Residential Units

On Wednesday, we presented our ideas for the apartments. Here is the presentation that I exerted a lot of energy to finish on time...

Notice the slogan: Live.Shop.Play.Energize.
I like that it covers every function for the site, but its also short and sweet.

Unfortunately for me, the 2 bedroom units in the middle of the building aren't feasible. Aparently according to code, there cant be an apartment unit with no windows...image that. And while the skylights were a fun idea, I dont think they'll work very well with this space, at least not how Im using them at the moment. I also need to reconsider the existing windows and how they will work within the space...Obviously, I have a lot of reconfiguring to do!

Game Plan

As we start to plan out the spaces, we've been working on a space plan for the entire site. Here are images of my space plans and traffic flow plans, in floor order (1st, 2nd, roof)

Since building 2 is the largest building, Ive decided to use it for residential space. Most of the apartments will be located on the first floor, while the second floor will include a lobby space with access to the green roof courtyard located on top of building one. Elevators and staircases placed evenly throughout the building create a very easy traffic flow through the 2 buildings.

Site Analysis

Design Haiku

Jo spread out a bunch of pictures throughout our studio space and we were told to choose one that connects to our idea behind the Oneida Mill redesign. We were then given the opportunity to write a haiku connecting the image with our idea. Im not a poet, but here is the end result.

Connections exist

Between people and places
Where busy lives merge

The idea behind this haiku is that the spaces will be laid out so that whether you live at the mill or are just visiting, there is plenty of opportunity to connect with new people. There will be plenty of community space, and an encouraged social life will be apparent.

The uses of each building are as follows:

Building 1: Retail Center
Building 2: Residential Units

Building 3: Restaurant Space
Building 4: Theater/Event Space
Building 5: Public Gym

There will also be a number of courtyards, including outside dining, playgrounds, and stage areas connecting the 5 buildings to each other.

Oneida Mill

Oneida Mill is an old cotton mill in Graham, North Carolina. It is completely run down, windows bricked up, and not being used for anything. For my fourth year studio project, I have the great pleasure of turning it into something beautiful and functional, creating a place to live, shop, and play! After a site visit, we got to see just how big this place is..and its huge! There is plenty of space to work with. Here is a Site plan that I will be working from.

Buildings 3 and 4 have a second floor also