Category Archives: Design

March 12, 2012 · 10:58 pm

Sustainable / the pursuit of green

Sustainability Graphic for Chickasaw Nation Visitor Center

Green, sustainable, what does it all mean?

The sustainable design movement began around… well, I’m not sure that a specific date can be pinned down. While the notion of sustainability began to surface in the 1970’s, the term “green” became a serious buzz word in the late 1980’s. The first book I read on the subject was Green Architecture / Design for an energy conscious future published in 1991. The underlying message is presented as an argument for resource-conscious building calling on architects to realize a shared responsibility for the earth’s resources. Over time, the movement has become a call to action with the focus being a matter of human sustainability on planet earth. I believe that sustainable design is here to stay and only a matter of time when it will be the norm. Continue reading →

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Filed under Design, LEED ®

March 5, 2012 · 10:33 pm

“En Charrette”/ the architectural statement

FSB Design Materials Collage / Wood, Copper, Stone, Glass, Natural Light, Water, Art

We are on the home stretch of the Charrette. We have set goals and played with the site layout but now we need to discuss the architectural character of the building inside and out. We began by reviewing the entourage of images of similar facilities throughout the globe that we had assembled as a part of Preparing for a Creative Exchange of Ideas. There was also the exploration of familiar structures nearby which included: Continue reading →

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Filed under Design, Interior, Materials

February 27, 2012 · 9:52 pm

“En Charrette”/ exploring the site layout

FSB Illustration: Chickasaw Nation Visitor Center Site Characteristics and Schemes

We are now only half way through the Charrette day. The morning was filled with defining goals, objectives, purpose and space needs. The afternoon is reserved for exploring the site layout and the exterior design. The exciting news of the morning was that the Chickasaw Nation set a goal to achieve LEED Platinum for the design of the project.

There are several things to consider when thinking about how the site can be best utilized for the project. Each consideration has a part in the development the conceptual site plan. Here’s what we look at: Continue reading →

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Filed under Design, LEED ®, Materials

February 20, 2012 · 9:21 pm

“En Charrette” / the project definition workshop

FSB Chickasaw Nation Visitor Center Project Definition Graphics

The real charrette is here. This is the day we explore creative ideas with the stakeholders. We have previously distributed the pre-charrette packet for the Program Definition Workshop. We are counting on everyone having done their homework by thinking about the various pieces of information we have sent them regarding ideas for spaces, ideas for the flavor and style of the building interior and exterior and what experience they would like the architecture to create.

I always ask the stakeholders, “if the building could talk, what would you want it to say to visitors, what do you want their experience to be and what feelings would you want them to have from interacting with the architecture?” Continue reading →

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Filed under Design, Interior, LEED ®, Materials

February 13, 2012 · 10:34 pm

Preparing for a Creative Exchange of Ideas

Facilities Similar to Possible Chickasaw Nation Visitor Center

All the players are invited, the agenda is set and the charrette room is reserved; now we need to set the stage for the event. To have a really good charrette, you need to prepare yourselves and the attendees so that the maximum exchange of information, dialogue and ideas can occur. Continue reading →

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Filed under Background, Design

February 6, 2012 · 10:32 pm

Anatomy of a “Charrette”

FSB Charrette Images for Chickasaw Nation Visitor Center

Charrette; architects love this word, but you can’t find it in the typical dictionary.

It’s used in the academic teaching environment as a cool vernacular term we are introduced to as students.  It is sometimes associated with a rite of passage known to students as pulling all nighters. I have vivid college memories of my third year design lab and grueling hours dedicated to searching for the lofty meaning of life embodied in my design only to be put back into a humbling place on critique day.

(new post each Tuesday, coming next; The Paso Doble of Programming, Charrette Day) Continue reading →

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January 30, 2012 · 9:50 pm

The Gateway Project

FSB Architectural Cues for Chickasaw Nation Visitor Center

A project begins with an idea. Firmly planted, the idea becomes a seed that grows ever stronger into a dream of increasing passion. The sowing process can take the form of sharing the idea with key players to gain support both in terms of solidifying and justifying the need and supporting the idea financially. If support is great and the passion strong, the dream becomes a vision that is ripe for advancing. All of my discussions with the leadership of the Chickasaw Nation tell me we are ready to move forward.

(new post every Tuesday. Coming Next; Anatomy of a “Charrette”, The Exchange of Ideas) Continue reading →

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January 16, 2012 · 8:37 pm

The Site

FSB Illustration: Chickasaw Nation Visitor Center Project Site and Views

The proposed site for the Chickasaw Nation Visitor Center is located in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Sulphur is known as the City of Springs because of the local mineral waters and was initially named Sulphur Springs. Within twelve years of being formed as a township in 1892, the city has a unique history of being moved between three different sites. The population of Sulphur in 2009 was 4900. For you geomappers, the current location of Sulphur is 34˚30’33” N 96˚58’31”W on the globe.

(new post each Tuesday. Check out: The Client, The Gateway Project) Continue reading →

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Filed under Background, Construction, Design