Geek Development Center

Here is a view of the therapy offices inside of the tree house structures

layers and layers

This chair consists of layers of leather that is clamped between an oak frame. At first i thought it was quite ugly but the idea as well as the look is strangely growing on me. The chair is called second skin and is designed by Belgian designers Quinze and Milan. Have a look at some of their other stuff! http://www2.quinzeandmilan.tv/

ref:

http://www.dezeen.com/2010/11/07/second-skin-by-quinze-milan/#more-103261

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

interesting Innovative GREEN Cardboard furniture...

the good noise...

These Free standing accoustic panels from Glimakra double as room deviders and brighten up any interior space... see how the shapes fit into each other

colour rocks!

Check out these cute and colourfull rocking chairs for kids from Hut-Hut made from sustainable resin.

Ref: http://www.coochicoos.com/toys/hut-hut-kids-becomes-affordable.html

upgrade

new news... ? not really..... but you can follow me on twitter @ inspirazzi_
:) lol

the only one

This is the only poster that will not change from my dry dry run presentation to the final one. hehe i love the baby... so cutesie! the poster basicly explain the concept. Children who will be granted the ability to be whoever they possibly can be, by receiving therapy to overcome their challenges.

upgrading the upgrade

Upgrage

I'm wasting hours on a new logo. These are the most recent. It's still not there YET, sigh.....

feedback will be appreciated =)

pet?

Magi's mini puppy chair....

made from polyethylene

cute concept?

MAXimising 3D.

I have to admit, after that horrifying presentation of the exhibition, I started to dislike my exhibition stand. But after doing the animation, I felt so proud! Who ever thought I’d be able to do make a mini movie on one of my designs!! Here is one of the still renderings..

My lighting room.

I see everyone posted their renderings...

Meh.. this is mine

Focus colour away from trends and toward methodology

Designers often think to apply full-spectrum colours, bright primaries should be attended as many successful educational encouraging toys and systems make use of the principle. Fact is that overuse of primaries creates a sense of discomfort and distraction that lead to concentration and stress malfunctions. A neutral palette with accent bights should rather be applied for successful results as less stress allow for faster development progression.

Focus colour away from trends and toward methodology......

Colour therapy

The power of colour can be used as therapy in architecture as well as the health care industry. The energy of colour plays a large role in the emotions and mood alterations of children. Colour even influences the level of concentration in tasks. Marberry & Zagon states that colour is literally the wavelength of medicine of the future.

The aim is to create harmony in the interior for maximum productivity and ease of therapies and representing the youth who the brand is directed at, at the same time (Marberry & Zagon1996: 45).

Reference: Marberry, S. O. & Zagon, L. 1995. The power of colour: creating healthy interior spaces. Canada: John Wiley and Sons.

Children with disabilities have the right to be treated the same as others and have the right to participate in everything the other children do.

Barclay & Clacherty (2003) explains that a few centuries ago society would never have accepted the idea of a woman president or a male for the First Lady. The 21st century however allows the opportunity as a sense of acceptance between most stereotypes developed recently. Society classify being different as a way if being noticed (Barclay & Clacherty 2003:25).

Each child should therefore be proud of themselves, regardless of the experienced challenges that make little G.E.A.K.S different. The development centre aim to teach children to accept one another and celebrate who they are from a young age, in order for the principle to become a strong viewpoint in life. The centre want students of the G.E.A.K Development centre to believe in themselves to such an extent that they strive to follow dreams without any limitations (Barclay & Clacherty 2003:25).

Reference: Barclay,H. & Clacherty, G. 2003. Opening pathways, learner’s handbook grade one. Gauteng, South-Africa: Nolwazi Educational Publishers Ltd.

Child behaviour once in comfort zone

The following post is the theoretical explanation behind the reason for the cafe and tree houses looking into the activity area of the G.E.A.K. Development Centre:

Development Evaluator from KDP, Miss Cloete explains that children tend to open up to those they are comfortable with, which is essential in order for therapy to continue successfully. Children tend to ‘tell secrets’ to their caregivers when in comfort.

Once separated from the parent, the child has limited time to get to know the new caregiver. The aim is therefore to make use of therapy such as play therapy which children can relate with. A familiar and comfortable setting is created in which the child feel relaxed and at ease in the care of a stranger in order to:
· Allow the evaluators to find the problems experienced
· Feel confident to take part in activities in groups
· Allow the evaluators to teach the child to overcome challenges
· Tell therapists about possible abuse concerns

quick post

Quite random.. I know.. but how cute are these bubble clocks!!! Wish I had one......have one :)

beautiful noise... wanted

Check out these fun and colourful decoration elements used to absorb sound. These panels can be incorporated as curtains, carpets and even wall coverings. The sound-absorbing panels of Karim Rashid, Christel Mansson and Anne Quinn Kyyro is ideal for surface coverings in child activities areas, child libraries and schools. The soft surfaces allow the children to relax around the applied areas and experience the chance in texture as part of education.

ref: The noise becomes beautiful. [s.a] Internet: http://www.interiorwarrior.com/the-noise-becomes-beautiful/ Access: 12 May 2010.

light from above

Alex gave me a case study to research after design the other day; The CHAPEL OF ST. IGNATIUS by Steven Hall. The manner in which he introduced light into the interior by means of seven light tunnels, inspired the way in which I shall introduce light and colour to the therapy spaces of the existing, dark warehouse on Mangold Street.

