Computing in Architectural Design

This chapter starts out talking about how architectural computation has always been needed throughout history. It continues on to follow history in the advancements of architectural design. Computers showed up in the architectural practice in the early 1970’s and in 1984 the first drafting programs where created for personal computers but were still centralized towards architectural professionals. Then, in the late 80’s with the creation of PC class machines and faster processors drafting and modeling programs began to expand. With this advancement, computers became a tool for allowing designers to see what they could not with the naked eye and allow buildings that are not yet built to be visualized. Essentially the computer has become the human’s design assistant.

Cassandra's Design Strengths

Cassandra is a strong designer in how she is able to take experiences in everyday life or from travel and interpret them into her designs. She appreciates thing that others may not notice and turn them into a stand out part of many of her designs. She also has an extensive knowledge of unique design ideas that others have done and can take inspiration from them while making her down very different.

Bookshelf Exploration

Dual Comfort

Exploring the "sleeper sofa"

User Needs

My Strengths as a Designer

I feel that my strengths as a designer lie with graphics and digital rendering. My earlier experience with graphic programs has only expanded with the training I have received in iArc. My hand rendering skills are not as strong but taking my ideas that I sketch and putting them into a program like Illustrator or Sketch Up/Poidum helps me to create designs with my full potential. I hope that as I continue in the program my knowledge will only grow larger and larger.

Unity Village : Harold Kramer : Specs

Kitchen Standards
-Entrances at least 34" wide.

- Door should not interfere with appliances. Clearance should be 18" past door length.

- Work triangle should be used where distances travelled to each station should be between 4'-9',

- A large and tall appliance should not block two work centers.

- No major traffic circulation should pass through work triangle.

- Work isle width should be at least 42." In a "U" shaped kitchen the isle should be at least 60" wide. Spaces should have at least 60" minimum diameter for ease of wheelchair maneuverability.

- Walkways should be at least 36."

- Seating areas should have at lest 36" clearance between walls and counter table space. 60" for wheelchairs.

- Seated counters and tables should have 24"x18" deep knee space.

- Sink should be located between cooking surface and refrigerator.

- Knee space under sink 27" minimum for wheelchairs with a 34" max sink height.

- Sink bowl should be no deeper than 6.5"

- Exposed water ducts should be insulated.

- At least 24" Preparation area next to sink.

- If sink is located next to a corner there should be at least 3" frontage from adjoining counter with at least 21" of free space at adjoining counter.

- A section of continuous countertop at least 30" wide with adaptable knee space included.

- Countertop height should be between 29"-36" and adjustable for wheelchairs.

- Dishwasher should be within 36" of edge of sink. 21" clearance space between dishwasher and sink.

- Floor space of at least 30"x48" adjacent to dishwasher.

- Have at least two waste receptacles near cleanup/prep/sink areas.

- 15" of work area on handle side of refrigerator.

- 30"x48" clear workspace in front of refrigerator.

- at least 12"-15" of work-top area on both sides of cook surface. These areas must be at the same height as the cook surface.

-Countertop should extend at least 9" from back of cooking surface.

- Create knee space under cook top for wheelchairs with protective surfacing under the counter.

- 24" clearance between cooking surface and nonflammable surface above.

- cooking areas should be well vented. Vent controls should be placed 15"-44" above floor.

- Do not place cooking surface beneath a window.

- A fire extinguisher should be placed near the entrance/exit of kitchen.

- microwave oven and cabinets bottom should be 3" below user's shoulders and no more than 54" off floor. Microwave must be at least 15" off floor for wheelchair users with controls below 48" off the floor.

- At least 15" work area below or adjacent to microwave.

- 15" workspace next to oven. Workspaces across from oven must be at least 48" away.

- At least two counter heights should be offered.

- At least 158" of countertop 24" deep should be offered.

- use clipped or rounded corner counters.

- 150 square feet of shelf/drawer frontage for small kitchens, 350 for medium sized.

- Frequently used items should be 15"-48" above floor.

- GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection necessary for all appliances in servicing work-tops.

- All work stations should be well illuminated.

- At least one wall switch for lights. Lighting should be adjustable.


Bathroom Standards
-Doors minimum 2-10" opening.

- No entry should interfere with fixtures.

- Minimum ceiling height of 80".

- Clear floor space of at least 30" in front of fixtures.

- 30"x48" at each fixture for wheelchair maneuverability.

-Plan for knee space at lavatory for a seated user.

-consider wheelchair user's method of transfer to the toilet.

- Lavatory heights between 32"-43" according to user.

- Lavatory sink height should be no more than 34" for the seated user.

-Chipped or rounded corners on counters.

- Interior shower size at least 36"x36". 36"-42"x 60" preferred for a roll-in shower.

