Bachelor of Design - Interior Design & Environments 2
Week 1
Moving into semester four of my Bachelor of design degree and am now embarking on major interior design subjects : ) .
Teachers
Paul & Haley - Both an extensive Interior design Skills and contacts. Paul is the President of the Design Institute of Australia and has a research background and Hayley is an experienced Interior Designer with an interest in Biophilic Design (fascinating).
Learning Objectives of IDE 2
- Essential Interior Design Major module and is an extension of IDE1
- Further explore how people inhabit, interact with and transform their environment.
- Systematic approach so interior design
- Learn to observe and interpret behavioural patterns and transform them them into effective and creative spaces.
- Understanding design processes using Human Centred Design methods.
- RESEARCH, ANALYSE & SYNTHESISE
- APPLICATION OF FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES
- COMMUNICATE CRITICAL DESIGN THINKING
- EVALUATE
- COMMUNICATE CRITICAL DESIGN THINKING
- EVALUATE
Hotel Design & History
-Historical Hotels
-Modern Hotels
-Human Centred Design
-Gaps In Hotel Design
-Local Hotels with Soul
-Hyper Reality & Hotel Design
Site Analysis
See Notes Below
-PATTERN
-CONTRAST
-CONTRAST
-EMPHASIS
-BALANCE
-PROPORTION / SCALE
-HARMONY
-RHYTHM / MOVEMENT
MY FAVOURITE HOTEL & CASE STUDY - The Proper Hotel San Francisco
Week 2 - HUMAN CENTRED DESIGN
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
- Human Centricity
- Human Centricity
-Emotional Empathy
-Crete Possibilities
-Real Outcomes
-Iterative Design
PIXEL HOTEL - LINZ AUSTRIA
The City of Linz became the Hotel
Each hotel was different. Using an iconic space of the city
Whole of the city is the hotel
Sketch up Practice
Week 3 - HYPER REALITY
HYPER REALITY
The Theory of Hyper- reality is relevant to current day living. With the onset of technology developing so quickly, there are many aspects of daily life that seems so unreal, but are they? Or are they very real? What is the real norm these days? Things are moving so fast are we actually living in an everyday hyper reality cone of existence.
As Jean Baudrillard argues in “The Precession of Simulacra”, the first section of Simulacra and Simulation, are initially impenetrable. They then begin to appear uncomfortable and contentious. The reader, then, finally begins to engage critically with the notion of simulacrum and appreciate its relevance to modern society1.
Baudrillard clearly makes an assumption of the cultural change in post modernity that is signified by differences in cultures and way of life of yesteryear. This is a change in cultural comprehension.
Evidence of hyper reality is everywhere and there is some classic examples of the way that humans can immerse themselves into a hyper sense of reality. Classic examples include Disneyland, Las Vegas, and closer to home Dreamworld and some would even say Surfers Paradise fits nicely into the category. All examples are not elements of our daily life, or how we exist as part of the norm.
To relate the notion of Hyper-reality to the preliminary drafting of our pixel hotel is an interesting one. Hotels are mostly common. Common in the sense they are same same, not like home at all. They often have no character and provide very little sense of place or connection to the locality. You walk in from a place into a bubble all of its own.
Iconic GC Bush and Surf are different. They symbolise a marriage between hyper reality and place. Its Hyper reality on one side of the coin and sense of place on the other. The design of this pixel hotel has taken into account the importance of place in its style. On the outside it seems as it should, its historical sense in its perfect place. Inside still holds the theme, but in a more modern version incorporating modern version of the old style that is true to the place.
The Juxtaposition however is the technological services that the hotel has integrated in to the overall design concept. At Iconic GC Bush you will be greeted by ‘Cooee’. ‘Cooee’ is the aboriginal word for Bush and she will provide you digital services in the same way as Google home, or the most commonly used Siri by apple.
