MA1 INTEGRATED DESIGN
The context for the project is Downtown Kingston. Concerted efforts are underway to rejuvenate the historic core of the capital. Running in parallel with the provision of new functions and the plans to bring in new business the upgrading of the existing situation is imperative if this initiative is to be successful. The revitalization of the activities in the commercial, financial and services sectors by or near the waterfront is one of the strategies that need to be actively carried out.
One possible idea for the revitalization of Kingston Waterfront is that of concentrating a number of civic building along a four-lane tree-lined boulevard connecting East and West Kingston, separated from the harbor only by a large pedestrian board walk. The presence of the Seabed Authority Headquarters in the Jamaican Conference Center seems to suggest one possible direction of development, that of Kingston as an international center for particular fields of research
In response to this scenario, your task is to design a Caribbean Research center The center will make available to scholars interested in Caribbean studies and to the public one of the largest libraries on the subject including microfilmed newspapers and magazines, original documents, and a visual library, An exhibition area will display Caribbean Arts and Crafts, a small auditorium will show Caribbean movies and documentaries. As it is expected that most of the scholars will come from overseas a few guest residences will be provided.
The site chosen for this project is located on an empty lot facing the harbor in axis with East Street.The building is to be located in an area l05m. wide (width of site) by 55m. deep. The northern edge of this area is aligned with the existing hi-rise building on the eastern side.
entry view
This project is intended to integrate all aspects of the design: program context, environment, structure, services, details. However, it will focus in particular on the integration of construction technology, structural systems and service systems requirements. The Educational Objective of the exercise consists in letting students discover how integrated design can reinforce the overall intentions of the building and generate a higher level of architecture, besides being a, necessary design instrument in the making of architecture. particularly in large scale buildings. The objectives are; (a) To design and detail a building accommodating various functions, with diverse spatial and structural requirements. (b) To integrate the various systems that compose the architectural volume, structure enclosures, services, in a clear and efficient manner from the inception to the end. Collaboration with external consultants is therefore an essential instrument to achieve the integration. The integrated design approach can be seen as the opposite of the sequential design approach (both seen as extremes) where the various aspects are conceived and elaborated one after the other. and the later element is made to fit the former element.
overhead view of building
rear view
section thru gallery
