The architect's “how” of implementing change in the community:
0. Asses Need
1. Find Precedent
2. Educate/ Sell the idea
3. Address Politics
4. Address Design
5. Identify Partners
6. Respond to Existing Conditions

Affinity group, did I leave one out? Others, what are your comments on the sequential order, relevancy of each item? Does anyone have specific examples of a successful completion of any of the above items?

Ideas...

Here are tonight's ideas:

Fabric architecture as the "peel" weaving up the core space, signifying what is different, what is creative. Images projected onto the fabric for the display of creative works from the creative area. This way the creative area overtakes and owns the "apple" space.

To further highlight the different quality of this creative display, this peel of presentation; a strong, continuous color could be given to the fabric as it moves through the white apple space.

Signature Element

This week I will be developing my core creation, performance, display area. This is at the heart of the intent of my design and I will be exploring how to integrate it with the experience of the apple form. Some elements I will be considering include: the stair, railings, display surfaces, and performance backdrops.

the Form takes Shape

Selected "blog" review comments are in italics. All selected are being explored and responses will be graphic.

A place to perform/create and be observed: Inside the 3-dimensional "Apple" space

• Explore the acoustical values of the "public pods" overlooking the core space.
• Because of its subtlety, can slight more literal references to the apple be introduced? Peel, skin, color, etc.
• Maybe the apple could shift a little on each floor and not be symmetrical.
• Calm order, does that mean overt reference to the logo?

Enter up and directly into the apple space from outside

Inside the central apple space from the ground floor, looking up at second floor creation/display zone

• Prepare a series of perspectives to show potential uses of this core space.

Looking into the apple space from the second floor. At its widest, the apple intersects the exterior plane of the building to form the oval shaped opening below.

Third floor cafe overlook into the apple space and down at the creation areaPoche spaces for more specialized services and accessories

Your comments please....

• Investigate fabric architecture for building skin.
• How can the central apple experience translate to the outside of the building?
• Could we see more of the apple peeking through the front corner?

The Experiences of Apple

My next step was to translate my ideas about the Apple store quality into a set of physical experiences.

I have noticed that Apple's logo is everywhere, but it is just stuck onto design elements. I wanted to integrate the apple into the form of the building, subtly, yet recognizably to the imaginative Apple user. The goal was to keep the museumlike qualities, yet challenge the simple white box form demonstrated in their stores. Apple is more than a box, and the architecture itself can be a testament to their innovation.

Here are some early experiences:

And the wireframe model:

After the perspective experiences came the first attempt at the model, and after that the program of spaces and the building site information.

Copley Square:

The Formation of an Idea

A view of my Black and White presentation on the last day of the intensive.

Now I'll work backwards to explain how my ideas came together.

The week began with a visit here...

The Apple store in Boston, Massachusetts.

We put our new knowledge about the way we shop to the test and simultaneously observed how customers interacted with the products and the store itself.

Some of my observations were: The Apple store is a destination, and rarely a quick stop. People feel comfortable enough to look, touch, and play with the products. The calm, quiet and roomy interior feels academic, if not museumlike.

While it was comfortable to be in that calm environment, it seems Apple has lost an opportunity. In this effort to distance themselves from loud, busy retail, they have not allowed their products' powerful capabilities be showcased. Checking email is not extraordinary. Video, Sound, and Graphic editing are powerful. The creation and production by the user of something artistic, useful, or thoughtful and its display could be key in the Apple store dynamic.

Below are a brain storm of concepts for the new Apple store design on which I was embarking:

Theory Class: A Vision

During our intensive in Boston, discussion covered everything from how people shop to what makes a job worth doing. Architecture is a profession full of challenges, ever-changing and ever-present. An architect should consider her purposes and motivations frequently or risk becoming overwhelmed with the details. Our week culminated in a statement of vision by each student for the future of our larger community. Over the next few weeks we are to think about how this affects each layer of our lives. I have posted my statement below followed by comments from my affinity group.

Columbus, like many other cities has experienced suburbanization and the addition of the by-pass freeway. But the need has been and remains under study how to provide an alternative to the car or the very long bus ride into the city. On a broader scale, the connection of Columbus to the other urban areas via rail remains a favorite topic of discussion.

With the possible addition/alteration to our transportation systems could come the possibility to change the ways many people experience the city. Future rail stations could provide the chance to explore interaction/addition of spaces that are public, enjoyable, and well-used. The placement strategically along with the architectural shape and siting of the structures will determine how the public interacts with them. It may be helpful to establish a set of guidelines for these places.

Affinity Group Comments:

Look at possible connection that Columbus may have in common with Rancho Cucamonga in California. Located about 50 miles of L.A., this city has grown leaps and bounds over the last 10-12 years. The city originally was small, quiet and rural. With a demand for housing outside of L.A. the city had growing pains. There was, along with other improved infrastructure, a rail line set in place. The “metro-Link” utilizes existing railroads and re-uses older abandoned stations. This concept allowed for better people circulation in and out of LA and kicked off revitalization in the city. Metro-Link not only provided transportation, it helped jump-start the city to status of “Yesteryear.”

Look at Western bus systems along with rail. The advent of the “Hop-Skip-Jump” system in Boulder, Colorado was very successful. One problem with Columbus is the commuter mentality. Does mass transportation need to be cuter or pretty? It needs to be easy and accessible. Eliminate? Longer routes in lieu of shorter faster localized routes that might connect with express routes or rail spurs. Don’t forget that a lot of Columbus’ business now resides in the suburbs vs. downtown, e.g. Chase at Polaris.