View Full Version : A rural branch library
This is an early design sketch for a small branch library in a nearby rural Louisiana community. The program is for a 3,000sf building with adult and children's spaces and staff work spaces, including an outdoor reading space, all within a very modest budget.
My approach is to use a familiar box and sloped roof form that is prevelant in the community and at the same time tweak it so that it is fresh. The roof starts as a simple gable at one end and morphs into a shed at the other. With most wood roof truss manufacturer's using CAD/CAM to drive their cutting machines and jigs, a roof like this is no more complicated or expensive that a simple gable, hip, etc.
The exterior materials are to be clapboard siding and masonry for simplicity and cost.
I've attached several views and would appreciate your comments...
that's not sketchup...that's yellow trace!
Thank you for posting images that feel like working design studies. We all get excited about making beautiful final renders (and this is what gets the clients off also). But to truly give validity to a design tool like sketchup drawings that have a working feeling like this are necessary...blah...blah.bl...
Thanks for the comments. I too feel like the closer we puch toward "photo realism" in rendering, the more our minds tell us "that's a computer"... So far, clients are responding well to images in this format...
mikem oz
06-09-2005, 19:26
To my mind danbush hits the nail on the head - computer drawings are too often interpreted by clients as being definate.
Getting the unconscious message across that the design is a work in progress is imperative. This allows clients to focus on what you are trying to achieve rather than what you are actually drawing.
imasayer
06-09-2005, 19:42
So far it looks like a great start. I think with a form this simple, materials, detailing, and the way that other openings are treated are going to make or break it. It currently has the potential to be a great project. Keep us posted.
I also like the presentation technique. At certain phases of the project showing the "big moves" is more effective like you have shown.
Canary trace! Nice drawing. Maybe make the parking lot lines a lighter gray color so the don't compete so much with the building.
Nice simple design. Tweaking the rooof really makes it interesting. I'm a space guy, though, and would like to see your thoughts about the interior.
I really like the sketches especially the first one , very simple and very clear , no hoodwinking with fancy renderings .
There is a problem with photorealistic renderings that the product looks finished and clients who are not very design savvy make up their minds with the first render . I like clients to contibute to the design process and a sketch at this level is really helpful for them to understand and contribute.
drichards
06-09-2005, 20:25
Just from a glance the project looks very clean and straight forward. Interesting how you choose to modify the roof. I was just wondering if perhaps you had thought of carrying the same look on the entrance roof. Carrying the same detail and maybe accentuating the unique planar geometry you have going on in the front elevation.
Just wondering what some of your design thoughts were for the front elevation. :wondering
drichards:
At this point, the idea for the front porch is a simple post and beam construction to keep it light and simple in appearance and construction.
One struggle on this project as far as the interiors go is that with our limited budget, we would be hard pressed to be able to fully express our volume - I have found that while it seems like it would be less expensive to expose everything ( mechanical, structure, etc.), it actually turns out costing more because those type elements are not manufacturered to be exposed and thus take some extra attention to make them presentable. If I was going after an industrial type feel, I could just leave out the ceilings, but this is not industrial at all.
I too am feeling like the front porch needs a little time to cook. It feels like it wants to be piched in a similar fashion as the parking lot side of the main roof to that high point. It too needs to have some drama. It is the main entry after all.
oliveboy
07-09-2005, 00:26
I like the look. The sketchier stuff looks better to me and saves you from spending days detailing your models.
I too am in favour of sketchy presentations & think too much emphasis is placed on photo realism
As regards the design I think the whole needs to have a warmer feel & the entrance needs to be more inviting ~ but I do appreciate you are on a tight budget
Hey Dan
I like the sketchy pres as well, but not sure about the use of 3d people and various tree form in such a sketch form.
I'm with the others about the entry and for that matter the minimal projection of the eaves which leaves your interesting roof form a little understated.
I took liberty (hope you don't mind) to put an idea down of incorporating your aim with the roof in some way, but hereby having it incorporate cover to the entry.
drichards:
One struggle on this project as far as the interiors go is that with our limited budget, we would be hard pressed to be able to fully express our volume
You don't neccessarily need to fully express the volume.
