COLUMBUS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HUB FOR CENTRAL OHIO
ARMENDARIZ+NELSON
Rafael Armendariz and Aubrey Nelson The Ohio State University Knowlton School of Architecture ARCH 8410 Advanced Architectural Design III Prof. Kay Bea Jones
CONTENTS 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
_Introduction _Concept _Site Plan _Plans _Secion A-A _Main Gallery _Gallery Circulation _Supporting Gallery _Administration Approach _Section B-B _Aerial
INTRODUCTION
The Columbus Historical Society’s place within Central Ohio should be more than a single artifact in the urban fabric. By establishing a hub that celebrates the history and heritage of all Central Ohioans, the CHS becomes more than a destination for the citizens of Central Ohio. This concept uses the landscape as the “glue” that unites the adjacent historical buildings in a reinterpretation of the conventional campus. The CHS’ new location in Franklinton makes it an ideal nexus for a new cultural hub. Franklinton is the oldest neighborhood
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in the Columbus Metropolitan Area and is experiencing a resurgence after decades of blight. The plot sits on Broad Street [US 40], one of Columbus’ two primary arteries, sandwiched between the Harrison House and Engine House 6. The Harrison House was the headquarters of General and future-President William Henry Harrison and – together with the Sullivant Land Office, the real estate office of Franklinton’s founder Lucus Sullivant – it will be the new home of the Franklinton Historical Society. Engine House 6 is a historic but long neglected fire station that is scheduled to be renovated
to house allied functions. The CHS is designed to celebrate the age-gap among the buildings rather than hiding it. The blackened metal panels create a dark, neutral exterior that compliments the red brick on the rest of the campus, while making it clear that this was a new, contemporary object. The standing seams provide texture to the building in a similar fashion to the surface texture of the weathered brick on the historic structures.
This new concept for the Columbus Historical Society establishes it as the lynch pin in a new hub for Central Ohio culture. As Franklinton continues its trajectory out of decades of neglect, the CHS Campus will serve as the cultural foundation that reminds current and future Ohioans of the rich history that lives on in the fabric of their community.
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sullivant land office
the harrison house
bro
ad
str
eet
[US
40]
To take advantage of the unique qualities of the site, a reimagining of the conventional campus was necessary. The traditional campus quad, starting with Jefferson’s University of Virginia, follows the 9 square grid with a strong, dominant axis. The destination of that axis is usually a tall, vertical element, such as a library. This concept repurposes the vertical element to act as its own ordering system, thus becoming an “axis mundi,� and establishing itself as an icon
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engine house 6
on the site. In forcing the two ordering systems, the 9 square grid and axis mundi, to come in conflict with each other the result is a system that both honors the existing buildings and urban fabric in addition to establishing itself as the contemporary icon. The axial symmetry is disrupted through a mix of softscape and hardscape elements pulling you into the site and navigating pedestrians from the museum to the Harrison House and Franklinton Fire Station.
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site plan scale: 3/32” = 1’ - 0”
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09
level 1 plan 0
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10’
20’
60’
level 2 plan 11
History has always been a subject of controversy with each generation seeking to craft its own narrative. The role of the architect is to provide the vessel that holds history - allowing the viewers to craft their own narrative as oppose to having one imposed onto them. Inside the tower is the statue of Christopher Columbus that formerly sat outside the city hall. Multiple mezzanine levels coming off the supporting galleries and auditorium circle him from above, below, and at eye level. The purpose of this is to
humanize him. Rather than canceling him or glorifying him, this shows him for he was, a flawed man that was deeply influential in how the world was shaped. The guardrails of the mezzanine levels are etched, to tell the story of Central Ohio, including the Native American tribes that inhabited it, its emergence as an important hub in the rustbelt, and its controversial namesake. The walls of tower are canted inwards allowing exhibits to be projected onto them. This allows every surface of the tower to be a canvas for the curator.
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1
section a-a 0 1’
12
5’
10’
30’
3
6
4
1. Lobby 2. Auditorium 3. Main Gallery
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4. Supporting Galleries 5. Archive 6. Roof Terrace
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The galleries are arranged around the main tower to feed in and out of the mezzanines. The circulation through the supporting galleries are controlled by movable partitions creating flexibility for the curator and artists. The current arrangement reflects an exhibition showing the work of Eduardo Alfieri, the Italian sculptor who created the Columbus statue. The partitions are placed in a series of movements forcing the viewer to weave in and out of the tower and the supporting galleries, that hold his sketches and smaller sculptures. The space is lit indirectly through the glass ceiling from the clerestory windows behind it. While the tower is meant to be a darker, more sublime space, the supporting galleries are lighter and ephemeral heightening the tension between the artifacts.
circulation diagram 16
view from auditorium
lobby stair
mezzanine
circulation ramp main gallery supporting galleries
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The administrative spaces follow the eastern edge of the site with pedestrian access on Broad Street and employee parking behind Engine House 6. This connection allows the former fire station to be used for additional administrative space as needed, as well as a rentable venue for the public. In the spring and summer months, the garage doors on the front of the fire station can be lifted to provide a mix of indoor/ outdoor gathering space.
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The courtyard that exists between the administrative building and the galleries serves several key roles for the building. The gap between the galleries and administration spaces releases some of the formal tension created when the curvilinear objects that house the galleries comes into conflict with the normative office spaces. Having the glazing facing the courtyard, also creates a source of natural light for the administrative offices in addition to providing views of the natural landscape. Finally, the courtyard creates a moment of pause for employees and community members using the space and acts as a sound buffer between the public and private programs.
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section b-b 0 1’
22
5’
10’
30’
2 4
3 5
1. Supporting Galleries 2. Main Gallery 3. Courtyard
4. Admin Room 5. Meeting Room 02
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This reinterpretation of the traditional campus honors the existing historical buildings and urban fabric, by giving it a new icon, in the Columbus Historical Society. This creates the lynch pin that was needed to provide a destination for
the citizens of Central Ohio. As the Franklinton community’s revitalization continues, this destination will serve as the beacon to the people of Columbus, to remind them that they are the custodians of a rich history and culture.
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ARMENDARIZ+NELSON