Comprehensive Studio Project

DENVER ARTS CENTER Jessica Luber | Katie Smith

Arch 609 | Nilou Vakil | Spring 2015

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Contents 06| Thesis 07| Site Analysis

Site Demographics

Existing Conditions

Context+Master Plan 13| Process

Programming Circulation Structure+HVAC 19| Midterm Review 21| Screen Design 23| Stair Design 25| Building Model 27| Renderings 33| Drawings

Site Plan

Floor Plans Elevations

Building Sections

Wall Sections 43| Section Model 49| Credits

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4

5

6

Thesis Through our design of the Denver Arts Center, we intend to create an environment that enhances the culture of the place by offering creative outlets for the surrounding community. The arts center aims to attract artists who are passionate about the community and are interested in creating works of art that will inspire and engage all ages.

The proposed scheme emphasizes safety, youth, and longevity of both the built form and the programs within the building. Transparency, sustainability, playful design elements, and interior to exterior integration are crucial considerations within our design.

Through intensive site analysis and research, we mapped the various routes between community gathering places, such as schools and recreation centers, and our site. With a specific emphasis on safety and transportation, we were able to propose better connections between these activities, while providing new places to gather with a proposed community park and our arts center design.

In order to establish a safe environment, we allowed the building form to reveal itself on the street, providing visibility into and out of the building.

This transparency, especially at street level, creates a sense of security and encourages community interaction and collaboration. Fenestration at higher levels enables us to capitalize on the views of the city to the north, and the mountains to the west. Through this interactive experience, the roof deck becomes an ideal place to gather.

The screen system, or skin, provides a unique experience as well, as a visitor travels through it and alongside it as a procession into the building. The gap between the glass and screen also allows for more private exterior cafĂŠ seating off of the busy corner of 7th Street and Santa Fe Drive.

As one enters the building, a grand stair provides intrigue as visitors can view it from many angles due to the transparency of the building. Thin, steel treads appear to float while circling

a glass tube that acts as a light well throughout the four story atrium. With a circular mirror at its base, this stair will refract color and light, adding to the visitor’s experience.

Also with the buildings’ users in mind, we added to the program a space designated for youth on the third floor.

This space extrudes through the screen, providing a view down Santa Fe Drive that will engage and inspire. The decision to design this space came from our research, as 46% of the demographic makeup of the area is under the age of eighteen. By appealing to the younger members of the community, we hope to maintain the vibrant culture of the Santa Fe Arts District for generations to come.

By designing this building in response to the surrounding built environment, we hope to mesh this Denver Arts Center into the urban fabric. Proposing a design to house creativity could be approached in numerous ways. However, it is due to this contextual and tectonic research that our proposal takes on an allencompassing approach to design.

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Site Analysis The site for this project is located at the corner of 7th Street and Santa Fe Drive in Denver, Colorado. With Red Rocks 10 miles to the west and downtown Denver just over a mile away, this area is a perfect location for work and play. The surrounding neighborhood is culturally

vibrant and is home to a flourishing art district. On the first Friday of each month, galleries open their doors and food trucks take over the streets as people gather to celebrate the arts.

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The Culture of the

PLACE

Race

AGE of Population

Population over time

year

Demographics In researching the demographic makeup of the area, we discovered that the population is 40% Hispanic or Latino and approximately 46% of the population are under the age of eighteen. This directly influenced our design decision to include a children’s area in our program. In

addition, the population is beginning to grow after a slight downturn between the 1960s and the 1980s. More and more artists are looking to move into the Santa Fe Art District, and we hope that our art center will provide them a place to work and display their art to the public.

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Site STRATEGIES | 714 Santa Fe Existing Conditions We also studied the wind, sun, and DAYLIGHTING // SHADOWS vernacular architecture to makeCASTED thoughtful Kalhamath St design decisions. This information greatly impacted our design as we considered materiality and developed a sun screen, while also attempting to seamlessly fit our design into the existing built environment.

