2021 Steel Competition

Waste[use]-full is an exploration into the development of a fully autonomous urban food hub distribution center for Baton Roots’ Urban Agriculture initiative. The form of the building is conceived as a single linear extrusion, a simple pavilion divided into three sections  and tweaked slightly to produce exciting architectural moments and opportunities for encounter. Program is then thoughtfully distributed throughout the pavilion. On the first level of the three divisions are the three main import/export operations of the urban food hub: composting storage, planter construction, and farming operations. These sections are separated by outdoor classrooms which are embedded into the ground and double as a form of stormwater infrastructure. These junction points also house the main circulation corridors for each section, highlighting and celebrating the physical use of stairs while still allowing accessible lift options for those who require them.

On the second level, overlooking the planter box workspace, a teaching kitchen where Baton Roots chefs can teach classes on how to cook different and possibly unfamiliar food types in a healthy way. The kitchen also has the potential to act as a reservable commercial kitchen space for locals to prepare goods to sell at Scotlandville Saturdays. Next to the kitchen are both a small and large conference room to be used when needed by Baton Roots administrative staff, or as a reservable space for community members to hold interviews, conduct meetings, and collectively study. On the far end of the second level, above the farming storage and harvest pack+wash, are private office spaces for all of Baton Roots’ administrative needs. The 3rd level consists of greenhouse and lathhouse spaces to strategically take advantage of solar heat gains.

The American Film Institute’s new Holographic Headquarters, seated above the Capitol South Metro Station in Washington, D.C., is designed through speculating on the future of the film industry as foreshadowed through the increased use of computer-generated special effects and holographic projections. The building is equipped with a steel superstructure supporting cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels standing as a showcase of the correspondence between programmatic environments the grid of The Spirit of Justice Park within the broader urban fabric. The incorporation of local flora and fauna evokes a feeling of wellness and relaxation while experiencing diverse adaptive work environments from recessed immersive lounges to the lobby amphitheater. Immersion in nature is amplified by interior and exterior screens that both project film images and grant shade to the interior. These screens project the emotion and empowerment of films such as Black Panther and Wonder Woman to Washinton, D.C.

In contrast to the opaqueness of the adjacent Federal-style buildings, the Holographic Headquarters uses steel, timber, concrete, and glass to create a sense of transparency and openness. The exterior glazing and strategic floor openings display the steel and CLT structure. The structural spans are supported by tree-like, branching steel columns to symbolize a pedestal to support the life of the occupants and the native flora on the roofscapes.

For a variety of reasons, it is expected many workers will never return to the “office” on a permanent, or full-time basis. For others, however, forced isolation created social and physical detriment, loss of production, lower creativity, challenged communication skills, deteriorating friendships, and more. Beyond the individual, the loss of physically in place urban office workers had a deleterious effect on most urban centers. Public transportation, restaurants, hotels, public venues, outdoor recreation, supporting businesses, and much more were damaged or, in some cases, lost. Therefore, this project has as its focus both the individual as well as the urban center.

The urban center selected for this study is considered one of the most vibrant and active in the world. Shanghai, a city of twenty-five million, has over 700 regional headquarters. Most are in central Shanghai near the world-famous Bund area on the Huangpu River. Shanghai’s contemporary architecture is often adventuresome, experimental, and open to technological innovation. While our project remains committed to the Shanghai’s iconic architecture, it also builds a healthy and active relationship with pedestrians and nearby neighborhoods.

Opening edges along all sides of the building allows the public, and the office building, to flow into and through the site. Sunken plazas, green spaces which continuously flow from the ground into architecture help blur the line between architecture and landscape. Workers can move from office space to urban space to enjoy fountains design for civic recreation. Additionally, the lower levels are integrated into the upper urban spaces which allows retail, food vending and additional commercial spaces to share the urban landscape.

The traditional elements of light, ventilation, and greenery are employed throughout for occupant wellness. Two large steel and glass cores flood all spaces with quality light, clean air, and luscious greenery. Connecting slabs, suspended by steel cables, are active green spaces which dilute the boundaries between inside, outside and the core. The environment is healthy and active.

Occupant activity and distancing are emphasized through extending pedestrian routes and integrating a running ramp through the gardens and other areas. By enlarging the pedestrian traffic areas, these become spaces for socializing, sharing ideas, and creating visions of the future.

Flexibility to adjust to time and activities is supported by systems that allow office to be divided in smaller or larger spaced by a variety of users. Most public and private spaces are multi-dimensional and interactive. They are designed to encourage many levels of communication and collaboration while keeping the spaces healthy and receptive.

Located at the corner of Georgia Avenue and W Street, the HU Center for Inclusive Design is a mixed-use development affiliated with the Department of Architecture. The center is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of people of all ages, abilities, and cultures through excellence in design. The center offers services through education, consultation, design and research.

Our building acts as a gateway between the campus and the broader Georgia Avenue community. Our aim was to create a structure that not only serves the campus functionally but acts as a symbol that identifies the University.

The building’s form was designed to pay homage to the inclusive theme of the building’s function, it’s curved form eliminates the concept of “an edge” in order to help create a friendly, welcoming experience.