Type of Business: Privately Owned Fiction Library

About the space:The concept acknowledges the two halves of the human psyche. A ying-yang-like representation, the building is split into 2 halves, with one side representing the light, ordered and static, while the other side portrays the dark, chaos and movement. This separation is meant to give visitors a choice for their reading environment. Depending on the story they've chosen, visitors delve into their story in an isloated, moody reading nook or  relax with their book in lounge chair by the water garden.

Target Market: All ages, those who love literature, all socio-economic classes.

What will you sell: Borrowed books- All of the books in the fiction library are donated from the community and larger sponsors such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Like a regular library, most books can be checked out and read at home for 2 weeks before needing to be returned. In addition, there will be a coffee bar with smaller snacks that readers can purchase while they’re there. The coffee bar acts as a revenue stream that helps pay for business overhead costs.

What is the Appeal: Uniqueness of the experience- although other libraries provide the same service, this space offers a different and exciting space for kids and adults to read. Because of its proximity to several schools and educational spaces, it is a prime after-school location.

Image: The concept acknowledges the two halves of the human psyche. A ying-yang-like representation, the building is split into 2 halves, with one side representing the light, ordered and static, while the other side portrays the dark, chaos and movement. Lighting is a big component of the design. Its fleeting quality relates to the idea of a busy mind always in flux.

Spatial Form: larger scale central element  to dominate the space on each side

Location: New York, NY

Project Description: The objective of this student project was to design a spiritual space within this existing building in New York City. Having been to New York, and understanding the energy of the city, I immediately thought of theater and performance as the "religion" or spiritual center of the city. There is a sense of lightness and joy that accompanies the act of seeing a show in New York. The city has a way of sweeping you off of your feet due to the excitement of a live performance and being surrounded by a sea of iconic imagery that makes up the city. 

Hence, the name Swept Theater and Stage seemed appropriate for this spiritual space, and to determine the design, I began to draw sweeping motions that reference the wind.

The Design: The final design incorporates the theater and stage in one architectural gesture, with the theater in the covered area below and the stage exposed to the view of the city and the daylight coming in from the windows. The walls of the enclosed theater are made of dark plexi-glass which is perforated with small rectangles to allow in beautiful patterns of light. Inside the theater, there are blackout curtains which can be drawn for total darkness during screenings. 

Residence: Home of Adam Savage (Student Project)

Taking inspiration from Adam’s high-energy, dynamic personality, and his joy of often taking part in watching live explosions on his show Mythbusters, the space will feature architectural elements that are bold and dramatic, and allude to the idea of build up and release. Many of the materials will be reclaimed or reappropriated in order to show appreciation for past history. While the color palette will feature primarily warm, rich colors to promote a sense of cheerfulness. Layered lighting, and a great deal of natural light will reinforce this pleasant overall tone within the home.

Inspiration: Explosiveness

Goals: 

-       Create an aesthetic that alludes to explosive movement and energy, to match the captivating liveliness of Adam’s personality

-       Create a space that is visually contrasting to convey a sense of drama

-      Create warmth with the use of rich materials and colors

All renderings/images on this page are property of Brianna Johnson

In depth research and programming was required for this Thesis project before the schematic design process could begin. In addition to researching the local history and existing building layout, the surrounding area was also explored. Pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular paths of travel were considered, as well as typical sun and wind patterns.

From there, the design concept was developed which helped shape the programming, as did practical needs relating to adjacencies and the division of public and private space.

Project: Nomad Hostel

Location: Venice Beach, CA

Concept: The Nomadic Caravan, which represents both a physical shelter and a traveling community

Project Statement: THE NOMAD HOSTEL PROJECT EXPLORES A WAY TO COMBINE THE YOUTH HOSTEL AND THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL EXPERIENCE. DORM ROOMS AND PRIVATE ROOMS ARE SEPARATED BY FLOORS, AND THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS HAVE COMMUNAL SPACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN MEET NEW PEOPLE OR KEEP TO THEIR OWN PARTY. FLEXIBILITY IS KEY IN THE DESIGN AND THE PROJECT AIMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PERSONALITIES, WHILE BRINGING TOGETHER THE CASUAL WITH THE LUXURIOUS.

Project: Nomad Hostel

Location: Venice Beach, CA

This is a set of construction drawings completed based on the the Thesis Studio in which I designed the interior of the Nomad Hostel.

