With the approach of the final design for the Greenville build fast approaching, 2d drawings and diagrams alone were no longer cutting it for the level of design depth we wanted. Moving into SketchUp massing studies, we were better able to evaluate in the larger groups how the program, circulation, entry sequence, and roof were working together. Being able to rotate around and ‘walk through’ these massing studies allowed a clearer picture of what the user’s experience is going to be like. Upon seeing each groups results with these, we were able to conclude that there were enough similarities between program and roof that continuing with just two designs will allow us to work out the crucial details that will shape how these masses, communal space, and roof interact. One of the areas of inspiration we have looked at to tie the program together in detailing and unite it with the roof structure is Thorn Crown chapel, a famous open air church with a simple but incredibly beautiful articulation of cross bracing.
To push further with the business of detailing, decisions need to be made and iterations experimented with for the materiality of the massings. This will determine how the scale and tactility of the program will feel. Communal space is incredibly important to the program, and a pleasing combination of ramp/stair/courtyard needs to be designed in harmony with the program. The roof, though it is not inherently integrated into the massings, will need to be unified with them through its structural design. We have looked at the Honey House as well as a student project from Oregon to experiment with butterfly, inverted truss, cross bracing, and other roof designs. For expansion of the program, keeping a linear pattern in mind will give a high level of efficiency and lower cost to any future build.
Not only are we investigating the building details, but the branding details as well. The potential re-branding of the CropStop to a different name may strengthen the program and how it appears to the farmers who will use it. Investigating brand packages and logo designs applicable across a wide variety of products has been the primary focus, but now we want to create a full package that maximizes the impact of a new name, website, logo, and brochures that takes the publicity of the project to a new level. Some of the words from the brainstorming session include harvest, hub, fresh, prep, kit, farm, fare, and post. We would like to keep the name catchy but give it a wider scope of application as a farm kitchen to prepare fruits, vegetables, and baked goods.
this is one of the logo examples we are inspired by
The two groups will shake down the details by midweek so we can create the final schematic for the project to present Friday. This is an exciting time for all of us as we begin to see our end objective revealed in its full capacity!