High-Rise Reinvention: Lake Point Tower

My second semester of grad school proved to be the most grueling and stressful few months of my academic career ever, but also the most rewarding.
This semester, we were to study the structural components of a high-rise building (15 stories or greater) of our choice. Within the building we chose, we were to decide on and design at least 3 systems.

My building of choice was the beautiful Lake Point Tower, located at 505 N. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. The aspects that initially drew me to this building- the unique shape, curved walls, and panoramic windows- turned out to be the most challenging features in creating my design within this space.

I decided to design the following 3 systems:

• Lobby with a mezzanine cafe (utilizing levels 1 & 2)
• Condominiums (levels 4-67)
• Restaurant/Bar (level 68)

Throughout the semester we did smaller exercises and assignments that worked to mold our overall concept while teaching us about details of design such as circulation patterns, lighting, HVAC systems, and the structural makeup of a high-rise building.

Lake Point Tower was built in 1968, which inspired me to give a nod to 60s fashion and trends in my interior design. The color combination and geometric patterns of Emilio Pucci's classic prints were a sort of jump-off point for my inspiration, and my design evolved from there.

Below are the plans (created in AutoCAD) and a majority of the renderings (created in 3D Studio Max) that were a part of my final presentation:

Lincoln Park Zoo History Museum

It's been about a month since I wrapped up my second project and first semester of grad school.

It was a challenging, yet extremely rewarding semester, and I cannot believe how far I've come and how much I've learned in 15 weeks!

The project for the second half of the semester was a commercial project. Our assignment: to turn what is now the Helen Brach Primate House into a history museum of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

Some of the required elements included:
- Exhibits on the main level of the building
- A small restaurant to seat a minimum of 50 persons
- A museum gift shop
- Public restrooms (ADA accessible), an elevator, and 2 stairways to the second level
- Second level to house offices for the curator, curator's assistants, marketing manager, and a conference room
- The entire project is to be considered toward LEED rating and has to be sustainable
- The zoo is looking for a strong concept from the designer that will enable them to fundraise while it is designed

I've posted some of the more relevant slides from my presentation below, with explanations of my ideas and process:


-I began with a brief background of the Lincoln Park Zoo and the existing space of the Helen Brach Primate House

-Concept: I was inspired by this series of Endangered Species prints by Andy Warhol. The images are screen printed, then colored over by hand with pencils and paints.

It's said that Warhol did this as a metaphor for how man-made industrialism is killing off Earth's natural beauty.

I was also inspired in a reading we did on the Industrial Revolution, and how its effects have had (and still have) and extremely detrimental impact on the environment.

I wanted to incorporate both of these ideas in my design by promoting the positive effects of industrialization and how it's allowing us to explore technologies to create materials, products, and spaces that not only sustain but even give back to the environment.

-Inspiration: For my design, I was inspired by the curvilinear shapes and forms of Antoni Gaudi; the way the Louvre in Abu Dhabi by Jean Nouvel plays with light and shadows and its intricate cut-outs; color-blocking; and of course, the prints by Warhol.



Above: My plan for the main floor, including exhibits, a gift shop, a water feature, 2 sets of restrooms, and the restaurant and kitchen.



- Upon entering the museum, you would see the water feature apparently descending from the ceiling and into the long trough on the main floor. Over the top of the waterfall would be a sash of colorful flowers made from recycled water bottles, with recycled paper vines hanging down. Banners with laser-cut shapes of leaves would be hung sporadically along the ceiling, utilizing the natural light from the windows to cast interesting shadows throughout the space.


- The exhibit slide shows a sketch of the intricate "branch" pattern that would be cut into the curved walls of the exhibit. The interior walls of each of the 6 exhibits would be painted a different color, as showcased in the palette shown.


- The bottom 2 slides show an isometric view of the main floor, and my first attempt at rendering in 3D Studio Max. Neither images have nearly the amount of detail I would've liked, but given the time and current skill set I have to work with, I think it was a pretty good first pass :) This semester we will be exploring rendering programs more in-depth.



- This set of slides showcases my concept, plan, sketches, and materials ideas for the restaurant portion of the museum.

Since the restaurant is situated behind the waterfall feature of the main exhibition area, I chose the name "Abri," which is the proper term for the area of rock shelter in a cliff found behind a waterfall.

Abri will have a feature bar with the waterfall in the background, and will accommodate up to 105 persons.



- Lastly, the plan and materials palette for the administrative offices upstairs. This was our introduction to systems furniture. I went with Herman Miller furniture and a more subdued color palette for the offices.


