Sketches and Selections

I created sketches to supplement areas of my floor plan that I thought could use more explanation. Though the sketches are rough they are intended to give the audience an idea of the expected colors, textures, and dimension.

The sketches help to specify where I am going to be putting some of the 3form panels. Since 3form is so versatile, I will not only be using them to divide space but also to create interest on the reception desk and on the kitchen counters. I chose 3form for the countertop since it is unlikely that anyone will be cutting up food at the office.

This sketch refers to my office-garden hybrid concept. Grass will be used as decoration throughout the space and adds interest to the bookshelf. The lobby grass appears higher than it is because the grass leads into a 3form "Bear Grass" panel.

I choose the FrameOne product line for the Engineering departments because they have a slight industrial feel but not enough that it would take away from the natural, sustainable image that is being created otherwise. I also plan to use both shades of Currency in different spaces because they coordinate with the flooring that I have chosen. The Switch coffee table can be viewed in my sketch in the lobby area. Convene is going to be used in each conference room. Bindu chairs and Passarelle seating will be upholstered in a teal faux-leather by Designtex, both of which are shown in my sketches but the colors are incorrect due to my lack of high quality markers. Enea Lottus chairs can be found in the kitchenette because of its relaxed form.

Acoustical wallcovering can be found in areas that require more silence and privacy, such as in Accounting. Carpet tile also provides acoustical privacy because they help absorb sound rather than reflect it. The executive wallcovering can be found in private offices. I also chose vinyl tiles to use throughout the space but after my Materials and Specifications class on Tuesday, I decided that I fell for greenwashing. Centiva tiles may be 100 percent recyclable but dioxin is released when vinyl is manufactured and it is linked to infertility, hormone disruption, and cancer. I would like to find a solution that is recyclable and also doesn't contribute volatile organic compounds to the environment, but also passes slip resistance and flammability testing.

Armstrong acoustical tile can be found in Accounting as well. I chose 2' x 2' tiles because I feel that they look classier and this version also has more of a matte finish. I choose a wood ceiling for the Engineering department because it would line up nicely with the track lights that I have chosen for above the desking systems and counter surfaces. Recessed compact fluorescent lighting will be in most areas but I would like to switch to a LED solution instead. The chandelier and floor lamp are halogens but since I am only using one chandelier and two of the floor lamps, there is not much damage being done.

My First AutoCAD Project

I learned how to draft at the beginning of my second year at RIT in a class titled Architectural Drawing, or at least that was what it was called in the quarter system. At this point I know basic rules about drafting, and I am excited to learn more because I understand the importance of creating a document that is clear for everyone reading it. Each part of the plans needs to be explained thoroughly because there may not be an opportunity to explain it in-person. Much can be explained by line weights and in the areas that the lines are placed. Dimensioning also varies depending on if the wall material is masonry or not. It is also important to create everything to scale, in this case 1/8th of an inch is equal to a foot.

For this project, I was given the exterior walls for the basement and first floor in a packet and I had to draw it in AutoCAD. I used my architectural scale to get the dimensions before putting the floor plan into the program. Layers were created with different colors and line weights to distinguish exterior walls, interior walls, dimensions, lighting, electrical work, windows, doors, and furniture. Page A1 and A2 are shown dimensioned without furniture, and millwork such as cabinetry does not count as furniture. The kitchen counter and breakfast bar are my original custom designs.

For this project, I was allowed to leave the dimensions on my furniture plans (A3 and A4) but in a real life situation I would turn that layer off so that the plan appears less complicated. For the basement area, I decided to create a recreation room complete with a mini bar, television, pool table, and additional seating. In the first floor plan, I chose furnishings for each room and decided to create a home office rather than a guest bedroom, but this depends on the needs of the client.

A Reflected Ceiling plan shows everything that is touching the ceiling, including interior walls, lighting, and differences in ceiling height. For the basement I chose overhead lighting, which would be ideal for using the pool table. On the first floor, I chose to create focal points using chandeliers in the sunroom, dining room, master bedroom, and the entry. The use of a chandelier near the entry serves to make a good impression on guests. Recessed compact flourescents are used in closets, the garage, hallways, laundry room, and the bathrooms. One thing I would have liked to change is that the smoke detectors should be on the Reflected Ceiling Plan rather than the Switching plan. I also would have used less flourescent lighting since this is cool-colored lighting that makes people look less attractive. Flourescent lighting is cheap and more appropriate for a public school or a shopping center. Since there was no budget for this project I could have used something more flattering.

The Electrical plan shows the placement of outlets, including power and data. There are also more specific annotations for outlets that require more energy which are included in the Legend. Looking back I would have liked to make the symbols larger because some of them have subtle differences. There is also a rule that smoke detectors must be in bedrooms and in hallways.

This part of the floor plan has been enlarged to go into greater detail, and that has been annotated using dashed lines on the original floor plan. Each page, such as A9, should match up with its symbols. These elevations help orient the viewer through different line weights that explain which objects are the closest. The darker the line, the closer the object is.

Elevations help to describe what the original floor plan may not, such as the bookcase attached to the kitchen cabinets, and that the chairs are taller than they appeared to be and have a different shape. It also provides stylistic details such as the leaves decorations on the cabinetry.

My plan for the fireplace was to have a smooth white matte surface with added acrylic, opaque squares in different shades of spring greens. Though the elevation shows the general appearance of the fireplace, one day I would like to put this into SketchUp and render it with appropriate colors and textures.