sustainable urban community design studio

VI Design is comprised of four brilliant young ladies; Diane Cocchiara and Amber Hovorka, our architects, and Christina David and Kelci Fitch, our interior designers. Together, the four of us have been offered the chance to design a Wellness Center focused on the senior community in and around Oklahoma City. Our specific goal is to create a center that encompasses all of the needs and wants of those over the age of 60.

Originally our site was located on NE 42nd and Martin Luther King Blvd but because of certain conditions beyond our control, we were given a new site. This site is located on NW 27th and McKinney St. which happens to be mere blocks away from Oklahoma City University. This location is great because of the wide variety of surrounding areas. Close to downtown, and also near many neighborhoods, the wellness center could potentially be visited by many diverse individuals.

Because our target users are over the age of 60, we wanted to focus on designing a building that would be easily accessed and used by these individuals. Way finding as we call it in the design world, is a way of designing a building both inside and out that helps its visitors easily find their way. Having focused our first week of work on the site plan and layout of the building we came up with a few key ideas. We have orientated the building in order to get the most natural light as possible with the use of windows, glass curtain walls and atriums. Because of the specific needs of this particular wellness center we have worked on “dividing” the building up in order to let the patrons know exactly where they are entering. We want to do this by designing small changes in the façade of the building such as materials, shape, height, etc. This is also mimicked inside the building with the use of space planning and material usage.

Overall, our first week as a group was smooth sailing. We were able to bring our two disciplines together in order to create what we believe is a great start to a strong design. We are continuing to develop ideas and incorporate new research as we go and look forward to the feedback and responses.