THE MISSING PUZZLE PIECE OF OXFORD
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PROJECT THREE
THE URBAN ROOM PROJECT
EMMA HILDEBRAND
APRIL 25TH, 2022 | SEMESTER TWO OF YEAR ONE
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The purpose of the project is to be able to explore and discover new design aspects while using methods of design, design concepts, design processes, logical design thinking, and design principles that we have learned throughout the semester. The class is expected to create a community building with specific requirements and restrictions imposed.
PRECEDENCE
My design is heavily inspired from Oxford, Ohio’s architecture and including a modern twist on the building. I wanted to create a modern twist on history while making the building feel as apart of the community, just as one should feel when entering a structure.
RESTRICTIONS/REQUIREMENTS/DELIVERABLES
Taken from Canvas.
Requirements
Entrance, Foyer, Reception (100 sq ft). The reception is staffed at all times by two volunteers who handle all day-to-day operations in The Urban Room.
Café area: capacity 40 people
Outdoor Garden / “Outdoor room”
Restrooms, 3 ADA unisex, (50 sq ft each): students will place these according to their design strategy
Elevator: 8’ x 10’ overall including 1’ shaft wall
Stairs, 2: one for internal circulation, “monumental stair”, “processional stair”, “stair as a stage” (a ramp can be considered as well); one fire stair, compartmented, with direct exit to the outside
“Urban Room” area: size/area not determined. This large area is to be used flexibly. A portion of it is dedicated for casual gathering, small meetings, reading, etc., while additional space may be used to seat up to fifty people for presentations, readings, talks, performances etc. Larger informal gatherings (standing, cocktails) might accommodate even larger numbers of people.
Gallery area(s): size/area not determined. The gallery area(s) are intended to accommodate a wide range of exhibitions of interest to Oxford citizens and Miami University students including but not limited to art, history, design, photography, sculpture, etc. Think in terms of accommodating painting, sculpture, and casework and panels for traveling exhibitions. If this area is above the first floor the principle elevator must be used for mounting exhibitions.
Ateliers for local artists, 5 (200/300 sq ft each)
Any basement is for storage and mechanical space only—do not include in your models and plan. It should appear in the section, with connections to fire stair and elevator
Note that all of the programmatic square footage requirements above are preliminary projections based on client requirements; you should thoughtfully adjust these to support your design ideas and concept.
Building Code/Zoning Requirements
No minimum setback from W High St. (which runs east-west).
Set back at least 16.5 ft from the front lot line along S Beech St.(which runs north-south). We are adding 14 ft, for a total of 30.5 ft setback
48 ft / 4 stories max from ground level
Stairs must be a minimum of 3’-0” wide, with a handrail at 36” along one side
Stairs higher than 12’-0” must be broken by a landing; doors may not project onto stairs or landing by more than 12”
Stairs should have a maximum 7” riser, and a minimum 11” tread
Final Deliverables
Site analysis drawing and research
Plans of each floor at 1/8"=1'-0"
2 sections at 1/8"=1'-0"
2 elevations at 1/8"=1'-0"
3D model - physical with context
Interior perspective showing key spaces
Additional perspective of student's choice
CONCEPTS STATEMENT
History, art, education, and community is highlighted throughout the city of Oxford, Ohio, but there is a missing piece. To complete the puzzle, I created a community center for the college students of Miami University and the community of oxford, ohio. I based my shape and structure of the building off of a puzzle piece and the historic architecture that Oxford showcases. I wanted to make a community space in which the public is invited into more private environments. As one goes up the levels, public spaces are turned more intimate. Additionally, I strived to create different movement through the building by manipulating the light; only introducing specific windows and openspaces to create a natural flow through spaces. Tying in the community, art, history, and education that Oxford has to offer.
SITE ANALYSIS
SITE
Located on the corner of W High Street, and S Beech Street. The lot is one hundred and nine feet, north to south, and seventy nine feet east to west. It has a build zone of thirty feet, East to west, by ninth feet, north to south. This building zone is set by the studio.
PLANS AND ROOF VIEW
SECTIONS
ELEVATIONS
PERSPECTIVES
MODEL
Each floor and the roof comes apart and is attached with magnets. I wanted to emphasize the “puzzle piece” aspect of my concept statement. It also allows the viewer to gather a clearer view of the structure, and now the use would be used in real life.
CRITIQUE REVIEW AND REFLECTION
I thought my final project has shown how far I have come in the last year. Previously coming from essentially no architectural education or practice, I feel that I have improved a lot. I am pleased with my efforts but acknowledge that there is still a lot of improvement that can be done. I now have a better understanding of how professional plans and models look, along with looking at different perspectives. I now value the amount of thought that goes into a building. I now understand how to break down and examine/appreciate design elements in buildings that I have not yet seen before. Lastly, I now understand the importance of design and design principles. Overall, I have learned how to improve my drawings, renderings, design, building and analytical skills/techniques through this project.
