Week 4
Monday, 2/9
Design notebook images
Discuss and turn in Green Building Program Comparison assignment.
Handout:
- "The Price Tower" booklet
Price Tower Design Project
Project Statement:
Design the layout and furnishings for the first floor living/dining area of the 2-story suite in the Price Tower. The furnishings should support and enhance the style and spirit of the building.
History:
The Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma was completed in 1956 by Frank Lloyd Wright for H. C. Price. The building originally housed the offices of the Price Company and a few other small businesses, as well as a few apartments. It is the only high-rise built by Wright.
The Price Tower has been recently remodeled and converted into a center for the arts and a small hotel and restaurant. Most of the original apartments and offices have become hotel rooms.
The 817-square-foot apartments were designed with living, dining, kitchen, and a half-bath on the main floor, and the bedroom and full bath on the second floor. The bedroom area is open to below, like a loft. This 2-story suite has windows that span both floors. There is also a small balcony on the second floor.
The primary materials used in the building are concrete, aged copper, and aluminum. The colors are off-white, Cherokee Red, and the colors of the copper patina. The plan is based on the 30/60 triangle, and is often referred to as a "pinwheel."
Links:
- Price Tower, Wikipedia article
- Price Tower Arts Center, pricetower.org
- Price Tower, Great Buildings Online
- "Little Skyscraper on the Prairie," Atlantic Monthly article
- Pictures by Ben Stallings:
Images (taken by Sutphen):
- Hall 1
- Hall 2
- Entry
- Living room 1
- Living room 2
- Living room 3
- Living room 4
- Half bath
- Kitchen 1
- Kitchen 2
- Stair
- Bedroom
- Loft 1
- Loft 2
- Loft 3
- Bathroom 1
- Bathroom 2
- Bathroom 3
- Bathroom 4
- Bathroom 5
- Furnishings 1
- Furnishings 2
- Furnishings 3
- Copper detail
Files:
- Plan drawing, from "The Price Tower" booklet
Use the Scale command with a Reference length to scale the image in AutoCad. The exterior walls are approximately 45' in length.
Project guidelines:
There are no set presentation guidelines. Designs may be sketched or drawn, and may be on paper or boards. The emphasis for this project is on design content, not presentation. Loose papers should be contained in a folder, binder, or large envelope.
The designs will be judged primarily on the use of design principles and elements. Designs should show understanding of Wright's use of design principles and elements, but should "translate" these into today's terms and the designer's personal style.
Designs should include custom furniture for the living and dining areas, and wall treatment/artwork. Rugs may be designed, but painted concrete flooring should remain.
Everything must be able to fit through a standard 2'8" door. Any furniture larger than that must be assembled on site. Almost everything will need to be carried up the exterior staircase, as the elevators are very small.
Materials and colors should be shown and noted in the drawings. All projects must include a one-page explanation of the design.
Wednesday, 2/11
Work Day. Projects will be turned in and critiqued Monday. I will be available if needed - please e-mail me.
The "Designer's Eye" assignment will be due a week from today, due to project scheduling.