C O N T E N T S 3-4 Icebreaker: The Cube Part I

5-6 The Cube 18x18x18

7 Introduction to the Site

8 Proposal 1

9 Proposal 2

10 Inspiration

11-12 Site Base Gesture Model

13-14 Two Side Base models

15-16 One Side Base Model

17-18 New Side Base Model

19-20 Site Base Model – Scale 1/16

21 Charcoal Drawing

22-23 Site Model 9

24-25 Site Model 10

26-27 Site Model 11 (Drawings, Section and Program Analysis)

28 Site Model 12

29 Cedar Community Center

30 Section, Plan and Program

21 END

31 Section, Floor Plan

32 Vignettes

33 Photographs and Sketch

34 Final Presentation board (44x68)

35 Final Comments

36 END

21 END

PROs

•Structure was frame within 6 x 6 x 6

•Pattern are repeating in the cube

•Well crafted

•No symmetry

Thoughts

Building this first model was inspiring and relaxing. I was driven by the simplicity and structural dynamic of my cube.

The Cube

Inspiration

The Cube

ICE BREAKER

CONs

•Needed complexity

•I have a remembrance of a piece of cheese

•It looks too simple

•Needed more thoughtful thinking

Thoughts

When constructing this first iteration my main idea was to have a representation of the pattern of the geometrical circles. At the end the result didn’t show complexity.

The night I was constructing the first model I was having swish cheese. I wonder if that may have some influence in my design process.

Pros

•Structure was frame within 18 x 18 x 18

•Metal was the primary element

•I learned how to work with copper

•Frame weight 2 pounds, giving a strong foundation

•Central cylinder establish a focal point within the copper frame

Thoughts

Working with a gesture model that is physically a big scale was challenging. In fact, making the edges connected at ¾ copper material. Ts (individual pieces that connect the copper tubes) and bridges were needed to make it stable so other models could be placed on top of the metal frame cube. I was motivated by the non symmetry, weight and size of the model.

The Cube – Part II

Cons

•Model doesn’t look attractive

•Central cylindrical pieces doesn’t speak to the frame.

•There is not intention on the composition of the piece.

Thoughts

The piece doesn’t connect with the initial cube. The addition of cylindrical tubes distract viewers from the frame. Building this structure a home, made me realized that I need a center copper table.

• Cedar Street is an Alley located in The Tenderloin area in San Francisco, California.

• This Alley’s limits are to the East, Larkin Street, to the west Van Ness Avenue, to the North West is Post Street and to the South East is Geary Street.

• Cedar Street is close to The Tendernob neighborhood which refer to an area around the indefinite boundary between the Upper Tenderloin and Lower Nob Hill.

• This community represent many spectrum of the San Francisco economy.

• From homeless to high-end design stores and restaurants.

• Many of these communities have lived in this area for many years.

• New constructions and new residents have been able to activate this neighborhood.

Introduction to the Site – Cedar Street

How to approach the alley?

Vertical Garden from Boor Bridges

Architecture Firm

Inspiration

PROs

•Well crafted geometrical models

•Side base constructed

•Three different approaches:

A series of polygons that overlap to each other.

A rectangular pieces that cut in the middle and connected to each other.

A rectangular pieces that are penetrated by and curvilinear elements.

Thoughts

Making these gesture models were completed in 4 hours. I should have put more time to experimented the design language.

Site Base Gesture Models

CONs

• No completed the minimal requirements: Building three different sites.

• Gesture models are too small.

• No need to add windows into the gesture model.

Thoughts

During the review all these issues come out. Establishing a design process take time and require a full thoughtful thinking. This is the time where experimentation is the key component.

PROs

•Two full site base gesture models.

•Two forces that are being represented by mass.

•Trying to finding a point of conversation.

Thoughts

These two forces are the people in cedar Street trying to have a conversation. My main focus was to leave frames language and experiment with mass. Being able to dominated the paper to communicate my intention of a relationships. Geometrical lines were on the surface of the material.

Two Site models

CONs

•Rectangular shapes are reflected on the surfaces.

PROs

•Pentagons are interconnected

•Main pentagon is resting on top of the Boors Architect firm and the Chinese Church.

Thoughts

Model reflect non symmetry and is evolving from Larking Street into the alley.

One Site Base Model

CONs • Pentagons are arbitrary connected. • Model reflect gestures from previous model in a bigger scale. • Pentagons are resting on the alley. They aren’t having a conversation. In fact they seem separate from the alley. Thoughts Gesture model wasn’t completed integrated with the site. Next model will celebrate a conversation.

