are in the $30-55 price range. Farmerie has won many awards for his creative dishes. Public also has a 20 seat wine bar located within called The Monday Room.

The restaurant seats 120 people and the wine bar an additional 35 guests. The Monday room and the main dining room (on the upper level)are not wheelchair accessible but there is one accessible bathroom on the main floor of the establishment. Dinner is served seven days a week, beginning at 6pm and there is brunch service on Saturday and Sunday as well.

The food served up is referred to as "Free-spirited fusion" on the website which I gather means there is a lot of creativity thrown into the mix of offerings. There is a $25 corking fee for wine and gratuities of %20 are added for parties of 6 or more who dine at Public.

Formerly a bakery, the theme now represents a semi-industrial incarnation with sliding doors and hung filament bulbs along the ceiling. Oil lamps line one of the brick walls while a retired library-card catalogue has been placed by the coat check The full concept is represented with library style graphic details, including menus presented on clipboards and stamped like office order forms.

There is a lot of exposed brick in the space and skylights in the loft area above. Concrete flooring is used in the main floor area. Reviews I have read said that the space is often quite loud when busy. Several seating areas have changes in decor elements that differentiate each section yet they seem to be complementary.

Overall descriptions of the space indicate that it is trendy industrial chic with a cosy ambiance and interesting fayre.




AvroKO is also the genius behind Madame Geneva and Saxon+Parole both on Bleecker street. I will definitely be keeping an eye on their work.

It's All About the Stairs

Construction Documents - this course requires a surprising amount of research in order to get a good set of working drawings. Here I have found a few pages from a very helpful book that I have had on my bookshelf for some time. It's a classic; Architectural Graphic Standards, 6th Edition published by Ramsey+Sleeper.

If you come across a copy I highly recommend it, even if it is an older version (like mine!)

Is this Ride OVER YET?

Just a few more days left until school is over. It's been such a long year but somehow it went by so quickly. I am really going to be happy to NOT be a first-year student anymore. It seems like we are somewhat out of the loop on a few things as "First Years", like we are in the grey area of not-yet-designers as we are still learning many new things. Also I feel there is absolutely no connection to the design industry yet at all. Hoping this will change somewhat in the next year.

I am looking forward to the summer break as there are some things I have been wanting to do but have had NO time whatsoever;

I want to get going and post a few things on my Etsy vintage shop, Ella Cinders. I have collected a few gems since moving to Montreal last Fall. I have two of these bowls by Kaj Franck that will help to pay the bills when they sell.


I want to try this, but with recycled materials.
I want to make some curtains for my kitchen entry for sound-proofing. I would do more work there at the table since I will know I am not disturbing others (Old building=zero R-factor!) If that works out then I'm going to do some for the living room too.

I saw this over at the Ikea blog (**WARNIING-it's in Swedish!) I would like to do as well. Hmm, now that I think of it I also want to put up some shelves in my very shabby-not-so-chic kitchen. Something like this or this most likely, depending on my handy skills.

Wow, lots to do. With a busy summer ahead, maybe the ride is just beginning?