Project Description

 

 

Indiana Hardwood Lumber Association Design Competition - Columbus, Indiana 

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One of the most striking features in a city rich with architectural history is what role the churches play. Beginning with First Christian Church, the interior has protruding elements behind the altar and window lighting throughout the nave that cuts into the church. At North Christian Church, the roof is shaped in a faceted way, just like the interior, which has a large piece of concrete that seems to be faceted, piercing the roof into the church in a similar way to that of First Christian. St. Bartholomew employs a similar technique as well, using this facet cut language to create a facade and interior that is very dynamic and striking. As a way to connect this proposed project for downtown Columbus, IN to the city and its architectural history, I felt that the endemic of this building condition to be very important and was the main inspiration for my design. Comprised of three different programs, the proposed project will house archive storage for the City of Columbus, the offices for the Landmarks Columbus Administration and also gallery & exhibition space for the Columbus Museum of Art & Design, while using Indiana hardwood as one of the main design features throughout the interior. The facade of the building is created using different sized facet cuts of large pieces of metal material that act as the structure as well as the facade. The metal facade, while as grand and heavy as it is, does not touch the ground due to the steel columns placed on the interior in the gallery space on the first floor. The second and third floors are closed off to direct daylight by the facade in order to keep the archives safe and provide a more intimate feel as you ascend up into the building. The third level experiences facade panels that are removed just slightly off of the frame to provide indirect natural light that will keep the archives safe and allowing lighting for the offices. The hardwood that is feature throughout the building is Indiana hardwood floors and glulams that contrast the metal facade and structure.

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