NICHOLAS GUTOWSKI SELECTED WORKS FROM 2012-2016
ABOUT ME
Nick Gutowski gutowski3@sbcglobal.net (414)688-8300 5463 W. JACKSON PARK DR. MILWAUKEE, WI 53219
I am very interested in the processes of creation. As I actively observe my everyday surroundings, I begin to question how natural objects that I may take for granted are made. I question why the object has that specific form, what makes that form advantageous, what functions does the form support, I explore how the object is made, and how I can replicate the features of such an object. From initial inspiration to the means of making, the journey of the design process is what interests me. Through my extensive studies and practice of the Design Thinking method, I have developed skills to design for cultures and regions different than the ones that I’m used to. I have learned to ask the right questions, to intently listen to the needs of all of the end users, to generate multiple solutions and prototypes, and to accept criticism to utilize it in editing a creative and unique final product. Through collaboration and noticing opportunity, I genuinely believe that I can make the world a better place.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PENTHOUSE
COSMOPOLITAN LOFT
PRIMARK
RETAIL CAPSTONE WITH GENSLER NYC
ZONK
A GAMING DESIGN COMPANY
DESIGN THINKING
THARAKA WOMEN’S WELFARE PROGRAM
FIRST RESPONCE
THE JOPLIN RECOVERY SHELTER
BAT EAR
NORTH WOODS BANDSHELL
BEETLE
A STUDY IN THERMOREGULATION
PENTHOUSE COSMOPOLITAN LOFT PENTHOUSE IS STATE STREET’S PREMIER COCKTAIL LOUNGE. OFFERING GROUP HORS O’DEURVES AND HERB/ FRUIT INFUSED DRINKS. HERE YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF MIXED INTO THE CREST OF THE CITY. WATCHING THE STREAMS OF CLOUDS PASS BY, LOOKING AT THE BUSTLE OF THE STREET BELOW. ESCAPE THE WEEK, AND REMOVE YOURSELF FROM STRESS IN AN AFFORDABLE THIRD PLACE DESIGNED TO CATER TO THE LOW PRICE AND HIGH EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, AND FAMILIES. FALL ‘15
IMPACT WHEN ENTERING PENTHOUSE THE CUSTOMER’S FIRST VIEW IS OF THE BAR, WHICH ACTS AS A FAÇADE FOR THE LOFT THAT IS CANTILEVERED OVER IT. FELT ACOUSTIC CEILING PANELS ARE SUSPENDED ABOVE, REFERENCING CLOUDS FLOWING AROUND A TALL BUILDING ON A FOGGY TURBULENT DAY.
PARTI
BUBBLE DIAGRAM
ADJACENCY DIAGRAM
PROGRAMMING
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
FINAL
RELEASE SEATING ON THE FIRST FLOOR IS CASUAL, WITH TABLES PLACED CLOSE TOGETHER IN A GRID, GIVING AN IMPRESSION OF A BUSY CITY BLOCK. SEATING ON THE LOFT IS SPACED OUT, COMFORTABLE, AND SEPARATED VISUALLY FROM THE REST OF THE RESTAURANT; GIVING BOTH ACOUSTICAL AND EXPERIENTIAL SEPARATION.
EXPERIENCE CONCEPT THE LOFT: A ROOFTOP GARDEN WHEN ENTERING PENTHOUSE, THE VISITOR COMES INTO A LARGE OPEN SPACE. FLOWING 30 FOOT TALL CEILING DETAILS FRAME A STRUCTURE THAT IS SET BACK INTO THE ROOM. THE VISITOR CAN SEE A PEAK OF WHAT IS ON TOP OF THIS STRUCTURE, BUT HAS NO CLEAR VIEW OF WHAT IS THE SECOND FLOOR LOFT. AFTER WALKING UP THE STAIRS AND TURNING A CORNER INTO THE SPACE, THE FULL VIEW OF THE LOFT IS VISIBLE. UPSTAIRS AT PENTHOUSE IS A LOUNGE DINING AREA, WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN RELAX AND SOCIALIZE WHILE ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE OF THEIR MEAL. ON TOP OF THE LOFT, DESIGNED LIKE A ROOFTOP GARDEN, CUSTOMERS CAN WALK TO THE OVERHANG, THE ONLY PLACE IN THE RESTAURANT THAT HAS A FULL VIEW OF BOTH THE LOFT AND THE BUSY DINING AREA AND BAR DOWN BELOW.
