Capstone - Mind the Gap

16MIND THE GAP

THE WORD LEADING has multiple definitions: Firstly; to be a reason or motive for, set a process in motion. Secondly, the amount of blank space in between lines of print.

1Similar to the history of 180 N. Wacker,

we ourselves have our own history to take into account before we can continue our journeys. For some, the road has been smooth, for others it has been a series of twist and turns. That it why we must take it onto ourselves to be our own, self motivated leaders when it comes to our lives, our gap year (should we choose to take one), and our education. Just like a sentence allows gaps in between its words to enable us to properly comprehend an entire sentence, we also must allow ourselves a period of gap in order to fully understand the scope of how we read our lives.

1

2SITE & SITE ANALYSIS

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

THE WEST LOOP180 N. WACKER DR. CHICAGO IL

Chicago has always been a center for commerce, trading, and railway. The building chosen is located along the southwestern corner of West Lake St. and North Wacker drive. It sits along the south branch of the Chicago River and has its roots first as a printing press, where its thick structural beams were made to withstand over 200 lbs per square foot due to the demanding weight of the printing equipment.

Site in proximity to recreational facilities

BUILDING OVERVIEW

TERRA COTTA CAPPING

PLATE GLASS

BRICK

Site in proximity to major businesses

CORRUGATED METAL

Location: Chicago, ILArchitect: Holabird & Roche Client: University of Chicago Original Construction: Circa 1910-1912 (Although there is speculation it could have been as early as 1890) Contractor: Jas Shedden & Co. Available Square Footage 15,400

3

GREENERY

WATERSITEARTERIAL ROADWAYS

TRANSPORT OPPORTUNITIESSite in proximity to educational facilities

WHAT DID PEOPLE WANT OUT OF THEIR GAP YEAR?

RESEARCH

48%

“Give back to my community.”

Gap year typically refers to the period of time often taken by students between high school and their pursuit of higher education.

Often looked at as a negative occurrence, a gap year is becoming more widely recognized and recommended by places of higher education as a means of finding ones self, achieving personal growth, and learning the life skills necessary to be a healthy individual during college years.

98%

96%

75%

85%

“To gain experience and mature as a person.”

Believed that taking a gap year helped them grow as a person

44%

“Explore all of my career options.”

Believed that their gap year proved them with the necessary skills needed to succeed in the career field

Would recommend taking a gap year

44%

44%

Millennial’s who don’t know the difference between a private and federal loan and wanted to learn more about them.

95%

“Travel. Go see the world and other cultures.”

Many high school graduates believe that their options after receiving their diplomas only amount to a select number of options. Very few people stop to consider that taking a year off in preparation for higher education may be one of the most important things they can do in their educational careers. Many people have misconceptions about gap years, and even more have never even considered it an option.

DEMOGRAPHICS

USERSIn the a survey posted to social media asking various questions concerning gap years, 60 percent of answers received were from people aged 18-24

60%

20% 20%Gen Y

1 2 3

4When asked what categories of “Adulting skills” people wished that they knew more about, some of the responses included answers such

as p Cleaning

p Organization p Time management p Healthcare

Of these, only 10% of people have ever taken, or thought about taken a gap year.

Additionally, 50 percent of respondents said that they wished they knew more about financial responsibility as well.

1977-1994Coming of Age:1998-2006

Gen Z

1995-2012

Current Population: 71 million

Coming of Age: 2013-2020

Current Population: 23 million and growing rapidly

1. LONG RANGE COMMUTING STUDENT Comes to the building from surrounding neighborhoods outside of the city utilizing multiple forms of transportation (i.e. train, car)

2. SHORT-RANGE COMMUTING STUDENT

Comes to the building from within the city. They are able to use the subway, taxi, or walk.

3. INSTRUCTORS/COUNSELORS

Populate offices, classrooms and workspaces during the daytime.

4. SUPPORT STAFF Includes but is not limited to: janitors, IT, plumbers, security, etc.

4

3

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES AND GIVING BACK

Level three consists of a combination of access to different local volunteer organizations.

While not shown directly in the plan, access to sources are crucial in building strong

relationships within the community. Youth will be able to add to their resume while giving

back to the community in the form of community service, learn more about nutrition and

sustainability through workshops, and focus rooms. Here, youth will learn safety, cultural,

and travel skills as well as attend language workshops and receive help on how to apply for

2

a passport.

FINANCIAL PREPARATION & PERSONAL EXPLORATION

Level two combines both the financial and alternative support. Students have access to

classrooms where they can attend weekly workshops regarding topics such as how to file

taxes or apply for the FAFSA. Additionally, communal computer areas are provided on

both the second and third floors. This way, gives youth opportunities to work towards a

structured goal by being given the opportunity to achieve credentials, certifications, and

Online classes through outward sources.

1

IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS

Meant to identify the personal growth and giving back. Level one consists of a

mixture of leisure, retail, consultation, and targeted counseling services for students’ as a

month to month visit.

5

6MATERIALS

Yesterday’s News by Innovations Wall coverings Recycled newspaper wall covering

Long Leaf Yellow Pine, The original wood that made up the structural columns and beams

Paper Plane by 3form Shredded, recycled magazine clippings encased in resin

Red Tomato SW 6607

Tempe Star SW 6229

‘Urban Eclectic’ Paint collection by Sherwin Williams

Quilt Gold SW 6696

Exaggerated Numerals Inspired by typography

7

Black Matte Faux Leather Inspired by the blackness of ink as it dries on a page

Maharam Alphabet Alphabet upholstery inspired by typography

8*Section showing the focus rooms on levels Two and Three

9

10SKETCHING IDEATION

Casing Inspiration Shelving was inspired by the drawers housing the lead blocks for the type face back when movable type and the printing press were in vogue. Drawers housing the capital letters were referred to as ‘upper case’ and drawers housing the non-capitalized letters were referred to as the ‘lower case.’

11

12SKETCHING IDEATION

13

14PEOPLE REMEMBER

PASSIVE LEARNING

10% of what they read

of what they hear

20% during lectures

30%

of what they see when veiwing images

ACTIVE LEARNING

of what they say and write while

70% giving a talk or group discussiom

90%

of what they do while practicing and doing

DIFFERENT PEOPLE, DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES

SOLITARY WORKING SPACES/ INDIVIDUAL FOCUSED WORK SPACE p Privacy without distraction p Maximizes productivity p Good for testing

VS

COMMON INDIVIDUAL WORK p Studying alone while in a group p Socially connecting with others is important but individual studying is needed

*Different spaces to meet the needs activities, separated

COMMUNAL WITH PRIVACY p Supports team collaboration and study when privacy is important p Space should accommodate a range of group sizes, provide easy ways to display information, and allow users to easily share digital content

COMMUNAL WORK p Supports collaborative brainstorming and sharing of information among group members and should be able to accommodate different size groups for open group work with peers, faculty or staff

15