Ashley Rene Wilson

Haven Key

Ashley Rene Wilson — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 04:00:25 +0000

HAVEN KEY

Haven Key is a resort hotel and wellness center located in Key Largo, Florida. This feasibility design study attempts to offer a positive enhancement to the Gulf Region’s tourist economy while conserving the ecological benefits of the Gulf’s coastal zones. The Florida Keys are visited and prized for their invaluable natural resources and unique location. Monroe County, home to all of the Florida Keys, has adopted Integrated Coastal Zone Management guidelines in order to sustain the cherished ecology of the coastal region of the Keys. The challenge with tourism development within the Keys is to integrate design and development strategies within the protected coastal regions in order to further sustain the longevity of the coastal zones.

The projected site is a twenty-six acre coastal wetland and mangrove forest. To offset the non-ideal conditions of developing in a coastal wetland, bartering for the use of this land is essential. By agreeing to conserve a similar coastal region in a nearby area, this project is allotted eight acres for development. However, due to the sensitivity of the mangrove forest and other saline species that inhabit this coastal zone, a decision to touch as little of the site as possible was established and carried over into several of the design concepts and features. With these decisions in mind, this design led to a focus on the relationship between land and water and what happens when the boundary between the two is blurred.

By touching as little of the site as possible with programmatic elements, this design began to take on a raised approach that allowed non-occupiable space to exist at the ground level and enhance the functionality of the resort. This concept also allows visitors the privilege of habiting a space eighteen feet above grade that focuses on views of the adjacent Blackwater Sound. The opportunity to raise as much of the site as possible also allows the unavoidable coastal flooding to occur naturally without obstruction. With construction methodologies already used in coastal developments, raising the site also allows a portion of the resort to function as a refuge—a Surge Hospital and Medical Facility in Category 1 or 2 hurricane situations. This feature also reassures the local neighbors of the active and sustainable lifespan of the resort within the community.

Based on the required programmatic elements for this resort, concepts began emerging that allowed the project to develop into a sort of haven for hotel-goers and community members. By further engaging the land and water relationship, a public to private gradient was developed that allowed the separation of usability for these two distinct groups—overnight guests and local community members. All visitors are introduced to an outdoor, on-grade entry that leads either horizontally to quiet, shaded trails along the coast or vertically, up, to check-in for your stay. Once in the lobby, guests are immediately directed to the framed view of the Blackwater Sound. Once beyond the initial public lobby and entry to the site, guests are further immersed into engaging public spaces. The primary use of the resort for community members is the Meeting and Conference center. Short-term visitors and long-term guests also have access to retail and several restaurants at the southern portion of the resort. Moving towards the coast, guests are treated to a host of wellness features, including a Medical and Diagnostic facility, a Fitness Center and a Spa. At the most private extents of the resort, overhanging the Blackwater Sound, are the varying overnight guest rooms. This placement over the water provides a serene setting for complete focus on mind, body, and soul.

The true heart of the resort is the Oasis that exists between and acts as a transition for the public and private spaces. While on the upper deck level, guests have the opportunity to engage in typical resort activities, such as swimming and sun bathing, amongst layers of tropical vegetation and overhanging architectural elements. The transitional ramp down to the guest rooms’ level introduces waterfalls into the salt-water pools, adding sound as another sense to be engaged in this Oasis. The architecture of the resort is a juxtaposition of the ecology of the site and speaks to the modern, pristine culture of the genius loci of the region. The relationship between architecture, landscape, natural ecology, local environment and community all add to the experience of Haven Key and ensure that this resort is true to its name 365 days a year.

[Show as slideshow]

Labor & Delivery Department

Ashley Rene Wilson — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:28:31 +0000

LABOR & DELIVERY DEPARTMENT

Obstetric departments and birthing centers in hospitals across the country are turning their focus on the relationship between mother and child. Obstetric departments in the early twentieth century were focused primarily on the separation of a recovering mother and new born baby. In the widely preferred model today, proximity of mother, baby, and family members is strengthened. This popular patient model is known as LDRP, or labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum. The design for a new Birthing Center on the University of Chicago’s Medical campus seeks to positively execute this LDRP model into the new urban hospital.

