[cw]designs

bike
rack.

Designing a bike rack for a specific space within The Ohio State University.

Creating a 1:18 scale model to provide locational and material context.

Designed, modeled, and rendered using Keyshot by me. I utilized Vizcom to add context, people, and generate base architectural drawings.

The Space

The main purpose of this bike rack was to design primarily for a specific public location. Choosing I choose an unused patch of grass located near the OSU Wexner Center For The Arts. Once defined, I studied the space, observed how people used the existing area around it, and took measurements for my scale model. Below is an area view of the area, located in a very foot-traffic and biking area near the heart of campus at Ohio State University.

150 Sketches

To narrow begin with the ideation phase, I rapidly sketches 150+ sketches to reflect various aspects about this space. Some reflected the architecture of the buildings surrounding it, some provided a social benefit such as added shade or seating, and others focused on issues with current bike racks, such as storage and ease of use.

Seating and Spacial Benefit

Architectural Features

Storage and Ease of Use

Form Refinement

After deciding to pursue a design that integrated seating, shade and privacy, I centered on a modular design. Each rack would hold one bike, not only making them easily movable for the space if they were to be installed, but also by not being connected to each other, putting the bike in the slot is natural, and the user simply walks the bike in, no tilting or locking needed.

Scale Model Creation

After modeling the rack using Solidworks, I 3d printed some components such as the wall and seat bases, and laser cut the rest out of thin Balsa wood and cardboard. I used a mix of modeling paste, baking soda, acrylic paint and water to achieve the fake concrete texture, and used acrylic paint pens to color the bike decals. The final touch was some Woodland Scenics Clump Foliage for the plants.

Final Model and Renderings

I made a total of 8 bike racks for this model and site. The idea of modular bike racks and seating opened up the possibilities to make long walls, completely separate racks, or any variety of positions. For a sight defined by art, fluidity and multi-functionality, it is only fitting that the bike racks there mirror that. In addition, the sleek white metal and birch wood seats contrasted with the concrete wall and planter mirror the Wexner Center behind it. As a final nod to the arts influence, I chose primary colors to mark the areas for people to park their bikes, using iconography as a nudge for those who might not know the intended use at first look.

Gallery

Seen here are some detailed images, as well as the entire 1/18th scale model. I mixed high fidelity miniatures with minimal landscape creation, and used the renders and architectural sketches to provide context.