Close To Home

A Homage to Lowensein

The Close To Home exhibit was designed and built by third year Interior Architecture students. The exhibit was meant to celebrate the works of Edward Lowenstein, and the history he has brought to North Carolina and surrounding areas. By utilizing the lighting effects in the Maud F. Gatewood studio arts building, the students were successful at highlighting important areas. Because they also included digital walkthroughs, shining onto the walls of the exhibit, the lack of a lot of light was very important. Although the walkthrough showed off a brilliant work of architecture, it was a little bit too fast for the viewer to watch the whole thing once and understand the whole space. However, these walkthroughs helped relay information about Lowenstein and his various projects, as well as documents pinned up along the walls. As I started my journey through this exhibit, I first learned about the man himself, later coming to why he was important to architecture, why he was important to North Carolina, and lastly, the steps this group of students took to design this space dedicated to him. There were also spaces in between where viewers could take a seat, and take the whole experience in, which seemed to be important areas. I believe that these students worked very hard and deserve recognition for their careful attention to detail, and to Lowenstein’s impact on architecture. This exhibit was not meant to be looked at, but rather experienced. The artifact itself shaped the space and the path that the viewer was to follow in order to fully digest its meaning. Using his own design ideas, and mimicking his style of architecture, the third year Interior Architecture students at the University of North Carolina have created a wonderful, interactive homage to Edward Lowenstein.

Self Reflection (IAR222)

1. Before I took this course, I was unsure about the way today’s design was influenced. I wondered how some things were thought up and how we came to design spaces the way that we do. There is a certain way that designers think nowadays, and I always wondered why that is. Since taking this course, I have learned the progression of design. I have realized that as people change throughout history, so do their needs. Therefore, we design spaces and buildings according to people’s needs. We reference the past, and also consider the future, to create the things we use today.

2. Sullivan and Adler designed the Schlesinger and Mayer department store much like the way we design buildings today. Most of the decoration has been left off, focusing on the building’s natural aesthetics. The store is covered with large windows with a rounded corner entrance. It has a very open floor plan, which many buildings, houses especially, try to keep today. This building was very modern for its time, and current designers use many of its features as influence.

3. Today’s designers try their hardest to create something totally new. The reality is, we will always fall back on history as influence. Instead of trying to create something new, we should take what we’ve learned from past designs and give them new meaning. Designers today should apply new ideas to old design, making way for more progression in the future, instead of trying to get ahead of our time.

4. My topic from the [icons of modernism] assignment was consumerism. In the 1950s and 60s, consumerism was about buying the best items out there because everyone else had them. It was about fitting in and connecting with people in a material way. I believe this idea of “keeping up with the Jones” is still present today, and possibly about getting ahead. Everyone seems to buy the most expensive item just because its what everyone else wants. Then, once everyone has it, they want something better. In the 21^st century, consumerism is not just about having what everyone else has, but about having something better. I believe this is very obvious in today’s technology.

Design Statement

Individual:

Since the beginning of the project, many factors have influenced our design for My Sister’s House. In our first charrette, we studied the way light works on the lot. In our second, we built a sketch model, playing with the space allotted. We then chose a moment to build and emphasize. Assigned materials, we created a collage of places we could use each of them. All of this information, mixed with learning from mistakes, and with influence from artists and designers from the 1980s, has been kept in consideration for our design of My Sister’s house. Our design in the works includes natural elements, tricks of light, and unexpected qualities.

Team:
The use of color and light in our design emphasize our intent to infuse the space with emotion. Our exterior has a strong horizontal language that is incorporated into the interior. These horizontals throughout the building reflect our idea of nature within and around the structure.

Materials, Materials...

Thursday 1:00 PM

Thursday 4:00 PM

Thursday 7:00 PM