ScadPad in Atlanta

Years ago, while visiting Savannah, I first came across SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design.  It looked like a bustling and fun little campus in Savannah, with artistic and creative students getting their  degrees in areas they love and enjoy.  I also remember seeing signs on a building off I-75 near downtown Atlanta that SCAD had indeed arrived in Atlanta and I found out they opened a campus in Atlanta about 10 years ago.  It’s a much smaller campus, but sounds like a really great program for creatives.

Here’s a little about SCAD and all their campuses:

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor’s and master’s degrees at distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 majors, as well as minors in more than 60 disciplines, in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Hong Kong; in Lacoste, France; and online through SCAD eLearning.

I was invited to come and take a tour of their SCADpad, which is on the 3rd level of the SCAD building on Peachtree Street.  I had no idea what to expect, but it was really interesting and I thought you all would enjoy seeing it too. SCADpad, in a nutshell, is a collaborative effort from over 100 people in thinking outside the box for small space living, refurbishing buildings and parking decks that are no longer being used, and coming up with unique living ideas on a small footprint in crowded urban areas.  It was very unique and interesting!  You can find out more on the link above.

They asked the question:  How can design change the world?  And that’s how SCADpad was started.

The SCADpad statement on the wall.

A collaborative effort makes for a very artsy environment and this one certainly has that element.  They thought of lots of ideas for making this parking deck feel homey and like a real living space, right down to the astroturf grass.

Hanging acrylic chairs and a bubble machine make for some creative thinking.

Outdoor lounging areas with sustainable furniture.

Check out the big swing.

Made from old garden hoses, this made a very unique swing, looking a little like a spider’s web.

They drew inspiration from 3 continents, including Asia, Europe and North America.

Live plants add to the park like feeling outside and planked decks make it feel nicer too.

Inside the European inspired small space.  These remind me of a small RV, super small living.  But see how they’ve crammed a lot of small space ideas in each one. Notice the stairs on the right that climb up to the bunk above.

Seating made out of fabric woven together.

Storage cubbies and drawers.

Bunk above. Notice all the porthole windows.  These have some sort of system that makes them cloudy or clearer depending on desired privacy.

The walls are actually photocopied artwork and duplicated for all the walls.

How could you miss the shag carpeting on the ceiling.  This space reminded me of the 70’s.

A refrigerator drawer for living and cooking.

The tiny colorful bathroom area was completely a wet area. Close the door and shower on one end.  Sink in the middle and the toilet on the other end.  Water drains through the floor.

Outdoor potted trees and plants give it a park-like setting.

Tea represents Asia.

A more zen-like feeling here.

The Asia living space.

Small kitchen and shelving.

This light was unique.  Touch the smaller ball and the light gets dimmer or brighter.

Tiny bathroom in Asia.

Outside the ScadPad continues with a winding sidewalk feel between the astroturf grass.

Next stop, North America.

Got a kick out of the yardstick door and floors in here.

Lots of cowhide and textures in this small space.

Yardstick floor was very unique, as you can see.

Lots of buttons and pins on the ceiling made an interesting look as well.

Not a great picture, but you can see how many buttons and pins are up here.

The walls were rustic leather strips.

Another unique light fixture.

Concrete kitchen counter.

And a colorful painted bathroom.

Back outside, this is the think bubble over the collaboration table. Can you imagine learning like this?  What fun!

A raised garden is housed in wood.

With real live plants!

Larger lounging space with furniture from West Elm. Notice the stag horn ferns on the wall.

More lounging spaces.

The think bubble.

Amanda, the Director for Community Engagement, invited me inside to SCAD FASH, which is a new exhibit for fashion and film.  Right now, through Dec. 31st, there’s an Oscar de la Renta fashion exhibit, featuring styles from the late designer.  These were just breathtaking.  I’ve never been this close to designer fashion ever and have certainly never owned anything like these!  Fun to look at.  Designer Peter Copping has taken over at Oscar de la Renta, continuing with the design legend’s vision.

This dress above was on loan from pop superstar, Taylor Swift.

I didn’t catch all the names on all of these dresses, but many of them were on loan from celebrities. These 4 from right to left:  Two on right, gifted from Patricia Altschul, Charleston, SC; 2nd from left:  Peter Copping design, 2015,  Left:  Gift of Jeanne Ferst, Atlanta, GA.

This signed Oscar was on loan from Sarah Jessica Parker

This one was is courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential  Library and Laura Bush wore it to the 2002 Poland State Dinner at the White House.

1st Dress:  Oscar de la Renta archives, Fall 2015

2nd Dress:  Pre-Fall 2006, Courtesy of Mercedes T. Bass, New York

3rd Dress:  Oscar de la Renta Archive, Fall 2015

They have a beautiful lounge for watching videos about the exhibit.

This red silk beauty was worn by Beyonce in Vogue, March 2013.

Embroidered cotton Wedding dress, courtesy of Miranda Brooks, New York.  The one on the right was inspired by Marie Antoinette and worn by Kirsten Dunst in Vogue, September 2006.

Mother of the bride dress, for Balmain Haute Couture jersey coat and dress, 1998.  Courtesy of Annette de la Renta, Kent Ct.  Worn to Eliza Reed Bolen’s wedding.

Wedding dress, Oscar for Balmain Haute Couture, silk embroidered wedding dress, 1998.  Courtesy of Eliza Reed Bolen, New York.

Hope you enjoyed this little tour of the SCADPad and SCAD FASH.  It was fun to see in person!

 

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