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O’neill Master Bedroom

For the O’neill project I incorporated the difference in personality between the two clients to interject into the design of their bedroom. The warm loving personality of the female client was reflected in warm rich woods, plush textiles and large pillows. The fun and strong personality of the male client was represented with strong metals in the bed frame, masculine but warm grays and blues as well as loud geometric prints. I incorporated pops of yellow at the request of the client and to signify the joy and happiness they have found together. Unique accessories and art reflecting nature also has been incorporated to bring in their story and hobbies in a personal way.

 

 

Site-Shelter-Body Rest

This project of critically thinking through a site, shelter and body rest explores a few major ponderings I have on basic human environment and living. Too often we live a certain way simply because of routine. When designing I evaluated a few key issues within the site and shelter. Where would I want to be? Where can I have the freedom to do what I’d like and not have anyone question my decisions? What are some issues in the way people live today? What would building a shelter do for me throughout time?

As I began to explore possibilities, I came up with a few parameters for my site. If I could be anywhere, where would I like to be? My answer is like so many others; the beach. However with a public beach there are many issues including being on public property, conservation issues, privacy and rent cost. Instead of being on a public beach or a private deserted island, I realized I need to be on private property. I knew I wanted to be near the Bay Area where my current friends and family are located and I needed a home property that allowed additional build properties. After some careful research I found out that all my requirements are allowed in Santa Cruz, California. At the time of my research an ocean front property was on the market on Cliff Drive.

With the ocean as inspiration I began my journey to creating a shelter. I evaluated what kinds of shelters can be found in the ocean. Simultaneously I explored issues that exist within current build environments. A friend of mine recently embarked on the journey to add a second story to their home. The cost was over $500,000.00. In reverse many baby boomers are beginning their search to downsize. I realized my shelter needed morph from current rental property size, to future expansion, and eventual downsizing from the very point of conception. Forms of barnacle shells and honeycomb inspired my shelter shape.

My shelter would be a simple hexagon system. One hexagon makes the first step of the system. The 1st step system has six sides, 3 sliding walls, 2 windows and 1 solid wall.  The hexagon shaped roof has a removable stair case that folds flat when not in use and can be pulled down when needed. The first panel provides a wall to wall sliding door, perfect for a location of great views and climate. The second panel has a large window for light but has bubbled glass for privacy as well as a track to connect to another panel in the event of expanding to additional rooms. The third option is a solid panel recommended for the bathroom area. Plumbing is located in one center point of the structure so that this structure can exist within even the simplest plumbing situation. By having a simple system and structure, my shelter can be relocated in the event that it needs to be moved to a new location. Additional space can be easily attached by adding an additional hexagon and opening the adjoining doors. Just as barnacles do, systems are also able to stack and enter through the entry at the top with the built in ladder. The honeycomb plan allows for easy expansion or downsizing with minimal commitment and cost.

For the body rest, I began brainstorming what position is the most relaxing. For me it’s floating on my back in the water. I began to explore ways in which I could bring the sensation of floating into the shelter. While there’s the classic waterbed, it contains many negatives, mold within the water bed, popping, back aches. I also craved the feeling of natural motion of small waves. So I began to take inspiration from the gyro bowl, wave machine, and other objects that contain two moving parts.

The body rest would consist of two parts, a swing and a moving lounge. The swing of the structure moves independently from the lounge that actually holds the body. The swing can be hung from the built in bar in the shelter.  The swing can be raised and lowered. When it’s raised the bottom has a cloud mural to add to the aesthetic of the shelter. The swing would act as a basket for my lounge that would freely roll in all directions through ball bearings located at the bottom of the lounge. The rolling motion would be propelled by the gentle swinging motion of the basket. Various sized small moguls within the basket’s surface would add the random change just as floating in the ocean offers.