Allston Public Library

Project Details: Academic Studio: Boston Architectural College (BAC) Scope: Individual Project by Shihab Naeem Project Objective: Select a building within the greater Boston, MA area (example: Phillips Exeter Public Library by Louis Kahn, Carpenter Center by Le Corbusier) and analyze, document findings and develop a conceptual analysis of building through graphical production.

Duration: 8 Weeks Date: 1st 1/2 of Fall 2001 Semester

The Allston Public Library adds a synergy to Allston, MA a neighborhood which borders Harvard University

Foundation Studio: Building Analysis Selected Building: Allston Public Library, Allston MA Architect: Machado & Silvetti Architects Office Location: Boston, MA Instructor: Gregory Buck, 617 262 5000 3

Instructor: Gregory Buck

comes with it. Slate is used in two manners for the building. It’s used as a found on winged portion of the building.

Introduction The Allston Public Library by Machado Silvetti Architects introduced itself as a charming and delightful building in the fall of 2001. The colors from the materials conjure feelings of autumn and the vast colors of foliage. Slate is used in 2 manners. The first being a foundation cladding on the far left portion of the wall and veneer cladding on the winged portion on far right area.

The wing The wing

The monolith 4

The monolith

Sketch Analysis

Design Studio B1 Experiential Building Analysis (8 weeks) The Allston Public Library by Machado Silvetti Instructor: Gregory Buck

What made the analysis so challenging was the fact that there was no literature or readily available documentation since the building was so new (it was completed upon the beginning of the studio). I went about the analysis by investigating the several different aspects of building and finding what is compelling and do a series of quick sketch vignettes.

Conceptual Drawing of the Lighting Scheme at Front Entry

The front entry was a double height space that was both dramatic and inviting.

Sketch Vignette of Reading Rooms in Library

The most compelling area was the reading rooms because they were between glass courtyards.

It was a Miesian expression where exterior blends with the interior and nature floods the library.

Conceptual Sketch Drawing of the Shelves in the Front Portion

The shelving scheme was interesting in that they wrapped around the structural columns 5

Sketch Analysis

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Sketch Depicting a Paved Walkway which separates courtyard/reading room spaces with the functional/recreational

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Floor Plan of Allston Public Library: 1. Main Library Area 2. Reading Rooms 3. Courtyard 4. Recreational/Function Area 6

The Glassed Courtyards (Green Portion) are a major part of design and the rest of the analysis is dedicated to the production of drawings which articulate this concept.

Final Drawings After understanding that the glassed courtyards were a compelling feature of library, I began laying out drawings that would support this idea. My concept was aimed at showing that these courtyard create a penetrating sense of nature within a library setting. It represented a Miesian idea where light, greenery permeate creating a serene and appropriateness for a library, a place of reflection, solitude and intellectual inquiry.

Section 2

Front Elevation

Section 1

Section 1

Key Plan

Section 2

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Final Drawings 30/60 Degree Axonometric Drawing. The Exploded Courtyards articulate the architectural qualities of this the area by showing how the glazing wraps around the courtyards and how the mullions and muntons are arranged.

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Final Drawings A Perspective Drawing of the interior is shown again to articulate my concept of the courtyards flooding nature into library.

Key Plan

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