Kalhamath St

Kalhamath St

WIND FLOW THROUGH MAJOR STREETS Galapago St

modern Modern

6 pm SUMMER VERNACULAR STYLES WORST CAST

Galapago St

traditional Colonial Revival

Santa Fe Dr

traditional

Inca St

simplistic stucco

VERNACULAR STYLES

9am Winter traditional

Inca St 9 AM WINTER

SHADOW CREATED

Galapago St

simplistic stucco Spanish Mission

W 8th Ave

modern

W 8th Ave

IDEAL

Inca St

W 8th Ave

W 8th Ave

12 pm SUMMER

Kalhamath St

6pm Summer modern

W 7th Ave

Inca St

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Santa Fe Dr

Wind Flow Through Major Streets

12pm Summer

SITE FORCES

Inca St

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Boys & Girls Club of Denver

To 10th & Osage Light Rail Station

Proposed Bike Paths

Proposed Park

To La Academia, Manny Martinez Middle School, & West High School

Del Pueblo Elementary School

Girls Athletic Leadership School

Proposed Arts Center

Byers Branch Library

Context + Master Plan We created this axonometric in order to better understand the greater context surrounding our site. By doing so, we were able to see the connections between the existing schools, community centers, and means of transportation in order to propose new bike routes, a new park, and our arts center design. Together these provide safer routes and increased attractions for the community.

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Process Using the information we gathered about the surrounding built environment, we discovered that the property lines of the neighboring buildings had a consistent 25 foot pattern. We used this pattern to create a grid, from which we extruded a box to fit the programmatic spaces. These

spaces then dictated where we pulled the program out, breaking the grid. Lastly, we added a screen as a sun shading device around the transparent box.

15 Conference Room II Office Space File Room/Kitchenette

Children’s/Roof Access

Conference Room I Studio IV Studio III Studio II Studio I

Gallery III

Temporary Gallery

Gallery I Gallery II Library

Loading + Security Lobby

Gallery I

Cafe

Freight Elevator

Restrooms

Collection Storage

Atrium/Circulation

Office Space

Conservation

Janitorial/Storage

Woodshop

Mechanical

Auditorium

Programming Using the aforementioned 25 foot grid, we layed out our programmatic spaces, leaving a void in the center as an atrium and light well. We then built a study model to show the spaces, rigidly confined within a transparent box, prior to our pushing and pulling the programs, based

on the needs of the artists and visitors.

This allowed the design process to become cyclical, as the form influenced the functions initially and the functions dictated the form later in the process.

Transition Spaces Service Spaces Private Spaces Semi-Public Spaces Public Spaces

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CHI

OFFIC

ES

LDR

ENS

M

IU ATR

S

F

CON

FILE

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NC ERE

STUDIO DIO

STU

DIO

STU

M

IU ATR

DIO

STU

GA

LLE

RY

GAL

LERY

GAL

LER

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M

IU ATR

LIB

GA

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LOAD

ING

Y LOBB M

IU ATR

CA

FE

W

COL

LEC

S TION

STOR AGE IUM ATR

ITO

RIU

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OFFIC

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RIA

ITO

JAN AU D

RY

LLE

GA

OP

SH OOD

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LLE

RA R

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NIC

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C ME

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Circulation Diagram In order to ensure the functionality of our design, we created a circulation diagram, highlighting the vertical and horizontal movement of the staff, visitors, and art.

Vertical

Horizontal

Staff

Staff

Visitor

Visitor

Art

Art Entrances

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Structural Diagram Our design utilizes a steel structural system consisting of W10x22 columns, 1’-6” steel girders, and 1’ steel beams spaced at 5’ on center.

HVAC Ducts Supply Return

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Denver Arts Center Jessica Luber | Katie Smith

7th Street

Vertical

N

Site Plan

1/16” = 1’-0”

West Elevation 1/8” = 1’-0”

South Elevation 1/8” = 1’-0”

Midterm Review Our midterm review concluded schematic design and allowed for a brief period of design development based on our critiques. A summary of the suggestions provided can be seen opposite.

Circulation Diagram

Staff Visitor Art

Horizontal Staff Visitor Art Entrances

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A

B

D

C 29' - 0"

20' - 0"

21' - 0"

E 20' - 0"

20' - 0"

1

20

25' - 0"

2

18

25' - 0"

3

4

20' - 0"

19 15

5

Third Level 1/8” = 1’-0”

B

A

D

C

20' - 0"

29' - 0"

21' - 0"

E 20' - 0"

1

20' - 0"

13

17

25' - 0"

2

13

3

25' - 0"

16

13

14

20' - 0"

4

13

15

5

Second Level 1/8” = 1’-0”

A

B

A

20' - 0"

C

D

29' - 0"

21' - 0"

