Warrick Deetlefs: March 2014

Steinway & Sons - Strings

1. Acoustic Genius

Steinway and Sons have a long and proud history of quality craftsmanship and acoustic performance, as such, the exhibition space in which the pianos are played and displayed need to have an acoustic pedigree akin to the pianos themselves in order to do the craftsmanship justice. This suggests a grand hall, perhaps made or clad in wood to provide the necessary acoustics and a stage or platform from which performances may be viewed or performed.

2. Perfect Craftsmanship

The craftsmanship that Steinway and Sons display is of the highest quality and so it needs to be displayed, thus, the workshop wherein these instruments are produced will incorporate glass walls and so be an open and well lit exhibition space. This will highlight the production process to all those in the building and if centralised in the building highlight the heart of the company; the fine standard to which these instruments are crafted.

3. Administrative Matters

Like all business there would be no product without the logistics and administration that goes into the sourcing and purchasing of labour and materials. Therefore Steinway and Sons require an office in which all of this may be addressed privately. Through the use of materials used in the construction of the pianos such as wood, metallic strings and a colour palette appropriate to these materials the office may be integrated in the space so as to form a cohesive structure.

4. Design Display

In addition to the downstairs exhibition space it is necessary to have a storage and display space in which these pianos may be exhibited, this requires a large floor space to illustrate the workmanship due to the pianos’ large scale. The display room’s size and the acoustic requirements link up and as such can be used in the same space if designed correctly.

5. Storage and Maintenance

One of the most important aspects of a successful goods and services business is the provision of client services such as maintenance and even storage space. As such a secondary workshop apart from the main production workshop can be used for repairs and general maintenance of all the instruments that are bought and hence maintained as well as storage space for tools, moving equipment and perhaps even removable seating that can be included for recitals in the exhibition space.

Revival Cycles- Industrial

1. Workshop

The most important aspect of the Revival Cycles in the quality of the rustic construction and the originality that is displayed. As such the workspace needs to be completely functional and in terms of design reflect the industrial and vintage nature of the motorcycles being produced. This workshop could be partially exposed to highlight the construction and restoration process that the motorcycles undergo and as such would incorporate industrial style materiality such as steel and concrete and combined with glass to facilitate visibility.

2. Office

The office space here, similar to many motorcycle workshops will overlook the workspace from a single storey height, as such a glass facade will be used for the office space overlooking the workshop so that one feels involved in the space and construction of the motorcycles even while removed from the space

3. Exhibition

It is necessary to view and appreciate the creation and construction of these motorcycles at all stages of the design and production, as such, from the ground level exhibition space skylights down through the ground will display the bikes in both the workshop space and the Revival Cycles exhibition space below ground, providing a new perspective on the motorcycles

4. Transport

Another concern is transporting the bikes and parts below ground and between spaces, as such equipment to fill this role is necessary and, due to the weight of the bikes, these may need to be sizeable. Thus storage space for such equipment, that is private and out of sight is necessary.

5. Materiality

There is a need to set a tone within the Revival Cycles spaces that is specific to the designs of the bike. This is achieved through the use of material, specifically wood, rusted or matte steels and hard concrete to create harmony between the vintage, rustic, industrial look of the motorcycles and the internal feel of the space.

Stair Sections

Designs

Stairs in Second Model

Spiral Staircase in Second Model Upper Level

The word for the upper staircase is contrasting and the materials used in the stairs are concrete and steel for structural purposes as well as adding to the clean rectilinear lines which contrast with the spiral, curvilinear circulation of the staircase.

Half Landing Stairs in Second Model Below Ground

The word for the lower staircase is charge and the materials used are various metals from rusted steel to aluminium to highlight the rustic appeal of Revival Cycles.