By focusing on issues of movement, circulation, privacy, and daylighting, this design developed a highly organic internal form in juxtaposition with the existing base building. The lobby and reception desk are positioned to the west of the public elevator core and to the direct east of the pedestrian walkway for easy registration and security purposes. Daylighting is most critical in patient rooms and with this design, LDRP rooms have been placed at the perimeter of the floor for access to daylight. Adjusting to circadian rhythms and sleep cycles is often difficult for newborn babies. To aid in improving these patterns, the neonatal intensive care unit and well baby nursery are also located at the perimeter of the building. Support spaces and C-section services are located within the center of the primary circulation.

The LDRP model for obstetrics increases the amount of time mother and baby are in direct contact with one another. This model also limits the amount of transition and spacial changes both mother and baby endure. For this particular design, spatial considerations were made for all parties involved in the birthing process: mother, infant, family members, nursing and medical staff. There are three main zones within this LDRP room layout. The staff zone provides medical care-takers with the equipment and resources necessary for proper care of both mother and baby during the delivery and recovery process. The mother/child zone is designed with open spatial accommodations for ease in moving delivery equipment during birth, to allow the infant cart to move into the space after exam, and to provide for family visitation during recovery. The position of the patient bed allows direct views outside to the surrounding campus. To make patients and visitors more comfortable within the patient room, medical gases are hidden by familiar artwork and the delivery cart is stored away in its own room. The family zone is located at the end of the room and is designed to accommodate extended stay visitors. This space features a sofa sleeper, private television, and office desk that can all be isolated from the medical care functions occurring within the LDRP room.

[Show as slideshow]

FLEX//care

Ashley Rene Wilson — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:43:08 +0000

FLEX//care

Nestled in the heart of the University of Chicago’s campus, FLEXcare aims to further advance the goals of the campus for biomedical expansion over the next several years. Future biomedical goals for the expansion include not only clinical care facilities, but research and laboratory functions as well. Situated on the north side of 57th Street between Drexel Avenue and Cottage Grove Avenue with Washington Park adjacent to the west, FLEXcare seeks to maximize site opportunities while maintaining a dynamic presence as a multi-function facility on the University of Chicago campus. Addressing the new FLEXcare design as two buildings joined by a north-south, public multi-story “lobby” for both of the facilities created a broad range of future capacity and in fill projections. The immediate projected use of the two buildings allows connections to the newly constructed Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery to the east as well as the current construction of the New Hospital Pavilion to the south.

FLEXcare features a large expanse of rentable retail space at the base level as well as multiple drop-off locations for patients, visitors, and employees. Another unique aspect of FLEXcare’s spatial planning is the focus on the opportunity to maximize the base floor uses and therefore, raising the proposed Emergency Department to the second floor.

Rather than mimic typical healthcare designs prevalent in the United States, a European lighting model for a healthcare system was adopted. Very few large floor plates are established, rather, the majority of the floors are punctuated down the middle by a thirty-foot (plus) exterior light well creating a visual “H” in plan view. This maximizes the daylight penetration and provides patients, clinical care specialists, and even research/lab attendants with consistent daylighting and views. The FLEXcare site lends to optimal lighting orientation and louvers were deemed necessary for the building to properly function on the north and south facades.

Reflecting the juxtaposition between the urban campus and Washington Park, FLEXcare seeks to provide ideal green, interactive spaces for all building users. Gardens and green spaces have been recognized to help promote healing in hospital patients—FLEXcare provides opportunities for this interaction with nature at every floor level. Whether a patient visits a “green pod” at the end of their patient floor or their families wait in the central lobby near interstitial natural vegetation pods, a consistent relationship with the “outside,” despite sometimes cold Chicago weather, is evident.

All of these factors make FLEXcare a healthcare facility that will continually function well into the mid-twenty-first century.

[Show as slideshow]

Architecture on the Time Axis

Ashley Rene Wilson — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:55:56 +0000

ARCHITECTURE ON THE TIME AXIS

Based in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, this project focuses on revitalizing the urban area known as Harrison Street. The idea of “architecture on the time axis” plays a key role in the future of Ft. Wayne. The architect’s role in this process is to provide a structure that can withstand the tests of time and adapt to future programmatic elements unforeseen by he or she in the initial design. Ideally, an open building can host a variety of functions over a long span of time.

