SPIRAL SHADES: A DESIGN JOURNEY IN WOOD

The project centered on a personally meaningful object: my sunglasses. Thorough research into their historical context, usage, and functionality provided crucial insights that guided the design process. By employing orthographic projection, the three-dimensional object was abstracted into a two-dimensional form, featuring a triangular shape and an open-close mechanism inspired by the fanning motion of the eyewear’s straight lines. This concept was then integrated into a vestibule at Pratt Institute’s main campus, where the fanning feature evolved into a spiral staircase library. Each step of the staircase incorporates book columns representing various genres, extending to the floor and forming a canopy-like space below. This design creates a private retreat, allowing individuals a secluded area for accessing books and enjoying a tranquil reading experience.