- Roll-in shower entries at least 36" or more.

-Shower controls located between 38"-48" above floor.

- Hot and cold identified with red and blue indicators.

- Controls should be operable with one hand.

-Grab bars 33"-36" above floor.

- Grab bars able to support static load of 250 lbs.

-Controls in roll-in shower above grab bar but no more than 48" off floor.

- Handheld spray unit should be provided with at least 59" of hose.

- Shower seat 17"-19" above shower floor.

- A removable tub seat should be at least 16" deep.

- The waterproof material should extend at least 3" above shower-head.

- Bathtubs with seats should have a horizontal grab bar at side wall of seat and at opposite wall.

- Toilet grab bars located on rear wall and side-wall closest to toilet.

- Glass used in tub or shower enclosures must be tempered.

- Hinged shower doors open outward.

- If steps are necessary they must be placed outside shower/tub and a bar/handrail is mandatory.

- Slip resistant flooring should be specified.

- Toilets/bidets should be spaced 15" on center from any obstacle.

- Toilet seat should be 15"-19" from floor.

- Storage of frequently used items to be 15"-48" off of floor.

- Door/drawer pulls should be operable with one hand.

- User's height to be taken into consideration regarding mirror height. Full height mirror for seated individuals.

- Toilet paper holder should be 8"-12" from toilet bowl and and 15"-48" above floor.

- At least one GFCI electric receptacle installed within 36" of outside lavatory edge.

- Switches and Receptacles shall not be installed within a shower.

- Task lighting should be provided for each functional area.

- At least one wall-switch controlled light provided.

- Light switches must be suitable for damp locations.

- Mechanical exhaust system vented to outside.

- Ventilation controls should e placed 15"-48" above floor.

- Radiant floor system, toekick heater,wall heater, heat lamps/fans should be used for heating.

http://www.nkba.org/Guidelines/default.aspx

Phase 3 Concept

The concept for phase two of unity village was to create order within the chaos of the everyday by utilizing the grid which naturally occurs within the existing architecture of the building.

My client is an elderly man who uses a wheelchair. His love for book collecting shows me that he is relaxed by his collection. Also, the fact that he is a collector and enjoys showing off his books means that he is naturally orderly.

When his children and grandchildren come to visit there can be chaos within the space because of the abundance of people in the limited area of his apartment. Order must be ceated to make the apartment seem like a peaceful and orderly place even while his family visits as well as allowing him sufficient space to maneuver his wheelchair.

Who is Harold Kramer?

Mr. Kramer is a retired, 63 year old man who uses a wheelchair. He often had his children and grandchildren visit and they use the guest room quite frequently. Often the living room will function as a makeshift guest room. Mr. Kramer is an avid book collector and enjoys displaying his vast collection for visitors. He eats out often and only cooks when his children visit.

Floor Plan Design

Final Perspectives

View into food prep area


View of reading/relaxation corner


View from food prep area into daycare


View of hall leading to daycare

Rendered Floor Plan

First Perspectives

View into food prep area


View from food prep area into daycare


View of reading/relaxation corner


View of all leading to daycare

User Needs

Spaces	Physical Needs	Psychological Needs
Lobby	open, plentiful and comfortable seating, inviting setting, well lit, secure, circulation	friendly, welcoming, sociable,
Reception	full access, wide visibility, informative	friendly, welcoming, approachable, sociable
Daycare	child safe/proof design, age appropriate toys, colorful environment, safety, well lit, circulation, divided areas for eating playing napping, desks, seating, storage, daycare only bathrooms, kitchen area, outdoor play area	educational environment, sociable
Offices	secure, well lit, desks, seating storage	welcoming while private
Meeting Room	versatile, large table and seating, presentation recourses, versatile lighting,	private
Coffee Shop & Internet Café	tables, seating, abundant outlets, coffee bar, well lit, outdoor seating	sociable, safety
Mail Room	mailing recourses, mailboxes	safety piece of mind
Bathrooms	toilets/urinals at appropriate heights for elders and children, hand rails, handicap accessible sinks and toilets, hand dryers at appropriate heights accessible soap dispensers, non-slip flooring,	private

Lyndon Street Artworks

Lyndon Street Artworks is a place where artist of all types come and work together to create a place that thrives with life and culture. Not only are there painters, drawers, sculptors, and multimedia artists but also musicians and writers come to Lyndon Street to perform and present to the wide audience that comes to enjoy the talent. When first entering the reformatted warehouse, there is a welcoming area with couches, tables, and the artwork of the various artists housed in the building as well as those who are affiliated. The first Friday of every month offers an opportunity for open viewings and networking with the artists which spreads the word of what these artists do and how they express themselves.