The endeavor for this commercial environment focused on the locality and context of the chosen destination, downtown Greens-boro, North Carolina. Known as the Gate City, Greensboro’s urban and cultural growth is due greatly to the progression of the railways. This engrained nature of the train and transportation as part of Greensboro’s history drove the inspiration behind my ideation, with a focus on late 19th century trains’ elements and principles of design. There is a prominent emphasis on linearity and repetition, to not only provide the aesthetic but to deliver the basis for circulation and comfort. This strict language of linear repetition is alleviated by dynamic moments of motion most prominently displayed in the curvilinear booth motifs and the slanted roo�ines. Center City Shelter is intention-ally designed to blend with the existing context surrounding it while also integrated to meet the needs of the city. Placed on a lot that is used for seasonal and ceremonial venues, the perimeter space caters to their needs by providing both spatial barriers that constitute a certain venue space and integrated so that the booths can act as seating for the vendors. The shelter remains open to the elements and weather. This is intentional because the structure is a celebration of the city and therefore the focus is on fresh air, socializing, and getting away from the distractions of modern life. In e�ect, peoples’ attention is turned to the design itself and recognition of its identity to the city. An important aspect to the design is the psychological e�ects and perceptions of the occupants. For instance, privacy is o�ered by the curvilinear motifs that outline the interior social nodes reminiscent of the protection of booth arms while also accentuating motion. The corresponding slats attached to the curvilinear motifs allow enough of an opening to reference other guests without impeding on their territory while also continuing the comforting repetition of the overall design language. Furthermore, benches face out to capture panoramic views of the park but also face away from the interior booths, psychologically giving the impression of privacy even when they are in close proximity. The circulation is inherently linear heightened by the roo�ine with skylight grills reminiscent of railway planks. The continual peripheral, horizontal slats that outline the structure provide an identifying marker through the spaces that leads you in and out and creates the urge to move along the longitudinal axis. These hugging lines essentially ground the guest and provide a soothing edge that leads your eye. The slanted shelter roo�ine in combination with a level change peaks dynamic curiosity that orients guests to enter the booth spaces and creates a more intimate setting in which to sit and socialize. The fountain encapsulates the focal experience like the front of a train while the gradually extending slats propel you forward and out, stylizing the energetic motion of a train. This commercial project was a conceptual endeavor based in a theory that design and context cannot be separated, that to design one has to think holistically about site, human behaviors, psychological perceptions, regional and cultural history, and design elements and principles. The combination of these inclusive social, cultural, and physical conditions will decide the values of commodity, �rmness, and delight.

Center Ci y Shelter

Center Ci y Shelter -Diagrams and Process

Repitition

Linearity

Motion

General Circulation

Space Seperation

Circulation of Social Nodes

Axonemetric Sketch

Greensboro Sky Line

Greensboro Train Station

City Center Park

The shelter is completely integrated to the park and city context, here you get a greater perspective leads you from the city skyline, to the train station, and then to Center City Park itself. The collage represent structures and elements in the park that are all parts to the whole.

Synopsis

http://www.exploring-america.com/pics/greensboro-train-station.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Greensboro_Skyline.jpg

http://www.actiongreensboro.org/�ash/newphoto1.jpg

Citing

Center Ci y Shelter -Site Thumbnails and Collage

A

A’

B B’

N

Center Ci y Shelter -Floor Plan Scale 1/4”=1’

Section A - A’

Section B - B’

Center Ci y Shelter -Cross Section and Longitudinal Section Scale 1/4”=1’

Center Ci y Shelter

Center Ci y Shelter

Center Ci y Shelter

Center Ci y Shelter

Center Ci y Shelter

Center Ci y Shelter -Model