Studio Phoenix

2019 Academic Project

Architectural Design Studio 5

Duration: 12 Weeks

The design of Studio Phoenix centered around creating an everlasting memory along with interesting experience. The process started with an in depth site analysis, identifying the design issues. The exterior views, interior views, and sound penetration were a focus of the design solution. The focus on these issues was to strengthen the quality of a weekend getaway. The exterior views looking onto the site from the street explain the process of entry when creating programmatic elements.

Yoga is a disconnection from the real world - a break from the interacting social aspects of modern life. Studio Phoenix is designed to create not just an interesting experience but also an enlightening one. The exploration into form development was deeply intertwined with creating a calming experience within extruding tilting forms. The design was also successful in terms of sustainability, while creating a daylight factor of under 2.0 in over 70% of the structure. Studio Phoenix is filtered around human scale creating framed views of exterior elements, and panoramic views of the site. The form is based off of jolting extruding elements from the façade, and an expression generating suspicion.

Exterior Model Photos

Interior Model Photos

Interior Atrium

Designed to create an open space full of natural light with spacious ceiling heights.

Atrium Circulation

Pathways creating a relaxing experience as one circulates to and from yoga and multipurpose function spaces.

Exterior Dining

Space designed to create a sense of community between guests during their stay.

Renderings

Lodging Spaces

Each lodging contains an interior courtyard, bed space, and private restroom.

Meditation Space

The meditation space was designed for 1-4 persons.

Yoga Spaces

Each yoga space can be used as a yoga or multipurpose space. Each of these spaces are located in the central atrium, including high ceilings and high amounts of natural light.

Materials

The design is strengthened by minimal clean cut materials, balancing and comforting the user.

Axonometric

Longitudinal Section

The longitudinal section above shows a section cut from north to south, showing the interior dining on the right, and elevation of the central atrium containing all 5 multipurpose rooms. The circle in the center explains the use of materials in the central atrium and entry vestibule.

Floor Plans

01. Floor 1

1 - Reception

2 - Lobby

3 - Storage

4 - Offices

5 - Kitchen

6 - Yoga

7 - Hot Yoga

8 - Bathrooms

9 - Lodgings

10 - Meditation

Site Plan

The figure above implies the structure is located northeast of the riparian area, preventing flooding around foundation of the structure. The structure stands out from the landscape, receiving large amounts of sunlight to be converted to solar energy.

Interior Sketches

Exterior Sketches

Design Process

Site Analysis

The site is situated along a riparian area that floods heavily when there is moderate to severe rainfall. Although there are multiple drainage systems, they create a lot of standing water areas, that could kill vegetation and produce muddy zones. The flood water could be used for adequate sounds sensory. Instead, it has become a place for water creatures to grow and colonize. There are many different types of vegetation growing on and around the site. The riparian area is home to most of the tall trees I would like to preserve for later in the design process while creating a sound and sun barrier. The circulation is simple - four main roads, one on each different cardinal direction of the site. A pedestrian walkway also traverses the southern part of the site. The site has connection points with different types of properties, including small businesses and OU faculty structures. By using the diagrams provided I analyzed the inventory of the site to create conclusive design decisions that can benefit from all the factors.

Site Photos

Program Diagram

Volumetric layout

The layout and relationship of the forms are provided by client, while sizes and dimensions will vary accordingly to programmatic elements required.

Program Destruction

A response to the programmatic elements and hierarchy phasing of the function and circulation of the spaces.

Stacking Volumes

Creates main access points above ground level and unique circulation elements from level to level. Provides large interior and exterior gathering spaces.

Public/Private Space

Splitting of the private and public space elements to understand functionable access of the site and best circulation paths. Private-red, Public-grey.

Form development through study massing models.

Pedestrian Access

Circulation paths of pedestrians throughout the interior of the structure. Creates a simple, functionable pathway through the programmatic elements.

Section model development of lodging spaces.

Form Development

The development of forms to show the expressive qualities and importance of experience of the program and circulation elements.

Further form development of exterior and entry sequence.

Illustration

The above illustration is something I personally enjoy practicing throughout the design process. Provoking artistic outlooks on form and shadow help my mind to understand the overall image I would like to achieve with the design.

Overview

1.Modeling

I found modeling to be the way to let my creativity run within space planning. I believe study modeling is the best way early in the design process to get a feel for scale and space perspective.

2.Structural Systems

Structural systems are something that I pushed my comfort zone with this project. Reading on Lebbeus Woods, Frank Gehry, and Daniel Libeskind, I found that if there is a will there is away. Fighting to create forms that change human perspective and experience.

3.Site Analysis

With the focus being Site Analysis, I learned a lot about various site conditions. Responding to the site conditions is an essential step in the design process.