When I first began thinking about the building I was approaching it in a very conventional way. I imagined a building with a large rotunda on the corner and two wings extending from either side, acting as a "welcoming gateway" to UNCG and the city.
I then realized that have a wall lining the street wasn't very welcoming at all and began to reshape this idea thinking of the wings opening up towards the corner like an actual gateway.
I began thinking about the program and how I would organize space within the building. I imagine the offices, resources etc all being on one wing and the studio space on another with an open two-story atmosphere.
I wanted to explore ways of manipulating form to increase interaction with the building and the site. This idea creates a rhythm that interests people driving by, while creating a form that allows pedestrians to interact directly with the front of the building instead of just a long flat wall. The roof structure extends over the back of the building creating covered areas for outdoor use.
For our sites location there is opportunity to bridge across the railroad tracks to the main part of campus, and i wanted to explore the option of a pedestrian bridge incorporated into the building. This design lacks an interesting footprint but i felt that there was opportunity to experiment with innovative materials to bring interest.
After thinking about bridging to the campus I thought about ways to actually have the building bridge the railroad tracks. This could create some interesting studio spaces that overlook the train. Also if the building is over the tracks, it leaves more space on the site for courtyards or interesting mixed use buildings to support the studio arts facility.
I tried to push myself to think more conceptually and played with forms that don't look like typical buildings.
Continuing with my exploration of abstract form I came up with a concept that reflects the activity occurring in the building. The shape creates interest when driving down Lee Street and the progression and scale of the building reflects the progression of the design process and students ventures into the future.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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