Axon, Sections, Perspectives, Elevation

It has been a great semester. Thanks for looking, have a great summer break!!! ([:)

Floor Plans

Please refer to spacial diagram for color references.

Structural Diagram

When I was thinking about creating a weave structure, I felt that there needs to be a rigid frame which will hold most of the structural loads of the building. The weaves themselves will be attached to the structure, holding them in place while creating interesting curved forms vertically and horizontally.

Section sketch

Plan_sketch development

Spaces Diagrams

Here are two different variations of how the spaces can be organized. The colored boxes represent spaces identified in the legend on the far right. The Diagrams are in Normal form and Exploded form so that it can be better understood.

Variation 4

Here is the study model of the floor plan diagram labeled Variation 4.

Variation 3

Here is a study model of the floor plan diagram labeled Variation 3. 

Floor Plan Diagrams

These are four different Floor Plan variations that can be made with the Group Home. The first level starts from the left

Group Home Capacity

In my research, I developed an average capacity of occupants within the Group Home, excluding faculty and staff.

Capacity: 60 occupants;       Babies (Birth - 2 yrs.)      10
                                             Toddlers   (3 - 6 yrs.)      20
                                             Children  (7 - 12 yrs.)      20
                                             Teens    (13 - 17 yrs.)      10

Site Strategy

The site needs to have two halves. One space for indoors and the other for outdoors, and they are given almost the same amount of space; 50/50. Here are some different ways the site can be broken down in terms of indoor space and outdoor space.

These are some conceptual sketches of potential variables of the building frame, using methods of pulling and pushing the strips derived from the study model.

Site Analysis

Here are some observations that can be made in the site. More information is available here: http://citytechballaz.blogspot.com/ 

Criteria Matrix

Bubble Diagram

Here is a Bubble Diagram elaborating the programmatic information in the Matrix Diagram

Matrix Diagram

Here is a Matrix Diagram indicating the programmatic requirements and the importance of the spacial relationship between them. The larger the bubbles, the more important the spaces are with each other in terms of circulation and closeness.

Study Model

This is a study model I made based on basket weaving that was inspired by the story of Moses (as seen previously). I want to create a space that is very exciting. My technique involves using weaving of strips to generate volume along with solids and voids.

Conceptual Inspiration

The inspiration for my design is the story of Moses. He was saved through a basket covered in clay that flowed through the Nile River, unit Pharaoh's daughter found and adopted him.

Rosa Parks Elementary

Architect: Mahlum Architects
Location: Redmond, Washington
Date: August 31, 2006

Clifton Hall Dormitory

Architect: Mark Horton
Location: Oakland, California
Date: Unknown

Protestant Student Hostel

Architect: Peter Lehrecke
Location: Berlin, Germany
Date: 1962

I love the courtyard because it allows a lot of light to enter the spaces and provides natural ventilation. The student rooms are clusters that are dispered thoughout the site and they're all connected by the courtyard. There is a seperate recreational building with a cafateria. Each student cluster houses bathrooms, washrooms, and some living rooms.

Coin Street Neighborhood Center

Architect: Haworth Tompkins Limited
Location: London, UK
Date: September 2007

This project was chosen due to its programatic similarities with an orphanage. There is the housing complex thats perpendicular to the community center that creates a courtyard between them. The faceade is very nice and inviting with the verical panels of light colors and rhythm that is developed with the placement and widths.

SOS Children's Villiage Lavezzorio Community Center

Architect: Studio Gang Architects
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Date: October 2007

The Center is dedicated for small children in the community that provides caretaking educating and entertaining. I felt that this building would help me further design a space for sheltering orphans. What I like about this project is the use of the paterial to create a very unique facade.

Amsterdam Orphanage

Architect: Aldo van Eyck
Location: Amsterdam, Holland
Date: 1955-60

Open Air School

Architect: Aldo van Eyck
Location: Amsterdam, Holland
Date: 1955

Student House

Architect: Peter Gunawan
Location: Karawaci Tangerang , Indonesia
Date: 2008-2009

McMahn Hall University of Washington

Architect: Kirk Wallace, McKinley and Associates
Location: Seattle, Washington
Date: 1966

Students' Dormitories Yale University

Architect: Paul Rudolph
Location: New Haven Connecticut
Date: 1962

Voksenasen Hostel and Conference Centre

Architect: Hans-Kjell Larsen, Terje Thorstensen and Maurits Sundt-Hansen
Location: Oslo, Norway
Date: 1960

Shuffle Haugerud Center

Architect: Eriksen Skajaa Architects
Location: Oslo, Norway
Date: 2009

The Birth of my project

1. Which building typology you are researching?
I am researching a building typology that is a mixture of Institutional and Residential; It's a home for orphans.

2. Why are you researching this building typology?
I read an article in Architectural Record about a orphanage being build in a impoverished country after some kind of disaster and I felt that, that's where Architecture shines the most, in buildings that provide a socially responsible purpose.

3. What is the specialty of this building type you would like to research i.e. museum for dance, school for digital media...
Well it will definitely be an orphanage, however I'm not sure for whom, I guess for infants up to teenagers, I'm not 100% sure.

4. What are the examples that you will be researching... list the examples, location and architect (10 examples )

5. What are your goals for working with this building type?
My goal is to provide a safe and healthy atmosphere for growing children. It is to apply sustainable practices and to create spaces to accommodate all the different activities that the occupants may need.

6. What are the program elements that you see included at this point in your building? (may evolve once more research is done)
There will be a dormitory, a cafeteria, a place to study, play/exercise and a place for entertainment.