Project One - Sunset Hills Event Center

Sunset Hills Event Center Fall 2019 / Architectural Design Studio 1 / Prof. Judy Gordon

The Sunset Hills Event Center/Manhattan Event Center was the first project with an exact location. Along with a specific program, this project has been the most complex in our architectural curriculum. We were given it’s topography and neighboring buildings. When assigned this project, there was a strong emphasis on the eff ects of the pre-existing site and circulation of users.

My design’s intent was to shape the required spaces and give each a specific hierarchy based on the importance and frequency of usage for each space. Using an orthogonal geometric system, all secondary and tertiary spaces are focused around the large exterior space which was done using a centralized organizational strategy or parti. When entering the building, direction is organized by an array of axes that invite users to each space. The exterior of the site is addressed with an idea of circulation, which reflects the experience when the user enters the interior of the event center.

Floor Plan and Site Planloor Plan and Site PlanElevationslevations Sections and Diagramsections and Diagrams

Model Imagesodel Images - Site model with a scale of 1/16” = 1’ - 0”.

The site used was a study model, professor told us to use our study site models for the final due to a week of work lost during thanksgiving break.

Concept drawingsoncept drawings and worknd work from this unit. This unit filled 44 pages with ideas, concepts, measurements, site pictures, reference images, and drafted plans, sections, and elevations to use as concepts for materiality and other ideas. My mind works with visualization and drawing, so concept work in a sketchbook is very important to my design process.

This project introduced the ideas of parking and codes dealing with roads. Visiting the site and seeing the pre-existing conditions of the site helped us grasp a better understanding of how cars and people would circulate throughout the site.