Interesting exterior, but I think you should pay more attention to the interiors in your design process. It can inform and enrich the exteriors so they become more than stylized packaging.
Organize where and how the mechanical systems work even if they are not exposed.
How about just one section perspective? :)
Richard:
Thanks for taking the time to 'sketch' out your idea - a picture is worth a thousand words. I tell people that Sketchup is the first app that I can think with...
My original intent was for the higher eave ht. to pull the eye toward the entrance but I think your idea accomplishes this as well - just different. One small concern that I have about my design is that the children's department is at the high end and the adults at the low end - counter-intuitive. In Scogin, Elam, and Brey's Clayton County Library for instance, the stepped roof form climbed from low to high, children to adults. I'm not sure that it is a problem, just not what you might expect if you thought about it long enough. :wondering
One small concern that I have about my design is that the children's department is at the high end and the adults at the low end - counter-intuitive. In Scogin, Elam, and Brey's Clayton County Library for instance, the stepped roof form climbed from low to high, children to adults. I'm not sure that it is a problem, just not what you might expect if you thought about it long enough. :wondering
Counter-intuitive? I can think of about 5 precedents - some local, some international - none of which associate spatial volume directly with the size or age of people...expectations are assumptions made on given facts or past experienced events. There is always room to change one's expectation, if for a good reason.
tr
I know it is early on in the game...but show us the back of the building. I often find myself over-working and over-thinking the parts that I like and feel are important (entrances and front facades for example, hint, hint), when sometimes it is helpful to jump to some other part of the project that may seem unrelated. Solve a new challenge and answers to the original issues may reveal themselves. I find it more informative about the building as a whole. A section through the end wall may not directly relate to the entrance and front facade, but it is a nice break while you still get needed work done, and and encompassing understanding of the building begins to develop.
So, I would suggest: Look at the rear elevation (and post 'em), cut some sections (including trough the entrance for an understanding of how it relates to the immediate interior).
I love the clean simplicity of the project, so far, don't loose that. I think small gestures that slightly freshen up already understood ideas, is a very powerful design tool. I think that you are doing that beautifully. Good Work, Good Luck and keep us posted!
imasayer
07-09-2005, 05:33
drichards:
At this point, the idea for the front porch is a simple post and beam construction to keep it light and simple in appearance and construction.
One struggle on this project as far as the interiors go is that with our limited budget, we would be hard pressed to be able to fully express our volume - I have found that while it seems like it would be less expensive to expose everything ( mechanical, structure, etc.), it actually turns out costing more because those type elements are not manufacturered to be exposed and thus take some extra attention to make them presentable. If I was going after an industrial type feel, I could just leave out the ceilings, but this is not industrial at all.
With such a limited budget your roof form, though I do like it, is not doing much for you. You are either going to have to use a ridge beam with columns or all of your trusses are going to be different. This is adding to the cost. If you can't express roof structure to the inside (because you need mecanical space) I don't think the roof form is justified. You may have something in mind that I am not thinking of, but I would consider the roof form carefully. If it in no way contributes to the interior space, the client's money may be better spent elsewhere, and you may end up with a better building in the long run.
drichards
07-09-2005, 07:35
If budget is an issue a simple shed roof with a modified overhang may be a solution to a complicated truss configuration. It could still get the look of your initial design concept (see attached) and may even be possible with your post and beam construction for the overhang. You may even be able to incorporate it as Richard suggested into the entrance and the bump out. This of course is only a preliminary idea and I'm no engineer, just married to one (Chemical). Just throwing ideas into the mix.
It is really nice to see how a straightforward design can change with the slightest roof line change. Hope this helps. Still a really interesting project.
My try... invert pitched roof to achieve a more dynamic shape which could also create a more interessting and welcoming 'porch' entrance. I have the feeling that your entry is quite weak right now as it looks like a late addition. Besides, this proposition is able to create interessting interior spaces, allowing you to take natural light higher than before. I would probably try to put glazed panels under the roof to make it look lighter. Like a light folded roof... :D
sigue2000
07-09-2005, 10:51
My try... invert pitched roof to achieve a more dynamic shape which could also create a more interessting and welcoming 'porch' entrance. ... I would probably try to put glazed panels under the roof to make it look lighter. :clap:
I like the idea of the inverted pitch. If you lift that roof off the wall and put a strip of glazing inbetween the wall and the roof underside you'll probably get some really soft indirect light (books don't like direct sunlight) into the inside. Depending on the cladding of the 'ceiling' you can influence it quite a lot.