E 20' - 0"

1

Supply

11

Structure & HVAC Diagram

20' - 0"

12

Return

Column Structure - Steel W12 x 30

10

2

25' - 0"

A

B

C 29’

20’

D 21’

E

1| Joe Colistra

20’

3 9

9’ 25' - 0"

7

B

B

3’

Roof Level

60’

51’

14’

4

3’

20' - 0"

8

Screen Level

Third Level

34’

10’

5

3’

A

Second Level

21’

14’

First Level

4’

First Level

4’

1/8” = 1’-0”

13’

A

B

20' - 0"

29' - 0"

C

21' - 0"

D

20' - 0"

E

-17’

Transverse Section - BB

1

1/8” = 1’-0”

F

20' - 0"

5

6

2

G 20’

H 25’

I 25’

Screen Level

25' - 0"

9’ 3’

3

2| Steve Padget

Screen is too harshly portrayed in render Alter screen pattern Suggestions for community engagement

J 20’

4

1

Slight changes to floor plan layout Auditorium suggestions Alter window mullions Maximize views from pulled out program

Roof Level

60’

51’

14’

Third Level

34’

25' - 0"

3’

10’ 3’

Second Level

21’

3| Alejandro Aptilon

Clear thesis, but emphasize why our building is on this site and not elsewhere Better utilize the back patio area Be more playful with design

4

3

20' - 0"

14’ 2

4’

5

First Level

4’

13’ -17’

Lower Level

Longitudinal Section - AA

1/8” = 1’-0”

1/8” = 1’-0”

N

1 Collection Storage 2 Conservation Room 3 Wood/Metal Shop 4 Mechanical Room 5 Conservation Offices

6 Janitor’s Closet 7 Reception 8 Café 9 Auditorium 10 Loading Dock

11 Security 12 Coat Closet 13 Studios 14 Conference 15 Electric Room

16 Offices 17 Copy/Filing Room 18 Children’s Gallery 19 Art Galleries 20 Research Library

4| Kent Spreckelmeyer

Be more whimsical with interior design Play with materiality Alter shape of atrium depending on surrounding spaces

Nodes

V S T

X Y Z

Domain start

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Bnd

Domain end

0 1

A B

R C X Y Z

I

Pt

I

Pt

I V S T

ReMap

P

pDecon

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ReMap

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Dom

V Divisions

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Lines

Bnd

U Divisions

Srf U V

Grid

ENTIRE Srf Image

R C

Screen Design Process The design of the screen became a project within itself as various trials were necessary to achieve the desired lighting effect and aesthetic. Inspired by the striations found within Denver’s Red Rocks, the perforations take on a rigid form. Natural light penetrates through

in correlation to the program beneath.

Public spaces such as the cafĂŠ, lobby, and studio spaces require a lot of natural light and transparency. Comparatively, gallery spaces need to block the harsh light in order to preserve the artwork.

Grasshopper and Rhino were utilized in

the creation of this sun-shading device.

After configuring the script above, we were able to manipulate the density and diameter of the perforations in relation to the red rocks bitmap image.

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A B

E

Domain start Domain end

0 .548

A B

I

I

R C

F

Z

ReMap

V S T

Dom

N

Bnd

B V

B

B

SUunion

B D

R

SDiff

C

Cap

C B D

Extr

C

Project

C N R

Circle

SOLID panel

R

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Stair Design Process Although the overall building shape takes on simplicity through form, this staircase was designed as a playful way to transport visitors of art via a piece of art. A glass tube with a mirror at the base reflects colors found within artwork throughout the building’s atrium.

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Building Model 1/16” = 1’-0” The creation of a building model at this scale allowed for visualization of the building on the site. We were also able to better understand the project at human scale and to realize the materiality and appearance of the overall form.

Site Plan

N

This site plan shows the building in relation to the surrounding area as well as our intention to create an inhabitable roof terrace and back patio. The roof incorporates seating and greenery and has views to both downtown Denver and the natural mountainous landscape.

