ARCH 422
Situation Studio Design Project
CARDBAORD OUTLOOK
Cleveland, OH
This visitor center is located at Sokolowski’s Overlook in Cleveland. It also serves as a library branch of the Cleveland Public Library system. In this project, I explore new possibilities for using cardboard in architecture. Cardboards are the main material and component for the project. I envision the visitor center helping people see cardboard differently and understand that it can do more than meet the eye.
The Studio project started with material research. I researched cardboard, and my main focus is on exploring its potential architecture application using different production and assembly methods.
This is an early project that tested the potential application of the material in certain programs before we were given a specific site. I chose the library as my main program since books (paper) could form interesting resonance with cardboard. I tested the different assembly methods of cardboard structures and explored the spatial arrangements logic that later translated into the actual design project.
The spatial and structural organization concept is to make the floor plates read as if they sit on and are supported by the cardboard structure; the building's main structure looks like it was built out of cardboard. To further strengthen this concept, the enclosure of the building is designed to be a simple, lightweight, translucent envelope that does not directly relate to the main structure to avoid blocking the view of the structure and make it stand out.
In the design, cardboard assembly is applied in different scales and aspects. Cardboards can be used as objects, structures, and functional components. The bigger-scale parts will be directly visible, and the smaller-scale parts can interact directly.