Programming Space: Planning and Inspiration

Testing and experimenting, taking risks, developing

Inspiration Images

Spatial Planning: Iteration 1

Initially my first ideas for the design layout and execution of my concept was quite messy. There were quite a few elements in my head to which I could execute my brief with. This first iteration takes you on a journey through a series of zones, each immersive in their right. The first is a series of hallways of mirrors/mirror maze, walking into a larger hallway. Then a series of screens which then ultimately leads to a ‘sun room’ inspired by The Weather Project. This plan was lacking in storytelling as it evoked feelings but didn’t tell a story from point A to point B. I could subtract some elements and use others as major compounds of my design installation journey.

Spatial Planning: Iteration 2

This layout proposes a hallway of mirrors with two light rooms on either end inspired by Olafur Eliasson. Each light room will contain “Moon gate” shaped openings to enter and exit. Inside the lane on either end will be circular cut frosted glass screens so no matter which way one enter, they are ‘walking towards the light’ which signifies getting closer to death. I propose a series of dead trees to be growing from the laneway ground which has “Memento Mori” carved on each one. In addition, the ground will be covered by a thin layer of water or alternatively, painted over with a clear epoxy resin for optimum reflection. Throughout the laneway will be a series of yellow to red toned lights and smoke to make the whole walkthrough journey quite mysterious and reflective for each viewer/experiencer.

1:1 Feedback from Emily

Emily explained hoe much she likes my concept as it reflects her interest and areas of expertise. However, her approach to design is to be minimalistic and she says my concepts have too many elements which could make up 5 different projects. Considering I am using the sun rising and setting as a metaphor for life and death, I should look at more sun studies of the site. She also pointed out how my proposed design doesn’t quite relate to the site enough so I need to do more research and reconfiguration of that. Above is a sketch which Emily informed of how she may go about the project which was interesting to see from someone else’s approach/perspective. She also pointed out an image I had in my concept drawings of the stairway to a moon gate which she really loved and said I could develop further.

Digital Modelling: Moon Gate Concept

Storyboard Planning

Communicating a journey through Auckland’s Fort Lane laneway: articulating key moments and events of my design narrative

Narrative: I am telling a story of the transition of life and death, and potentially new life. I will be telling it thrpugh the transition of lighting colours, smoke machines and symbolism.

Events: My design will take publics on a journey through the space. They will be made to stop and ponder- absorb the atmosphere of the design. Potentially at three different points of the experience. I may even like to provoke the public to lie down on the floor of the space for full immersion and interaction. Or to potential interact with some of the materials through touch and movement around objects.

Location: Make the existing buildings visually distinct from my design intervention

Visuals: Develop a visual language for your storyboard: main themes and concepts to be transition from light to dark

Framing: Building the story through image composition, add foreground and background details

Atmosphere: mood, setting the scene, tension

Materiality: Material narrative – texture, colour, connections and layering of materials

Light: Direction and qualities of light and shadow, time of day, textures, colour, gradients and tones

Experience: Transitions and turning points, user experience, spatial journey, events + memory

Characters: Inventing characters and their backstory for my narrative

Figures: Depicting activities and occupancy for my design

Recall: The lingering image/feeling people will remember from my storyboard is…