ENSPHERE

Year: 2022

Instructor: Jenny Wu

This project explores the transformative potential of geometric primitives. The project aimed to bridge the gap between the abstract and the architectural by focusing on assembly methods and spatial consequences. The initial exploration involved a primitive puzzle consisting of interlocking parts, emphasizing the narrative of disassembly and highlighting the spatial relationships between the interconnected pieces. The resulting configuration inspired the idea of utilizing the primitive puzzle as a foundation for a building.

Situated in downtown LA’s vibrant heart, near The Broad, the project envisioned a site that would transcend its current use as a parking lot. The objective was to create a building and landscape that extended the original museum space and established meaningful connections with the surrounding neighborhood. Drawing inspiration from the sphere puzzle, we deconstructed and transformed it through various moves such as scaling, rotating, and adding or removing pieces. The resulting building volumes were strategically placed on the site, with the original key elements serving as focal points that guide the flow of people. To maintain the spatial relationships from the initial puzzle, the transformed building volumes were seamlessly integrated with a newly designed topography, providing an inviting entrance for visitors. This architectural endeavor aimed to explore the possibilities offered by geometric primitives.

The building volumes are mainly divided into two halves placed on the base; they come from the process of decomposition and transformation of the sphere puzzle. The keys in the original plan still function as keys to the two large spatial assemblages in the architectural space. The two keys in the building are the main spaces for changing the flow of people. We tried to preserve the spatial relationship between the different blocks of the original plan in the process of transforming the plan into a building. The transformed building volumes are combined with the newly designed topography to create a gap for people to enter.

Physical models of this project are built in 3/32” = 1’0” and 1/16” = 1’-0” by 3D printing, to show the detail inside the section and the relationship between building and overall landscape. To showcase the materiality of the design, In terms of material selection for the physical model, becides the spraypaints, copper, nickel, and zinc are are plated on the model.