Potrero Hill Library
MOMENT I - THE “ILLUSION”
Library project atop Potrero Hill in San Francisco. A place for recollection & learning & thematic structure based on topography. This classic studio project was more unique in the opportunity of being able to visit the site in San Francisco. Due to the topography of the area a theme of changing perspectives, and meditative moments were sought out in this project.
Li ke Lui s Kh a n ’s S a l k I n s t i t ute a n d t h e P ac i f i c , t h e us e o f f i g ure g ro un d i s p ut i n p l ace to f ra m e a v i ew o f t h e c i t y. T h e d e s i g n t a ke s
L O C AT I O N
t h i s i d e a o n e s te p f urt h e r by o f f -s e t t i n g t h e
Pot rero Hill is located ab out 10
f i g ure s to c re ate a d y n a m i c sys te m o f d e s i g n .
minutes from d owntown San Francisco. It ’s home to a new,
Moment I Reference
hig her class tenant , aid ing t he g ent rificat ion of t he area. M ost not ab ly ab out t his area is it ’s views.
LANDMARKS & TO P O G R A P H Y Ai de d by th e n atur a l to po gr a phy o f th e a re a , l a n dma r k s o f Sa n Fr a n ci s co be co me re fe re n ce poi n ts : de ta i l s wi th i n th e ur ba n fa br i c th at prov i de s s e l f awa re n e s s , a s we l l a s a h o l i s ti c fe e l i n g. Hol i s ti c fe e l i n g: th e goa l of th i s l i br a r y.
PROCESS
N
N
Th e i n i ti a l design was based of f
Symmetry became too similar in
refl ecti on due to the “m irror”
terms of program. Creating an
i mage provi ded by topography.
offset of plan brought a group of
Th e desi gn then becam e
new opportu nities.
symmetr i ca l .
L POTRERO HIL ARY PUBLIC LIBR
PROGRAM Parking Lot Entrance General Public Computer Stations Book Shelving DVD Shelving
Lower Level Two
Private Community Meeting Rooms
General Public Computer Stations Book Shelving DVD Shelving
Reference Area
Lobby/Reception Private Reading Rooms
Children’s Area
Lower Level One
Private Community Meeting Rooms
Ground Floor
First Floor
Private Community Meeting Rooms
Private Private Reading Rooms
General Public
General Public
General Public
Computer Stations
Computer Stations
Computer Stations
Book Shelving
Book Shelving
Book Shelving
DVD Shelving
DVD Shelving
DVD Shelving
Second Floor
Young Adults Area Accessible from LL1
Social
Accessible from LL2
A
Community Meeting Rooms
Administrative Offices “The View” Lobby/Reception
A place for reflection
Book Display
Patio Space
Patio Space Street Entrance
N
A
M O M E N T I I - M I S A L I G N E D WA L L S
Misaligning of the walls served two purposes. One; have light filter in through small openings. & Two; all ow for immediate c hange in perspective with just t h e slight change of a corner. Observe what a slight move to the left does above.
THE CANYON A s the structure serves to p roject v i ewers to d i f ferent p ersp ecti ves and v i ews of the ci ty, the p ub l i c can f i nd ref ug e i n the op en canyon l i ke area where natural el em ents are i n p l ace to hel p sooth and rel ax.
C I R C U L AT I O N Lower Level Two
Lower Level One
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Lower Level Two
METHODICAL ROUTES
QUICK ROUTES
M e t hod ica l re sult s in a long er rou te
Destinatio ns fo r those lo o king to get
t h roug h the lib ra ry. This is not a bad
in and get are much closer to main
t h i n g , b ut rathe r the intent ion.
entrances & circulatio n. Ultimately resulting in lesser travel time (right).
Lower Level One
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor