Reading Space

http://common.csnstores.com/common/marketing/Herman_Miller/image_coconut_chair.jpg (coconut chair)

• http://www.crystalinks.com/cocoon2.gif (cocoon)

• http://www.thedisplacedafrican.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/baby-in-the-womb.jpg (baby in womb)

• http://www.regencyshop.com/product_thumb.php?img=images/egg2.jpg&w=400&h=400 (Egg Chair)

Above are images of precedent study, studying how people may be most comfortable reading. Psychologically we tend to sleep in the fetal position or sit and read in a position in close resemblance. Such as crisp-crossing our legs or sitting on the buttock and bring the Knees into the chest.

In this particular project as the student we were to choose a space within or near the Gatewood Studio arts building on the campus of UNCG. I chose to do an outdoor reading space, which, is located between the Gatewood Studio Arts building and the Graham building. In the following aerial view the red pushpin shows the location where the reading would be. The other two pushpin labels the Studio Art building and the Graham building. As you can see it would be in close proximity of a busy street and at each intersection there are walk chirps for those who are blind.

Also near by is a railroad, which very busy with passenger train which, is shown in the map below. One would this with all the surrounding distractions the space would not be logical for a reading space. However, of multiple days of observation the space is popular for being a reading space for UNCG students. Due to the surrounding building's height it help with acoustics. The train that passes through becomes background noise that’s if it even heard, it is a very faint sound. So are the cars passing by and the walking chirps for the blind. Also while observing the space the seating spaces that are currently there are concrete slabs on brick columns. There is also a stone wall that is slanted at 60º angle people tend to sit at the top of the wall in the grass. One can infer because, its a softer place to sit. If they are not sitting or laying the grass they tend to take a whole bench and lay flat out on it. There were also people there to collaborate, however, the seating currently there does not accommodate their needs.

The image below gives a glance at what the space currently looks like.

The diagram below shows the path of an occupant’s eyesight when they sit on the current seating provided and the proposed design.

Below are models studying forms that could possibly go well in the current setting while also accommodating the needs of the users. The Rounding of the form of the seating allows collaboration. Specifically in the seating below, It also provides seating on the convex side of the form, which, provide seating for those who would like to have a sense of isolation.

In the following model a planter can be incorporated in the back of the seating, while the seating still accommodates the need for collaboration. However, it doesn't provide isolated seating for those who prefer to sit away from a group.

Below are perspectives of the proposed design for the current space. The seating accommodates the need for those in need of collaboration as well as those who would like to be isolated from a group and can lay back ad relax as they read before their next class.

Circulation is also a problem in the space as well, and the new seating allows for pedestrians to pass through the form whereas, the previous or current form causes pedestrians to walk around the form. The following images illustrate the differences.