Designer's Choice

     While I am on course to becoming an interior architect, I also have time to read up on and watch videos about one of my favorite things of all time: conspiracy theories. I know they aren't everyone's cup of tea but I just find them so interesting. One of the most interesting of all, and has a lot to do with design is the Denver International Airport.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FDenver_International_Airport&psig=AOvVaw3d0E71QB8Jmh6T6Fik2_jr&ust=1639106217687000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCJCe5dPg1fQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

    DIA is home of some of the most interesting interior decisions of all time. There are murals of animal sacrifices, a soldier with a gas mask and a sword, as well as people worshipping a magical plant. There is also an extremely large blue horse sculpture at the entrance of the building who has been named Blucifer. They also have an animatronic gargoyle that will greet and speak to you. It's a very interesting place to be. I'll reference some pictures down below.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Ftravel%2Fdenver-airport-travelers-prank-gargoyle-statue&psig=AOvVaw17R9zj5PxUjieZTdik-rzo&ust=1639107064686000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCOC-sufj1fQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAO

uncovercolorado.com/denver-airport-murals-painting-location/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cpr.org%2F2019%2F09%2F06%2Fsomeone-has-tempted-the-fates-and-vandalized-blucifer-at-the-airport%2F&psig=AOvVaw3d0E71QB8Jmh6T6Fik2_jr&ust=1639106217687000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCJCe5dPg1fQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

    Some people are so weirder out by it that they believe it a huge plot to make the airport into something terrifying and government-related, especially knowing there are underground tunnels beneath it. The airport was built 2 years behind schedule and costed a generous $4.8 billion to build. 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.9news.com%2Farticle%2Ftravel%2Funder-colorado-the-secret-tunnels-of-denver-international-airport%2F201142788&psig=AOvVaw0MX9vVT_UktrVo4CVTUEWH&ust=1639106890892000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCKC66Jfj1fQCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

    I remember going there whenever I was younger but I was so lost in such a large place, I never noticed the weird art or sculptures but now that I know to look for them, I want to go just to check it out.  Some believe it is there to traffic people, some believe it's to house endangered species, some believe it's a future safe haven for all of the elitists. They can go on and on. What do you think?

Prospect and Refuge

     When it comes to spaces, people like to seek our security as well as a great view and this is basically the best way to sum up "prospect-refuge." For example, giving people the option to sit in the corner, on the edge, or in the middle of a room, most people who prefer prospect-refuge will flock to the corner or the edge so they can feel like they can see their surroundings and feel a sense of safety. 

    I used to work in the food industry and at one of the restaurants I worked at, there was a large booth in the corner of the dining room where people would always ask to sit. We had at least 5 groups request it every night. It was almost mafia-style seating. We would call this "casing the joint." People who would prefer to sit there really liked to be able to see all of their surrounding especially being able to see the front door to see who is coming in and who is going out. 

    I think this is a great example of prospect-refuge because there is a much preferred seat in the place in order to see everything around you and feel safe. 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/284078688967974453/

Ergonomics and The Home Office

     Most ergonomic products are designed for office settings. It makes a lot of sense considering people who work for or in an office setting are often in the same space, using the same products or technology for extended amounts of time and that can cause a lot of wear and tear on our bodies, especially the workability of our hands, heads, and even our posture.

    It's important to take advantage of the technology that has been created in order to keep our bodies in tip-top condition. For a few examples, there are standings desks, computer "mice" that are created to have a more relaxed hand, chairs that help keep our backs straight and our heads up, the list goes on and on. 

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Ergonomic-Mouse-Right-Medium/dp/B08QHKPQK1

    My partner and I both have home offices and his office is much more ergonomic friendly than mine. My office chair is a fuzzy, straight-backed wood chair, while his has a lumbar support and a headrest. I have a simple, notebook laptop while his PC has an ergonomic mouse, keyboard, and adjustable screen. He has taken the time to think about the longevity of his time spent on his computer and I--the future designer--have not. 

    When designing an office space, the ergonomic details are important but expensive, but I highly suggest buying a few pieces at a time because it could save you a doctor's visit in the long run.

https://www.gq.com/story/tips-for-an-ergonomic-home-office

Proxemics Pre-COVID and Post-COVID

    

    Proxemics are the physical boundaries humans set from each other. There are boundaries that are appropriate for each person in our lives, for example, our loved ones will always be able to get closer than a stranger at a bar. Whenever you're on the subway, you are made to be face to face with strangers because you're only means of transportation but no one thought twice about a virus before the pandemic. They were just trying to get to where they're going. 

