First Material Map

Midterm material map and palettes

Post-midterm material map

One of our wayfinding employs is to specify certain material groups to spaces that serve similar functions. Our forest-inspired palette is used in examination spaces. The desert palette is for public areas and walkways. The mountains are in the staff spaces and the red rock is designated only for our communicating stair/elevator to make that a special moment.

RENDERED FLOOR PLAN LEVEL 1

SCALE: 1/16" = 1'-0"

For the flooring materials, we chose rubber for high traffic areas and spaces that needed to be clean. The public areas have a brown rubber, staff areas have a green rubber, and public walkways have a tan rubber. These rubber floorings are antimicrobial, durable, and softer on the foot compared to vinyl. Areas that can have a carpet have either the public snake pattern carpet tile or the staff geometric carpet tile. These materials are all placed for wayfinding.

RENDERED FLOOR PLAN LEVEL 2

SCALE: 1/16" = 1'-0"

Similarities between the first and second floors are no exception in the flooring materials. The mail/records room does contain the geometric carpet, as well as the admin, and staff classroom. All exterior materials are kept the same as existing to reduce cost and environmental impact.

RENDERED REFLECTED CEILING PLAN LEVEL 1

SCALE: 1/16" = 1'-0"

Both levels of the plan are nearly identical for materials and light fixtures. We chose acoustic wooden panels as an accent piece in staff areas. Simple patterned gypsum in the lobby highlights the full-height ceiling with an ascending height wood paneling over the seating to provide acoustic support and a focal point. We placed the act panels everywhere else. The blue-colored panels are used exclusively in the staff areas.

RENDERED REFLECTED CEILING PLAN LEVEL 2

SCALE: 1/16" = 1'-0"

We chose integrated and recessed lighting throughout to create subtle illumination. We added an artificial skylight in the examination rooms to provide a calming view for patients.

The lobby space features a custom check-in desk. With the orientation of the desk as shown, guests can be welcomed by the same front desk assistant whether they enter on the South or West ends of the building. In addition, the desk has space for 5 workers to meet with patients and their families. Each workspace is equipped with two chairs for guests, and the rest of the lobby provides versatile seating options. A mix of standard chairs, moveable individual seats, and mass seating modules for parties of various sizes is provided. All seats utilize materials that are easy to clean or replace in individual sections as needed. This furniture layout allows access to the window for all with individual seats being moved to the side with ease.

In the exam rooms, we have a special feature of mock skylight panels with an LED backlight mimicking daylight CRI levels. Each exam room is equipped with the same furniture and fixtures and the only change is the accent scene that gets chosen by the patient during check-in. This allows for a universal experience on the patient and staff ends. Shown to the right is one of the five options available in each set of exam rooms. This means that there will be three of each type of exam room on each floor, in case others of the type are in use; the user is still able to be seen in their chosen healing space. Different materials will be used in the staff portion of the room to create a subtle boundary of spatial designation to the patient.

The Steelcase Next Competition asked students to design NEXT’s new office. NEXT is a theoretical tech company based in Rhode Island. They focus on robotics and smart home technology. NEXT sought a new office space in Massachusetts and having bought a majority of the 6th floor of building just off the wharf, they needed a design that felt appropriate for their brand and the local Boston area. This project involved a design of NEXT’s branding graphics, including logo, their floor plan, furniture selections, and their finish materials. The competition required 80% of the furniture selections to be Steelcase products. This design was created individually.