C O N T E N T S 3-4
Icebreaker: The Cube Part I
31
Section, Floor Plan
5-6
The Cube 18x18x18
32
Vignettes
7
Introduction to the Site
33
Photographs and Sketch
8
Proposal 1
34
Final Presentation board (44x68)
9
Proposal 2
35
Final Comments
10
Inspiration
36
END
11-12
Site Base Gesture Model
13-14
Two Side Base models
15-16
One Side Base Model
17-18
New Side Base Model
19-20
Site Base Model – Scale 1/16
21
Charcoal Drawing
22-23
Site Model 9
24-25
Site Model 10
26-27
Site Model 11 (Drawings, Section and Program 21 Analysis) END
28
Site Model 12
29
Cedar Community Center
30
Section, Plan and Program
ICE BREAKER
The Cube PROs •Structure was frame within 6x6x6 •Pattern are repeating in the cube •Well crafted
•No symmetry
Inspiration
Thoughts Building this first model was inspiring and relaxing. I was driven by the simplicity and structural dynamic of my cube.
The Cube
CONs •Needed complexity •I have a remembrance of a piece of cheese •It looks too simple •Needed more thoughtful thinking
Thoughts
When constructing this first iteration my main idea was to have a representation of the pattern of the geometrical circles. At the end the result didn’t show complexity. The night I was constructing the first model I was having swish cheese. I wonder if that may have some influence in my design process.
Pros
•Structure was frame within 18 x 18 x 18 •Metal was the primary element •I learned how to work with copper •Frame weight 2 pounds, giving a strong foundation •Central cylinder establish a focal point within the copper frame
Thoughts Working with a gesture model that is physically a big scale was challenging. In fact, making the edges connected at ¾ copper material. Ts (individual pieces that connect the copper tubes) and bridges were needed to make it stable so other models could be placed on top of the metal frame cube. I was motivated by the non symmetry, weight and size of the model.
The Cube – Part II
Cons •Model doesn’t look attractive •Central cylindrical pieces doesn’t speak to the frame. •There is not intention on the composition of the piece.
Thoughts The piece doesn’t connect with the initial cube. The addition of cylindrical tubes distract viewers from the frame. Building this structure a home, made me realized that I need a center copper table.
Introduction to the Site – Cedar Street •
Cedar Street is an Alley located in The Tenderloin area in San Francisco, California.
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This Alley’s limits are to the East, Larkin Street, to the west Van Ness Avenue, to the North West is Post Street and to the South East is Geary Street.
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Cedar Street is close to The Tendernob neighborhood which refer to an area around the indefinite boundary between the Upper Tenderloin and Lower Nob Hill.
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This community represent many spectrum of the San Francisco economy.
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From homeless to high-end design stores and restaurants.
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Many of these communities have lived in this area for many years.
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New constructions and new residents have been able to activate this neighborhood.
How to approach the alley?
Vertical Garden from Boor Bridges Architecture Firm
Inspiration
Site Base Gesture Models PROs •Well crafted geometrical models
•Side base constructed •Three different approaches: A series of polygons that overlap to each other. A rectangular pieces that cut in the middle and connected to each other. A rectangular pieces that are penetrated by and curvilinear elements.
Thoughts
Making these gesture models were completed in 4 hours. I should have put more time to experimented the design language.
CONs • No completed the minimal requirements: Building three different sites. • Gesture models are too small. • No need to add windows into the gesture model. Thoughts During the review all these issues come out. Establishing a design process take time and require a full thoughtful thinking. This is the time where experimentation is the key component.
PROs
•Two full site base gesture models. •Two forces that are being represented by mass. •Trying to finding a point of conversation.
Thoughts These two forces are the people in cedar Street trying to have a conversation. My main focus was to leave frames language and experiment with mass. Being able to dominated the paper to communicate my intention of a relationships. Geometrical lines were on the surface of the material.
Two Site models
CONs •Rectangular shapes are reflected on the surfaces.
One Site Base Model PROs •Pentagons are interconnected •Main pentagon is resting on top of the Boors Architect firm and the Chinese Church.
Thoughts Model reflect non symmetry and is evolving from Larking Street into the alley.
CONs • Pentagons are arbitrary connected. • Model reflect gestures from previous model in a bigger scale. • Pentagons are resting on the alley. They aren’t having a conversation. In fact they seem separate from the alley.
