Selected models

Update

These are chosen models to select from the one that will become a parti for the building. Word "Renewal" is that model.

Inspiration of Site

Word "Renewal"

Program

2D into 3D

2D into 3D

For each collage I’ve previously made, I have also created three conceptual 3D models (vertically arranged on the following picture) to represent different emotional aspects of the site, word “renewal” as it applies to the site, and of the program I’m designing.

Materials used: museum board, baking clay, basswood, glass, rocks, moss, plastic, wire, optical fiber, LED lights with battery and switch, foil, presentation matte paper.

My “Inspiration of site” collage:

Manufacturing district “Red Hook” is slowly turning into something new. As a result the neighborhood may seem hectic and unorganized.

 …but when you look from the shore, towards the site where new building will be constructed, you will see clear directionality towards a specific intent…

 …and when you look from the sea, purpose of the site will be obvious as well. It draws your attention, and welcomes you.

Site is meant to overwhelm existing industrial architecture with new architecture of fluid form, circulation, and purpose.

 Plant is taking over the broken concrete column.

 Soiled and vacant piece of estate is the opportunity for new architectural forms to spring out and take over unused property.

 My collage “word: Renewal”:

Wood, as a prevalent material for structures in the past, was exchanged for another material, concrete. Concrete, as a dominant material is being challenged today by new and promising materials as well.

Our material body will cease to exist one day. It will be renewed (although it is a personal choice), and become a spiritual body. Here, the spirit exits the body, which represents a dead district being renewed with new purpose and meaning which is so much deeper, and the one that gives much better appreciation of the existence. Unrelated side-note: gangster Al Capone got his start as a small-time criminal in Red Hook.

Every plant is giving of its seed to be renewed in a new plant of its kind. Seed of the new architectural form, in Red Hook may give rise to a sprout that will grow and populate the area.

My “Program Inspiration” collage:

The program is meant to create a Zen state of mind for its visitors. To do so the architectural form, active exercises, vegetation, and passive exercises will be employed.

Circulation is the unifying module of the program. It should be lifting up the body (literally) and spirit as one ascends towards the pick of the building. It should be fluid yet secure.

We all have our own stresses in life; we are all uniquely edgy. The program should be able to accommodate each individual so everyone will feel at rest and united with each other.

Concept Development

Concept Development

These are boards that should help you visualize my perception of the site, descriptive key word appropriate for the site, and my perception of the program:

Impression of the site

Site is positioned in the manufacturing district. While some businesses are still producing goods, they are not as prevalent, and greatly scaled down compared to what it used to be 40-90 years ago. Today some areas are turned into parks, and this trend seems to proliferate to all corners of Red Hook. My site is positioned on the shore-front, and is a grate place for new, innovative, and attractive architecture.

Word "Renewal" personified

Key word for the Site, as it relates to what should take place in its midst, is "Renewal". Old buildings that served function which is useless today, have to be replaced with new structures, the ones that utilize the site to its full potential.

Conceptualized program

Program for the building will offer (hand) the environment for active socializing, opportunities to relax, and to enjoy the surrounding. Perfectly organized building (sphere) will reflect nature. It will have water related activities, and fluid circulation. The surrounding will contrast with the background (Manhattan).

Spaces

Spaces

Here I would like to post a precedent study of spaces that I want to use in my building. Examples are obviously not exact to my intentions but they closely resemble the environment I’d like visitors to experience through the dimensions of spaces, illumination, equipment and furniture arrangement, and relative location to the circulation and to each other. I’ll record my expectations through the following narrative.

It was the last day of my vacationing in NYC. I’ve seen a lot, and, quite honestly, got tired of the business and noise on Manhattan streets. Today I wanted to relax but without having to leave the city. I’ve decided to visit Brooklyn Bridge Park again, but this time on a bike that is available for rent throughout the city. Unfortunately, Park isn’t big enough to enjoy a ride; fortunately, I noticed a pathway that, according to the description on the billboard, should lead me to a “remote” place that is only two miles away. Path wasn’t that exiting, but as soon as I turn to the Coffey Street (at the end of the path, near the shore of the East River) I was surprised to see my point of destination. It was located next to the Valentino Park, on the shorefront property. Architecture clearly welcomed me to experience the place. I wanted to prolong my admiration of the structure from the distance, so I walked the bike, and as I left the park behind me, I noticed that it wasn’t the lobby or the building’s entrance that welcomed me, but space that resembled glorified private fancy backyard; I would hesitate to enter it if I saw it coming.

I was about to drop the bike from being awestruck, luckily the bike rent station was right there; now I was free to explore the place by foot.

Big building without any observable entrance was on my left. Huge atrium was positioned along the Coffey Street on my right, nothing were blocking the view of the river ahead. I could choose to enter the lobby or keep going towards the water.

I knew that I wouldn’t last long if I didn’t eat, and I soon I thought that thought I saw a nice spacious cafeteria. It was part of the lobby, so I entered it; although I wouldn’t call it an “entrance” as it was too smooth of a transition. Cafeteria was very nice and bright.

At one point I could glimpse inside to see area where food was prepared; it wasn’t big but clean.

As much as I enjoyed the cafeteria, I didn’t want to stay there finishing my cup of chamomile tea with apple croissant, so I kept going. I passed a gift-shop which was also part of the lobby.

Wanting to go inside, I finished my snack on the nearby bench, under a flowering tree.

That’s it, almost ready to explore the place…

OK, now I’m ready.

If I didn’t enter the lobby the path would end by the water. “I’ll do that later”, I thought. Lobby led me up somewhere. I was intrigued. Going parallel to my initial path, but ascending, I came to the water front, but I was about 16-20 feet above the ground level, ramp was leading me to the left now. I crossed over the path of the ground level, and came to the entrance of the main building. It was an activity center. I had some time to spare, so I went inside.

Pool was a treat, comfortable, and serene, even with kids being naturally noisy.

Lecture hall, one floor above, was expecting visitors for the Bible Study. Some early birds were chatting at the hangout area nearby.

Other group of people was Zumbing around in the gym.

Their kids were having a blast with their coach in the “gym for kids” area.

A few members of the facility were working their muscles in the fitness center.

There was a place for kids as well.

As I went up on the last floor (which was actually incased in the glass roof of the building) I saw even more people playing team games.

Ramp lead to the roof as well. At its end it was protruding towards the water, creating an area where visitors could rest, and observe the park below, Verrazano Bridge to the left, Statue of Liberty straight ahead, and Manhattan skyline to the right.

I choose ramp to lead me down. As I finished descend, I decided to come closer to water, and see what my initial path has to offer. It too, just like a ramp, was turning left, around the building. Ramp formed the overhang above, creating a protection from rain and direct sun. I met more people here; they were enjoying tranquility of this isolated and cozy location. When I finished my walk around the building I visited the Valentine Park and walked the pier to admire the architecture from afar before heading back to my bike.

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.