‘Cooee’ will greet you, she will dim the lights for you, play you music, make your dinner and tourist reservations, book your transfers and provide answers to most of your questions. She will be a wealth of knowledge in regard to the historical information of the region, aboriginal folk Law of the Yugambeh people, the amazing national parks of the local area and the what, where and how of the Gold Coast.
‘Symbolic exchange means that both elements in the exchange are swapping symbols. As our reality is socially constructed (see French structuralism), when the symbols are exchanged both elements are creating the reality (or what we call for 'real')’2.
By designing our pixel hotel to be a mix of ‘place’ and ‘Hyper-reality” we can create a new reality that just may be the norm and what you would expect it to be.
A Basic Understanding to Baudrillard Theory, A Medium Corporation. (8th August, 2019).
< >Jean Baudrillard: What is a symbolic exchange, Quora. (8th August, 2019).https://www.quora.com/Jean-Baudrillard-What-is-symbolic-exchange
IDEATION
START TO IDEATE FOR OUR POXEL HOTEL - ICONIC GC
DESIGN BRIEF – ICONIC GC- BUSH
Context:
The Project seeks to install a pixel Hotel on a Gold Coast site under instruction of our client. The hotel itself provides accommodation that makes a connection to the site and allows the discovery of the surrounds, local interest, historical elements of the building and locality, and an overall experience that is unique to the Gold Coast region, the locality of the hotel itself and how it integrates to the common spirit of the region.
Site Locality:
The site locality is situated at ‘The City of Gold Coast’, located in the south eastern corner of Queensland with a population of 580730 as of 20181.
Two sites have been chosen for the initial stages of the Gold Coast Pixel Hotel that are both Iconic properties and locations. The hotels are located at;
Old Mudgeeraba Post Office – A QLD Heritage Significance site located at 57A Railway Street, Mudgeeraba, approx. 14.5 km’s from Gold Cost CBD Surfers Paradise.
< >Burleigh Pavilion – Also located QLD Heritage Significance listed land, at Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads, approx. 13.2 kms south of Gold Cost CBD Surfers Paradise.Tweed Valley. Both sites of ‘Iconic GC’ are strongly connected to indigenous roots and heritage.
Our Client:
The project is under instruction of The City of Gold Coast’ though its subsidiary office of ‘Gold Coast Tourism’. The aim is to increase tourism attraction to our QLD Heritage listed facilities and properties located in the Gold Coast region. “Under the definitions published in the Schedule to the Queensland Heritage Act 1992: cultural heritage significance, of a place or feature of a place, means its aesthetic, architectural, historical, scientific, social or other significance to the present generation or past or future generations”3. This definition provides a basis for the target of our client in reference to the hotels main objectives and focus of overall guest experience and connection to the locality of the site, and its connection to the history of the Gold Coast.
Client Needs:
Under instruction from our client we are to fulfil the objective of the overall ‘Pixel Hotel’ proposal. To achieve this result, we have identified the following requirements with our client;
< >Provide a connection of the hotel to the ‘Qld Heritage significance’ site chosen for the accommodation offered.Offer accommodation that allows comfortable facilities primarily for couples with additional option for additional PAX. Offer a complete experience that instils the historical nature of the site.Makes connections to local people, local business and facilities to deliver the experience in view of the tourism objective.Maintain the external appearance of the structure of the ‘QLD Heritage Significance structure / building’.Create a connection to the historical elements of the site, local attractions including nature tourism, distinct connection to the indigenous elements and utilising the food and beverage options in the immediate location to the proposed site.Accommodation and facilities to be of a high level. Hotel to be of a self-rated 4-star standard.
