Vance Chavis Finals-- Design is Never Complete

Model created by Kurt Huizenga

Final Model of the New Vance H. Chavis Library in Greensboro, NC presented above.

This has been a fun fun!!! and informative semester. As a student of the Interior Architecture department at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, I participate in various professional projects. The projects generally consist of renovation of an existing building or excavation and re-building of a site.

Particularly this semester as collaborative class of 15 we took an existing library site in Greensboro, North Carolina; the Vance H. Chavis branch and hypothetically excavated the existing building. We put much thought into keeping the building however, due the many add-ons, the layout just wasn't efficient. After the redesign of the building the class was then divided into smaller groups which consisted of, Children, Stacks, Multipurpose, and Administration. I participated in the administration portion of the library design. In the beginning my responsibility was to design a break area for the staff which later led into the a effectively office layout for the staff as well. Working in a group of 15 collaboratively isn't as easy as it may sound because, there wasn't much collaboration happening once each group received their portion of the building they were to work on. Due to lack of communication there were a lot of overlap to happen and re-design constantly reoccurred. Especially in my portion. We started out with a large space which constantly kept getting smaller until we had to tell others how important the area is for a library to function.

Below are a few of my first attempts to layout a break area. As a group we decided since the break area was in close proximity of the multipurpose area which would be to the right in the drawing below; we would leave it open for accessibility to the users of the multipurpose space, in the case that they may have been interested in hosting a dinner of some sort. However, the layout was too open it was exposed to all users of the library anyone entering the space in general.

In following image below is the lighting for the space which are fluorescent pendents.

Below are perspectives of the above images.


Final layout of space combined with the staff work area is illustrated in the following images.

Lighting plan below which consist of Fluorescent Pendents by Cooper Lighting company Shaper Brand.




The following images below are perspectives of the space.

The product here is from Knoll group their Template collection. Below is a model of the wall cabinetry shown in the background of the space.

Below is an image of the break space.


Above is the break room which was my primary focus. It is constructed of stainless steel with a selection of stainless steel appliances. The kitchen construction was selected from Ernestomeda Kitchens. The floor tile is a slab tile from Dal Tile and the back-splash is a ceramic and a glass tile which can be selected from your local home improvement store. Below is a model of the kitchen space.


Cabinetry detail which consist of hidden built-in drawer handles. Detail is illustrated below.

The products used within the office space is a selection from knoll their autostrada selection.
The carpeting is a tile carpet from Shaw Contract Group. The stripes are of a more vibrant orange than it appears in the image; it is more relative to the colors in the chairs.

This concludes the layout of the office space. The following images is process work in which i participated in class charettes to get to the points which we ended. The main focus of the following images are of the exterior of the building as well as the interior programming.

Vance H. Chavis Life Long Library

As students of UNCG we are working towards creating a new innovative library for what is currently known to the Greensboro community, as the Vance H. Chavis Life Long Library.

The class has been working in mini groups working on different sections of this project. For this particular section a group of us have drawn up the first proposal of the site, below is and image to illustrate.

Illustrated on the left side of the plan is an outdoor amphitheater; centrally placed and curving to the right is the building. The top of curving structure from the building is a proposed green-roof.

Library Precedent Analysis: Local/International

As we began to prepare our minds to generate innovative designs for the Vance H. Chavis Life long Library of Greensboro,NC we must study the context and layouts of other Libraries. I chose to study the layout of the Hemphill Branch Library located locally in Greensboro and the Exeter Library located in Exeter, New Hampshire. Below are images and analytical information about each library.
HEMPHILL BRANCH LIBRARY: ANALYSIS

Building Context

The Building is located in an area where it is most like to be used. It is surrounded by residential neighborhoods, one being a residential dwelling complex, which is located across W. Vandalia Road. The others are single family homes, which are adjacent to library’s property line.

VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS

Pedestrian Access: In the surrounding area there are sidewalks available to pedestrians for their safety to steer away from the path of moving vehicles.

Vehicular Access: There are 2 entrances into the parking lot of the Hemphill library facility. The Blue arrows represent the primary routesin the area and the orange represent a secondary route. Also in the area is a bus stop whichis represented by the blue X.

SOLAR ORIENTATION

The front facade of the building faces North-West therefore, there is a dense light to enter the front entrance of the building throughout the day. However there would be more light to enter when the sun is setting.

All Sides of the building have openingsto allow daylight light to penetrate. The South allows most light to enter, along with the west and east sides. There is also a raised roof, which has clear story windows which aslo allow daylight toenter and illuminate the entire central public space, where adult readings are.The diagram above shows how the lightenter into the clear story windows.

