The Studio Pod - Radical Innovation Award

2013
Student Finalist
The Studio Pod
Submitted By:
Michael Burch– United States
University of Kansas
THE STUDIO POD
Radical Innovation in Hospitality
Michael Burch 2013
The idea of the project is simple. The concept was to efficiently create a
workspace that houses all of the components needed for an ideal studio
environment. The early brainstorming led me to typical ideas of temporary
housing and new inventive hotel systems, but they weren’t anything I could
relate to. My decision was to think on a local scale, to invent a project that
would greatly impact my life as well as the lives of my colleagues and students
across the board. Hospitality revolves around the idea of comfort; creating an
inviting, pleasurable, livable space for people. In this case, inventing a home
away from home. The Studio Pod is something I can truly see myself not only
using, but the idea has blossomed into an attachment. It’s about boiling down
the everyday life of an architecture student, and creating something that
accommodates for all the little things.
Architecture students such as I spend nearly all of our time in studio. I find
myself frequently repositioning myself in my seat, getting frustrated over a lack of
organization, and needing time to close my eyes and relax even if just for a few
moments. These problems are small, but add up throughout the course of a
project or even the course of a day. The solutions are simple, but making them
as efficient as possible, yet still elegant is the key. By removing all of the minor
frustrations and changing them into appreciations, both the mood of the user
and the quality of work increases. Working in an inviting, comfortable space
generates a sense of wanting to use the space. The typical studio desk is bland,
poorly thought out, and uncomfortable. The studio pod tackles all of these
problems, as well as unification across the studio both in terms of aesthetics and
emotion.
The Studio Pod is a culmination of three main ideas; simplicity, efficiency,
and comfort. The idea is to create a working habitat unlike any other that I have
worked in, but doing it with the utmost simplification. The organization of the pod
is what brings out its simplicity. All of the shelves are exposed; no concealed
drawers where all of the tools and materials constantly needed are floating
around. Everything that is needed for drawing, modeling, and computing is all
within reach from the seat and visible from anywhere in the pod. The chair
seamlessly swivels and glides between three points; the desk for a computer, the
modeling/drawing desk, and the balcony. This allows for quick, simple
movements between surfaces to cut down on wasted time trying to reorganize
a desk or attempting to remember where all of the materials and tools needed
for a project are. The need for visualization and representation through graphics
is essential for every architecture student, the connection of hand to eye. A
large portion of both the interior and exterior wall surfaces of the pod are
designed for this reason. The two pin-up boards above the desks, multipurpose
transparent shades used for dry-erase sketches and tracing, exterior pin-up and
white board are placed there to encourage sketching and the production of
drawings as well as for inspiration. The typical studio desk lacks this room for
personal creativity and customization of the space.
This need for organization and efficiency of space has to be balanced
with comfort. By forming a space that is not only pleasurable to work in, but also
to relax and sleep in as well eases students into establishing a bond with the
pod. The studio now becomes a place that is enjoyed, with all of the essentials
for living unobstructed. The chair is designed with a padded seat and back rest
as well as foot rest. When the chair is in its full upright position, it acts as any
studio or office chair would but at a higher level of comfort. The versatility of the
chair allows for a recline of the back rest and raising of the leg rest for leisurely
reading or relaxing, and continues transforming itself all the way down into a
bed. This solves multiple problems typical in a studio environment. There’s rarely
anywhere to sleep in a studio and never any place comfortable. By having the
chair transform into the bed, the user doesn’t even have to get up in order to
get into sleeping position. Also, all of the current work being developed on the
desk surfaces does not have to be moved. The chair simply slides underneath,
providing an easy transition back to the working environment once relaxation is
over.
A studio setting constantly calls for presentations and critiques from peers
and professors. Fastened to the front face of the pod is the display shelf. This
accommodation sets relief on two fronts; one being able to present models as
well as sketches on the removable pin-up board, but also moving belongings
and materials up and down the stacked unit. This shelf rests in a track system
that permits the fluid raising and lowering of the display. A presentation can be
prepared from the top unit, lowered down the track, and then presented
without having to carry anything by hand down the ladder.
