45 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA
DEMOCRACY CENTER
DESIGN PROPOSAL
MI CHAEL MEO C A R LO S H E RNAND EZ-T EL L EZ
ABOUT US M i c h a e l i s a n a rc h i te c t u re s t u de n t a t t h e H a r va rd Gra du a te S c h o o l o f D e s i g n , c u r re n t l y co mpl e t i n g h i s t h i rd ye a r o f s t u di e s . He h a s pa r t i c i pa te d i n a n d l e d de s i g n -bu i l d pro j e c t s i n M a s s a c h u s e t t s , Ca l i fo r n i a , S o u t h Ko re a , P h i l i ppi n e s , a n d C o l o mbi a . W h e n n o t i n t h e s t u di o h e c a n be fo u n d zo o mi n g a ro u n d t h e s t re e t s o f B o s to n , Ca l i fo r n i a , o r Me x i co o n h i s bi ke . mme o @ g s d. h a r va rd. e du
Ca r l o s i s a l s o a s t u de n t a t t h e Ha r va rd Gra du a te S c h o o l o f D e s i g n , h avi n g j u s t s t a r te d t h i s pa s t fa l l i n t h e a rc h i te c t u re pro g ra m. H i s wo r k e me rg e s a t t h e i n te rs e c t i o n o f a rc h i te c t u re , a r t a n d u r ba n i s m. He be l i e ve s n o t o n l y i n t h e po we r o f de s i g n to s h a pe o u r e nvi ro n me n t , bu t a l s o i n t h e po we r o f t h e da n c i n g bo di e s t h a t i n h a bi t a n d a c t i va te i t . h e r n a n de z te l l e z @ g s d. h a r va rd. e du
Table of CONTENTS 1.
Brief Introduction and Project Vision
2. Current Conditions Signage Issues Darkness of Spaces 3. Perceived Needs and Design Objectives 4. Design Proposal Entry Lobby Cesar Chavez Room Rosa Parks Room Nelson Mandela Room Kitchen Area + Storage Community Library 5. Budget 6. Closing Notes
Brief INTRODUCTION + Project VISION
As queer designers with a deep commitment to the values of community-centered design-build and collaboration, the idea with this proposal is to provide a framework upon which the community members and organizations of the Democracy Center can contribute to the design and manifestation of their vision for the space. Our proposal, through a series of simple design moves, aspires to communicate the strong cultural, creative, and political energy of the Democracy Center. By highlighting the member organizations and the intellectuals after whom the rooms have been named, we seek to give each of the spaces their own unique identity, while weaving them together as part of an inflected whole. With this in mind, we have brought to the forefront the perceived issues of way finding and mapping within the space. We believe that a better orientation scheme for visitors, along with the refinishing of drab surfaces and dark wooden panels, will bring light and energy back into the space. An integral part of our scheme is the hands-on collaboration with members of the Democracy Center (during the designing and building processes) in order to bring this creative vision into built reality.
Current CONDITIONS S I G N A G E I S S U E S : Redundant, confusing, and hard to read
Current CONDITIONS D A R K N E S S O F S P A C E S : Underlit, obscure rooms and surfaces
Perceived NEEDS + Design OBJECTIVES
1. IMPROVE WAYFINDING THROUGH THE SPACE 2. ENHANCE VISUAL IDENTITY AND COHESION OF SPACES 3. MAXIMIZE AND ORGANIZE STORAGE SPACE 4. CONSOLIDATE THE RESOURCES OF THE CENTER
Design PROP OSAL
Entrance LOBBY CURRENT CONDITIONS
Entrance LOBBY C L E A R LY C O M M U N I C AT E S T H E ENERGY OF THE SPACE AND I M P R O V E S WAY F I N D I N G
