Focus

The focus of this first stage in the process of creating your integrated design project is to identify some big design ideas and creative building features that capture your imagination and that you’d consider exploring in your design:

• Design Inspirations
• Grin Grin Park, Japan

I am very drawn to the idea of biomorphism, whereby the design of the building is inspired by nature. In Grin Grin park, the undulating ceiling of the botanical garden makes me think of naturally occurring hills you may find at a local park. Not only does it look pretty, but it also has a functional purpose. The ceiling having vegetation provides natural cooling and the glass panes on top of the structure provides natural lighting as well. In my design, I would like to explore a balance between form & function, beauty & utility, similar to what the Grin Grin park achieved.




• Frank LLoyd Wright, Fallingwater

I especially like the building of Fallingwater because rather than destroy nature to make room for a man-made structure, it incorporates it. If possible, I would like my building to be as symbiotic as possible with the environment it is located in. If there is a big boulder on the land, it could potentially serve as the epicenter of the building; if there is a river, it could potentially be an exhibit space and a walkway could be built around it. The design idea I would like to take away from Wright’s Fallingwater is build with nature, not against it.




• Innovative Building / System Features
• Langara College Science and Technology Building

I really like the use of daylighting in the Langara College Science and Technology Building. The interior partitions are typically made of translucent panels and the exterior was designed to maximize natural daylight as much as possible. I would like my building to use passive lighting as much as possible, while also improving occupant wellbeing by providing outdoor scenery to everyone within the building.

Recommended Approach

At this point in the process, it will probably be most helpful to work with inspiration photos, web clippings, sketches, and snippets of ideas.  Don’t worry about creating detailed building models just yet -- that will come in future iterations after you’ve developed your design strategy.

For this check-in, focus on creative exploration and fluid thinking.