create a series of bridges that connect people to Georgia Tech. campus. And a sustainable bridge that takes the heat island
cooling in the floor slabs, a gray water collection system
Georgia Tech is the connector between the outside world and industry with new developments in technology and research. However, there is currently no welcome center for the world to come to learn and start their exploration of Georgia Tech. This proposal looks to welcome people of all backgrounds to Georgia Tech, connecting them directly with Georgia Tech’s oldest and most beloved building, Tech Tower. For visitors, one would be able to come first to the center and directly to the historic campus, where there are bound to be plenty of photo ops as well as initial memories to be had. From the historic campus, visitors can access the heart of the campus with ease and explore the many colleges and schools they wish. This location also has a connection with one of Georgia’s largest companies, Coca-Cola, as well as direct access to Atlanta by way of North Avenue. The Center, in looking toward the future, has a direct connection with the next generation as the YMCA and concurrent school is just south of the site. This welcome center sees the value of the community, not just that of Georgia Tech, but also the communities of the greater city of Atlanta.
Architectural moves by subtraction refer to a design approach in which the focus is on removing unnecessary elements or features from a building or structure in order to simplify and streamline the design. This approach is often used to create a
sense of openness, simplicity, and minimalism in architecture. Some examples of architectural moves by subtraction include the removal of non-essential walls or partitions, the use of open floor plans, and the reduction of decorative elements.
This approach can help to create a sense of calm and clarity in a space, and can also be used to emphasize the beauty and functionality of the remaining elements. In this case, the subtracted elements are given a diagrid panel to add to the
beauty of the structure.
In this study, I was exploring the different components in grasshopper, specifiaclly lunchbox, looking at the different ways to panelize a form. In Rhino I took the most basic form of a building, the box, and subtracted mass from it. I subtarcted the mass using a semi-circular prism and had it cut from longitudinal to longitudinal facades. With the form, I then played with the different panels offered to create something that could be used on the different surfaces of the form. The planar surfaces, which happened to be the external facades, I places a staggered rectilinear panel, emulating a steel panel. For the non-planar, curvilinear, surfaces a diagrid panel produced more desired results. These panels are glass to create a phenomenal qualitly that pairs well with the form. The mulions are then formed from the edges of the panels within the grasshopper script. Above are the plan cust at different heights to show off the form and the diagrid panel that is projected to the non-planar surfaces.
The semi-circular prism that cut the mass from the box, started from the center and cut three times. The first cut to the mass is the regular cut that goes straight through seen in the center above. From the same midpoint, the prism is skewd to the left corner. Then last cut or subtraction from the mass is on the other side skewing to the left (our right above) to give the same cut on the other side. To make this a building, rather than just a form, a floorplate is inserted half way up. To create differnt conditions and experiences, the floor plate does not go to the end, as seen above with the grid spanning from the left to the right.
Timber Towers Atlanta, Georgia
Timber Towers is a Hybrid Timber Project located on a 1.5 Acre plot in Midtown Atlanta (6070 Sq mt). The programs of the towers are Commercial (2025 Sq mt) and Residential (785 Sq mt). The aim of these towers are to bring recognition to
more sustainable building processes looking at guidelines and frameworks laid out by the Living Building Challenge, AIA Design Excellence, and LEED. In an ideal world, these towers would be Mass Timber, but due to constraints in building
Impact Competitions, Partner: Sean Li 2022
code, this project is Hybrid Timber with a steel frame with CLT Slabs. Using a Hybrid system rather than steel or concrete helps to bring down the embodied carbon for the project, while also providing a nice wood aesthetic. To help with the
solar radiation, both towers have operable panels that can be adjusted based on the desired lighting.
Because of these advantages, mass timber is being increasingly used in the construction of mid-rise and high-rise buildings, including skyscrapers. The use of mass timber in these types of buildings is still relatively new, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way that we think about sustainable construction.
In addition to its sustainability, mass timber also has a number of other advantages as a building material. It is lighter than concrete and steel, which makes it easier to handle and can reduce the amount of foundation required for a building. It is also strong and durable, and has the potential to perform well in earthquakes and other natural disasters.
From Ruin to Threshold Atlanta, Georgia
From Ruin to Threshold is a mixed-use apartment complex located in South Atlanta in a community known as Artisan Wells. With 30 residential units, this project provides housing for single homeless women and homeless families. Along with
housing, it provides onsite services to help the homeless residents. With a pharmacy, daycare, and homeless help, this project serves to help the homeless gain skills as well as provide resources to help them find employment. As well
as provide aid and assistance, this is also an entrance to the rest of Artisan Wells. Through the use of large courtyards and nature trails, From Ruin to Threshold brings guests to experience not only the nice elements of its own programs but
Roark Studio 2021
welcomes guests to explore the other sites of Artisan Wells.
