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THE social experiment How might an experiential bar concept deepen our human connections that have been hindered by the technological barriers of interaction that derived from the pandemic?
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Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2
project brief
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Colleen Harrison
This project began in May of 2020, right when restaraunts, bars, and shops began to open with limitations after the initial coronavirus lockdown. Pictures were emerging on social media of mass gatherings at bars with no masks in sight. I was surprised by how many people were ignoring social distancing protocals, but understood that these people were simply tired of the isolation and wanted connection with others.
These observations had inspired me to rethink the way in which we socialize. Instead of being disheartened by the lack of large scale events, what if we celebrated breaking apart the crowd? Our society had already been suffering from a lack of true human connection even before COVID-19. Social media, dating apps, and zoom calls have all hindered our ability of forming meaningful relationships with others.
By breaking apart into groups of 10-15 people, what if we curate a progressive social experience that cultivates human relationships and embraces the need for smaller gatherings? Each space in the sequence can use applied psychology, ergonomics, and design details to depict the four main stages of connectivity: self desire, initiation, curiosity, and vulnerability.
intd 5002_senior studio 2
the problem
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Fear & Unsafety of Crowds Due to the coronavirus pandemic, social distancing, zoom calls, and an overwhelming feeling of isolation have become our new normal. Typical bar and nightlife venues currently have limited capacity or are unable to properly function. Mass gathering and crowds are simply unsafe and severely impact the spread of the virus. People want to have familiar social experiences but are currently restricted.
Colleen Harrison
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Craving for Human Connections Many people have been isolated for the past year. Although multiple attempts have been made to turn our social and professional worlds strictly digital, a vast void has been created due to a lack of physical interaction. Technology has been our band-aid between interactions and has been for years even before the global pandemic. Connecting through a screen has negative effects on our well being and mental health.
intd 5002_senior studio 2
the solution
Curate a human rela
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Unique Atmosphere After a year of isolation, it’s important to create a space that builds anticipation and excitement for the user. This experience is an innovative approach to solving a simple problem. If the building evokes mystery and intrigue, it brings people in and creates a destination environment to explore. Inspiration was taken from the speakeasy.
Colleen Harrison
Intimate G
The coronavirus pandemic has forc we interact with others. Instead of b to participate in large scale mass ev apart the crowd? This experience 15 people and focus on the intam
unique, progressive social experience that cultivates ationships and embraces the need for smaller gatherings.
Groupings
ced us to rethink the scale in which being disheartened by not being able vents, what if we celebrate breaking will separate people into groups of macy of meaningful connections.
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Progressive Journey By studying the built environment, curating a progressive social experience that cultivates human relationships and embraces the need for small gatherings can be accomplished. Each space can use design details, ergonomics, and design theory to dictate certain activities and conversation starters that bring people closer together.
intd 5002_senior studio 2
precedent resear
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Progressive Dinner Parties
Immersive Ar
Popular in the 1950’s era, progressive dinner parties were a way that groups of people could make the typical social dinner more interesting. Parties would rotate between four different homes and have a new course in each residence. By applying this simple concept to a commercial environment, it pushes the idea of progression and having a new experience in each space.
It’s become common for artis immersive, 3D way. Utilizing si person into the artwork creates experience. These theories can and help evoke a feeling that The Immersive Van Gogh Exh
Colleen Harrison
rch
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rt Installations
Human Psychology
sts to exhibit their work in an imple elements to fully bring a s a truly unique and mesmerizing n be applied to interior spaces each room needs to convey. hibit in Chicago is an example.
A series of TED Talks on sociology and the psychology in which we interact with others speaks about the multiple facets of the human brain. Douglas Rushkoff speaks about the importance of connecting in a digital age. Amy Edmonson is an expert on teamworking with groups of strangers. Jia Jiang finds interesting conclusions by using rejection therapy. Lastly, Priya Parker explains how to quickly become vulnerable with others.
intd 5002_senior studio 2
stages of connec
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Self Desire
Initiation
In order to be open to making strong connections, the user must want to branch out and know what they are looking for. This comes from a place of selfesteem and awareness of their own self.
One person must be bold and start the conversation. By saying hi and being welcoming, most people put their guard down and initiate small talk with a stranger.
Colleen Harrison
ctivity
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Curiosity After initiation, people often move on and don’t deepen the connection. By being curious about others, it opens the door for a person to talk about themselves. People want to share their passions.