In conjunction with an interior designer, the truth of this open building process surfaced. By providing a base building that could initially host a residential function on the three upper floors and maintain a commercial/retail function at the base level, the future in-fill design of this project became apparent. Using Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation in Marseilles, France, as a precedent, the upper floors of the building took on a very unique layout based around primary circulation on the third floor. This circulation focuses the movement within individual units at particular points-private interior staircases. This maximizes the use of the space and allows units to expand up, down, left, or right. The base floor, designed by an interior design student, presented an initial opportunity to continue the trend of restaurant operations within the immediate district.

The movable paneling system at the exterior of the building allows optimal user control. Residents or users with units facing the north (northwest) or south (southeast) have access to horizontal paneled louvers. This orientation permits higher daylight penetration within the units. On the other hand, those users with units facing the east (northeast) and west (southwest) have access to louvers that are oriented vertically. These vertical louvers act as “shields” from the intense sunlight often experienced in the early morning and late evening.

The track system that contains these panels allows each patio/porch to have a maximum of six panels, depending on the size of the porch bay. These panels are each four inches deep and are doubled-up (depth-wise) so as to provide even more options for daylighting capabilities beginning at the facade surface. This layering also creates a greater sense of privacy and domain if users are focused around territorial boundaries.

This project highlighted possible limits for the role of the architect in a development project and at the same time, increased the value of detail and attention to the design of the user experience.

[Show as slideshow]

Center for the Environment

Ashley Rene Wilson — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:03:06 +0000

CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Ball State University Campus | Muncie, Indiana
Fall 2008 | Ball State University
Designer | Ashley R. Wilson
Design Competition Sponsor | Cripe Architects + Engineers

Ball State University’s campus is continuing to grow year after year. With this growth comes the challenge of designing a campus fit for generations to come. With environmental awareness rapidly increasing and green design on the rise, individuals are flocking toward sustainability. In the built environment, designers are attempting to create buildings that satisfy the needs of users today as well as users of the future. With Ball State University at the forefront of green design, especially with participation in organizations like the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and completion of two LEED certified facilities, it is only appropriate that a new addition to campus highlight that which concerns us most—the environment.

Ball State’s new Center for the Environment is located directly south of the Arts & Journalism Building and directly north of the Teacher’s College. With implementation of a new structure here, Ball State is able to continue a true “interior street” from Petty Road to the north and Riverside Avenue, south. At the same time, it is important that a new facility not break up the east/west travel to which students, faculty, and even visitors have grown accustomed.

Movement across two axes at this site creates a great dynamic atmosphere for users to interact with not only one another, but the facility as well. With a ground breaking facility in terms of environmental responsiveness, interaction with the elements that allow the building to function with such low emissions of carbon dioxide is incredibly unique. One atrium in this Center contains first the living machine that allows black water to be reused as grey water and then a fifty foot high space containing the systems that control the building. Both of these spaces allow users to interact with and learn from the environmental technology that is shaping the future.

Rather than use steam to heat this new University building, or chillers to cool the space, this Center for the Environment is heated and cooled from a system known as geothermal. Piping is dug at a depth of approximately 400-450 feet and is filled with an “earth connection fluid.” The liquid flowing through these pipes retains the temperature of the earth. The pipes reach a condenser once inside the building and a blower pushes warm or cool air into the ducts. The system essentially works like refrigeration only backwards. Using a geothermal system in the Center rather than steam reduces the amount of coal burning on campus, which ultimately cuts back on carbon emissions.

[Show as slideshow]

Red Stag Supperclub

Ashley Rene Wilson — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:13:38 +0000

RED STAG SUPPERCLUB

www.redstagsupperclub.com
Summer 2010| Minneapolis, Minnesota
Web & Print Graphics | Ashley R. Wilson
Architecture Firm | Studio2030

The Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, or LEED, certification system is now an ever-present consideration in the architecture and construction industry. While “green” has unfortunately become a mere buzz word in society as a whole, the architecture industry is still sincerely aiming to reduce the overwhelming amounts of energy consumption and emissions from buildings.

