Innovations in Interior Design
EDUCATION INTERIOR CASE STUDY
Photos Courtesy of Cascade/© Jacob Krupnick
Project: iSuite
Location: College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
Architect: Page, Washington, D.C.
The Project: Recognizing the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, the University of Delaware College of Electrical and Computer Engineering set out to create one of the most dynamic learning environments in the country. Its new iSuite gives future generations the opportunity to create and learn the profession in a wholly unique environment. Designed by Page, the former metal foundry building turned iSuite includes a cyber range, collaborative hub, and makerspace. Students enrolled in the program can utilize the facility’s equipment and technology for cyber defense training and development.
The Design Process: Working with the college directly, the facility was designed using Page’s 3-D printers and a student-created virtual-reality model, developing a half-scale mockup. Part of the design was based on inverting a metal fabric, so the 3-D printers and model helped assure that the design would in fact be successful. By using nontraditional materials, like undulating coiled wire fabric walls and ceiling treatments, the new iSuite boasts an impeccable, award-winning design. “We’ve seen metal fabric draped as a catenary before, but this is the first time someone has used it in the ‘wrong direction,’” says Lou Krupnick, associate principal at Page. “We reversed the fabric and used its tensile properties to produce a curve that way.”
The Interior: The space features 750 square feet of 5/16-inch 15-gauge aluminum wire fabric with a powder-coated satin copper finish. The resulting ceiling treatment produces “true curves,” with the coiled wire fabric wall constructed in a similar fashion. Hovering over the collaborative hub, the coiled wire fabric weaves through room-wide lights, providing a well-lit atmosphere and effective light diffusion throughout the space. In addition, the coiled wire fabric walls add dimension to the space without obstructing views for students and faculty. “Coiled wire fabric really fit into the electrical genre of the collaborative space,” adds Krupnick. “The aesthetic capability and design opportunities with coiled wire fabric are boundless, and we are very pleased to have utilized the material in an all-new way.”
As demonstrated in the iSuite, coiled wire fabric allowed the architects to meet unique project criteria without sacrificing their design vision. The selected products also carry Declare labels with the International Living Future Institute.
The Results: The state-of-the-art facility was recognized with a Construction Excellence Award by the Delaware Contractors Association for being the most technologically innovative project of 2017. University officials credit the innovative space with an “immediate and noticeable increase in enrollments,” helping the school project a particular image that truly speaks to the students.
RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR CASE STUDY
Photos Courtesy of Tamlyn
Project: 730 East 61⁄2 Street
Location: Houston
The Project: Situated one block north of the Houston Heights’ most energized intersection, White Oak Boulevard and Studewood, this 3,000-square-foot one-story home celebrates and complements the area’s architectural history without trying to replicate or recreate it.
The aesthetic of the house could be defined as “refined bohemian.” Like a fine bourbon with tasty overtones and warming flavors, the home and its contents exhibit residential design influences of Nordic mid-century modern buildings, American Arts and Crafts bungalows (with sunroom additions), and early Texas Center hallway homes. The meshing of these genres is achieved by consistent, clean, contemporary detail.
The Architecture: Respectfully scaled to blend with the neighboring architecture, the exterior of the home is composed of three distinct abstracted geometric objects: 1) a triangular roof “wedge” element, which pays specific tribute to the surrounding bungalows with its shallow sloping roof and wood-sided surface. This “wedge” houses an elegant kitchen, warm family area, and cozy guest bedroom. 2) A “square” element reflects the neighborhood’s intermingled multiuse commercial structures. Encapsulated in large stone slabs with ceilings that stand 14 feet high, the extruded “square” comprises a front porch with a decorative fire pit and an open oculus for evening “campfires,” a large living space that glows in the warmth of natural light, an inner private courtyard, and a grand master bedroom. 3) A “portal/bridge,” connects the other two elements. The composition echoes the juxtaposition of home and service units, a key development element built into small town neighborhoods of the 1920s. This is what gives the Heights and neighborhoods like it a self-contained charm.
The Interior: From within, the home is specifically planned as an “empty nesters” residence, designed for sharing and entertaining with friends and family. The open, graciously sized 14-foot-high volumes, floor-to-ceiling windows, elegantly appointed chef’s kitchen, and integrated indoor/outdoor spaces give way to an inviting, warm, serene, and timeless home. Binding the composition are natural materials and colors, rhythmic geometric patterns, and natural light leveraged to highlight a very nice art collection. Helping to make the transitions of materials work, extruded aluminum interior trim is incorporated throughout the house. This feature adds to the overall excellence of the interior design by weaving different elements together throughout the home.
The Results: The overall effect of the coordinated interior design creates warmth and comfort, helping to assure that the owners and guests always feel welcome and at home.
End Notes
1Hershfield, Michael. “The real science behind innovative offices.” WeWork Companies. 21 May 2019. Web. 29 July 2019.
2Jezard, Adam. “The traditional office is dead. Here’s why.” World Economic Forum. 1 Nov. 2019. Web. 29 July 2019.
Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, is a nationally known architect, consultant, continuing education presenter, and prolific author advancing building performance through better design. www.pjaarch.com, www.linkedin.com/in/pjaarch
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