Thesis

Investigation and Development of Architectural Process through the Adaptive Reuse of "Big Box" Architecture.

Abstract
Through the exploration of adaptive reuse of residual, no longer viable, commercial buildings in economically challenged urban zones develop an over arching guide and process upon which to base future architectural practice, solidifying design principles that have the potential to define specific approaches to architectural strategies and form making. The adaptive reuse of architecture, specifically "big box" architecture, in a form that captures and utilizes natural daylight, artificial light, and inspires the human spirit addresses many key issues prevalent in today’s practice and design discourses. The notions that the proper lighting of space effects its occupants is not new, but one that is very seldom maximized in the built environment that we occupy. In addition, the importance of recycling building products and materials is at a peak in the world today. The building industry is one of the largest contributors to the degradation of our planet. Adaptive reuse of buildings is quite simply the recycling of architecture.


fracture of rigid form
thin outlines of light
natural and artificial
of worlds on a journey
who grin at the day
to the evening breeze

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

thesis proposal outline: program

Community centered healthcare facility as a program for a recycled building. Recycling a commercial/retail program into something that is beneficial to our community. Utilizing the analogy of recycling plastic pop bottles or aluminum cans into another form of use saves natural resources and is beneficial to our environment. Similarly the recycling of a retail store program into another use is beneficial to the community as a whole and its societal environment.

Ambulatory healthcare facility program that embodies a community healthcare purpose and mission.

  • wellness center
  • public education spaces (small conference room, large group and small group classrooms)
  • women's health center
  • urgent care center
  • a small cafe and retail area

Public education spaces should be located near waiting and lobby area to maximize exposure to community. Patient and family education will be interwoven into the fabric of the architecture by utilizing patient access computer terminals to a dedicated healthcare information database - fully integrated into hospital provoder network. Patient access provided in exam rooms, group classrooms, and in key nodes along mjor circulation paths. This will tie into the wayfinding system of the facility. Perhaps different nodes will be dedicated to specific healthcare topics, that could rotate on a monthly or bi-monthly interval.

Proximity of wellness center to public education spaces and main entry shall be closely developed so encourage not only education but active participation in the patients own health. Physical therapy, weight and fitness training. Natural daylighting and visual relationship to redeveloped nature areas.

Urgent care to be seperated from the main lobby and have a dedicated entry and registration so as to provide timely services to patients.

Support spaces and staff operations will provide the back bone for facility. Efficient delivery of patient care. Design for staff health is also a high priority. Natural daylighting, noise control, indoor air quality, color and regualtion of light in the space.

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