THE THIRD PLACE Synergy of Live and Work
I thank my family for the constant encouragement and their belief in me. I thank my dad, Ravi, for inspiring me to give in my all in everything I do and for being the best (Tech) support through these years. I thank my mom, Jeeji , for being my rock and for inspiring me with her strength and rigor. I thank my brother, Naviene, for pushing me to try harder and for reassuring me when in doubt. I thank my Thesis advisor , Jim Bassett, for always being there and for helping me learn to trust the process and to trust myself. Jim has been a guiding force from my Foundation year till the Final year, and I couldn’t have had a better learning experience. Every discussion, every conversation and every story leaves me driven and pushes me to keep jamming. I thank my studio mates who have made Cowgill Hall a home to me. I thank my friends from back home whose calls have kept me company during late nights in studio. I’m forever grateful to everyone for their endless patience and moral support over these five years.
INDEX The Third Place
3
Site
9
Live and Work
17
Massing
23
Third Place Zone
25
Living Zone
31
Working Zone
49
Third Place Levels
65
Inference
71
The Third Place || 3
THE THIRD PLACE
A
The Third Place is a setting, beyond functionally defined spaces, where one can gather frequently and with relative ease. It is where one can be in good company and can visited on a regular basis because they are well immersed within places with a large inflow of people. The Third Place are spaces to visit beyond your home and your office. The spaces are constructed to improve the infrastructure of human relationships. The spaces are not impersonal or remote. The Third Place is a focal point to improve community life and abate loneliness. The Third Place revives the spontaneity of public life. An instance of a Third Place is Maxwell Street, an outdoor market in Chicago, Illinois. It was one of the oldest integrated neighborhoods in America’s most segregated city. From ‘Celebrating The Third Place ‘ by Ray Oldenburg - ‘ Maxwell Street fulfilled retail need of the city but also the needs of the suburbans. Created by immigrants, it was an old world market in modern urban Chicago. It was a place Chicagoans would let their hair down, engage in revelry, socialize with old friends, meet people from different cultures and make new friends. The experience in the market was similar to that of markets around the worlds. It was a place to build informal support networks. It was a place where one would go to be entertained, even if they weren’t shopping. It was a place of music, dance, friendship, laughter and exchange of more than just goods. ‘ Lifestyle today is about being competitive, and of maintaining one’s privacy. One constantly moves from point A to B ( first and second place) and forgets to experience the in-between . The Third Place would accommodate one’s curiosity and the unprompted flow of life in the in-between. The Third Place would be a series of spaces existing within places we go to everyday. The Third Place would be an inclusive space and would expand possibilities of association. Conversation and interaction would be the main activity. The Third place is a space belonging to one, in a social structure. These spaces would help one recover from the monotony and everyday sicknesses like exhaustion, tiredness and fatigue. The drawing shows the journey, choices and freedom one has while moving from Point A to share a moment with the other,at Point B.
B
A
The Third Place || 5
The Third Place || 6
Study 1 (above & left) : To understand the boundless variations in massing within a Third Place. The study aided in understanding the need to establish a set of constraints.
Study 2 (right) : To study how varying elements allow a freedom of choice and movement through a space and on how variations in the elements can enhance or change one’s experience.
Study 3 (below) : To study variations with constraints, in a fixed structure with repeating elements.
The Third Place || 7
The Third Place || 8
The Third Place exists between two elements. It separates the two elements within a social structure. Its function is independent of Element 1 and of Element 2. The Third Place separates out Element 1 and Element 2 which become two distinct elements with boundaries. The diagrams explore separating out two elements gradually. Element 1 is represented in yellow and Element 2 in red.
Diagram 1 shows when there is little or no separation between Element 1 and Element 2. They still coexist with each other and both function simultaneously. Diagram 2 shows when there is some separation between Element 1 and Element 2. They’re partly independent of each other and both the functions have a slight separation. Diagram 3 shows when there is a distinct separation between Element 1 and Element 2. They are mostly independent of each other but still don’t have clear distinct boundaries. Diagram 4 shows a third Element completely separating Element 1 and Element 2. Element 1 and Element 2 now exist and function independently.
In Diagram 4, the three elements are independent yet connected. The functions of Element1 and Element2 do not occur in Element3. This Third space is the connecting element now. It responds to the functions of the other elements but is not merely their extension. It is more than just a relief from the anchoring elements. The Third Place itself will posses a unique character and is not completely influenced by Element1 and Element2. The Third Place - Element3 - could be an informal space that one can adapt to. The Third Place is represented in Orange.
