shaped apertures

People sitting and standing in a modern library or community space with bookshelves, large windows, and artwork on the walls.

shaped apertures is a multi-functional performance and display space designed in an intense participatory design process with gotham arts academy in prospect heights. the space was designed though the co-design studio at pratt institute, an interdisciplinary studio of students, with my role as the sole industrial designer.

CO-DESIGN PROCESS

the project was completed through three main phases, and various engagement methods were used in each phase to build relationships and ideate design schemes:

phase one: community visioning

  • building relationships

  • moodboarding

  • setting constraints

phase two: co-creation

  • modelmaking

  • layout exploration

  • design ideation, synthesis, refinement

  • share-back and critique

phase three: public review

  • fabrication

  • implementation

  • presentation

  • programming

Group of students engaged in a science project, with a boy in a red hoodie presenting small models and scientific equipment on a table, surrounded by classmates and a display of artwork on a wooden wall.
People working on a collage project with paper, magazines, markers, and glue on a table.
A cardboard model of an art project or architectural structure on a table with various small elements, standing figures, and foam blocks. The background features wooden panels with colorful artwork taped to them.
A group of people sitting at a large table in a library or bookstore, with a woman in the center raising her hand. Bookshelves filled with books are in the background, and various water bottles, papers, and food containers are on the table.

our design process used a participatory framework, where gotham students and staff collaborated with us throughout every step of the process from ideation to completion.

MODULAR STAGE

Three people sitting on tiered bookshelf seats in a bookstore or library, reading and using phones, with black and white photos on the wall and colorful artwork, wooden flooring, and natural light.

with gotham students, we designed stage modules that connect with each other both horizontally and vertically for multifunctional use as a performance stage, art display stands, seating, and book storage. 

the components are cut using cnc milling and are assembled without using hardware, allowing for easy repair and adaptability.

ART DISPLAY PANELS

A wooden rolling pegboard with a large oval hole and a smaller rectangle hole, standing on four caster wheels against a gray background.

they feature imbedded foam panels for sound dampening, and various attachments that allow for varying degrees of visibility.

also assembled with little to no hardware, its simplicity allows for displayed artwork to shine.

movable art panels can be used in the redesigned space for art display, room partitioning, and stage framing.

FABRICATION

with the use of cnc milling, we were able to iterate and test the effectiveness of our design solutions.

A woodworking shop with a large CNC machine, a plywood sheet with holes drilled in it, and various woodworking tools and materials in the background.
Workshop with wooden panels, including a large piece of pegboard with holes and a cutout, leaning against a workbench. There are various woodworking tools and machinery, including a CNC machine and a ventilation hose, in the background.
Person assembling a wooden table with a glossy black surface in a room with large windows, other furniture, and a TV screen.

the final product was made with cabinet-grade birch plywood, and rubber sheeting, allowing for affordable replacement if needed.

A wooden room divider with various posters and a scheduled agenda on a whiteboard, screens stacked nearby, and chairs in the background.
Wooden model of a geometric structure or furniture piece on a black surface with a white wall and photographs in the background.

USAGE CONFIGURATIONS

the modularity of the design elements allow for flexible configurations of programming, including varied seating, gathering spaces, methods of art display, and different types of performance.

configuration one: art display and gathering

People sitting and standing in a brightly lit library or community space with books and posters on display.
An isometric illustration of a medical facility's patient room with hospital beds, medical equipment, and people.

configuration two: performance

Children performing on a small indoor stage with perforated wooden panels while an audience of adults watches in a modern, well-lit room with large windows.
An isometric illustration of a waiting area, likely at a medical or government facility, with people standing in line, seated, and separated by privacy screens.
BACK TO COMMUNITY DESIGN