A research studio at Univeristy of Texas at San Antonio where our teacher wanted us to get hands on. She required each classmate to make a minimum of 6 different paving blocks with any of the three different dimensions of 8x8, 8x16, or 16x16. This project helped us to learn the process of formwork for pouring the concrete and all the different textures, colors and weights each block can become depending on what you do. Everyone was creative in his or her own way. Since I wanted to be as sustainable as possible, I chose to use recycled wood and recycled glass in different ways. I went to the local lumber yard and asked for different scraps that would give me a variation of textures such as crown moldings. I also went to a local glass blowing company and asked for any pieces of glass they were going to throw away. I used these elements to make my blocks colorful and interesting.

 

We were unaware of what the blocks were going to be for, until my professor told us we were in a design competition to create a new space for existing Frank Gehry furniture that at the time was outside. The outdoor space was mainly used for those on their smoking breaks or anyone that needed a breath of fresh air from the studios. Students and professors were mainly using the additional benches provided but no one seemed to be using the Frank Gehry furniture. I noticed that they were in the harsh sun majority of the day and were placed in an awkward way with nothing interesting surrounding them. They were very uninviting.

 

Our task was to figure out a way to lay the pavers to compliment the furniture. My professor said she would provide up to 15 extra 16x16 pavers. As a class of 16 we voted for our favorites and my design was chosen. Everyone liked the placement of the pavers, my plant selection, and how I gave the seating a lounge like quality. I wanted the space to be tranquil and cool with drought tolerant plants that would require little or no water. I made sure the chairs were placed in an area that had shade majority of the day. When sitting in the chairs, you get a view of the plants across the way.  I placed the provided grey 16x16 pavers in a way so that if the furniture moves somehow, those cleaning the space will know where to place the seats. The pavers extended from wall to wall also make the space feel larger and can accommodate more people to converse.

 

As the team leader, I got everyone together to work on getting the space ready for laying the pavers by digging the ground up and starting from scratch. We laid plastic sheets to prevent weeds, tampered sand into place for stability, and then began using my plans to lie out the design. To make it even more of a team effort I asked everyone to help decide which block should go where because there was so much variety. It was hard work but in the end, the team effort paid off because the space instantly became beautiful.