Designers: Robert Mosakowski // Evan Troxel, HMC Architects

After a recent meeting with Loma Linda University Medical Center, we were tasked with creating a branded environment for a fund raising event to promote PossAbilities Square. They wanted to use their grand opening ceremony for their new physical rehabilitation department as an opportunity to introduce the final build-out of their program, which is going to be used as the next step after rehabilitation—practice for the real world. PossAbilities Square bridges the gap between traditional physical therapy and the real world by putting patients in real-world scenarios before they get out into the public. The space would contain situations and obstacles like ramps, stairs, cars, buses, ATMs, and grocery aisles to give patients an opportunity to practice before going out and getting on the world’s stage.

PossAbilities Square is the name of this program, of which there are only four others like it in the nation. Once a person has been through a serious injury or amputation and fitted with a prosthetic, they must go through a rigorous rehabilitation to get them integrated back into society and living life as normally as they can. While traditional rehabilitation gets their physical and mental strength and balance back, it does not put the person in the position to be able to navigate real world scenarios with assurance.

Most patients come out of rehab not wanting to go out in public because they feel like they are on a stage. They feel like they are doing normal things that everyone takes for granted as if they have never done them before, only this time with an audience watching their every move. Imagine trying to reach a can of food on the top shelf in the grocery store while sitting in a wheel chair. Or using an ATM. Or trying to go up an escalator with prosthetic legs. You get the idea.

At the end of the tour of the new building, visitors gathered in the room that will one day become PossAbilities Square. Right now, it’s an unfinished concrete floor with only drywall on the walls. They wanted to give people a vision of what the space could be like if they chose to participate. Loma Linda was looking for partners to donate and help build the scenarios needed to effectively bridge the gap and expand their current services to their patients.

We brainstormed several ideas and decided to create a video that would be projected onto a wall as a moving billboard that would run throughout the duration of the tour. Loma Linda already had a great video that is very touching and tells the stories of a few people who have been through their rehabilitation program. We did not want to remake that video—it had already been done very well and was really compelling. We had to change the direction quickly so that we had something new and complimentary to their existing material.

What they had was a great video that told the story of what PossAbilities already does. What they needed was a piece that told the story of what PossAbilities Square could add to the equation.

We had seen a few images made by a local photographer for Loma Linda that were amazing. They captured the essence of what is possible with the human spirit and Loma Linda’s dedication, expertise and technology. We decided that we could take those photos and create billboards that divided the room as if it were a gallery of what could be accomplished right there, in that space.

Final board size was 4’ wide by 7’ tall. They gave a full-scale, life-size impact to the viewers. Beyond the boards, we also decided to create a video that acted as a large billboard with movement by having a series of shots that told the story by connecting with the viewer at a deeper level. The video was projected onto a wall from floor to ceiling and seamlessly looped throughout the duration of the tour and reception.

With some clever copy writing, larger-than-life billboards, and incredible images we were able to create a branded environment that was a successful exclamation point to top off the incredible event.

Moving from impossible…
to I’m possible
Practice makes possible.

PossAbilities Square

My plan was to focus my visit to China on different types of music as manifestations of China’s cultural complexity. And of course, there’s no escaping the architecture.

On the music tour, I attended a Beijing Opera, which was a frenzy of painted faces, elaborate customs, high-pitched voices and Kung-fu fighting. I had the pleasure of experiencing a Naxi ancient music concert performed by a group of aged gentlemen in traditional suits in a dim wooden hall. It is the exact same notes that have been echoing below the Himalaya for more than 700 years. I also attended a “violin English” lesson with a dozen pre-school students. Seeing first hand how at ease they are with the Western instrument while being taught partially in a foreign language, there’s no doubt to me how globally integrated China’s future will be.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead the San Diego studio as managing principal,” says Prince. “I look forward to promoting a collaborative, client-focused studio, while bringing more resources from the firm as a whole to our San Diego-based clients.”