Diagram1
Diagram3
Diagram2
Diagram4
Site || 9
Third Place in the Scale of the City
Prospect Street NW
Trail
1
2
Site study 1
3
2
SITE STUDY SITE STUDY SITE STUDY 1 11 place eat your cupcake place to eat your cupcake AAA place toto eat your cupcake
SITE STUDY SITE STUDY SITE STUDY 222 break from the city break from the city AAA break from the city
Site study 3
SITE STUDY SITE STUDY SITE STUDY 333 quiet reading place quiet reading place AAA quiet reading place
M Street NW
The site along the main commercial street The site The site islocated located atan anintersection intersection along the main commercial street MStreet. Street. The site The site is is located at at an intersection along the main commercial street MM Street. The site faces the very popular Georgetown attraction, Georgetown Cupcakes. The site close faces the very popular Georgetown attraction, Georgetown Cupcakes. The site isalso also close faces the very popular Georgetown attraction, Georgetown Cupcakes. The site is is also close water front. The site immediately cafes and further tothe the water front. The site issurrounded surrounded immediately byrestaurants, restaurants, cafes and further to to the water front. The site is is surrounded immediately byby restaurants, cafes and further bybyby offices and workplaces. offices and workplaces. offices and workplaces.
The site away from the main commercial streets. The site the The site islocated located away from the main commercial streets. The site isalong along the The site is is located away from the main commercial streets. The site is is along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail. Thus the site connected Georgetown Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail. Thus the site isindirectly indirectly connected tothe the Georgetown Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail. Thus the site is is indirectly connected toto the Georgetown water front. The site immediately a alot space. a awalking water front. The site issurrounded surrounded immediately lot ofgreen green space. isalong along walking water front. The site is is surrounded immediately byby abylot ofof green space. It It isItis along a walking path Georgetown from other parts path toaccess access Georgetown from other parts ofD.C. D.C. path toto access Georgetown from other parts ofof D.C.
The site away from the main commercial streets. The site Prospect The site islocated located away from the main commercial streets. The site isalong along Prospect The site isis located away from the main commercial streets. The site isisalong Prospect street NW . The site immediately educational institutionsschools anfd the street NW . The site issurrounded surrounded immediately educational institutionsschools anfd the street NW . The site isis surrounded immediately educational institutionsschools anfd the Georgetown University. along larger dining restaurants and closer Georgetown University. isalso also along larger dining restaurants and closer toresidential residential Georgetown University. It It isItis also along larger dining restaurants and closer totoresidential areas. areas. areas.
When one walks one will see a anever-ending line spilling out tiny ddown When one walks Mstreet, street, one will see never-ending line spilling out ofthe the tiny d MM When one walks down street, one will see a never-ending line spilling out ofof the tiny d down shop - -Georgetown Cupcakes. rains and heat, the crowd shop Georgetown Cupcakes. Insnow, snow, rains and inpunishing punishing heat, the crowd offamilies, families, shop - Georgetown Cupcakes. In In snow, rains and in in punishing heat, the crowd ofof families, kids, students and mostly tourists, wait persistently. This brings a alot who move kids, students and mostly tourists, wait persistently. This brings lotof ofpeople people who move kids, students and mostly tourists, wait persistently. This brings a lot of people who move through this space quickly purchase their cupcakes and food from the through this space quickly assoon soon asthey they purchase their cupcakes and food from the through this space quickly asas soon asas they purchase their cupcakes and food from the cafes around the side. cafes around the side. cafes around the side.
When one walks through the Rock Creek Trial, one will see how Geo When one walks upto toGeorgetown Georgetown through the Rock Creek Trial, one will see how Geo When one walks upup to Georgetown through the Rock Creek Trial, one will see how Geo disconnected and unresponsive the now Power Plant was from the canal disconnected and unresponsive the now tobe bedemolished demolished Power Plant was from the canal disconnected and unresponsive the now toto be demolished Power Plant was from the canal and the green space. Everyday, a alot who work Georgetown walk and bike and the green space. Everyday, lot ofpeople people who work orvisit visit Georgetown walk and bike and the green space. Everyday, a lot ofof people who work oror visit Georgetown walk and bike the trail. Working site would give the site the trail. Working onthis this site would give anopportunity opportunity toreconnect reconnect the site toits itsnatural natural the trail. Working onon this site would give anan opportunity toto reconnect the site toto its natural surrounding and welcoming people from the bustling streets surrounding and welcoming people in.Since Since isaway away from the bustling streets surrounding and welcoming people in.in. Since it it isitis away from the bustling streets ofofof Georgetown, a aquieter space that would have great views canal and the Georgetown, quieter space that would have great views ofthe the canal and the Georgetown, itsits aitsquieter space that would have great views ofof the canal and the Washington monument. place that people could walk from the noise a alunch Washington monument. Athird third place that people could walk from the noise to,for for lunch Washington monument. AA third place that people could walk from the noise to,to, for a lunch brbreak. br break. brbreak.
