ALYSSA

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**Best Fit** by Alyssa

= INVESTIGATION STAGE =

**General characteristics of the neighborhood** :
There are a lot of tall buildings in this neighborhood and also some low rise buildings. There are also single family homes. The neighborhood is urban and has a lot of small shops and food chains. This neighborhood is very busy and can be noisy at times because it is right on queens boulevard. There are many parks near the lot. Also, a few blocks down from the lot is Roosevelt Avenue, which is very urban and busy.

Images:

 * [[image:screenshot1.PNG width="315" height="342"]] ||  ||
 * [[image:screenshot2.PNG width="478" height="246"]] ||  ||

**Needs assessment** :
**1. A description of what the neighborhood already has.**

The neighborhood is in Woodside and already has a variety of buildings and houses. There are some single family homes. There are a lot of small shops and restaurants. There are a lot of food chains and tall apartment buildings. Some of these food chains are places like KFC and McDonalds. Places like Staples and Rite Aid are around my lot. A few blocks down from the lot there is a train station. Around this train station it is very busy. My neighborhood has a few schools such as P.S 229, P.S 11 and I.S. 5. My neighborhood has a lot of delis and small businesses. There are a lot of parks near my lot and playgrounds. In some parts of my there are a lot of plants and trees. There are also some places of worship in my neighborhood. There are both high rise and low rise buildings. There is also a nursery/ preschool for little kids to attend. A dentist is located a few blocks away from the lot.

**2. An analysis of what the neighborhood needs.**

The neighborhood needs some sort of medical business such as a clinic or hospital. The nearest hospital near my neighborhood is about 1 mile away, and sometimes that is too far away. There is no medical place in my neighborhood so that is what it needs. The neighborhood also needs a recreation center. There is a recreation center a few blocks down from my lot, but there should be a recreation center more nearby. The recreation center could have a swimming pool or a gym. My neighborhood also needs more big stores such as Staples because there are not many, there are only small shops. My neighborhood also needs more modern buildings. Most of the buildings in my neighborhood are plain and simple, so my neighborhood needs a more modern building that has more improved technology. Most of the buildings in my neighborhood are made of bricks, so my neighborhood needs a building that is made up of different material. Another thing my neighborhood does not have is a library, to get to the nearest library you have to walk a lot so there should be a library more nearby.

**Buildings and architects that provide inspiration**

 * [[image:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/436087190_a216dee423.jpg]]this building design inspired me because it is modern. I also like the shape of the buildings. I also like how the buildings are made of different material and not just wood or bricks because that can be boring and uncreative at times. I also like how these buildings reflect the things round them, like glass. ||
 * [[image:http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Water4Life/InYourBusiness/images/Commercialbuildings.jpg width="525" height="364"]] this building inspires me because it is modern and creative. I like the zig-zag design on it and how its made of different materials.

this building inspired me because i liked the shape of the building. I like how the building is sort of curved, and creative. I also like how the buildings appears to be on water. I also like how the lights reflect on this building and the material it is made out of.



This building inspired me because of how unusual it is. I like how the building in the middle is made of glass like material and is irregularly shaped. I also like how the building on the right is rounded. A building like this will catch a lot of people's attention.



This building inspires me because of how creative it is. I love how the buildings are shaped to resemble a guitar and a piano. I find it amazing how people can use the most irregularly shaped things like this and turn it into a structure. This structure will definatley catch people's attention. ||

== ** In what ways has this investigation influenced you to design a building for your lot that makes the best fit for the neighborhood? ** ==

This investigation influenced me because it gave me ideas on how to create a modern structure that would fit the feel of my neighborhood. A lot of the designs I researched are modern and are made of materials that would stand out. This investigation influenced me to build a medical office for my neighborhood. There is not really medical related in my neighborhood, so what my neighborhood needs is a medical office for the residents of my neighborhood to go to. When thinking about what my neighborhood needs, I have decided that this is what my neighborhood needs most.

=**Works Cited**=
 * "Commercial Office Buildings and Shopping Centres." //Sydney Water Web Site//. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. .
 * "Makati's Buildings | Flickr - Photo Sharing!" //Welcome to Flickr - Photo Sharing//. Web. 11 Jan. 2011. <[]>.
 * "Dubai Commercial Property : Buy Sell Dubai Offices : Retail Properties." //Real Estate Websites : Custom IDX Solutions : Realtor Web Site Design//. Web. 11 Jan. 2011. .
 * "World's Most Creative Buildings." //Urdu Forum Website//. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. <[]>.
 * "15 Unusual and Creative Buildings." //Design Ideas and Tech Concepts - Toxel.com//. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. <[]>.

= DESIGN BRIEF =

**Problem to be solved:**
The problem that needs to be solved is that I need to build a building that will not interfere with its surroundings.

**Requirements:**

 * The building must be at least 3 stories high.
 * There must be some space between the building and the other buildings around it
 * There must be windows
 * There should be at least two entrances
 * The building should be a rectangular shape
 * It should look like the other buildings in the neighborhood
 * There must be a space for cars to park
 * The feel of the building should be friendly and welcoming
 * The style of the building should be simple but modern
 * There should be a small garden placed somewhere around the building
 * There should be a small setback for residents to enter the building.
 * There should be numerous areas in the building for patients that check into the clinic.
 * There should be a lobby where patients will check- in.
 * There should be a waiting area somewhere in the lobby.

**Constraints:**

 * The building can't be too close to the structures around it
 * It can't exceed 5 stories
 * The building cannot be any lower than 3 stories high
 * Must follow the rules of the neighborhood
 * Cannot interfere with other apartments buildings or houses around it.
 * The footprint of the building should not be larger than the lot

Description of Three Possible Designs (** EMBED GOOGLE SKETCH UP CODE) ** media type="custom" key="8106796"
 * Design #1 **
 * (Write description below. **)

This building is simple. It has a small setback to allow people to enter the building. There are many windows around the building, and a door in the front and a door on the side. ** Design #2 ** ** ( ** EMBED GOOGLE SKETCH UP CODE) media type="custom" key="8133416" (Write description below. **)** **This building has a unique color scheme with various shades of blue. There is a parking lot on the side for cars to park, and the word "clinic" is on the building so people will know that it is a clinic. There are many windows around the building.**

** Design #3 ** (** EMBED GOOGLE SKETCH UP CODE) ** media type="custom" key="8133796" This building has a unique zig-zag design that can attract many people. It has a blue color scheme. A glass door is on the front and there are some windows. The side of the building is in a zig-zag shape that is unique. This building will fit in the lot that I have chosen. It is a modern and unique building.
 * (Write description below. **)

** Identify the Best Design: **
** The best design would be design #2. This design has various shades of blue paint, and a parking lot. It also had the word "clinic" on it. **

** Justify Your Choice: **
** I feel that this design is the best because it meets all of the requirements on the design brief. I like the blue color scheme of the building. I like how this design is modern but simple, and will fit in the lot. **