Studio2030, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a design firm based on the principals of efficient and sustainable design. Founded on Earth Day 2007, Studio2030 works with clients to design and operate LEED certified structures that validate the principles behind “green” design. Also in Minneapolis, the Red Stag Supperclub was prepared to set the standard for LEED -CI (Commercial Interiors) certified restaurants in the state of Minnesota. Working with Studio2030, owners Kim and Kari were able to successfully commit to the construction and operation of the first LEED-CI restaurant in the state, opening the Red Stag’s doors in the fall of 2007.

After completion of the project, the sisters agreed to continue their partnership with Studio2030 to then develop a carbon footprint report for the Red Stag Supperclub, thus highlighting the benefits and business improvements for a LEED-CI restaurant.

With the successful completion of a draft of the document, both client and architect were aware of the substantial importance of the document. However, both parties were unsure of the best application for communicating this information with the restaurant’s customers and potential customers.

Condensing the entire 50+ page report into a more digestible format for readers was the first step in the communication of the Red Stag’s Carbon Footprint Report. Web content, such as improved message of and access to the Carbon Footprint was also developed in the initial stages of the marketing developments for the Red Stag. Simple updates to items such as the restaurants map that addressed sustainable lifestyle choices (i.e. riding and parking bikes at the Red Stag, using public transportation) were also part of the package of materials.

The two key marketing and communication items were a bookmark containing quick information about the Red Stag’s Carbon “Hoofprint” and an informative coaster series with LEED and sustainable lifestyle trivia. The bookmark highlights the Red Stag’s LEED and sustainable initiatives, such as the fact that the restaurant is the first building in the United States to be fully lit with LED lighting. The bookmark also contains a seasonal recipe section on the reverse side for avid cooks with advice to buy locally and support local growers.

The coaster series stems from the Red Stag Supperclub’s use of coasters to define a customers water preference upon arrival – still or sparkling. Each coaster contains an image of an endangered species from the state of Minnesota or Wisconsin (the owners’ home state). These species are also highlighted in the Red Stag’s logo and information about each species can be found in the restaurant’s entry. The trivia questions are on the ‘top’ side of each coaster with directions to then “Flip Coaster.” Flipping each coaster provides an answer to the question with either information about the Red Stag’s sustainable practices or suggested means of sustainable lifestyle practices for the customer and/or reader.

These marketing materials allow the Red Stag Supperclub to outwardly express their interests, concerns, and actions in regards to sustainable living and working. Their message of success and accomplishment in achieving and maintaining LEED-CI certification goes beyond the plaque on the wall and comes directly to the customers’ dinner table.

[Show as slideshow]

Kit/Fit Prototype

Ashley Rene Wilson — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:26:00 +0000

KIT/FIT PROTOTYPE

www.ballstatekitfit.wordpress.com
Fall 2010 | Ball State University
Web & Print Graphics | Ashley R. Wilson | Nicholas Respecki
Faculty Coordinator | Stephen Kendall, PhD

“Open building suggests that;

buildings are never finished
users should have control ‘behind their front doors’
to accomplish this in practice, technical solutions at the ‘fit-out’ level are needed to make this possible

A ‘fit-out’ includes the kit of parts needed to fill in empty space inside of a building. The base building is a site-specific architectural infrastructure with open floor plans ready to be filled by an architect or design team. Therefore, a fit-out is essentially a consumer product/service that allows for, in theory, maximum customization of personal space.”
- Why: The Short, www.ballstatekitfit.wordpress.com

After decades of research and interest in the field of open building, Ball State University Professor, Stephen Kendall, PhD, decided to take action toward the physical development of a prototype as an application of his comprehensive knowledge in the field. In the fall of 2010, Professor Kendall led a team of twelve (12) students in a design/build project to develop a prototype for the application of several open building systems currently used overseas in the construction industry. With the support of over a dozen leading construction product and supply companies, the team was able to develop a large 25’ x 10’ prototype demonstrating several fit-out systems at an incredibly minimal cost. Completed over a three-month time frame, the project team worked in varying capacities to complete design, construction, and marketing goals for the prototype.

As the project progressed, the business potential quickly became evident and Professor Kendall sought to reach a larger audience. Through web presence, print, and digital graphics, the Kit/Fit Prototype became a brand. Essential to the Kit/Fit’s success is the explicit understanding of why and how the fit-out systems used in the project are essential to residential growth and housing customization. Looking at possible business models and conveying those processes to the general public and potential investors was, and still is, key to the upstart and future success of the Kit/Fit brand.

