experiential design internship: Alexandria, Kentucky
Applied Imagination is a company based in Alexandria, Kentucky that uses botanical and natural material to create iconic models and walk through experiences that celebrate architecture and the natural world.
I have assisted with projects for:
02
03
Inspiration and Goal
To create a walk-through garden exhibit with elevated train tracks inspired by iconic Arizona landmarks.
The Process
Adding various materials to make the model resemble the real building. Horse chestnut bark was used and sanded to mimic the off-white colonial style stone on the building.
The materializing process also entailed carving the letters for the entry and making mini working porch lights.
Final Touches
The building’s walls were blocked out and cut from large pieces of 3/4" gator foam.
Projects
01
Actual building reference
Grout pouring for the walls, UV resin pouring for the windows, and cutting locust wood for the roof shingles.
Completed Building
Carving
The formations were carved out of large styrofoam blocks using hot knives.
Materializing
Smoothing
We then applied a heat gun to the surfaces for a smoother texture.
First Coat
Coating the carved forms in latex to protect from outdoor conditions.
Sand Texture
Sprinkling on a glue, sand, and grout mixture for added realistic texture.
Complete Exhibit
Natural Material
Applying horse chestnut bark, peat moss, and ground cork to hide exposed supports for train track.
Inspiration and Goal
What I’m Creating
To create a walk through garden archway exhibit inspired by the four seasons and twelve months in a year.
Hanging Wisteria
Hanging Wisteria Creation
Chipmunks
Squirrels
*I worked on a large variety of aspects for the arches, but these three are the components I was tasked with making.
Chipmunk Creation
Red and Grey Squirrel Creation
Painting and coating Pintado Heart seed pods, drilling holes, and intertwinning them with wire to represent wisteria.
Placing the wisteria on the arch to create a magical, whimsical effect resembling the real hanging flowers.
Carving chipmunks out of foam and placing natural materials such as peach pits and palm fiber to make them look realistic.
Completed materialized chipmunks with wire attached to feet to secure to the arch.
Carving squirrels out of foam and placing natural materials such as bark and palm fiber to make them look realistic.
Adding finishing touch details and shading to differentiate the grey squirrels from red squirrels.
Complete Exhibit
Building Construction
Materializing
Photos by: Franklin Park Conservatory
https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/through-the-vines-a-seasonal-journey/