Nicholas Torres

Challenge

Design a new academic commons building for the Wentworth Institute of Technology College of Architecture, Design, & Construction Managment.

 

Vision

Originally I used our Facade Precedent Project which was the Exeter Library designed by Louis Kahn as inspiration, however since I had been inspired by Kahn in previous projects I decided to go with a new idea. One of the precedents I visited on my trip to San Francisco was the Cathedral of Christ The Light in Oakland. I was inspired mainly on how the louvers diffused light and created such a sacred environment and despite having much natural light, the building itself remained cool. I interpreted that into my own design by creating a louvered facade system with louvers on the inside and a glass curtain wall on the outside. Adapting it to be used as a multi story building, I pulled the floor plates away from the facade to create and atrium space and allow the louvers to remain on their own. Certain parts of the floor plates which I call “study peninsulas” allow people to directly enter the facade and allow views to the outside. Keeping with the idea of a double facade from my first iteration the courtyard facade is much different than the street facing facade, which is much more traditional. This system allows for pretty much all interior spaces to have natural light, but only indirect light to prevent overheating. The south facing angled roof can also allow for solar panels to be installed. Overall I would have to say I wanted to create something almost “spiritual” as a place of meeting for the design majors at Wentworth.