SPACE MASSING

The spacial layout is in a compressed format. There are shapes combined and compressed into one large shape. There is space allotted for children, teens and adults. The circulation is not centrally placed therefore, there is typically a linear circulation path.

INTERIOR CIRCULATION

The diagram represents the circulation of the general public. It shows the spaces in which they can access that is open daily. However, the conference room may be open daily but
there is limited access. One have the option to reserve the space for meetings, therefore the space may be closed for set up in some cases.

EXETER LIBRARY: ANALYSIS

Located in Exeter, New Hampshire, the Exeter Library is located on the Exeter Academy. Therefore it provides services to students of Exeter Academy. The building is also in close proximity of residential neighborhoods. From an analytical perspective, the building may possibly provide services to the public because it is a historical building, and many may like to embrace its elegance. However, the primary users are students of Exeter Academy.

VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS

There isn’t any parking on the building grounds however, there is parking available along the streets which are highlighted in green. Therefore, from an analytical perspective there is a
lot of foot traffic. Furthermore, there are pathways for pedestrian traffic highlighted in blue.

CIRCULATION

There is a Vertical and Radial movement to occur throughout the building. Unlike the typical layout of libraries, the circulation desk is located on the 1st floor to give it a central location vertically instead of on the entrance floor.

GEOMETRY

The Architect Louis Kahn used all the simple shapes in geometry and kept them in their natural form; bringing them together in a uniformed way.

Precendent analysis of Vance H. Chavis Life Long Library

As group of 4 we collaborated and decided to break the project up into sections to analyze the current context of the Vance H. Chavis Life Long Library as well as some history of the library.
I was given the responsibility of observing the exterior and interior circulation. Below are diagrams of the 2. I was also given the responsibility of understanding the building's environmental impact, which will be discussed later.
The above image illustrates the vehicular and pedestrian access. As one observed there are to entrances in the parking lot, therefore traffic congestion is least likely to occur. Minimal parking may also be a factor to less traffic congest as well as the surrounding setting. The surrounding area consist of residential dwellings and single family homes. Therefore, because they are in close proximity of the library the surrounding residents in the area are likely to walk to the library. To those who are in need of ADA accessibility the buildings is at ground level however, it one is driving a vehicle with a retractable ramp the ADA accessible parking spaces are not wide enough to extend the wheel chair ramp out.


The above image illustrates the current circulation of the public users of the library. At the entrance and the station for are adult computers there is typically congestion. There is not enough floor space near these areas to allow an easy flow of traffic. Also within the building there are no outlets along the walls of the facility. The only available outlets are centrally place on the supporting columns. This is hazardous to through traffic when those who need access to the outlets when using laptop computers.

Environmental Impact

The building is historical to the community particular the African-American community. It has undergone many transformations, including 3 expansions. However, the building is now landlocked. Due to this factor there are 3 HVAC systems within the building. Each expansion required separate HVAC systems. The building itself is constructed of brick. Furthermore, brick is exposed within the building and the buildings sits on a concrete slab. Therefore, in the summer the interior climate is just at hot as the exterior climate vice versa the climate in the winter season. As a result, the HVAC system are priority needed to be addressed because they are used more to either cooling the building or heating the building. Moreover, a position asset is the minimal parking that is available to users. As a result of minimal parking more users choose to walk to the library.

Group Presentation Layout

Reading Space

http://common.csnstores.com/common/marketing/Herman_Miller/image_coconut_chair.jpg (coconut chair)

• http://www.crystalinks.com/cocoon2.gif (cocoon)

• http://www.thedisplacedafrican.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/baby-in-the-womb.jpg (baby in womb)

• http://www.regencyshop.com/product_thumb.php?img=images/egg2.jpg&w=400&h=400 (Egg Chair)

Above are images of precedent study, studying how people may be most comfortable reading. Psychologically we tend to sleep in the fetal position or sit and read in a position in close resemblance. Such as crisp-crossing our legs or sitting on the buttock and bring the Knees into the chest.

In this particular project as the student we were to choose a space within or near the Gatewood Studio arts building on the campus of UNCG. I chose to do an outdoor reading space, which, is located between the Gatewood Studio Arts building and the Graham building. In the following aerial view the red pushpin shows the location where the reading would be. The other two pushpin labels the Studio Art building and the Graham building. As you can see it would be in close proximity of a busy street and at each intersection there are walk chirps for those who are blind.

