SCADpad: big plans, small spaces
Written by Gracie Wachtel
Photos by Aniela Chertavian
Graphics decorate the wall at the SCADpad.
SCADpad, located on the fourth floor of SCAD Atlanta’s parking deck, lets SCAD students “live large in a small space,” according to SCADpad’s website.
Throughout fall 2013 and winter 2014, an extensive collaboration between SCAD students, faculty and alumni worked to “define, evolve and mobilize” SCADpad. A variety of majors, including industrial design, design for sustainability, interactive design and furniture design, were involved in the development process.
“I first got involved in the project when I was taking my Prototyping Experiences class for service design,” said Aniela Chertavian, a third-year service design major from Hawi, Hawaii. “I worked on the team that developed systems as well as services for the residents of SCADpad. I personally did a lot of prototyping for the project, whether it was laser cutting or 3D printing.”
The residence consists of three SCADpad units, each individually unique. While the bedrooms are divided, there is a common area for communal interaction between residents. The SCADpad units took approximately ten months to prototype and construct.
“The pads are each based on the continents SCAD has a campus in, but they [the units] are all located in Atlanta,” said third-year photography major and SCADpad resident Carlos Maldonado from Asheville, North Carolina.
“This is certainly the way to go if each project like SCADpad continues: community garden, minimal residents, private security, technological infrastructure and incredible views,” said Maldonado on the website he designed while preparing, adapting to and living in SCADpad.
The website documents the progress of his experience. It presents a timeline from his application process to his current living status, and even includes a snapshot of his acceptance letter.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually have attached myself to living here. It’s not as uncomfortable or small as it appears. I found that I spent most of my time doing activities that required space outside of the unit,” said Maldonado on the website.
“I think one of the most surprising things about SCADpad was how it compelled us to spend time outside in the common areas. We all spent a significant amount of time interacting with each other and we all enjoyed each other’s company,” said fourth-year animation major Sean O’Neill from Grayson, Georgia. “I guess I expected us to be fairly isolated from each other since we were living in single-space apartments. The community aspect came as a surprise.”
The SCADpad provides an outdoor seating area.
Social media has allowed the students undergoing this transition to share their experience globally. The connection through media encourages family, friends and students back on campus to support the residents during such a dramatic transition.
On the evening of April 9, 2014, Maldonado tweeted, “Can’t wait to move in!”
Maldonado revealed his thought process as he moved into his unit: “In a 135 square foot space, how do you plan what to bring and what to leave behind?” he asked. “I started first by thinking about it, but then reality hit me and I realized I couldn’t take all I initially intended to bring … so I decided to go with the basics … my cameras.”
Seeing as he has a window view of the Atlanta skyline, it is clear where Maldonado’s priorities lie.
“It was a really fun and awesome experience for sure. A few technical difficulties along the way, but that was expected with such a fresh and new concept,” said fourth-year fashion design major and SCADpad resident Rachel Dyche from Fayetteville, Georgia.
If you are interested in joining the SCADpad experience, click here to follow along with the current residents.
