Maserati Design Driven contest

Design Driven:

Maserati's search for the finest Architectural garages.

The inspiration for this garage concept is taken from the sculptural form of the Maserati automobile. A Maserati is a work of art, and I’ve designed the space to showcase the owner’s vehicles in a gallery like setting. The garage takes styling cues from Maserati’s elliptical grill and vertical slats. Supported by steel beams designed as a simplified version of the Maserati logo, an overhang shields the automobiles from direct sun and is inspired by the angled lines of the GranTurismo. Opaque glass, backlit by led lighting, highlights the automobiles and is powered by photovoltaic panels located on the roof above. The grill-like clear glass garage door provides views of the owner’s collection from the exterior; while the interior opens to the main living space allowing the inhabitants constant enjoyment of their art.

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Conceptual Design - Bradbury Residence

A 2,000 s.f. loft on the top story of the historic Bradbury Building located in downtown Los Angeles. Designed as a dwelling for a family of three; husband and wife college professors and their ten year old son. The husband, a professor of world history, is a paraplegic and so I've created an open floor plan to provide easy movement throughout the home. The wife is an art professor and an artist herself. Therefore I've centrally located a studio space where she could work and display her art while maintaining close contact to her son and husband.

The organization of this residential space is taken from the common organizational system of most cities; the grid. In urban planning the grid is used to layout city streets and group blocks. However, this doesn't account for the natural terrain of the city. In reality the grid structure must change direction when confronted with natural obstacles that can't be paved over. I've utilized this idea in the spatial organization of the space. Beginning with the street grid of the historic downtown area and using the existing column line of the loft as a transparent barrier that diverts the path of the grid.

I see a link between these structured frameworks within which change necessarily arises and the lives of these three individuals. Change and growth are inherent aspects of human development and are especially evident in children. While as instructors within academia, these professors are visionaries; and as agents of change themselves, influence new direction in those they teach.