T H E
A L E X A N D R A
A Housing Solution to One of Boston’s Hidden Gems
Dana Theobald
SENIOR
CAPSTONE
(In Progress)
Savannah College of Art & Design February 2018
THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL
L O C AT I O N: 1631 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118 | Y E A R B U I LT: 1875 | A R C H I T E C T: Unknown | S T Y L E: Ruskin Gothic | O R I G I N A L F U N C T I O N: Luxury Hotel | S TAT U S: Abandoned
THE SOUTH END The Largest Victorian Neighborhood in the Country
Average Age: 31 Median Income (ages 25 - 44): $61,471 Average Rent: $3,256
THE BOSTON HOUSING CRISIS
Boston is growing. Greater Boston Population 1970 - 2010, 2010 - 2030 Projected
supply < demand Average Market Rent, Inner Boston Core 2009 - 2016
rapid gentrification has led to
displacement
of locals and the working class the city expects to gain
50,000 new residents by 2030
59
% increase in rent since 2009.
loss of neighborhood heritage & diversity
53,000
new housing units need to be created by 2030 to meet the growing demand
challenge for a city that has been densley developed for over a century
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Goal Revitalize a historic and abandoned building to serve a beneficial purpose within its neighborhood culture and community
Objective Attract users in to the space by creating a mixed use building that provides amenities / facilities that the neighborhood is currently lacking
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Goal Create Boston standard microapartments that demonstrate the benefits of scaled down living arrangements
Objective Incorporate common areas on residential levels that encourage social gathering and engagement.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Architectural
Context
Muse
Ruskin Gothic
The Victorian Era
The Emerald Necklace
CONCEPT STATEMENT
Emerald Necklace Following the Emerald Necklaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basic principles of linking components together, this project will provide spaces that foster social interaction for not only its residential users, but the outside community as well. New life will be revitalized in this neglected building by honoring its history throughout the interior design, while acknowledging the fashionable emerald trends of the Victorian Era from which the building was built.
CONCEPT
Concept Sketches
Concept Model
CONCEPT APPLICATION
Fire Exit Balcony
Light Well
Original West Elevation
Level 2 Floor Plan
CONCEPT APPLICATION
E UP
West Elevation
Level 2 Floor Plan
PROGRAMMING
LEVEL 3-5 Residential
LEVEL 2 Coorporate
LEVEL 1 Dining & Retail
FLOOR PLAN Levels 2-5 Emergency Exit
N
STORAGE
E UP
CAF E
LOBBY
Washington Street
Level 1 4,826 sq ft
Massachusetts Ave
L AU N DR O M AT
LOBBY
North Lobby Section (Process Render)
Quick Process Render Revit & Photoshop
RECEPTION DESK
E
East Lobby Elevation (Process Render)
KEY EXPERIENCES
“What amenities / facilites do you feel the South End needs more of?” South End Questionaire | 82 Respondents
#1 Response:
LAUNDROMAT
“Places to sit and talk with others”
CAFE
LAUNDROMAT
North Laundromat Elevation (Process Render)
Inspirational Images
LAUNDROMAT
Quick Process Render Revit & Photoshop
CAFE
Quick Process Render Revit & Photoshop
KEY EXPERIENCES 3 4
“What amenities / facilites do you feel the South End needs more of?” South End Questionaire | 82 Respondents
2 1
#2 Response:
COWORK SPACES / OFFICES 5
E up
7
8
6
9
Open to Below 10
Level 2
11
Legend 1. Individual Desks / Collaborative Table 2 Private Desks 3. Copying Room / Storage 4. Quiet Lounge 5. Conference Room 6. Communal Kitchen 7. Reception Desk 8. Small Meeting Room 9. Individual Desks / Collaborative Table 10. Conference Room 11. Lounge Space
COWORK SPACE
RESIDENTIAL FLOOR The minimum requirement for a studio apartment in Boston is
450 sq ft
450 sq ft Floorplan Concept Sketches Common Space
450 sq ft
450 sq ft E
450 sq ft
Common Space
450 sq ft
450 sq ft
MICROAPARTMENT
Opti on 1
MICROAPARTMENT
Opti on 2
E 5 ft
7 ft
MICROAPARTMENT
Opti on 2
QUIET COMMON SPACE
Quiet Communal Spaces
E
ENTERTAINMENT COMMON SPACES
E