When one walks toward north, one will notice how quieter the streets f from When one walks Mstreet street toward north, one will notice how quieter the streets f MM When one walks upup from street toward north, one will notice how quieter the streets fupfrom seem. The neighboorhoods are more residential and are populated with students.. With seem. The neighboorhoods are more residential and are populated with students.. With seem. The neighboorhoods are more residential and are populated with students.. With most cafes being along the dense one might find quiet working most cafes being along the dense MStreet Street one might find ithard hard tofind find quiet working most cafes being along the dense MM Street one might find it ithard totofind quiet working spaces. Working site would give space for the spaces. Working onthis this site would give anopportunity opportunity todesign design aquiet quiet space for the spaces. Working onon this site would give anan opportunity toto design a aquiet space for the people. place that people could walk from the noise people. Athird third place that people could walk from the noise to,toread toread read orstudy. study. people. S SASA third place that people could walk from the noise to,to,to ororstudy.
AAthird place could continue their experience. The third space could a apart third place could continue their experience. The third space could part ofthem them A third place could continue their experience. The third space could bebe abepart ofof them exploring, working and the residents workspaces. exploring, working orliving living inGeorgetown Georgetown and for the residents ofthe the workspaces. exploring, working oror living in in Georgetown and forfor the residents ofof the workspaces. CORNER I INVITING AN CORNER I ANAN INVITING CORNER I INVITING
place could enrich one’s life everyday. The third space could a apart Athird third place could enrich one’s life everyday. The third space could part ofthem them AA third place could enrich one’s life everyday. The third space could bebe abepart ofof them working and the residents workspaces. working orliving living inGeorgetown Georgetown and for the residents ofthe the workspaces. working oror living in in Georgetown and forfor the residents ofof the workspaces. BREAK AWAY FROM WORKPLACES ALUNCH LUNCH BREAK AWAY FROM WORKPLACES AA LUNCH BREAK AWAY FROM WORKPLACES
place could enrich one’s life everyday. The third space could Athird third place could enrich one’s life everyday. The third space could beapart apart part ofthem them AA third place could enrich one’s life everyday. The third space could bebea ofofthem working and the residents workspaces. working orliving living inGeorgetown Georgetown and for the residents ofthe the workspaces. working oror living inin Georgetown and forfor the residents ofof the workspaces. SPACE QQUIET SPACE Q SPACE AA QUIET QAQUIET
Chesapeake Ohio Canal Tra
il
Prospect Street NW
Wisconson Ave. NW
3
Site study 2
33rd Street NW
1
Third Place in the Scale of the Site - Site Study2
Wisconson Ave. NW
33rd Street NW
Chesapeake Ohio Canal
M Street NW
Site || 10
The site is located in Georgetown, Washington D.C. Georgetown is a popular picturesque part of D.C. visited by a lot of young professionals. Georgetown celebrates the old and the new, exhibiting to people the significance and beauty in preservation. An abandoned West Heating Plant exists on Site study2 at a height of 110’. The waterfront seeps into a smaller stream through the site before reaching the Georgetown Canal. The site is ill maintained with overgrown trees. The abandoned building is a Third Place in the city- a space that exists just in-between. The Old West heating Plant is the Third Place between the First and Second Places - the City of Washington D.C. and the Potamic River.
Site || 11
Third Place in the Scale of the Site - Site Analysis
Sun and Wind
Paths
Neighborhood
The sun path is tilted toward the South, from East to West. The existing building receives a lot of light but is mostly blocked by its expansive concrete wall. The winds from the Potamic are concentrated along the southern side too.The existing Southern wall blocks the pleasant summer winds.
As Georgetown doesn’t have a metro station of its own, one commutes via Bike trails, walking paths and roads, around the building. The site is at an intersection of primary bike paths and walking trails. It is important to improve the interaction of the building with the commuters.
The neighborhood will influence the response of the building to the site. The structures in yellow are the residential buildings while the structures in red and orange, toward the north, are office or mixed use spaces. The existing structure lies at the intersection of living and working zones.
Site || 12
Site Model
Massing ||13
Massing ||14
110’
2’ 22’
20’
90’
The Art Deco style building is a simple monolithic structure at a height of 110’ with 80’ tall windows on its southern and northern facades. Most of the southern light and winds are blocked. There are five existing floors set at a height of 22 ‘on average creating large double storied spaces. The diagram (left) is a view into the structure from the East.
The Northern, Eastern and Western walls are preserved. This will maintain the monumental 110’ face of the existing building. Pulling down the southern wall allows the building to take in the southern light and the southern winds. The openings on the East and the West are pulled down to the ground level. These openings become ground- level entryways to visitors .
The floors and columns are preserved. The existing floors extend into an eastern and a western wing. Since they’re set at a height of 22’ every level, this allows new floors to interject at intermediate levels. The columns are 1.5’ wide and are placed at a grid of 35’ by 35’. The existing walls are 2’ in thickness and are also supporting walls. The interior is large and open because of the minimal structural elements.
