the historical society Design Project: 2012

Design Project linking design to the community, history and beyond - Level 5 Interior Architecture and Design Students, University of Hertfordshire with Heidi Saarinen, Senior Lecturer 2011/12.

Mapping

Through research activities (mapping), you will explore opportunities to re-think and re-model existing space for a pop-up ‘Historical Society’ at Kings Place. You will respond to user, site and landscape to come up with a concept – through mapping and place-making; and investigate how urban space changes over time. You will start by visiting Kings Cross in London, a site undergoing huge development and regeneration, to build up scenarios through research and interacting activities.

The project will introduce aspects of mapping; researching and recording the local area, exploring user groups, community and interior public spaces through use of interaction, visual media and drawing techniques. You are encouraged to experiment with a wide range of techniques, appropriately representing the proposed themes and narratives. You are expected to work professionally, particularly taking own initiatives and working at a steady pace throughout.

You will survey and draw a selected space (your own space, for example, initially). This must be a large space or a set of smaller rooms/spaces – this is to get the design process started and to use a space where you spend a lot of time as initial development for the concept for the pop-up space – The Historical Society. The developed interior design will then be placed on site at Kings Place as a pop-up intervention (for example: an archive of memorabilia, a library, photographic ‘map’ of local history, a mini cinema, a space where local residents meet to share their stories etc). See links to pop-up design/events attached. In the last stage; your design is placed on site (your original dimensions may be adjusted to the Kings Place site).

You need to: 1. Survey and draw up your own space –to develop ideas for the pop-up design - sketches, cad, visuals, collages, produce maquettes and models 2. Written Proposal – the historical society – connecting a community through an event using evocative interiors and detailing. 3. Design development and proposed solution – evidence of research (mapping), design process, models etc.

Research/map the area. You should spend sufficient time here on the 27^th March 2012. There is no session in UH this day so a good opportunity to continue mapping Kings Cross and concluding the concept ideas. Draft proposals to be emailed to h.saarinen@herts.ac.uk by 2^nd April for feedback before the self managed Easter break.

Suggested mapping techniques: produce sufficient design ideas: 1. sketches and drawing studies of interior spaces; showing spatial qualities; details, lighting, shadows, movement through space. 2. photographic recording of the area, its users, passers-by, commuters, infrastructure, communication, history; ‘snapshots’. 3. film/audio recording of one area of particular interest to your project. 4. walk/mapping of your route with annotated text. 5. evidence of interaction with local residents.

Interior Design of The Historical Society

Using the research findings and inspiration from the mapping task, develop a design concept. Using intricate design drawings, collage and narrative to describe the design concept. You may allocate a scheduled programme, time span, and details of the activities/event and detailed design of the interior arrangements.

The finished design concept and interior design will then be located on the plan of Kings Place (Studynet/Module Information).

Produce the following:

Detailed plans and CAD drawings of the space, photos of the site with all relevant research (mapping). 2. Materiality and proposed furniture and fittings. 3. Visuals of the proposed event, showing people, scenarios. 4. Written brief/proposal including programming of the event (when/how/where etc - instructions).

Submission requirements:

A3+ research document

A1+ poster /s– project title-inspiration-location-research-process-cad-event-narrative-final

Notes and video/audio footage (Blog link)

Model (using innovative, appropriate materials, not foam board)

Blog URL and print out – all work to be presented on your blog also

Think of innovative additions to how you present the project (pop-up box, roll of drawings, film/stills etc).

Beijing Design Week 2011: WUHAO - visitors were served tea at a heat-sensitive colour-changing table in a pop-up teahouse for Beijing Design Week. http://www.dezeen.com/2011/10/11/wuhao-the-teahouse/

Project Schedule

Tue 20^th March: Brief set / activities / user –groups and use of space 7pm Design Talk Geraint John

Thu 22^nd March – group site visit meet at Kings Cross entrance 2pm

Mon 26^th March – pm: Careers Talk (Prof Dev) 1.30 AB274 Elizabeth Ball

Tue 27^th March – individual site exploring – individual activities – activities to complete

By Mon 2^nd April – email initial ideas to Heidi for feedback. This is a requirement.

Easter Break 2 weeks - develop the project; interior drawings and concepts etc

Mon 16^th April – submit Professional Development + lecture Prof Dev 1.30pm AB274

Tue 17^th April interim critique The Historical Society

Mon 23^rd April – tutorials

Tue 24^th April – Final critique and project submission

Links

http://www.kingsplace.co.uk
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/london/kings_place.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/mar/18/london-kings-cross-concourse-reviewhttp://kingscrossenvironment.com/ (very good local news etc + info on free iPhone/android app ‘Kings Cross Street stories)

http://www.rca.ac.uk/Default.aspx?ContentID=504448&GroupID=504446&CategoryID=36764

http://www.britishrailways.tv/british-railways?task=viewvideo&video_id=1424 (film of Kings Cross area 1950’s and 60’s)

http://www.designboom.com/eng/

http://pop-up.org.uk/

http://www.londondesignguide.com/2010/09/pop-up-restaurant-hel-yes/

http://www.thepopuphotel.com/

http://www.londonpopups.com/2012/03/art-of-dining-pop-up-vanitas-banquet.html

http://inhabitat.com/london-pop-up-restaurant-built-from-borrowed-materials/

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/being-modern-popup-restaurants-6270573.html

http://www.designmynight.com/best-london-pop-up-bars-information-reviews

http://www.psfk.com/2012/03/pop-up-plastic-bar.html

* Pop-Up noting or pertaining to a store, restaurant, etc., that temporarily takes over a vacant [or other space] and does business there for a short time: a pop-up store selling Halloween costumes.

http://www.dictionary.com