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/subway-cars-running-capacity-rush-hours-article-1.2161455

    In a pre-COVID world, our boundaries had standardly been a little closer. I know I didn't mind passing a stranger on the street on a tight sidewalk. In a post-COVID world, not only are there less people to pass on the sidewalk, but I go lengths to not breath that person's air. It has created a conscious boundary between people. I have also found myself being extra cautious due to having a baby this year. I don't want her to get sick because I was being careless. It's even had me be a little more further away from my family because no one ever knows who is carrying this virus. 

    It's interesting to see how people react to fresh babies as well. In my experience, most people are not afraid to approach someone with a baby. They aren't afraid to turn around in the store to see the baby lying in the stroller. I have had to step away from people from getting in my baby's face because they fascination has made them delirious to the fact that we are in a pandemic. I don't think people should ever get that close to a stranger's baby pre-COVID, but especially now. 

https://depositphotos.com/stock-photos/strangers.html

    It's created an extra bubble around people. Personally, as someone who has become more introverted with time, I prefer the new standard and I know a lot of people who relate to that. I don't like when people are breathing down my neck at the grocery store and now, most people do not. A lot more people have enjoyed working from home. A lot of jobs have moved to that because they've always had the ability to do so. It has also had the same change with school. From personal examination, I've noticed a huge difference in health because of it. Not only has it helped people avoid getting COVID-19, but the flu and the common cold as well. 

    I am a huge fan of distance so I enjoy the new distances we have taken in a current- and post-pandemic world. 

Good Design that's not Sublime!

     I have thought about this topic all day to think of what it is I could possibly use to fit the prompt. It finally dawned on me that one of my favorite design concepts fits the mold. I have always been a fan of sustainability, recycling, and overall green living. I think the design of these buildings are the best. 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-buildings-are-going-green-literally-1530065281

    The idea of buildings growing plants on the side of them make you go straight to thinking maybe the building has been abandoned, but in reality, it's the complete opposite. These plants are being taking care of and in return, they are taking care of the environment. 

    Plants pull carbon dioxide out of the air and helps produce oxygen which is great for taking care of air pollution. Studies have already proven that plant buildings have helped cut air pollution by 20 percent in the area around it. They also help with dust particles so I can (almost) guarantee that the building is pretty clean inside. (Carter).  

    These buildings could also help with global warming, feeding the hungry, and can even help with flash floods by soaking up the rainwater before it hits the ground. This idea doesn't even have to be based on a certain building design either. It can be added to existing buildings as well and reap some of the same benefits. 

    The benefits to these buildings are absolutely amazing. They're beautiful but personally, that was not the first thing I noticed about them. The design and the idea behind it were much more at the front of my mind when I first saw one. 

https://www.architectureartdesigns.com/green-buildings-what-they-are-how-they-work-and-why-they-matter/

References:

Green buildings: What they are, how they work, and why they matter. Architecture Art Designs. (2019, December 17). Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.architectureartdesigns.com/green-buildings-what-they-are-how-they-work-and-why-they-matter/.

Nield, D. (n.d.). This is why we should all be covering all our buildings with plants. ScienceAlert. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.sciencealert.com/these-are-all-the-reasons-why-we-should-be-covering-our-buildings-with-plants.

Wells, K. (2018, June 27). More buildings are going green. literally. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-buildings-are-going-green-literally-1530065281.

My Design Philosophy

    My design philosophy is focused around safety and serenity. These are two of the most important feelings to experience when you enter a room, a home, or a building. It is surrounded by textiles and furniture you'd like to sink into and want to feel on your skin.

    Whenever I think about designing and what drives me to do it, all I can think about is the feeling I get whenever I'm in a place that feels me full of serenity. My art is also a part of my drive. I love the way it feels to create something beautiful to look at, especially if it's customary to someone else.

    I have been an artist my entire life. I have been drawing, painting, and creating since I was about 4 years old. I have always known I wanted it to be my career one day. As I got older, the moment I was taught how to draw a floor plan for a home, I knew I was hooked. Drafting became my new goal. I wanted to design layouts. From that moment on, drafting, designing, and decorating became an obsession. I wanted homes to not only be aesthetically pleasing but good for the soul as well. 

    There have been a couple times in my life where my actual home has felt like a real home, out of the 7 homes I've lived in. I believe that it's one of the most important feelings your brain and body can experience for one's own personal mental health. I also think that's another reason why I'm so drawn to profession. I want to give people that feeling. 

    Whenever I design, I like to think about the needs of the client but also a way to sign off on a design without combating client's preferences. It's important to put yourself into your work when you can. You spend hours on creating it.

https://mamathefox.com/2020/05/from-house-to-haven-how-to-create-a-safe-secure-serene-home/