Rapson Courtyard vs. Carlson Atrium Jeremy Edwards, Evan Hildebrand, and Lenna Johnsen ARCH 3711V Fall 2012 Dr. Julia Robinson
Table of Contents
section one: THESIS STATEMENT
section two: CONTEXT
section three: INITIAL ANALYSIS OF SPACES section four: CIRCULATION PATTERNS section five: ENVIRONMENTAL POSSESSION section six: STATIC OBSERVATION section seven: CONCLUSIONS section eight: BIBLIOGRAPHY
Thesis Statement
circulation vs. habitation
The Rapson Hall courtyard acts as a habitation space, while the Carlson School of Management atrium acts as a circulation space. Both courtyards fulfill the specific needs of the schools and reflect the unique cultures of an architecture and business school, respectively.
Context : Rapson Hall Rapson Hall is home to the University of Minnesota’s College of Design, specifically its undergraduate and graduate programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design. The building, in addition to the central courtyard, contains classrooms, computer labs, a workshop, a library, faculty offices, and studio space. The building was originally constructed in the twentieth century and gained a new addition in 1999 by Steven Holl, which added space for a lecture hall and library. It is located on the busier east bank of campus, near the recreational center. Rapson Hall is used for events both within the college and university, but also hosts members of the public. The fields that are housed in Rapson Hall are primarily visual in nature, and much student work is displayed in and around the courtyard space. The architecture program at the university is innovative in its educational structure, specifically in regards to the BDA program and the set up of the graduate school. Studio culture is based on both group and individual efforts, and the school is small compared to others at the university.
Lenna Johnsen
Context : Carlson School of Management Carlson School of Management houses the business school at the University of Minnesota. It is connected via skyway to the undergraduate building for the school, Hanson Hall. The building has classrooms, offices, meeting room, lounges, lecture halls, and its own cafeteria. A nationally ranked program known for its international focus and student success in the workplace, the school maintains a professional presence. This can be seen in the decor of the building and its use of corporate signifiers such as world clocks and a range of international flags. Students are often required to dress up for presentations, and due to the circulation nature of the space can be seen walking around, which again contributes to that professional atmosphere. In a field in which who you know is often as important as what you know, the school promotes building professional relationships through the student lounges and networking events. The building is very exclusive and controlled. On the upper levels, a reception desk controls access to the entirety of the third and fourth floors where offices are located. There are locks on the doors that are used after hours, when only Carlson students are permitted to use them.
Lenna Johnsen
Initial Analysis of Spaces SPACE SYNTAX Since the main focus here is on the courtyards of Rapson and Carlson, the respective focus of the space syntax must also be how the main courtyard relates spatially to the rest of the building. In Carlson, everything is funneled directly from the exterior through the atrium, exhibited in the singular fan-like pattern branching out from the atrium on the second level after a linear path from the exterior. To get to any space in Carlson, you must first go through the atrium. There is a distinct hierarchy of spaces as well, with more general spaces, like lecture halls and the cafeteria, located more shallowly, and offices and meeting rooms located far deeper in the building – a reception desk controls access to virtually all of the fourth floor. Rapson too exhibits a fan shaped structure, but it is instead several distinct fans: the courtyard is located four levels in, not immediately off of the exterior. Although the courtyard here is, like Carlson’s, the most connected space, since it is so much deeper, all traffic is not funneled through it – the courtyard is not the only way to get to most spaces. In comparison of the space syntax, the Carlson atrium functions like a reception area, immediately diverting you to your destination upon arrival, while the Rapson courtyard, being more inaccessible and more avoidable, is more private. PLAN ANALYSES The plan analyses here highlight the entrances and exits (green) and the circulation spaces (pink/red), such as stairs or elevators, for each building. Looking at these two factors compared to the courtyard spaces shows a contrasting approach. In Carlson, all entrances open up almost directly into the atrium, while in Rapson, the courtyard is separated from the outside entrances through several spaces, lots of space distance in the case of entrances to the new addition. Circulation space in Carlson is central, located in the middle of the atrium, or just off it next to entrances; in Rapson, there is no circulation space in the central courtyard – all circulation space is either on the periphery of the courtyard space or on the periphery of the entire building, located near either corners, entrances, or both. This serves to show the central importance placed on circulation in the Carlson atrium, and the de-emphasis on circulation in the Rapson courtyard, the space instead given over to other primary purposes – occupational purposes.
