Building Overall I like the simple, but strong geometric form expressed in this building. I also like how the protruding portion of the fourth floor is a very simple but bold statement architecturally.
Again, I like the strong forms and I like that first floor is set back and the second and third flood define a strong geometrical shape.
I like the geometry of the protrusions and the fact that they wrap in cshaped forms. Instead of a trellis we could have solar panels that are only partially opaque.
I think this is a great example of strong geometric form, a slight first floor set-back that creates interest. The black portions of the wall could be reflective of our solar panel strategy for the east side of the building.
I like the way they created architectural interest at a very low cost on a rectangular building.
Again, I like the simple architectural gesture. I also love the way they dealt with opacity and transparency. We could use this concept to get to the percentages of glass that we need to achieve on each side of the building.
As stated previously, I like the strong geometric form with the first floor setback.
I think this photo demonstrates the visual strength of façade variations from an opacity standpoint. I’d like to see us conduct some façade/skin studies very quickly and explore the expense/solar benefit of fritted glass immediately.
I think the idea of an incomplete, cshaped overhang or form could be very strong.
East Side I like the idea of dimensional shifts on the east side as it relates to solar panels as a siding material and window protrusions.
As I said earlier I think this could be a strong east side faรงade with the black area all solar panels and 50% of the windows also solar panels in a rain screen format.
I like the idea of a black solar envelope defining the building with an emphasis on the east side.
Same ideas as discussed previously.
Interior Courts On the western and interior portions of the building I think we need an elegant faรงade that is patterned as it relates to glass and solids.
This geometry is also really well conceived while slightly more random. I could see adding solid walls into portions of a pattern like this and having it still be an extremely strong design. I don’t think we can afford the overhangs expressed in this concept.
This is a great example of three materials creating a very abstract but well balanced faรงade. Again, this could help us get to the appropriate percentages of glass and solids on the building while still expressing a strong design.
I think we need to explore further glass very quickly as it relates to solar benefit and cost. I’d be glad to make a all to Will Bruter ,who explored it extensively for the Dial Soap headquarters in Phoenix, to get a sense of cost premium and solar gain benefit.
Great example of designing a faรงade, although I believe that the complex geometry would be beyond our budget.
Another fritted glass example that probably reduces transparency by 30%, while maintaining a very open look and capturing distant views.
Urban Design & Landscape
Somewhere we should have a single strong sculptural element in the courtyard, possibly where it meets the bike trail on the west end.
My image of the courtyard is generally hardscape with defined, small planted areas and the overhead trellis with plant material.
I think we need a simple landscape that allows us to use the plaza in a variety of ways , with limited fixed furniture and a strong design concept as it relates to changes over the course of the day and seasons.
I think we can explore simple sculptures that play extremely well at night as part of making the space inviting at least 18 hours a day. The streetscape/plaz a needs to be sensitive to the adjacent residential uses.
On the south end of the building, I believe there is the potential to create a great semi enclosed space that addresses the southern sun.
The courtyard and connection to the bike path should be a haven for cyclists and encourage use by the neighborhood.
Any permanent seating should be sculptural in nature and integrated into the edges of the plaza space.
Permeability should be thought of as a design exercise, not just an engineering requirement.
Simple, bold forms that are almost Japanese in nature should be explored in the plaza as it relates to the use of landscape materials.
I like both the actual use of materials in this photo and believe that it can be a metaphor for the design at the plaza space. Complex, meaningful geometry with a variety of similar materials and simple planting strategies
The idea of negative and positive space (landscape and hardscape) overlapping could help to create a more visually interesting and complex plaza and streetscape.
On the west side we should explore simple overhangs to help separate and define the first floor retail space.