Episode 3.2-Design of a mixed-use building in West Chelsea, NYC
Analysis: The buildings within the block
Your research continues on the analysis (transformations over time, traces of the past) of buildings contained in the project’s block.
You should focus on general dimensions of the buildings, on floor height (analyze the façade), on depth and width, and how they are related to other adjacent buildings in the same block, structurally, functionally, and formally.
- We will talk of ADJACENCY between buildings in one block.
- We will also look for urban or architectural EXCEPTIONS in the city of New York.
Program
Your mixed-use building will include:
Lot: Total LOT Area: 48’ x 75’
Max Building Height: 64’
Floors: 5
First floor: Commercial space.
You will design a Coffee shop with the following program:
Serving desk and equipment area, products display and refrigeration area, milk and sugar area, sitting area, small kitchen, storage, restrooms. Exit to back courtyard, exit/entrance from 11 Avenue.
Coffee shop area Max: 32’x32’ , including eventually outdoors decks/patios.
First floor: Entrance/lobby for Residential units.
Reserve enough space for entrance to the residential units. You should provide stairs, elevator, and mechanical space. Entrance/exit from 11 Avenue. Possible connection with courtyard.
Area max for each floor-plan: 32’x32’
Option A:
Two-Bedroom Unit on one level of aprox. 1025/1050 sq.ft.
Three-Bedroom Unit, duplex on two levels, with a 2-story height space, of aprox. 1550/1600 sq.ft.
Option B:
One-Bedroom Unit on one level with working space for an artist, of aprox. 1025/1050 sq.ft.
Two-Bedroom Unit, duplex on two levels, with a 2-story height space, with working space for an artist, of aprox. 1550/1600 sq.ft.
Max interior Height: variable from 10’ (one level unit) to 20’ (duplex unit with double height).
Each unit must have main living/dining/cooking/sleeping places with bathroom and closet.
Each unit should also have an additional small bathroom serving the living area, and laundry/small storage spaces.
Each unit should have outdoor spaces and maximize adjacency to outdoor spaces.
Process
Reconsider your Site-diagrams as generators of the new spaces.
In your design, you must include:
Circulation systems. Consider paths and transitions spaces serving the units inside and outside.
Entrance/exit options that establish relationships between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Diagram of densities (unit/voids). Combinations and spatial variety of solids and voids. Voids could be considered as surfaces (ex. ground floor garden, outdoor paths, open terrace or deck), or volumes (covered terrace, space underneath or above the unit, patios, voids within the unit). You could involve the space below or above the unit, so that this communal space could pass underneath, flow into your unit, or be treated vertically.
Façade treatment. Skin and structure. Cladding or sunscreens. Think about differentiated materials. You must integrate the Patterns’ exercise.
Parameters
- Modular dimensions; hierarchy of parts; adjacency of spaces; organizational possibilities;
- Spatial flexibility over time with possible expansion of the unit, possible volumetric addition, and/or combinations of more units;
- Horizontal and vertical combinations of parts of the unit;
- Sectional interlocking possibilities;
- Spatial relationships.
- Commodity and delight — ease of entry into the house and circulation among the public and private zones; accommodation of natural light and airflow; generosity and sufficiency of space; surprises; unusual use of materials; surface manipulation.
Requirements
Process drawings using Autocad 2008
3d Investigations and modeling using 3D studio Max
Study Physical Model and Final Physical Model (see further Instructions).
Final presentation
Due Mon, April 28/2008