With the power of colour to heal, calm and excite, light tunnels facing North-west shall supply coloured light into the interior with the help of coloured Plexiglas panels. Instead of painting the walls in bright friendly colours, a coloured glow from 'above' subtly can control the mood of the children during therapy sessions.

http://www.stevenholl.com/project-detail.php?id=40

Tree house...?

I came across the picture of this beautiful residential property as i was seeking inspiration for my space planning... The picture inspired me try create an interior tree-house effect to manipulate the illusion of the exterior into the interior.

The absence of an garden on site allow no escape to the children visiting the centre, therefore calling for the floating levels to direct the mind of the child into a mystical bearing, allowing the child to feel in his/her comfort zone. Lets see if the concept will work....

Reference: Exinteriordesin 2010. Internet: http://www.exinteriordesign.com/spain-banco-de-sabadell-barcelona-by-josep-lluis-mateo/ Access: 29 March 2010

You are here...

Location, location, location! Am I the only Btech student with a proposed building in Newton Park? Let me explain why:

1. GEAK Development needs a building that is close to as many possible schools. These include primary schools, pre-schools or day care facilities.
2. Newton Park is relative central and close to Greenacres hospital in case of medical emergencies.
3. The Diaz sports club is two blocks away from Erf no. 236 Newton Park. The children can be transported from the development centre to the sports field with little hassle for their sports development

Additional factors such as the Greenacres shopping centre allow parents to drop their children at the GEAK development centre for development therapy while they do shopping or meet a friend for a cup of coffee.

Location, location, location! The building is on 79 Mangold Street, Newton Park.
Directions: From Greenacres shopping centre, up in Cape road, right into 5th Ave and left into Mangold Street. As easy as that!

Inspired....Andree Putman

Oi… I freaked out a little this weekend. After my presentation on Thursday I could not help wondering if I made a mistake to attempt a design aimed at children? Lying on the floor, attempting a few sit ups to create a ‘healthy looking me’, I found an old Elle magazine under my bed. An interview with Andree Putman, the ‘unrivalled doyenne of French design’ inspired me to lift my head up high again and continue my attempt.

I won’t bore you with the whole article but Andree basically told me: “To not dare is to have already lost. We should seek out ambitions, even unrealistic ones…. Because things only happen when we dream”

Reference: in conversation with Andree Putman. 2007. Elle Decoration. October 2007. pp 26-27.

Blessings

Ok so the troubling question that is to blame for the proposed function is 'What does the world really need?' Bloggers from around the world commented on the question. One that stood out from the rest was a comment left by what seem to be a primary school teacher who call herself Ms RuRu. The comment read as follow: ' The world needs good parents in school systems. That is were leaders are made.' (RuRu 2009:1)

The comment took the wits of the designer on a journey. Many children experience difficulties that without help or treatment impair personal abilities. Intellectual and physical disabilities limit the human body from doing what is desired and dreamt.

Once again I realised how privileged we as designers are. We have the ability to create reality from a dream. A dream that might change the lives of others.

I will therefore dedicate the year 2010 to design a centre that creates opportunities to children with the disabilities to address and eliminate the problems experienced.

May the designer apply the skills and opportunities granted to her to help those who are not able, to be able to.

Ref: What the world needs. 2008. Internet: http://www.answers.yahoo.com/questions/index?qid:20080921 Access: 18 February 2009.

When the geek is in you, it is inescapable!

The key challenge of my design identity is to create a desire amongst children to visit a development centre to determine mental and physical shortcomings within children, WITHOUT allowing the child to feel inferior. Let’s face it, kids can be cruel.

Remember the days when being a geek was the least desirable stereotype? Yes, school…yikes! How did we come to an era where being a geek is hip? Take us interior designers and architecture students for instance. We are passionate about things most people don't care about plus we have nonexistent social lives, yet we rock… You have to admit, Einstein was a geek, but he came up with E=mc2 square (meters)….

The trend Geek Chic is taking the fashion world by storm. This made me think: If Geeks like Einstein are changing the world, why were we once upon a time petrified to be associated as geniuses? Maybe this is the answer to the enigma of how the trend took flame in the first place. And how far is society prepared to accept the trend in design?

MIZ_C inspired me this week by saying that ‘constrains should become your design’ (little genius herself). Can a Geek Chic inspired identity be taken to a whole new level to change the world? Children have the ability to make a difference with a little help from the developments the centre offer. It’s time for the world to know what little geeks are capable off!!