TEXTILES BUILDING
As part of the architectural response to the project master plan, I designed a collection of buildings for a textile college that embodies the client’s mission of honoring craeft and strengthening a community. The design process explored the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary architectural practice, emphasizing sustainability, programmatic clarity, and material expression. Through a series of digital and physical models, the project articulated the intent of cræft in relation to spatial organization, environmental performance, and formal expression. I was tasked in creating an academic environment that supports learning, research, and public engagement through the lens of textile arts and sciences.
Phase I: Parti Model
The intent of this parti diagram assignment is to explore and communicate a range of simplified architectural design concepts that respond to the project's themes of cræft and community. By rapidly generating multiple parti studies, we were given the task to refine our design ideas and distill them into five clear, well-developed diagrams that express spatial, formal, and conceptual intent.
All pati designs
|
Top view of chosen parti model
Perspective view of parti model
|
Phase II: Programming and Concept Design
ProgrammingThis assignment marks the beginning of the conceptual design phase by guiding the development of a preliminary building program tailored to the specific needs of the intended community and building type.
|
|
Concept Design
This assignment requires the development of a minimum of three distinct architectural design solutions in response to the project brief. The objective is to explore a broad range of possibilities through creative and critical thinking, encouraging innovation, experimentation, and conceptual risk-taking. Each solution should be grounded in research and serve as a thoughtful response to the project’s goals, ultimately helping identify the strongest direction to advance in the design process.
Concept Design 1: Circles |
|
Concept Design 2: Petals |
|
Concept Design 3: The Letter "C" |
|
Considering the Site
|
When selecting the final design direction, it was essential for me to consider the site conditions and how the building would function within its context. The designated space for the textiles building is located at the lower end of the site offering convenient access to the main road, faculty housing, and student residences. I chose to develop Concept Design 2 as the separation of the program into three distinct buildings worked well in relation to the site's layout particularly the proximity to the road and adjacent parking. This also supports clear circulation and accessibility by making it easy for the public to enter and engage with the building’s public spaces such as the gallery and reasearch areas.
|
|
Phase III: Schematic Design
|
The schematic design phase focuses on advancing the most promising concept into a fully developed architectural proposal that responds directly to the project brief, site conditions, and programmatic requirements. We were expected to produce site plans, floor plans, elevations, and sections at appropriate architectural scales, clearly labeled and accurately representing the design intent.
|
|
Thinking Sustainably
|
In this assignment, I evaluated how my project aligns with the goals of the Living Building Challenge (LBC). i had to think critically about how sustainability can be more fully integrated into my building without compromising the overall concept.
|
|
