Access and Egress Analysis

from Master of Architecture Design Research Studio D, Semester 1 2023 - Folio

by alexdee96

Sportopia

Precedent Study: Crest Apartments

Visual Form and Bulk

Location and Use

Located on an existing open site within a busy pocket in surburban Los Angeles. The Skid Row Housing complex introduces a new density, comprising of 64 apartments catering for former homeless veterans. Located close to two freeways, public transport and area resources.

Being used by veterans, the complex provides a permanent and supportive housing model though individual efficiency apartments, backed up by on-site social services and community spaces, along with support programs avaliable to highly vunerable residents facing homelessness.

Airflow and Light Analysis

Crest Apartments

Stats...

Architect: Michael Maltzan Architecture

Area: 4180 m² (45000 ft²)

Year Built: 2016

Address: Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Client/Owner: Skid Row Housing Trust

References

• CASTRO, F. 2016. Crest Apartments / Michael Maltzan Architecture. ArchDaily. Avaliable: https://www.archdaily.com/897050/crest-apartments-michael-maltzan-architecture [Accessed 5/03/2023].

• GOOGLE. 2023. Crest Apartments, Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA, USA [Online]. Google Maps Available: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crest+Apartments/@34.1756268,-118.3527364,11.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x80c296e60a40a507:0x581df0f6dc42b08f!8m2!3d34.2010326!4d-118.4292235!16s%2Fg%2F11d_d3_x22 [Accessed 6/03/2023].

By Alex Daicos (102977805)

Design

The overall form of the complex consists of an arching from strecthing the length of the site, complimenting the exitsing volumetric relationships present in the area which include commercial buildings along the boulevade and single-storey residences behind. Spanning five levels (roof included) in height with tiered, setbacked terraces provided on the upper floors with internal and semi external corridors providing access to the inviting, airy and light filled apartments across four levels, which are made up of two types for residents and one two storey suite for management. In addition the Apartments provide views of both corridors and city surrounds.

The Ground floor provides flexible zoning, comprising a front facing lobby and reception, an open air colonaide carpark, as well as communial facilities for the residents, which include a lounge, communal kitchen, laundry, conference room, health clinic and social service office. This in turn is surrounded by a large outdoor garden featuring Drought resistant trees and plants plus interchangable soft and hard ground surfaces. ESD Measures are incorporated into the Design and construction of the complex with the inclusion of two permable rainwater tanks located under the carpark, Ductless Heating and Cooling plus a Thermal Solar system providing more than 50% of heated water needs. Materials and finishes, such as Floors, Paint, grout, mortar and adheasives consist of minimal or zero VOC, as well as natural, recycled or bio-based content.

Floorplans

Sections & Elevations

By Alex Daicos (102977805)

Precedent Study Mk 3

The Third iteration of the Precedent analysis exercise saw tweaks to the colour coding in the program, apartment function and day/night zone diagrams, thus making them darker. With the main addition being an extra floorplan analysis highlighting the visual form and bulk of a typical floorplate within the buidling, showing five distinct quadrants of four apartments seperated by nurerous lookouts along the North and South sides of the corridor.

Following on from the precedent analysis, we were also tasked with producing a ‘Joker Model’ depicting a certan architectural or urban element within our precedent. For me, it was the external environs provided on site, as well as the relationship between the building and its surrounding environs.

This composition comprises of an open-air capark at ground level, which forms part of of the internal communal programs, located at the west side. Surrouding the building enevelope are green spaces comprising of rockeries, trees and shrubs. providing residents a sense of peace and tranquility, as well as giving back to the local area through public amenity and built form, As the latter sees the complex placed in a primarly low density residential area.

Weeks 4-5 - Program and User Development

The Program, User and Design development saw me and my group partner Austin focus on scoping out a rough concept intertwined with our user groups and associated programs. Our initial concept comrpised provisions for four different user groups of young families, musicians, Business people and Athletes, with a scheme of 26 apartments across 6 levels, with commual spaces provided on the roof and ground levels. In Later stages, all the users except for young familes were removed and replaced with a new group comprising of artists.

During this stage, we started to realise the spatial layout of the scheme through the provision of an open air atrium to all levels and the communal space at the ground level plane having permability from Stewart to Botherambo streets. This was tested through three different design iterations comprising of models, drawings and Bubble Diagrams.

Research and Exploration was also carried out highlighting area context and evironmental conditions of the site, as well as housing stats, justifing our decision of providing a ‘build-to-rent’ model for our users. with evidence showing Richmond having a median house price well above the national average, plus our Artists group thorugh precedents of Artists colonies and communities both local and overseas, with findings showing that most are only open to artists on a criteria basis of high merit and expression of interest.

These were then summarised in two collages, depicting the trajectory of our project and the on-site requirements and desires of the user groups.

A. Initial Bubble diagram sketches of flooplans & Section, highlighting programs and User (My Contribution)

B. Initial sketch section highlighting programs (Partner’s contribution)

C. Initial axonometric diagram highlighting programs (Partner’s contribution)