High Resolution Library

Knowlton school of architecture

Fall 2018

Instructor: Beth Blostein, Jane Murphy

In Collaboration with: Rachel Hill, Hermon Habte

In this project the goal is to design a High-res library. The idea of High-res can be explored formally, structurally and programatically. In this project the idea of High-res is explored as a shift from simple extrusion to stacks. Formal qualities are determined by exploring different ways of avoiding extrusion. The boxes are stacked with different orientations and are bent and deformed based on their relationship with the site and each other, creating spaces with different qualities.

The shifting of the shapes also works as the main strategy to create openings along with another High-res opening strategy in the tessellated skin that changes color based on program, need for light and closeness of main openings. The building engages with the site in 3 ways, on the ground, above the ground and in the ground creating a variety of experiences in the project and the curves in the roof are not only a space making strategy but they also allow for a water collecting system providing water for landscape irrigation through water channels.