[CONTEXT PLAN]
[EXPLANATORY DIAGRAMS]
- directly informs - influences indirectly
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03
[MAIN STREET ENTRANCE]
STRUCTURAL
[A.I.R. EXTERIOR VIEWING SPACE]
[ENTRANCE FROM PARKING]
CIRCULATORY
[ART CENTER APPROACH]
PROGRAMMATIC
CONCEPTUAL
01
01
TECTONIC
LEGEND: 1 - Atrium 2 - Front Desk 3 - Gift Shop 4 - Auditorium 5 - Facility Manager [office] 6 - Building Security 7 - Foliage Maintenance 8 - Server Room 9 - Main Mech. Room 10 - Docent Locker Room 11 - Sprinkler Valve 12 - Electric Switchgear 13 - High Value Storage 14 - Loading Dock 15 - Conservation Space 16 - Head Consrvationist [office] 17 - Conservation Storage 18 - A-I-R Finishing Space 19 - A-I-R- Craft Space 20 - A-I-R Storage 21 - Gallery 22 - Mezzanine 23 - Activity Space 24 - Classroom 25 - Terrace 26 - Conference Room 27 - Break Room 28 - Misc. Office 29 - A.I.R. Coordinator [office] 30 - Museum Manager [office] 31 - Mail/Copy Room 32 - Museum Curator [office] 33 - Museum Director [office] - Custodial - Electrical - Mechanical - Restroom - Storage - Telecom
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1 0 L
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E V
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E L
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2 0 L
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E V
E L
3 0 L
7 25
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V E
E V
E L
L E
L
4 0 [SECTION A-A]
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[SECTION B-B]
5 1
2
23 22
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28
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11 12
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31
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28
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30 33 4 32
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[A.I.R. WORK SHOP]
Brief:
The H.C.C.M.C. is a facility located in the Houston Museum District, designed to provide the public with an education on contemporary craft as a whole, as well as a specific focus on the qualities and techniques implemented of smithing: black smithing, copper smithing, and bright smithing. It does this by creating a stimulating and interactive environment in which visitors can learn about metal work visually and haptically. The center provides multiple galleries showcasing the work of famous metal craftspeople as well as the on-site artists-in-residence. In addition, the center provides classes for adults and children to learn the fundamentals of the craft and hosts public informational lectures in a new auditorium. With these multiple learning opportunities, the H.C.C.M.C. hopes to enlighten the populace on the special qualities of metal.
Concept:
The massing, structure, tectonics, and placement of the building are derived relative to the contextual elements adjacent to the site. These elements are initially determined by observing nearby building setbacks, common paths of travel at both the pedestrian and automobile level, tree line visibility, and primary views to the site. The structural grid which eventually informed the angled gesture of the building is conceived through the superimposition of the adjacent city infrastructure grids on the site. The exact placement comes from the neighboring buildings setbacks informing the bridging aspect of the program, the central atrium. The tectonic aspects of the exterior façade take their root from the different aspects of smithing exhibited at the facility. The juxtaposed aesthetic derives from the differences of the hot and cold forging processes. The repetitive, gradual nature of hammering heavy metals is conveyed in the pushing and pulling of the stone panels on the lower portion of the exterior. The punctured, sharp character of light metal craft is captured in the slim, long openings in the lighter aluminum panels on the upper half. The building works to provide an open experience utilizing a central lobby/atrium to give guests access to all galleries from the moment they arrive. These galleries utilize the exposed structure and tectonics of the building to facilitate circulation and frame views to specific pieces as well as the exterior and interior of the building.
[ELEVATIONAL PERSPECTIVES] Displays in the gallery are modular in nature, allowing the museum to shape exhibits based on the content rather than having fixed areas. The artist-in-residence program allows exhibit-goers the opportunity to learn about the craft from a trained professional. With multiple different viewing areas inside and outside of the building, visitors can observe different metal working processes first hand. The metal screening element on the exterior of the facility is a more overt expression of the metal craft practiced there. Providing shade and cover for the multiple roof terraces, it serves to add a narrative through line for the experiential quality of the building. It’s contrasting color draws the user from a distance, allows them to register it at the moderate scale on site and at a more intimate one when approaching the building, and on one of the terraces.
HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY METAL CRAFT
[EDUCATION FACILITIES]
[MODULAR GALLERY]
[ATRIUM]
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