“Spring Branch” Artist Studio
Detail Studio Fall 2021 Semester Final Project
The first exercside of this studio class was to pick a material and thoroughly investigate it. I chose wood for that assignment because it is an natural material which would allow me to consider sustainability. Each piece of wood is different depending on the species, grain, and type of cut.
Softwoods vs Hardwoods comparison sketch
Cut types for wood
Project Site
Van Reed Farmstead
5322 Old U.S. 41
Williamsport, IN 47993
We were given the option of two sites, “A” which is the Van Reed Farmstead, and “B” which was located in a wooded area in Michigan. I choose site A because it had structures that could be expanded upon whereas site B I would have to build the structure. I wanted to focus more on the design which is why I went with site A.
Site A had multiple buildings to pick from. I chose the garage on the property because I felt it gave me the best chance to improve the property.
Map of Van Reed Farmstead
Garage on the property
Process Work
Final Drawings
The requirement for this project was to produce all drawings manually.
Final Design
I focused on wood as the main concept for my final design. Wood adds a cozy and warm atmosphere to any space which is the kind of atmoshphere I wanted this studio to have. I also believe that using wood for this design would allow the artist to reconnect with nature through the use of the material.
Conceptually, the unique organic lines found within wood grain highly influenced the design of the space. This also coincided with another element of design that forms the concept of my space which is shape. Along with the grain found in wood the shapes and forms a tree becomes as it’s growing also played a role in the outcome of this artist studio
I included a large window "door" that opens the interior of the space to the porch and the fresh air and views the porch has. Whole tree archiecture was used in the space to add conceptual elements. One tree is in the center of the walnut slab worksurface while the other is lead to a structural branch that holds the comfty, and functional, porch swing.
I also created a resin river in my floor which was inspired by resin river tables. The floor has a layer of river rock and then a layer of blue resin which creates an almost realistic interior river.
Bubble Diagram
Floor Plan
Reflected Ceiling Plan
Section of Screen Porch Facade
Section of Glass Door Entry
Glass door wall opens up the interior space to the screened in porch.
