Office Design SketchUp Views

Creating perspective renderings of chosen spaces in my floor plan help me as well as the client to clearly see my intentions in terms of textures, lighting, and space planning. The following images have been created in SketchUp:

This image corresponds to the Lobby/Reception area that is labeled in my floor plan and reflected ceiling plan. As part of creating branding for Bright Device, I made them a logo that incorporates a sun and grass as well as fresh colors that can be found throughout the space. Since I was asked to create a custom desk, SketchUp helps to show where I intended to place the 3form panels and also how much the counter surface protrudes. This view is not complete since I have not rendered it with the Shaderlight plug-in yet. Shaderlight helps to add lighting and texture to the space. I will also be scaling down the 3form panels so that they look like the actual products.

This is a view of the small conference room. I will also be scaling the 3form down on this image as well as it is way too big. I made the "Convene" table in SketchUp but was able to download the Criterion chairs from the 3D Warehouse and simply add the Closed Loop upholstery to it with the paint tool.

This is a view of one of the Engineering desking systems. I am really excited to render it in Shaderlight as it will appear a lot more realistic than it does currently. This view emphasizes the openness of the space because the filing is used instead of an actual wall. It also showcases the large size of the windows and how much light they can let into the building.

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.

Office Design Colors and Materials

I have been using the internet as well as RIT's material library to choose samples for my office design project. Since I am in the process of choosing lighting as well, I put each sample under natural light plus fluorescent light, and also under natural light plus incandescent light to see how the colors react. I used natural lighting with each because the office space has many large windows. I created a chart listing which upholstery fabric went best with 3form panels, and which paint colors would suit the two together. For example, Designtex's "Chromatic" upholstery in the color "Apple" looked best with 3form's "Cirque" finish and Sherwin Williams' "Irish Cream" paint. Then I placed these combinations under different lighting. Most of my selections looked best under fluorescent light since the incandescent made my cool colors appear to be much warmer. Below are some of the materials that I have selected so far.

3form finishes: Cirque, Ting Ting, Bear Grass
Sherwin Williams Paint: Belize, Irish Cream, Tamarind
Designtex Upholstery: Chromatic- Apple, Chromatic- Pool, Closed Loop- Robin's Egg,
    Closed Loop- Willow, Brisbane- Pool, Delaine- Grass, Delaine- Sea
Wallcoverings: Maharam 005 Straw; Maharam 016 Eucalyptus
Carpet: Flor "Take me Over" in Lime; Tandus "Curly Q" in Bukhara
Faux Wood: Centiva "Queensland Walnut" and "Canadian Maple"

I have used these materials along with chosen lighting and furniture to create an image board. The image board is a refined version of a mood board that includes actual furniture that maintains the atmosphere that the mood board had initially created for the client.

My floor plan is coming together nicely as well. At this point all of the interior walls, millwork, and furniture are in the plan and I am now working out the correct layers, line weights, room dimension labels, and text sizes.

Office Design Project Update

As the semester progresses, the plans for my office design are becoming clearer. The mood board and word summary help the client to figure out what the plans are for the project as a whole and how the space will make employees and visitors feel. For this project I created two mood boards that had similar words but different textures and colors. I am only showing the mood board that I chose to use for the project, along with the word summary.

 Some of the materials shown above are eco- friendly materials from Designtex. They include samples that I ordered directly from the company because the feel of a fabric is just as important as the appearance. These are commercial grade fabrics that will last a long time. I know that these products are sustainable and commercial grade because I have created specification sheets for them.

The word summary is a supplement to the mood board and further explains the plans in descriptions and colors rather than pictures. It helps emphasize the idea of an office that allows for collaboration and productivity through the use of open areas and fresh, earthy colors.

The majority of products in the space will be from Steelcase or Coalesse. I am also considering 3-form for its unique space division uses and Centiva for faux-wood, modular flooring. One goal for my project is to use sustainable materials that are recyclable and long-lasting. I will also be using a chalkboard wall surface treatment in public areas to further emphasize the community of the space.

There will be organization throughout the space in regards to department. The major departments, such as general office employees, the sales and marketing team, the finance team, and the engineering teams will all have separate spaces. However, spaces in each department will be either open or closed. Unity will be created through the central point of the lobby area in which each department can be reached. General meeting spaces such as the kitchenette are included as well.

Office Design Statement

   The following design statement was created for my Office Design class in which we have been given a fake company to provide design services for. It explains the company's image and how I am going to portray that image through the use of materials, furniture, decorating, and architectural choices:

   Bright Device is a small engineering firm that prides itself on the latest technology with an emphasis on sustainability and well- being. Recently their most popular products involve the use of solar power. This company is comprised of 36 individuals including engineers, research analysts, a sales team, management, and university partners such as graduate researchers. These departments contribute to the success of Bright Device as a whole and therefore collaboration is a key resource in day-to- day work. The company has requested that a contemporary, collaborative office be created to emulate their image as a sustainable, safety- conscious engineering firm. This office is located at 1800 Larimer Street in Denver, Colorado on the 19^th floor.

   The office will have a sophisticated, bold atmosphere with accents of unique wood finishes and greenery. The large windows allow for the use of various plants and grass as decoration. Since no budget has been specified, only the highest quality of products will be used to emphasize the contemporary image that Bright Device wants to create. Steelcase provides a variety of workstations that encourage community- based projects and an indoor garden will make a great accent to the splashes of color. The unique mix of textures that will be used in the space will encourage free thinking among each department. The open spaces will rid workers of claustrophobia and reduce stress, while the more private areas will encourage individual focus while maintaining comfort. Some spaces will be interchangeable depending on the current needs of each department.

   Bright Device operates on private funding and grants from partnering with its local university. To optimize funding, it is imperative that the office always looks sleek and sophisticated for visitors. Spaces such as the lobby and meeting spaces will be used to keep visitors and potential investors entertained and comfortable. These spaces will be used to showcase past projects and an image of a leader in green technology. High quality seating such as the Jenny Club chair will provide a professional atmosphere that will help the company get the funding that it needs. High quality products prove to be an investment for the future because they last longer and impress visitors. Steelcase products, state- of- the- art technology, and a unique combination of natural elements and contemporary design all work together to create a space that allows for idea development and a comfortable space for workers and visitors alike.