FRANCESCA

= = Best Fit by Francesca

= ** INVESTIGATION STAGE ** =

General characteristics of the neighborhood **:**
The neighborhood has some low-rise buildings and numerous high-rise buildings. Most of the stores are small stores, but there are a few chain stores. The neighborhood is pretty diverse when it comes to nationalities based on the kinds of churches and restaurants there are. It's mostly a residential and small business area.

** Block and Lot Number: **
Block: 2677 Lot Number: 15

** Size of lot: **
200' x 93' x 72' x 21.25' x 9' x 21' x 119' x 135'

** Images: **

 * [[image:8-2-Tan-Street-View.JPG width="448" height="356"]] ||
 * Street View of the Lot ||


 * [[image:8-2-Tan-Satellite-View.JPG width="448" height="392"]] ||
 * Satellite View of the Lot ||


 * [[image:8-2-Tan-Tax-Map.JPG width="448" height="386"]] ||
 * Tax Map Image of the Lot ||

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

There are numerous low-rise buildings and high-rise buildings near the lot. All these buildings are not yet fully occupied. Staples is near the lot. There's also a Key Food and a few small delis. There's only one big fast food store, which would be KFC. There are also numerous small shops such as pizzerias, Chinese restaurants, a Thai restaurant, salons, a dress store, a bakery, and a shoe repair shop. There's a small hotel as well and a place that fixes up cars. There's also the chain store, Pearle Vision. There are 2 to 3 parks near the lot. Other than that, there aren't many other kinds of recreation in the neighborhood. There is an Islamic School and another school for Adventists. There's also a day care center for young children. P.S. 229 is the nearest public school, and it takes about 10 to 20 minutes to get to it. There is a bus system that will bring the children near the area to and from school. Near the lot, is a nursing home for the elderly. Other than that, there aren't many hospitals and clinics close to the area There's numerous churches near the lot: two Korean churches, a Baptist church, Hispanic churches, and a Catholic one.
 * Residential Units:**
 * Commerce:**
 * Recreation:**
 * Schools:**
 * Health:**
 * Religion:**

**2. An analysis of what the neighborhood needs.** The neighborhood is lacking numerous things. It's missing a clinic and a hospital. Also, since I see a lot of pets in that neighborhood, so I might build something that has to do with pets such as a vet clinic or a pet store. There are already a lot of churches near and tons of different kinds of stores. However, there aren't that many clothing stores, so I might create a store where people can buy clothes. As for recreation, I can create a bowling place or a movie theater, but I don't think the lot is big enough to create a theater. However, even though the neighborhood is missing all these things, health is important, so I think I should really focus on building a place that deals with people's health.

Buildings and architects that provide inspiration
Architects: Philip Johnson, John Burgee I really like the materials used for this structure. It seems pretty interesting to be able to see reflections of the sky and other buildings around it just by looking at the structure. Even though the shape of it is like many other buildings, it's still pretty eye-catching since it's unique and a new step in modern architecture. This picture teaches me that many elements of a building have the ability to make it look amazing. || This building inspired me because it incorporates many Victorian aspects, a time period I'm slightly interested in. Even though I love modern architecture, I think I might be able to combine the Victorian style and the modern style to create a whole new style, a mix of the old and the new. || I found the use of the lights very interesting. Even though it incorporates rainbow colors, the architect managed to use it in such a way that it doesn't seem so tacky. Instead, it looks very modern and like a work of art to me. It inspires me to have fun with color and shows me that if you're careful enough, you can make a building using really fun ideas, but manage to make it look decent and not ridiculously stupid. || Architects: Vlado Milunic, Frank Gehry This picture inspires me to be more playful when it coes to the structure of a building. Instead of my design just being a rectangle, I might make it lean or make it look curvy, such as the building in the picture. It also makes me wonder how someone would be able to build a structure like that, but make sure it's sturdy and doesn't fall. ||
 * [[image:seoul-architecture-front.jpg width="459" height="221"]] ||
 * The colors of the building and the lights really complimented the design of the structure. It's very playful, and I like how transparent materials were used for it. It makes the building really stand out. The building is definitely fun, modern, and something you'd see in a city. It inspires me to play with a lot of the aspects of the structure in order to make a unique building that people can't help but stop and ||
 * [[image:s.jpg width="298" height="450"]] ||
 * Building: PPG Place
 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Ottawa_-_ON_-_Library_of_Parliament.jpg/517px-Ottawa_-_ON_-_Library_of_Parliament.jpg width="414" height="480" caption="File:Ottawa - ON - Library of Parliament.jpg"]] ||
 * Building: Library of Parliament
 * [[image:paris-sports-center_by_koz-architects_1.jpg width="520" height="292" align="left"]] ||
 * Building: Paris Sports Center
 * [[image:Dancing_House.jpg width="237" height="384"]] ||
 * Building: The Dancing House

**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 has influenced the design for my building because it taught me to be more creative. Instead of just making a simple building, I can play with numerous aspects of it such as the materials used, the shape of the building, and the colors. Also, even though I have a modern taste. the picture of the Library of Parliament has influenced me to incorporate some styles of buildings built long ago. I might try to mix modern aspects and Victorian aspects for my building.

