Carlos Smith Portfolio

carlos smithportfolio : anatomy of design

Design influences the world in operation; people, like cells populating a space, circulating from work, to shop, to play. Every space has a role. The people within have a role to play.

Part of my presentation is in showing a space in its candid use; people yawn, sigh, smile and interact. The scene becomes a story the observer can identify with.

Human engagements are influenced by their context. The context we create is the anatomy of design.

I titled my portfoilo anatomy of design because each project is presented in disecting the details of each design solution.

This solution also concerns the user’s story in the environment :

Greensboro, [email protected]: cbsmith5.blogspot.com

carlos smith

chroma station life illustrated

fracturmalm skyscraper fracturmalm officesdowntown residence

downtown winebar

channels of xposur

sephora broadcast

circulation light well occupancy type

Downtown Winebar/Residence is a rennovation project for a dilapidated building located in downtown Durham, NC. The wine bar and above residential spaces were generated in response to the organization and living habits of downtown Durham, NC.

Living downtown, one’s residence is clustered amongst restaurants, bakeries, salons, and galleries, all of which are footsteps away. The design follows a similar approach whereby rooms and functions are blended; enhancing the personal character of objects and spaces.

-this project was a collaborative effort produced by Felicia Dean,

Ino Loloci, and myself.

DOWNTOWNw i n e b a r + r e s i d e n c e

north carolina

durham,

01. social proxemics in a bar setting

Initial sketches were based on the proxemics of a bar as well as how to comfortably integrate universal accesibility. These considerations led to the development of a bar where patrons may sit in a booth, sit at stools, or stand while sharing the same relative eye level. All patrons attain a sense of elevation integral to the carousing energy and performance.

02. exploring how to bring universal accessibility into the social space of a bar

booth + bar + sit + stand

DOWNTOWNw i n e b a r + r e s i d e n c e

north carolina

durham,

the walkway above provides views to art and the goings-on below.

multi-bar + rear entrance01

The project’ clients expressed their desire to call the wine bar The Horn. The Ram of Grapes was then conceived for branding as a mythical creature who bears grapes to fortuitous harvesters.

cork flooring and ceiling details express the flow of wine and the melodies below.

the band + front entrance02

rendered floor plan.

01

02

joining forces:

couch + bedcouch + kitchen baroffice + kitchennook + entertainment

Responding to the outside urban environment, objects and their purposes are blended. The dominant wood material reflects the age and character of the building, now re purposed for a new role.

Much like the relationship between kitchen, office and living space, the table is a metaphor for the joining of neighboring city centers; boundaries are hard with subtle material transitions.

office + kitchen

the living space serves as an intimate nook as well as a portal to outside street life.

living space01natural light and outdoor glimpses pass through the divider.

office + bed02

DOWNTOWNw i n e b a r + r e s i d e n c e

north carolina

durham,

03cooking with a view

kitchen + living space

rendered floor plan.

01

0205

04

03

north apartment

south apartment

pops of red and green introduced as subtle transitions.

kitchen + living space04

overhead lighting elements define spaces below

kitchen 05

Scale

Project numberDateDrawn byChecked by

UNCG:iarc 301116 Gatewood Studio Arts

1/8" = 1'-0"

12/1

0/20

10 1

2:15

:08

AM

A1042nd Floor Reflected Ceiling Plan

Project Number

106 Parish St. Durham NCIssue DateAuthorChecker

1/8" = 1'-0"1 02_Second FloorRCP

No. Description Date

reflected ceiling plan

Photo Credit: David Wilson

WINNERTop American Mock Firm

Top American Marketing Firm

-Chicago Architecture Today 2011 Mock Firms Skyscraper Competition

FRACTURMALMSKYSCRAPER

form/ site office

Diminishing Form retail

nature/ play lobby

Fracture path

Fracturmalm skyscraper was designed around the aim of diminishing form. Skyscrapers in Sweden are not received well for their disruption of skyline, imposing presence, and

clash with historical architecture. Our skyscraper was implanted to a large rock side, rooted to its site, reducing visual impact.

Fracturmalm cuts away from its site in shards and rigid geometries while maintaining a steep spire like its neighboring structures.