PRIMARK RETAIL CAPSTONE WITH GENSLER NYC PRIMARK is a European retailer making the jump to the U.S. market. Their heavy use of social media marketing is a direct call to teens and young adults, but the hip yet welcoming branding of the store offers a variety of options for Kids, Teens, Women, and Men. There is a perception of the “fast fashion” brand as being cheap, low-quality, and discardable in the European market. In the transition to the American market, PRIMARK would like to shed these negative connotations and evolve the brand into a fashion label that is known for quality, style, and that is highly respected. SPRING ‘16
CURRENT PROJECT SPRING 2016 SCHEMATIC DESIGN JANUARY-FEBRUARY DESIGN DEVELOPMENT MARCH-APRIL FINAL DESIGN DECISIONS MAY
- APPROX. 80,000 SQ/FT - 11 DEPARTMENTS - SPACE PLANNING SET T0 PRIMARK’S STANDARDS - Use branding and sculptural
focus points in order to attract attention to key areas.
GENSLER’S ROLE Gensler-NYC has been hired by Primark for their new King of Prussia Mall location. I am partnering with Gensler to develop an additional design. they are acting as a guide through the design process and are providing advice and critique.
MOOD In order to grow the PRIMARK brand into a mature and respected retailer, the aesthetic of their second U.S. location will focus on seductive form and will draw from a pallet rich in texture. Pairing PRIMARK’s signature Aqua with a more complex and sophisticated color scheme will elevate the class of the shopping experience while maintaining the store’s unique branding.
ZONK
A GAMING DESIGN COMPANY ZONK IS A GAME DESIGN COMPANY IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN MADISON. THE OFFICE THRIVES IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE IDEAS AND CRITIQUES CAN FLOW BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS. IN ORDER TO STAND OUT AMONGST COMPETITORS, THE DESIGN OF THE ZONK OFFICE MUST CREATE AN EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH GUESTS AND EMPLOYEES THAT WILL NOT BE FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE GAME DESIGN FIELD. FALL ‘14
EXPERIENCE CONCEPT THE LANDER ENTERING ZONK, YOU ARE TRANSPORTED INTO AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SEEMS ALIEN. THE GEOMETRICALLY FACETED SPACE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE OFFICE’S ENTRANCE RESEMBLES A MOON LANDER, AND IS THE FIRST SIGHT THE USER HAS OF ZONK. UPON ENTERING THE OFFICE, GUESTS ARE BROUGHT INTO THIS GEOMETRIC SPACE, KNOWN AS “THE LANDER”, AND ARE BRIEFED ON ZONK AS A COMPANY. WHILE IN THIS SPACE, GUESTS ARE INVITED TO PLAY GAMES THAT ZONK HAS DESIGNED. THE VIEW LEAVING THE LANDER IS A LARGE GLAZED MURAL OF AN OTHER-WORLDLY LANDSCAPE THAT REINFORCES IN THE GUEST THAT THE ZONK EXPERIENCE IS UNLIKE ANYTHING THAT YOU COULD FIND ON THIS PLANET.
MULTIPURPOSE BREAKOUT SPACE DIFFERENT SIZED BOOTHS EQUIPPED WITH SMART SCREENS FACE A FULL-WALL DRY-ERASE BOARD FOR QUICK BRAINSTORMING AND INFORMAL CRITIQUES.
RECEPTION THE RECEPTION SPACE IS DESIGNED WITH A MODERN AESTHETIC TO REFERENCE AN ALIEN ENVIRONMENT. THE LANDER, ANGULAR ROCK-LIKE SEATING, A HEAVY MONUMENTAL RECEPTION DESK, AND FULL WALL MURAL HELP GIVE THE IMPRESSING OF STEPPING INTO ANOTHER WORLD.
CONFERENCE ROOMS THE ZONK OFFICE HAS TWO CONFERENCE ROOMS LOCATED JUST OFF OF RECEPTION. THE LARGE CONFERENCE SPACE IS VISIBLE THROUGH SEAMLESS GLASS WALLS AND A SLIDING DOOR WHICH CREATE SIGHT-LINES TO THE WINDOWS, PULLING THE USER INTO THE SPACE. THE SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM IS MORE PRIVATE, FEATURING INTIMATE SEATING BEHIND FROSTED SCREEN WALLS.