Through the hosting support of WordPress.com, the Kit/Fit blog obtained frequent visitors and became a vital communication tool for the team and the audience we were attempting to reach. The final infographics are remaining on site at the Kit/Fit Prototype and will remain there until the unforeseen future demolition of the prototype. While still intact, the Kit/Fit Prototype will act as an education tool in regards to construction, open building systems, fit-out applications, and residential customization in the United States.

[Show as slideshow]

Hospitals on the Time Axis

Ashley Rene Wilson — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:44:14 +0000

HOSPITALS ON THE TIME AXIS

“Preparing Hospitals for Inevitable Churn: A Proposed New Hospital Pavilion at the University of Chicago Medical Center”
Fall 2009 | Ball State University
Co-Editors | Ashley R. Wilson | Nicholas Respecki
Faculty Advisor | Stephen Kendall, PhD

As a graduate student, opportunities for immersion in the professional world occur more frequently and serve as an unmatched educational tool. When architecture and design students have the opportunity to work with professionals in their chosen field, the value of the design product is increased substantially.

In the fall of 2009, our first year graduate studio worked directly with the University of Chicago Medical Center to look specifically at the future of their medical campus. The medical campus was in the construction phase of a new hospital pavilion designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects + Cannon Design and the 2020 master plan of the campus shows a thriving, dense medical center. Thinking futuristically, the Office of Space Planning worked directly with our fourteen first-year graduate students to develop a possible addition of a large, 1.2 million square foot medical pavilion adjacent to the Vinoly/Cannon project.

With professional consultants in architectural design, environmental design, and medical planning, the teams of students worked to develop proposals for the University of Chicago Medical Center in two phases; Phase 1 involved a base building design to accommodate future change, and Phase 2 proceeded to develop a medical department for another teams’ Phase 1 design.

After the completion of the semester, faculty advisor Stephen Kendall requested the work be compiled into a single publication to share with the students, the professional consultants, Ball State colleagues, and the University of Chicago Office of Space Planning. As volunteers to design and edit the publication, Nick and I worked to compile a layout that each team was able to fill with both text and images that conveyed all the projects in a cohesive manner. After compiling the student work, further edits regarding visual, textual, and grammatical errors were necessary for the unified nature of the document to remain consistent.

The final publication contains the following content:

an introduction by Professor Stephen Kendall, PhD
a site introduction to the University of Chicago Medical Center
student work separated into Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects
an afterward by Vlad Torskiy, AIA, NCARB, HOK and Paul Strohm, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP, HOK
and reflections from each team on the success and educational benefits of the semester of design and professional immersion

[Show as slideshow]

Minneapolis

Ashley Rene Wilson — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:04 +0000

[Show as slideshow]

1.0 Abstract

Ashley Rene Wilson — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:10:30 +0000

1.0 ABSTRACT

The increasing presence and importance of communication in our daily lives is quickly presenting opportunities for advancement in the fields of architecture and design. As the business world is rapidly being infiltrated by right-brain thinkers, it is important that designers express their purpose, value, and importance outwardly; reaching the clients they could potentially serve. The current research and knowledge of design communications, presented here in the literature review, focuses on team models and processes designers use as well as channels of communication and message delivery present in the design industry.

This proposal defines three primary deliverables for this creative project. This first deliverable is the development of principles to aid architects and designers in the development of their mission and branding strategies and to act as part of their long term public relations strategy. This will include visual, verbal and social interactions. The second deliverable will be a process model for architects and collective design teams to allow them to devote more time to designing and less time organizing themselves as a creative unit, ultimately improving their problem-solving process and outcomes. The third deliverable will be the development of principles for successful communication spaces followed by the application of these principles in a design artifact that addresses the physical, virtual, and social levels of interaction.

This creative project will be executed in the spring of 2011 through qualitative analysis and application of research based knowledge. The final design artifact will facilitate the practice and application of the developed process model as well as the principles for spatial consideration in a communication space. Together, these creative project deliverables seek to advance the professional practice of architecture through a combination of creative design solutions and business applications.