Architectural Resolution ARCT3000 21293912
Academy of Fine Arts Brera 1:200 Ground Floor plan
The Slices in the roof and library cantilever exist primarily to allow light into the library space. The form of the cuts has been determined by carry the lines of the tunnel slits across the roof section of the building which on a ground level provides a continuous sight line and alludes to the existence of something beneath the ground. At night these slits are also designed to glow from the internal light of the library giving a slightly ethereal feeling to the courtyard at night and creating a strong uniform design which illuminates itself. The overall form of the building has been determined through the master plan and the geometries generated are a result of the angles and line of neighboring buildings, This aims to achieve a strong clean design where all the buildings relate to one another and a degree of uniformity exists. The Roof of the library is covered in a thin layer of soil and grass as to continue the urban park as outlined in the master plan, this layer also continues up the protrusions.
Academy of Fine Arts Brera 1:200 -.5 Floor Plan
When placing the library and lecture theatre underground it was important for both practicality and safety for the buildings to be directly accessible from ground level. Given the slope of the protrusions it became apparent that the employment of two mezzanine levels would be useful as both an entrance area as-well a s a way of continuing the buildings sight lines form ground level.
Academy of Fine Arts Brera 1:200 -1 Floor Plan
The design of the -1st floor aimed to create a central hub to the academy with tunnels and linkages to all corners of the campus. The linkage between the lecture theatre and library via the tunnel allows for a seamless transition between displaying and learning spaces. The ring that is created by the void space acts as both a traffic route and a collaborative learning environments with tables ,chairs and couches placed around the perimeter. Being a collaborative area, the multimedia and computer areas have also been placed on this level allowing for direct ease of access and ease of use for the students The design of the lecture theatre and the shaping of the desks has also been done to take into account viewing angles from every seat and position, each bench desk, chosen to give students there own space, is curved to accommodate the optimal viewing angle towards the screen.
Academy of Fine Arts Brera 1:200 -2 Floor Plan
The design of the -2nd floor of the library aims to focus the surrounding rooms on the libraries catalogue and resources. With the placement of the project archives towards the rear in a sealed area but visible through a curtain glass wall and the bookshelves arranged in a grid allowing for 2.45km of shelving the design ensures that all material is easily locatable. The teaching and study rooms surrounding vary in size to accommodate different group sizes and different room uses whilst still making optimal use of the space. Administration is located in the top corner accessed via double doors to allow for a spacious feeling as well as allowing access to the storeroom which runs under the lecture theatre into the underground loading dock and car-park. A space for individual working areas has been located directly next to the catalogue on the north side and the linkage to the lecture theatre on this level functions as a safety exit as well as an additional way of getting in and out of the space.
Academy of Fine Arts Brera 1:200 Sections
Both the lecture theatre and library have been designed in such a way to comfortable cascade to the lower levels. This decision was made as principally to achieve a comfortable space with high ceilings and a light environment the building needed to be sunk quite deeply underground at 11 meters. The stairs in both the lecture theatre and library have been designed at a very comfortable gradient and also to continue and mirror the lines of the exterior creating a design consistency and harmony. The cantilevered protrusions that seemingly jut out of the ground aim to act as a sculptural piece in the master plan and a beacon for the central nerve of the design given the absence of any other presence on ground level apart from the slits and glass elevator box which allude to the existence of something else beneath the surface. The glass curtain walls that curtain the protrusions also allow the viewer to look straight down into the deepest parts of the building giving the impression of a unfolded void. The shape of the protrusions assist this by appearing as though the building has been simply folded up in a way to mirror the lines of the surrounding buildings. The overall gradient in both buildings generated but the placement of the void and stairs, mirrors the angle of the protrusions and as a result assist this view to the deepest point from ground level. Overall all of these factors form an architectural space that creates an experience for the visitor by drawing them underground into a completely different environment than what is on the surface.
Academy of Fine Arts Brera 1:500 Exploded Isometric with program
Arranged as to not interupt cross slices however support internals
Structural Brace. Large Internal structural beam Outline
The Structural brace design detail is a consideration that has been designed to acheive three goals in one design. The brace reinforces the roof in key areas where internal structure is partially lacking due to the slits in the roof which allow light in. The light from the perimter slits then hits a reflective surafce installed inside the structural brace and reflects through a diffuer scattering light all over the library thus creating more light in the building.
Perforated Ply wood ( Painted as to match internal colour scheme)
Ground Level
Sound Proofing foam
The Brace on the other side is clad with sound proofin material which when combined with the sound proofed balastrade on the -1st floor block out a majority of all noise that could possibly enter the -2nd floor which is designated as quiet area for study.
Mirrored Surface
45째
1000.0 300.0
Strenghtened Glass
Triangulated Tubular steel beam
Materials Form-work concrete has been chosen as the material of all walls with in the building. This decision has been made to create a the feeling of being in a building that is underground. The heaviness and darkness and the way concrete interacts with light are all traits that would work well with the building
Light Difuser 2300.0
Connected to internal ceiling stucture at key triangulated load points
Marble, the majority of all floors in the building will be a highly polished very light white marble, this material has been chosen as it contrasts well with the concrete and in therms of the space gives the floors and almost floating ethereal feel further enhancing the space.
1:50
Wood, A bamboo wood has been chosen as the material for balustrades, sounding proofing and desk fronts the material compliments the other chosen materials and is to be lightly painted white to ensure the texture is still visible but goes well with the marble
80.0
75.0
Glass: all doors windows light tubes and slits are to be made from a slightly reflective glass as to give the impression of more space
Mirrored Internal Surface
100.0
Strengthened Glass
*All materials are visible in the visualizations
Glass Cylinder Light Diffuser
55.0
Steel Cylinder frame
Parabolic Light Disperser and Diffuser
1:5
Academy of Fine Arts Brera Technichal Considerations
Light Shafts In order to bring more natural light into the buildings a series of light shafts have been designed to simply cut through the ceiling at key points. These shafts from the ground level appear like translucent stepping stones and at night, as with the roof slits, the interior light from the building causes them to glow. Due to the strength of these shafts they can be quite easily cast or welded in to the roof structure .
Academy of Fine Arts Brera Interconnectivity and Freeflow concept
Further incorporating and utilizing the concepts from the master planning phase the design of both the library and lecture theatre encourage free flow of movement and a clarified distinction between public and private space. The system of tunnels outlined in the master plan is continued in the library and the distinction between spaces is carried very strongly with the tunnels being quite dark and small as to ensure people don’t stay in them to long and the library by comparison being enormous and light . The tunnels and free flow continues on all levels and the with links between all floors and the lecture theatre , underground and library. Overall this allows for an unrestricted movement and when considered with the master plan creates a harmony in design. The distinction between public and private space has also been carried over from eh master plan with eh ground level being g designated as public all the -1st floor as public u and lecture theatre as public university and the -2nd floor of the library being designated as communal . This distinction makes it clear as to how the Floor levels interact with each other and how the concept has informed the design.
Academy of Fine Arts Brera External illustrative visualisations