T
h e
F
i d u c i a r y
S
e r v i c e s
o f
SMITH, IRVING,
&
SI P E
st
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18 40
PIERCE
PROJECT BACKGROUND Every grand adventure begins with a
T
STORY
he ability of one’s design to tell a story is as crucial to the user experience as a quality gin is to a good Negroni. If you’re missing that essential element, everything else falls flat.
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This fact rings most true in the design of themed attractions. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines a themed attraction as “something interesting or enjoyable that people want to visit, see, or do involving a particular topic or motif that tells either a fictional or factual story.” In a themed attraction the user experience is key. At my previous co-op as an Imagineer for the Walt Disney Company, I was often involved in the design and implementation of themed attractions and spaces within various Walt Disney World Properties. It was through this work that I became more interested in the designs and stories behind themed spaces. I must confess however, I’m not exactly the “Disney type”. By this of course I mean that unlike the fair Cinderella, you won’t have a problem finding me at “the ball” well after the clock strikes twelve. It was this that got me thinking, why couldn’t someone apply the imagineering, story-based method of design, to something a bit more grown up. Why not design a themed version of the very thing I needed after a long day surrounded by rambunctious sticky fingered children and their plodding parents ?
Why not design a bar?
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PROJ EC T
R AT IONA L E
This project is being undertaken as a means of challenging myself to apply the successfully proven Walt Disney Imagineering method of story-based design to a spacce often not associated with the squeeky clean image of Mr. Disney’s famous properties. It is my objective to design a speak-easy style bar that takes it’s patrons on a journey back to prohibition era Cincinnati.
PROJ EC T
SCOPE
This project will cover the research and design of the speak-easy bar, as well as the curation and development of it’s unique backstory. Elements of the story are to be implimented within the design so that it is inherently apparent to the user what this space is all about. The project scope will be limited to the overall design and remodel of the selected space.
SIGNIF ICA NCE This project is significant in that it will be one of the first adult spaces of it’s kind created using the story-based method of design of most commonly utilized in the creation of themed attractions.
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T R E N D S DE V E L OPI NG
T R E N D S
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
I N
T H E
SE C T OR
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SHHH ...
T HE
SPE A K E A S Y
IS
B ACK
SENSE S
E VOK E
A
F EEL ING
ST ORY T EL L ING
IN
DE SIGN
Dim, sultry, and need-to-know: there’s no more evocative image in American
Designers have been employing the 5-senses for years as a way to further
Designers of are finding storytelling to be more crucial in garnering a reaction
drinking than the speakeasy. And they’re in fashion for the first time since
enhance their designs and bring about new connections and emotions with the
from the user now than ever before. Guests have come to expect a fully
Prohibition. With bars such as The Violet Hour and Hanson’s Shoe Repair
user. Recently designers of themed attractions have been employing more than
immersive experience where they can live out their fantasies of being a part of
popping up all over the nation.
just sight and sound to garner a reaction from the guest.
an exciting adventure.
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h e
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i d u c i a r y
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e r v i c e s
o f
SMITH, IRVING,
&
PIERCE
SI P E
st
.
18 40
E
stablished in 1840, The Fiduciary Services of Smith, Irving, & Pierce have long served the financial needs of the Queen City’s elite. Now run by the sons of the original owners, George Smith, Benjamin Irving, and Andrew Pierce preferred to keep a more rleaxed atmosphere around the firm. Often baiting potential clients with cocktails and cigars before having their intoxicated prey sign over the control of their vast fortunes to the notorious three. The passing of the Volstead Act in 1920 posed a problem for these three financial stooges. With the cosumption of alcohol banned Smith, Irving, and Pierce were no longer able to legally serve their unwitting clients in order to pry open their fat pocket books. The three found a solution however when they used their previously acumulated wealth to open a speakeasy on the two floors above their original firm. Step back in time for a visit to the notorious trio’s 2nd and 3rd floor gentleman’s club and see where George Smith, Benjamin Irving, and Andrew Pierce once generously served their wealthy clients in the height of prohibition era style. The moment you step off the lever operated elevator hidden cleverly within the firms original bank vault you are transported to another era. You first enter into the piano bar where you can enjoy small bites and cocktails while being seranaded by a crooner playing at the grand piano in front of the roaring fireplace. Enter into the main bar with its crystal chandeliers high backed chairs upholstered in rich velvet and be served in the height of style. Finally traverse the wrought iron spiral staircase to the top and enjoy a game of pool while sipping a small batch bourbon. The brothers intended the bar to be a place where gentleman could let their guard down and really let loose and here you will too.
SEL EC T ED
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2 2 W. 9 TH S T R E E T SI P
L O C AT ION
This building’s central downtown location provides ample foot traffic and nearby parking, while still remaining far enough away from the bars of OTR and the Banks. BU IL DING
PROPER T IE S
This building is appropriately sized to accommodate a large bar with the possibility of a kitchen for food service. The small and private outdoor space is an added bonus. CH A R AC T ER
This building boasts ample historic character with multiple original fireplaces, a vault from it’s past as a bank, and a charming brownstone facade.
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CON T E X T
S CH EM ATI C D E S I GN
USER JOURNEY T H E
F O L L OW I N G
PR I VAT E
J O U R N E Y
7
FLOOR 3
T H E
B A N Q U E T
D E P I C T S
T H R O U G H
T H E
A
P O T E N T I A L
S P E A K E A S Y
U S E R
B A N K
The Pool Hall
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CONTEXT The third floor hides another surprise for S.IP.’s patrons. A small pool hall with private bar and lounge with provide overflow space and additional entertainment.
S PAC E
4 6 5 6
Us e r E nj oy s a Cocktail
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CONTEXT Once seated either at the bar or within the lounge the user can enjoy one of the bar’s many craft cocktails or can order a small bite to eat from the kitchen.
S T 9 T H
CONTEXT Once the user enters the vault he or she is greeted by the elevator attendent inside and taken up to the club level of the Bank.
B U I L DI N G
1 2 3
W E S T
P U B L IC
CONTEXT The user exits the elevator on the second floor and is greeted by a hostess who can direct him or her to their seat either at the main bar or in the piano lounge.
Us e r E nt e r s t h e Va u l t
S PE A K E A S Y
A DJAC E N T
C O U R T YA R D
FLOOR 1
4
A DJAC E N T T H E
B A N K
B U I L DI N G
4
A L L E Y
T H E
PE N DE R Y
FLOOR 2
Us e r E nt e r s the Club
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Us e r E nt e r s the Bank CONTEXT Upon entering the Bank the user is greated by the teller at the window where he or she is asked if they would like to access their safety deposit box in the vault.
2
Us e r i s G i v e n the Code CONTEXT Once the user answers yes, he or she is given that night’s code and directed through the bank to the vault along the back wall.
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Us e r E nt e r s the Code CONTEXT Once the user reaches the vault, he or she must turn the nobs, entering the code to open the vault door.
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