Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
For my design, I really wanted to create a building that is purposeful and comfortable, while at the same time being sturdy and technically feasible. The natural restraints faced by my design have led me to specific and significant choices in materials and methodology.

DESIGN:
The design will be a two-storied dodecagon (twelve-sided) featuring an inter-semi-circle, which serves as a pharmacy in addition to functioning as sheer strength. The second-level contains sleeping lofts for on-staff nurses. The first level consists of an administration desk with two semi-contained cubicles for administrative staff and a circular hallway that gives access to two consultation rooms, the A.V. training room, the break room/kitchen, and the professional meeting room.

MATERIALS:
The building will consist of wood framing with concrete walls. This will insure stability, especially in a region often plagued by harsh elements and possible seismic stress. The roofing material will be built of stone slate tiles, in line with the vernacular of the region. Cables, glass, and possibly bamboo will also be integrated into the construction of the design.

METHODOLOGY:
Depending on the actual characteristics of the site, concrete casting will either be made using reverse molds dug into the earth, or some other method that is found most suitable after a complete examination of the available materials on-site is completed. A roofing structure with beams and cross-joisting will be built to support the slate tiles as well as solar panels.

Many of the details can only be fully established once on-site. All effort will be made to utilize the resources on-hand to find creative solutions. It will be very important to get the local population involved and invested in this project, so there can be a diffusion of ideas.