LEVELS - 2017
JACOB ABBEY - AUSTIN DORN - MICHAEL NELSON
Levels is a group design project completed in my first year of Environmental design school. It was the first fully high detail design that I have contributed to. In particular I found the physical model to be successful.
LEVELS - LOOKING NORTH
INQUIRY
How can a public infrastructure typify a transit experience in our environment? What affects us in/during our spatial trajectory? How much can a threshold affect our in-habitation? - On this project we set out to answer these questions through a public structure that links the faculty of architecture at the University of Manitoba together while blurring the thresholds that keep them apart.
RESEARCH
We set out to create new hub for the the University of Manitoba on the west side of the University Centre. The parking lot in in between the Russel Building, Architecture 2, and the Music building proved to be an ideal location for multiple reasons. The primary factors in the decision to choose this site were:
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The lack of refreshment storefronts in the area.
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The popular bus stop just south of the music building.
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The existing parking lot is a major through fair for pedestrian traffic from said bus stop.
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Part of the Universities expansive tunnel network runs directly adjacent.
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A high degree of light throughout the day.
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Clear lines of sight.
With these things in mind, we chose to develop a new entry point for the University, one that provides refreshments and easy tunnel access for students and faculty alike.
SITE LOCATION AND REFRESHMENT PROXIMITIES
A - 9.5
B - 48.5
C - 65.5
D - 17
E - 36
F - 26
G - 40
H - 5
I - 15
J - 6
K - 3.5
PEDESTRIANS/30m
CIRCULATION STUDY
SHADOW STUDY
LINE OF SIGHT OVERLAY
DEVELOPMENT
Levels replaces the faculty parking lot in between the architecture buildings; an ideal space for gathering being dominated by empty cars. We chose this site because of its central location to the faculty, clear lines of site, excess of sunlight and natural threshold into the campus. This extensive research also greatly influenced the design of our structure. By looking at circulation and desire lines, we determined where to cut paths through our structure. Site lines and shadow overlays gave us the outline of our shape and inspiration for the tapered stairs throughout the levels.
During the sight lines study for the site, an inspiration form emerged. By overlaying multiple line of sight diagrams, made from different perspectives, a diamond shaped zone of maximum visibility showed itself. This shape proved to be highly influential in the further design process, leading us to researching design precedents that shared its dramatic angles.
The Robson Square Stairs in Vancouver, B.C. by Arthur Erickson inspired us in our ramp design as well as our tapered stairs for seating. We wanted to incorporate seating directly off our ramp in the same way. Maya Lin’s Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, USA was also an inspiration for its sharp cut into the earth and low profile. Lin's design inspired LEVELS to cut into the earth, lowering the ground plane inline with the tunnels. Keeping the design as low as possible was a priority throughout LEVELS design development.
ITERATE SKETCHES
FORM INSPIRATION
SKETCH MODEL
DESIGN
Levels is a new gateway to The University of Manitoba, in both a physical and social context. By providing a convenient access point to the tunnels and refreshments to the passerby, the Faculty of Architecture is exposed to the rest of the University.
LEVELS
LOOKING FROM J.A.R. BUILDING
RAMP DOWN HEADING NORTH
DESIRE PATH SHORT CUT
The structure of Levels consists of multiple green roof terraces. It rises above the ground plane only five feet, creating as little as possible visual distraction from the surrounding architecture. To allow circulation through the site, a path was cut through the structure. This shortcut both provides convenient thoroughfare from the JAR Building lawn and brings pedestrians onto the roof of Levels, inviting them to explore further.
The terraces feature ample ledge seating, a tree planter to shade the grass from the southern sun, and a patio space for use by the patrons below. The southern wall of the structure is a glass curtain wall, allowing people to see inside and sunlight to pierce the interior.
TERRACING
LOOKING NORTH
SHORT CUT
GREEN ROOF TERRACES
RAMPS
PATIO
SHORTCUT
TERRACES
SLOPE
UNDERGROUND
The interior of Levels is a multi-use space designed to instigate the communication of students and faculty of the university. In order to access this space, one must travel down the slopes that have been designed to accessibility standards. Once inside, one may go left to enter the existing tunnel system or go left to enjoy the facilities Levels has to offer.
Levels has three distinct areas of use; there are rows of tables for studying, a lounge recreational area to relax, and a canteen/coffee shop for refreshment. Elevated bar seating lines the southern windows, providing a view for those who wish to sit there. A stairwell next to the canteen allows the public to have direct access to the patio above.
EXISTING TUNNEL
EXISTING TUNNEL
TUNNEL ACCESS
REFRESHMENT
STUDY
PATIO ACCESS
REC.
UNDERGROUND INTERIOR
MODEL
In the creation of a final physical model, we were tasked with only using two materials. The materials chosen for use in the Levels model were acrylic and Baltic birch plywood. The roof of Levels is removable, which reveals the interior layout of the project. Through the use of a C&C Router and a digital laser cutter a successful model was created. In a recreation of this model scaling the trees properly would be a priority.
