Final Residence St. Elmo's in the Palouse

The final process of the St. Elmo hotel brought each space together. From the one bedroom apartment, into the common space, and back to the two bedroom apartment. These spaces were created from the concept of openness and unity. which came from the phrase of "home is where the heart is" which ultimately made me get the feeling of hearts, with warmth, love and comfort. The incorporation of the concept can be seen within each space, but what bring them together is the common space and the use of a large chandelier that is shaped like a heart and gives a feeling that the space is one. The common area is separated by a series of seating placed for different activities, whether it be someone just wanting to get out of their apartment for a little bit, if someone is waiting for their significant other to get done at the spa or even waiting for the laundry to get done they can sit outside of the laundry room and read while they wait. The one bedroom apartment was the main aspect of this, keeping it open while also uniting the room without a feeling of being cluttered. This was accomplished by inserting wall indents into both the living room and kitchen wall connected to the living room. So once you enter into the apartment. You have the ability to see into the living room and all the way into the kitchen. Even when there might be company present, socializing from room to room will not cause an issue as it would with solid walls. These walls are also shortened so that it keeps the space as open as possible so those who are in a wheelchair, have no problems moving through the apartment. The bathroom is capable for accessibility, from both front and side access to the ADA compliant toilet. There is access beneath the vanity sink for wheelchair space and also side or front access. There is a bench placed below the windowsill for seating if needed and has a walk-in shower so wheelchair access is possible. The bedroom has been placed with a walk-in closet for extra clothing space as well as storage. Two windows inside the bedroom allow natural light to be present in the room. A coat closet as well as a bench is placed at the end of the entry way for storage and setting items down once entering the apartment. The kitchen holds plenty of room for at least two people to cook at once. as well as having the turn around space if one is to be using a wheelchair. A space in the corner along the exterior wall has room to place a desk or even storage cupboard for extra storage in the interior.

St. Elmo's, Palouse WA -Kitchen Design

This kitchen was created with accessibility, comfort and unity in mind. I learned from this design that it takes time, patience, and experimentation to find what will work best within the space provided. In this case, the building's wall can be placed wherever is most pleasing and what we believe will be best for the clients wishes of an open, go with the flow, space. While the client also wants the most use of sustainable materials in the entire apartment. I used sustainability through; IceStone countertops, wooden floors, 3Form cabinet door insets on the top shelves, and Red Oak wooden cabinets. At first the dimensions I had was wrong, and I actually had more space to work with than expected (as seen in my kitchen study model). Choosing to have the living room area right across from the kitchen area created a more unified, spacious area for cooking, dining, and the possible entertainment to follow. The kitchens design has a immense amount of counter space for any given activity and enough space for two or more people to be working. As well as a island for extra use and seating for eating use. I'm happy with how much open flow I was able to create within the space given, also there was enough room for a dishwasher and pantry space for extra storage. For future designs I think I will spend more time with specific areas surrounded by the major spots of use. And also I would add more elements of ADA requirements for those with disabilities, that way it will be universal for all.

Kitchen Study Model

2nd Floor, Floor Plan Elevations Perspectives

2-Bedroom Apartment, Floor Plan Sustainable Materials, Fixtures & Appliances

Concept Development

My development for my kitchen concept, never easy to come up with. It all started with a song by Simon and Garfunkel about Home as well as a quote I have always seen around "Home is Where the Heart Stays". That went onto becoming 2-dimensional abstractions of what I go from reading the lyrics, as well as listening to the song itself. Listening to the song and thinking about home, I found keywords to be heart, love, comfort, unity, and balance. I took these keywords to abstract artwork, and then formed them up to be 3-dimensional versions of the abstractions. Coming into my final concept model, I decided to combine three of these 3-dimensional models to make one. I achieved a final model that is there to show a sense of balance, unity, a comfortable feeling that horizontal lines may be able to give.

These are the 2-D Parti's

These are different views of the final concept model

This is one of the space study models