Discover
Wonderland
By Trish Nhan & Paula Wheeler
Existing Conditions
uncomfortable
not user friendly
dead
uninspiring But what if we can change all this?
Site Area
Neeb Plaza Neeb Plaza is a centralized outdoor space for the art and design school at the university that is in desperate need of renovations and improvements. During the summer and this space becomes extremely hot and desolate. Steps excluded wheelchair users from comfortably navigating through the space and utilizing it. This space also lack color, energy, and liveliness to bring out creativity. N Site: 138’x166’ Area: 22,908 sq ft
Tempe, Arizona
Site Analysis NEEB COURTYARD SITE ANALYSIS-SPOT ELEVATIONS
ART
FOREST MALL
COLLEGE OF DESIGN SOUTH
NEEB HALL
Circulation analysis and site design process sketches
Process Sketches
The landform was developed based on site analysis and inspirational pieces. The round areas are used to divide and separate the spaces for different uses.
Style Guide Fonts These chosen fonts compliment each other to bring through the idea of discovery and geometrical shapes as a fundamental in design.
Display Type Quantify
Supporting Type Futura
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU VWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx yz&!?#1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz &!?#1234567890 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz &!?# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Body Type Garamond
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz &!?# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz &!?# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Aa Aa
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Colors The colors chosen represent the base colors used for printing and mixing light. These colors are based on the CMYK colors but are lightened to work better with image color interaction. These colors are also used in form of filter sheets to be laid over images that play a key part the color interaction style.
RBG: 243, 139, 185 CMYK: 0, 58, 0, 0 HEX: f28ab8
RBG: 255, 246, 137 CMYK: 0, 0, 58, 0 HEX: fff688
RBG: 78, 201, 245 CMYK: 58, 0, 0, 0 HEX: 4dc9f4
Materials These are the main materials used for structures and typography quote discoveries. The materials all play a role in helping to create the experience.
Recycled Slag
Mulch
Brushed Aluminum
Water activated paint and concrete
Brick
Water
Marble
Desert Soil
Imagine a space filled with wonder...
Entry Experience The entry way welcomes all different users to gradually move into the space with ease and comfortability. This elements guides you in to discover the rest of the space and see where these characters can take you. The entry is important for setting the adventure, scene and the story of discovery.
Cactus Gabion and Inspiration The frame would be of a cactus and filled with recycled slag. A model test was done to see how the stone would disperse light. This would add unique lighting element in the entry way. Inspiration came from the help of Gretchen Wilde and the Colwell shelor hummingbird house.
With hidden messages waiting to be discovered
This quote discovery allows users to connect with a water element, hear the sounds of rainwater and take in the meaning of the quote. The idea is to immerse the user in a Zen moment and experience something that can inspire or motivate the user to keep striving for their own life goals.
Inspired by Innovation...
Water Feature Be a Part of Wonderland thedesignschool
The rain water feature is also a projection surface which would display inspirational imagery to help ease the mind from the daily stresses in life. The second part of this feature is the concept of being apart of the school and Wonderland. Finding and representing your "home." Because of the versatile projection space, the idea is to display up the Design School’s Instagram page and have users that get inspired from Wonderland to hashtage #wonderland to be featured in the main plaza. Students can snap a photo of their process work and be screened for a possible spot of being feature in Wonderland.
be inspired #wonderland on instagram to be featured
thedesignschool
thedesignschool
Curiosity...
Maze Garden From the history of mazes and labyrinths, a book called Learning with the Labyrinth: Creating Reflective Space in Higher Education by Jan Sellers and Bernard Moss talks about how "the labyrinth was introduced as a tool that can help facilitate creative thinking and personal reflection." The labyrinth allows users to walk or pace through the space as a way of being in tuned with their minds while being physically active during that process to stimulate thought flow. This area not only helps students but also faculty or anyone that is stressed out with work or life or anyone that is in deep thought. This quote acts as a wayfinding element as while as being a motivational thought that gets the users to think deeper and to keep going.
Discovery Experience Several tests were done with actual material to see how this discovery can be implemented in the exhibition space. The final chosen material was laser cut half inch thick acrylic. Then the back of the letter were spray painted metallic silver to create depth in the ground. Over time these words will get covered up by the light layer of mulch in the ground and users will get to uncover the pieces of the quote as they walk through.
