Space Distribution
After my previous "available space" evaluation I start creating walls for the structure. It was something I didn't do before; weird shapes, new tools, and new approach took me quite a long time to conquer (sorry for disappearing for so long). At last, I've created the form for spaces which could be inhabitable.
Spaces are enclosed with walls, footprint of which I traced over in AutoCAD to start arranging program within. I'm still missing spaces for cafeteria, food prep, shop, and bike parking; they will be a part of the ramp, and I left plenty of spaces for integration.
"Water activities" space has a rectangular lap pool (50'x40') for scale, and area for saunas in the left top corner.
This is just a start of the process. Guided by your comments I shall finish shortly. After partitions are done I'll recreate them in 3D.
Hello Valentinov,
ReplyDeletePlans:I love where they are going.
Although they are preliminary it seems that you really comprehend the organicity of your system. In that note, get rid of awkward moments:
- Rethink the partitions defining the changing rooms and bathrooms. They do not follow the overall flow or your curves.
- Rethink the relationship between the main staircase and the elevator shafts. Is this staircase open or fire protected? First thing you have to feel confident with is the position of your circulation cores/means of egress in the overall plan organization. What is the distance of the triangle sides that connects all three of them?
You still miss program so I really look forward to see a detailed elaboration of your plans IN SCALE (from now on include a graphic scale!)
Ground floor enclosure: Aggressive
The overall feeling is very introvert. You have created a very strong base, highly enclosed. Rethink possibilities of transparencies, multiple scenarios of circulation, connection to the "street", entrances. Do you have underground spaces?
Facade design operations: Experiment more.
The Swiss cheese approach is one way to go but you should take your time and experiment with different approaches for your facades. Specifically in the ground floor they do not work yet:
- Experiment with different scales of openings. Hierarchize light insertion and openness always according to the enclosed program and plan organization.
- Think of your skin holistically. What is the behavior of your skin in a double height space? What if the skin encloses a few slabs so the composition is less stacked? Already your pillars and slabs configuration have interesting vertical connections and double heights. Embrace these decisions with the appropriate skin configuration.
I propose that you start working in sections as soon as possible and in parallel to the plans.
Thank you, I will consider all your suggestions and demands (graphic scale).
DeleteNo, I don't have underground spaces. I have a lobby on the ground floor, but "water activities" space 7 feet above the ground, leaving about 16 feet of head room.
Ground floor facade is completely enclosed first 7-10 feet. The reason is that this depth is the infill for the pool forms and mech. Also, the outdoor space around the building meant to present a secluded area, so, I thought, absence of windows would be preferable. On the outside of the first floor there will be greenery to mask the "emptiness".
I agree that uninterrupted skin would be preferable. As of now, I'll concentrate on other stuff; it will take me too long to redo walls. But if I can I'll try to eliminate stacking.
Holes as a visual connection between floors is an awesome idea (I feel bad that I didn't figure it out). I'll see where it will be appropriate to do.
Great. So, all these height relations that you are trying to describe verbally will be very straightforward through sectional drawings. As I said, start working on both sections and plans AT THE SAME TIME. Looking forward to your next steps.
DeleteCan the "holes" idea be implemented as part of your slabs creating visual connections between floors? Think about creating interesting light insertion from the top in your foyer by implementing your facade design in the fifth elevation-roofs.
ReplyDeleteSo far, everything makes sense. Rationally, you are pushing forms, plans, program and overall momentum is incredible.
ReplyDeleteLet's break down where you are currently:
You have a working digital model. It bears a resemblance to your parti. This is good. You are testing techniques, perhaps a new software (I am still advocating Rhino for all of the aforementioned reasons). You are obviously adept at form making.
You have taken your model and cut it up into plan floorplates. You have taken these plans in a clear direction of stuffing in program in a 2-D vacuum. These plans are entirely serviceable.
You have analyzed and created a Program. You have deployed this program into a construct of your massing and although missing a few KEY elements, it is working.
What you are missing:
Sections
Sections
Sections
As mentioned repeatedly, SECTIONS inform your project more than any other drawing for understanding the inter-relationships within your envelope. Currently your program is a sausage (stuffed into a preordained casing). There is nothing wrong with the approach. There is nothing right about it either. I see a staunch leaning in your process toward form making of the exterior envelope. Again, form making is important. It is not the only aspect that requires development. If to make a comment on your current massing isolated from the rest of the project, it is not working for me. The apertures have no rhyme or reason. If you want to make this a study of "surface," then learn Grasshopper in addition to Rhino and spend the rest of the semester developing scripts to generate skin solutions.
Your parti, analysis, and original concepts tell of more depth to the approach. This is an academic project. Look at your form making exercises as clay pots. If you have done any ceramics, you know that there are always casualties in the kiln due to air bubbles, inadequate structures, improper technique or just plain bad luck. It seems that you have lost site of the interior/exterior aspirations, your overarching circulation concept and worst of all, the positive/negative space interplay that made your ideas so powerful.
Section is not necessarily a 2-d drawing in this case. Look at clipping planes in your model to investigate the spatial relationships of your volumes, positive and negative. Carve out your material and sculpt it. Do not start from scratch, but find a point of departure from which you can branch in a different direction and reinvest the power.
Commenting on individual partitions is a tangent at this point, However, use your massing to determine partition and spatial containment rather than insertion of "walls." Take a volume through another and the resultant spaces and partitions can define programmatic elements. Use access to light as a driver of massing as well.
Because you have pushed your development so far with this much detail, there is equally abundant critique early in the process. Take this as a positive acknowledgement of your momentum and push even harder toward resolution.
Thank you, Andy. I see your points. I'll produce sections asap, and try to improve my model (I'm only concerned with time).
DeleteI am also eager to see your sections. Your plans have a fluid organic quality to them that the elevations do not yet possess, a section drawing would help reveal possible opportunities to interact between levels, as the other comments have already mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest looking into ways you could break up your four floors into multiple levels, as your large plates seem to be in a struggle against your fluid forms, and I would also consider a more intense use of ramps as part of your circulation. Both of these could get you away from the typical "stack of layers" methodology and into something more fluid and organic.
I agree; I have already produced new massing on existing supports, but with walls being uninterrupted by slabs, and without openings yet. I'm working on improving envelope to allow vertical flows.
DeleteI want to see more.... Since I am not in class this week, I want to be able to follow and guide you through your posts. I am worried about the section as I am afraid it will be a stack of pancakes, as the massing is so dynamic.
ReplyDeletePost....