7th Street

N

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A

B

20' - 0"

29' - 0"

C

21' - 0"

D

20' - 0"

E

20' - 0"

1

5

6

2

UP

25' - 0"

4

UP

3

25' - 0"

1

4

2

3

20' - 0"

UP

5

N

1 Collection Storage 2 Conservation Room 3 Wood/Metal Shop 4 Mechanical Room 5 Conservation Offices

00_Mechanical Level

6 Janitor’s Closet 7 Reception 8N Café 9 Auditorium 10 Loading Dock

1 Collection Storage 4 Mechanical Room 2 Conservation Room 5 Conservation Offices 3 Wood/Metal Shop 6 Janitor’s Closet

11 Security 12 Coat Closet 13 Studios 14 Conference 15 Electric Room

16 Offices 17 Copy/Filing Room 18 Children’s Gallery 19 Art Galleries 20 Research Library

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A

B

C

20' - 0"

B

D

29' - 0"

E

21' - 0"

20' - 0"

1

20' - 0"

11

12 10

2

UP

25' - 0"

DN

+4

+4

3 9

UP

25' - 0"

7

A

+0

+2

A

4

8

+0

20' - 0"

UP

DN

+4

5

UP

+0

01_Lobby Level 7 Reception 8 CafĂŠ 9 Auditorium

N

10 Loading Dock 11 Security 12 Coat Closet

B

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A

B 20' - 0"

C

D

29' - 0"

21' - 0"

E 20' - 0"

1

DN

20' - 0"

13

17

UP

25' - 0"

2

13

UP

3

25' - 0"

16

13

4

13

14

15

DN

20' - 0"

UP

5

02_Studio Level 13 Studios 14 Conference 15 Electric Room

N

16 Offices 17 Copy/Filing Room

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B

A

C

20' - 0"

D

29' - 0"

21' - 0"

E 20' - 0"

20' - 0"

1

20

DN

UP

25' - 0"

2

18

3

25' - 0"

DN

19

4

15

20' - 0"

DN

5

03_Gallery Level

N

15 Electric Room 18 Children’s Gallery 20 Research Library 19 Art Galleries

South+West Elevations While designing the facade, we chose to wrap the screen around the entire building, and then peel it back to allow for variation in shadow and transparency. The angle of the screen was derived from the angle at which downtown Denver streets meet the typical 90 degree suburban grid.

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Section 1 Scale 1/8” : 1’

A

B

C

D

29’

20’

21’

E 20’

54’ 6’

Screen Level

14’

3’

34’

Third Level

10’ 3’

21’

Second Level

14’

4’

4’

First Level

13’ -17’

Lower Level

Section 2 Scale 1/8” : 1’

F

G 20’

H 25’

I 25’

J 20’

6’

Screen Level

54’

14’

3’

Third Level

34’

10’ 3’

Second Level

21’

14’

4’

First Level

4’

13’

Lower Level

Building Sections A+B Through section were we able to fully design the landings of the grand staircase and to begin to understand spaces volumetrically. We were also able to study vertical circulation and the atrium space with regard to daylighting, allowing natural light to penetrate four floors, including the basement.

-17’

34 35 07 01 36 37 38

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 A1 A2

09 10 11 12 13 14 15

08 39 06 07 34 40 41 35 35 25 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

16 17 18 19 20 21 08 22 23

25 36 37 44 35 45 A3

49 50 47 48 51 42 43 17 45 52 33 53

24 25 09 10 11 24 22 26 22

27 28 29 30 57 22 41 54 32 55 33 01 56

31 08 32 33

Wall Section A 01. Drain 02. Steel Connector 03. Skylight 04. Exterior Wood Decking 05. Composite Wood 06. Mositure Barrier 07. Rigid Insulation 08. 4” Concrete Slab 09. 1’ Steel Wide Flange Beam 10. 1’-6” Steel Girder 11. 1’ Round Metal Duct 12. Wire Hanger

13. Clip Rail 14. Acoustic Ceiling Tile 15. Track Lighting 16. Single Pane Vision Glass 17. Glass Panel Guard Rail 18. 3/4” Finish Wood Flooring 19. 1/2” Plywood 20. 3/4” Insulation 21. 3” Steel Decking 22. 5/8” Gypsum Board 23. Single Pane Frosted Glass 24. Recessed Strip Fluorescent Light

25. Dual Pane Insulated Vision Glass 26. 6” Steel Wall Stud 27. Dupont SentryGlas+Interlayer Glass 28. Glass Panel Guard Rail 29. Titanium Connector 30. Point-Supported 2” Steel Tread 31. 1/4” Polished Concrete 32. 6” Rigid Insulation 33. 6” Gravel 34. Flashing 35. Dual Pane Insulated Spandrel Glass 36. 1/2” Perforated Copper Screen

