Hipster Haven: Vitality

As a first time residential project we were given the UNCG Becher-Weaver warehouse to renovate and transform into an loft apartment building. We were given needs that needed to be met which were, we had the task of considering our designs to fit first time home buyers who are from the X-Y generation. Below is a Chart describing each generation.
However, before we started the design side we viewed our site and took observations in pairs. While in pairs we had to draw up a plan, which is shown below.

The layout of each loft apartment was inspired by the shotgun houses which in rectilinear in shape, which has the concept of seeing straight through from one end to another. However we manipulated that idea and put a 45deg. cut between two apartments, so that the owners can communicate with their neighbor as they enter their space. It also give the space character. You can also perceive that we have strategically place each column in or against walls. We also designated areas for entertainment or leisure, and a postal area.

After the research of the typical characteristics of each generation it somewhat influenced my design, as far as openness within the floor plan. Having an open floor plan meets the characteristics of the millennial as far as self-inventive and individualistic. It gives one the opportunity to personalize their space, as well as entertain, which from personal experience as a Millennial is important. After the research I then did a Programmatic Diagram to help with my decisions as to where to place spaces, which is shown below.After the research and the programmatic diagram my initial layout was to place the loft area half way the shortest width of the apartment layout. However, we had to keep with the existing beam and post structure which is not shown in the image below, but the beams hindered my loft placement, because from the loft floor to the bottom of the beam was roughly 3', and one beam went through the center of the space running the longest length of the apartment. Therefore, having one to bend a tremendous distance to get to the opposite side of it. Also with this layout I also had a second bath in the loft area, but after critique I was told that a loft is no longer considered a loft if it had a bathroom place with in it.
Therefore, I then came up with my final reevaluation of my design shown below.
The first floor is a washout underneath the second floor.As you can view in the above images I re-oriented the loft to go along side the longest length of the apartment. And there is one main bathroom. I also utilized the beam as drawer storage space going the entire length of the loft. I pushed the roof above the beam structure. The existing the structure really had a significant influence on my over all structure, I worked around the existing structure rather than manipulating it drastically. The images that are shown below are perspectives of my loft apartment.

Bathroom Space

When one enters through the front door the bathroom is immediately located to the left of them.
Floor: Mosaic shades of gray/black ceramic tile
Vanity top: 4x4 ceramic tile
Shower: 4x4 ceramic tile

Dining Space

As you maneuver through the space you walk through the common area, which is not shown, then you experience the view of the dining space which is shown above.
Windows: Casement Windows
Counter tops: Gallio Quarry Granite
Floor: Natural Bamboo
Cabinets: Cherry wood/cherry finish

Kitchen Space

This is the view to the right as you enter through the dining space.
Windows: Casement Windows
Counter tops: Gallio Quarry Granite
Floor: Natural Bamboo

Loft Space

As you go up stairs this is the first view of the loft as you come off the stairs.
Storage: Finishes Natural Limba wood ( Terminalia superba) a tree grown in West Africa
Windows: Clear Story
Floor: Stand bamboo

Loft Space

The second view you encounter as you look back towards the stairs.
You can also view the storage space underneath the beam that I spoke of early.
Storage: Finishes Natural Limba wood ( Terminalia superba) a tree grown in West Africa
Windows: Clear Story
Floor: Stand bamboo/cherry finish

Elevation
As you can observe there is a built in entertainment center underneath the stairs, to utilized as much space as possible.

Section

This shows the washer/dryer room that hasn't been shown, and the back of the storage located in the loft space.

Section

This section gives one the clear understanding of the placement of the common space location, as well as the length of the loft storage space. The door shown is the entrance to the bathroom.Materials used in this Project Listed above

Another important element in this project was to gain the knowledge of how to create stairs. This process I really enjoyed it gave me a better understanding of all the construction that is needed to go into stairs. I found that stairs can look so simple but yet in construction it can be complicated. Below is my model from a stair charette that we did as a class to gain that knowledge.Below is an image of a wall section of the existing brick wall that continues the perimeter of the existing building. This wall is an element in my loft apartment within the Kitchen and Dining area.

Above is my overall presentation board. As the title I chose Vitality, which means continuing on with a purposeful existence. Which in this instance I feel that this conceptual title fits well with the entire project, because we took an existing building and re-purposed it as a loft apartment building therefore, giving it a new purposeful existence.