Palladio Response

While I have no background knowledge of interior design or of Andrea Palladio, I am still able to learn and make my own guesses and assumptions. The lecture on Palladio spoke much about architectural pieces that were created and designed by him or where others took and copied his ideas and redesigned them into their own work. I decided to try and defend my reasoning for believing that the well known Castle in Versailles Kentucky, near Lexington, could have been inspired by a Palladio design or design techniques. It began to be built in about 1969 but due to fires and other set backs, the final contraction phases were finished in 2008. 

The Palladian motif or common trend that I noticed used in the architecture of this castle was the way it was structured. Like the Villa Barbaro, it was a very long but narrow building. It leads you up to the front area of the castle (center pavilion) and from there you go to another area of the architecture (or the side pavilions).  It follows the mentioned scheme of " A B C B A" or of the similar grid. The front of the castle indicates the power and where to go from the front side of the castle. While the Palladio widow is not seen on the castle, I seem to think that the window would not be out of place.

I would go on to believe that Palladio has an influence on the current day design. People recognize his pieces as well as pieces that were inspired by him. These architectural choices represent what the person wants to be represented by and is understood better when they are researched. The classical Revival has also come back and been copied by designers which were made "famous" by Palladio and other designers. The Palladio window is seen still today in different houses and buildings and represent that Palladio is still being referenced today in design. 

Representation

Specific decoration choices, colors, or furniture piece can be a representation of something within an interior space. These pieces can represent different things such as the designer, the time period, the influential aspects of the space, and most often represents the people who are living within the interior space. The interior design within a home would be huge representation of the people within the house. Modern finishes could represent a modern person while traditional and classic finishes represent the classic and traditional people. The same is true for the colors, furniture, and accents added to a room.

When considering how representation relates to architecture, I immediately think that the architecture could represent the influential historical times or the places around the architectural piece. It could represent the historical influence, like Greece, that the architectural designer chose to imitate. The architectural choices could also represent the space it is in. Being in a big, capital city with a castle could be the reason for castle like architecture around the city. Representation of anything can be seen in interior design and architectural choices; you just have to learn about the choices to learn about what they represent. 

Unit Summary 8

                  When it comes to finishes and furnishings in an interior space, I have learned that they are crucial when it comes to making a space and giving off the appropriate experience and vibe to those within the interior. It is important to also know that furnishings display the status and experience of a room while providing spaces to eat, sit, and be social. Learning the history of the pieces helped me to understand how these pieces could demonstrate status. Back in historical times, Egyptian stools were used to be sat on but a chair proved and showed status. The chairs and furniture pieces were often not comfortable and it was not important for them to make it comfortable. The chair seats wee low and the furniture was basic and when one knows of these characteristics, it makes sense as to why an Egyptian like piece was put into an interior space.

                  Now a day, some pieces are done in the same way and comfort is not a primary importance for the designer. Some pieces are uncomfortable because they may not have meant to be sit on for long periods of time. Other pieces are made for comfort and draw a person in to sit and enjoy social times while being comfortable in.

The stools below are within a kitchen space and can be sat on to eat at the middle island. These chairs are comfortable for the time being, but are not meant to be sat on for a long period of time. They fulfill its purpose but give off the experience that is appropriate. These stools are meant to be sat on when eating rather than comfortable social settings. 

The living room space below shows comfortable and sofa furnishings that give off the vibe and experience to allow a pace for social gatherings. All of these furnishings, sofas, and chairs face the center of the room so that conversations flow and are understood. These furnishings show what should be done in the space and allows comfort during the social times. 

Case Study 8

                  If I were to pick a furniture piece for the Salk Institute, specifically the courtyard, I would choose a piece similar to an Egyptian bench. Egyptian pieces were sometimes made of hand laid brick or stone which would match the hard but elegant look of the travertine courtyard. Egyptian pieces were not focused heavily on comfort of the seat and the seating part of the benches or chair were often very low. I think this type of bench would work well in the Salk Institute courtyard because of the stone exterior and the experience that is given off. It is not a space to sit but rather to walk around the space and have plenty of room to do walk and hold conversations with people.

                  Some Egyptian pieces have animal references, many motifs, or another specific design. I think it would fit the space best with more simplicity. The courtyard at the Salk Institute has straight symmetrical lines and does not feature much design or detail on the ground or the building. With the stone finish, the straight lines, and possibly the lack of comfort, I believe an Egyptian type bench would fit the space of the Salk Institue courtyard best.

Unit 7 Summary

                                 Finishes add to the idea of experience in big ways. Depending on the finishes the designer chooses, the experience that a person has may change or be exaggerated. AN interior finish includes anything that you come in contact with in an interior space, the walls, ceilings, floors and additional pieces. Contrast and texture add to an experience as well. Contrast draws someone in to the space and texture encourages someone to touch it, such as wall or ceilings.

                  One big factor of adding to the experience is the finish of the color the designer chooses. Color can bring about different feelings for a person and give an idea as to what is meant to happen in the space. Lighting also contributes to the space because everything is seen by the audience and light can draw people in further into the interior space. An example that came to mind is the Toys R Us store in New York City’s Times Square. The bright lights, colored floors, winding floors, themed walls and flashing signs encourages people to walk further in. People want to follow the candy path and to follow where the bright, flashing lights are coming from.

   Toys R Us is an example of how lights, textures, and color can draw people in and give them a better experience because of the finishes that were chosen. (Images are taken from Google Images)