We've Moved!!

Hello All - just a quick post to let you know that Lone Wolf Drafting and Design has moved. My office is now located in Downtown Phoenix (Arizona). If anyone reading this needs to know my new mailing address, or has any projects that they may need assistance with, please contact me at the numbers below:
Line 1: 602-595-2466
Line 2: 480-310-5603
Email: www.lonewolf1211@hotmail.com
Check back soon for new posts!

Industrial Loft Progress

Library Interrupted

It seems that no matter how much thought and effort you put into a project, revisions are still inevitable. The Loft Project is apparently no exception. A couple of days ago, I posted my progress on the library area of the apartment. I figured I was about 90% complete with this space, and all it needed was some detail. Alas, I was wrong. After thinking about some of the details throughout the day, I came to realize that there were some better solutions to what I had already come up with, some design elements that were going to interfere with functionality, and finally, there was just some stuff I didn’t like.
The Catwalk
The Problem
The second floor catwalk is an integral part of the look, feel and function of the space. It is also one of the most troublesome, as it must have the proper support to make it work. Many designs of this type use a solid floor structure, so all of the support members can be hidden under the floor. Even designs that use an open structural system still use a solid deck, so the support beams can be large and utilitarian. This design can still pull off a unique and, if done right, elegant work of art. Other designers would use a column system, regardless of deck design. This is typically the easiest and most tried and tested way to support a second level walkway. The column system can of course be dressed up in a number of ways, but at its core, it is a common way of construction. Well, to hell with that. I wanted to keep the first level relatively open – just a large grand space that will allow a tremendous amount of light through. This is part of the reason for the open tread design on the catwalk, the oversized windows, and massive skylights. Originally, I used a cantilever system that ran under the deck seams and supported not only the walkway, but a globe style light at the end of the cantilever. The cantilever widened out into a semi decorative piece that blended into the bookcases. However, after further inspection, I came to realize that this design was problematic. First, the cantilevers were not heavy duty enough. They would have supported the weight, but over time, the stress and metal fatigue would have led to structural failure. Second, the swopping element in the cantilever would have interfered with the rolling ladders that are necessary to access books on the high shelves. Third, I just did not like their final appearance, they just looked to flimsy.

Original Image - Note The Lamps with Cantilevers to the Left

The Solution
So, what do to? By eliminating the two most common ways of supporting this structure, I had to go to plan C. I decided to hang the entire deck from the ceiling. This is not an unusual solution either, hanging a deck is used somewhat often in design scenarios. However, the most common way of implementing this plan is to use lolli-columns, basically just a thin steel column bolted to the ceiling and deck. However, I again felt that would be too obtrusive, so I decided to use a cable system instead. This will provide a strong yet elegant and open support system, and will speak to the building’s history of being an old factory mill. The cable rigging system maintains an industrial feel and becomes more of an artistic sculptural element as opposed to just a structural member. The cables themselves are welded into place to prohibit unwanted movement. Instead of just bolting the cables to an anchor plate, I created pulley wheels at the top and bottom of the cable. This provides a more interesting connection for the system, and adds to the industrial feel of the space. This cable system also allows for easy installation of the rail system needed for shelf access ladders. The lights hanging under the deck were pushed further out to the perimeter of a deck, and caps off a secondary cantilever system which is smaller and less obtrusive. The two systems together will provide more then adequate support for the walkway.

Cable Pully On Post

View of Cables From Deck to Ceiling

Cable Connection Detail at Railing

Cable Connection Detail at Ceiling

New Lamp Position

Chutes and Ladders
Now that I resolved the support issues by designed the cable rigging system and moving the lighting, I can now move on to one of the more intricate details of the library: the rolling ladders. The ladders themselves are nothing new, but here I wanted to include as much detail as possible to make the system look believable and authentic. I modeled the ladders after real ladders used in grand old libraries, and included a track that would have some beautiful detail to it. For instance, none of the tracks are hidden; everything is exposed out in the open. With that comes all of the connection detail, such as rivets holding the floor tracks in place, stoppers to keep the ladders from rolling off the tracks, and the connection system that anchors the upper tracks to the bookcases. I also need to show a lot of details in the ladders themselves, everything from swiveling ball bearing on the wheels to traction treads on the steps. I also included shelves on the sides of the ladders so one could easily pile books, instead of simply tossing them to the floor. The entire system looks much like the old “Chutes and Ladders” game when it is viewed with the rest of the library removed.

