Learning Exchange Carport Week 5
Feb 17th, 2012 by broderick
The final week of the Learning Exchange Carport Project has come to a close, and one of the project’s two main goals has been delivered. The two Google Sketchup workshops were a success in the eyes of both the clients and the project group, and received very positive feedback from the patrons of the Learning Exchange. The design reccomendations of the carport will now become the full focus of the design team, with delivery to the client scheduled for the week following the Midterm Break.
Sketchup Workshop #2
On Thursday afternoon, Games and myself made our way to the Learning Exchange for the second installment of the Google Sketchup Workshop series. We were met by eight patrons, most of whom had attended the previous week’s workshop, and all of whom had some knowledge of the program. Based on the lesson plan suggested by Evan, Games and I lead the group through some of the intermediate tools available in the program. Through a worked example of the design of a birdbath, the group learned:
- The Offset Tool
- The Follow Me Tool
- Geolocation
- Importing Objects from the 3D Warehouse
Following that brief lesson, the students were given time to practice use of the tools we had shown them, and to continue exploring the capabilities of the program. Games and I circulated the classroom answering questions and helping individuals with any troubles they were having with the program.
One student at the workshop, Tanya, was a member of a community garden that was currently in the design phase of the plot. She was excited to be able to use the Geolocation feature to import a map of the site and create a 3D design of the garden using trees, bushes, flower stands, toolsheds, and benches imported from the 3D warehouse.
Here’s a picture of Tanya and I working on the garden design:
And another of the class being lead through the Geolocate Feature:
Carport Design
On the afternoon of Friday the 17 of February, the design team met with UBC Architectural Systems Manager Mark Daigle to discuss design concepts for the Learning Exchange Carport. Mark had previously visited the Learning Exchange and was familiar with the space. The group discussed the uses of the space that had been suggested in the public consultation (see Learning Exchange Carport Week 4), and came up with several key design considerations, described below.
Bike storage – space should be able to accommodate six bicycles. For ideas about efficient bicycle storage, the design team will tour the bike kitchen in the basement of the UBC Student Union Building.
Music production – the Learning Exchange has other rooms better suited for music production, and as such the carport need not be designed for this use.
Built-in Cabinet – the existing Rubbermaid bin will be replaced with a permanent cabinet that will meet the storage needs of the space. Hanging space for tools will be provided either near this cabinet, or near the bicycle storage area.
Lighting/Electrical – Suggestions of the location of lights and electrical outlets are to be specified in the final design. Electrical outlets will be included above the work benches.
Work Benches – These are to be located along the wall to the left side of the floor plan diagram (see Learning Exchange Carport Week 4)
Sliding Table – This is to be located along the side wall of the carport, with the ability to be moved into the centre of the room.
Industrial Space Heater – Mark suggested the group include an electric heater in the design plans to acccomodate classes that are being held in cooler weather.
Recycle/Garbage Bin Storage – The existing rolling bins are a crucial part of the carport’s usage, but take up a substantial amount of space. The final design will attempt to minimize the number of bins and provide an area for them near the back wall of the carport.
To aid in creating a useful space, the design team generated a pie chart based on the expectage usage. The final design will feature as much open space as possible in order to maximize versatility.
Next Steps
At the conclusion of Friday’s design meeting, the team assigned drafting and design tasks to be completed over the Midterm Break. The next blog posting will give an update on design progress.
We’d quite like to hear any thoughts you have on the project.