Guest Facilities:
To deliver the proposed objectives the accommodation will be of a boutique nature and will provide the following amenities to assist the guests to experience the overall objectives of our client;
< >Bedroom Suite accommodation that includes, King bed, bed side tables, bedside lamps, clothing storage space, Luggage rack and seating (occasional / Small Sofa), TV.Small kitchenette, coffee and tea making facilities, Microwave, Fridge, adequate power outlets.Small living space that includes seating for 5 PAX, Coffee table, Side table, Floor lamp, Table lamp.Bathroom including spa bath, shower, vanity, toilet, adequate power outlets, hair dryer, lighting over vanity.Overall style and theme to relate to modern county / heritage and facilities to be of latest technology.Digitalised format to provide access to information, communication, lighting and equipment, audio, video, climate control and connection to guest services.Other considerations include off street parking, disabled access, transfers and connections to public transport and access to local attractions. The Mudgeeraba Heritage Walk4The Gold Coast Hinterland Heritage museum5Springbrook National Park incorporating Natural BridgeBinna Burra walking trails – Lamington National ParkGold Coast Population, Population Australia. (8th August, 2019).Mudgeeraba History, City of Gold Coast. (8th August, 2019).Assessing Cultural Heritage Significance, Department of Environmental and Heritage Protection. (8th August, 2019). https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/66693/using-the-criteria.pdf
< >Mudgeeraba Heritage Walk, City of Gold Coast. (8th August, 2019).Gold Coast Hinterland Heritage Museum Inc, Gold Coast Hinterland Heritage Museum Inc. (8th August, 2019).
CASE STUDY – The PROPER HOTEL SAN FRANISCO
Overview
I recently visited the Proper Hotel in San Francisco and was amazed by this stunning hotel. The story of ‘The Proper’ is an interesting one. The hotel is a chain of hotels, mainly in America, but also dotted around the world with a unique style, design and charter.
During my stay I fell in love with most aspects of the hotel, the design and interiors were incredible, the service was of a high quality, the culinary delights were 5 star and overall is was an incredible experience. But the interesting thing was, for a 5 star hotel, I felt completely connected to the place. The hotel was situated in market street San Francisco, right in the heart of the city centre. Once side of the street was the dodgy ‘Tenderloin’ region and the other the glitzy high-end shopping precinct. A tram (circa 18731 ran right up the middle of the street right to the end where it connected to the bay.
The building itself was a turn of the century double brick structure approx 10 floors high which reflected the history of the famous city, but it’s very newly renovated internal fit out stunningly also made sense. It felt right. It felt to me that I was I the heart of San Francisco, albeit a pish heart but it did make me feel connected to the place. It felt old time, it felt worthy and special. It felt old American. It has all the mod cons, but it did not take away from its sense of place. Its history and it purpose.
To sum up the feelings that I encountered, when researching information of the Proper Hotel Group, its charter made sense.
The Proper Hotels are located in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Austin, Downton L.A and Portland. Each hotel whilst distinctly Kelly Wearstler, all display a connection to place of their home city.
WHAT IS PROPER?
Proper began as a feeling, not as an idea. The feeling was something akin to empathy; an acute awareness that despite the current proliferation of “boutique” and “lifestyle” hotels and residences, there were precious few properties designed for and around today’s global creative nomad. Many in our milieu share the same daunting challenge: staying fresh and focused, energized and inspired—all whilst bouncing between London and Hollywood and Austin and San Francisco and Portland and back again. For them, intuitive service is a given. Mere table stakes. What they need and seek beyond accommodation, even at its most luxurious, is an inspiration. From the elevated and often surprising interiors imagined by Kelly Wearstler. From the sense of immersion in, and connection to, the vibrancy of the local culture. From the highly curated amenities. From the inspired collaborations with the city’s best and most innovative chefs and mixologists. From music and art. From every detail, every interaction, every moment. This is only Proper. And no one else. 2
A Brief History of Cable Cars in San Francisco, Culture Trip. (8th August, 2019).
< >Proper San Francisco, Proper Hotels. (8th August, 2019).https://www.properhotel.com/
COMCEPTUAL REPONSE – ICONIC GC BUSH
OVERVIEW
To complete the overall assessment of the proposed site a full site analysis has been completed. This provides an insight to what is actually there, what encumbrances may exist, if there are any anomalies that will prevent the proposal moving forward as planned as to deploy the final solution with the client’s brief.