DESIGN THINKING THARAKA WOMEN’S WELFARE PROGRAM MY FOCUS AND DEPTH IN DESIGN IS IN DESIGN THINKING. FOR MULTIPLE SEMESTERS I WORKED WITH THE VILLAGE OF GATUNGA, KENYA TO REVITALIZE THEIR COMMUNITY. A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND I PARTNERED TOGETHER WITH MEMBERS OF THE GATUNGA COMMUNITY FOR TWO YEARS TO EXPLORE THE ROOTS OF THEIR SYSTEMIC ISSUES. WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP THE “THARAKA WOMEN’S WELFARE PROGRAM” OR TWWP, WE DESIGNED SOLUTIONS TO MULTIPLE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN FIELD TESTED AND ADAPTED. TWO OF SUCH PROJECTS ARE THE BIO-MASS BRIQUETTES AND THE DREAM SCHOOL. FALL ‘14 & FALL ’15
BIO-MASS BRIQUETTES The Seat Platform is used to better utilize body weight while making a briquette. The Top Cylinder permanently connects to the seat plate and is capped at the bottom end to make a solid cylinder. The Middle Tube fits over the Base Cylinder and Top Cylinder. The tube has an inner radius that is slightly larger than the radius of both the Top and Base Cylinders. The Base Cylinder is permanently attached to the Base and is capped at the top to make a solid cylinder. It also fits SNUGGLY into the Middle Tube. The Base gives stability to the Briquette Maker and allows it to stand upright like a stool. The outer edge of the base is raised in order to collect excess water during Briquette Production (acting like a shallow bucket).
THE REASON INTENSIVE RESEARCH INTO THE STEMMING ISSUES OF GATUNGA REVEALED INDOOR AIR POLLUTION AND DEFORESTATION AS MAJOR RISK FACTORS TO THE COMMUNITY’S WELLBEING. THESE BRIQUETTES ARE MADE FROM WASTE AND EMIT LESS TOXINS THAN LOCAL COOKING METHODS.
16' - 1 3/4"
WOOD TRUSS
2' - 5" 4' - 0" 1' - 7"
5' - 2 1/4" 8' - 0"
13' - 2 1/4"
GALVANIZED METAL ROOF
CUSTOM METAL GRATES WITH YELLOW ORANGE GLASS
2
EXTERIOR EAST
NTS 1/8" = 1'-0"
78" W WOOD BIFOLD DOOR SHUTTER
INTERLOCKING BRICK WALL
12" BIFOLD WINDOW SHUTTER
THE DREAM SCHOOL MORE THAN A COMMUNITY CENTER THE DREAM SCHOOL IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN A WHOLE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS. FROM VILLAGE PLANNERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND THE TEAM OF THREE DESIGNERS INCLUDING MYSELF. THE SCHOOL IS PLANNED IN THREE PHASES TO BE BUILT AS FUNDING IS GATHERED. THIS RELATIVELY SIMPLE BUILDING BY URBAN AMERICAN STANDARDS IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMODATE AS MANY PRACTICAL FUNCTIONS AS POSSIBLE: FROM MAKER SPACES, TO PRESENTATION SPACE FOR ADULT LITERACY GROUPS, TO CLASSES FOR THE ALTERNATIVE RIGHT OF PASSAGE (A LOCAL NON-PROFIT THAT IS RESPONCIBLE FOR THE VIRTUAL STOP OF FGM IN THARAKA NITHI COUNTY). IT IS A BUILDING BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE. A COMMUNITY CENTER THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN BE PROUD OF, RIGHT IN THE HEART OF TOWN.
FIRST RESPONSE THE JOPLIN RECOVERY SHELTER The Joplin Recovery Shelter is a means of first response protection for the victims of the devastating 2011 tornadoes in Missouri. After the initial storm, the community of Joplin, MO was left unprotected and unsheltered from the subsequent storms that threatened them in the following days. This shelter is a solution, should a similar situation happen again. The community would buy shelters in advance and store them until needed. The structure completely
collapses for ease of storage, and can expand into 3 protective forms including a completely enclosed structure designed to resist high-speed wind and rain. SPRING ‘13
BAT EAR NORTH WOODS BANDSHELL The BAT EAR IS A SCULPTURAL MAQUETTE FOR A PROPOSED PUBLIC PARK BANDSHELL IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN. THE FORM OF THE STRUCTURE, WHICH MIMICS THE ACOUSTICAL SHAPE OF THE LOCAL BAT, IS DESIGNED TO PROJECT NOISE FORWARD TOWARDS THE AUDIENCE. SPRING ‘15
BEETLE
A STUDY IN THERMOREGULATION DESIGNING GREEN DOES NOT JUST MEAN UTILIZING GREEN MATERIALS. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IS ABOUT THINKING OF UNCONVENTIONAL WAYS TO REDUCE CONSUMPTION AND WASTE IN ORDER TO HAVE A LOWER IMPACT ON THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT. THE BEETLE UTILIZES MOVABLE SCREENS TO SHADE THE CORE STRUCTURE DURING PERIODS OF HARSH SUNLIGHT. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD EFFECTIVELY HELP TO NATURALLY REGULATE THE TEMPERATURE OF THE INNER STRUCTURE AND TO PROVIDE IMPROVED DAYLIGHTING. SPRING ‘15