To tie my design into my concept, I kept in mind sustainability as a priority throughout the design process.
Some of the space's sustainable features include:

• Exhibit feature wall: Elements made of recycled papers and water bottles from the zoo's own waste
  
• Exhibits: VOC-free, water-based paints; All materials produced in the Midwest; Eco-friendly epoxy floor "ecopoxy" or "aquapoxy"
• ABRI: Limestone wall covering from Illinois quarries
  
• Admin. Offices: Wallcovering Cradle-to-Cradle Silver Certified; Herman Miller "Resolve" system (workstations are 59% recyclable and contain 27% recycled materials; every part is easily disassembled for recycling; a low-emitting product)

It was very cool to transform a space that's in such a public place and that's visited by hundreds of thousands of people a year. It made me realize how much of an impact I can have on society through my designs, and definitely made me more open to the idea of commercial design.
But we'll see! Onto the next chapter...!

Desk Details

Now that I have my basic office furniture, I've been scouring my favorite online shops for some items to style my desk area with.

I have a yellow, white, and grey geometric-print curtain on the window next to my desk, so keeping that in mind I selected a few dream pieces that I think would compliment the space well.

PS- This is my first stab at creating a digital collage, so please cut me some slack! Also, any tips or tricks would be much appreciated :)

1. "Step Back Into the Fun" print by Mina Georgescu

2. Antique Gold Downbridge Desk Lamp

3. Jonathan Adler Carnaby Flame Tray

4. Hand Sculpted Ling the Elephant and Monkey tape dispenser from Iomoi

5. Set of 14 pens also from Iomoi

Louis Ghost Armchair

I have had my eye on one of these bad boys for quite some time now. I feel like I see them everywhere, but I've just never had a reason to buy one! In my new apartment, I have an "office" area (basically just a desk), but finally have the perfect excuse to purchase this chair! This weekend I finally sucked it up and invested (that's what I like to call it) in this amazing piece of furniture.

The Louis Ghost Chair was designed by Philippe Starck, and based off of the classic design of the Louis XV armchair. In 2002, Starck reinvented the original piece to create the perfect postmodern combination of technical innovation and historical style.

I've paired my Ghost Chair with a white Parsons desk, similar to the one above, only I got mine for a steal at Walmart!

Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere has a similar setup in her home office

A House in the City

"You are considered to design a residence in the City of Chicago. The location is in Lakeview.

Neighborhood, near Wrigley Field. The owners are currently living in Los Angeles and will be commuting during the design process and subsequent construction and installation. They are strict with their wishes.

The clients wish for the house to have an interior that does not remind them of a laboratory. They do not care for sleek surfaces. They do like quality

They enjoy arches.

They love the classical language. They do not mind an interpretation of it.

They wish for furniture to have quality, however they do not care for the standard retail type.

They are not scared of color, however they have an art collection of various size paintings they wish to display.

They insist their kitchen will be an interpretation of Tuscan-like feeling in Italy.

They will begin with the complete demolition of the interior. The exterior will be kept intact along with the side porch and rear extension of the house.

The house is to function for parties of up to 30 people.

Lower level:

Provide areas for a bar and tables, a movie theater space that does not have to employ typical movie seats, a bathroom, exercise room, Jacuzzi, storage.

Main level:

Provide living space, Tuscan-like kitchen, dining area, a 'red room' (this room will double as an office and guest room), powder room, and a stairway that will connect all the levels vertically. A water feature is requested by the client, as well as fireplaces at the designer's recommendation for this level and throughout the house.

Top level:

Provide a master suite. Provide two means of egress. Provide a private bath for the guest room."

This was the assignment for my first school project. Clearly a dream house/project to work on (especially as your first "client"), but this is an actual house and project that my professor and his firm had just recently completed. We received the blueprints of the home, along with the above program, and were left to delve into the project at our own interpretation. We were not given any budget constraints; we were given the freedom to explore layout, materials, and design without the added pressure of cutting costs (again, only in school would this ever happen, but it sure was fun!).

Our first six weeks of the program were dedicated to learning the fundamentals of design while concurrently applying them to the development of this project. It's amazing to me how far my class progressed in those six weeks, considering in week one we literally learned how to draw a line in AutoCAD. I would have loved to go into more detail in my project, and fully complete every room, but in six weeks I quickly learned the importance of prioritizing since you can only do so much before the "bell" rings.

Below are my presentation boards for "A House in the CIty." Please forgive the crappy photos, I promise they look much better in-person!

Above: Concept and inspiration images. "An oasis from hectic city living where colors and textures from the Tuscan countryside are referenced throughout, and stark white walls serve as a gallery to showcase the homeowners' vast collection of art. The dark espresso-colored woodwork throughout the home provides a rustic, old-world charm, while a mix of modern and antique furniture pieces provide an eclectic flair"

Above: Main level. Showcased: sample of the wood to be used throughout the home; furniture, materials, inspiration images, and color palettes for the kitchen, dining room, living room, and "red room"

Above: Top level. Showcasing master bed and bath, as well as a second living area.

Above: Lower level. Showcasing ideas for the bar area and theater, as well as a wine cellar I decided to add.

Basically, my goal was to have the house itself serve as a work of art. Since this is the couple's second (at least) home, I wanted to take advantage of the fact that they weren't afraid of color and really have fun with textures and materials that might not be as practical in a home you live in year-round.

Hope you enjoy! Onto project #2...