PROs

•Model anchor into the Chinese's Church

•Gesture model is embracing both buildings

•Openings creates a space for light to get in.

•Able to use the site effective.

Thoughts

This gesture model is embracing both buildings. My intention is to make this communities to have a conversation.

New Side Base Model

CONs • Gesture model is not embracing

the alley. • Gesture model doesn’t follow any

programmatic requirements. Thoughts I envision a tower that connect high income with low income people to celebration their diversity as a whole community.

PROs

•Structure anchor into the building

•Well crafted site model

•Tower start to embrace the alley

Thoughts

My gesture model need integration with the alley. Material are too fragile.

Site Model to scale

PROs

•Gesture model is starting to embrace the alley.

•Site is to scale and It’s well crafted.

Cons

•Why a tower?

•The verticality gesture model need to address the alley.

•Space and circulation need to be addressed.

•Structure is too fragile

Thoughts

No all the pieces of the project need to be addressed at this time. Next gesture model will address program and will embrace the alley.

• How to approach the alley?

• How to embrace the alley?

• How to enhance the alley?

PROs

Charcoal media represent my intention which is to embrace the alley.

CONs

How to made an 3D design that represent my drawing?

Charcoal Drawing

Intention:

• To embrace the alley

PROs

3D structure is anchoring between the both sides of the alley.

Verticality started to develop

CONs

Pieces are separated.

Site Model 9

Site Model 9 View from Polk St.

Intention:

• To add the program and a volumetric component

PROs

Initial volumetric started to occur

CONs

Model is not embracing the alley.

There is not Volumetric component.

Program are not boxes

Site Model 10

Site Model 10

Site Model 11 Intention: • Create order • Embrace the alley • Develop a connection to the

offices

PROs Structure is connected to the offices by adding an elevated bridge. Model is in contrast with the site due to their uneven geometrical frames. CONs There is not sign of volumetric. Model still abstract. Offices far away from the restrooms are an issue.

Site Model 11

Drawings, section, plan and program analysis.

Intention:

• Include LPN and CBD offices into the tower.

• Made a connection between the alley and the main entrance. Entrances will be from Cedar St. and Larkin St.

• Create a frame that represent the initial language.

PROs

Skin has two components (metal and glass)

Circulation through the main elevator from the ground floor to the 7th floor.

Offices were incorporated into the building

CONs

Floors and additional volumetric components are required

Site Model 12

Open Areas a) Geary Apartment's outdoor area b) Private Parking garage c) Larkin Apartment outdoor area

Program • The alley must be considered part of the project. • 10,00o sf approximately plus the alley itself. Intent To embrace the relationships of the people who live, work and use Cedar St. and surrounding areas. Concept • Create a vertical landmark for the neighborhood • Build a dynamic silhouette structure • Activate the alley by connecting the Cedar street

and Polk through the main entrance of the tower. • An expansion of the vertical garden in the left side

of Cedar St. (from Larkin St.)

The Site

Plan and Program

Section – Floor Plan

Vignettes

Photographs Sketch

Context: • Relationship to the alley: one side of each floor is on the same axis of Cedar Street. • The dynamic rectilinear tower is pointed to the sky making occupants to look into

heaven. • The dark alley is a metaphor from horizontality (dark) to verticality (light). • Connecting different communities in a elevated neutral surface. • A building that belongs to the community and serve as a gateway to enhance human’s

relationships. • The new architecture contrast with the traditional forms of Cedar Street.

Thoughts In the last five months I have been exploring, analyzing, the Cedar Street. I had found contrast between people who live there and new comers who are changing the fabric of this neighborhood in particularly Cedar St. These findings had been the inspiration of my concept, which is to embrace the relationships between local residents and newcomers. My goal is to enhance the alley without occupying the alley. Therefore the structure is elevated into the sky. My intention is to build a structure that celebrate the both communities.

References - Boor Bridges Architecture Firm (vertical gardens) - The High Line – New York - Landscape – Architecture Now! Philip Jodidio - The End of Architecture – Lebbeus Woods - Urban Land Use Planning – F. Stuart Chapin

Final Comments

ARCH 103: Architecture Design Studio – Spring 2014 Student: Julio Cesar Soriano Professors: Andrew Chandler Jerry Lum

“A real building is one on which the eye can light and stay lit.”

- Ezra Pound (1885-1972)