List of Spaces • Adjacency Matrix • Criteria Matrix • Bubble Diagram

List of Spaces • Adjacency Matrix  • Criteria Matrix • Bubble Diagram

Even though my initial idea was to make a building for sport activities, I now widened its use in order to promote wellness not of individuals only but of a community in general. Swimming pool, for example, will not be for competitive swimming and exercise, but for families, enjoying time together with their children. Sauna will welcome anybody rather than members of the facility (as the case with any YMCA). Outdoor relaxation space will be of multiuse. Part of it will be adjacent to the cafeteria; big part will face the water where some people may enjoy meditation séances (yoga, prayers, and drawing classes); another side is facing the park and will serve as a transition between the two, probably having children playground. Ramp is the backbone of the idea; it will not only lead from point A to point B but will provide a space for interaction and for the opportunity to reach a spot with amazing views and cold refreshments. People may want to ride over the ramp to reach park, or they may leave bikes at the parking space (where rent will be available as well) to explore this oasis of public activities. Studios for Zumba and Yoga provide activities for a group of people. Even Gym will not only house dumbbells, barbells and other equipment for individual workout, but will mostly have cycling, gymnastic bars, climbing wall for kids and other equipment which usually promotes collective gathering. Besides the ramp, lecture hall and outdoor relaxation space will endorse socializing between neighborhood communities and will make tourists feel at home. Finally, the outdoor spaces for Tennis, Volleyball and Basketball, located on the roof, next to the observation deck, will encourage visitors to take part in these activities and enjoy the view at the park below and water.

PS: My calculations for the maximum square footage were made to make me realize the scale of the site and the maximum building envelope (which is not the limit). Except for the outdoor relaxation area, the rest of the footage is probably minimum rather than average size.

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

The Helios Swimming Centre’s General Services Building

Helios Swimming Center is a composite of three buildings; one was built as a solution to reconcile circulation problem, it became a link between two buildings. Being a sport facility, it has a logical massing of three boxes. All spaces are well lit by natural light. Structure is made up of columns, exterior walls, and partitions (nothing fancy). Private spaces are minimal; they are mechanical rooms, and administrative offices. Spaces organized in a way that main activities (water sports) are easily accessible through the main entrance; team sport area a bit farther; outdoor sports are on the top floor (roof), with plenty of natural light; courtyard provides the space for relaxation. Circulation between spaces is simple to recognize.

Sports Center and Indoor Pool

Sport Center in Spain is a boxy concrete building (which is a predominant aspect of the look of the building), with inserts that provide natural light and additional spaces for activities. Insets are strategically positioned not only to provide natural light where it is most needed, but also to contribute to the overall composition of massive and elegant elements of the shape of the structure. Private spaces are mechanical rooms, and administrative offices. Main portion of the interior space is dedicated to pool and space for team sports. Inserts above enclose the area for gym and such. At the entrance there is a open to the outside food court. All circulation is shifted to one side of the building, minimizing confusion and clearly separating space for athletes from space for visitors.

Michael Baker Boathouse

Michael Baker Boathouse was designed for rowing school, and has a shape and resemblance to a boat. It isn’t symmetrical, but perceived as such from the street level. Natural light penetrates building envelope in many places including roof. Spaces are dedicated to changing rooms, storage, and gym. Circulation is linear and clear.

NIARA

NIARA is a sport club which incorporates not only sport activities but residential and educational spaces, as well as a chapel. It is like a church / housing complex / gym. It also has a courtyard and garage. Private spaces are storage, individual rooms, administrative offices, and mechanical rooms. Circulation is complex, but logical since all sport associated spaces are separated from residential/administrative/educational/parking spaces. Sport facilities are well lit by natural light. Residential spaces are facing predominately courtyard with circulation corridor on the other side of residential units.

Quinte West YMCA

YMCA in Canada is a structure of many shapes, as it looks like from the outside, but it is one envelope encasing many spaces which are separated from each other by simple partitions. Spaces that don’t require natural light are positioned inside. They are changing rooms, and a basketball space where controlled lighting is preferable (especially in Canada where day is relatively shorter). Storages and mechanical rooms are on the North side, while vestibule, child care area, administrative offices, and cafeteria are on the South side, where natural light will last longer. Circulation leads to the pool through changing rooms, and to all other spaces directly from the vestibule.

Circulation and Spaces

My precedents are sport centers of different flavors, but all have a circulation that doesn't always lead through spaces, but rather to them. As a result, circulation, by its nature and necessity is predominately linear for individuals visiting the space of their choice, and laid out as a network in general. Paths are thicker where traffic is heavier.

The Helios Swimming Centre’s General Services Building

Sports Center and Indoor Pool

Michael Baker Boathouse

NIARA

Quinte West YMCA

Natural Light, Structure, Private Spaces

All five examples, being a sport clubs of different sorts, have a lot of natural light coming from all sides and skylights. These buildings don't really have big private spaces; all spaces are always available for members, except for administrative offices, mechanical&electrical rooms, and storage spaces. They are masked by red color. Except for the Boathouse, structure of other buildings doesn't form any funky shapes, but serves as an enclosure for sport activities, which require as much open and rectangular space as possible.

The Helios Swimming Centre’s General Services Building

Natural Light

Yellow - open spaces (terraces); Orange - rooms illuminated by window openings; Gray - spaces without any openings for light.

Structure

Private Spaces

Sports Center and Indoor Pool

Natural Light

Gradient, from yellow to orange illustrates the direction of the light in big spaces.

Structure

Red - dominant structural elements; Blue - secondary divisions.

Private Spaces

Michael Baker Boathouse

Natural Light

Space of the Boathouse is well illuminated by windows and skylights - yellow.

Structure

Private Spaces

NIARA

Natural Light

Structure

Private Spaces

Quinte West YMCA

Natural Light

Yellow - naturally illuminated spaces; gray - spaces without openings for natural light.

Structure

Private Spaces

Symmetry, Hierarchy and Geometry

In all cases symmetry is non existent, but all buildings do have balance. Boat House isn't perfectly symmetrical, but is perceived as such.

In hierarchy red color highlights dominant aspect of the building, blue - sub-dominant, green - subordinate.

The Helios Swimming Centre’s General Services Building

Symmetry/Balance

Hierarchy

Geometry

Sports Center and Indoor Pool

Symmetry/Balance

Hierarchy

Geometry

Michael Baker Boathouse

Symmetry/Balance

Hierarchy

Geometry

NIARA

Symmetry/Balance

Hierarchy

Geometry

Quinte West YMCA

Symmetry/Balance

Hierarchy

Geometry