Thoughts Gesture model wasn’t completed integrated with the site. Next model will celebrate a conversation.
New Side Base Model PROs •Model anchor into the Chinese's Church •Gesture model is embracing both buildings •Openings creates a space for light to get in. •Able to use the site effective. Thoughts This gesture model is embracing both buildings. My intention is to make this communities to have a conversation.
CONs • Gesture model is not embracing the alley. • Gesture model doesn’t follow any programmatic requirements. Thoughts I envision a tower that connect high income with low income people to celebration their diversity as a whole community.
Site Model to scale PROs •Structure anchor into the building •Well crafted site model •Tower start to embrace the alley
Thoughts My gesture model need integration with the alley. Material are too fragile.
PROs
•Gesture model is starting to embrace the alley. •Site is to scale and It’s well crafted. Cons
•Why a tower? •The verticality gesture model need to address the alley. •Space and circulation need to be addressed. •Structure is too fragile
Thoughts No all the pieces of the project need to be addressed at this time. Next gesture model will address program and will embrace the alley.
Charcoal Drawing • How to approach the alley? • How to embrace the alley? • How to enhance the alley? PROs Charcoal media represent my intention which is to embrace the alley. CONs How to made an 3D design that represent my drawing?
Site Model 9 Intention: • To embrace the alley
PROs 3D structure is anchoring between the both sides of the alley. Verticality started to develop CONs Pieces are separated.
Site Model 9 View from Polk St.
Site Model 10 Intention: •
To add the program and a volumetric component
PROs Initial volumetric started to occur CONs
Model is not embracing the alley. There is not Volumetric component. Program are not boxes
Site Model 10
Site Model 11 Intention: • Create order • Embrace the alley • Develop a connection to the offices PROs Structure is connected to the offices by adding an elevated bridge. Model is in contrast with the site due to their uneven geometrical frames. CONs There is not sign of volumetric. Model still abstract. Offices far away from the restrooms are an issue.
Site Model 11 Drawings, section, plan and program analysis.
Site Model 12 Intention: •
Include LPN and CBD offices into the tower.
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Made a connection between the alley and the main entrance. Entrances will be from Cedar St. and Larkin St.
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Create a frame that represent the initial language.
PROs Skin has two components (metal and glass) Circulation through the main elevator from the ground floor to the 7th floor. Offices were incorporated into the building CONs Floors and additional volumetric components are required
The Site
Open Areas a) Geary Apartment's outdoor area b) Private Parking garage c) Larkin Apartment outdoor area
Program • The alley must be considered part of the project. • 10,00o sf approximately plus the alley itself. Intent To embrace the relationships of the people who live, work and use Cedar St. and surrounding areas. Concept • Create a vertical landmark for the neighborhood • Build a dynamic silhouette structure • Activate the alley by connecting the Cedar street and Polk through the main entrance of the tower. • An expansion of the vertical garden in the left side of Cedar St. (from Larkin St.)
Plan and Program
Section – Floor Plan
Vignettes
Photographs
Sketch
Final Comments Context: • • • • • •
Relationship to the alley: one side of each floor is on the same axis of Cedar Street. The dynamic rectilinear tower is pointed to the sky making occupants to look into heaven. The dark alley is a metaphor from horizontality (dark) to verticality (light). Connecting different communities in a elevated neutral surface. A building that belongs to the community and serve as a gateway to enhance human’s relationships. The new architecture contrast with the traditional forms of Cedar Street.
Thoughts In the last five months I have been exploring, analyzing, the Cedar Street. I had found contrast between people who live there and new comers who are changing the fabric of this neighborhood in particularly Cedar St. These findings had been the inspiration of my concept, which is to embrace the relationships between local residents and newcomers. My goal is to enhance the alley without occupying the alley. Therefore the structure is elevated into the sky. My intention is to build a structure that celebrate the both communities.
References -
Boor Bridges Architecture Firm (vertical gardens) The High Line – New York Landscape – Architecture Now! Philip Jodidio The End of Architecture – Lebbeus Woods Urban Land Use Planning – F. Stuart Chapin
“A real building is one on which the eye can light and stay lit.” - Ezra Pound (1885-1972)
ARCH 103: Architecture Design Studio – Spring 2014 Student: Julio Cesar Soriano Professors: Andrew Chandler Jerry Lum