SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION:
May 18, 2009	Finalize building designs
May 25, 2009	Finalize site layout
June 1, 2009	Finalize all design aspects
June 8, 2009	Prepare thesis document
June 15, 2009	Prepare thesis document
June 22, 2009	Continue developing thesis
June 29, 2009	Email 1st Draft to BAC
July 6, 2009	Contiue developing thesis
July 13, 2009	Revise thesis per review
July 20, 2009	Email 2nd Draft to BAC
July 27, 2009	Revise thesis per review
August 3, 2009	Finalize revisions to thesis
August 10, 2009	Print and mail copies of thesis

Design Considerations

After the last (and I mean last!!) critque, I found the comments especially useful. First things first, where is the architecture coming from:
Reading more books isn't exactly where I should be at this point in thesis, but I always find it helps me refocus on what I am trying to do. Looking at the architecture of Tadao Ando again brought me back to the importance of simplicity and nature. Bohlin Cwyinski Jackson reminded me of the use of material and site and also lead to me another resource. I ended up looking at the houses of Thomas Bosworth. While none of the architecture seemed especially grand on first glance, the ability to bring light into the darkest of rooms was incredible. Every room was treated with various qualities of light to further emphasis the importance of that space. One project in particular provided a great jumping point for how the path was to be developed. See comment three. The architecture for this project comes from the ideas of the importance of time and our passage through it. By using the natural elements around us, the spaces are able to convey and emphasis these changes by use of material, light and orientation. The stone bases are able to root us in nature while the path is able to let us remain detached. I like to think that this allows us to be in the view and of the view.
How big do these spaces really need to be:

This comment was especially useful as I realized how much wasted space I had. One of the reasons for creating separate buildings was to help minimize the impact on the earth and preserve more of the natural landscape. After a simple study of human spaces, I created a series of diagrams that show the minimum amount of space required for the bare necessities for offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. I juxtaposed these forms to create the smallest footprint possibly. While these spaces were adequate, the spaces in general should not feel so tight. By opening up walls and giving more room (many are in wheelchairs after all), the footprint became smaller than before and each piece served a purpose. The large circulation corridor that is integral to each building became more about how the community used that space and interacted and reacted to it rather than just passing through. Overall, successful step at defining the architecture!

The Path:
Breakthrough! One of the projects featured three buildings connected via a walkway. Look at that connection to the ground! It allows the user to be surrounded by nature yet projects nature.

I have developed a similar idea that raises the walkway above the natural curve of the landscape to allow users to be surrounded while minimizing the impact. The path provides a clear edge yet the natural flora and fauna encroach to the very edge almost taking over the edge of my path. I am very excited about this development and will be posting images shortly.

Revisit the Site:
To my surprise and excitement, revisiting the site showed me things I hadn't seen the last few visits. I found another "secret" staircase going to no where that is perfectly located at the juncture between choosing the path through nature of progressing to the facility. Love it!! I also didn't realize how varied the landscape was. There seems to be a little bit more grade than what the topo map shows! I also found a pond, etc. Big discoveries, all which further help my site development. Photos to come.

I feel I am finally in a great place to finish the design and continue the presentation portion of thesis! Yeah!!

Final Presentation

Updated Plans and Elevations

As I think about structure and sustainability and how it relates to the connections we make in life, I have created a structural element that helps to symbolize how we connect others through the actions we take. The sloping roofs feed rain from one to another allowing for the water to be collected into a single location symbolizing how our interactions work with others.