In this image, the façade that faces the entrance of the building, as well as, borders the exhibit, is made of glass panels and metal mullions. Concrete columns protrude both in front of and beyond the glass wall. The students adapted to this idea by carrying walls of the exhibit outside of the given space, visibly connecting them. Natural light illuminates inside project.
Posts were connected through the use of tongue- and –grove separate nose –joint connections. The teal-stained wooded joints added a colorful element to the project that emphasized attention to detail and vivid connections. Posts angled acutely, as shown in the image to the left, were utilized throughout the space to create a grand welcoming feeling and to direct the eye to displays below.
The grayscale pictures female students in Loewenstein’s design program, were a strong focal point due to their mounting on a rich orange background. Large well-designed photocopies of Iarc students, their projects and their documented thoughts were displayed along the set-ups to add a personal touch to exhibit. Various types of media were placed across the tall, yet, long horizontal metal panels. Media included computer-generated programs, power point presentations, and digitally altered photos.
Close to Home Analysis
Sydrena Scott
Iarc 222
Celebrating modernism, as a global movement is something that many designers pride themselves on, as well as, aim to continue with innovative designs for new occurring environmental needs. As an Iarc student, there is great cause to celebrate my program of study’s history and how its existence continues to have a great effect on my current environment. The “ Close to Home “ exhibit showcases the work from one of Greensboro’s own architects, Edward Loewenstein, and work from our department’s Third year designers. Information given through the exhibit was creatively presented using a variety of building material, media, and spatial orientations. The concept of traditional design’s evolution to today’s contemporary intentions is expressed in a number of ways through out the exhibit. The overall project is very insightful and the originality of the design is one to be proud of.
Materials Light and, Color
The students used a rich pallet of materials both color wise and texturally. Many large slender, orange- stained wooden posts were arranged vertically and at 45-degree angles from the floor. They were supported by horizontal wooden stands, and connected by teal- stained wooden nose joints. Grayscale photos were mounted on rich orange and brown backgrounds to emphasize the pictures. Pages of text and pictures were posted on hole-punched sheets of metal and steel rods, and held up by circular metal magnets. Sheets of corrugated plastic were installed into two sections of the wooden stand to serve as a surface for PowerPoint slides to b shown own. Traditional ideas were expressed through the use of wooden material and grayscale photos, while modern elements included steel material and stimulating color.
Ceiling track lights were shun to direct focus to pictures and text blocks and natural light that shun through the glass walls surrounding the exhibit set the tone for a calming yet engaging space.
The Experience
The tall height and spatial orientation of the wooden posts, created a grand feeling of openness, yet guided the visitor in throughout the entire exhibit as if really taking a journey throughout time. The post that were angled above the vertical post welcomed visitors to view certain parts of the exhibit that may have been more revealing of the projects overall concept. They also lead the visitor’s eye down the walls to correspond with vertical panels of information. The one section of post that were arrange at a 45 degree angle from the floor did present an awkward feeling spatially, but did add reference to the angled ceiling posts. The students designed with the tradition uses of verticality, while innovatively using acute angles and open spaces.
Information Transmission
Properly communicating the process of design in Greensboro was essential to making this exhibit a success. The variety of media used to translate our history worked very well towards the cause, and also insinuated the progression in eras as one traveled throughout the space.
At the start of the displays, many grayscale photos and hand rendered drafts of pre-modern designed buildings and designers were arranged across the wall. The information communicated the developing idea of making dwellings horizontally relate to their landscapes and the idea of using simple forms and materials to relate to natural environments. As the exhibit progressed, so did the uses of newer media to communicate information. Power point presentations were displayed along on corrugated plastic panels to virtually tour through spaces designed by the students. This display was engaging from both sides of the plastic and added a since of futuristic element to the entire exhibit. Computers were posted up at certain stations to electronically inform visitors, and students utilized Sketch-up, and Auto – CAD programs to render custom designed spaces. All media uses were successful in helping to understand traditional ways of designing and how new design has developed with the creation of new technology.
Lowenstein
Out of all of the information communicated through the exhibit, none was more revealing to me than Loewenstein’s contribution to the design of Greensboro and his relevance to the idea of a great designer. Loewenstein designed a number of dwellings that both unified and served the Greensboro community. It’s understood that he is not just celebrated for his design of local synagogues, factories, schools, and homes that still service our community today; but he is greatly noted on his ability to respond to the needs of his community and in turn, successfully ameliorating the future of the environment. Seeing how he taught young women how to effectively design for their community inspires me to use the skill I acquire from my teachings, to create for a better tomorrow.
