Designing the Stangest Condo Ever

For my Design Studio class this term, we have been working on a condo with one of the strangest layouts imaginable...I guess they didn't want to make it easy on us!
Just look at the sectional elevations and how weirdly each level stacks up on top of one another:

Not to mention the super high ceilings on the third floor. Usually, I'm all about high ceilings, but a 30 foot ceiling in a small washroom is a bit of a strange set up...think 'beam me up' type of vibe. It's something I'm going to have to find a creative solution for, but I've got an idea up my sleeve!

The stairs were also a bit of a nightmare. Any time I tried to put the stairs anywhere, a big cement post would get in the way on another level, or the landing wouldn't reach high enough and there would be a floating door, etc. I had a couple of late night sorting those out but I actually love where they ended up, so it was worth it. Here are some quick shots of the floor plans penciled in:

I'll share the aesthetic direction of the condo soon, it's pretty exciting. The client is based loosely on the needs and desires of my fabulous cousin Alicia and her husband Mike. They aren't afraid of colour, which makes it especially fun.
 Oh, and if you're wondering how I draft in my tiny studio apartment, I pretty much clear off my entire desk to make room for my drafting board, like this:

xox

My Forty Hour Project

Well my loves, did you miss me? I'm still in finals but I just finished the biggest assignment of the term, so I'm hoping the rest will be quicker and easier. I'm so excited to share this project with all of your today!

We were asked to design a loft. We were given the basic dimensions and a couple specifics, but we got to invent out client and decide if we wanted a mezzanine or not, where to put it, where to put washrooms, kitchen, living room, etc. Not only did we have to do a floor plan and two sectional elevations, we were also required to create a sample board and make a to scale 3D model of the space! Let me walk you through it:

Here you can see my hand drawings of the views of the lower and upper levels of the loft. The main living area (tv area, lounge and kitchen) are all open concept with double height ceilings. You can see that the foyer, office and powder room are located underneath the mezzanine. The mezzanine level contains the bedroom and 3 piece bath. From the bedroom you can look over into the rest of the living space. The wall on the right is a full window wall with a door out to the balcony.
Also, you can see that I stacked the washrooms and kept them horizontal to the kitchen. This is the most efficient plan for plumbing.

Here is a sectional elevation giving you a better idea of the space. I located the television under the stairs to keep it somewhat out of sight and also to protect it from the glare of the massive window wall.

This is my favourite elevation that I've done so far. This wall of the loft has the original exposed brick. A large sliding glass door leads into the office.

Now a bit about my client and inspiration. My client is a young, single man in his early 30s who has a successful career in advertising. He is a guy's guy, who loves having the his friends over to watch the game and play poker. While he loves and fully embraces the downtown sophistocated lifestyle, he also loves the outdoors. I wanted to bring these contrasting but equally traditionally masculine aesthetics together in the space. Thus, menswear became my inspiration:

Specifically these dueling looks of Ryan Gosling... I mean, does it get any better?
(Parti is the essential idea or concept of a space).

Here are the products that I used to bring this idea to life:

Mid century modern pieces, industrial touches, a grey palette with warm teak and orange toned woods, suiting fabrics, etc. I also think the ceramic deer head is the perfect blend of rustic and urban!

Finally here is the piece de resistance, my model, where my drawings and concept are brought to life:

I'm so glad to be done, but it was a very fun project! 

If this is how term one wraps up...I'm a little bit scared for term two!

xox