Spray paint process and discovery simulation
and Discovery
Creating unique experiences
Connecting people with nature
Reflecting Skyspace Inspired by the James Turrell Skyspace, this space was designed to accommodate the desert heat and give users an experience with color interaction in the built space. When users walk around the center reflecting pool and they will discover a hidden quote in the water feature. "Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything." -Albert Einstein The tall hedges enclosing this space makes the area cooler and allows the user to listening to the sound of trickling water and be away from the rest of the activity. The combination of senses allows for a peaceful moment to reflect after a long day of daily stresses.
Interactive Model This model was created to see the color interaction and projection on the structure. This model also helps with scale of the space and the user interacts with it. The seats in the area are also designed to angle back to set with view the above structure and provide comfort in seating.
Color changing Skyspace model
Inspiring Creativity
Study Space This space gives and intimate area for studying, meetings, or socializing. The Study Space was designed to work for both day and night time use. The teacup shape was inspired by the Disney's Teacup Ride which creates that intimate space where users can face each other and comfortable set and have conversations.
Study Space Discovery As users walk along the edge of the study space they will not notice the quote in the retaining wall because the color of the soil will blend in with the brick material. This quote will only be noticeable when the watering system waters the plants in this planter area.
Quote Discovery
As this planter gets watered once a day these words will reveal from the wet soil through acrylic windows.
"Design is intelligence made visible." -Alina Wheeler
Introducing interactive elements
Hummingbird Garden The plants chosen for this area was designed to attract all different types of pollinators and create a diverse wildlife environment for watching and learning about. The things we learn from nature can help impact our creative process and connect us with how nature functions.
Discovery Pathway The quote is hidden with water-activated paint and will only reveal itself when water hits the concrete. This showcases a play in materials and how it can be used to enhance the discovery experience.
Promoting play and fitness for the mind and body
Cycling Discovery Active users can utilize stationary bikes to release energy or help with stress and discover a competitive game. During the day time this activity can be used while watching the wildlife. At night the bikes will illuminate the path to the projected hummingbird animation.
Process Sketches and ideas
Projection Game Cube Runner Game This game encourages users to compete with each other and uses calories burned as the score for each player.
Inspiration Contrex Contrexpérience Duncan Macleod November 20, 2011 Contrex, the French mineral water brand owned by Nestle, is running “Contrex Ma Contrexpérience”, a television commercial centered on an outdoor experience.
Finding the peaceful mind and harvesting solar energy
Sky Gazing Space The lawn space allow us to connect back with the earth and feel the grass for meditation or calming the mind. The shade structures are also movable to adjust with the users. “Together we can face any challenges as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky.” –Sonia Gandhi
View from laying down and looking up
Solar Powered Shade Structure This shade structure allows users to charge their device as they enjoy shade from the hot sun. There is one flower structure that has a quote that reveals itself at a specific sun angle. This idea utilizes the natural energy to create this unique discovery experience.
This is Wonderland
Experience Wonderland in VR at this link: https://youtu.be/RrNhGejVQtI
Quote Discovery Map Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. —Albert Einstein
The earth laughs in flowers. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Design is intelligence made visible. —Alina Wheeler You must do the things you think you cannot do. —Eleanor Roosevelt Together we can face any challenges as deep as the ocean, as high as the sky. —Sonia Gandhi
What feels like the end is often the beginning. —T. S. Eliot
When Nothing Goes Right, Go Left. —Robert Adams
Planting Palette When choosing a planting palette, there are several things to consider: water usage, maintenance, adaptability to the desert environment, shade, flowering color, how much sunlight it needs, height, spread, and a variety of ways in which it can be used. Each area is carefully analyzed to pick the right plants to set the scene and mood.
Planting Plan
Trees
Arizona/ Velvet Ash Tree Fraxinus velutina
Butterfly Tree Bauhinia purpurea
Italian cypress Tree Cupressus sempervirens
Region: Found in foothills and lower mountain canyons of Southwest America. In Arizona native to riparian areas between 3,500 and 7,000 feet elevation.
Region: This plant has been said to grow in the following regions: Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Hawaii, and Missouri.
Region: A species of cypress native to the eastern Mediterranean region.
Growth Habit: Woody, deciduous perennial tree.
Growth Habit: The fast-growing Orchid-Tree will ultimately reach 35 feet in height and width. Twolobed, deciduous leaves.
Growth Habit: 40 to 60 ft high and spread of 3 to 6 ft wide. A medium-sized coniferous evergreen tree to 115 ft tall. It is very longlived, with some trees reported to be over 1,000 years old.
Light: Sun to Partial Shade
Light: Full sun
Watering: Average water needs; water regularly; do not over water. High drought tolerance.
Watering: Low water requirement and can adapt to almost any soil type. High drought tolerance.