D E S IGN H I GH LI GH TS CEILING COLOR + LED STRIP LIGHTING lighten up the space and improves wayfinding by matching colors on the map/welcome station CONSOLIDATED MAP + WELCOME STATION easy to customize, it provides a schematic arrangement of the rooms and current usage by organizations SIMPLE RAILING SYSTEM ON WALLS showcases past and present member organizations and their customized placcards. a flexible system that can also be used for:
LITERATURE STORAGE ANNOUNCEMENT BOARDS
Entrance LOBBY C L E A R LY C O M M U N I C AT E S T H E ENERGY OF THE SPACE AND I M P R O V E S WAY F I N D I N G
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Light Installation
Metal Work
Furniture Building
Painting
Sanding
WELCOME STATION
LED STRIP LIGHTS
ANNOUNCEMENT BOARDS
Entrance LOBBY FLOOR PLAN
ORGANIZATION PLACCARDS plywood strips that member organizations can paint themselves
RAILING SYSTEM metal channels
WELCOME STATION blackboard surfaces to display current happenings ON DISPL AY
BOOKING A ROOM easy for organizations to know who has reserved a room and until what time
Entrance LOBBY DETAILS
MATCHING HANGE RS
EASY STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF COATS without clutter or redundant signs
MOVE OUT FOLDING CHAIRS to kitchen storage area
Entrance LOBBY COAT ROOM ARRANGEMENT
Room 1 CESAR CHAVEZ CURRENT CONDITIONS
Room 1 CESAR CHAVEZ IDEAL FOR SMALL MEETINGS, HOMEWORK AFTERNOONS, + BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS
DE S IG N H I GH LI GH TS FAMOUS QUOTES highlight Cesar Chavez’s work and give the room a unique visual identity
REFINISHED WALLS improve light quality and freshen up the space FURNITURE ON WHEELS opens up the space for a variety of uses
BAR TABLE + STOOLS a dynamic arrangement for both group and solo work
CHALKBOARD WALL provides a platform for discussion and teaching
Room 1 CESAR CHAVEZ IDEAL FOR SMALL MEETINGS, HOMEWORK AFTERNOONS, + BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Light Installation
Furniture Building
Painting
Sanding
BAR TABLE, STOOLS + BLACKBOARD
DUAL SPACE WITH CORRIDOR IN BETWEEN
FURNITURE IS KEPT ALONG SOUTH-FACING WINDOWS
Room 1 CESAR CHAVEZ FLOOR PLAN
LED STRIP LIGHTS
BLACKBOARD WALL painted plywood
COUNTER BRACKETS
4 STOOLS
Room 1 CESAR CHAVEZ DETAILS
Room 2 ROSA PARKS CURRENT CONDITIONS
Room 2 ROSA PARKS RETAINS INTIMATE FEEL WHILE ACCOMMODATING LARGER GROUPS AND A VARIETY OF USES
DE S IGN H I G H LI G H TS CEILING COLOR + LED STRIP LIGHTING lighten up the space and improves wayfinding by matching colors on the map/welcome stat ion FAMOUS QUOTES highlight Rosa Parks’ work and give the room a unique visual identity CHALKBOARD FIREPLACE activates unused feature and opens it up for creative/group activities and announcements FURNITURE ON WHEELS a dynamic arrangement for workshops and meetings REFINISHED WALLS improve light quality and freshen up the space
Room 2 ROSA PARKS RETAINS INTIMATE FEEL WHILE ACCOMMODATING LARGER GROUPS AND A VARIETY OF USES
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Light Installation
Furniture Building
Painting
Sanding
MOVABLE ACOUSTIC PANELS divide the rooms and can also act as stand-alone chalkboards
Room 2 ROSA PARKS FLOOR PLAN
WHY SO MANY MESSAGE BOARDS, YOU MAY ASK... because the essence of democracy is the presence of multiple opinions and ways of thinking
Room 2 ROSA PARKS DETAILS
Room 3 NELSON MANDELA CURRENT CONDITIONS
Room 3 NELSON MANDELA SUITED FOR LARGE EVENTS AND L EC T U R E S , I T E M B R A C E S N AT U R A L LIGHT AND FLEXIBILITY
