The FLOAT House by Morphosis Architects
Graphical Railing and Window Design
While working with Morphosis Architects, I had the distinct pleasure of working on their contributing project for the Make It Right Foundation, an organziation dedicated to improving housing and rebuilding neighborhoods in the most affected sections of New Orlean's Ninth Ward post Hurricane Katrina.
For this project, I was asked to create a graphical design scheme for both the window and railing system on Morphosis' self contained, flood resistent design, The FLOAT House. I wanted to accomplish two things in what I thought should be a narrative design. The window and railing scheme are integrated and continuous around the perimeter of the structure. The design evolves from start to finish but connects each window panel with a connected design, metaphorically connoting a weather system engulfing the house, swirling and impacting form along the way.
The key graphical element unfolding in the design narrative is the geographically familiar fleur de lis. The first instance is situated in the center of the front porch railing in a classical ornate french style. As the pattern moves and wraps around the house, the iconic symbol of New Orlean's culture evolves and transforms into a more angular simplified shape, connoting the city's rich historical roots and confrontation with modernity. So the railing and window system act as a both historical time piece, confrontations with modernity but also the location's ability to absorb into its fold a wildly diverse and sporadic identity.