37. 4” Steel Substructure 38. Scupper 39. Concrete Pavers 40. Blocking 41. 4” Steel Stud 42. Mullion-less Glass Panels 43. Structural Glass Ribs 44. Steel Substructure Connection 45. Batt Insulation 46. 3/4” Carpet with Synthetic Backing 47. 4” Exterior Recessed LED Light 48. 1/2” Exterior Steel Paneling

49. 1’-6” Insulated Steel Girder 50. Wire Hanger 51. 4” Recessed Can Light 52. Interior Hanging Fluorescent Light 53. 4” Concrete Retaining Wall 54. 1’ Concrete Foundation 55. Drainage Mat 56. 1’ Footing 57. Collection Storage Racks

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01 02

A1 Dual Pane Insulated Skylight Steel Connector 1’ Steel Wide Flange Beam

Exterior Wood Decking Composite Wood Moisture Barrier Rigid Insulation 4” Concrete Slab

A2 1/2” Perforated Copper Screen 4” Steel Substructure Scupper Steel Substructure Connection Concrete Pavers Moisture Barrier Rigid Insulation 4” Concrete Slab

B1 1/2” Perforated Copper Screen 4” Steel Substructure

A3 03 04

Steel Substructure Connection Dual Pane Insulated Spandrel Glass Batt Insulation

1’6” Steel Girder 1’ Steel Wide Flange Beam Wire Hanger 4” Exterior Recessed LED Light 1/2” Exterior Steel Paneling

05 06 07 08 09 Point-Supported 2” Steel Tread Titanium Connector

10 11 12 13

B1

Polished Stainless Steel Structure Steel-To-Glass Connector Dupont SentryGlas Plus Interlayer Glass

1- Dual Pane Insulated Vision Glass Skylight Wall 2- 1’ SteelSection Wide Flange BeamB

7- Polished Stainless Steel Substructure 8- Titanium Connector 9- Point-Supported 2” Steel Tread 3- Stainless Steel Handrail 10- 1/4” Polished Concrete 4- Glass Panel Guard Rail 01.

Dual Pane Insulated Vision Glass Skylight 08. Titanium Connector 02.

1’ SteelDupont Wide Flange Beam 09.Glass Point-Supported 2” Steel Tread 114” Concrete Slab 5- 3-Ply SentryGlas Plus Interlayer 03. Stainless Steel Handrail 10. 1/4” Polished Concrete 12- 6” Rigid Insulation 6- Steel-To-Glass Connector 04. Glass Panel Guard Rail 11. 4” Concrete Slab 13- 6” Gravel 05. 3-Ply Dupont SentryGlas Plus Interlayer Glass 12. 6” Rigid Insulation 06. Steel-To-Glass Connector 07. Polished Stainless Steel Substructure

13. 6” Gravel

A

B

N

04_Roof Basswood Black Paper White Paper Bristol Chipboard Plexiglass 03_Gallery Level Needlepoint Canvas Basswood Black Paper Bristol Coroplast Chipboard Plexiglass 02_Studio Level Basswood Black Paper Bristol Coroplast Chipboard Plexiglass Frosted Spray paint 01_Lobby Level Basswood Black Paper Bristol Coroplast Chipboard Plexiglass 00_Mechanical Level Black Paper Foamcore Chipboard Basswood Bristol Base Chalkboard MDF Supports Stair Plexiglass Steel Rods Basswood (Handrails) Screen Plexiglass Copper Spray paint Basswood (Structure) Structure Basswood HVAC Wood Dowels Bristol (Hangers) Lighting Basswood Wood Dowels Entourage Plexiglass Black Spray paint

Section Model In order to build our 1/2”=1’-0” sectional model, we started by creating a digital model with the same dimensions of the materials we expected to use. We were then able to use this model when buying materials and during construction as a reference.

Section Model 1/2” = 1’-0”

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Credits Thank you to our professor, Nilou Vakil, for constant inspiration and encouragement.

Grasshopper script created in collaboration with Taylor Hunt. [p.21-22] Model photography by Austin Griffis. [p.45-48] Special thanks to Hangar 41 Architecture for their insight on the Santa Fe Arts District and for providing their master plan and research as an initial contextual resource. [p.11]

Arch 609 | Nilou Vakil | Spring 2015