Studio Projects • ARCH 100A

Potrero Hill Branch Library [2013 Berkeley Circus Award] •••
by Daniela Tenorio

ARCH 100A • Final Review
Professor: Lisa Iwamoto
CED • UC Berkeley • Fall 2012

          This project began with a site analysis which explores the deep and shallow areas of the site located in the Potrero Hill neighborhood in San Francisco, CA. This analysis showed a rhythmic quality and continuity of the area. As a result, I developed an architectural language based on a ribbon that reflects continuity while the folds reflect rhythm.

        This ribbon creates all walls and floor planes. Vertical circulation is created by cutting a thin piece of ribbon and dropping it down to the lower level. In order to have natural light in the reading rooms without affecting the area where the bookshelves are and without compromising the flow of the ribbon, I created thin and elongated openings in the walls creating windows and in the ceiling creating skylights. These opening are modulated to the size of a small reading station. Windows are created by taking a stripe (a piece of ribbon) and folding it inwards creating a table, then up creating a panel for privacy and back out to continue the flow of the ribbon. This same process was used for the skylights in the terrace creating benches.

          The same modulation is used for artificial lighting, which becomes the continuation of the skylights and flow in the direction of the ribbon.

         The main concept used in designing is that a library is a place in which we are surrounded by knowledge. Pursuing this idea, all bookshelves were placed in all outer walls. Then, this move became the starting point for strategically varying the thickness of the ribbon in order to fit program. Outer walls became thicker to fit bookshelves, reading stations and circulation. In the first level, a wall became thicker to fit an admin office and another wall in the second level fitted the restrooms. 

         Finally, the choice of materials: wood in the inside and a steel panel system in the outside became a way of reinforcing the flow of the ribbon and the idea of being surrounded by knowledge.

Mid-review board

Second Project • Sequence as a public space

          This project began with a site analysis which explores the deep and shallow areas of the site. This analysis showed a  rhythmic quality and continuity of the area. Therefore, I developed an architectural language based on a ribbon. This ribbon merged with the topography of the site creating a sequence whose purpose is to be a public space that connects the street and parking lot to the back entrance to the Potrero Hill Library Branch. The design tries to provide different experiences as one walks towards the library and create different spaces that allow for various activities.

First Project • Double Negative

     This first project is an abstract exercise to explore space. It began with a photomontage and a line work which explores the concept of depth. Depth is depicted as a triangular spiral form that goes back into space. Based on this idea I strategically subtracted a series of forms (taken from the photomontage) from a generic rectangular shape, creating a series of spaces that are interconnected.