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Vulnerability This is the hardest part of connection to achieve. However, those who are vulnerable and open enough to share their personal fears and struggles with others are more likely to develop deep connections.
intd 5002_senior studio 2
site selection The Carneal House 405 E 2nd St, Covington, KY 41011 Dimensions: 64 ft. x 95 ft. 4,453 sqft. (Ground Floor)
Current Bar/Club Potential Site Nightlife District River
Colleen Harrison
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intd 5002_senior studio 2
site analysis
Located just across the Ohio River, the Carneal House is a historic home in Covington’s District. This neighborhood is known for it’s large mansions and mixture of architectural styl proxemity to The Banks in Cincinnati as well as bars and restaraunts in Covington, this a destination for users to travel to. By locating an experience about human connection i home, the building creates a welcoming and comfortable environment to discover. Th includes a tunnel into the home that connects to the servants quarters located behin
Colleen Harrison
Original Plans & Photos (1815)
Original Second Floor Plan
Original Front Facade
Original First Floor Plan
Original Fireplace Detail
Original Basement Floor Plan
Original West Facade
s Licking River les. With close home creates in a residential he rich history nd the house.
intd 5002_senior studio 2
design concepts
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Juxtaposition of Past & Present Since this experience is located in a historical building, honoring the past was a key design driver. By keeping the existing exterior facades, I wanted the interior to feel very modern and somewhat surprising, but still respecting the history within each space.
Colleen Harrison
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Connectivity This experience is about human connection and our relationships with others. Utilizing the four stages of connectivity through design theory allows the user to be immersed in the experience. These stages are self desire, initiation, curiosity, and vulnerability.
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Temporality Time is essential for this programming to work successfully. By having a timed and forced experience, it allows the right amount of time for connection within each space and is based on psychological research. Temporality allows for a clear progression.
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Weaving a Material Thread Pushing the boundaries of materiality was also a challenge I wanted to explore. Glass was the chosen material. A pink acrylic glass threads each space together. However, each space also explores a unique property of glass depending on the purpose of each stage of the experiment.
intd 5002_senior studio 2
movement of spa Experiment Group 1
Curiosity 45 min indefinite
Ex
Initiation 30 min
Linger
indefi
Vulnerability 45 min
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Self Desire 10 min Colleen Harrison
ace
xperiment Group 2 Initiation 30 min
Linger
finite
Vulnerability 45 min
Curiosity 45 min Self Desire 10 min intd 5002_senior studio 2
honoring the pas Existing Elevations
Existing Orna
North Elevation
South Elevation
East Elevation
West Elevation
Colleen Harrison
Translucent Pink Acrylic
st
amentation
etched in modern material
The main design decision to honor the past while juxtaposing the traditional exterior of this home was to weave a translucent pink acrylic glass throughout the entire home. Any traditional interior ornamentation that was once existing in the house is now being molded and etched in the pink acrylic material. It stands as a “ghost” of what used to be. This exploded axon depicts this ornamentation within the proposed design. This new material showcases existing crown molding, wainscotting, window trims, fireplaces, artwork, and even the original architectural spiral staircase that no longer exists.