Further assessment is made by undertaking back ground enquiries such as zoning, council requirements for the proposed use, any adverse effects to the local community and businesses’, and how it will integrate into the overall surroundings. Additional enquiries can be made with locals, who can provide an array of information that would not normally be accessible by usual research. This will provide an ethnographic account of the site, the every day happenings around the site and ay pitfalls that may not be obvious.
Moving forward we can then brainstorm and ideate our findings to move towards a solution using ‘Human Cantered Design’ techniques to finalise a proposal to move to a prototype. This allows us to discover, Synthesise, generate and refine our information to provide our overall evaluation.
Site Analysis
The complete site analysis of The Old Mudgeeraba Post Office has found the following information. Site Inspection Conducted
SITE AND SURROUNDS
Site Location: 57A Railway Street, Mudgeeraba, QLD 4213. The building itself lays within the heart of Mudgeeraba Village.
Current Context: The site contains a woodens heritage style building that is currently used as a small community Library and conference and community rooms. The building itself provides a fascade that directly relates the building to heritage times etc. The building contains on street parking at the front and quite a large amount of parking at the rear.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT
Existing and proposed building use in the locality: The village is essentially the main business centre of Mudgeeraba, with mixed business surrounding the property such as main shopping centre, banks, community hall, offices, restaurants and cafes, local swimming pool, hotel and medical services.
Building Condition: The structure is in excellent condition for its age.
Exterior spaces: the exterior space is a small garden at the front of the building leading to the entrance and the rear is a carpark.
Vehicle and pedestrian traffic: Both Vehicle and pedestrian traffic are of a fairly high volume as the site in directly located in the centre of the village. Cars move through the centre arterial round about and due to many parking lots within the vicinity, people generally walk around the village at most times during the day.
Moving Patterns: The village is located immediately adjacent to the M1 motorway which provides a feed of traffic into the local area. The village is a vibrant centre with cultural and community activities fluently activated as well as the normal township business trade. The village is also within 3 kms to Robina trains station and Robina town centre that are serviced by a number of Bus routes.
Street Lighting: Plentiful along the street sidewalks around the village.
Vernacular Context: The building itself represents heritage styling in original fascade and paintwork colours. This depicts the perfect look and style for the pixel hotel and what is looking to achieve.
Building Context: The property is zone under the QLD Governments Heritage Significance title. This means that the fascade of the property cannot be changed from the street frontage
Sun and Shade Patterns: The property faces south, however the village is generally a sunny space.
SITE AND ZONING
Site Boundary and Dimension: this is currently to be confirmed. As a heritage site any normal information that can be search was unavailable without specific request that has been made.
Easements: unknown
Height restriction: as a heritage building, no height extension can be approved, however low set structure is allowed in the surrounding blocks.
Access to site for construction: easily accessible
NATURAL FEATURES
Topography: The site is generally flat with a slight raise to the rear left-hand corner of the block.
Vegetation: consists of a man-made cottage garden
Site Level: existing drainage is in place and doesn’t cause any concern for future construction.
Soil Type: There will be no effect to the site due to soil.
MAN MADE FEATURES
Previous Site Use: The Old Mudgeeraba Post office has been located on the site for many years and we are doubtful that any Contamination exists.
Existing Building structures: the existing building whilst old is in excellent condition and has obviously been very well maintained by the council. There is no sign of any damage.
Are the existing building a part of the project: Yes, the proposed pixel hotel will exist within the existing building in its current state other than cosmetic renovation inside the building. We will be using the existing floorplan and will be making no structural alterations.
Evidence of retaining walls: None evident, outside area garden and carpark only.
CIRCULATION
Circulation: pedestrians flow around the property with ease with a footpath located at the street frontage and paved pathways around the entire building itself.
Accessibility: As the property is currently used as a council facility, full disabled access is currently provided.
Existing Pedestrian Movement: This will need to be preserved due to the heritage nature of the building and the limitations that are effective on title.
Peak Loads: The site experiences peaks load in day time weekdays due to the amount of people that access the village on a day to day basis.
