Designed a Special Collections to serve as an addition to the Howard Hilton Memorial Library at Tulane University. The goal of this proposal is to create a connection between residential and campus users by becoming the new social hotspot for both to enjoy. The site plan is designed to create two clear pathways that emphasize this connection and create a shortcut through campus. The viewing room features a double height space (seen in all renders) that acts as a connection between 2 levels on the interior and allows the experience of connection to occur simultaneously between the onsite and inside. The bridge offers an additional connection that connects to the existing library on the 3rd floor where the rare books are celebrated by a double height space.

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The massing of the building was influenced by the surrounding courtyards with the design intended to serve as the social (central) courtyard with independent (quiet) courtyards within the immediate context. The program of the building is placed around function and accessibility. The educational program including auditorium and classrooms are placed on the campus side whereas the more public program including archive, exhibition, and viewing rooms are on the residential side. Renders were produced through Rhino, Illustrator, and Photoshop. A final model at 1/32" scale, built out of plexiglass (representing channeled glass), and 3D print (representing concrete) showcases the final design concept. This project was presented to the Howard Tilton Memorial Library as an exhibition idea for future campus solutions.

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Diagrams:

Residential vs Campus - The site is on the edge of both residential and campus zones.

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Building Height  - Due to the site being on the border of opposite zoning, building heights surrounding the site vary dramatically from under 30' to over 30' depending on the side.

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Building Types - The building types found on campus surrounding the site vary between recreational, dorms, and academic with recreational being at the end of most paths coming directly off the site.

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Roads vs Sidewalks - The site is severely underutilized when looking at the major, minor, and restricted streets directly surrounding the site along with sidewalks. Currently the only street on the site is restricted with no paved sidewalks for pedestrians.

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Potential Connections - The site is in a prime location and has a real potential to serve as a connection between residential to campus and campus to campus as a shortcut.

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Disconnect - Currently the site has a real potential of bringing 2 drastically different zones together for both a social hotspot and pathway but the current site has no paved sidewalk, a restricted road, and no green space to serve pedestrians. The site as it is today, a parking lot, serves as a missed opportunity for a potential change and this design showcases the potential the site could become.

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Program:

Entry/Lobby

Exhibition Gallery

Auditorium

Viewing Rooms

Archive

Classrooms

Administrative Offices