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Leah Loostrom | Midterm Review

The spirit of my design is centered around the exterior façade and the light that will inevitably pass through. The design celebrates the public spaces and puts the behind the scenes work along the perimeter. The overall effect of this system is to create open, inviting spaces for the public so they will want to return to enjoy the space. The walls of the interior are forming interesting spaces as the walls are set at different angles to create a dynamism of space. The hallways are not symmetrical as a result and instead are created to allow for narrow space that then expands into a larger simg_1860pace to help guide people through the building.

 

My design initially started with the idea for the façade. I was inspired by the pattern of weaving and thought that a façade that incorporated that aspect would be intriguing. I then made a series of floor plans that fit within my desired exterior shell. As the orthogonal lines became less than ideal, I moved for polygonal shapes for my interior. I believe the overall effect is satisfactory and is aesthetically pleasing. I had several reviewersimg_1918 say the floor plan looked good, though they couldn’t explain why they liked it, it just had that feeling about it. As a result of the midterm review this week, I am reconsidering the floor plan and overall shape in how it will really
emphasize the façade.

 

 

My approach has been different than my classmates because I started with the façade.
Many of my other classmates have focused on an emotion, nature, or systematic layout of how img_1876they would like the space. Since I am starting with the exterior and moving interior, I am dealing with some different
issues.

I plan to continue exploring the possibilities that designing the plan with the façade as the central focus, instead of allowing it the same hierarchy as everything else will help
me resolve the issues talked about during my review.img_1928

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.

 

Early concept modelimg_2845
Process work – section drawingnew-doc-26_1

Midterm presentationimg_2925

Massing model with greenspaceimg_2929

Midterm modelimg_2933

Diagram – adding vestibulenew-doc-27_1

Diagram – continuing edge of facade down through buildingnew-doc-28_1