Seasonal color: Flaming golden yellow fall color during December in Phoenix. Light: Full sun Watering: Regular water best, will tolerate variably some drought
Hedges
Twisted Myrtle Myrtus communis 'Boetica'
Dwarf Myrtle Myrtus communis 'Compacta'
Region: Native to Mediterranean
Region: Mediterranean
Growth Habit: hardy evergreen shrub is a unique form of the True Myrtle, which has been highly valued by many cultures. Light: Full sun to part shade Watering: Also known as Desert Myrtle, it does exceptionally well in our arid desert climate. Low to moderate water.
Growth Habit: Slow grower to 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide. Popular, compact tightly branched evergreen shrub with creamy-white flowers has fragrant foliage when crushed. Extremely useful and dependable as a low hedge and foundation planting. Light: Full sun Watering: Once established, needs only occasional watering. Drought tolerant
Flowering Shrubs and Grasses
Pink Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Irvine'
'C'est Bon' Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Arizona Grandiflora Rose Grandiflora Rose
Region: Primarily found in the Western Hemisphere, the majority of Muhlenbergia make their home in the southern U.S. and Mexico. They often grow in arid or semiarid regions, with adaptations that make them a good choice for low-water landscapes.
Background: This selection comes from an extensive breeding program at Dupont Nursery in southern Louisiana.
Origin: USA, hybrid bred
Growth Habit: Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Growth Habit: Clumps, Growth Pace: Moderate Grower Seasonal color: Blooms in late Summer through Fall Light: Partial to full sun
Growth Habit: This exotic tropical Hibiscus has glossy, evergreen foliage on a well-branched, compact form. Evergreen. Size: Round, compact form, moderate growing; reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide. Blooms: Huge rosy-pink flowers edged in white provide a nearly non-stop show from spring to fall. Wildlife: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Growth Habit: Cool weather intensifies the colors, giving this plant regional appeal. This rose also boasts an intensely sweet fragrance that is astonishingly captivating. Upright and bushy with bright emerald green leaves that are glossy and leathery helping to fend off disease. Approximate Size: 4-5' X 3' Blooms: Full, mid-sized blossoms are reminiscent of an Arizona sunset with deep golden orange tones layered with hints of pink and yellow hues. Light: Full Sun
Watering: Once the grass is mature, you only need to give supplemental water when periods of drought are severe. Water when the soil is dry in the top couple of inches.
Light: Partial to full sun Watering: Needs regular watering weekly, or more often in extreme heat
Watering: Water established roses only when they need it, thoroughly allowing water to seep deep into the root system.
Flowering Shrubs and Grasses
Chapel Hill Yellow Lantana Lantana 'Chapel Hill Yellow'
Chihuahuan Sage Leucophyllum laevigatum
Petite Pink Oleander Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’
Origin: Chapel Hill Yellow is a Dr. Mike Dirr creation that is a cross between 'Miss Huff ' (the most cold hardy of all Lantana) from which it gets its superior cold hardiness, and 'New Gold' Hardy Lantana from whence it gets its bright yellow flowers and low and spreading growth habit of 16 inches tall by 2 to 3 feet wide.
Origin: Rocky slopes of high Chihuahuan desert at 4,000 to 8,000 feet
Origin: Mediterranean region
Growth Habit: It produces clusters of primrose yellow flowers from spring to frost on a low and spreading plant and attract loads of pollinators and are they are irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds. It is fast growing and quick to flower. Light: Full sun Watering: Once established, needs only occasional watering.
Growth Habit: Moderate to 3 to 4 feet height with near equal spread. Evergreen shrub stiffly open and spreading, informal. Flowers & fruits: Many axillary light purple flowers bloom on new wood, fragrant, fruit inconspicuous. Light: Full sun, rank form if too shaded. Watering: Give Chihuahuan sage no supplemental water during winter. However, apply supplemental water during summer particularly if monsoon rains fail.
Growth Habit: Fast-growing evergreen shrub with an upright rounded growth-habit to 4-5’ tall and wide. This long-blooming tough sun-loving dwarf variety features glossy dark-green foliage accented with a profusion of single clear pink flowers appearing midspring into early-fall attracting bees. Tolerates heat reflected heat drought coastal conditions and a variety of soil types provided they’re well-drained. The operative word phrase for oleander is "deadly poisonous"! Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall Light: Full sun Watering: Low water use, surprisingly drought tolerant.
