From Bauhaus to My House

People have seen the logo of our firm and wondered why I use the elemental symbols and colors as a brand. It goes a the way back to Architectural school when we studied "Bauhaus", the German Art School that influenced the world's architecture for generations. Founded by Walter Gropius in  Weimar, Germany in the year 1919. Bauhaus literally means, "House of Construction" but translated to "School of Building".  The school believed in "Total" art or the bringing of all arts together. Its last Head was Mies Van der Rohe in the 1930's. The architects from this school including Mies fled to the United States with the rise of the Nazis and changed architecture and produced such notable architects as Phillip Johnson.


I say all this to say that the school's symbol was a Square, circle and triangle in Red, Blue and Yellow.


Our logo gives a nod but switches colors on forms. I use a blue square and they use a red square. Being an OSU grad Red cannot go first!

Why Master Planning 1?

The fact is almost all projects whether new buildings or remodel:  "The need is greater than the budget!"

That issue requires each group to ask, "Which comes first and what has to wait until more funds are available.  Think of Master Planning as a road map to show clear direction for the future. Many expansion plans are defeated because some stake holders think that there needs are not considered at all.  A Master Plan addresses ALL concerns and even tests "fringe ideas".

In Master Planning we must give a full accounting of all needs, goals and desires. We create a "musta-otta-wanta" list to review what is necessary, where do you need to get to and what is desirable. 

Whether they are called  community, stake holders, members or patrons, time is set aside for free input to the Plan as well as follow up sessions to show that they were being heard.

Buy-in to the Future is the product of Good Master Planning.

Rebirth of a Space

Sadler Arts Academy was born in the twentieth century as Manual Training High School, The segregated Black High School for Muskogee, Oklahoma. As society evolved and because of integration the school campus use evolved as well.  Today it is a K-8th grade Arts Academy. As an arts academy, sports like basketball are not emphasized and so the school's gym was greatly underused and except for physical education, it became storage.

The dance class was using the gym's lobby. The library had grown to take up three classroom spaces, the school needed a computer lab for testing and  academics, and the dream of a STEM lab was high on the list of needs. 












The Gym became the solution. But before design became we considered that Manual Training Alumni still have deep emotions for their school and their gym. We added those feelings into our program and decided that we will design a space for the future while not forgetting the legacy.  The resulting design is both economical and surprising. The team had fun with art, science, past, present and future.

 

The Dance Studio Retained the gym bleachers.

Computer Lab

                             STEM Lab

We left the score board, goals and re-used the original gym floor!
                                                       

Design Project Manager: Mike Martin, Interior Designer: Alayna Benefield for Renaissance Architects