The Studio Pod not only creates the ideal working environment for
students, but invents a new place to get away to, a personalized unit that
belongs to a community. These units become something to be proud of, a
place that can be cherished, hold a sense of pride, and enjoyed no matter
whether for a nap, a series of sketches, or a weekend of all-nighters. This system
of pods builds a community of individuals, a sacred getaway to escape to for
only the members of a particular studio. It’s not just a desk anymore, but a
habitat for creativity, inspiration, comfort, and hospitality.
THE STUDIO POD
SIMPLE EFFICIENT COMFORT
R A D I C A L I N N O V A T I O N IN H O S P I T A L I T Y
MICHAEL BURCH
201 3
Interior Details
Chair Positions
Closed Quarters
Closed Quarters
Display Shelf
Single Pod
Kitchen Pod
Pod System
Packaging/
Assembly
SINGLE POD
FUNCTIONALITY MULTI-PURPOSE
Transparent Shade
Clothes Hooks
Clothes Hooks
White Board
Retractable
Handra
ail
Bedd
ding
Storag
ge
Extra
a
Storage
Balcony
Mo
odel Material Sleeve
Removable pin up board
Recessed Ladder
Display Shelf
Wa
aste/ Recycle Basskets
The Studio Pod is designed to separate the typical studio desk into a split system.
One of the desks is to be utilized for a computer workspace, and the opposing
side left open for modeling and drawing space. The main component of the
pod, the chair, rests on a track system to maneuver from desk to desk and out
to the balcony for communication with the other members of the studio and
professor. Shelving lines the side of the unit as well as the top to provide room for
bedding, tools, materials, and personal belongings. The pod creates a welcoming,
functional space to work in, balancing privacy, organization, and the community
of a typical studio work environment. Openings are provided on both the front
and back to allow for lighting and ventilation, as well as connections to the studio.
Single Pod
Chair Positions
Closed Quarters
Stacked Pods
Display Shelf
Kitchen Pod
Interior Details
Tool
Pod System
Packaging/
Assembly
INTERIOR DETAILS
CLEANLINESS ORGANIZATION ACCESSIBILITY
Shelf
Pin-up Spa
ace
el
Mod
Movable
Transparent
Shade
Pin
n-up Sp
pace
ge
a
r
o
t
S
g
n
i
k
Ma
rs
e
z
ni
a
s
g
e
r
h
sil O witc
n
te gy S
U
g
er
n
ir tin
E
W
Drawing/ Modeling Desk
k Sp ace
The interior of the pod is laid out to maximize organization, work space, and
storage space. Along the red wall sits recessed shelving for tools, spare materials,
and writing utensil trays. The spaces directly ahead on both sides are for pinning up
process work through the creative process. Overhead shelves are used for bigger
items such as backpacks and bedding. A sleeve on the outside of the transparent
panels is used to store larger modeling materials such as wood and chipboard. The
backside of the transparent panels double as a white board forr quick sketching
as well as a surface to trace drawings, utilizing the glow from the exterior. There
are two switches below the writing utensil trays; the one closer to the center is
equip with a dimmer and controls the lights, the one near the outlet switches the
outlet on and off to reduce energy when the appliances plugged in aren’t in use.
e
Sleeve
for larger
modeling
aterials
ma
Compute
er Desk Space
Single Pod
Interior Details
Closed Quarters
Stacked Pods
Display Shelf
Kitchen Pod
Pod System
Packaging/
Assembly
Chair Positions
CHAIR POSITIONS
MANEUVERABILITY SIMPLICITY RELAXATION
ITION
S
O
P
X
A
REL
The seat back is able to be slightly lowered
and the leg rest raised to allow for a more
comfortable reading or relaxing position.
POSITION 1
POSITION 2
Upright position for working at either desk
space. Frictionless track system allows for easy
motion between two working surfaces and
smoothly pivoting seat for effortless transitions.
A lever
lifts the
on the underside of
leg rest from below
the chair
the seat.
POSITION 3
POSITION 4
A second lever lowers the seat to be level with
the permanent foot rest that sits up against
the Western wall. As the seat transitions
into the sleeping position, the permanent
footrest becomes the footing for the bed.
A final lever drops the seat back, putting the chair into full sleeping position.
The length of the bed can be extended
by moving the bed along the track, creating some separation between the foot end
of the chair and the permanent leg rest.
