Geraldine Ondrizek
Studio Art Coursework

 Designed and Built by: Victoria Xiao

1. What is the site? How does the project respond to the site?

The site is at the Children’s Garden at Zenger Farm. Due to the lack of seating areas around the farm, I wanted to build stools and a table that would function as seats but also as a place to set objects down when facilitators transition between activities with the kids.

1. What did your client/users need?

The lack of seating area in the garden was evident, and Ebony had talked to me about needing a place to set things down when occupying the space. Also, it would function as a place where children could rest and take some time or space during their free time.

3. How did you go about designing for their needs?

I wanted to have the stools look like mushrooms and looked up colorful designs I could paint on. The stools needed to be comfortable to sit on not just for children but adults, and due to Portland’s rainy weather, they needed to be waterproof and easy to wipe off. I also wanted the table to serve as both a table and a bench to be versatile.

4. What materials and forms did you use? Did you consider durability? Ecology?

I used clay and mostly recycled material- the only parts that weren’t were the legs and frame for the table. I used clay because it was a non-toxic way using naturally occurring materials to create the structures I wanted. We were conscious of what we were putting back into the earth as these structures were going to be placed on an organic farm and used by children. Clay is made from the earth, and the paint is non-toxic and weatherproof. We also did not use varnish or any epoxy to seal the table to avoid using harsh chemicals.

5. What building methods did you use? Are these new to you?

This was my first time building a table, but the structure was very simple. I sanded the table and Gerri helped me nail in and secure the frame and legs. The process for the stools was also simple- we used epoxy to glue the caps onto the stumps and set them out to cure.  

6. Who will use this and did you ask them about the design?

The children and community at Zenger Farm will be using these structures. We consulted with Ebony throughout this process, and toured different sites on the farm to consider the possible locations and usages. Given that Ebony has experience working with the kids who used these structures, she had the farm and their best interest in mind in creating a safe, minimal impact, and useful gathering space. 

7. How did your team work together?

I worked with Gerri and Trevor who helped me understand the limitations of the materials. Trevor helped with creating the clay caps for the stools, and gluing them back together when they cracked, as well as providing options for decorating them when glazing was not an option. Gerri helped me build the table and consider design elements that would make them durable and structurally sound.

8. How does this project relate to our bigger city issues and what does it contribute?
   
   This project encourages people to gather outside in spaces to promote lively discussion in a community center. By providing necessary seating area in an outdoor space, community members are encouraged to engage with each other in the outdoors, to enjoy each other’s company in nature. This project is part of an effort to make outdoor spaces more warm, inclusive, and inviting.