Flowering Shrubs and Grasses
‘Calypso’ Oleander Nerium oleander ‘Calypso’
Arizona poppy Kallstroemia grandiflora
Origin: Mediterranean region
Origin: Found in disturbed sites, washes, native swales in arid regions and grasslands of the desert Southwest United States from Texas to Arizona (introduced into California) at elevations before 4,000 feet (rarely to 6,000 feet). Also found into northern Mexican and Baja California.
Growth Habit: easy-care, rounded shrub or small tree, with long, dark green leaves and an abundance of single or double, sometimes fragrant flowers. `Calypso’ has single, cherry red flowers and is very hardy. This Oleander also does well as a quick-growing screen or large specimen planting. Height: 10 to 18 feet, Spread: 10 to 15 feet Light: full sun, partial sun or partial shade Watering: Low water use, high drought tolerance
Growth Habit: Herbaceous warm season annual growing prostrate in a loose and rangy manner to 1.5 to 3 feet in height with a 3 feet spread. Bloom: yellow flowers during August and September Light: Full sun Watering: In ornamental landscape plantings, this summer annual might need light summer waterings if desert summer monsoon rains are sporadic or light.
Cactus and Succulents
Totem Pole Cactus Pachycereus schottii f. monstrosus
Organ Pipe Cactus Stenocereus thurberi
Mexican Fence Post Pachycereus Marginatus
Region: Found in the southern parts of Mexico and areas of South America.
Origin: Organ pipe cactus is a wild growing plant found in hot, sunny southern Arizona. The cactus’ habitat is rocky, sandy and generally inhospitable and unfertile.
Origin: Native to Central Mexico.
Growth Habit: The thornless stalks are smooth to the touch and grow in a tight cluster around the base of the original plant. Slow growing. Size (H x W): 8 - 10 ft x 3 - 6 ft
Growth Habit: This columnar cactus is the second largest in the U.S. (next to the Saguaro) growing as tall as 23 feet. I
Growth Habit: The tall stems branch out from the cactus base to form a fence-like cluster of tall, cylindrical "posts", usually with 5 or 6 pronounced ridges. It has columnar trunks that grow slowly to 12 feet (3.7m) and may reach 20 feet (6.1m) in height.
Light: Full sun Watering: Highly resistant to heat, and resistant to all but the harshest winters, so they're suitable for growing in Arizona. They do require more periodic irrigation then what other cacti require, but the brilliant green stalks the Totem Pole Cactus add to your landscape are well worth it.
Flowers: Lavender-white flowers, 2-1/2 inches long, bloom at night, laterally near the apex of the stems, May through July. Light: Full sun Watering: Water every 3 weeks in summer during the growing season. Water every 6-8 weeks in the winter during its dormant period.
Flower: Pink to light-red flower Light: Full sun Watering: Low water use, extraordinarily low-maintenance plants can basically grow untouched for decades, so there’s really not a lot you need to worry about.
Cactus and Succulents
Purple Prickly Pear Cactus Opuntia macrocentra
Golden Barrel Cactus Echinocactus grusonii
Succulent Variety
Origin: Natural range is from Trans-Pecos Texas to Arizona. Welldrained caliche, loam, sand, clay.
Region: Native to Mexico (QuerĂŠtaro).
Origin: Many succulents come from dry areas such as steppes, semi-desert, and desert. High temperatures and low precipitation force plants to collect and store water to survive long dry periods. Some species of cactus can survive for months without rainfall.
Growth Habit: Its violet-lavender pads separate it from the other prickly pears. Purple prickly pear, like most prickly pear species, will grow easily; you only have to protect it from freeze, as severe cold can kill them. Minimum temperature 45F. Bushy plant up to nearly 3ft tall. Light: Full sun Watering: Once they are established, the cacti can usually survive off of rainwater, although specific watering requirements vary based on the cactus species and the amount of rainfall they receive during the cooler months.
Growth Habit: A cactus with single slowly growing globe-shaped stem that became elongated (barrelshaped) in maturity, up to 3 feet (90 cm) in height and spread. Bloom: Mid to late spring Light: Full sun Watering: Drought-tolerant. Once established, needs only occasional watering.
Growth Habit: They are drought resistant plants in which the leaves, stem or roots have become more than usually fleshy by the development of water-storing tissue. Light: Full sun Watering: Low water requirement and drought tolerance. Note: Not to be confused with cactus; nearly all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti.
Let's Make Wonderland a Reality! Designed by: Trish Nhan (Thuy Trang Nhan) Video Rendering by: Paula Wheeler For more information contact us at: Trish Nhan trishtnhan@gmail.com www.tn.design Paula Wheeler paula.a.wheeler@gmail.com
Thank you