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Zen inspired interior designs

Because Zen is popularly known to be practiced in China and Japan I wanted to keep its rawness from the design by having a minimal Japanese feel of the interior design.

Figure 1

The different tones of white, cream and dark brown is what creates the peaceful look to the room by keeping it minimal yet busy.

Figure 2

Like I said in the previous post about lowering tables I want them low at a reasonable height so that they can interact in the same level as others. I want to add the feeling of serenity within the atmosphere. 

Figure 3

Harvard referencing

Figure 1: Home designing,  available at: http://www.home-designing.com/2014/06/zen-inspired-interior-design

Figure 2:  Home designing,  available at: http://www.home-designing.com/2014/06/zen-inspired-interior-design

Figure 3:Modern interior decorating, available at: http://www.modern-interior-decorating.com/decorating-zen-style.html

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Client analysis

Figure 1

In this module, Material Technologies I decided to create the study and relaxing area specially for design students of BCU. To be more specific, within the 5 students I want to imagine they are a group of multi cultural and international students coming from different backgrounds.

Because of this diversity I feel like I can push myself furthermore to challenge the system of design. The diversity indicates a number of factors that should be met. Such as the ability to make the environment as friendly and welcoming as a students own home.

Figure 2

Two of the design students are international students both from china, which means language barriers will naturally form. However this will motivate me to design pods and space thoughtfully so that as a group of students they are able to socialise and interact comfortably together enough to be able to understand one another.

Harvard referencing

Figure 1: available at: http://osr-nw.org/

Figure 2: ‘international’ available at:  http://www.recordingachievement.ac.uk/international.html

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Millennium point- site analysis

Figure 1

For this module we are given 3 sites to choose from: Atrium in the new BCU conservatoire, atrium in the University house or Millennium bridge. I ended up choosing Millennium point and closely working only on level 4 of the atrium for my design project.  

Figure 2

The Millennium point is linked to the Parkside building which is the school of design. For my chosen clients I decided to create a study space for design students, making my site very appropriate for the function.

As you can see from the map, Millennium point shares the same building as Birmingham’s Thinktank science museum. This museum is very popular and attracts families and schools for its interactive playground and equipment to educate and entertain young individuals.

Figure 3

These drawings are in response to the photographs I took as observation from the level 4 atrium of millennium point and the staircase going up to level 4. 

Figure 4

Harvard referencing

Figure 1:’Millennium point - atrium’,  http://flatpackfestival.org.uk/venue/millennium-point-atrium/

Figure 2:  ’Millennium point - atrium’,  http://flatpackfestival.org.uk/venue/millennium-point-atrium/

Figure 3: Bloggers own

Figure 4: Bloggers own

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Disability access (DDA)

Figure 1

The disability discrimination act 1995 allows the right of disabled people to be able to access facilities, services and goods. The DDA works to protect anyone who has a disability including the hearing impaired, wheelchair users and the partially sighted. 

I want people to feel comfortable and equal whether they’re from a different background or if they have a disability. Therefore I will take in consideration a number of factors such as: the ability to transition tables/ chairs lower or higher for wheelchair users,this will boost their confidence by making them feel equal in height to the rest of their peers. Another would be to have braille on surfaces and on my pods for the sightless to read warnings or necessary information. 

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Harvard references

Figure 1: ‘Make your buildings more accessible’, available at: http://nda.ie/Resources/Accessibility-toolkit/Make-your-buildings-more-accessible/

Figure 2: Statler hilton, ; 101 questions and stairs

Figure 3: Baldinger studio, ‘Virginia g piper center’ available at: http://www.baldinger-studio.com/portfolio/virginia-g-piper-center/

Figure 4:  Demco Interiors, available at: http://demcointeriors.co.uk/library-counters-and-pods/

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Detailing and New Materials

Figure 1

Lefteri’s book, ‘Materials for Design’ talks about a range of materials that designers are using to create innovative ideas and materials they work with from scratch. What makes his work interesting is the unique and strange products he creates out of materials that aren’t seen as normal to use for furniture such as fish leather, horse hair or bacteria. 

‘Material innovations are not just coming from the science community but increasingly from designers as well’ 

This concept where the mind of a designer is way more powerful than the nature of creating materials in a unique way makes me feel more motivated because of the open possibilities to what I can achieve.

Figure 2

For my table in response to Lefteri’s book I decided to use brass from mined as the main material for the table.