DE S IG N H I GH LI GH TS CEILING COLOR improves light quality and wayfinding FAMOUS QUOTES highlighting Nelson Mandela’s work REFINISHED WALLS improve light quality and freshen up the space COLOR-CHANGING LED STRIP LIGHTING embraces the versatile nature of the room and can change colors during concerts and dance events UNIFIED SOUND SYSTEM for smoother operat ion ACOUSTIC PANELS divide the rooms and can al so act as stand-alone chalkboards
Room 3 NELSON MANDELA SUITED FOR LARGE EVENTS AND L EC T U R E S , I T E M B R A C E S N AT U R A L LIGHT AND FLEXIBILITY
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Light Installation
Furniture Building
Painting
Sanding
MOVABLE ACOUSTIC PANELS
COLOR-CHANGING LED STRIP LIGHTS
Room 3 NELSON MANDELA FLOOR PLAN
COLOR-CHANGING LED STRIP LIGHTING embraces the versatile nature of the room and can change colors during concerts and dance events
ACOUSTIC PANELS divide the rooms and can al so act as stand-alone chalkboards
Room 3 NELSON MANDELA D E TA I L S
Storage Room + KITCHEN CURRENT CONDITIONS
Storage Room + KITCHEN ACCESSIBLE BACK OF HOUSE T H AT C O N S O L I D AT E S STORAGE NEEDS
DE S IG N H IGH LI GH TS
REFINISHED WALLS improve light quality and freshen up the space EXPANDED AND REPAINTED CABINETS designate different spaces for various organizations, avoiding clutter of storage materials STORAGE ROOM CHALKBOARD helps with check-out and return of materials
Storage Room + KITCHEN ACCESSIBLE BACK OF HOUSE T H AT C O N S O L I D AT E S STORAGE NEEDS
Furniture Building
Furniture Building
Painting
Storage Room + KITCHEN CURRENT CONDITIONS
Storage Room + KITCHEN A HANGING BIKE-RACK CLEARS FLOORSPACE AND PREVENTS TRIPPING HAZARD
IRON PIPE CHAIN AND VELCRO HANGERS
Storage Room + KITCHEN A HANGING BIKE-RACK CLEARS FLOORSPACE AND PREVENTS TRIPPING HAZARD
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Metal Work
Painting
Sanding
BIKE STORAGE
FOLD ING CHAIR STORAGE
GROUP STORAGE UNITS
REFINISHED KITCHEN CABINETS
Storage Room + KITCHEN FLOOR PLAN
Community LIBRARY CURRENT CONDITIONS
Community LIBRARY O R G A N I Z AT I O N A N D B E T T E R L I G H T I N G W I L L R E V I TA L I Z E A N A L R E A DY G R E AT S PA C E
REFINISHED WALLS improve light quality and freshen up the space LED STRIP LIGHTS above bookshelves to increase the cozy factor of the room
Community LIBRARY O R G A N I Z AT I O N A N D B E T T E R L I G H T I N G W I L L R E V I TA L I Z E A N A L R E A DY G R E AT S PA C E
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Light Installation
Painting
Sanding
Community LIBRARY FLOOR PLAN
LED STRIP LIGHTS above bookshelves to increase the cozy factor of the room
Community LIBRARY D E TA I L S
1
BUDGET Room
Material
Use
Source
Quantity Needed Unit Quantity
Unit Price
Quantity Needed
Total Cost
Link
Entry Room
Plywood
Main board/map
Home Depot
8'x8'
4'x8'
$16.38
3
$49.14
http://www.ho
$496.27
Aluminum Channel
Name plate holder
Home Depot
1100"
3/4"x96"L
$10.97
12
$131.64
http://www.ho
LED Tape Lights
Uplighting from cornice
1000 Bulbs
576"
192"
$41.95
3
$125.85
https://www.1
LED Driver
Powers lights
1000 Bulbs
4
$19.04
4
$76.16
https://www.1
LED Power Connector
Connects lights to driver
1000 Bulbs
4
$0.93
4
$3.72
https://www.1
LED Contingency
Extra costs (wires, etc.)
Blackboard paint
For plywood pieces
Home Depot
100 sq/ft
110 sq/ft
$9.76
1
$9.76
http://www.ho
Chavez Room
Plywood
Blackboard
Home Depot
8'x8'
4'x8'
$16.38
3
$49.14
http://www.ho
$557.22
LED Tape Lights
Uplighting from cornice
1000 Bulbs
576"
192"
$41.95
1
$41.95
https://www.1
LED Driver
Powers lights
1000 Bulbs
1
$19.04
1
$19.04
https://www.1
LED Power Connector
Connects lights to driver
1000 Bulbs
1
$0.93
1
$0.93
https://www.1
LED Contingency
Extra costs (wires, etc.)
