SCI-Arc 

​

Design Studio led by David Eskenazi.

​

In the Middle of the Desert

​

In the project I was interested in the difference between the exterior and the interior of the building. Whereas the exterior has a four square organization (hence the use of multiple frames), the interior is based on a nine square grid with a voided center cell.

 

The program is organized along a continuous ascending loop that starts below the cantilever and takes the visitor to the rooftop patio area. Despite the concept, the loop has a shortcut to allow a more user-friendly experience of the building.  Another feature includes the diagonal that not only subdivides and combines parts of the program, but also breaks the orthogonal geometry of the interior (the final model photographs illustrate examples of the merged spaces). The plan and the top view of the building are based on the overlay and interaction of multiple squares that help to both distinguish and veil various programs contained within the project.  On the other hand, elevational geometry and the color application highlight the flatness and excessive horizontality of the building.

 

The site the project is located on is designed in such a way that the visitors are forced to either walk, or drive below the cantilever to experience it. The cantilever, being an architectural feature, simultaneously signifies and emphasizes the main entrance to the campus territory. The project itself is inverted in a sense that most of the outdoor communal spaces are elevated from the ground and are located on the rooftop terrace - the ground itself becomes secondary. Important to mention that the project provides multiple entrances to ease the use by different groups of users (i.e. students, faculty, visitors, etc.).