Diana Black and White

More pics….came out super fuzzy. There was a watermark too. Probably not the best film to use in hindsight.

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First Diana Prints

It only took me a year to develop but here are my first prints from a Diana toy camera. I think there’s a bit too much light bleed but some of that was cause I didn’t develop it quick enough. I think next time it will be better. It’s almost as good as instagram 😉 #nofilter

Spongebob Squarepants

What?! Is it 2011? A new blog entry? A lot has happened since I last posted anything here. I got a job, changed my profession (slightly) and moved to Chicago.

Most of you already know the story so I won’t bore you with any of that…. What I’m really writing about is a continuation of my last post…in 2011. Specifically this sentence:

“ I should find out if they ever built any of my projects….” – Daniel Hong

I realize that I just quoted myself, but it’s important! They actually built one of my projects.

You may think that the rest of the post will now be a self-congratulatory piece of how amazing it is to have your first building made and subsequent pictures of said amazing building.

If only life was that easy. Instead I’ll tell you a tale of grand ambition, creative differences and large amounts of Spongebob Squarepants. Yes, Spongebob Squarepants.

I’ve posted images of my Hilton Kid’s Club before on this blog. It was one of the final buildings I designed before being evacuated. Knowing the weird circumstances and complete lack of communication afterwards, I assumed the project was either nixed or done by another designer. I never really thought anything of it until recently when I searched for the hotel online and saw my building online. But somehow….different.

O.G. design

You see, when I first designed the building I was told to be playful in my designs. You’ll even see in the Rejected Architecture Club post I even put a bird on it (before Portlandia made it cool/uncool). I eventually settled on a colorful building with rhythmic windows and rainbow façade. The CEO, however, was reluctant with the design and wanted the building to be more “kid-friendly.” He suggested, “Spongebob Squarepants. Put it on the walls.” I respectfully told him that probably wouldn’t work because of copyright issues and, well, ugliness. I thought the issue had passed, as we continued with the original design.

put a bird on it

Cue Revolution.

A year or two later and I see my building built somewhat close to my original design. BUT with one clear difference: M*th@rF@$%in’ Spongebob mural all over everything. I couldn’t believe it. They didn’t even do it right! They had pineapples and submarines, with trees and flowers. Every inch of the building was painted. It was like a children’s novel had threw up all over the building. MY first building was a copyright-infringing Spongebob building in the middle of the desert.

This photo of Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is courtesy of TripAdvisor

After the initial shock and anger of it all, I’m now resigned to the fact that maybe my one and only building will be an infamous Spongebob building in Egypt. But I’ve learned a very critical lesson that was instilled in me, but forgotten since architecture school. THE PROJECT IS NOT YOURS. Making things so personal will only burn you later. You have to realize very early on in your career that these projects aren’t your babies. They are buildings, shaped not only by you, but also by your client, the contractors, the consultants, etc. And if I stay in interior design and never ever design a building again, I can still be proud that a building of mine was made. I’ll always have Spongebob Squarepants.

Catch Restaurant and Kid’s Club

I was updating my resume today and realized I never posted some of my final renderings.  I must have forgotten, you know with the whole evacuation and all.  I should find out if they ever built any of my projects….

this was my first real attempt at night rendering. still have long way to go.

and this is my first real attempt at an interior rendering!

rainbows!!

alternating windows for a fun twist....plus rainbows!!!

yellow storage room, complete with butterflies. it's kinda my thing.

San Francisco

I finally got around to looking at some of the pictures I took while I was visiting my brother in San Francisco.  I realized I didn’t actually take that many.  Just one day, while walking to the MOMA.

san francisco federal building

a shot of the cafe at the federal building

close - up of the shading device

san francisco museum of modern art

interior atrium of the sf moma

staircase inside the sf moma

New York City Panorama

Just got back from NYC.  You know how much I LOVE panoramas!  This was taken from Liberty Island overlooking Manhattan.

 

SPRING BREAK!!!

I just got back from a 6 day cruise down in Mexico.  We visited Progresso and Cozumel.  I didn’t take many pictures but here are a few from our excursion in Progresso to see Chichen Itza.

chicken pizza.

iguana at chichen itza.

kid sister.

temple at chichen itza.

i love pyramids.

huge sinkhole.

gotta pinch the pyramids.

mom with the pyramids.

our boat!