Intensive Wrap-Up

Conceptual Drawings

Different possibilities of the front facade. I

chose the bottom left because of the horizontal

mass in relation to the Boston Public Library.

Conceptual thought of relationship between

the New Old Church and the Boston

Public Library to the site.

Design a store for people to experience the inventory, not just come in, talk with a sales rep, and leave (if the person purchased something). This design would allow customers freely walk around the store sampling the merchandise. The relaxed, casual environment is intended to retain customers and have positive experiences for a returned visit.



The second floor recesses to give a dominating horizontal look, much like the Public Library.

The casual environment will allow customers to use products in a non pressured, relaxed, open environment. This environment will allow prolonged use of products. Constant views of the public Library, the New Old Church, and Copley Square will remind customers of their specific location.



I wanted to concentrate on the upper level of the library.

Perspective of the Public library and the New Old Church on the left and our site is on the right.

Program:
I. Kid Zone
a. Computers
b. Software
c. TV for movies
d. Games
II. New Products
a. Cell Phones with Accessories
b. Software/Games
c. Computers/Laptops
III. Genius
a. Computers
b. Laptops
c. Software
d. Accessories
IV. General
a. Computers
b. Cameras
c. Software
d. Accessories
e. MP3’s
V. Learning
a. Classrooms with Computers
VI. Courtyard
b. Fenestration

Below is a perspective of the Public Library (left) New Old Church (background with tower) and my design (right). A window view of the New Old Church and to the left is the Public Library. Partial elevation of New Old Church.

Fabric - Good or Bad?

I studied architecture at (UMA) for the past 4 years. During my studies, I have seen UMA go through lots of academic changes and an additional academic building. A new student center was added during my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years for the increasing number of students. The architecture class before me had 15 incoming students and the class behind me had 45 students. At one point, UMA was going to relocate and join a bigger University from Southern Maine. The architecture degree program changed its name three times during my studies. UMA campus is not situated in a high pedestrian area. Students are really the only people that go to the campus.

During my 3rd year, UMA had a national competition for a new Human Rights Holocaust Memorial. The building was added to the East side of the existing Katz Library. A lot of students were confused why a memorial was being constructed considering the uncertainty of future plans for the campus.

The Human Rights Holocaust Memorial building is absolutely beautiful with its pedals extending outwards. But the existing buildings on campus are more of a 1970’s era design. Four box-like simple groups of buildings with an up-to-date, modern, copper, rounded building. It would have been better placed down by the state house where there are other memorials, like the Vietnam memorial. Visitors are not going to know its presence as well if it were located in a more familiar, more populated area.

Model of the Memorial Center

The petals

Sketch of the New Memorial.

The library is to the left.
The Copper Petals

The Festival Park, Part II

Here are the same pictures with color added. These are the actual colors used for the tent material in the park. I hope you can see why the park is noticable from across the river.

This is a diagram of traffic flow, pedestrian flow, and local establishments. The thicker red is a majority traffic flow, thinner red is a minor traffic flow, purple indicates the views towards and away from the site, and blue is pedestrian flow.

The site is not heavily surrounded by pedestrian flow like you think would be needed to support desired events.

The site is surrounded from parts of the old mill that developed both cities from the 19th century. The river was a way to transport merchandise in and out of the area. The surrounding buildings are four sided, non abstract, and brick.

This abstract park was placed to attract the residents to this area. I also think it was intended to host many festivals but the location just doesn't support it.

Oops!

After viewing my post, I realized the pictures are not placed as I had planned. For some reason I can't edit my pictures so I am headed to bed and will fix it in the morning.

First Attempt

This is my first attempt drawing on 11 x 17 sketch, scanning from a 8 1/2 x 11 bed scanner, and fixing my jpg's in photoshop. How are other classmates posting their images? I must be doing something wrong.

Anyway, not a lot of exciting exterior spaces in my local area so I chose to observe a nearby park that have a few people in the air whether it is good or bad architecture. I chose to study this space because 1: I have always wanted to and 2: the dinamics of the material used for the tent. I am definitely not the best artist but are my a couple of initial sketches without color.

The local park, Festival Plaza, is located on Androscoggin River seperating 'twin cities' Auburn and Lewiston, Maine. The park is available for use during other local festivals. Despite its name, it really doesn't have it's own festival or special event. Lack of pedestrian flow, more events, and life enables this park to become something more.

I have a hard time believing this park belongs where it has been placed. I heard it was designed by a Boston firm but I am still trying to find information. It is nested within an older upscaled part of Auburn. Nearby brick buildings host an attorneys office, a couple of night clubs, and a many elderly apartments. Other than that, there really isn't anything else around. I think the city wanted a more formal area for festivals but people are not drawn by it. It is almost like it is pushing people away or that people are ignoring it. It is hard to miss it visually though, you have to see it when you cross the bridge into town. Fading bright colors of the tent material dominates it brick neighbors. It draws your curiosity to the site but once you experience it it disappoints you. The concrete slab, concrete seating, and boulders give an impression of hardness. It is hard to understand what to do once you are in the space. There is a stage that obviously is used for entertainment, but is not used for its potential. When I observed the park, people brought towels to sit on. Kids just run around with nothing to do. Luckily, they blocked the street off. Older folks don't sit for very long on the concrete seating.

The space is too small for its original intentions. To add to that, the tent material barely covers the space because of its shape. I hope you are able to see this in my drawings. There are also three small waterfalls within the park. Kids are intimidated to go near it. It might have somethig to do with the water pressure and the fact the boulders are located soo close that kids can't just run through it. You can't sit on the boulders, you'd get soaked.


This is a quick analysis of my space. I am going to post more renderings, sketches, and comments tomorrow. Please comment, the more comments I receive, the better project I can make it.