Public Transport: There are a number of bus services that operate to and from Robina Town Centre, Nerang and surrounding residential suburbs.
Vehicle Access to The Site: vehicles can access the site using a driveway on the left-hand side of the building. The existing driveway provides adequate access to the site.
Travel time to walk across the site: the site is essentially the size of a normal suburban block; hence minimal times is required to walk across it.
UTLILITIES
Locations of All Services: Electricity is connected via above ground wires and consideration will be required to any builders onsite in regard to the overhead wiring. Water and sewerage are connected by council as underground services. There is no gas on site. Telephone and NBN services are currently connected.
Power Pole: are located on the street side of the block.
Drainage: is adequate and connected to underground storm water release.
SENSORY
Views: the site has flat town views across the street into the village area.
Views: the site has flat town views across the street into the village area.
Positive view and negative views: The views are pleasant as they are directed to a lawned area in the centre of the roundabout that the block fronts. This a like a park and contains outdoor seating and is often the scene for community events and festivals. Negative views include the traffic that drive around the space.
Main Feature Aspect:
Pollution: The only real pollution would be noise and vapours of the traffic moving through the village centre. It is quite a busy road and traffic can be constant at time during the day.
HUMAN & CULTURAL
Negative Neighbourhood Issue: Generally speaking, the neighbourhood is fairly conservative, however due to a number of pubs I the close proximity, some loutish behaviour can exist however the area remains safe.
Attitudes towards the site and the proposal: Speaking with locals as a part of our ethnographic research, the site and current us is generally very well perceived and due to the fact that the fascade must remain, most people interviewed had no objection to the proposal and were overall very supportive.
What is the cultural, psychological, behavioural aspect of the surrounding area: The area is essentially seen as a country town maintaining its village look and feel which people enjoy. Whilst having a farming and country background the population is diverse.
What is the population, density, family size, employment and recreational activities: The population of the 2016 census was 13,624 with 51.3% female residence and 48.7 male residents? Employment is varied as the village is in close proximity to greater Gold Coast and Brisbane offering a full array of employment opportunities. Recreationally the village is close proximity to the beaches of the Gold Coast and also the hinterland, and full cultural and sporting facilities and venues.
CLIMATE
Orientation of the site: the site front faces south
Orientation of the site: the site front faces south
Weather: the site has a number of native plants and gum trees and there is ample shading and lawn areas throughout the village centre.
Temperature and rainfall: the monsoonal period is from November to February where high levels of rain can be endured. This also brings heat and humidity with maximum temps of mid 30’s. Winter is generally mild ranging from 6-23 degrees.
PLACE AND CULTURE
Mudgeeraba is quintessentially a small town on its own with residential blocks and hobby farms, larger surrounding farms with a village lifestyle with access to major city attractions and facilities. The sense of place comes with the historical nature of the town along with its indigenous and farming backgrounds and its connection to nature. The town belongs as it has always belonged, rather than be created in the vain of developments that sweep most modern cities. The town hold its pride of its roots high and does not look at changing the face of its historical past.
PRPOSAL
In order to make the proposed pixel hotel an attractive option for the tourism, and for it to be a sought-after experience, we believe that it is vital that the site is seen as a historical one, displaying its heritage. It is however just as important to provide facilities that visitors expect in the modern world of today, such as technology and first class styling, to provide the perfect juxtaposition along side the heritage roots of the site and surrounds of Mudgeeraba Village.
Map shopwing Yugambeh teritory - the indigenous people of the Gold Coast
Ideation of site analysis - location, proximity, place.
Project timeline outlining project management from start to finish
Branding concept for the overall pixel - Iconic GC Bush
Bathroom Inspiration - Modern Country
Sketch up Progress
Loving Sketch up - getting use do the programs thinking
SWOT ANALYSIS
Spacial Concept sketches - looking at design principles. Balance, Pattern, Symmetry, Texture
Spacial Elements and Schematic Design.