Evan Hildebrand
Space Analysis Diagrams
clockwise from above: Rapson plan analysis Rapson space syntax Carlson plan anaylsis Carlson space syntax
Lenna Johnsen
Circulation Patterns INTRODUCTION In an effort to identify connectivity in the courtyards we traced movement through the spaces during our observations which occurred on October 12th and 19th in both courtyards for roughly 1 hour each. This was done simply by drawing lines following the path of each person that moved through the space. Upon completion of the observations the frequency of lines (of which there were many) was then loosely translated into a color coded system to denote frequency of path traveled. Red was used for highest frequency, orange for medium frequency, and yellow for low frequency. CARLSON The first observation in Carlson revealed heavy movement along the periphery of the upper-level especially near classroom entrances, as well as on the stairs connecting the two levels and in a triangular area in the center of the lower level. Medium movement was recorded on the stairs leading up from the observed area. Low movement was observed in the carpeted areas on both levels of the courtyard. This supports our thesis that Carlson is primarily a circulation space given the high traffic volume during the tail end of the lunch hour. The second observation in Carlson drew similar results however all of the high frequency movement areas had been reduced to medium frequency because it was later in the day on Friday when most people had headed home for the weekend. This continues to support our thesis that Carlson is about circulation because the same paths were frequented while stationary occupation was minimal. This frequent movement is highly reflective of the busy corporate atmosphere indicative of the Carlson School of Management. RAPSON Meanwhile the first observation at Rapson revealed a different pattern. The space saw significantly lighter movement than Carlson. An “X� shaped movement pattern developed in the center of the courtyard with bands of movement along the edges as well. The generally lighter movement pattern shows that the space is more conducive to habitation and occupation while circulation takes a backs seat. During the second observation there was a special event at Rapson where the beginning of campus-wide tours were being staged. This increased the use of space for circulation dramatically as portable partition walls reorganized the space. In the center where the event was being staged was where the most movement occurred. Lesser movement continued along the edges of the courtyard. Nevertheless, a large portion of the area remained relatively motionless as it was being used for habitation purposes. The results of the Rapson observation show no set circulation pattern and that the space is primarily used for habitation and occupation. Jeremy Edwards
Circulation Patterns
above: Rapson Hall heat maps below: Carlson School of Management heat maps
Jeremy Edwards
Environmental Possession
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RAPSON HALL Rapson courtyard has an abundance of movable objects that users feel comfortable moving around as they see fit. The space is filled with personal objects ranging from student work posted on the movable boards to projects stacked by a stairway or in the moat (image 1). This flexibility and ease of the space is also available to guests to Rapson, which can be seen in the Admission Ambassadors’ set up (image 3) that they created themselves with furniture from the space. After these events, students and not maintenance dismantle the set up as the furniture is needed, like after the blood drive the rows were eaten away at. (image 2) People feel comfortable in the space, and free to possess and change the environment as they see fit. CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT However, in Carlson, there is a lack of personal control over the environment and a sense of conformity to the space. People seldom move furniture, although it is just as easy to maneuver as Raoson’s. There is no individual work posted in the space, and students don’t break the norm to leave anything in the atrium. There are clear rules about occupation, defined by carpeted areas and the presence of maintenance workers who move the furniture. When there is someone who does something outside the norm, like wheeling a seat out of a formation (image 5), they act nervous about their behavior. People do not feel comfortable to change and possess their environment. They are secondary to circulation, the primary use of the space, and are tucked out of the way.