Company: NuSign Supply

Location: Pomona, CA

Nu Sign Supply provides professional printers, media, and all kinds of supplies for advertising graphics and printing. The company keeps up to date with all of the latest technology in terms of printing and graphics, which is why the design of their office focuses on the idea of modern flexibility. The aesthetic features dynamic paths of color and bold graphics to convey a sense of movement and bring attention to the printed products. 

Inspiration:

Adaptability to changing product/technology

Movement

Change

Goals:

-To create a space that is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to the employees in order to provide a productive work environment

- To create space that is dynamic and easily changed to fits the needs of both employees and clients.

-Advertise products within the space where clients can view them.

All renderings/images on this page are property of Brianna Johnson

Location: Larchmont, CA

Project Description: This mixed-use space contains an indoor hydroponics farm, restaurant, market and gallery. The space  creates  a connection between the visitor and the environment through the design of a pseudo labyrinth that enables the visitor to define their experience through their choice of path through the space. The design also revolves around the idea of the ephemeral and transient, an environment that reminds visitors of our place in an ever-changing natural world. This idea extends to the function of the space and the lighting. The design encourages visitors to explore the space and learn about hydroponics and sustainability. Through the use of multiple levels of seating and pathways, people will be able to view the hydroponic cells from different angles to inspire curiosity and then hopefully choose to learn more about the hydroponic movement. By fostering our innate connection with nature and informing the public about the modern technology of hydroponics, the design aims to inspire reflection on our relationship with the natural world in the near future. The space is meant to provide an playful, explorative experience that simultaneously fosters learning. 

Competition Organization: Activate NC

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Project Description: Derived from the image of two overlapping sound waves, Intersecting Voices explores the idea of how to incorporate varied opinions, ideas and lifestyles into one all-inclusive space. By graphically interpreting sound waves as geometrically undulating forms in plan, the two levels act as a representation of differing needs. Alluding to the idea of inclusivity, the design welcomes the community onto the site.

 The first level of the building acts as an urban level with restaurants, retail shops, offices, while the second floor is reserved for apartments. Open spaces for community interaction are created through the layering of these levels. On the first floor courtyards are created by the contrasting angles of the two floors, while on the second floor, green spaces are made by using the roof of the first floor. The open area to the northeast of the site features a stage and built seating to encourage events that bring the community to the space.

Guests have access to most businesses from the street or the back of the site. Glass storefronts on two sides of some units allow for balanced daylighting, reducing the need for electrical lighting. Brick is used on the first floor as a more traditional building material, while a green/metal roof seeks to reduce the heat island effect.

Inspiration: 

Unity in the face of differences

All renderings/images on this page are property of Brianna Johnson

Project Description: Originally inspired by the fashion brand Miu Miu's ability to deconstruct traditional silhouettes and reinterpret them as modern and playful, the intention of this gallery was to deconstruct traditional ways of displaying art, and create a collaborative space for all types of artists. Instead of using blank white walls to display art, the walls are fully utilized as canvased for murals, textiles, or installations. In addition, artists from different mediums are paired together to create a collaborative piece. Fashion designers can work with muralists to show models in their designs against the backdrop of a colorful mural. Or textile designers can work with furniture designers to display fabric on the curved walls with furniture piece arranged as a carefully planned vignette in front. This gallery opens the door to new forms of collaboration and dismisses the idea that there is only one way to display art.

The Design: The interior design was inspired by the deconstruction of a petticoat. The curved walls represent a woman's body, and layered over these walls are the metal structures with lighting and hooks for hanging items to display. This references the wooden structure beneath the petticoat. The sheer draperies represent the top layer of the petticoat, the fabric of the dress. While the inspiration alludes to a very traditional and constricting form of dress for women, the open curved walls suggest breaking away from this tradition and reinterpreting the design in a contemporary, freeing way.

All images Copyright Brianna Johnson 2017

For more of my photos, check out: https://www.flickr.com/photos/indigoeyephotography/

All photographs are the property of Brianna Johnson

These are a series of patterns/artwork that I've been experimenting with.

All images on this page are property of Brianna Johnson

To the left are sample furniture boards of particular time periods/aesthetic movements. Starting from the Arts and Crafts period of the late 1800s, the boards show how styles melded and changed through time.

Arts and Crafts: approx. 1880s to 1920

Art Nouveau: approx. 1890 to 1910

Viennese Secession: approx. 1897-1905

Art Deco (pre Great Depression):  approx. 1910-1929

Streamline Art Deco (post Great Depression): approx. 1930-1945

Production Designer

Commercial, 2018

EPISODE 2

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

EPISODE 5

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Production Designer

Short Film, 2018