what if grab bars were cool?

Pipewall is an adjustable wall system designed to add storage,

stability, and visual interest to a variety of spaces. Created as a

response to the cold, stigmatizing grab bars of today, pipewall

provides the same support in a more inviting way. Pipewall can go

in a variety of places such as showers, hallways, children’s

rooms, elevators, hospitals, retail spaces, and many more. It attaches

to the wall much like grab bars do as to provide corresponding

stability and comes in a variety of materials such as

wood, rubber, recycled plastic, and a few metals. Copper is naturally

antimicrobial but a surface treatment can also be applied to

pipewall to ensure further protection from the spread of germs.

sketch series 4

direct lighting

indirect lighting

accent lighting

semi-direct lighting

semi-indirect lighting

wall-grazing lighting

 wall-washing lighting

cove lighting

slot lighting

sound map, gatewood first floor

the materials in the space consist of concrete, metal(s), glass, and paper, mostly. this does nothing good for the acoustics. reverberations are greater due to non-porous, reflective surfaces that bounce the sound waves right back. as a result of this, the space becomes uncomfortable and noisy. even small crowds sound large and private conversations are no longer private. 

today there are many solutions to the acoustical problems in spaces such as these. there are rubber and cork floor underlayments as well as many different finishes of acoustic paneling. there are acoustical panels that can even be tacked in to. this could easily replace those that are existant in the space now. 

Bonded Logic makes acoustical panels from recycled natural fibers. they’re treated with a non-toxic solution that stops the growth of mold and mildew as well.

incorporating acoustical panels wherever possible would greatly help the space. ceiling and floor treatments would also be beneficial due to the volume of the space. tack boards are easily replaceable with panels as well. 

scavenger hunt...illuminance & reflectance

illuminance

1) 8 fc

2) 14 fc

3) 25 fc

4) 36 fc

5) 44 fc

6) 54 fc

7) 83 fc

8) 105 fc

reflectance

9) 8%

10) 28%

11) 44%

12) 77%

13) 90%

transmittance

14) 14%

15) 28%

16) 57%

17) 72%

18) 85%

light box

sketch series 3

daytime:

nighttime:

sketch series 2

sketch series 1

the effects of lighting on health

Much research has been done lately on the effects of light on human health. Researches have detected a new cell in the eyes that detects the slowly changing light effects during the day. It also alerts key parts of the body to the changing time of day and aligns the brain and body’s responses to circadian rhythms. When this is thrown off, the effects can be negative.  Insufficient amounts of light can cause body systems to malfunction and can help the development of some illnesses.

            This isn’t just for those who work night shifts or stay up late, although they seem to be a large percentage of those affected. Research has also shown that exposure to blue light (LED’s) suppresses melatonin, the chemical that guides the body to sleep, more than red light. Any light suppresses melatonin, but the blue light has proven to be significantly more effective not only in keeping test subjects awake, but also in making it harder for them to go to sleep later.  With the shift towards energy efficiency, more and more lights, computers, telephones, etc. have bluer lights and this, obviously, is potentially problematic.

            As a college student who spends a majority of the nighttime exposed to light, whether it’s overhead studio lights or a computer screen, this is a little disconcerting. Both articles threw out the names of some major diseases like diabetes and cancer. In 2007 the World Health Organization declared shift work to be a probable carcinogen. I’ve got to stay up, so what’s a girl to do?

            Researchers are hoping for new technology one day that adjusts lights to the changing time of day; NASA is even interested in that type of development. Until then, all we can do is absorb the natural sun and hope for the best!

light revealing experience

            When I was a little girl, my favorite song was “This Little Light of Mine”, I wouldn’t dare go to bed without my night-light, and I lived in the Nevada desert-Vegas, to be exact. Needless to say, light has always been important to me.  It affects my mood, my wardrobe choices, and even my vision.  That being said, I’ve always thought of light in a more general way; I’ve never really considered it in the different experiences mentioned in the reading by Millet.  Having read the chapter, I don’t think I’ll ever generalize light again.

            My experience of light growing up in The City That Never Sleeps was a unique one. I saw the beautiful play of brilliants in the fountains at the Bellagio, the light from the Luxor was always visible, even in space, and there were always streetlights on every street, no matter how small. Gas stations never closed and everywhere you went, there were neon lights. Everywhere. You can imagine that I’ve had my fair share of neon lights.  The Vegas culture often called for an escape to the nearby Rocky Mountains. Here, the light was much more pleasing.  Hiking in the early morning before the desert sun became, well, the desert sun, was ideal. Though being in the West meant that sunrises weren’t the most captivating, our sunsets proved to be breathtaking.

After moving from Nevada to North Carolina, I found myself to be discontented more often. Aside from the move itself, I realized that it was the lack of sun (well, constant sun) that was affecting my mood. I had to adjust to the fact that there were actual seasons out here! That meant that it rained more. Much more. The seasons have proven to be much more beautiful here. The sun seems to set earlier and earlier as the seasons shift towards fall and into winter as well. I know this happens on the west coast as well but it appears to be more drastic here. Eight years later, I’ve learned to adapt. There’s nothing like the changing leaves of fall being illuminated by the setting sun, I’ve come to find out. Fall is definitely my favorite season. No matter the season, however, I’m much happier in the sun. The more light, the better. The same can be said for task lighting in my opinion. A dimly lit room inspires little work. I’ve got to have a bright room to wake me up, get me going, and most importantly help me see what I’m doing. I find the shadows created by natural light through my blinds distracting so when it’s task light that I need, it’s task light that I use. This way, I can illuminate all of what I’m working on and can manipulate the light as needed.

            Light can lift a mood, better one’s vision, and determine the course of events for the day. It varies in different places across the country and even more drastically across the globe. No matter where, when, or what type, light is important and should always be taken into account.