The Geometric Problem Solver

My PASSION is when there is an INTERACTION BETWEEN ARCHITECTURE, THE USER, and THE ENVIRONMENT.  

Three architects with their prominent buildings strongly inspired 'The Fulcrum', my thesis project, for the University of Cincinnati Architectural Program. 

I. I. M. Pei's National Art Gallery in Washington, District of Columbia, USA 

 https://www.nga.gov/features/slideshows/a-design-for-the-east-building.html#slide_11 and https://images.app.goo.gl/PAvFEJ3bW837UzGc8 Respective credit.

2. Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum, New York City, USA

https://www.guggenheim.org/blogs/checklist/transport-yourself-to-the-guggenheim-with-free-virtual-backgrounds Respective credit.

3. Le Corbusier's use of the concrete brise-soleil (sun screens) in many of his buildings such as the Mill Owners' Association Building, also known as Ahmedabad Textile Mill Owners' Association House (ATMA House) in Ahmedabad, India. Please find on the ATMA House on Wikipedia or elsewhere on the Internet.

Although many other architects and artists influenced my design of this project there is a strong connection with I. M. Pei's playfulness with the environment, the architecture, and the person as they walk thru the building. Note his playfulness with the Washington Monument and the capital building. 

The roof top garden provides views of the Cincinnati area, the Ohio River, and the sculptures in Eden Park.  Storm King Sculptural Park in New York State was on my mind when creating an outside space with sculptures. 

The brise-soleil on the Fulcrum, as shown in the photos below, provide glimpses of the sculpture in the building from the plaza and out of building to sculptures on the plaza or in Eden park, but to varying degrees depending on where you are standing.

The pattern of the brise-soleil was strongly influenced by, the artist, Mondrian.

The vertical circulation, after much study, became circular similar to Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum, with a skylight at the top. It had begun as a linear ramp with rounded turnarounds at each end. This was meant to provide many views of the sculptures as one walked though the building. Eventually I realized, that a circular ramp would be more successful. Sculpturing the floor out for this 'circulation core' was again similar to I. M. Pei's playfulness of carving out concrete for a handrail, as though the building was interacting with the human.

I learned what my teachers had taught with this project. I was taught that a design would start to design itself. With enough thought I realized there were only two places for the vertical ductwork would work, just like the most successful vertical circulation would need to be circular, 

Thank you College of DAAP for the wonderful background in architectural history and theory.