Massing ||15
Massing ||16
Density of mul
lions decrease
West
East
SunPath
A screen wraps around the existing wall structure. The screen is offset at 10’. Floors extend through or past the existing walls until the screen. Three layers are formed : Layer1- the screen, Layer2 - the extended floors, Layer3- the existing wall structure. The layers enhance one’s experience of moving between, to and through the Old and New.
Layer1
Layer2
Layer3
The screen wraps around the North, East and West facades. The interior face of the massing is exposed. The mullions are spaced at 17.5’ - half of the column grid of 35’ . The density of mullions decrease toward the southern facade allowing clear views and southern light into the existing floors and the newly introduced intermediate floors.
Live and Work ||17
LIVE AND WORK
LIVE
WORK
Life has become more fragmented and jangled. One’s life has become an oscillation between Life and Work - A and B. The stereotype of work domination and skipping out on life for one’s career, is imposed upon society. The culture of ’never enough’ pushes one to work harder for perhaps financial rewards but almost no personal returns. The fear of job insecurity surpasses one’s need for rest and recovery. One constantly seeks for a work- life separation. With innumerable changing factors, one has to continuously adapt to these changes to seek a balance. One does not see the need to go out of the way to ‘ take a break ‘ from intense schedules. There is a dire need to create spaces that will facilitate one to do so. One moves from two very contrasting activities -Work to Life- and forgets that there is more to life than just work. Life becomes all about domestic relationships and work relationships. There’s a loss in embedding oneself in a community setting. Neglecting to build more public life will diminish people’s ability to cultivate relationships. The etiquette of resting, conversing with strangers and taking time off, is being lost. Instead more strategies to avoid crowds or to preserve one’s privacy are being implemented. A Third Place within the two constants- Work and Life- could help improve quality of one’s mental and physical health and restore a sense of community in a society on a tight schedule.
Live and Work ||18
Live and Work ||19
If Live was represented in yellow and Work in red, the orange signifies the in-between. In a Studio apartment when there’s no separation between Live and Work, the furniture is the element that differentiates the two functions.
Live and Work ||20
The orange signifies the in-between. In a Ground level office setting, there is complete separation of functions of Live and Work vertically. The columns, floors and circulation become the elements that differentiate the functions.
LIVE
The orange signifies the in-between. In a Home Office setting, there is a separation between Living functions and Work desks. The wall is the element that differentiates the two functions.
THIRD PLACE
WORK
This study of Live-Work spaces show how the further you separate the places for the functions of Live and the functions of Work, there are more elements to celebrate the in between- The Third Place. Yellow represents Live, red represents Work and orange represents the Third Place.
Live and Work || 21
Live and Work || 22
The Third Place - Live and Work
Work
Live
The Third Place is where the unrelated coexist between two elements that interdependently stimulate one another. The Third Place is for all in transition from Work to Live. Time is the only divide between the two functions. The project will be based on a program of a Third Place coexisting between a Live and Work environment. These spaces blend the two contrasting spaces of Live and Work . The Third Place will be a series of spaces reviving life into Work spaces and restoring Work ethics into Living spaces.
Diagram1 (right) shows one person transitioning from a private Workspace to a private Living space. There are three distinct Zones - Live, Work and the Third Place. However in Diagram2 (right), when public workspaces and social spaces are added, several zones of overlap between private and public occur within the Working and Living spaces. Thus, different scales of Third Places will occur in both Live and Work.
Diagram1
Diagram2
Live and Work || 23
Live and Work || 24
LIVE, WORK AND THIRD PLACE - Scale of the Building
LIVE, WORK AND THIRD PLACE - Scale of the Building
This zone is a place for all in transition from the Living Zone to Work Zone. The zone includes space staht support work and live and forms a blurred connection between two divided parts of everyday - work and life. A place to read, play, socialize, eat, rest and pause.
This zone includes the work -live apartments and third spaces at different scales of living. A separate entrance allows residents to have a private entrance.
The above diagram shows the Live, Work and the Third Place Zone on every level.
This zone includes fluid and static working spaces. with living functions extending toward the ThirdSpace Zone. A separate entrance allows visitora to have a separate entrance .
The above plan diagram shows the Live, Work and the Third Place Zone on one level.
LIVE
Third Place Zone || 25
Third Place Zone || 26
THE THIRD PLACE ZONE
SOUTH-EAST PERSPECTIVE OF THE THIRD PLACE ZONE
THIRD PlACE
WORK
The existing walls and structural elements form the Third Place of the building complex. The Third Place responds to the structure and the organization of the two wings of the building and maintains the flow of movement from the wings. The existing floors pull in and pull out, to create a layered space of changing floor-plates with several points of interaction and observation. The spaces created, bring in more light and winds into the structure. Atriums drop down to different floor levels, creating different spaces to accommodate the Third Place activities.