This competition entry was realized by tertia mock firm: Clairissa Anderson, Cassandra

Gustafson, David Harrill, Meghan Kaufman, Ino Loloci, Hope Talley, Christy Wallace, and myself.

plaza green space circulationskyscraper rendered site plan

01pathway spreads for moments of green space.

north plaza 02rigid breaks extend to the plaza eating areas.

north plaza

01

02

Stockholm,

FRACTURMALMSw

eden

of feet above the ground in a skyscraper, one can feel enclosed and claustrophobic. The senses, disregarded as recycled air and artificial light strangely taint the sterile space. One no longer has the luxury of strolling outdoors for a brief of fresh air.

Finding the nature in the man-made, the offices at Fracturmalm Skyscraper seek to engage the senses and refresh the work environment.

OFFICESFRACTURMALM SKYSCRAPER

a. in-plant

- trees and shrubs planted in the raised floor system provide a refreshing presence, air purification, and place of mental rest.

- bamboo drop lights express subtle separation of space.- Clerestory windows draw natural light and prevent blind corners.

- Non-linear desk layout allows project teams to gather in multiple formats.

-Banisters run the perimeter along the windows of each floor. A place to stand, and circulate.

- Tall rounded storage units at the end caps of each desk row function as collaboration surfaces for quick exchanges between project teammates.

Hundredsa.

d. e.

c.

b.

b. identifying space

c. one and only

d. touch the sky

e. express collaboration01

03

02

irrigating the work environment, refreshing your conciousness

grey water source (restrooms + kitchen)

grey water destination planters

1/2” subfloor pvc “trickle drip” piping

Tree and plant life irrigation is achieved through “trickle drip” piping that is installed beneath the raised floor system of the office. Grey water tanks in the kitchen and rest rooms quietly pump to each of the planter destinations.

02the rock of the embedded skyscraper is carried into the kitchen flooring.

kitchen01 office southeastbamboo and mdf materials populate the space with hints of green.

03wide views spanning neigboring islands.

office northeast

Equality is an important pillar of Swedish culture. Equality and collaboration are accomplished through open, transparent and seamless spaces. Subtle separations are achieved through low profile dividers and lighting elements.

The spaces include a print room, kitchen, workspace, conference bays, lounge area, and a library.

expr

ess

colla

bora

tion

C H A N N E L S O F

This table was derived from the table designed for the downtown wine bar/ residence project. In an independent study, I decided to fabricate a display variant embodying the same ideas of hard boundaries with subtle transition details.

It has been used for departmental project displays of models and information pamphlets.

XP

OS

UR

C H A N N E L S O F

Chroma Station is designed around

providing a sense of Motion and Progression.

The walker/runner/cyclist is introduced to an path

that contracts and expands influencing a sustained pace and

perhaps the inclination towards small bursts of speed!

The Greensboro Greenway is a public space improvement project aimed at creating a network of green spaces and

walkways around the downtown area. In doing so, a lot of dilapidated locations are being enriched. Chroma Station is located at an intersection of Greensboro’s

major arteries of traffic: the train tracks, Freeman Mill Road and High Point Road. Each is significant to the growth and development of Greensboro.

This project was produced by Nicole Fowler, Nacarra Lessane, and myself.

01 overview westcontraction and expansion based on 5,3, and 1 scale relations.

color and shapes become more concentrated towards the central tunnel; the runner and cyclist eager to reach that burst of energy

rock garden

underpass tunnel

seating/ play area

bus stop shelter

east park02

SBOROWAYGREENchroma station

The above photo shows the current state of the train underpass. The above sketch helped develop the main design language. Further color studies were conducted for the finalized product. Experimenting with the visual futurism taking place, meant flying trains would certainly belong in the world of Chroma Station.

orange and cyan bands traverse the greenway; the pulse leading to downtown Greensboro.

the tunnel compressed, lighting effects provide the runner a burst of energy in exit.

west tunnel east03 04

A large focus of the project was to define the underpass tunnel through light. Our design strategy uses light to amplify the compacted space,

providing a burst of energy to the runner/cyclist. Fluorescent tubes backlight the track motifs running the length of the tunnel providing a more accessible

and less intimidating experience.

05 tunnel eastthe tunnel features bike racks, seating, and water fountains

ILLUSTRATEDlife

a personal project on the characters from The Battlestar Galactica. I was interested in how some characters were cast for their facial structure, mannerisms, or dialect making them machine or human.