Bottom Rail Detail

Top Rail Detail

All Rails and Ladder - The "Chutes and Ladders" Effect

Ladder with Rail and Shelf Detail

Bottom of Ladder with Wheels, Tracks and Stopper

Detailing
One of the biggest issues I have with people in my field is lack of detail, and, let it said that I am one that has lacked detail in my projects. Designers can create fantastic designs that are beautiful and functional, but when the project is rendered, it just feels like something is missing. Usually, it is the mundane, everyday stuff, like wall outlets, light switches and door hinges. I can’t tell you how many of my projects are missing these basic elements. It is very easy to get so wrapped up in the nuances of one’s design that everyday functional stuff gets left out. Therefore, when I started this project, I wanted to make sure that I included such things. Believe it or not, I actually forgot to put them in. I was about to post this blog when realized that I was missing something, switches and outlets. They are in place now, and I believe that in the end, such little details will help make these computer images all the more realistic.

Push Button Wall Switch and Electrical Outlet Detail

Full Library Composite Looking to Fireplace and Mantle

Industrial Loft Progress

This entry will bring the blog up to date on the progress of the loft. I have made significant progress on two large areas of the loft, the indoor pool area, and the library.
Indoor pool
The indoor pool is located on the first floor of the loft apartment and has a few unique and unusual features. I wanted the pool area to be as open as possible, but be usable in extremely hot and cold weather conditions. Two of the walls surrounding the indoor pool have massive openings to allow for maximum airflow on nicer days. However, I didn’t just want to enclose these openings with a series of standard doors, so I used roll up garage doors with glass panes from top to bottom. These doors help add to the overall industrial feel, while providing in interesting a practical solution for the pool enclosure. The wall opposite the garage door wall opens directly into the kitchen, and will be separated with a bar counter. There will also be access to the dining room from the pool room. The wall adjacent to the pool room will give access to the living room. The pool room contains 3 skylight towers directly over the pool, and will feature subway tile on the walls, crown moldings, and a tin ceiling.

Pool Room: Exterior

Pool Room: Interior

Pool Room: Skylight

Pool Room: Interior with Doors to Living Room

The Library
The library one of the largest spaces in the loft project, as it features a double height space and a series of architecturally unique features. The most notable is the second floor of the library, which features an open tread deck.The second floor is more like an industrial grade catwalk, further adding to the factory feeling. A spiral stair located in the corner of the space allows access the walkway, and features open decking just as the catwalk above. The library features massive floor to ceiling factory style windows, as well as 10’ tall built in bookcases on the first floor, and 9’ tall bookcases on the second. The outer deck can by accessed by French doors, as can the living room. The ceiling also boasts 3 skylights with decorative iron inserts, and will be finished with a tin design. The library also features an oversized fireplace, and will eventually contain seating areas for reading and relaxing and of course, books.

Library: Spiral Stair

Library: Fireplace

Library: View From 2nd Level

Library: Skylight Detail

Library: Doors to Living Room

Library: Doors to Outer Deck

Check back soon for more updates.

Industrial Loft Progress

I have the general layout of the entire apartment, including major structural elements and some architectural details. I can see already that this project will be huge as far as file size in concerned. Even my awesome Mac will have some trouble if I kept everything in one large file format. Therefore, multiple files must be created, and everything will be combined in the rendering stage. Files will be created based on the objects they contain i.e. all decorative moldings will be in one file, all doors will be in another, etc. The look of this building will be in a classic brick and concrete style, similar to old mill buildings constructed between 1900 and 1930. To that end, all of the details will be true to that era, including elaborate molding, antiques door fixtures, factory style windows, and things of the like. I have included the first images of this project below. Comments are always welcome.

The Industrial Loft Experiment

I have decided to create a fairly ambitious project called the Industrial Loft. This project is purely promotional, and will take months to complete, if not longer. The design of this space is centered around an old factory building, and how it may be retrofitted for urban living. The loft will sit on the 8th floor of a medium sized building in a semi industrial area. The building is in the style of a factory or mill constructed sometime in the 1920’s. The loft will include a living room, wet bar, kitchen, dining room, indoor pool, library, master suite, 2 small bedrooms, clock tower, extensive outdoor spaces and a work space in the actual loft area. The final images will include everything mentioned before, as well as views of the entire exterior of the building as well as some views of the surrounding environment. I will be designing all of the spaces in this project, as well as creating all of the modeling and the final rendered images. I find that working on such a project brings me a sense of peace and relaxation, as I can focus in on this little world as I create it, and forget about the troubles in the real world.

However, I have decided to do something a little different this time. As various parts of this project are completed, I will post images of the progress of the design. Early images will be strictly black and white screen shots of the raw model. After the loft has been designed, I will concentrate on surface and texture assignment, and then final color and texture schemes. After that, everything goes into post-production where I add little details to punch up the images. I think this could be an interesting chronology of the development of this project, and will give anyone interested a chance to see how a project such as this progresses over time. I hope people will comment, and share their thoughts and ideas as this project takes shape. Please remember to come by often, as updates will be fairly regular.

-Sean

PS – I have already done some developing on this project, so the next post will be a sort of “catch up” entry. After that, posts will most likely concentrate on one area of development as the project continues along.