Third Place Zone || 27
Third Place Zone || 28
SOUTH-EAST PERSPECTIVE
NORTH-EAST PERSPECTIVE
22’
The Third Place levels are the extended existing floors.
Third Place Zone || 29
Third Place Zone || 30
THIRD PLACE LEVELS
LIVING LEVELS AND WORKING LEVELS
22’
The Live Levels and Work Levels are the new intermediate levels.
Living Zone || 31
STUDY ON LIVING SPACES
LIVE
THIRD SPACE
WORK
A Living space is where one feels safe and free. There is no set structure as to how one is to move through the space. Privacy is depicted by doors and the rest of the space is open and free to move through. Everyday one goes back, their experience and movement changes with their needs and wants. A Living space is filled with light and life. One has opportunities to converse with another or to retract into their own space. It’s a combination of public and private pockets. The model (right) is a study to understand components and characteristics of living spaces and to study third spaces within living. The model expresses the free circulation and the multiple ways one can get to different spaces through the structure. The only rigid and fixed points are the foyer that marks the start - A and the heavily stilted sleeping space which marks the end - B. Everything in between expresses the pliant nature of the movement through the space. Every movement in between is a variable everyday. The Elevation1 diagram shows how the program can be reduced to the functions of living and it expresses the freedom / flexibility within living activities. The Plan diagram shows how intimacy within the spaces is played with, changing one’s experience.
Living Zone || 32
STUDY MODEL
PLAN
THINK COOK BOND PRODUCE AMBIGUOUS PROCESS EXERCISE INTERACTGATHER DISCUSS
WAKEUP
REFLECT
RECOVER REJUVENATE
READ MEDITATE
SOLVE
HIDE
REST
THINK
STROLLCONNECT MEANDER SELFCARE
SHELTER STILL
SEARCH
REPLENISH
COMMUNICATE
ENTERTAIN BEND WATCH
GROW CREATE DEVELOP
CLEANSE
ISOLATE
WASH HYGIENE
CLIMB
SIT MEET
Living Zone || 33
Living Zone|| 34
ELEVATION 1
PLAN DIAGRAM
Living Zone || 35
Living Zone || 36
ELEVATION 2
PLAN
THINK COOK BOND PRODUCE AMBIGUOUS PROCESS EXERCISE INTERACTGATHER DISCUSS
WAKEUP
REFLECT
RECOVER REJUVENATE
READ MEDITATE
SOLVE
HIDE
REST
THINK
STROLLCONNECT MEANDER
SHELTER STILL
SELFCARE
SEARCH
A living space expresses free movement. The functions are malleable according to one’s choice. The way one can enter the living space and the way the spaces can be rearranged to one’s interest express the freedom. When a work space is introduced into a living space, this freedom can be expressed in the threshold in between and in the flexibility of the work space. A work space needs to be light filled and is one of the more public activities in a household as compared to the other activities. A Live-Work setting needs to embrace the spontaneity of living and to celebrate the separation from work spaces. A sense of community can be instilled in living spaces. Lounges and outdoor spaces give one an opportunity to share more than just walls, with the neighbors.
REPLENISH
COMMUNICATE ENTERTAIN BEND WATCH
GROW CREATE DEVELOP
CLEANSE
ISOLATE
WASH HYGIENE
CLIMB
SIT MEET
Living Zone || 37
THE LIVING ZONE The Living Zone is on the West wing. The Living Zone faces residential buildings in Georgetown. One would enter through the screen layer, past the garden and through the opening on the existing West facade. The living quarter is wrapped by the screen along its North, West and South faces. The Eastern face is open and the windows and the decks allow-in direct southern light and winds. The Living Zone has a large atrium along which the work spaces are aligned. This brings in light into the Zone and into the work spaces in particular. The work spaces face inward away from the noise of the city.
Live || 38
CIRCULATION AND ATRIUM In the Living Zone, the atrium and landings shift on each floor, supporting the free exploring nature of movement in a Living environment.
Living Zone || 39
Living Zone || 40
THE LIVING LEVELS
ALL LIVING LEVELS
Levels 1, 3, 5 and 7 are Living Studios with Work spaces facing the atrium. The yellow represent the studio apartments and the red represents the Work spaces, attached to the Living studios. The brown represents the decks shared between adjacent neighbors. Every Living floor has landings that extend into a courtyard that holds up stairs to the alternate levels. The alternate levels 2, 4, 6 and 8 are the Third Place floors of the Living Zone. The yellow blocks represent the Third Place rooms belonging to each studio below. This space can be used for any purpose of the resident’s choice - for storage, gardening, a bedroom, a workshop and more.