Blackboard paint
For plywood pieces
Home Depot
Birch Countertop
Work bar
Ikea
Counter Brace
$100.00
$100.00 100 sq/ft
110 sq/ft
$9.76
1
$9.76
http://www.ho
96"
$169.00
1
$169.00
http://www.ike
$83.70
2
$167.40
http://www.ar
http://www.ho
Architecture Depot
Parks Room
Plywood
Main board/map
Home Depot
8'x8'
4'x8'
$16.38
1
$16.38
$657.98
LED Tape Lights
Uplighting from cornice
1000 Bulbs
576"
192"
$41.95
1
$41.95
LED Driver
Powers lights
1000 Bulbs
1
$19.04
1
$19.04
https://www.1
LED Power Connector
Connects lights to driver
1000 Bulbs
1
$0.93
1
$0.93
https://www.1
LED Contingency
Extra costs (wires, etc.)
$20.00
https://www.1
Blackboard paint
For plywood pieces
Furniture Caster
Flexible furniture arrangement
Acoustic Panel Allowance
Home Depot
100 sq/ft
110 sq/ft
$9.76
1
$9.76
http://www.ho
$6.24
8
$49.92
http://www.ho
$500.00
2 Room
Material
Use
Source
Quantity Needed Unit Quantity
Unit Price
Quantity Needed
Total Cost
Mandela Room
LED Tape Lights
Uplighting from cornice
1000 Bulbs
120"
$41.95
1
$41.95
$382.82
LED Driver
Powers lights
1000 Bulbs
4
$19.04
4
$76.16
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
LED Power Connector
Connects lights to driver
1000 Bulbs
4
$0.93
4
$3.72
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
LED Contingency
Extra costs (wires, etc.)
$200.00
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
Coat Room
LED Tape Lights
Uplighting from cornice
1000 Bulbs
28
$181.92
LED Driver
Powers lights
1000 Bulbs
LED Power Connector
Connects lights to driver
1000 Bulbs
LED Contingency
Extra costs (wires, etc.)
192"
192"
Link
Room
$41.95
1
$41.95
1
$19.04
1
$19.04
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
1
$0.93
1
$0.93
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
$20.00
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
Wood Hangers
$100.00
Kitchen
Plywood
Main board/map
Home Depot
8'x8'
4'x8'
$16.38
5
$81.90
http://www.homedepot.com/p/
$291.66
Blackboard paint
For plywood pieces
Home Depot
100 sq/ft
110 sq/ft
$9.76
1
$9.76
http://www.homedepot.com/p/
Wood allowance
$200.00
Bike rack allowance Library
LED Tape Lights
Uplighting from cornice
1000 Bulbs
576"
$71.92
LED Driver
Powers lights
1000 Bulbs
LED Power Connector
Connects lights to driver
1000 Bulbs
LED Contingency
Extra costs (wires, etc.)
Room Total (excluding finishes) $2,639.79
192"
$41.95
1
$41.95
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
1
$19.04
1
$19.04
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
1
$0.93
1
$0.93
https://www.1000bulbs.com/pr
$10.00
3 Room
Material
Paint
BEHR Zero VOC Paint
Use
Source
Quantity Needed Unit Quantity
Home Depot 160
Chavez
160
Parks
360
Mandela
800
Kitchen
500
Coat Room
160
Library
160
Total sq/ft
2300 BEHR Stain Stripper
Entry
384
Chavez
384
Parks
600
Mandela
960
Kitchen
800
Coat Room
192
Library
384
Total sq/ft
3704
Clear Finish
Minwax water based polyurethane
Entry
384
Chavez
384
Parks
600
Mandela
960
Kitchen
800
Coat Room
192
Library
384
Total sq/ft
3704
Wall Finish Contingency Finishes Total $1,402.64 Total Material Cost $4,042.43
Brushes, sandpaper, scrapers, etc
Quantity Needed
Total Cost
Link
$118.00
4
$472.00
http://www.homedepot.com/p/
150 sq/ft per u $19.96
25
$499.00
http://www.homedepot.com/p/
500 sq/ft per u $47.96
9
$431.64
http://www.homedepot.com/p/
2000 sq/ft per
Entry
Stain Stripper
Unit Price
Closing NOTES
This proposal will only be able to succeed with the help from the organizations and community members that form the Democracy Center. As such, we have prepared a short survey in order to gather your input and receive suggestions to improve the design. Please CLICK ON THIS LINK in order to open up the survey. Thank you, and we look forward to working with you!