Does Area Decide Design?

As I was walking down Dickson St. last week, I noticed a sign up that says Waffle House opening soon. I looked in the window and noticed the design hasn't changed even though it was in one of the most well known buildings in the region. Located on the ground floor of the Underwood Plaza Building, Waffle House will be serving up their food 24/7 in a restaurant that looks like every other one in the country. I wounder why didn't they change their style to better fit to their environment? So many questions...................so little answers.

I think that this is a design travesty and should be noted that this is a wasted opportunity. Why allow something that is synonymous with late night riff-raff be located in a building that is synonymous with style. Anyone have any opinions?

The Difference is in THE CHAIR!!

In studio this past week, we were talking about how the office environment and the furniture you work with can either increase or decrease productivity. This is a picture of  an Acuity brand chair produced by Allsteel. Its just one of many from Allsteel and one of hundreds made by other manufactures that are meant to form to the body versus making the body form to it. This is shown to increase productivity in the work place. They come in a variety of shapes and body functions. They come in multiply styles including ultra modern to the very traditional executive chair. Chairs that make your body feel good and are comfortable make the employees preform better and work a lot better. IMO, why not choose a chair that is functional, stylish, ergonomic and can increase productivity? The only draw back to these chairs are that they tend to be on the more expensive side versus standard office chairs. Is this the future of the office? Making furniture to improve office life and productivity? I think yes.

The new "Office Cube"

This is the "My Studio Environment" by Herman Miller. This is an all new look on the typical office cubical. These are an amazing alternative to the basic cube office. They come with more privacy and more basic needs like more storage, surface space and more abilities to make them personalized. They are great alternatives to solid stationary walls. In a way, they are more like small offices verses a work station. The Modular  System is perfect for a business that is growing or changing rapidly. Normally grouped in 4, but can be expanded and grouped to fit the need of the client. Because of their privacy, they seem more like offices. Productivity is shown to increase when an employee is more comfortable in a work environment. There are multiple ways to personalize them with multiple finishes to select.

Cowboy Stadium!

Here is an interior shot of cowboy stadium! Its even more amazing in person! This photo does not do justice to the overall design and level of detail inside and outside of the stadium.

Space Planning around campus

I wounder who does the space planning for the Union! LORD!! Somebody help these people out! I have never seen such a mess in my life! Same can go for certain spots in the library. The new lounge  area close to the computer lab is very nice, but the computer area has no organization and the main hall on that floor is always hard to walk thought because of the print station and the computers by the back door. Also, how do you know which door is the front or back?

Has anyone else seen bad space planning around campus?