INTERMEDIATE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 1
ARC5031 | C1
5031 | C1-3 Tower - Bridge - Cantilever
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Through the first few weeks of the semester, students were given 3 projects each focusing on problem solving, code and structural composition. Each project was given a build-able area whether that was only on the slope or a small portion of the flat land. The parameters for A1- Tower, were to build a vertical structure with a viewing platform allowing the user to look out. Rather than building a vertical box, I used the fibonocci to create a spiraling triangular pattern. The stairs follow the center triangle and use the leftover space between the stairs and the structure to create the viewing platform. The parameters for A2- Bridge, were to get from the lower level to the higher level by a ramp that had a 1:12 slope. There had to be a viewing platform for users to look down through. Through my design, I created two small ramps that created viewing spots and a larger ramp/ stair to connect over the valley with a viewing platform in the middle allowing for users to move between the ramp side and the stair side. The parameters for A3 - Cantilever, were to extend a structure off a cliff with a total length of 48’. For this last structural project we also had to include an enclosure for the structure.
ARC5031 | C4
5031 | C4 Mount Wilson Observatory Live-Work Facility
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The Mount Wilson Observatory wanted to renovate and expand their living quarters and research facility on site. This project houses 4 rooms, private restrooms, private balconies, common facilities (laundry and kitchen), research labs, research offices, and an outdoor amphitheater, only 1,000 sqft of programing was permitted on the ground floor. The design of this project started with two anchors, one connected to the flat ground and the other connected to the hill. These anchors were connected to by horizontal elements that were then cut out to accommodate the trees on site. The horizontal bars were then shifted to separate floors to create privacy and separation between the living areas and the work areas. Terracotta Baguettes have been used to clad the center anchors while stucco is used on the horizontal elements. Terracotta was chosen because of its grounding color and relation to the earth to connect the building to the ground, and the stucco is used to create a contrast between the vertical and horizontal elements. A steel structure is utilized to support the large cantilevers, columns are also extruded through the bottom to connect the structure to the hill to alleviate some of the weight from the cantilevers.