Any gallery space needs drama to envelope visitors and keep them coming back. A proper lighting plan is important to the overall design of the space. A first draft of my lighting plan makes use of track spots for highlighting the artwork. Some individual pendants will accent the kitchen area on the second story, while a light installation provides a conversation piece.
Moving through the process of designing the gallery, I’ve been challenged to think of what might make people want to visit. Then, once they get there, how will the design carry them throughout the space? Does the space allow everyone the same opportunity to experience the works in the same way? So, there has been much to think about.
Here are my plans for the first and second story gallery spaces. I found an idea for individual isolation booths, as well as larger group booths that allow for a variety of experiences. My thought is that people would enter the booths and the closing of a door, or their presence within the space would start a projection or video experience. This would ensure sustainability as energy is not being used when someone is not in the booth. In addition, there is room for floor to ceiling columns which would have niches to display sculpture, in them. Finally, I’ve alotted wall space for canvas or textiles as well.
After working through some of the space plan and choosing some furnishings for the gallery space, I’ve revised one logo to what might be the final product. Adding a tribal textile print to the blue “immersed” section of the logo, along with brightening the orange to give it more energy, I think this one works. The project overall is progressing and I look forward to letting you see it soon!
Just last week, we had the opportunity to visit 21c in Durham, NC. It is an art gallery, with work displayed in the restaurant as well, along with a hotel. The gallery space had several different types of media, including a virtual reality booth, a flip book that continually rotates the pages, and a video booth with a large projection screen. Another interesting piece, was an American flag sculpture created by green army men, that were then painted.
The point of our visit was to take note of the different media used to create art, while at the same time visualizing different methods of display for the multiple media that exist in the art world today. All of this is to push our thinking in the design and layout of our art gallery for the Bienenstock competition. In addition to the works throughout the gallery, the Counting House restaurant also contains different works, which really brings some visual interest and conversation starters to the dining area.
My favorite feature in the Counting House was the light installation in a cage above the kitchen prep area. Truly a great example of both form and function. It serves a purpose for the kitchen area, but also provides an interesting view of light. Another feature I appreciated in the Counting House bar area was the mirror TVs located in the cabinet fronts of shelving. While a TV is not necessarily a lovely design element, it does serve a purpose and most patrons likely expect there to be one in a bar. So, given that it meets a need for patrons, I appreciate the designed element of using the mirror to hide the TV when not in use.
Along a similar line was, likely the highlight of our trip…the smartglass bathrooms. You walk down the hall on the mezzanine level and find individual stalls with toilet & sink visible through glass doors and windows. It is slightly unnerving at first, however once you step into a stall, close the door and then lock it, the smartglass changes from clear to opaque so you have your privacy! Never have I been so intrigued by a restroom before!
In the midst of all the design work for both our residential class, design competition and the commercial design competition, we’ve had a few enlightening field trips lately. We had the opportunity to tour the facility and learn about leather from Tiger Leather co-founder and president, Frank Toledano. First things first, why Tiger Leather? A tiger was Frank’s high school mascot, simple answer, no fuss…kind of like leather, huh? We were privileged to check out their Greensboro, NC operation which houses design staff, marketing, and logistics, along with their massive warehouse. Imagine the smell of clean leather filling the air as you move through row after row, filled with hides ready for manufacturers to turn into the many leather goods we use daily.
Think about your daily encounters with or the items you are wearing made of leather. Most people have at least 3 – 4 leather items on them each day…watch strap, purse or wallet, jacket or shoes, and belt. Then, think about your cozy armchair at home or the waiting room where you sat for a bit, even your car’s upholstery…all leather. One of the reasons leather is used so widely, is because of its strength and durability. Especially when it comes to hospitality furnishings and automobiles.
We were offered a chance to see how a few of Tiger’s hospitality leathers would respond to coffee spills and ballpoint pen, and they more than met the challenge. One of the major topics of discussion was their desire to educate designers regarding leather’s functional qualities so that designers can then specify a product that will meet consumer expectation. A great many negative experiences with leather in the furnishings industry specifically come from the specification of leathers that were not intended to perform in the manner a customer expected. Education ensures that clients know and understand what they are getting so that it performs in the manner they require for home or hospitality.
Another highlight of the trip was meeting Elliot and learning what he does in designing some of the rugs and trade show booths for Tiger Leather. The company focuses on fashion trends for a great deal of their design inspiration, and he developed their most recent booth to resemble a high-end beauty counter concept. We saw a video he created using sketchup and podium renderings, in order to pitch the idea to Frank, and it was incredible! In addition to designing their booth, he showed us several concepts he created for using the company’s logo in a pattern for a few of hair on hide rugs. The final design for one of the rugs resembled a greek key, so the pattern while subtle was definitely a nod to the brand. Overall, the experience of learning about leather was well worth the trip.
Joy Rich Design 