intd 5002_senior studio 2
arrival App
Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2
welcome to the c
Arrival Colleen Harrison
carneal house
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Self Desire Inspiration
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Mirrored Glass Reflective Endless Confronting 24
Basement Floor Plan
Experience Users arrive at a glowing pink box in the woods when it’s their time slot for the experience. The ghost of the residential home sits behind the juxtaposed modern box. They check into the app and await their turn to begin the journey. Once checked in, individuals travel alone into the tunnel faced with their own reflection in the hall of mirrors. The reflective surfaces cover more area the deeper into the tunnel the user goes. After arriving at their reflection at the end of the constricted tunnel, they enter a small space alone to reflect on what they want to gain from this experience. Waiting on a daybed and continuing to reflect with the mirrored materials in the room, one of the elevators opens and glows a blue light; queing the user to enter and move on to the next stage. Materiality
Colleen Harrison
10 min
tunn
el
arrival
self desire
GQY62349
mechanical
Massing Axonometric
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Tunnel Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Self Desire Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2
initiation Inspiration
curiosity
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Backpainted Glass Baseline Interactions
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Can’t be transparent yet
Second Floor Plan
Experience The glass elevator takes the user all the way up to the third floor, opening up into the narrow initiation space. Greeted with an aura of orange light and materiality to promote social interaction, individuals start filtering into the space one by one and making initial interactions with the people in their group. Utilizing color psychology and monochromatic colors, the orange space allows users to feel energized and excited. The sculptural floating bar table encourages each member of the group to stand around the piece and interact. The terrazo circles on the floor give another visual que of how to interact with the piece. Drinks are served by a single employee with a bar cart. Once it is time to move to the next space, the lighting turns to blue, queing the group to continue. Materiality
Colleen Harrison
30 min
y1
initiation 2
initiation 1
Massing Axonometric
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Initiation Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2
curiosity Inspiration dn
curiosity 2
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Frosted Glass First Floor Plan Semi Transparent
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Discovery of what’s Beneath
Experience Located in the oldest front part of the building, the curiosity zones are directly above and below each other. The central zone is a double height space with a sculptural staircase lighting fixture that nods to the architecture of the original floor plans. Members of one group are faced with the sculpture and are able to look below into the conversation pit. Members of the other group look up, seeing the footprint of the old stair. By allowing a whimsical fixture to be the focal point of the space, it allows a point of similarity between the two experiments. It’s the only chance for the two groups to see the other occupants. The central zone celebrates curiosity within the building and within each other. The remainder of the space contains sound pods as a sensory element. These hang from the ceiling and are scaled for different capacities. One pod has music, one has a comedian playing, and the other emulates relaxing sounds. These pods are covered in a frosted glass, building anticipation for what’s to be discovered underneath. The frosted glass adds mystery and allows the user to only somewhat see what’s beneath the surface.
Colleen Harrison
Materiality
GQY62349
45 min
linger
curiosity 1
VULNERABILITY 2
dn
initiation 2
VULNERABILITY 1
initiation 1
Second Floor Plan
Massing Axonometric
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Curiosity - Conversation Pit Colleen Harrison
“Old” Stair Lighting Fixture Detail
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Curiosity - Sound Pods Colleen Harrison
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vulnerability Inspiration
curiosity 2
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Pressed Glass Mostly Transparent Encourages Opening Up 36
First Floor Plan
Experience After leaving the constant progression and movement of the curiosity space, users are led into vulnerability. The space contracts again, signaling a more intimate environment. This space is the last part of the experience and it is about winding down and unlayering the connections made with members of the group. Group members are encouraged to climb into a nook with a person they feel that they can open up to and begin to be vulnerable with. Arched nooks large enough for 2-3 people are stationed across from architecturally significant windows. These spaces are tight, dark, and soft to create the feeling of intimacy and comfort. Private, metal, mesh drapery hangs over each experience allowing even more privacy if desired. Pressed glass is utilized above the banquettes peering through to a wall. The wall utilizes the pink acrylic material and is designed to resemble an interior decorated wall from the early 1800’s. It’s a nod to the original interior of the building before any renovations took place. The windows across from the booths change from opaque to translucent when the time is over to push the users back to reality and finish the experiment. These windows reveal the linger space.
Materiality
Colleen Harrison
GQY62349
45 min
dn
linger
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VULNERABILITY 2
VULNERABILITY 1
Massing Axonometric
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Vulnerability Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2
linger Inspiration
curiosity 2
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Transparent Glass Completely see through Back to Reality 40
Ending
First Floor Plan
Experience The concept behind the linger space is to bring group members back to reality. After a stimulating and imnmersive experience, this space will exhibit a more traditional feel. The experiments were placed in old architecture and were juxtaposed by modern elements in the interior. This courtyard is the polar opposite. Using glass as the exterior shell rather than an interior element, traditional interior courtyard elements create a space to stay. This allows users to continue to meet people whether they were in your experiment group or not. Time is no longer an element. It’s meant to be a space where gathering and meeting new people is encouraged if safe to do so. People continue to filter through the space and interaction with others beyond the group is encouraged. It’s a relaxing atmposphere to sober up, finalize conversations, exchange contact information, and have a moment to stop and reflect on the entire experience.
Colleen Harrison
Materiality
GQY62349
indefinite
dn
linger
dn
VULNERABILITY 2
VULNERABILITY 1
Massing Axonometric
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Linger Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2
Longitudinal Section Perspective Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2
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intd 5002_senior studio 2
thank you.
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Colleen Harrison
intd 5002_senior studio 2