Starting Drawings For The GHM Building

By:Hailey Tailor

This is our starting point for the 2nd level lobby space elevations for the Greensboro Historic Museum  building.

Diagraming From The World Around Us

Diagram Attempt One

Diagram Attempt Two

In class we have been learning about diagrams and how you can use them to better explain a space or a building rather than using technical drawings.  After trying diagramming on our own we were ask to find examples of things in our everyday life's that are diagrams and bring one to class with us to discuss. In class we talked about how diagrams could be successful ones and based on the discussion i came to the conclusion that ones with color and simplicity work the best because they are easy to understand and read from most distances. After class was over we were ask if we thought we could find a better diagram than the one we had to do so.

Greensboro Historic Museum Site Study

When walking through the Greensboro Historic Museum I considered important points in the experience, those being the approach, the arrival, the waiting process, destinations, side trips, secondary activities, and departing.  However this museum is not logically planed out or designed it is just a mod podge of different ideas that did not flow together and gave off mixed design messages.

{narrative}

Upon arriving at the Museum parking lot you have to walk up the long pathway along the side of the building to the courtyard where you are drawn to the grand arched entry way. After passing through the doors you become so distracted by all the things going on that you don't know where to focus your attention. The mix matched furniture and the randomized display cases distract from the focus of the museum. There is a display over on the left hand side of the museum where it funnels back towards the auditorium space. The high ceilings add to the distraction because they allow you to view all 3 levels of the museum. However there is  somewhat of a focal point  of the lobby there is a spiral staircase that leads to the museum exhibit upstairs. The museum is not organized very well however you are eventually lead to the upstairs exhibits.

{thumbnails}

{diagramming process}

{refined diagram}

{factors that impact use + perception}
occasions-exhibits, presentation, shows in auditorium
players-viewers, workers,security guards
resources-exhibits, shows, gift shop
surroundings-light both artificial and natural, wall treatments, sound, banners, staircase, reception desk

Weatherspoon Art Museum Site Study

When walking through the Weatherspoon Museum I considered important points in the experience, those being the approach, the arrival, the waiting process, destinations, side trips, secondary activities, and departing. The play of shadows and natural light draw you to special places in the museum acting as a navigation system.

{narrative}

Approaching the Weatherspoon Art Museum you first see the steps that lead to the vestibule, however the entrance is blocked off by the bright light shining off the glass room and three large columns . Since the entry way is slightly blocked it creates a feeling of privacy to the Museum and importance to the artwork housed there. Once you pass through the vestibule you enter the lobby where you are directly in front of another large column. After you get past the column the next thing that draws you in is the low ceiling height of the reception area and the hallway that leads to the galleries and other activity rooms since the hallway has a window at the end it gives off the effect of light at the end of a tunnel. The main lobby space ceiling is drastically higher and has sky lights that give a circle of light off on the floor of the lobby which makes that space a special area defined by the light and shadow. The light and shadow in the space leads you through the museum and makes you notice little details that you normal would not have.

 


{thumbnails}

{diagramming process}

{refined diagrams}

This diagram is showing how the light and shadows of the space draw to to certain points in the space.

{final diagram}

The final diagram is inverted because it better shows the light and shadows since shadow is the absence of light it just makes sense to have the image dark instead of light. 

{factors that impact use + perception}

occasions- classes, art galleries and exhibits, public events

players- visitors, directors, curators, artist, security guards, students, teachers

resources- art, classes, areas for parties, gift shop

surroundings- light both natural and artificial, shadow, sound echo, floor reflection, columns, reception desk