=Works Cited:=


 * "File:Case Danzanti.jpg." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. <[]>.
 * "File:Ottawa - ON - Library of Parliament.jpg." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. <[]>.
 * "Google Image Result for Http://www.curatedmag.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/seoul-architecture-front.jpg."// Google //. Web. 10 Jan. 2011. <[|http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.curatedmag.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/seoul-architecture-front.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.curatedmag.com/news/2009/02/12/the-architecture-of-seoul/&h=331&w=540&sz=202&tbnid=twhupBupeUy6SM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=132&prev=/images?q=seoul+architecture&zoom=1&q=seoul architecture&usg=__0tE6nCMdiOxSncHegrKFTPrjPUM=&sa=X&ei=4awrTY-EAsT58AaaiKinCQ&ved=0CE0Q9QEwBw]>.//
 * //"KOZ Architects Designed Sports Center | TrendLand: Fashion Blog & Trend Magazine."TRENDLAND: FASHION & TREND BLOG * ART * DESIGN * PHOTOGRAPHY * CULTURE. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. <[]>. //
 * //"PPG Building, Pittsburgh | CompassPhoto." // Featured Galleries Mt. Whitney | CompassPhoto //. Web. 10 Jan. 2011.<[|http://compassphoto.] [|] [|photoshelter.com/image/I0000m4UYl5TMYdo]>.

= ** DESIGN BRIEF ** =

Problem to be solved:
The problem the neighborhood I'm designing for has is that it's lacking when it comes to providing health services such as clinics for humans.

Requirements:

 * Must have more than one exit for safety precautions,
 * Must have a room where check-ups will be done.
 * There also must be a waiting room for where people can relax until it's time for their appointment.
 * There should be a counter where people can go to for making appointments.
 * There should be an elevator for those who are injured in such a way that going up the stairs would be a difficult task.
 * The building should have two floors.
 * The design should be modern, but incorporate some aspects of designs from back then.
 * Lots of windows

Constraints:

 * Setback of at least 10 feet
 * Footprint of building cannot be larger than the lot size

Description of Three Possible Designs ** Design #1 ** ** ﻿ ** media type="custom" key="8132866" In this design, I decided to use transparent materials. I found the idea of using transparency for a building really interesting and modern, so I decided to make my whole building transparent since my goal was to make a modern looking building. I also used green since you normally don't see green buildings, so I thought that made my building stand out, and I really wanted the design to be colorful. When it comes to size, I think it's spacious enough for a clinic

** Design #2 ** media type="custom" key="8132912"

For this design, I decided to be more creative and fun when it came to the structure of the building. I started with a basic cube, and I then cut some sections and ended up with this interesting design that I found really cool. Since I had a curved side, I was reminded of a tidal wave which inspired me to use water related colors. I'm pleased with the final product because it looks original to me, and I love the color choices and I feel that they fit really well with the design. However, I'm afraid that the structure is a bit too small.

** Design #3 ** media type="custom" key="8132950"

For the last design, I once again attempted to be creative, and I feel that I was successful. I didn't use a lot of transparency compared to design 1 and 2. Instead of using transparency for all the walls, I decided to use it as if it were like a decoration that added a special touch to my design. I only used it if I felt that it would really fit. I also used a wide range of colors for this design, which was inspired by the Paris Sports Center. This was the only design where I added a parking lot and a nice little yard. It helped set the mood the design that I wanted, which was comfortable and pleasant. I also paid close attention to all the little details such as the plants, and the lights.

Identify the Best Design:
The best design in my opinion is Design #3, where I included a parking lot and a nice yard that was enclosed by a fence.

Justify Your Choice:
I chose this design because I felt like I put the most effort into it when it came to several of the building's aspects such as color, structure, and minor details. It was also the only design where I included a small yard and parking lot, which I felt fit well with the design. It meets most of my requirements by having lots of windows, having some modern details, and being a size suitable for a clinic. Yes, it could have been more modern, and no, I didn't include any Victorian aspects, but I really like the whole feel of the building and the way it's shaped. I think that this design made the best use of the lot compared to the other two. Plus, it fit the neighborhood the best out of all three designs. It's not way modern that the neighborhood would find it crazy, but it's modern enough to the point where many people will enjoy, but not find absolutely crazy.