TRAVIS COUNTY COURTHOUSE - AUSTIN, TEXAS COMPREHENSIVE STUDIO 609. Professor J.Trefry Andrea Ramirez Caceres & Tonie Barnett Bruns
The Travis County Courthouse project consists of developing 100,000 sqf of a 1,500,000 project. The project has three phases. Phase one is the 100,000 sqf Harbinger Courthouse. Phase two is the addition of 400,000 sqf to the courthouse. Lastly, phase three is a one million sqf mixed use tower.
TABLE OF CONTENTS predesign patterns.............................................................. 4 objects................................................................ 10 site analysis........................................................ 12 solar analysis...................................................... 14 concept sketches................................................ 15 massing model................................................... 16 video stills........................................................... 17 design site plan.............................................................. 19 building plans..................................................... 20 building sections................................................. 23 renderings........................................................... 24 models................................................................ 25 systems diagrams............................................................. 28 structure.............................................................. 30 detailed sections................................................. 31 reflection........................................................................ 38
PRE-DESIGN
PATTERNS - ANDREA
When thinking about inevitability, I chose to represent war. A historic event created by conflicts in between two groups of people usually seeking power. Timelessness on the other hand, to me meant the idea of things that are kept the same with in change. My example of this would be pearls that have been used as valuable ornamentations for thousands of years in different fashion eras. Also, the idea of the portrait. I chose to represent portraits with “The Green Stripe” by Henry Matisse. This German Expressionist artist shows us that the idea of a portrait is not defined by the style of painting but by the content of the art piece. Permanence was to me the hardest to describe. Again the idea of constant change was kept in my mind. I decided to represent with a multipurpose knife with the idea of a tool that now a days is invaded in technology but once upon a time was probably a sharp rock use by the Paleolithic to hunt. Finally, I decided to represent monumentality by looking into a contemporary building that to me evoked the same governmental neoclassical old feel. This made me recall a building I visited this past winter in Seoul. The Student Union at Ewha Woman’s University, designed by Dominique Perrault.
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PRE-DESIGN
PATTERNS - ANDREA
My pattern is formed by three main ideas. The pearl changed to a prims, the changing the perspective and looking for a placement that fools the eye enough to make you believe that a greatly organize pattern is actually random. The images show the process I went through to create my pattern in which I explored form and composition.
PRE-DESIGN
PATTERNS - TONIE
Inevitability - Dorthea Lange’s photograph, Migrant Mother is my representation of inevitability. The idea that human pain and sacrifice will inherently exist is inevitable. As shown in the photograph, the children clutch their mother to find some comfort and the mother is gazing out as if unsure of what tomorrow will bring. Timelessness - The Woodstock 1969 Flyer is my idea of timelessness. Music brining people together has always occured, in all cultures, across all ages. The timelessness that humans will want to gather together and be entertain by music and musicians to me, is timeless.
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Permanence - In my mind, the one thing that seems the most permanent is the space beyond what we know. The idea of an expansive darkness that is unable to be explored and discovered, that has existed for so long (that we know of) and will probably continue to exist.
PRE-DESIGN
PATTERNS - TONIE
To coexist with our visual representations of Inevitability, Timelessness and Permanence we were asked to develope shapes that also represent these three ideals. Inevitability is represented by the elipse. Timelessness is represented by the diamond. Permanence is represented by the infinity symbol. After deciding on shapes, I layered them and connected them until I created a pattern that I could use as a visual guide for the rest of the project. The overall pattern is conducive to courthouse architecture in the way I have seen and experienced it. The grid was important to emphasize the formality of the courthouses. The soft curves symbolizes the sensitivity of the human experience based on usual anxiety felt when experiencing a courthouse. The color choices was to show the contrast between void and solid and to give the viewer another perspective each time shehe views it.
PRE-DESIGN
FINAL PATTERNS
About my final pattern, I think it developed itself gradually. I am a very systematic thinker and rationalize a lot by applying rules, so once I stated what I was looking for and a couple rules, the pattern developed itself. I was very clear from the beginning that I wanted to create a modular pattern that did not look modular. I wanted to be able to fool the eye of the receptor for a minute before he/she realize it actually was a very organized pattern. To achieve this, I created three main shapes that where flipped, mirrored and organized throughout a canvas. After determining the main area of the pattern, I cropped it by following the lines that were in the drawing, creating a unique shape.
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PRE-DESIGN
FINAL PATTERNS
The finished pattern became a relentless play on contrast, void and solid, and curves on a grid. The system by which I designed it was based on rationality, repetition, and connections. I was eager to create a pattern that almost invades the comfort level of the viewer. By choosing to size the individual pieces of the pattern smaller, they began to look more like a whole rather than individual pieces. Having a 36�x36� board size, gave me an opportunity to crop the pattern through a line of individual pattern pieces. This leaves you wondering how far it continues passed the end of the page. I wanted to make you believe this was a piece of something even larger.
