Can overlooked spaces create interactive community hubs?
Course: Design Innovation & Society Studio CDuration: January - April 2024
Software Used: Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, SketchUp, Rhino 3D
Introduction:
Spaces, buildings, plants, and communities carry the memories of people, rituals, politics, and experiences from the past. Through this project, I explored the dimensions of an often-overlooked area on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s campus, reimagining its potential and envisioning new uses for a space deeply steeped in both water and history.
Project Goals
Before I started this project I developed a list of project goals that I wanted to accomplish to further my own understanding of design and support my final product and space. • Learn how to create effective concept visualizations
• Improve Rhino and SketchUp Skills
• Learn how to design landscapes for interaction
• Explore local history
• Explore social and environmental constraints of locations
• Create a final concept to deliver to Institution
Project Objectives
In a similar manner to the project goals, I went into this project with specific objectives I wanted this project to accomplish. Thinking a lot about how this space would be used, who would use it, and how this space could change and grow with the institute around it was a top priority for me. Additionally, this space had to be as interesting and comfortable as the other areas enjoyed on campus. On top of these conceptual constraints this project would also have to meet the very practical and important accessibility and environmental constraints.
These constraints shaped the project’s overall Objectives.
• Create a space that is comfortable and unobtrusive
• Create a multi-use space
• Create a space that does not take away from the surrounding buildings
• Functional for studying or lounging
• Natural features need to be low maintenance and native
• Needs to meet the social needs of the space it is in
• Needs to be wanted by community it is in
Sage Accessibility Entrance
Because of the Sage Accessibility Entrance site’s interesting landscape, ADA accessibility, high traffic volume, and current water drainage issue, I thought that this space provided a great canvas for a community space.
The Sage accessibility entrance is a true transitional space. Both for students and professors entering and exiting the second floor of Sage as well as a natural transition of the topography.
Concept Inspiration
Concept Design
Being immediately drawn to the unique bowled grass walls of the space and emptiness it contained, I really wanted to pull function from the form of the space. I was really inspired by the amphitheater seating examples I found used in many other community spaces.
Space materials
Concept for planting against building Students studying in space Space at night
Game Simulation Arts and Sciences utilizing space for outdoor play tests Lecture Taking place outdoors
Campus Health and Wellness leading an outdoor yoga class UPAC Cinema holding an outdoor movie showing
Drainage Solution
To combat the excessive water pooling in the space. A subsurface french drain system should be installed and connected to current drain system. Below is a concept of the drain plan. Crushed stone can be placed over drain covers to blend into patio. At the base of the terraced seating an inceptor drain will collect water from hillside to ensure patio stays drained.
Check out Final Proposal Document Here: