OU T CITY Reimag ining q ueer space Until very recently, spaces for LGBTQ-identified people have existed in hidden bars and clubs, parks, bathhouses and within the strictures of heteronormative society. The growing acceptance of queer people has led to greater visibility, yet the commodification of gay culture and the erasure of many members of the community remains prevalent. Queerowned bars, clubs and shops provide places for people to meet up and spend money but not to gather and connect in meaningful ways. The William Way Center, the current LGBTQ community center in Philadelphia, serves important functions but does not live up to its programmatic or architectural potential and does not engage the community. A purposebuilt project focused on dwelling, wellness, gathering and expression, including community spaces and transitional housing for homeless youth, will act as a hub for queer people in the city and region. Vincent DiMaria | Thesis | 2014-2015 Advisor Joanne Aitken
Purpose
W here we stand Up to this point, the LGBTQ community has achieved rights by being palatable and assimilating, and many people believe that all of the issues have been solved through the legalization of same-sex marriage. However, the lives of many queer people are still very difficult. It is important for the queer community to maintain strength and provide support to the members of the community most in need. We’re at a time in history where we can move beyond basic acceptance and towards the celebration of sexual identity and gender expression.
Building on Queer Space in Philadelphia
The Issue of Queer Youth Homelessness
SHOPS BARS/CLUBS
COMMUNITY
5% of the general
40% of the homeless
62% LGBTQ
58% homeless
+
youth population identifies as LGBTQ
PUBLIC ART & SIGNAGE
HEALTH
homeless youth suicide rate
youth population identifies as LGBTQ
LGBTQ youth who have been sexually assaulted
82% homeless
LGBTQ youth who reported at least one mental health problem
HOUSING EVENTS
Barriers to Stability
Scarcity of affordable housing & discrimination in shelters
2
Incomplete education makes finding work difficult
Drug abuse as a means of survival
(The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force & The Human Rights Campaign)
Program SHELTER ROOF TERRACE THEATER
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
EXPRESSION
=
BANQUET HALL
GATHERING ROOF TERRACE
EXHIBIT
CAFE
DAY CENTER/ THERAPY
LOBBY/ LOUNGE
WELLNESS DWELLING
CONF ROOMS OFFICES
COMP. LOUNGE
FITNESS CENTER
(Image by Angela Duncan)
Project Goals Create a hub for queer people in the city and region Create a different type of queer space based on community instead of commerce Explore issues of contemporary expressions of queerness in architecture Expand upon the identity of the area as a safe and welcoming place for all queer people Engage and educate the Philadelphia community on queer issues Challenge neighborhood issues of exclusivity and gentrification
3
Site & Context 30TH STREET STATION
JEFFERSON STATION
NATIONAL(15 min. subway+walk)
BROAD
REGIONAL (15 min. walk)
GAYBORHOOD
PINE LOMBARD/SOUTH CITY (2 min. walk)
Potential Sites
Location Plan
Existing Conditions
Broad Street Landmarks
4
Precedents Asakusa Culture & Tourism Center
Tourism & Community Center / Tokyo / Kengo Kuma & Associates / 2012
CAFE VIEWING TERRACE
EXHIBITION SPACE
Size: 8 stories / 20,200 SF Connection: The Asakusa Center is an example of how to incorporate multiple
community uses on a tight urban site and how to stack program elements vertically. It also shows how a modest building can be very engaging and exciting through thoughtful design.
MULTIPURPOSE ROOM
LARGE CONF ROOM
SMALL CONF ROOM MEDIUM CONF ROOM SEMINAR ROOM
OFFICE GROUP TOUR SUPPORT
TOURIST INFORMATION NURSING ROOM
INFORMATION LOBBY FOREIGN EXCHANGE
RESTROOMS MECHANICAL
Bud Clark Commons
Shelter, Day Center & Housing / Portland, OR / Holst Architecture / 2011
Size: 8 stories / 106,000 SF / 130 tenants Connection: Bud Clark Commons is an excellent example of how to mix uses and sensitive program elements in an effective and efficient way. Similar to the Center on Halsted, this building shows the possibilities and requirements of a specific user group when a programming process is followed. Aside from the public spaces and day center, Bud Clark will inform the more detailed requirements of a homeless shelter and single-occupancy transitional housing units.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
DAY CENTER
SHELTER
Center on Halsted
LGBT Community Center / Lakeview, Chicago, IL / Gensler / 2007
Size: 3 stories / 175,000 SF / 1,000 visitors/day Connection: The Center’s vision to promote “a thriving LGBTQ community, living
powerfully in supportive, inclusive environments” is directly related to my project’s goals. As one of the few purpose-built LGBTQ community centers, the Center shows the programming possibilities for this building type when a proper budget and process is achieved. Aside from providing the sizes and scope of the program elements, the Center will inform desired adjacencies between the elements and the specific needs of the user groups. While not the most inspirational design, this precedent will provide the basis for many of my program requirements.
