Brody Complex
In Spring 2010, along with another student in my synthesis design class, I redesigned a building on Michigan State's Campus known as Brody Hall. The building is the main building in Brody complex, a complex of dorm buildings housing mostly freshman students. The building is now complete with a new cafeteria and grotto as well as classrooms and other spaces. My partner and I remodeled a portion of the first floor, creating a convenience store and classroom spaces.
Inspiration Images
Concept Statement
Concept: "Go Green"
The inspiration for this design comes from the spirited Michigan State University tagline: “Go Green.” Concepts taken from this phrase include those of community and also of environmentally friendly, “green” design. The GreenHouse will also implement the idea of going “green” through the inclusion of healthy food options. Both the classroom spaces and the convenience store will reflect our “Go Green” values through the use of a color palette inspired by fresh fruits and vegetables as well as clean, symmetrical lines seen in produce stands and other natural elements.
The space planning of the three separately functioning classroom spaces promotes new trends in learning. From the collaboration-based focus of the Group Learning classroom to the Round-Table room centrally focused around the professor, each space has a unique setup for any type of learning environment. Promoting functionality, furnishings used in the spaces are also entirely moveable and stackable, allowing students and instructors to choose their best suited environment. Clean lines will be used to accent the expansive height of the lemon chiffon colored walls, reiterating the fresh color scheme. Acoustical panels suspended from the ceiling in free-flowing shapes will also be used for their functionality and to add aesthetic detailing to the spaces.
The GreenHouse, a fresh take on the quick-stop Sparty’s Stores on campus, goes beyond convenience with the fresh food offerings and desirable healthy options. Further expanding on the concept of symmetry and natural elements, shelving and countertops in the store mimic the graceful formations of the Michigan State Marching Band. Soft lines guide customers throughout the space, enveloped by the kiwi and eggplant color scheme that makes the space inviting and sought-after.
Our design will encompass all aspects of our “Go Green” concept: community, sustainability and healthy living. Both spaces will promote learning and socialization through open planning, accessibility and free-form design.
The inspiration for this design comes from the spirited Michigan State University tagline: “Go Green.” Concepts taken from this phrase include those of community and also of environmentally friendly, “green” design. The GreenHouse will also implement the idea of going “green” through the inclusion of healthy food options. Both the classroom spaces and the convenience store will reflect our “Go Green” values through the use of a color palette inspired by fresh fruits and vegetables as well as clean, symmetrical lines seen in produce stands and other natural elements.
The space planning of the three separately functioning classroom spaces promotes new trends in learning. From the collaboration-based focus of the Group Learning classroom to the Round-Table room centrally focused around the professor, each space has a unique setup for any type of learning environment. Promoting functionality, furnishings used in the spaces are also entirely moveable and stackable, allowing students and instructors to choose their best suited environment. Clean lines will be used to accent the expansive height of the lemon chiffon colored walls, reiterating the fresh color scheme. Acoustical panels suspended from the ceiling in free-flowing shapes will also be used for their functionality and to add aesthetic detailing to the spaces.
The GreenHouse, a fresh take on the quick-stop Sparty’s Stores on campus, goes beyond convenience with the fresh food offerings and desirable healthy options. Further expanding on the concept of symmetry and natural elements, shelving and countertops in the store mimic the graceful formations of the Michigan State Marching Band. Soft lines guide customers throughout the space, enveloped by the kiwi and eggplant color scheme that makes the space inviting and sought-after.
Our design will encompass all aspects of our “Go Green” concept: community, sustainability and healthy living. Both spaces will promote learning and socialization through open planning, accessibility and free-form design.
Programming Phase
Floor Plan
Floor Plan created with AutoCad.
Perspectives
Design Solutions
Our Brody design solution involved adding a curved glass wall to the retail space to add visual interest to the surrounding corridor. We mimicked this design with the curved glass wall on the interior of the space which also has a cafe counter for fresh beverages. The classrooms offer three different layouts but all the furniture selected is easily movable and adaptable for different layouts and uses. The rooms have movable glass walls between the three, as requested for the final design. The space can serve as three different rooms or one large room used for events or meetings. The classroom on the far left is known as the Round Table Classroom; the classroom in the middle is known as the Group Classroom and the classroom on the right is known as the Individual Classroom. The different layouts for each room will ensure that different types of learning can be addressed, as no two students learn the same way. In each room, the podium containing technology equipment is also located in a different place because just as students learn differently, teachers teach differently. Additionally, we added acoustical ceiling clouds in order to help absorb sound, as well as Interactive Whiteboards from Steelcase in order to help enhance each student's learning experience.