PRE-DESIGN
OBJECTS - ANDREA
My object on the other hand, was completely inspired by the idea of changing perspectives. As looking at the same place in different angles. It looked very simple and clean but it was a playful cube that allowed the visual discovery of perspective and interaction with the user.
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PRE-DESIGN
OBJECTS - TONIE
In developing a three dimensional representation of Inevitability, Timelessness and Permanence, I utilized the same system as with the pattern. The structure of the object is painted wood. Taking inspiration from the curves, I created to opposing S-curves. I drilled a grid into the S-curves, I stood them up and opposed them on the base. I used black, blue and orange string to weave through the grid to produce a series of lines that appear horizontal from one perspective, crossing or intersection from another perspective.
PRE-DESIGN SITE ANALYSIS
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3 4
2
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SITE CONTEXT Austin Texas City Center - Not to scale 1. The Austin U.S. Federal Courthouse 2. Major Transit Stop 3. Republic Square Park 4. West View of the Site 5. South View of the Site
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PRE-DESIGN
SITE ANALYSIS
1. The Austin U.S. Federal Courthouse
2. Major Transit Stop
3. Republic Square Park
4. West View of the Site
5. South View of the Site
PRE-DESIGN
CONCEPT SKETCHES
We began by sketching ideas to decide how we wanted to incorporate the systems we used to develope our patterns and objects. We considered the Federal Courthouse across the area, and used it’s cube-like massing to propell our project. Our inspirations also stemmed from traditional doric columns. We decided to design a modern take on the traditional, monumental column. We call them, Structural Light Wells. These would be structural, they would allow light to enter the building, and they would represent spaces for transitions. These Light Wells would take on an organic shape. We set rules for them in terms of how they would interact with the Harbinger Courthouse and how they would interact with the 1.4 million sqf tower addition. We started with a cube for our Harbinger Courthouse and allowed the organic shapes to disrespect the cube. We set the opposite rule for the tower. We began with the organic shapes and let the cube crop them.
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PRE-DESIGN
SOLAR ANALYSIS
NOR
TH
The main entry to the building is on the North side of the building. The building is glazed where the public program and restricted program exist within the building. The areas that are secure are cladded in a slate stone panel system. We designed a perforated metal rain screen that hangs between each Light Well, 42� away from the exterior walls. The rain screen is designed to allow more perforations that are closer together in the more public areas and less perforations further apart in the more secure areas. This allows for maximum solar exposure on the north and east sides of the building and still allowing in light in the other non-secure areas but blocking solar gain.
Spring Equinox
Summer Solstice
Fall Equinox
Winter Solstice
PRE-DESIGN
MASSING MODEL
This massing model was an exercise in form. We were not sure how the Structural Light Wells should be seen from the exterior, so this was an attempt to showcase the Light Wells on the faรงade. As seen on the lower portion of the model. The concept mass for the 1.4 million square foot future addition was designed based on the contrasting idea of our Harbinger Courthouse. Instead of the organic shapes disrespecting the cube, the cube would crop the organic shapes for the tower.
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PRE-DESIGN VIDEO STILLS
Throughout the design process we have also been producing a short film that is a representation of the things that have inspired our design. It is a culmination of organic shapes and movements. The film is intended to help induce the feeling of our design through visual and audible sensory.
DESIGN
North East View of the Courthouse
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DESIGN
SITE PLAN
The building is located facing the republic square plaza in the downtonw area of Austin, Texas. It has a visual connectin with Austin Federal Courthouse located to the west of the plaza.
DESIGN
BUILDING PLANS
Publilc Parking
Mechanical Room
Publilc Parking
Public Parking
Mechanical Room
Restricted Parking
Vehicle Sally Port
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Restricted Parking Access Gate
Vehicle Sally Port
DESIGN
D
B
B
A
D
BUILDING PLANS
Open Workspace Public Lobby Office
B Office
Exhibit Storage
B
District Clerk Reception
Office
Mech. Chase
Jury Deliberation
Attorn. Conf.
Reception
A
Sally Port
Ceremonial Courtroom A
Outdoor Terrace
Shared Workspace
Holding Cells
Law Clerk
Attorn. Conf.
Judge’s Office
D D
B
B
A
A
C
C
A/V Storage
Jury Assembly
B
B
Public Lobby
Jury Service Juror Check-in
Clerk
Pretrial Reception
Sheriff Reception & workspace
Mech. Vault Chase
Office
Office Office
Office
Office Office
Galley Employee Lounge
A
Employee Lounge
Processing Office Manager
C
A
Office Office
C
A
Security Command
D
B
B
A
BUILDING PLANS
D
DESIGN
B
B Public Lobby
Attorn. Conference Jury Deliberation
District Courtroom
Mech. Chase A/V Storage A/V Storage
Attorn. Jury Conf. Deliberation District Courtroom
Shared Recept. Workspace Reception A
Law Clerk
Judge’s Office
Law Clerk
A
C
C
Judge’s Office
Shared Workspace
Sally Port
A
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DESIGN
BUILDING SECTIONS
The Sections of the building show that the building is placed on a plinth to create a sense of monumentality through the premonage of the user. It shows the connection of the Structural Light Wells with the rest of the building and it’s connection with the parking lot structure.