Living Zone || 41
Living Zone || 42
LEVELS 5, 6, 7 AND 8 STACKED
LEVEL 5 AND LEVEL 6 IN EAST ELEVATION
The shifting landings and the shifting lounging spaces. along the Living Levels and the Third Place Levels.
The Living blocks (below) sit adjacent to each other whereas the Third Place Blocks are scattered and are of varying heights.
Living Zone|| 43
Living Zone || 44
The working floors stop before the third zone to maintainprivacy.
Common functions of Living (the gym) are pulled out into the Third Place zone
Working spaces in the Live -Work setting face each other and into the atrium
The floorplate pulls into and out of the Third Place zone to form interesting/ private views and platforms
Courtyard- a Third Place- extends from the landing Stairway from courtyard to Third Place level Floorplate pulls back from envelope Shifting atrium with shifting stairways
LEVEL 5 IN PLAN
One can access their 2nd level through interior staircase. From the terraces, one can walk around the Third Place level and socialise or walk further north to access shared functions Walkway is extended till the envelope on the Third Place floor A wider atrium brings in more light into the Living floor
LEVEL 6 IN PLAN
Living Zone || 45
Living Zone || 46
The Third Place blocks are free spaces that can be adapted to any function by the resident
Living Space East Elevation
The Third Place blocks (above) range from 7.5’ to 10’.
Third Place Threshhold steps from Living Space to Work Space Work Space
West Elevation STACKED UNITS
UNIT FLOORPLAN
Living Zone || 47
The Third Place functions change on every level
LEVEL 6 IN PLAN
Living Zone || 48
The Living Zone is populated with Third Places at different scales. At the scale of the building every other floor is a Third Place level. At the scale of the Living Levels, separate spaces (functioning as a Gym. laundromat) are Third Places. The shared courtyards and landings become the Third Place too. At the scale of Living, the free blocks on the upper level and the shared decks are the Third Places. At the scale of the Living studios, the threshold in between the Living and Work spaces is the Third Place. With the different scales, the Living zone itself becomes a Third space with values of Work ethics, Work-Life separation and sense of community where everyone is in transition from Work to Live.
Working Zone || 49
STUDY ON WORKING SPACES
LIVE
THIRD SPACE
WORK
A Working space is well ordered with a structured organization. One feels safe, familiar and secure in a working space. Private working spaces are determined by separating walls, or cubicles while public working spaces are open and non-designated. Everyday, one’s movement through the space is mostly similar and structured. A working space is filled with light and is transparent. A Working space gives an individual a choice to either work in a group or to retract into one’s personal space. The model (right) is a study to understand components and characteristics of Working spaces and to study Third Places within them. The model expresses the central core of circulation and a definite way to circulate through the structure. There are multiple entries to the structure. There are multiple forms of Work spaces- private, open, transparent, assigned, free space. The rigid fixed points are at the circulation. - A and the seat where you work from- B. Everything in between is a variable everyday. The Elevation1 diagram shows how the program can be reduced to the functions of work and expresses the structure and flexibility within these functions. The Plan diagram shows how intimacy between the spaces is played with, changing one’s experience.
Working Zone || 50
STUDY MODEL
PRIVATE
STRESS PUNCTUAL
SHARED
VIEW PROCESS
INFORM
INTERACTION
LOUD
HEIRARCHY
MEETING PRIVATE
EATING STRESS PUNCTUAL NURTURE INFORM DISCUSS LOUD CONSTRAINT
PERFORM CLEANSE TEACH SHARED TENSION VIEW
HABIT PROCESS
INTERACTION
REST WORK
COMMUNITY
REPORT PERFORM TRANSPARENCY TEAM CLEANSE LEARN CHANGE EATING TEACH GATHER PERFORM FREE NURTURE ROUTINE CONNECTED TENSION REST DISCUSS REFRESH COMMIT COMMUNITY HABIT CONSTRAINT COMMUNICATION PUBLIC RESPECT WORKSEMI REPORT COORDINATION SOCIAL TRANSPARENCY REPITITION EFFICIENCY TEAM DIVIDED CHANGE LEARN GROUP GATHER PERFORM WELCOMING FREE EXCHANGE EMPOWER CONNECTED HEIRARCHY SOCIAL MEETING
AMENITIES REJUNUVATE
ROUTINE REFRESH COMMIT ELEVATED
COMMUNICATION
INDIVIDUAL EFFICIENCY WELCOMING
ELEVATED
INDIVIDUAL
AMENITIES REJUNUVATE
EXECUTE SEMI PUBLIC EXPRESS RESPECT COORDINATION REPITITION TRUST PUBLIC DIVIDED GROUP EXCHANGE EMPOWER EXECUTE EXPRESS
TRUST
PUBLIC
Working Zone || 51
Working Zone || 52
ELEVATION 1
PLAN DIAGRAM
Working Zone || 53
Working Zone || 54
ELEVATION 2
