Light Study _ Vergillo
Author Archives: evergill
Vergillo_681F16_MidtermReflection
The spirit of my design is influenced by our site and the idea of juxtaposition. The craft center is located in a unique location of transition. It is a point where two things meet: the gridded urban fabric meets the low-lying train tracks; booming retail shops meet old industrial; cars and pedestrians meet trains and the Willamette River; brick facades meet corrugated metal and stucco. The site is physically shaped by this area of convergence where Division St bends to the Northwest. My design responds to this in its spatial organization. While most of the building is oriented along the grid of the retail area, the great room, staircase, and entry are oriented according to the train tracks. As a result, my structural system is also organized by two grids. The idea of where two things meet is further strengthened my varying outdoor spaces in my design that create differing relationships between indoor and outdoor. Looking at our site from a larger scale, we are located in the Pacific Northwest. This has influenced the baskets that I would like to display and my choice of using heavy timber construction.
From the beginning, I have been thinking about the light quality of the site and how I would filter the light in my design. My early concept models focused on protecting the Southwest corner of the site from harsh sunlight. They are also concerned with a juxtaposition of man-made and organic that is present in basket weaving. From there, I began to think about harnessing the sunlight to create an open and welcoming feeling within the craft center. During review, I noticed that Gabe Haug is working with a spatial organization similar to mine. His building is oriented towards Division St with the great room turned towards the train tracks. We both seem to be using this to direct circulation through the building and to create varying light qualities in different spaces. This does, however, create some awkward angles in both the plan and structure.
At the review, Fred Tepfer suggested that I consider adding a vestibule to my entrance. Because of the Southwestern orientation of my entrance, it acts as a funnel for strong winds. This could be lessened with the addition of a vestibule. Mr. Tepfer also pointed out that the third floor south façade was supported on the first floor, but could be better reinforced along the second floor.
