PROJECT Creativity Sustaining Community
LOCATION Georgetown, Washington D.C., USA
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 12/1/2015
PROJECT CATEGORY Graduate / Beginning Design
PROJECT TYPE Studio
ENTRANT Erin Barkman
TEAM MEMBERS Emily Latham
SCHOOL University of Maryland
FACULTY SPONSOR Peter Noonan, Professor of the Practice / Architecture
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Students were tasked to design the D.C. Headquarters for Pigemental Studios, an independent film company, working with Gensler and the CEO of the company. Given a program, we were tasked to create flexible spaces conducive to inspiring creativity in the workplace, while integrating the role of the community into the work space as well. Students were given a choice of three sites, all with their own challenges. The requirements of the design were to meet the clients needs, while also integrating structure, mechanical systems and environmental concerns into the architecture.
STUDENT'S STATEMENT
The project [Creativity Sustaining Community] focuses on meeting the program needs of Pigmental Studios with figural program solids surrounded by flexible work space. The solid program pieces acted as a core, wrapped in a parametric, interactive skin that brings life to the surrounding community, and to the Georgetown waterfront. A series of frames, mimicking the adjacent Whitehurst bridge, act as a shell that blocks views when needed and reaches to capture light and energy. These frames are regulated by the grid of the Whitehurst Bridge, while in between the frames, a glass curtain wall and green roof act as a datum to guide the frame's vertical and horizontal movement. Our site is located in Georgetown, Washington D.C. and is straddled by the Key Bridge to the West and the Whitehurst Bridge to the South. The steep topographic change allows for interesting design when handling the connection between M street, to the north, and the Potomac River, to the south. Pigmental Studios, an animation studio, worked to give guidance and advice as the client for a building that inspires artists and designers. Sustainable design fosters a healthier atmosphere for the artists and an interactive experience fosters a relationship between Pigmental and the community. This design creates a place for the community to come and experience the "story" of movie making. The design process of movie making is mirrored in this design process of architecture.
IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS
IMAGE 1: Interactive Plaza, A pocket park with an interactive wall , Erin Barkman
IMAGE 2: Performance Diagram, Erin Barkman
IMAGE 3: Canal Approach, Erin Barkman
IMAGE 4: Night Canal Side, Approach from M street shows a jewel on the water front, Emily Latham
IMAGE 5: Flexible Work Space, Erin Barkman
IMAGE 6: Clay/Modeling Room, The louvres make this space adjustable and comfortable, Emily Latham
IMAGE 7:
MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Creativity Sustaining Community
Category
AIA Maryland Student Design Awards > Graduate > Graduate / Beginning Design
Winner Status
- AIA Maryland: Graduate / Beginning Design - DESIGN AWARD
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