Also near by is a railroad, which very busy with passenger train which, is shown in the map below. One would this with all the surrounding distractions the space would not be logical for a reading space. However, of multiple days of observation the space is popular for being a reading space for UNCG students. Due to the surrounding building's height it help with acoustics. The train that passes through becomes background noise that’s if it even heard, it is a very faint sound. So are the cars passing by and the walking chirps for the blind. Also while observing the space the seating spaces that are currently there are concrete slabs on brick columns. There is also a stone wall that is slanted at 60º angle people tend to sit at the top of the wall in the grass. One can infer because, its a softer place to sit. If they are not sitting or laying the grass they tend to take a whole bench and lay flat out on it. There were also people there to collaborate, however, the seating currently there does not accommodate their needs.

The image below gives a glance at what the space currently looks like.

The diagram below shows the path of an occupant’s eyesight when they sit on the current seating provided and the proposed design.

Below are models studying forms that could possibly go well in the current setting while also accommodating the needs of the users. The Rounding of the form of the seating allows collaboration. Specifically in the seating below, It also provides seating on the convex side of the form, which, provide seating for those who would like to have a sense of isolation.

In the following model a planter can be incorporated in the back of the seating, while the seating still accommodates the need for collaboration. However, it doesn't provide isolated seating for those who prefer to sit away from a group.

Below are perspectives of the proposed design for the current space. The seating accommodates the need for those in need of collaboration as well as those who would like to be isolated from a group and can lay back ad relax as they read before their next class.

Circulation is also a problem in the space as well, and the new seating allows for pedestrians to pass through the form whereas, the previous or current form causes pedestrians to walk around the form. The following images illustrate the differences.

Albemarle Final Presentation Board

Graphic layout of presentation for Albemarle, North Carolina

Albemarle Final Verticality.

Below are images of a propose design for a building in the down town area Albemarle, NC. The building is currently used as an Art Gallery to display local artist work. However the street level floor is only in use for that. The mezzanine floor along with the upper fourth floor and the basement is currently unoccupied. The client wishes to make the downtown are more lively. To do so they would like to bring in some type of entertainment or attraction. They also spoke of possibly bring in residential units. They also stated that they wanted the building to target an age group that are fresh in their career and possibly career starters. The age group would range from 25-35. With the information I gathered. I came up with the idea of verticality, for the reason that, the towns people are looking to bring downtown Albemarle back to life. They wanted the city to grow and prosper in the sense of soaring.Therefore, I have included spaces for all age group with a main focus of age group decided. I have included a bar/lounge for those coming from a long day of work and want a relaxing break just before going home. That particular space could be used for a meeting space for 2 to 4 people. The restaurant restaurant below could be for that small family with children or a place to grab lunch or dinner. The Gallery is set there to provide service to those who to display their talent, purchase a hand crafted gift, or to make crafts for ones leisure time or to sell in the gallery. Also the building provides living units on the above 2 levels. They are for single family people. On the mezzanine level there are loft apartments. The first floor of the apartment being a living and a kitchen space. The second level of loft is a sleep space. On the upper 4th floor level are 1 level apartments providing the same amenities as the lofts.
To the left is a plan view of the street level floor. This floor houses the a bar/lounge which has an overlook down to the floor below. It also house an art gallery which, is the building current use. Also there is a central hallway that has columns that will be visible from the basement floor the the residential area on the mezzanine floor and the upper 4th floor. It is a relative to my idea or concept of verticality.

The image to the left is a view of the bar/lounge looking from the hallway. As you can see there is an overlook into the restaurant below. The columns are continuous pattern from the pattern in the hallway dividing the gallery from the bar/lounge. The hallway image is shown below.
The image to the left is the view of the hallway, as you can see the concept of verticality is portrayed in the vertical columns. And once again they can be viewed from all levels of the building.
Left: Is a view of the Art Gallery, the wall or area is where local artist could display their work whether it be sculptural or paintings.
Left: Is the basement plan view. It shows the restaurant area to the far left of the plan and a private entrance for the residents occupying the mezzanine and the upper 4th floor. There is also a private gym for the residents use.
Left: Here a view into the restaurant, as you can see once again there is an overlook from the street level floor down into the restaurant.

Above: Mezzanine Floor, Loft Apartments, 1st level.

Above is a view of the Loft apartment facing the entrance door into the apartment. As you can see there is a kitchen area a living space and stairs which, lead up into the sleeping space which, is enclosed by glass.



Above: 4th upper level floor. One level apartment.
There is also a laundry room at the end of the hallway.
Left: Is an overall view of the entire building.