Depot Final Project

Depot Models

For the ongoing Depot project we had to build scaled models to help plan out our floor plan. I experimented with different layouts of the commercial space within the building, but for the most part the guest rooms and residential space stayed the same.

Boyer Park Event Space

To learn more about public event spaces we took on the project of re-vamping the Boyer Park Event Space. Originally the area was just an outside facility with a roof over head. But because of strong winds the space was enclosed with unfinished and uninsulated walls. After speaking with the clients, we broke into teams of 4 to create what we felt the space embodied. For our groups design we installed Nana Walls, foldable glass to doors to open out into an added wood deck facing the river front. We installed a kitchenette for small events and a storage unit for extra tables and chairs.

Vision Ability Work Shop

Because one of the Depot Project's Clients is considered legally blind, we did a vision ability work shop in a popular place on campus to better understand what we would be designing for. We wore sun glasses with petroleum jelly smeared over the lenses to blur our vision and had to use an elevator, ATM, and stairs as a visually impaired person would. The only problem I ran into was when I went to use the ATM, it did not have braille or brightly colored numbers on the key pad so it was difficult to use. The above Picture was taken through a card that had lenses with differnet vision impairments. This lens was leagally considered blind.

Depot Project Artist Influence

For the upcoming Depot project we chose local artisits to influence the "Art Hotel" we are looking to create within the B&B.

Stephen murray lives and works out of concrete Washington at the base of sauk mountain. He creates wood-fired stoneware and porcelain that is both decorative and functional. he Stephen uses natural glacial
blue clay found in nearby hills. and his wife run a small pottery shop out of their home and occasionally wander out for Skagit valley’s Tulip festival in April to showcase his work.

Context Poster: Art Deco

Before we started our Depot project, we researched popular design styles of the early 1900's to examine possible design throw backs to when the depot was built in 1916. I chose the design style Art Deco. This geometric based design style influenced architecture, artwork, clothing, furniture, and even jewelry. I learned that this style was based from Aztec and Egyptian influences.

Concept Model

The gridded structure of separate functioning pieces contrasted against organic colors and free moving shapes defines the direction of this design. Dictation can also be found through the interpretation of Artist inspiration, Stephen Murray’s work as well as his personal design philosophy; “You can’t look at my pieces of work individually. You have to see them as a whole to understand the bigger picture…. I’m not sure what the bigger picture is that I’m working towards yet, but believe me there’s a bigger picture.”


Application to Model:

These ideas were applied by creating an abstract structure, using the gridded design as the main object of focus. The grid was broken into pieces, each on their own sheet of transparency paper. When looked at from the side, the broken up pieces are clearly seen, acting on their own. When looked at directly forwards, the pieces become aligned to create the illusion of one whole object. The copper frame of the object represents the natural glacier clay Stephen Murray creates his pieces with. The Actual shapes of each piece within the gridded structures are organic features, imitating the imperfect shapes of Murray’s pottery.