Avian Reverie
Contents Sketches
Avian Reverie
Group Project: Angi Baca Cruz and Balthazar Duclos
Fleeing Madness: Designing a Futuristic Shelter for the Aftermath of Global Warming
Futuristic Shelter | St Lucia | 4,230 sq/ft
8 weeks | Jan-Mar 2024 | Model: SketchUp | Renders: Midjourney, Rendair, LookXAI, Photoshop
The goal of this project was to use various AI tools during the entire design process. This project was separated into three distinct phases:
Phase 1: Research & Text to Image
Phase 2: Sketch to Image
Phase 3: 3D Model to Image
This project won the ICAT award along with the Virginia Tech School of Design Award for Best Video.
Phase 1: Research & Text to Image
We chose the island of St. Lucia as the location for our project. In this phase, we utilized Midjourney’s “/imagine” and “/blend” commands to create renders and gather inspiration for our shelter design.
/imagine: a tropical interior design, breeze textiles, lush greenery, St Lucia parrot inspired, Carribean color palette, recyclable furnishings, open spaces
The “/imagine” feature allowed us to generate a render from scratch using a text prompt or use an existing render as a reference, writing a prompt to modify it as desired. Meanwhile, the “/blend” feature enabled us to combine two or more renders, creating a new design that incorporated elements from each.
/imagine: use minimalist futuristic furniture, keep the proportions and the space the same
/imagine: tic survival beds, st lucia,
/imagine: rectangular futurissurvival shelter interior, 10 tropical style, located in lucia, movable
/imagine: a tropical interior design, breeze textiles, lush greenery, St Lucia parrot inspired, Carribean color palette, recyclable furnishings, open spaces
/imagine: massive communal bathroom for 10 people with enclosed showers and toilets, located in St Lucia, locker room style
/imagine: (image) futuristic
Phase 2: Sketch to Image
In this phase of the project, we created sketches and imported them into Rendair and Look X AI. We then used Midjourney to combine these sketches with our original renders, allowing us to refine and build upon our design while staying true to our vision.
Concept Imagery
Sketch
Sketch
Image
Midjourney
Final
Image
Sketch
Image
Midjourney
Final
Phase 3: 3D Render to Image
In the final phase of the project, we used SketchUp to design our shelter to the exact specifications we envisioned, drawing inspiration from our earlier phases. Rendair and Look X AI were instrumental in bringing our renders to life, while Photoshop allowed us to blend different iterations and select the best elements from each, ultimately creating our final perspectives.
For the exterior, I took our SketchUp model and put it into Rendair to generate three iterations. Then I used the layer mask tool in Photoshop to combine the best elements of each render.
In Sketchup, I designed a couch, dining table, kitchen island, dining chairs, and bar chairs to match the futuristic and curvilinear design of our shelter.
For the bedroom render, I imported the SketchUp model into Rendair, and took that render and blended it with a previous render I had gotten from Midjourney.
For the storage, I used the same process as for the exterior shot.
Composite bamboo
Green Whisper
Marble
Repreve
Space Planning
Special attention was given to circulation within the shelter. Our goal was to create private, enclosed spaces for the bedrooms and bathrooms while ensuring that the common areas were open and conducive to social interaction.
Incorporating principles of Feng Shui was essential in managing the flow of energy and movement throughout the space. For instance, the curvilinear design of the entrance hallway, which curves to the right instead of pointing straight toward the living room, was intentionally crafted to inspire a sense of security and comfort for those relaxing on the communal couch.
Similarly, the arrangement of chairs around the dining table was carefully considered; avoiding chairs on the left side prevented the energy from the entrance hallway from flowing directly to the back of someone seated at the table.
We took inspiration from the St Lucia parrot, the national bird of St Lucia, most specifically its beak, for the curvilinear shapes and designs of our shelter.
Scan the QR Code or click HERE to watch our process video!
Fit Diagram
Bubble Diagram
Zoning Diagram
Concept
Full Process Video
Sketches
Sketches and more