Single Pod
Interior Details
Chair Positions
Stacked Pods
Closed Quarters
Transparrent Shading Panel
Display Shelf
Kitchen Pod
Pod System
Packaging/
Assembly
CLOSED QUARTERS
PRIVACY SOLITUDE
Trranspare
ent
Shading
g Panel
SLEEP
Transparent
Shading Panel
Interior lighting allows for a secluded working environment. A light switch just below
the writing utensil organizer includes a dimmer, and is within reach of the bed in
sleeping position for easy accessibility. Front and rear transparent shading panels pull
out from the walls to close off the space, but still receive some glow from the exterior.
The desk acts as secondary shading element when the seat is in sleeping position.
Single Pod
Interior Details
Chair Positions
Closed Quarters
Display Shelf
Pod System
Stacked Pods
Kitchen Pod
Packaging/
Assembly
STACKED PODS
SPACIAL CONSERVATION
Recessed Ladder
Re
etractable Handra
ai l
Fiing
ger Grooves
The pods are stackable to achieve maximum spacial conservation of the
environment that the system is placed into. The ladder is recessed into the
wall as another step towards preserving space. Finger grooves are placed
in the center of each tread for a safer and easier climb. A retractable
handrail rests to the left of the ladder as another safety precaution.
Single Pod
Interior Details
Chair Positions
Closed Quarters
Stacked Pods
Kitchen Pod
Display Shelf
1
2
On the exterior of each of the pods is a retractable display shelf. The shelf is
designed so the students on the upper level can simply and safely move objects
to the ground level as well as utilize the shelf for presentations. First, the shelf folds
out. Next, a removable pin up board from the right side of the unit is placed
onto the shelf. This board is used for pinning up sketches and other presentation
material. The shelf moves on a track system that allows it to be lowered in
two steps, finally resting at three and a half feet from the ground. The upper
unit shelf and lower unit shelf can both be unfolded and used simultaneously.
Pod System
Packaging/
Assembly
DISPLAY SHELF
ASSISTANCE
3
PRESENTATION
Single Pod
Interior Details
Chair Positions
Closed Quarters
Stacked Pods
Display Shelf
Pod System
Kitchen Pod
Packaging/
Assembly
KITCHEN POD
PREPERATION CLEANLINESS
The kitchen pod is designed so students have a place to store and prepare food.
Shelving units for plates and silverware sit along the Eastern wall so students can
keep kitchenware separate. Ample counter space is provided with underlying
cabinets as well as overhead shelfs for other appliances and extra storage space.
Single Pod
Interior Details
Chair Positions
Closed Quarters
slu
Tran
Display Shelf
el
n
a
ic P
a
olt
v
o
ot
h
tP
n
e
c
Stacked Pods
COMMUNITY ELECTRIC NETWORK
TRANSLUCENT
PHOTOVOLTAIC
PANELS
SOLAR ENERGY
CONVERTER/
STORAGE
Translucent photo-voltaic panels are placed into the windows to receive
and store solar energy. The energy is harnessed and kept in an energy storing
unit throughout the day. All of the pods can be connected on a communal
electric network that feed off of the stored energy. After all of the energy
stored during the course of the day is used up by the pod system, the units
feed off of the provided power source from the surrounding environment.
VERSATILITY
Single Pod in Plan View
Communal Work / Meeting Space
Kitchen Pod
Pod System
Packaging/
Assembly
POD SYSTEM
VERSATILITY CONNECTIVITY
Single Pod
Interior Details
Chair Positions
Closed Quarters
Stacked Pods
Display Shelf
Pod System
Kitchen Pod
Packaging /
Assembly
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
PACKAGING /
PRE FABRICATION
RECYCLABLE /
ASSEMBLY
ON SITE
The pods are pre-fabricated out of recycled plastics keeping them as lightweight
as possible and able to be assembled by the client. All of the different elements of
the pod break down into smaller components to be able to be shipped in boxes.
The pieces are categorized by size and function and packaged in corresponding
boxes. Box A holds the walls and floor plate, and is to be assembled first. Box
B houses the larger scale shelves and desks, and is the next to be assembled.
Third to be assembled is Box C, which holds the smaller interior shelves, and
the exterior components such as the white board and display shelf. Finally, Box
D is packaged with the chair, foot rest, transparent shades, and lighting units.