Coming Along!

Even though we didn't have class today...I am pretty proud of myself. After six hours in front of the computer today, I completed the basic floorplan of my Restaurant/bar and Salon. The next thing to do is finish the hotel layout. Looks like I might meet my goal of having the floorplans finished by next Wednesday :)

Countdown to Graduation!

So I have been slacking on updating my blog along with many other things! The past weeks I have been working on my bubble/blocking diagrams finalizing the layouts for each space. My goal by next Wednesday is to have the whole floorplan done so I can start on selecting my furniture and finishes so I can add them into the floorplan! Hopefully everything will come along in the next week! On a better note, I got some inspiration yesterday when I picked up my graduation cap and gown :)

Base Page for Publisher Book!

Below is my base page for my Publisher Book. The design coincides with my board designs.

New Boards!

After trying a thousand designs, I decided to scratch the puzzle piece idea and stick with my ultimate theme of a "cornerstone." My board design is sort of an abstract cornerstone with one tan/gray square at each corner of the board representing the cornerstone connecting all the boards together while the others descend around it. I decided to name my project "The Cornerstone Project" because my project is the beginning of connecting the old historical part of downtown to the new additions. The hotel which is named "The Cornerstone Hotel" is derived from this theory as well.

Board Layout

I have been thinking about a creative way to present my boards. This being our FINAL project, I didn't want to do the same border I usually do (A solid colored line with the title of the project.) I want the viewers to see something put together when all four boards are hung. From the beginning, I have stuck to the idea of "Connecting the historical aspects of downtown Bowling Green with the new additions to come." From this, I have an idea of drawing four large puzzle pieces that connect each board in some sort of manner. The goal for tonight is to finish my board design. Wish me luck and I will post the outcome soon!

New Logos!

What do you know...I changed my mind!!!!

After hours of staring at my inspirations for the hotel, restaurant, and spa, I noticed that there were way too many colors going on that did not flow together. I knew I couldn't be completely satisfied until I changed it so it would all compliment each other! The new hotel colors are alot bolder and tie into the restaurant better. However, the hotel will still have an overall traditional feel but with bold accent colors and fabrics. Also, I updated the logos of each to go with the colors. Below, you can find the new color schemes and inspiration boards.

The Hotel & Restaurant's Color Schemes and Logos...Spa coming soon!

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Interior Inspiration Pictures!!!

Below are inspirational designs by I. Michael Interior Design out of Virginia and Maryland. I love the sophisticated look of all the designs and the colors used. I am leaning towards the neutral tones with splashes of color for my hotel interior.

Hotel Lobby Inspiration!!!

So I've decided that I want the hotel lobby to have an atrium feel. I want all three floors to to have indoor balconies facing the atrium/lobby. Here's an inspirational picture of the layout. Don't mind the ugly upholstered couch!

CRITIQUE

Overall concept so far incorporated with my previous blog! More interior inspiration pictures to follow...Let me know what you think!

Could Be a Cool Art Piece for Bar/Restaurant!

Inspirational Lighting for Wine Bar!!

Sooooo Many Ideas and Inspirations....Please Bear With Me!!!

Since we didn't have school today because of snow, I had time to think about my project. While visiting the site as a class on Monday, my ideas were taking shape. This project is going to be unlike any of my other projects. Before, I found myself creating more in the modern, contemporary style, but now I am moving more towards traditional with this one; more of a preservation project. Why you ask? Well, first off, I wanted to create spaces that would blend in with the surroundings of the historic downtown. Even though Circus Square is a new development, the Galloway and surrounding buildings are historic to the city of Bowling Green. I didn't want to create a contemporary building that would look out of place and not stand the test of time. The hotel I develop, I want to be there for years to come for people to enjoy and appreciate. Even though I am creating traditional exteriors on the new hotel design and the existing Galloway building, there will be more modern touches inside the buildings such as lighting, fabrics, and accessories mixed in with traditional, historical and classic pieces. With this project, I want thhe community to be involved since the park was originally a community-driven project. I will use local materials, carpenters, builders, and local artists to help make this design become a community project just like the park became.

