As we begin our independent designs there are a lot of factors to consider for this project, who will use it? Where will they enter? How do we address existing conditions, paths, shade? That is when the designer whips out a roll of trace, grabs their over-priced markers, and gets to sketching and diagramming. Sometimes architecture is used to solve a problem, here we don’t have a problem, rather we are seeking to improve the experience of Corrine Jones Park. There are multiple ways we can address the design of this soon-to-be structure, in the example above the red square denotes the location of a “structure” not that the final product will be that shape but that it likely will be in that location. Areas show the relationships between the existing pathways and makes connections to the existing playground. Through our analysis, we figured this garden will be used by retirees, empty-nesters, at-home parents, and single hipsters who like to garden.
Another element to consider is sun and shadow, the beds need plenty of sunlight and placement of our structure could mean literal life or death for plants. Our biggest culprits are the massive trees that flank either side. There is also the possibility to design two structures, one for shelter, one for storage.
While a plan drawing can help with understanding the organization of a space, drawing in perspective or in elevation can capture spatial qualities of design. Here a new path was created leading through the Corrine Jones Playground to the athletic fields. The foreground shows the structure that was built in 2011, in the background is our site. Stay tuned to see more from the studio this week as we begin to explore individual design proposals!