The works in the following pages are samples of larger explorations that can be viewed further in person.
Location: Auburn, Al
Year: Fall of 2020
Faculty: Rebecca O'Neal
Views looking at the north facade
The project’s overall scope was to design a small stand-alone building within Auburn’s Agricultural Heritage Park to accommodate an individual writing studio. This would be a studio space for students, professors, visitors, or guest artists to escape from their normative environment to make progress on individual works. This project is one of 18 uniquely designed studios that form a writers’ collective and are sited around the larger site context.
Site Map
The goal of this project was to design a studio that provides a place of solitude for the client to work in, while also providing a sense of community within the writers collective. This was done by using specific spatial moves that can be appreciated by anyone regardless of the use. The studio collects its own water and power. Building off the grid in this context creates a symbiotic relationship where it also provides something to give back to other studios within the collective, therefore strengthening the feeling of community.
Although this is a writing studio for one single person, the space is still capable of accommodating a larger crowd. In the case that the client wants to entertain a small group such as friends or family members, the interior of the building comfortably fits 10-15 guests. However, if the client also wants to host a large event such as a book signing, the writing studio can open up to the outside space, therefore flexibly accommodating the size of the crowd.
Plan
Comparison Diagram
Active Energy Systems Diagram
The active green energy systems such as a battery storage unit, inverter, and a fiberglass water storage tank were placed directly in the center of the studio to provide a more pleasant experience surrounding the exterior of the building.
Section A
Section B
The foundation of the project is set two to three feet below the ground plane with a variety of different heights. Having the main writing space set into the ground plane creates a feeling of intimacy within the studio, while the variating heights may incorporate hidden storage spaces and different areas to write.
View into the writers studio