STEVEN

**Best Fit** by Steven

=INVESTIGATION STAGE =

**General characteristics of the neighborhood** :
The neighborhood of the vacant lot that I am developing is named Forest Hills. On that street by either side of the lot are single houses. Across the street are few grocery stores and other small stores as well as multiple very low rise aprtments. Further neccesities are in walking distance only blocks away from the lot.

Size of lot:
60' X 64.86' X 25.16' X 40' X 86.4'

**Needs assessment** :
**1. A description of what the neighborhood already has.** Right now my neighborhood is very quiet and residential. Their are very few things that it is missing. It currently has enough schooling for grades pre-k through 12th. It also has a Pharmacy as well as 2 grocery stores, one has a deli. The neighborhood also has a laundromat as well as a hair cutter/ nail salon. It also has 2 small parks, many single and connected houses as well as 1 very large apartment building and a public pool. **2. An analysis of what the neighborhood needs.** Right now, I think that my neighborhood does not really need much. The only thing that I can think of is that it might need some kind of large chain store such as a target or something of the sorts. The neighborhood can match most needs but I think a large store like target might really finish up the neighborhood for all of those needs that cannot be met. Also I feel like the neighborhood is getting a little overcrowded so it can also use another low rise apartment.

**Buildings and architects that provide inspiration**

 * [[image:http://blog.guruofnew.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/walter-towers-by-big-283x300.jpg]] ||
 * This building is called the Walter Tower ([]). It is one of the main buildings that I know about that give me inspiration because it is amazing to see how you can really do amazing things with architecture and do things many would think impossible. This was not the most difficult structure to create but I still think it is great to see how u can really make words if you want. ||
 * [[image:http://thecontaminated.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/ice-buidlings-and-sculptures/ice-building.jpg width="277" height="509"]] ||
 * This is one of many completely ice made structures in the world ([]). This was very inspirational to me becasue it showed how structures can be built from anything that nature has to offer. ||
 * [[image:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2117096210_607109feb3.jpg width="385" height="313"]] ||
 * This is a very old peice of Architecture that I found ([]). It is inspirational to me because it shows that even many years before machinery, architecture still existed and was made by hand. ||
 * [[image:http://www.crystalinks.com/chinawallarge.gif width="428" height="276"]] ||
 * This is a picture of theGreat Wall of China ([]). This was inspirational to me because it made me realize how large architecture can be and how it can be used for anything; even defending a nation. ||
 * [[image:http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/whitehouse.gif width="383" height="258"]] ||
 * This is a picture of the Presidential White House ([]). This simple piece of architecture was very inspiring to me because of the fact that it was just a simple piece of architecture. It shows how simple structures from architecture can become nation symbols and houses to some of the worlds most important people such as our nations Presidents. ||

==** *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 me to design a building for my neighborhood because by doing it, and further investigating my neighborhood and other buildings, it made me realize what my neighborhood needs. Also these pictures inspired me that it should not just be any normal building, it should be a building with a meening, one that will be there for a long time, one that people will stop and look out when ever they pass by. My neighborhood really needs a lowrise apartment because i feel that the neighborhood has many people wanting to move here but not enough places to stay, this is why we need a low rise apartment, but not just any low rise apartment, one that will really catch your eye. This is why I think it should have some kind of a theme, I was thinking along the lines of a old fashioned castle theme after being inspired by the buildings I found. I never really thought about what my neighborhood needed or knew what it needed until this investiagtion, but now I do know and I intend to give it what it needs and more.====

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 * Work Cited:**

=DESIGN BRIEF =

**Design Brief**
==**Problem to be solved: The problem that needs to be solved in my neighborhood is that I do not think we have enough housing. I feel like my neighborhood is becoming somewhat overcrowded, also I think that there sould be some kind of nice building or landmark built where I live instead of just another normal apartment.** ==

**Requirements:**

 * Their should be at least 2 stories but preferably more.
 * Their should be at least one window for every room.
 * Their should be a roof with restricting fencing to go on.
 * The building Should be made out of some kind of old fashioned fancy brick.
 * The building should give off the effect like it was built many years ago.
 * Their should be a normal door and a revolving door.
 * Their should be a door man as soon as you walk in.
 * On the roof their should be 4 big castle like spike shaped columns on each corner of the roof to make it look even more old fashioned.

**Constraints:**

 * There must be a minimum setback.
 * The building must fit the dimensions; 60' X 64.86' X 25.16' X 40' X 86.4'
 * The height constraint in my neighborhood is anywhere from 2-5 stories

Description of Three Possible Designs media type="custom" key="8114080" ====This is an old style woodern cabin/castle like struckture. It has a long archway to walk through and is only 3 stories high. All apartments have at least one window. As you can see, it also has long chimney like pillars coming out of the roof, these are mostly for show but on cold days you may use the fireplace in your apartment, the smoke will rise from the piilars.==== ** Design #2 ** media type="custom" key="8114172"
 * Design #1 **

====In this design, I have made an apartment building that is 4 stories tall, every single apartment in this building also has glass windows to look out the front of the building onto the street. On the roof of this apartment building is a nice garden tended to daily buy apartment staff. All people who live in the apartemnt can feel free to take a visit their whenever they please but are not allowed to touch the flowers.====

** Design #3 ** media type="custom" key="8114298" ====This third design is also a 4 story tall apartment building. What is unique about this building is that every apartment has two windows and the windows are large glass sections covering much of the wall. From the outside you see that the window glass stretchs to every room in the building. On the roof of this apartment building for the summer is a large swimming pool which can be reached by the elevator, but be careful, there is no lifeguard so swim at your own risk.====


The best choice for this project is design number 3. This is the 4 story tall apartment building that has long pannels of glass stretching across two sides of the building for windows. Their is also a large swimming pool on the roof along with an elevator. ** Justify Your Choice: ** ====I chose design number three which is the 4 story tall apartment building that has long pannels of glass stretching across two sides of the building for windows as well as a large swimming pool on the roof along with an elevator. I chose this one as the best design of the three because it met my requirments most. My first design was the worst of the three, it was the first building I had ever made and I required at least one standard door, it had a large archway instead. This building also was wood and had few windows, it was only 6 rooms and 22 stories tall. I required it to be old fashioned but still modern built. This was just an old building plus I wanted more rooms. The second and third designs were similar, I cose the third however because of the long glass pannels for windows and I liked the idea of a pool on the roof more then a garden.==== 