Synergy

Liana Martinez

Synergy:“The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances,orotheragentstoproduceacombinedeffectgreaterthanthesum oftheirseparateeffects.”

ThesaurusDefinition.

“I see Synergy as the interaction of people working together towards a greater purpose.”

The main goal of Synergy is to bring the community together and at the same time provide sources and alternatives to the current community needs including low regular exercise levels and lack of fresh food. The project starts implementing the word connection in its design by extending the sidewalk towards the community center on either side of the site to provide a place for the community to come together. Synergy takes Clove road as an opportunity to activate this historical road by extending adjacent programs and pedestrianizing the road. Clove Road becomes the bridge to connect the community center and residential buildings on the east side. In other words, the center turns into the backyard for the residential buildings.

In addition, The forum becomes this meeting point within the community center itself, overlapping with other programs within the facility, to foster feelings of connection with one another even with individuals in adjacent programs. Finally, the community center implements sustainable means for the benefit of the center itself. Solar panels on a sloped roof facing south as an opportunity to reutilize this energy within the buildings. A louver system on the east and west facade of the gymnasium provides natural lighting while minimizing glare within the space. Furthermore, a rainwater collection system is on the south side of the center to support overall water needs but mainly for the urban farming areas.