The circulation surrounding the atrium connects the third space, the DMZ and the residential levels and this is where the most activities/life would occur.
The ribbon wall wraps the atrium space as one continuous plane and gets split up into different strips that define the residential units. The difference in curvature creates an opportunity for the residential units to have separate balconies.
I want to bring in this concept of ribbon wall into interior spaces and that would mean using curved walls instead of ninety-angle corners. That's why the plans took me a long time to draw, and are still not done but hopefully can get the idea across. (Sample residential unit is provided....)
This is finally beginning to show some promise!
ReplyDeleteThe ramping up and around is only going to work if you tie it back to connecting to the display/spectacle of Yonge Street. If you fail to do this, then you will get criticized for emulating Foster or Wright's famous spirals.
There are structural issues that I think will have to get resolved certainly in the next project submission but keep in mind that this would be a great opportunity to work the project with AESS (or if you prefer, engineered wood) as opposed to the monolithic properties associated with concrete. The space allocations still seem a bit odd as there is a significantly high level of open space enclosed in your design.
My biggest criticism would be the cladding itself. I get wary of the discussion of the balcony issue so I won't reiterate it. I also worry that you are more facinated with the effect rather than the implication and application to the entire building. Remember that Douglas Cardinal tries to do stuff like that in his projects which ultimately prove to be gimmick-driven and shallow. If you manage to make the cladding and elevation conditions strong (which has been shown in your exterior sketch), then this project could work very well especially from its rocky beginnings.
Consider this as encouragement - now get it done to the best of your abilities.