It also lets you play with the water coming off the roof.
Danbush, any news about your project? :wondering
primocordara
09-09-2005, 14:32
Check out this reference. Its a cultural center in Paraguay. The project is more complex and includes a new building, but the roof in the library section is what I mean for reference to your project.
http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=487
http://www.summamas.com/66b.htm
What a nice bit of work
Any info on how that roof was done /made of/ detail etc ?
sorry don't speak espagnol so not sure if info was on website
Thanks for the link
primocordara
09-09-2005, 22:58
What a nice bit of work
Any info on how that roof was done /made of/ detail etc ?
sorry don't speak espagnol so not sure if info was on website
Thanks for the link
The site is in english too!
I think it says nothing about the roof, but it is poured concrete.
jparchitectus
09-09-2005, 23:01
Poured concrete that thin :not worth
primocordara
09-09-2005, 23:18
Here more pictures, were you see the concrete more closely.
I guess it gues thiner at the edges and uses some aditive to make it waterproof.
http://www.grupoarquitectura.com.ar/Invitado001/Invitado001.htm
It has been decided that my approach was too "contemporary" and is being redone in a 'very' traditional style by others in the office.
Oh well, one day I shall learn to not get so emothionally attached to projects - or not.
I thank each of you for your input as it gives me inspiration and references for the next opportunity.
It has been decided that my approach was too "contemporary" and is being redone in a 'very' traditional style by others in the office.
Oh well, one day I shall learn to not get so emothionally attached to projects - or not.
I thank each of you for your input as it gives me inspiration and references for the next opportunity.
Mate
Don't be disheartned just because others lack foresight.
mikem oz
10-09-2005, 04:50
Too contemporary?
Maybe it is time to think about a change of office to somewhere a little less boring!
Sorry about the redirect on the project.
You approach was great. I felt that your design was just enough of a twist on traditional building techniques to be acceptable to almost anyone with even the smallest balls to stand up for you. Not crazy enough to be dismissed that easily.
If you are young...start looking for another firm. You have to interview them and their work as much as they interview you and your work. Find a place were you can stretch you brain. If that's not possible right now...focus on learning as much as you can about the 'business if architecture' (specs, construction admin, contracts, etc.) until you can get the fuck out and use those skills at a place more receptive to your design ideas, and might even challenge you. I hope that I'm not overstepping my evaluation of the firm that you are at now, but don't get stuck there if this happens often. Good luck, man!
Hey! Finish the model the way you like it and post it on the wall next to your desk (and here)! My buddy has a wall full of good shit that was 'value engineered' into crap. It looks good for your resume, and still shows the office that you can design.
:(
Sorry about the redirect on the project.
You approach was great. I felt that your design was just enough of a twist on traditional building techniques to be acceptable to almost anyone with even the smallest balls to stand up for you. Not crazy enough to be dismissed that easily.
If you are young...start looking for another firm. You have to interview them and their work as much as they interview you and your work. Find a place were you can stretch you brain. If that's not possible right now...focus on learning as much as you can about the 'business if architecture' (specs, construction admin, contracts, etc.) until you can get the fuck out and use those skills at a place more receptive to your design ideas, and might even challenge you. I hope that I'm not overstepping my evaluation of the firm that you are at now, but don't get stuck there if this happens often. Good luck, man!
Hey! Finish the model the way you like it and post it on the wall next to your desk (and here)! My buddy has a wall full of good shit that was 'value engineered' into crap. It looks good for your resume, and still shows the office that you can design.
:(
well said!
integrity integrity integrity
None of this was a waste of time & I know for my part I have learned a lot without even putting pen to paper
I would endorse the above comments & would like to see your model worked up a bit more regardless.
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