PRIVATE
STRESS PUNCTUAL
INFORM
LOUD
HEIRARCHY
MEETING
EATING
NURTURE DISCUSS CONSTRAINT
SOCIAL CHANGE
SHARED
VIEW PROCESS
INTERACTION
PERFORM CLEANSE TEACH TENSION
HABIT
REPORT
TRANSPARENCY
LEARN
REST COMMUNITY WORK TEAM
GATHER FREE ROUTINECONNECTEDPERFORM REFRESH AMENITIES REJUNUVATE COMMIT COMMUNICATION SEMI PUBLIC RESPECT COORDINATION REPITITION EFFICIENCY DIVIDED GROUP WELCOMING EXCHANGE EMPOWER EXECUTE ELEVATED EXPRESS INDIVIDUAL TRUST PUBLIC
A Working space expresses a rigid structure. The types of working desks/ spaces vary. The way one enters the Work space and the way the spaces are oriented around the core, express the order of a central point of reference. When Living functions are introduced into the Work space to encourage workers to take a break, there is a distinct separation between the two functions. A Co-working space need to embrace the structure of work but also give workers the opportunity to step away from work and recover from stress. Since Living functions in an office such as break rooms, lounges and kitchens are social and louder spaces, they are separated from the quieter working spaces. A sense of community is instilled in working spaces through the introduction of Living functions. Lounges and break rooms give one an opportunity to share more than just a working space, with the co-workers.
Working Zone || 55
THE WORKING ZONE The Working Zone in on the East wing. The Working Zone faces the quietest part of the site, by the water and the biking paths. One enters the zone through the screen, past the garden and through the opening on the existing East facade. The Working Zone is wrapped by the screen on its North, East and South faces. The Western face is open and lets in direct light and winds into the work spaces. The Living functions are separated by floors and a 2 storied shifting atrium.
Working Zone || 56
CIRCULATION AND ATRIUM In the Working Zone, the atrium and landings stack above each other. This supports the need for an ordered and central circulation for a working environment.
Working Zone || 57
Working Zone || 58
THE WORKING LEVELS
ALL WORKING LEVELS
Levels 1, 3, 5 and 7 are Working spaces. The floor-plates consist of four types of work spaces - fixed designated desks, private conference rooms, open group desks, hot open desks that shift through the floors. The red shades represent the four kinds of work spaces. The central core is the point of reference. The fixed designated desks are in cubicles along the southern face. The private meeting rooms are along the Eastern face. Spaces to accommodate groups working together are along the northern face. The Hot desks shift through the floors and are double heighted. The double stories atriums shift through the floors along with the hot desks. The alternate levels 2, 4, 6 and 8 are the Third Place floors of the Working Zone. The green represents the kitchen and the yellow represents the eating lounge. The orange are the Third Places for the Working Levels. Their functions change from an Arcade, to a Gym, to a Print room and to a Library as one moves to higher floors.
Working Zone || 59 an
Working Zone || 60
LEVELS 5, 6, and 8 STACKED
LEVEL 5 AND LEVEL 6 IN EAST ELEVATION
The shifting 2 storied atrium and the staircase separates Work spaces from Living functions.
The central fixed atrium is the point of reference giving organization and structure through the floors..
The working floors stop before the third zone to maintain privacy. The floorplates consist of four components - fixed designated desk, private conference rooms, open group desks, hot open desks that shift through the floors
Group Desks - the least private workspace -are consistently along the corner closest to the third space zone Private Conference rooms face the quieter east side, facing the city and river
Working Zone || 61
Working Zone || 62
The third space levels has three partskitchen, lounge, shared amenities
The working floors stop before the third zone to maintain privacy. Group Desks - the least private Work space -are the closest to the third space zone
Private Conference rooms face the quieter east side, facing the city and river
The Gym extends into the third space
Walkway is preserved along the perimeter of the floor plate
Lounges move along with the shifting atrium according to the hot desks on the floor below
Reception along the fixed stairway and static atrium Static strium is the reference point on every floor Hot desks shift in accord to courtyard in the living zone They similarly open up to an atrium above.
Static atrium is the reference point on every floor Hot desks shift in accord to courtyard in the living zone . They similarly open up to an atrium above.
