Interior Work

Some screenshots of the interior development.

Massing Complete

The massing is complete. We see the how the fragmented triangle façade, the cables, and the rising slab come together.

The rising slab needed to widen at the end to function as a stair, now it looks a bit like a fish tail. That's okay, it references the old Fulton Fish Market and can be called the Mermaid Stair.

Still to come: materials. We need to see what's solid, what's transparent and how they affect this massing.

Cables

The concept model had cables, it's time to bring them back.

Stringing the cables from the mast, to the edge of the upper slab, and then to the edge of the lot, allows them to be structure and space defining elements. Slabs can be suspended from them, but they also demarcate the space. The cables are visible from the windows of the building and to passers-by referencing the nearby Brooklyn Bridge and Seaport without mimicking them. They even pass through the slanted element. This allows the possibility for some very exciting spaces inside.

Massing Update

Based on the concept model, I was working with a single slanted plane.

Expanding it to the left edge of the site as well, and extruding it so it's more of a mass gives it much stronger presence. The massing looks more alluring. (Floor plates were added for reference, to see where intersections would occur.)

Sinking this massing—so that the top of the right side is a ground level—helps to ground the massing. This larger footprint can also be opened up as ground floor indoor space.

The rising volume is much more important than just a formal element. Because the streets of Peck Slip are so narrow it's important to keep them from becoming dark corridors. Lifted at one end, and tapering as it falls, this shape helps avoid that. It's low at the FDR side, for interaction with the waterfront activities there (and future developments at street level). The lifted (inland) end also serves as public space, space where sculptures made inside can be displayed perhaps, it faces the Peck Slip School and looks toward it—and the entire residential neighborhood beyond—beckoning them to visit and express themselves. The openness allows one to wander in without hesitation.

Core Developement

Being that the core is a central part of the building it's important to locate it early.

I placed it where there was already a strong vertical element in the concept model. It is also central to the building and therefore easy to reach for egress purposes. The dimensions are based on using a scissor stair, which I initially chose for it's small footprint.

Dissatisfied with the boring shape that would not work well with the rest of my building I developed it further into something that works better.

Using more standard switchback stairs allows them to be less confusing. While the new core shape is not only less boring, it works better with the shape of the building allowing for more dynamic spaces.
As I want to encourage building users to take the stairs, the isosceles triangle shaped space is accessible only via the stairs—and often at landing (not floor) level. Being an interesting space, with unique views, this invites users into the stairway for more than just circulation.

This image shows how the stair works through the entire height of the building.

Animating the plans lets us easily see where they change based on the position in the building.

Facade Development

Dissatisfied with the flatness of the current façade, I set out to create something more dynamic and exciting. Moving corners of the façade elements just two feet inward creates movement and rhythm allowing for a much more expressive face.