CONCLUSIONS The main difference between Rapson courtyard and Carlson atrium is the amount of control users feel they have over their environment. Both spaces have movable furniture and plenty of 4 room for people to spread out in, but it’s only in Rapson where one finds that furniture actually moved around. In Rapson, both individuals and small groups feel comfortable changing their environment to suit their needs, whether it’s by moving a table a few feet or by using a chair to access the moat space for storage (image 1). This freedom is not found in the Carlson atrium, where people stay within areas defined by carpet and maintain the arrangement that the school or maintenance workers have defined (images 6-8). The distinct differences in the use of a similar framework of flexible furniture can perhaps be traced to the cultures of the school and the immense power of authority in business situations and the creative collaboration of architecture. Lenna Johnsen
Environmental Possession
above left: October 12 Rapson furniture observations above right: October 19 observations below left: October 12 Carlson furniture observations below right: October 19 observations
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Lenna Johnsen
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Static Observation CARLSON The examination here was recording, at specific time intervals over the observation periods, where people were located in the courtyards, what they were doing, and, by definition, how long they stayed. In Carlson, there were few people stationary at any one time, and most did not stay long – only a small minority stayed over the entire observation period. The primary activity of those in Carlson was killing time, taking a break that was not homework related over short periods of time, usually less than ten minutes. RAPSON Even though the College of Design is much smaller than the Carlson School of Management, there were generally more people in the Rapson courtyard at any given time, but more people over the entire period in Carlson – the exception being of course the second observation period at Rapson, where there was a special tour even being held, resulting in many more people; no such even was observed at Carlson. Those in Rapson tended to stay much longer than those in Carlson, with many people staying throughout the entire observation period, or close to it. The primary activity in Rapson was either group or individual study, again with the exception being the special event, which accounted for many more people not normally observed. Very few instances of killing time were witnessed. OBSERVATIONAL CONCLUSIONS These observations really show the differences between the two spaces with regards to occupation. Carlson is occupied in short bursts, used primarily not as a central space for work but as a quick stopping point on the way elsewhere. Rapson, in contrast, is used for long stretches of time for work (or in one case a large event), truly inhabited. This of course reflects the different needs of each college: the college of design requires a space for working on and displaying large projects and group work, while the business school is less oriented on physical production. This difference is also an indicator of the culture of the respective colleges and the respective fields – Carlson reflects a more corporate atmosphere where work and meetings are sub-divided into offices or meeting rooms, while Rapson embodies a design-oriented environment, where large, often physical, projects are the norm, as well as the collaborative atmosphere and nature of the work.
Evan Hildebrand
Static Observation Rapson: Stationary Overlay (Duration)
Rapson: Stationary Overlay (Occupat
Rapson: Stationary Overlay (Duration)
Key
Solo Study Group Study Official Meeting Group Conversation Time Killing Special Event
Duration - Longest Duration
Duration Key Shorest Duration - Longest Duration
above left : Rapson Hall duration synthesis above right: Rapson occupation type synthesis below left: Carlson duration synthesis below right: Carlson occupation type synthesis
Carlson: Stationary Overlay (Duration)
Key
Solo Study Group Study Official Meeting Group Conversation Time Killing Special Event
Carlson: Stationary Overlay (Occupation)
Shorest Duration - Longest Duration
Evan Hildebrand
Occupation Key
Key
Solo Study Group Study Official Meetin Group Conversation Time Killing Special Event
Conclusions Rapson and Carlson’s courtyards share only a few similarities. Notably they are both courtyards on the University of Minnesota’s campus. However, our study has come to the conclusion that the two spaces are used for very different purposes. Carlson tends to see high volumes of movement compared to Rapson while also having very distinct areas for movement. Additionally Carlson has many more people in it at any given time, but Rapson is where you will find more people remaining stationary. These motionless people in Rapson are students using the space to either socialize or work on schoolwork. These observed differences in behavior between the two courtyards can be attributed to the nature of the schools that they reside in. Carlson is the business school and the majority of its inhabitants are students in training for the fast paced corporate world which is further accentuated by the design of the Carlson courtyard’s heavily circulation oriented spaces. Meanwhile, Rapson is home to the School of Architecture where many architecture students find themselves working on highly personalized projects which requires a calm and open space that can be comfortably inhabited and occupied. Both courtyards are designed and used in a manner which suitably accompanies the needs of their respective schools. The Carlson courtyard maintains a corporate atmosphere by focusing on circulation while the Rapson courtyard remains a place for habitation and occupation by being open and simply more casual.
Jeremy Edwards
Bibliography
Carlson School of Management. (other). (2010). Building maps. Minneapolis, MN; University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Retrieved October 15, 2012, from http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/about/facilities/building-maps.html Regents of the University of Minnesota. (other). (2011). Carlson School of Management: Campus maps, University of Minnesota TC. Minneapolis, MN; University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/maps/CarlSMgmt/ Regents of the University of Minnesota. (other). (2011). Rapson Hall: Campus maps, University of Minnesota TC. Minneapolis, MN; University of Minnesota College of Design. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www1.umn.edu/ twincities/maps/RapsonH/ Thorshov & Cerny. (other). (1960). Rapson Hall floor plan. Minneapolis, MN; University of Minnesota Archives. University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. [ca. 2013]. In Facebook [Fan page]. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from https://www.facebook. com/CarlsonSchoolUMN University of Minnesota College of Design. [ca. 2012]. In Facebook [Fan page]. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from https://www.facebook.com/ UofMDesign?fref=ts