Project Analysis

Physical Model Photos

Interior Renderings

Exterior Renderings

Sections

Floor Plans

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.

Diagrammatic Program Layout

Assignment

Diagrammatically, show how the program will fit in the scaled model from last assignment.

Concept Scale Model

Assignment

Refine the previous three "hybrid models" into a concept model scaled to fit the site and program.

All three hybrid models were used to create this scaled model. We see the strong influence of the tower model, but like the third model more has been added. Shards have been incorporated on the façade, these will be adjusted to represent the program inside.

Concept Development Hybrid Models

Assignment

Using the more successful models from the pervious assignment create three "hybrid" models using the chosen models as the starting point.
I chose the following three models as the basis for my hybrid models.

The following are the hybrid models that were created.

Combing elements from all three models led to this hybrid. It's simple, but striking and elegant. One thing I don't like is how the side with the tower is empty and unsupported.

This model is based on the shards that we see in the second model above. They interlock at the edges, meandering all around, to create volume and define space.

All three models are incorporated into this hybrid model as well. There are sticks, shards, folding, and string, but while I like it as a sculpture—and appreciate that it can be placed in many orientations—I don't think it would work as a basis for a building.