Completed: December 2014

Members: Individual

Course: 1B Design Studio

Professors: Adrian Blackwell, Christos Marcopoulos, Scott Sørli, Marie- Paule Macdonald

The word liberate came to mind when brainstorming the title for this project for a number of reasons; primarily involving the site and building program. I am liberating the ground plane and creating a public space underneath the building. This allows the site to maintain pedestrian activity and encourage interesting interactions between the ground plane and the building plane. In addition, the sloped site in conjunction with the building connect two ground planes, ultimately encouraging public access to the site.

The primary program for this building is a fitness center. The main circulation acts as a gym, and is designed to be used in circuit. Other programs encourage multiple uses for the community center, allowing the public to satisfy their needs accordingly. The building’s program also accommodates voids punched through the building that promote a public/ private paradox. This paradox is present throughout the building through material choices, through program placement, and through accessibility. Therefore, by liberating oneself through fitness, by liberating the building through voids, and by liberating the ground plane, the building empowers both passerby’s and its users.