ILLUSTRATED

these are environments from the conceptual stages of many projects. Some on studying proxemics or social mechanics of a space.

Though the focus was often on the structure, I felt it was important to build strong characters around it.

All works are composed of either marker or water color with colored pencil.

ILLUSTRATEDlife

ILLUSTRATED the works composed on this page are for a yet-to-be released cookbook for cats and dogs.

opposite is the book cover illustration for Youngest by A.N. DeBerry

pack-up sequence

A broadcast is a transmission; makeup is a means of transmitting one’s inner being. Sephora Broadcast functions as a traveling pop-up satellite to nearby Sephora companion stores. It broadcasts select products from top brands such as Urban Decay, Makeup Forever, Murad, Smashbox, NARS, and Sephora.

As a 15’ tall box structure, Sephora Broadcast projects like a billboard to its high foot traffic locations along Miami, Florida; the West Coast of California, and Atlanta, Georgia. Its radial opening signals to the passerby that the store is open for transmission. Expanding windows and arc motifs travel the sides of the exterior shell hinting at the experience within. Clients seeking the source of the broadcast will find their favorite cosmetic products lining the walls of the space.

BROADCAST

A 1,000 square foot pop-up store for SEPHORA cosmetics

natural lighting

spatial usage

circulationrendered Plan

SEPHORA

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

e. eye makeup product display

f. foundation product display

d. accents product display

g. featured product display

b. beauty studio

c. beauty tools

a. cashwrap

h. fragrance and skin careBROADCAST

BROADCASTLighting strategies are hinged on steering attention to products while providing the best skin tone rendering for the application of cosmetics.Natural light enters the space through windows as well as radial slats in the roof. The materials chosen reflect sustainable initiatives while complementing lighting strategies. Wood materials in conjunction with warm lighting temperatures promote natural color rendering.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

e.

e.

01products are kept to the radial wing, while customer services are stationed in the main structure.

broadcast core

The space is organized around the shopper’s natural tendency to enter a space from the right. Customer/clients seeking assistance in product application may take products to the beauty studio at the rear of the space. Products are purchased at the cash wrap adjacent to the beauty studio and at the entrance.

Presented at a comfortable three-foot height, the main product displays feature foundation testing tools, cleaning supplies and mirrors. Each unit contains drawer storage for back stock. The displays are blended into the radial bands that define the interior and exterior.

BROADCASTCooper Lighting23DW Straight and Narrow

2500 kelvin temperature flourescent lamps for product displays along radial wall.

Cooper LightingCD Cove Duo

3000 kelvin flourescent lamps for ambient lighting over beauty studio and cashwrap.

Cooper LightingSYNCHRO 506-111

2500 kelvin temperature ceramic metal halide lamps on track system above beauty studio and cashwrap.

Cooper LightingLEDEON Flexible 120V LED Neon Replacement

3000 kelvin temperature L.E.D.s highlight testers and packages at product displays. Also located in ceiling fixtures for ambient lighting.

Cooper LightingM700T

Ceramic metal halide 2500 kelvin can lamps for ambient lighting over beauty studio and cashwrap. Can recesses feature black baffles to avoid glare.

a.

b.

b.

c.

c.

d.

e.

02the beauty studio features tools, and mirrors for the right application.

beauty studio

the site plan illustrates the nature of sephora broadcast in that as a pop up retail operation it is always oriented to the direction of its “mother” store.

Miami, Florida along South Beach, Miracle Mile, and Belle Island were chosen as they are rife with colorful culture and social life.

BROADCAST

sephora at south beach elevation

02open for transmission, appealing to the impulse buy.

beach north01the fanning entrance and windows sway with the palms.

beach east

The design began with marketing studies of cosmetic chains, as well as observational studies of patrons in cosmetics stores. My observations led me to question: How would makeup display itself to the outside world if it were embodied in some life form? I began with sketches of mannequin characters I called “illuminated cast members.” Each would embody the particular performance in the makeup product displayed:

This performative character aided in choosing my site, site clientele base as well as the structure’s bold features. It became clear that the life form needed to be the broadcast beam which would animate through the structure’s opening and it’s bold arc motifs.

BROADCAST

03vibrant lighting in the night life of South Beach

beach west

carlos smithportfolio : anatomy of design