As design students we can vouch that it is important to have ad
equate space for designing as well as an adequate creative environment. When renovating the Slocum Hall, home to the Syracuse University School of Architecture, a variety of specifications needed to be taken into consideration in order to successfully revamp the space.
Garrison Architects looked into a variety of issues, specific areas for pin ups, open atmosphere, architectural interest, as well as green design. During the renovation of Slocum Garrison discovered a lot about the building. Over th
e years it had been divided and adapted to house a growing number of students and faculty. By doing so a lot of the “interior details were lost; partitions were added; the central atrium was filled in. Time and again, immediate spatial needs demanded the sacrifice of airflow and
natural light” (Brake). During the renovation Garrison opened the space exposing again the atrium, allowing natural light and proper airflow to enter the space. This can become important when there is a large occupancy so that the room temperature stays comfortable, further helps to provide a creative atmosphere. Garrison designed the space so that activity would radiate outward from a central atrium, providing a common area space. Adequate space for student pin ups was a major issue in our own building Funkhouser Garrison addressed this common issue by providing a “double-height gallery for student displays and touring exhibitions” (Brake).
He also hung panels made of recycled paper for more pinup surfaces in common areas. All of the redesigning was done using green materials.
Based on the Renovation of Slocum, how many buildings do you think have underlying layers that actually work for the space? Where through time we have distorted it’s original logical design. Garrison stated that “things have a way of coming back around.” Would you agree with his statement? If so in what ways do you see design turning back around?
Just like in UK's architecture school, Pence Hall. The buildings walls were covered up, but eventually were uncovered to expose the natural brick. I would agree that everything has a way of coming back. The natural design was so much more naturally aesthetically beautiful to the design of the space, and much more pragmatic to the purpose. Because of all its exposed columns and beams, it became a teaching mechanism within the actual classes as well. Within Pence Hall also, there is a large amount of natural light allowed into the space because of the large open windows. This provides a more economical way of lighting the space. I believe the original design has made its way back out of the building.
ReplyDeleteI think things like exposed brick that give a certain look do speak to the cyclical nature of all things, but specifics like that could also be chalked up to trends. Looking at it with a broader lens I think it's obvious throughout history that humans encounter the same problems over and over meanwhile thinking we're totally unique. That's why historical texts are still relevant centuries later. The same could be true of floorplans and programming documents (if such a thing has a predecessor). If we took the time to research the pre-renovation design solutions maybe we would see a lot more similarities and appreciate the original thought process.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of some renovations we tend to have an attitude of superiority just because things were done in the past and we are 'in the future' but pragmatically there's a huge overlap of common issues that all designers, past and present (and future) have and will address.
I agree completely with the phrase everything has its way of coming back. As styles change in time from being simple and stripped down, to heavily ornate, things are eventually always brought back to its original state. In loft design today, such as the University lofts, the spaces are stripped down so that all structural beams and brick is exposed. This is what we define as aesthetically pleasing, where as a hundred years ago, people would find repulsive and of low stature. I believe that original ideals will always have their way of creeping back into design in somewhat of a cycle, but designers will continue to take these ideals and raise them to new heights.
ReplyDeleteLots of buildings have underlying layers becuase at one point when they were first built they were a shell that worked for the space and successfully created a space. Pulling the excess from the space and looking to the true insides of the space expose the spaces true colors and it's abilities. Most spaces I feel start off with an effective shell that transforms over time and can be resorted back to for the true beauty.
ReplyDeleteEverything has a way of coming back. Due to trends and styles everything gets a second chance and becomes popular another time around. Designs are just like clothes one day its in and the other its out. So today clean, modern stainless steel appliances are in but in a year old, 50's colors and appliances will be put in all the kitchens.
I believe that almost every structure has some element or underlying layer that really works for the space and adds a uniqueness that can not be paralleled. I personally think it is absolutely stunning when a building is redesigned and some of the quirks of the original structure peak out and act as points of interest. For example the lecture hall in Pence was redone but the designers left the brick facade exposed. It really gives the space a vintage/homey feeling that could not be created using all new construction. The underlying layers of a building tell the story of that particular structure. Sometimes it is nice to let those layers show and tell the "story" of the building. Things definitely do "have a way of coming back around.” Whether they are styles, music, or even interior design elements. History repeats itself time and time again. What is "in" right now will fade to the background and reappear sometime in the near future. For example, the avocado colored refrigerator that is currently sitting in our garage was once the latest and greatest kitchen appliance. Who knows when we will see avocado appliances replace the stainless steel appliances that are so popular today?
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