Now onto the names! While researching via the internet about Circus Square, I came upon a video about the park. Throughout the video, one commentator kept on referring Circus Square as a "Corner stone" of the historic district downtown. That term stuck with me so I decided to do some research. The definition of cornerstone stated: a concept derived from the first stone set in construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone. It is an indispensible and fundamental basis of a building. This term describes perfectly my overall desire to design a building that will be the beginning of connecting the historical aspects of Circus Square with the new additions to come. I hope my building will unite the old with the new. Therefore, the newly constructed hotel will be called, The Cornerstone! I want it to have a classic look; it will be bricked, and include cornerstones with the building's date inscribed, giving it the historic look. Also, I want the windows to have awnings and have a classic u-shape drive up for guests to pull up while greeted by doorman and valets. What really sets this hotel apart from any others in Bowling Green will be the rooftop garden where guests can take advantage of the beautiful views especially during the Summer where they can experience the music festivals in the park right from the rooftop!

The Galloway building has so much potential for my restaurant and spa. However, I want to take advantage of my favorite part of the existing building which would be the current entrance with all the surrounding windows and where the current offices are located. When I first walked into the space, all I could think about were people sitting at tables around the windows enjoying a nice glass of wine and listening to great music. This is why this space will be the main entrance for the restaurant and will house the wine bar. Customers can walk in and either sit down for a drink at the bar, or go to the host/hostess and be seated at the restaurant where they will walk down the stairs into what is currently the huge warehouse area. The kitchen and restrooms will be incorporated into the front part by the bar. I would like to include modern touches with lighting fixtures and seating for the bar/restaurant. In the bar area, I would like to incorporate old black and white prints of the classic cars that were sold once there at Galloways's to tie in the "historic theme." Also, I would like to incorporate a stained glasss mural of a circus behind the bar hence "Circus Square." The name for my wine bar and restaurant is...."Tastebuds." This was an inspiration from my sister-in law who has always dreamed of opening her own restaurant and if she had the chance, she wanted to name it "Tastebuds." I love the name because it's fun and different. The menu for the restaurant will include multi-cultural foods inspired from the annual Multi-cultural festival held in the park. Like I have seen on old businesses, I would like to have "Tastebuds" in huge letters that light up ontop of the roof of the building above the windows. The windows on the Galloway building will also have awnings to help tie in with the hotel which will also have awnings.

Now for the spa area. On the other half of the existing warehouse, I would like to use the side (closest to the hotel) as the spa area. Honestly I haven't gotten that far yet on ideas for the space but I have came up with potential names. Introducing Connections! The name derived from the placement of the spa. The spa is located in between the new hotel and the restaurant/bar area, thus making it a connection to the old and the new. There will be a breeze way above the existing sidewalk that is currently there so hotel guests can access the spa and restaurant area without going outside.

In conclusion, I am excited about this project! I want my design to be a cornerstone of historical downtown! The Cornerstone Hotel, Connections, and Tastebuds will be a great addition to downtown Bowling Green.

Need Motivation & Inspiration!

Today I am looking for some motivation and inspiration for my senior thesis!! With not being on campus since last Monday, I really need to get back in the swing of things. I'll continue my research on hotel designs today and hopefully by the end of class, have some sort of clue on what I want to do. Being that this is my last school project ever, I really want to produce something I love and be proud of; basically I just want this to be my best project yet! This might take a while. :)

Crossing the Finish Line!

Right now, I am sitting in what is now my last class of my college career! During my freshman year, I never thought this day would come, but now that I am here I wonder where the days have gone?!? It just seems like yesterday I was anxiously waiting for my interview to get into the ID program, and now I am sitting here thinking about graduation! I am ready to make this final semester one to remember and plan on enjoying it!