My First Contribution to the Built Environment

I finally have proof that I'm productive at work! The field of architecture is a patient one. It takes months, sometimes years, to see the fruits of your labor. So, after two months, starting with the concept, moving to concept sketches, to structural steel shop drawings, to mock ups...this is my first structure produced as a professional. No, it's not a building, but I believe it's even something more important and special. It's public art! It's sculpture! And it was tons of fun to do.

The inception of this project started with a day care that moved into the building we designed (behind the sculpture in the picture). I had the task of designing the signage that is going to be attached to the building, but I quickly ran into a design problem. The day care has a logo attached to their name which is very dear to them (a family member created it for them). However, the logo is very colorful, and if it was put onto the building, it would have thrown off the whole color scheme and overall design of the building. There is another tenant in the building so it was our task to design something that wouldn't clash.

After pulling from some images from my travels I approached my boss with the idea of taking their logo that they are so fond of, and giving it it's rightful importance, as a sculpture. By pulling the logo off of the building, we can still keep the colors and since it is not attached to the building, it would not distract people or detract from our design of the overall building. The idea went through many schemes but finally we decided on this. It is made of tube steel, metal rods soldered to the frame, and four panels of sheet metal, painted the colors of their logo.

I, myself, am very proud and excited about the results. The clients were thrilled that we put so much thought into their wants and needs and created them something special and unique. It was even more special since it was donated/paid for by the contractor. All in a days work!