LEVEL 5 IN PLAN
The third space levels has three partskitchen, lounge, shared amenities
The Gym extends into the third space Walkway is preserved along the perimeter of the floor plate
Lounges move along with the shifting atrium according to the hot desks on the floor below
Fixed atrium and Reception are reference points Fixed atrium and reception are reference points
The kitchen is always along the hot desks below and thus shifts with the atrium STACKED LEVELS (5,6,7,8,)
The kitchen is always along the hot desks below and thus shifts with the atrium
LEVEL 6 IN PLAN
Working Zone || 63
The third space levels has three partskitchen, lounge, shared amenities The Gym extends into the third space
The Third Place functions change on every level
Walkway is preserved along the perimeter of the floor plate
Lounges move along with the shifting atrium according to the hot desks on the floor below
Fixed atrium and Reception are reference points
The kitchen is always along the hot desks below and thus shifts with the atrium STACKED LEVELS (5,6,7,8,) LEVEL 6 IN PLAN
Working Zone || 64
The Working Zone is populated with Third Places at different scales. At the scale of the building, every other floor is a Third Place level and is an open free space filled with living activities. At the scale of the Working levels, the shifting hot desk spaces are the Third Place. The staircase and the atrium that move with the hot desks leads up to a break room which has changing functions and extends into the Third Place of the entire building. With the different scales, the Working Zone itself becomes a Third Place reviving life into a collaborative Workspace, restoring a Work-Life balance and instilling a sense of community.
Third Place Levels || 65
Level 8 Level 6 Level 4 Level 2
Third Place Levels || 66
Arcade
THIRD PLACE LEVELS The Third Place levels are the existing floors of the Heating Plant. The floors extend into the Living and Working Zones . In the Living Zone, the Third Place levels accommodate the Third Place Blocks. above the Living Studios . They can be converted to any function as desired. In the Working Zone, the Third Place Level accommodates the Living functions required in a working space. Each floor has three components - a kitchen , a lounge and a break room (changing function). One of the components in both the Living and the Working Zone extend into the Third Place Zone . On Level 2, the Kitchen extends to face the Third Place Zone. From the Living Zone, the Arcade and a platform for observation extends into the Third Place Zone. On Level4, the Lounge extends from the Working Zone. From the Living Zone, the Laundromat extends into the Third Place Zone. On Level6, the Gymnasium from both Living and Working zones extend into the Third Place Zone. In the Third Place Zone on Level8, the Library is a shared space for both Living and Working Zones. All of the spaces in the Third Place Zone create an opportunity for one to meet people and to take a break away from the stress of Life and Work.
Gymnasium Kitchen Gymnasium
Level 2
Laundromat
Level 6
Reading Space
Library
Lounge
Level 4
Level 8
Third Place Levels|| 67
Third Place Levels|| 68
The Third Place is open and expansive. The atriums with the play of the changing floorplates fill the space with light . Every level is a platform for different views and every level hold a different activity. There is always activity at all times of the day ,in the Third Place. The liveliness can be pronounced when there’s a gathering of laughing people or subtle when there are people nestled in reading spaces. Joy and Inclusion exist here over stress and alienation. There is a warmth encompassing the freedom of choice and companionship. The Third Place changes an unused cold structure to a shared friendly space welcoming all.
Existing Wall Screen Gymnasium
10’ Walkway
Gymnasium Fire Stairs
Third Place Living Blocks Lounge Courtyard
Break Room
Kitchen
LEVEL 6 IN PLAN
Third Place Levels|| 69
Third Place Levels|| 70
WALL SECTION DETAIL OF LIVING ZONE
SOUTH ELEVATION
Double Glazed Glass
Stainless Steel Rod Stainless Steel Standoff Bolts Polished Concrete Topping 75mm Steel Deck Steel Truss System Perforated Concrete Ceiling Tile
Inference || 71
Inference || 72
Third Places play a major role in strengthening the sense of individuality and of a community. They are spaces where one reflects on oneself, exchanges ideas and build relationships with others. Without a Third Place, one loses out on connection, expression and growth. Regardless of one’s Living and Working situation, one must need to get away from home and work , to foster one’s well being. Today, living in a densely populated city can still leave one feeling isolated because very little is being done to connect a person to people. The Third Place will restore this disconnection. The Third Place will be the break away from tedious work and monotonous Life. It’s a vital space to create a sense of belonging. It’s a level and an unpretentious space with no social hierarchy. Homes are becoming more isolated and Work has become more competitive. The dire need for Third Places are ever increasing. The world suffers from an epidemic of exhaustion and loneliness. Third Places is the antidote to this. With the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the restriction of quarantine, one cannot go to a space away from home. There’s a loss of the occasional trip to the Third Place. People are now working from home. There is the loss of the second place of Work, too. There is no Work -Life separation. As the periods of quarantine extend, one can understand how a structure similar to the project could be beneficial : to have a living space that accommodates the contrast of Work from Living, to reside in a structure that embraces the act of strolling around through free spaces, to have several shared spaces within the isolated community, to work in a structure with variations in work spaces and to have an entire structure that encompasses Live, Work and the Third Places. The three elements together bestow the needs and wants of one’s mental, physical and social well-being.