Week 9 - Detail Design Developing Detail through Hand Drawing

bettinaevincenti
May 10, 2022
3 min read

Updated: May 26, 2022

The ‘wicked’ problem of detail design: there are many, many ways of resolving details, some are better than others, but no one is actually the ‘right’ one. As such, it is beneficial to spend time exploring different alternatives before deciding on the right one for your design.

Locate

I focused on a specific area on my plans which intrigues me. The pink bubbles are study rooms; one is a sensory closed space for people to escape to, and the other is the 'nest'. The nest has seating around it for people to be transported and work in an environment similar to the natural world. The nest will be where I focus my attention. Structurally, it feels as if it is floating, but a column underneath supports it. The precise detail will be on the seating, handrail, bookcase, and attached floor.

Understand

To really grasp the detail, I built a simple 3D visual. This doesn't have all the surrounds or details just yet. It is more to help visualise how I can make it work. The materials will all be natural organic materials like bamboo, cork, straw and foliage.

Focus

I wanted to think about it very simple to get a quick idea of what I may be getting into. The structure is curved. Therefore I need a gird structure to create a flat floor people can walk on. Next was the visuals from underneath, how will the floor outside the ramp connect with the 'nest'. I could make it seamless or leave a shadow gap, maybe. Then there is the fact of the seating. I want it to be cushioned, comfortable, and warm.

Develop

Detail - Using overlays, adding materials, junctions, finishes, fixings to take the design to a greater level of resolution

I chose to focus on the nest space , bookcase, and balustrade for my detail. The nest is an open space for people to grab a book and read while being transported into the trees. Leading up to it are bookshelves and the balustrade, which wrap around the whole building; on the two feature ramps and open floor space.

This sectional elevation is to better show the area around the nest and further understand how it will work structurally, while giving the desired effect. While in the nest, it is meant give the feeling like you’re floating high up in the trees. This effect will be given by implementing a central structural column in the centre of the nest. From this nest space that’s been created, there is a short bridged pathway connecting it to the main floor, as inspired by tree top walk adventures. Continuing the illusion on the ground floor, around the column, is a wrap around design bamboo study tent.

Following on from being transported by the nest into a tree top landscape. I wanted to add the feeling of warmth and safety throughout this space. I selected detailed cushioned seating that will embellish the perimeter of the nest, elevating the space, without blocking the entrance. The seating follows a simple framework and continues underneath where the column supports the floors, which are to be made from a thick cork matt to ground the space.

The nest itself will be made of bamboo lengths between 50-80 mm. Skilled artisans will weave the bamboo strands in a loose and non recurring patterns to create a porous outer layer. To achieve this effect the bamboo is soaked and then scorched as to make the material malleable enough to be contoured into the desired shapes. These pieces will be utilised for both the vertical and lateral members of the nest.

The above drawing is a sectional elevation of the entrance to the nest. I have designed a mycelium bookshelf that curves to create seating for people to perch and read on, as part of their journey to get into the nest. The curve has padding on it to provide comfort, but also, if you chose to put your legs up and lay down, your head will have support too. Behind the shelve is a glass balustrade with a new and improved handrail, shown below. The bottom of the rail comes out to hold onto with ease. The difference between this railing and others is that it is big enough to put your books on if you feel like reading standing up and leaning on it without safety concerns. The ergonomic design also accounts for if people are writing and putting their pens down.