I recently had to give a presentation at work, during a morning internal to the entire office over Zoom. We have weekly Design Shares to exemplify our creative strengths and work on our presentation skills. I thought I would show the progression of how one concept went in a completely different direction, yet still turned out pleasing for the client and end user. What you have below were my note cards and visuals from my presentation.
For those who do not know me, although I have the “gift of gab”, public speaking is a real fear of mine. I practiced all weekend for what would be a less than 10 minute presentation. I had difficulty not reading completely off the note cards and very quickly into the presentation, I realized my hands were shaking uncontrollably. In an effort not to focus on it, I held my hands beneath the table my laptop sat, so as not to be distracted by my own nervousness.
Half way through the presentation, I was notified by a work ally that only half of my presentation was visible on the display. Somehow the beautiful visuals, I so carefully coordinated, were being cut off. I very quickly lost my place in my presentation, fixed the screen, and quickly re-walked the 40+ person meeting back through what I had just been discussing. By the end, only my boss commented during the Q&A, revealing that no one other than the person obligated to speak, was even listening.
Later that afternoon, my Dad asked how it all went, knowing my presentation panic is one of the many wonderful genetic gifts he has bestowed upon me. At the end, he said the positive words of affirmation he knew I needed to hear, but his response to my presentation was one of genuine admiration for the story I told. It made me realize that I didn’t need anyone to listen, I wasn’t writing it for them, but for me. To remind myself that first and foremost, this is what I do and I love it anyway.
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I hope you enjoy!
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Backstory:
Warning, I’m going to give you a long winded bit of background — but it is all in an effort to focus on the evolution of a project’s concept, from idea to reality.
Set in what was and up and coming and now is a fairly trendy industrial area in the Western end of Chicago. Four years ago I developed two floors of an old warehouse in the Fulton market district, roughly 42,000 sf, for a commercial client.
After programming, I found the best layouts were looking toward the East, where there had been a straight shot view of Chicago’s Downtown Skyline. Which is the image you may be able to see in the background.
I started doing a bit of research on the urban development of the area and came across Daniel Burnham’s plan for Chicago from the late 19th century. Essentially meant as a road map to help grow the city into the bustling metropolis we know it as today — with predominance streaming business along Western Lake Michigan, as most cities thrive along the waterfront.
Separately, by the 1930’s Herbert Bayer began examining alternative ways to engage viewers with art. By looking at layers rather than a single line of sight. His fields of vision explored the idea of 360 viewer engagement. Among his sketches, exploring this array of visual enticement is accent 1, which I found strikingly similar to Daniel Burnham’s Vision for Chicago.
Which is where this seed starts.
Concept:
With the focus on honing Onlookers to the Views of Downtown I began to dissect accent 1 as a means of creating a kaleidoscope like portal within the space using materials traditionally common to the area.
As a former meat packing district, we were looking to use wood palette boards and romanticize the industrial feel of the steel and hardened structures of the area.
Amenity:
To have a better understanding, let me walk you through the site. For this discussion I have the layout horizontally, however North is actually to the left, rather than truly plan north. With two floors, we made the floor with terrace service our main entry point and circulated the main amenity about that opportunity
Surroundings:
As mentioned, off the largest Terrace, we had unencumbered Views of the Downtown Chicago area in the distance. To the North was both the closest local train stop that additionally offered a bit of visual flavor with the passing L Train in sight. Luckily the concrete building offered enough of a barrier in terms of acoustics that it did not seem to disturb the tenants, once they moved in.
Drivers:
In order to engage the inhabitants with the quartered amenity, I wanted something that could be seen from afar and ultimately draw them to the heart of the space.
Formula: How the Concept Plugs in
With all concepts you want the materials to speak to both the essence of the idea but provide functionality. Taking the layers of accent 1 to create that kaleidoscope vision but also offer moments of engagement to the end user. I began examining different products that could help achieve this. They ranged from using a CNC machine on MDF or even Torrent Tile by Turf for cost prohibitive purposes, which also offered a nice additional Acoustic support.
Form:
The idea was that as the individual proceeded into the space, the ceilings, lights and overall layout would begin to peel off and open, creating a sweeping panoramic view. The peeled layers cascading down the walls creating enclaves, seating, and shelving within the amenity. Such as seen in the case studies from the previous slide.
Alteration:
After discussion and cost concerns, the client decided they would prefer to simplify the concept, so we discussed an alternative approach that still held the ideals of the design without overcomplicating the structure. Focusing on the layers and reveal, rather than solely relying on the strips alone to create that kaleidoscope effect.
Transition:
The strips of wood acting more as a wall treatment, still allowing for the breaks within the space that would also provide visual intrigue. As the building was a fairly dense concrete building, the strips of wood would begin to peel off at the level where the office storefront would begin in the distance, going from wood on wood to wood upon fluted glass as it proceeded down. Meant as a way to provide additional light to the heart of the space and a sense of an airiness to our amenity. In other nooks, the wood would pull back at varying degrees to create shelving, space for plants, and seating for general engagement among the warmth of the wood. Further relying on the entirety of our FFE, we used lighting and stepped ceilings to create that Field of Vision as you approached the terrace deck.
Details/FFE:
In CA, we were able to take those elements to a greater level, illuminating shelving, carefully crafting finishes, and integrating greenery throughout the millwork. Still acknowledging the historical context of the space but giving it the richness and warmth in tones and details. To add to the aesthetic, we added antique mirrors to the back of the seating, offering a bit of depth to the greenery and some privacy to neighboring offices, while still not eliminating light from the space. In these images you can see more of that stepped ceiling and directionally lighting leading the viewer to the terrace deck.
Finish:
In the end we transitioned greatly from where I thought this concept would take us, but still ending with something palatable that both the end user and client were pleased with.
