Design Projects

Only 2 weeks until Spring Break! I feel like it is so close yet these upcoming 2 weeks are going to be filled with work! I am in the midst of 2 projects for my design classes. For my Residential class, we are still working on our concept cube project. My group and I have come up with a final design and we drew out a floor plan and sections to show our design at each angle.  We also made a model of the room in SketchUp, a 3-D design program.  Like I mentioned before, we are designing a small space that must include a place to sleep and also communicate the feelings of energy and tranquility.  Our space is really coming along and now I am excited and nervous all at the same time to actually build this in real life!  And we only have two weeks to start and finish it!  I can't wait to do it though, it is going to be so cool to have a finished product I can walk on and sit on.  I will post a picture for you all to see when my group and I have it all constructed!
In my Graphics class, we received a project to redesign a veteran's hospital for returning Iraqi soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder.  We are working on the reception area and waiting room for the office.  We have been drawing out reception desk ideas to see what we want it to look like.  It needs to be a half-circle shape, but can be made with whatever materials we choose.  The desk also has to be in compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Standards with lowered counter heights for any handicapped patients in wheelchairs.  I am learning so much about spacial design and all the different rules and regulations that need to be followed when designing something like a medical area.  I am using the marker rendering skills I have been learning in class to show the materials on my desk design.  It is hard work! But it's what I love so its fun at the same time.
I am also working on starting my Historical Backgrounds final project which is to design a book that is a "Design Scavenger Hunt".  We have to find at least 20 examples of modern day design inspired by the different periods we have learned in class this semester.  Then we have to compile them all in a book showing what we found compared to what we learned.  And also writing how the modern design was influenced by the particular period.
Today in my Materials class, we are having a speaker come in from Armstrong Flooring and talk to us about, well, flooring.  So that should be interesting to hear from a professional in the field!
Have a great week everyone, I know mine will be a busy one! :)