DESIGN
RENDERINGS
North West View of the Courthouse
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Cortuhouse Lobby
DESIGN
RENDERINGS
North East View of the Courthouse
Ceremonial Courtroom
DESIGN
1”=50’-0” MODEL
This model is a representation of the 100,000 Harbinger Courthouse. This includes the plinth, orientation to the street, Structural Light Wells, and rainscreen. The model on the next page is also a representation of the Harbinger Courthouse at a larger, more detailed scale.
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DESIGN
1/16”=1’-0” MODEL
SYSTEMS
DIAGRAMS
Circulation
Egress
+/- 114’
+/- 92’ +/- 97’ +/- 76’
+/
Office
20 7’ 1/ 20 3( 7) = 69 ’
Restricted Access Public Access Secure Access
Common Path of Travel: </= 100’ Diagonal Distance: Exits </= 1/3 = 69’
+/- 91’
+/- 114’
+/- 98’
-
+/ 7’
20 7)
20
3(
1/ = ’
69 +/- 114’ +/- 100’
+/- 76’
-
+/ 7’
20 1/ 7)
20
3( = 69 ’
Law Clerk
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SYSTEMS
Mechanical Systems
Office
SUPPLY RETURN
Reflective Ceiling Plans
DIAGRAMS
SYSTEMS
STRUCTURE
The Structure of the building was inspired by the greek doric columns as a example of Monumentality, and by Toyo Ito Mediatheque in Tokio. It is shaped by 17 organic cylinders that carve the building. These Structural Light Wells are composed of ten 10” tubes of extra strong steel and go all the way from the first floor to six feet above the roof.
Structural Diagrams
Level 3 Scale: 1/32” = 1’-0”
Upper Parking Level Scale: 1/32” = 1’-0”
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Level 1 Scale: 1/32” = 1’-0”
Level 2 Scale: 1/32” = 1’-0”
Lower Parking Level Scale: 1/32” = 1’-0”
Ground Level Scale: 1/32” = 1’-0”
SYSTEMS
Painted Aluminum
Detail 1
Blocking
DETAILED SECTIONS
Skylight Glass
Light gauge steel framing Cant strip Rigid Insulation
Steel WF beam
Concrete roof structure
16'-3"
Ceiling
Concrete deck Welded steel floor structure
Detail 2
Concrete deck
13'-6"
Ceiling Kicker support
Welded steel floor structure
Ceiling Kicker support
18'-3"
10" Diameter extra Strong steel cylinder Aluminum mullion
Detail 3
10" Diameter extra Strong steel cylinder
Glazing Concrete deck
Concrete deck
GRADE Cast-in-place concrete beam
PARKING GARAGE
Cast-in-place concrete beam
Concrete pier
Concrete slab
SYSTEMS
STRUCTURE
Skylight glass Aluminum flashing
Light gauge steel framing
Aluminum flashing Lap waterproofing over parapet Light gauge steel framing Gypsum sheathing
Lap roofing membrane under water proofing Cant strip Tapered insulation Slab
Detail 1
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SYSTEMS
DETAILED SECTIONS
Glazing Aluminum mullion Light gauge steel framing
Wood floor on sleepers
Welded steel floor structure Steel WF beam
Detail 2
Glazing Aluminum mullion
Wood flooring on sleepers Waterproofing Concrete deck
Detail 3
SYSTEMS
STRUCTURE
Detail 1
Detail 2
Detail 3
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SYSTEMS
DETAILED SECTIONS
Detail 1
Detail 2
Detail 3
SYSTEMS
STRUCTURE
Detail 1
Detail 2
Detail 3
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SYSTEMS
DETAILED SECTIONS
Detail 1
Detail 2
Detail 3
REFLECTION
Comprehensive studio was to me a revival to our love towards architecture. After spending the last year and a half learning about the more technical side of the profession, I felt like this studio was the conclusion of all the things we learn through architecture school and now, that we had the tools, we also had the opportunity to take bigger risks and enjoying every face of the project. At the same time, we were expected to give more realistic explanations about how our building was put together. I though this studio really was one of the best one I ever had, and I thank our professor Trefry for it.
Andrea Ramirez
Comprehensive Studio this semester has been by far the best studio I have had. I feel as though there has really been a coming together of everything I have learned thus far at KU. Professor John Trefry was an insightful guide throughout the semester, and helped me expose my own creative potential. I feel confident and prepared to enter my final year.
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Tonie Barnett