Metadata
Creator
Qubori, Reem
Location
Arlington, VA, USA
Call Number
005-LF-S048
Date
2014
School
The Catholic University of America
Category
Student
Project Statement
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ATHENAEUM IS AN HISTORICAL AND IMPORTANT PLACE IN PHILADELPHIA, IT IS UNNOTICABLE AND IT LACKS INDIVIDUALITY. IT IS ALSO COMPARABLE TO OTHERS OF ITS SORT. FOR MY PROJECT I WANTED TO EXPLORE THE HIDDEN POSSIBILITIES AROUND THE SITE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE USE OF THE PARK IN THE AREA TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN THE SPACE AND MAKE THE BUILDING DISTINGUISHABLE.
THEREFORE, IN MY CONCEPT I STARTED BY CREATING A TALL SOLID RECTANGULAR VOLUME. THIS WOULD ACT AS THE MAIN WEIGHT OF THE BUILDING AND ALL OF THE OTHER ASPECTS WOULD HAVE TO BE ADDED IT. I ADDED BLOCKS TO THE MASS TO CREATE PROTRUDING ROOMS. THESE ROOMS CONNECTED THE PEOPLE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OUTSIDE. NEXT I CARVED OUT BLOCKS TO CREATE NEGATIVE SPACES.
THESE NEGATIVE SPACES CONNECTED THE OUTTER WORLD TO THE ATHANAEUM BECAUSE THEY ACTED AS A VISUAL HOOK THAT DRAWS PEOPLE’S ATTENTION INTO THE BUIDLING. TO FURTHER ENGAGE THE STRUCTURE TO THE SURROUNDING, A LARGE PORTION OF THE SITE WAS KEPT UNBUILT ANDINSTEAD USED AS A AN OUTDOOR COURTYARD WITH SEATING AREAS.
THEREFORE, IN MY CONCEPT I STARTED BY CREATING A TALL SOLID RECTANGULAR VOLUME. THIS WOULD ACT AS THE MAIN WEIGHT OF THE BUILDING AND ALL OF THE OTHER ASPECTS WOULD HAVE TO BE ADDED IT. I ADDED BLOCKS TO THE MASS TO CREATE PROTRUDING ROOMS. THESE ROOMS CONNECTED THE PEOPLE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OUTSIDE. NEXT I CARVED OUT BLOCKS TO CREATE NEGATIVE SPACES.
THESE NEGATIVE SPACES CONNECTED THE OUTTER WORLD TO THE ATHANAEUM BECAUSE THEY ACTED AS A VISUAL HOOK THAT DRAWS PEOPLE’S ATTENTION INTO THE BUIDLING. TO FURTHER ENGAGE THE STRUCTURE TO THE SURROUNDING, A LARGE PORTION OF THE SITE WAS KEPT UNBUILT ANDINSTEAD USED AS A AN OUTDOOR COURTYARD WITH SEATING AREAS.
Registration Number
46189340