VERTICAL SUPERIMPOSITION
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The current status of the West Village area is a mellow midrise assortment of apartments and businesses with the contextual trend moving in the direction of rising residential programs. Sandwiched between the gentrified areas of Greenwich and Soho and the boutiques of the Meatpacking districts, the site for the future mixed used-residential tower longs for an enriched program of vitality and destination. Nestled on the site of Jane and 12th Street, heightened shopping spots and family life set upon the horizon of the Hudson River sets the stage for a proposition ushering in new event spaces and animation.
Perched on the corner with the Hudson in the distance, the proposition of the tower is for a reinvention of programmatic spaces that borrow from the emerging context and offer an interplay of something new. Lodged between the Jane hotel and condominiums, the intervention will be a reactivation of the pedestrian and a redefinition of event spaces on 12th street. Seeking to provide housing for the trend of residential implementations and providing space for incoming visitation, the essence of the project is the merging of contextual private spaces bonded to an redistribution of public spaces.
The superimposition locates the private spaces of hotel and residence to the periphery for a spectacular view of the Hudson and animated movement of the city. The duality of the residential-visitor concept for the private spaces is activated by the melding of activities that are shared within the public context. Bridged by connection of entry and circulation points, the schema of the public space takes the shape of an alive twisted volume. Reorganization of public spaces include a restaurant -balcony, midlevel commercial, and cafe and amenities on the bottom three floors in the conjunction with the lobby.
MODULAR ASSEMBLAGE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The role of learning institutions is significant in their ability to assemble otherwise disparate groups of people under a few central interests. As in the context of downtown Charleston, with resources rich in both people and energy, the physical community resolves in a flux of change while the spirit of community holds steadfast in its dedication to a finite set of ideas. What began as a lucrative port city is now the home of a storied history retention driven district sharing ground with the transfusion of culture it sponsors as a tourist destination. Yet, the environment upon which the ideals are stamped remains intact due to the caretaking afforded to the preservation of order, culture, and identity. Through the power of flexibility, organization, and collaboration, the philosophies of community and school can first be perceived through constructed space and above all strengthened by pedagogy. In a culinary arts school, the culture dictates a learning environment provided through interaction and communication of likeminded students. The sequence of spaces transition you from the exterior and through a fluid interior inciting a sense immersion of space and time. Manipulation of circulation and redefinition of central spaces breaks the rigidity of organized separation and facilitates learning and working among students.
The atmosphere of the school is transformed from one dimensional learning through open connections formed between kitchen, student, curriculum. Community is re-establishezzd in the city itself by renewing the bond between food makers and food takers by stimulating the tactile and olfactory senses and reenacting the story of Charleston.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS PAVILION
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project was based on the addition of a reading room pavilion adjoined by a courtyard/sculptural garden to an existing building. The stipulations for programmatic spaces included library spaces (stacks, computer terminal, informal reading areas, ect), a mezzanine, and support spaces (mechanical, storage, restrooms). Material investigations included structural steel and cladding.
Our approach was essentially to lift the primary library space off the ground to not only respect its programmatic priority, but provide connection to the adjoining building via the walkway and first floor covered patio. The secondary spaces are a structural and conceptual means of support to the cantilevered space. Facade techniques follow in the same fashion with curtain wall glazing systems adorning the primary public volume from first level to mezzanine.
Support spaces on the contrary were treated with composite panel cladding concerning privacy and discreteness. The stairs as well serve as a diagrammatic means of cohesion. By being brought to the exterior our strategy was to bridge the volumetric spaces while serving as a vehicle beckoning to higher learning
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
URBANized SEDIMENTATION
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Urban sedimentation is borne from exploration of density and block patterns as an opportunity to intervene within the Manhattan grid and infer upon its zoning ordinances. Sedimentation is a threefold idea encompassing Manhattan Island’s future goals of unifying the local fabric and strengthening the culture of its people. The publicprivate interface is accommodated in the first of the series of operations beginning with fragmentation. the block typology is broken down and the perception of perception of density comes into question. the second operation is insertion. the 800’ block intervention provides for both the needs of the general public and residents by implementation of elevated courtyards and open spaces on the ground level. Third is deposition. residences are redistributed around school and community events and spaces strengthening identity and state of mind. open spaces provide immersion, ventilation, and mobility making the block more than just a home. it is a destination.
CHONGQING STITCHED PROMENADE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Cross cultural encounters are made tangible in the developing residential area of Chongqing. Cloudy skies and rainy nights characterize the stagnation found around the Shibanpo area ready for reinvention. Situated between major peripheral CBDs and a divided core, inhabitants are afforded a holistic look at memory and fabric with an urbanscape initiative charging towards the task of urban scale transformation and intervention.z
SHIBANPO REVITALIZATION PROJECT
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The designated site lies at the junction of a major central business district and high density residential area of Chongqing. In spite of its fertile location, the eara known as Shibanpo remains isolated from its surrounding urban context due to inadequate pedestrian and vehicular circulation. The question of this project is how can the designated site be linked with the greater Chongqing city? Objectives included linking the site to the surrounding urban context while preserving the historical memory and its human scale. The site is proposed to be selfsustaining through proper zoining and urban design as well as the conversion of the current water plant to a rainfall collection and natural purification system. The final goal is for the improvement of living conditions for low wealth residents and more visitors are attracted to the area. The strategy of the project was to link the site at the local level and preserve the human scale through the introduction of a historial pedestrian walk which connects all major public areas. The design of the new structures is executed to maximize rainfall collection that works to naturally purify the water supply. zThe design of a clear division between vehicular versus pedestrian traffic is devised through the use of a layered system.