Figure 3

Harvard referencing

Figure 1:  Lefteri, C (2014) Materials for Design. Available here: https://www.bookdepository.com/Materials-for-Design-Chris-Lefteri/9781780673448 Last Accessed: 05/03/17

Figure 2: Bloggers own

Figure 3: Bloggers own

Book: Lefteri, C (2014). Materials for Design.  London: Laurence King Publishing.  

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Controlled and Uncontrolled Space / Surveilance

Using the Curzon library to observe the controlled and uncontrolled space I analyzed the site carefully, keeping in mind things such as where the card entry points are to log in my presence. As soon as you walk into the entrance of the library there are already barriers before entering the open space leading to the canteen and library. This is efficient so that people won’t compact together and reduce traffic coming in. 

The cameras built in the site is efficient because the area where its been placed makes it easier for security guards to track any criminal offence within the area, also it reassures people that are safe and secured. 

In the library there are many open spaces where students can study in their own time and have their own freedom and no supervision in order for them to be responsible for their work. 

Harvard referencing

Anthamatten, E. (2015). Visibility is a trap body cameras and panopticon of police power, available at: http://www.mantlethought.org/philosophy/visibility-trap

Panopticon, available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panopticon

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Review of London trip

Figure 1

Orangebox’s pod caught my interest not only because of the minimal, modern design but because of the features within it. The monitor on the wall and the whiteboards allow interaction with the group, as well as becoming multi functional by using technological methods for group work or meetings. The walls are lined with acoustic materials so that the people in the pod are free to be as loud as they want. The reason why I chose this pod was because I intend to include features of sound-proof walls and interactive methods such as white boards and a screen like in this pod.

Figure 2

The closed off design of this pod will allow the people using it to become physically close together which will help to influence group work and interaction. The thought within this concept will help me to work around the design I want for my work.

Figure 3

The last company we visited was Altro, they specialize in hardware and flooring. The resin floors are able to withstand to busy environments such as study spaces in libraries. The wide variety of designs and materials will help me to decide on which flooring or wall coverings I want for my design.

Harvard referencing

Figure 1: Orangebox, Bloggers own

Figure 2: Brunner, Bloggers own

Figure 3: Altro, Bloggers own

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Material and senses

Figure 1

A multi- sensory environment (MSE) is an artificial room or venue which dedicates the space with equipment such as: UV lights, bubble lamps, pillows, beanbags and ball pools. Using these materials and equipment will allow to stimulate the senses and promote intellectual activity, as well as promoting pleasure and happiness to their mental health. They can be utilized as a learning or treatment experience, whether it’s for adults or children for leisure and relaxation. MSE therapy can benefit individuals with ADHD, dementia, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

Rooms with a multi- sensory environment that is designed with lighting materials can help to engage and focus the sight. Things like bubble and lava lamps helps to visualize different colours, shape and form through the object of light within the lamp. The light source can dramatically change the atmosphere of the space by the reflection of the colours, creating different senses of emotions in the room. 

Figure 2

Physical activities within the MSE room such as a variety of different textured balls and finger painting allows the children or adults to interact with their senses such as touch. Being able to feel the texture of the paint and controlling the shape and form of art they create engages their sense of touch with their well-being.

Figure 3

Lastly, the sense of hearing is a strong factor when it comes to imagination and triggering peaceful emotions. This is what the MSE is designed to achieve in response to the people interacting with the equipment. Some equipment like playing stations that include different buttons that makes a variety of sound when pressed, can intrigue a person out of curiosity. This in return will open up the mind of interest due to the interaction with their sense of hearing to the surroundings around them.  

Figure 4

Harvard Referencing

Figure 1: Chestnut tree house, ‘Multi-Sensory room’ (Updated UNKNOWN), [Accessed 03/03/2017], available at http://www.chestnutlottery.org.uk/the-hospice/

Figure 2: Daily Herald, ‘Million Dollar’ cast performs to benefit special recreation programs, (Updated 4/10/2015), [Accessed 03/03/2017], available at http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150410/news/150419866/ 

Figure 3: Rompa, ‘ Voice Responsive Dome by ROMPA’ (Updated UNKNOWN), [Accessed 03/03/2017], available at http://www.rompa.com/voice-responsive-dome-by-rompa.html

Figure 4: Experia, ‘Sensory rooms’ (Updated UNKNOWN), [Accessed 03/03/2017], available at https://www.experia-innovations.co.uk/sensory-rooms

Farrelly, L. (2012). Materials and Interior Design. London: Laurence King Publishing