Sketch up progress
Conceptual Model Ideation
Building to code
The Pixel Hotel Iconic GC - Bush is owned and operated by teh City of teh Godl Coast. It is vital that the design meets all aspects of the Australian code and building standards. Our design undertook the following considerations:
Access & Egress
Exits required - Each story must have at least one exit point which is evident in our design.
Exits and travel distances - have been met within the 6 metre rule and the dimensions required for exit paths and travel to exits paths.
Number of person accommodated - The total area of the hotel room is 63 m2 , that allows 2 guest to very comfortably meet regulation of 15m2 per person for a hotel.
Operation of doorways and latches - are all within the required code.
Access Disabilities - Ramps have been installed to the exterior and entry way to ensure ease of access p all guests. Provisions have been made for internal doorway access.
Health and Amenity
Waterproofing - Particular care has been take no meet care in those area due to the structure being timber both in roofing and internal wet areas.
Room Height - All rooms are 2.2 metres high above the required 2.1metre requirements
Light and Ventilation - Additional consideration was required here due to the age of the existing structure and changes have been made to meet requirements.
Sound Transmission and insulation - both of the requirements meet residential and hotel standards with insulation meeting up to date requirements.
Bush Fire - The Pixel hotel is located in a moderate bush fire zone. Whilst immediate threat is not at a high level, weather conditions and the close proximity to a national park and rain forrest can provide significant risk. We have increased provisions fire with upgraded sprinkler system and providing guests with clear evacuation and fire plan instructions.
Colecting Material Samples
Yeah I'm obsessed with the Proper Hotel. Here pictured is Mailbu and Austin Texas
This is my inspiration - I want to design hotels, and the stay in them....
Technical Drawing - Floor Plan
The Design Principles
When creating the Pixel Hotel, careful consideration is undertaken to ensure that critical design elements were used and provided an obvious reason for the flow of the design. As the property was unable to be altered as far as layout and external facade, the opportunity was represented to use certain design principles to allow the story and a sense of place unfold in as many ways as possible. Some aspects are obvious, whilst others are very subtle.
Texture -Using texture was a vital component of our design. This allowed us to introduce a number of fabrics and weaves that mirrored elements of the surrounds. For example the use of fabric leaf prints on walls created feature in the bedroom area, that contrasted with the natural tones of the jute styled padded bedhead from floor to ceiling. The entry way uses a green circle print that bring interest and colour to the entry way that butts against the bold and highly patterned aboriginal printed carpet.
Pattern - Our design highly effective in our design. We have mixed them together and contrasted them against each other. This type of pattern collaboration was inspired by the case study hotel in San Francisco where entire hotel rooms displayed a different pattern on each wall. Bringing these patterns together allowed us to mimic the environment, where texture and pattern are in everything we see and are mixed together naturally. Our collage of pattern relates to the patterns of the hinterland and agricultural spaces.
Symmetry -Each room of our pixel hotel offer a symmetrical experience, with the centering of main items as a focal point of each room. The Foyer places the wall mirrors symmetrically to balance the room, the bedhead is the focal point and centre of the bedroom area providing balance each side of the room. The leaf pattern on each side of the bedhead extend the symmetrically approach from one side of the room to the other. The library’s placement of the sofa in the middle of the wall edge opposite the shelving that spans one side of the room to the other create symmetry in the room giving it balance and harmony.
Repetition - The kitchen cabinetry with its skaker styled doors is the perfect example of repetition within the space which also adds to the miriad of patterns and texture within the room. The aboriginal themed carpet, with its dot work art being highly repetitive, also acting a pattern on the floor.
Light - Due to the inability to make changes to windows and natural lighting, we have introduced a number of lighting initiatives to the interior with the installation of a skylight. This allowed natural light to flow into the main bedroom throughout the day. Hanging pendant lighting and LED downlighting also provides lighting for mood, reading, and lighting up kitchen and bathroom areas where more light is required at times.
The Darling (The Star Group) - Just Stunning