SUPPORT DISCREET INWARD-FACING PUBLIC GENERAL NORTH HALSTED ST (Chicago’s main queer corridor)
5
Fall Review Massing Process
Floor Plans 150’
KITCHEN
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
68’
RESTROOMS
Level 10-18
THEATER LOBBY
RES. LOBBY
CAFE
AIDS MEMORIAL
Ground Floor
ROOF TERRACE
GALLERY
RESTROOMS
COMPUTERS
BREAK AREA
CONF ROOMS
6
Level 4
Coming Out
Journey
Diversity
Ambiguity
Assimilation/ Resistance
Escape
site selection form/massing
vertical circulation through stacked spaces reward/revelation
variety in articulation of interior spaces
blurred distinction between interior/exterior & public/private
response to context facade materiality
2nd floor lobby private roof terrace
Queer Space Diagrams
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
SHELTER BANQUET HALL GALLERY LOBBY LOBBY
CATERING KITCHEN
OFFICES CONF ROOMS FITNESS CENTER
THEATER
DAY CENTER
RES. LOBBY
CAFE
REHEARSAL
Exterior Sketch Section Perspective
7
Technical Review
2' - 2"
GYPSUM WALL BOARD
An aluminum mesh screen evolved into a kinetic, stainless steel panelized system between the Technical and Final Reviews
Materiality
FIBER CEMENT PANEL RAINSCREEN
0' - 10"
FLASHING
INSULATION
SITECAST CONCRETE BEAM & FLOOR
MECHANICAL PLENUM
STAINLESS STEEL PANEL STAINLESS STEEL SUPPORT
ACOUSTIC CEILING TILE GLAZING
MOISTURE BARRIER
VEGETATED ROOF
stormwater management
Wall Section
CHIMNEY COOLING TOWER FAN ROOM FRITTED GLASS
FRESH AIR
reduce heat gain
EXHAUST AIR RETURN DUCTWORK SUPPLY DUCTWORK FAN ROOM
ACCESS TO OUTDOOR SPACES
COOLING TOWER
connection to natural environment
TO RESIDENTIAL FAN COIL UNITS FRESH AIR EXHAUST AIR
CHIMNEY
TO COMMUNITY FAN COIL UNITS
SUN SHADING reduce heat gain
CHILLED WATER PLANT BICYCLE STORAGE RAINWATER HARVESTING
reuse in restrooms & greywater reuse
BOILER URBAN CONTEXT
walkable neighborhood transit access previously-developed land
BOILER CHILLED WATER PLANT CHILLED WATER
RAINWATER COLLECTION CHILLED WATER HOT WATER
HOT WATER
8
Sustainable Strategies
Mechanical Section
Modular Construction
Units are delivered to the site fully constructed and fit-out and are stacked into place The Stack (GLUCK+)
55' 0"
18' - 0"
A system of prefabricated modular residential units was dropped in favor of a more flexible, sitecast concrete structural system
18' - 0"
14' - 0"
13' - 0"
35' - 0"
53' - 4"
Kullman Modular Architecture Manual (Garrison Architects)
40' - 0"
Modular units are individually structured and supported at the corner of each unit
19' - 6"
18' - 0"
14' - 0"
13' - 0"
18' - 0"
35' - 0"
40' - 0"
53' - 4"
26' - 9"
Structural Framing Plan
19' - 6"
Structural Framing Plan Structural Axon
Structural Axon
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Feedback Juror/Advisor Comment
Response
Site Selection - Thesis advisors took issue with the initial site selection (Juniper & Spruce St), since it was the same site as the Co-housing studio project.
Site Selection - I compiled a list of several potential sites within a defined area and weighed their benefits and challenges. The study ultimately led me to choose a site that was much more suitable to the program and helped enhance the overall concept.
Efficiency vs. Expression - The jurors at the Mid Review encouraged me to be more expressive in the organization of the program, and one juror said it was too much of a “developer” building.
Efficiency vs. Expression - I took another look at the structure and realized I could manipulate it in a way that would enhance the expression of the overall design and serve the building functions better. I then challenged myself to think of different ways make each space unique and expressive.
Queerness in Architecture - Throughout the year, the jurors and my advisor challenged me to think of how I should define “queer architecture” and how I would respond to the current needs and identity of the community.
Queerness in Architecture - To wrap my mind around what I considered to be my toughest challenge in this project, I created diagrams to help me abstract common themes that queer people share (coming out, visibility vs. defense, etc.). I then translated these abstract concepts into architectural design concepts. I think my response was successful because I strayed away from relying on stereotypes and developed a more nuanced approach.
Engaging Spaces for Community - The jurors at Mid Review were concerned with how the public would engage with the building and how the building users would interact with each other. They encouraged me to push certain ideas that I had started to think about.
Engaging Spaces for Community - I was able to reorganize certain program elements to create a more public street presence along Pine Street. I also organized the community spaces around a central atrium to open sightlines between the building users. I reimagined the residential levels to include a series of indoor and outdoor common spaces.
10
Final Review
Process
L
TIA
EN
SID
RE
TE IVA
PR IC
BL
PU
T
OR
PP
SU LY
AS
Location
Context
B EM
S
Program
Light & Views
Atrium
Screen
Context
N
Site Plan
11
3
6
2
5
4 1
12
Floor Plans
9
16
8
15
7
11
13
14
Queer Space
Balancing competing forces of assimilation and resistance, the design solution is a building that challenges its context while inviting curiosity. The subtlety of the expression aligns with the nuance and sophistication of the diverse community it serves.
Coming Out
landmark building on Broad Street, the city’s most important corridor, is a gateway to the Gayborhood
Visibility & Vulnerability
Defense & Shielding
interior atrium opens public sightlines to the diversity of building users and activities
exterior screen obscures and protects the community within; exterior spaces are carved out of the building
Journey & Identity
vertically-stacked program promotes self-discovery through the understanding of others
Movement
kinetic facade panels express the revolutionary, dynamic spirit of the contemporary queer community
Materiality
1 1 laser-cut metal panels
2
3
fritted glass
fiber cement panels
4 roof terrace
2
5 kinetic facade supports
6 stainless steel kinetic facade panels
3
4 5
6
15
16
17
Section
Dwelling Units
Fitness Center
18
Floor Plan
Gallery
Atrium
Lobby
Gallery AIDS Memorial
Roof Terrace
19
Youth Center
East Elevation
20
Common Area
North Elevation
Common Area
West Elevation
Communal Kitchen
South Elevation