In attempt to create social spaces for the different families on the different floors, I iterated different punctures and cutouts ending up with a splitting/ stepping movement. This subtracted element creates semi-outdoor spaces, providing social zones for the different families and peoples on the different floors. This also allows for there to be a visual connection through this stepping motion, allowing the users to look, not only through the building in one axis but two.
Mechanicsville has a large homeless population which is currently underserved.
Single Bed with Loft (11 Blocks/Units)
Studio Apartment (11 Blocks - 22 Units)
Through the Wooden Glass
Because the pavilion is to have adaptable space, the foundation/base needed to be designed in a way that allows for the panels to be easily removed and placed in different configurations. The base is therefor a simple grid that has pockets for the dowels of the screens. Above is the room configuration where the screens are creating a small room in the center of the pavilion and a surrounding corridor. The goal is that at every location, depending on the views and conditions, the pavilion would change to create new experiences. The base and the panels would also be able to change with the screens at the different locations. Above there is decking on the 5 central panels but could change depending on the desired result. The other segments in the grid are proposed to have gravel but it could be soil, dirt, other solid panels or wood decking as well.
The screens were also designed for adaptibility. The screens have the horizantal slits that can have a series of different inserts, as shown on the next page, depending on what screen configuration is chosen.
Through the Wooden Glass
Through the Wooden Glass
Model Pic 02
Model Pic 01
Inside the Room Configuration
From the Beltline
Inside of Pavilion Corridor
Case Study: Bund Finance Center Shanghai, China
The Bund Finance Center is a major mixed-use development close to the Shanghai waterfront, designed jointly by Foster + Partners and Heatherwick Studio. The heart of the project is the public plaza and cultural centre which is designed to host
theatre, art exhibitions and fashion shows. In recreating the Center we were able to learn from the formal moves as well as the expressive pipe exoskeleton to see how the designers provided shade for the interior of the building while also
Media and Modeling, Partners: Nancy Aburto, Chien-Hao Lan, Justin Liu 2022
providing a compelling esthetic move. A challenge in recreating the center were the pipes and their movement. With three pipe screens mapped to 3 different curves that were dependent on the surrounding skyline, it already proved difficult to replicate,
only to find out that each pipe track also rotated. To top it all off the tracks rotated at different speeds and direction. This case study proved to be a challenging yet fun way to explore how tools like grasshopper can help us to design.
Case Study: Bund Finance Center
The Bund Finance Center has 3 tracks of bamboo-like pipes that rotate around the building throughout the day so that a person can experience a new building and or condition everytime they visit it.Case Study: Bund Finance Center
Market Side 01
Market Side 02
Under the Center Inside 01
Inside 02
Under Center
Street Side
Located just outside of downtown Atlanta, the beltline intersects North Highland Avenue to create two triangular parcels. This project proposes using those parcels, one for a vertical circulation connecting the Beltline to North Highland
and two, to house a Musicians Collective which will act as both a museum space as well as recording and performing spaces. Atlanta, being a growing hub for the entertainment industry, the Lantern’s Song provides artists the opportunity to record,
perform, and develop their music. The formal composition of the Song is the reflection of the vertical circulation to create a bent arrangement. The song plays with transparency to create a floating illusion where the top floors are glazed in
in a translucent screen and the bottom floors in a transparent screen.
Johnston Studio 2021
The Bridge of North Highland Avenue is the divider of the two parcels. It acts as quite litterally a bridge between them. The connection and relation betweent the parcels is important as they are similar to each other through the division. The design of both the vertical circulation and the Lantern relate to each other as the form of one is the other reflected about the intersection.
Initial conceptual sketches for parcel 01 vertical circulation, creating connection between North Highland Avenue and the Beltline.
The Lantern’s Song
Front Lobby
Lantern Box
2nd Floor Perfomance
Indoor - Outdoor Wating Space
Stair to Beltline
Drone View
Light Rail Stop The Lantern’s Song
The layout of the plans was first developed with the corridors, making a Z-shaped path from one end to the other. The programs as you go up each floor become more private.
Floor 3
FLoor 2
The Bent Noodle The Unknown
The Bent Noodle is a parametric design project that involves designing a series of curved and bent architectural elements, such as columns, beams, or facades, that are inspired by the shape of a bent noodle, in this case the facades and form of
the building. The project uses parametric design techniques to explore a range of design options for these elements, using a set of parameters that control the curvature, thickness, and other characteristics of the form. Using
grasshopper to manipulate the values of these parameters, I was able to generate a variety of design alternatives, and then evaluate and compare these alternatives in order to select the most successful design. The final design solution might be
seen as a bent noodle-shaped element that are optimized for structural performance, aesthetic appeal, and other design explorative goals.
Inside
Park Front Entrance
Inside
Back of Noodle
Park Back Entrance
Park Looking at Front
Park Back Entrance 2
Park Front Entrance 2
