Midwest Design Center

Critique was yesturday, went alright. They really like the idea of the project, I think (which is outlined below and pretty much stayed the same for the final). The main concern was that the outside buildings could have been a little less strong to really focus attention on the interior public space. Ehh, they might be right but I though the office building areas really turned out strong. In the final proposal, we wrapped a pedestrian ramp through and around the entire length of the side buildings to really pull the public into the space and get them involved with these companies who are showing their wares here (there is a video at the very end of this post which animates that sequence through the space). As always, please post comments, feedback, let me know what you think.

-Erik

Rough Floor Plan

Rooftop aerial

Section

Site Plan

Streetcorner Perspective

Elevation

Interior "Park" Space

Looking down Centennial Mall - Nebraska State Capitol

Looking down interior ramp

Looking up interior ramp



Video of progression through building

latest project

gah! studio is going QUICK this semester. we are already over halfway done with our third project and we still have so much to do to get this done and at a state that would be ready to possibly present to the lincoln development board and/or city council. plus we still have our final project after this that we'll only get a couple weeks to work on. i originally liked toms plan to move fast and do a variety of projects, but i think 4 full-scale projects is a little too much for one semester. oh well, nothing to do now but get it done and move on.


our latest studio project is a redesign/rethink of the pershing auditorium in lincoln, ne. my group and i have gone about thinking of the building for its available public land that it occupies, as opposed to its current function as a crappy auditorium. our plan right now, is to redevelop the pershing as a business park/showcase center to showcase nebraska and agri-business companies' design in new products, designs, and technology to the general public. office blocks will be added onto the sides of the pershing with the central arena will be opened up and turned into an indoor/outdoor public park/recreation area with the public showrooms of the offices on the other side opening onto the area. right now we are still working on the concrete program and design, as we are trying to create something that is innovative and shows off the high-design look that we are trying to sell, as well as create a interesting and thought-provoking experience for the visitors of the general public. we are hoping for an area of business as well as (in nates words) "party time"

second draft concept sketch

new proposal (third draft, first model)

in this new form of the model i am trying to go for a dynamic form but also
a very machine aesthetic to symbolize the agricultural industry that will
inhabit the buildings.

a lonely world

Tom, get your plane right on time.
I know your partll go fine.
Fly down to mexico.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-n-da-da and here I am,
The only living boy in new york.

I get the news I need on the weather report.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.
Hey, Ive got nothing to do today but smile.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da here I am
The only living boy in new york

Half of the time were gone but we dont know where,
And we dont know here.

Tom, get your plane right on time.
I know youve been eager to fly now.
Hey let your honesty shine, shine, shine
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da
Like it shines on me

The only living boy in new york,
The only living boy in new york.

garfield minus garfield

found this this morning off of fark.com. a little of topic but quite entertaining and actually pretty deep when you think about it. here is the description of the comic on the website, pretty entertaining and by what i read of them, kind of true:

"Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolor disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against lonliness and methamphetamine addiction in a quiet American suburb."

ill post one comic here, but you should really check out the website http://garfieldminusgarfield.tumblr.com/post/26934302

my bourgeoning art collection

well, im off to a strong start on my art collection, recently added to by 2 pieces to a total collection of 3 pieces. haha. its a start. right now it consists entirely of my sisters works, kirsten leahy. shes recently been completing numerous works and experimenting with many more.

as a sell in for her, if you like what you see, let me know, and i will get you connected to here, has completed works that she is up for selling as well as requests for pieces.

here are the 3 pieces that i have so far:









this is my favorite. it speaks to me as a abstract religious icon painting. but i may just be crazy.

so hopefully i will be going to germany

tomorrow i will be mailing an application to study in germany for all of next year through the deutscher akademicsher austausch dienst study and internship program in the city-state of bremen in the northwest of germany. the program consists of one semester of intensive study (an entire year of credits at an american university in one semester) program in architecture and design followed by a spring/summer semester in an internship in germany, hopefully working in my closest professor's, martin despang, firm despang architekten in hannover. i am also planning on performing independent undergraduate research/work with martin on the presentation and visualization of architectural projects in a practice environment. i would be studying at the university of applied sciences at bremen (hochschule bremen). attached are my submittal materials materials for the scholarship: resume, brief samples of work, and a statement of intent and my planned study program while there.

a bit of photoshopping

bored saturday afternoon + new facebook picture = photoshop adventures!





i think the world would be a better place in palette of harsh solid colors