Aidan Bronson: Architectural Design II

Project 01: Border Work/Study Zone

Border Wall concepts and development

I based my project around more so the aspect of security whilst still providing plenty of interaction on both sides. Such features of my wall design, include a visitation center, both interior and exterior are well secured as there are border agents that reside inside the wall it self. ​

Verb Studies

The verbs I chose are Lift, Rotate, Inflate, and Carve. Within  architecture lift and rotate are used almost every time with a project no matter the concept. Examples of usage within architecture for the term of lift such ones as stairs or elevators fall within in this category. Objects that turn or move on a fixed point fall within the term of rotate, like doors or even windows. Temporary objects such as tents or popup buildings fall under the term inflate. Carved objects with art embedded on them play a huge role within past and present architecture. 
  • Lift- 
  • Rotate- 
  • Inflate- 
  • ​Carve- 

Models and Sketches

Originally the initial wall design was more militaristic, rather than a balance of family and security. The original sketch illustrates this more closely as instead of an overlook and three levels, it has bunkers and two floors with minimal interior housing and no visitation options.

​Project 02: Borderlands Community

Introduction 

I based my design off of a mixture of Mexican and American designs principals from the nearest town Brownsville and Matamoros in Mexico. The size of the home was derived from the homes nearest to the Rio Grande River on the Mexican side whilst still keeping to a more traditional building style on both sides.

The client requirements of the design is to be met and used by, a single Salvadoran man who runs a food truck company that includes, four transport vehicles which are two food trucks with four staff to operate the vehicle. In addition, two catering vans with three workers to operate the vehicle, a commercial kitchen with a minimum staff of two cooks, and one office manager.
Early Design The earliest design started in Sketchup, my first design was a small yet simple house with a loft. For the business I had designed them with the purpose of upgrade and expansion and stuck with the current overall design of the model. 

My overall design was highly influenced by  the way upon which the plot of land was set upon, to the northern portion of the lot was a river, to the south was the park.
​

Mid Design 

Restaurant- The exterior can seat around one hundred and twenty six individual’s and has twelve non-accessibility parking and four wheelchair parking, for pedestrian traffic. I’ve added bike racks. The interior can hold around ninety six to one hundred forty four individuals, and a wheelchair accessible bathroom. In the kitchen, fixtures include a walk-in fridge, four ranges, and plenty of counter space. With the twelve non-accessible parking spots, I had designed within the intent for more pedestrian traffic rather than automobile traffic as well as those on the river which is situated to the right off the building. 

Home- The home as stated previously, is a mixture from what I had gathered upon looking into both sides of the Rio Grande river. The size I had decided upon based upon the size of the more wealthy side of Matamoros, whilst Brownsville had little to no carports and a much barer exterior, that was made of old wood sidings. In Brownsville every building is spaced apart, while in Matamoros most of the buildings entwined with each other. 

Office- I had designed the office with a simple design as to allow it to develop outwards and be as cost effective for as long as possible. Inside the office, the amenities include a meeting room, break room, a bathroom, and three office spaces. The office is design within the intent of an expanding business, though the client only had requested a single space. 


After design 

The final renderings of my inter-border commune housing is shown here.
The final had little overall redesign but mostly was more scenic amenity's, such as plant pots inside the restaurant to help hid the parking lot. Some slight changes like a sidewalk for employees to walk to and from the restaurant to the office, and the office meting room downsizing.