I think I've found a solution to my woes. I compressed the program and building into the "tower" that is attached to the existing building thats immediately adjacent to the site. The other "towers" become depressions which are outdoor public areas. The building is accessed by descending a short stair into the depression immediately next to the building...you can see it in the images.

The volumes portruding from the main volume are the work areas that get quieter as you rise. A cafe, and "superloud" work area is at the entrance level. The first portruding volume is a public lecture space/auditorium.

Let me know what you think.

Slab Design (Continued) and Circulation

In the process of working on my plans and circulation, I have been studying the floor surface curvature and its walkability (for lack of a better term).  The diagrams posted are not diagrams of success!  The form of the floor slab as I have been modeling it in previous iterations is largely inaccessible.  The red areas in the lower diagram indicate areas with a slope (or cross-slope) of greater than 1:12, which is of course the steepest incline allowed for ramps.  My goal is to get a large percentage of the floor plan less than or equal to 1:20 (green areas).  This will mean shallower arches than I have modeled so far and perhaps this move will prevent the plan to design building entrances below the arches.  At this point, I am “flattening” out the building a bit to provide for more useable space and more gradual transitions between program elevation changes.  This exercise has really highlighted the interdependencies between form, structure, program, and circulation.

library scavenger hunt?

best scavenger hunt EVER.