Bringing with him more than 24 years experience as a leader, collaborator, and mentor, Prince has led numerous projects throughout the state, focusing on public and private educational environments. He’ll be overseeing the San Diego studio’s portfolio of work, which includes projects at University of California, San Diego, Palomar College, MiraCosta College, San Diego Unified School District, San Marcos Unified School District, Oceanside Unified School District, Escondido Union High School District, San Pasqual Union School District, and various private and charter school programs.

Prince has been employed with HMC Architects since 2002 and is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects, Inland California chapter.

What are you currently working on at HMC?

Current Projects:
City of Industry Police Station – New design project
Classroom Design Competition for Los Angeles Unified School District
Designers Toolbox Seminar Series – Exploring design tools step-by-step
Rocking the Boat – Getting people to express their passion through dialog and design

Recently completed:
Hong Kong International Design Ideas Competition
LACCD Southwest College Design Competition
Department of Homeland Security Border Facilities proposal
Loma Linda PossAbilities Square fundraising campaign branded environment

We know you’re a great mentor to others in the studio. Where are you teaching after hours?

I’m currently teaching first and second year undergraduate Digital Design Studios and the first year graduate student Digital Design Studio at Cal Poly Pomona, as well as Intro to Revit Architecture at Mt. San Antonio College.

Tell us about your blog.

I blog about all things digital in the field of architectural design. I talk about tips, tricks, and workflows that empower architectural designers to do what they want most—be creative. I provide expert, video-based training using several different 3-D design applications, including SketchUp, Bonzai3d, Revit, Cinema4d, and Artlantis as they pertain to design. I also talk about how technology works together with creative designers. Topics like presentation tools and techniques, layout, graphic design, hardware, and software are all open for discussion.

I started blogging because I saw a need. So often the tools we use limit our designs. That in turn ends up watering down how we express our imagination. Designers get comfortable with a singular tool because they use it a lot. This has become dangerous to their creative endeavor. One tool cannot do it all. My method involves the metaphor of tools in the toolbox. A designer uses this tool for this task, and that tool for that task. All of the software talks to each other, so there is no need to try to make one do something it can’t. They are all in the toolbox for their appropriate uses at the appropriate time.

It’s my hope to create change by opening the door to a new set of tools that haven’t perhaps been considered before, and show my viewers step-by-step how to create within these applications so they can express their creativity and hopefully get some amazing buildings and spaces built. We need more great architecture that affects people. Thought-provoking space, the kind that sits you down and asks you to think about how it makes you feel.

What other obsessions keep you going?

I have a great shop space at home for personal projects—whether it’s wrenching on my mountain bike, motorcycle, or welding a custom frame for my kitchen counter, I’ve always been very into making. My father has always been a do-it-yourselfer and I have always looked up to him for that. He taught me early on how to see the possibilities in a project when you have control over the outcome. It also gives me a chance to figure out what I don’t want to do ever again—I’ll never roof my house again. Never.

Visit Evan’s blog: Get Method

Follow Method: http://twitter.com/methodtraining

CEFPI 87th Annual World Conference & Expo
September 25-27, 2010
Convention Center
San Jose, CA

High Tech & High Touch From the Student’s Perspective: A Career Focused Small Learning Community Reaches Our Around the World to Make Personal Connections

Presented by HMC Architects’ Sandy Kate; Jeff Ordway

While businesses discuss how to survive in a global market, there are students in urban districts that struggle with just surviving a day on campus without getting beaten or killed. Flattening our world and bringing education to all learners often needs to start with bringing students together in their own back yard, and creating learning communities that foster engagement. This takes more than just cable connections. This session will present a case study of the development of an engineering academy on a challenged high school campus in the lowest performing district in LA County. Students will discuss their perspective on the role technology, their teacher, program, classmates, and global outreach play in their education and what has made the difference for them. The students will then explore what types of environments are important to support their academy.

For a complete schedule, visit http://2010higheredsustainabilityconference.org/program/program.php