“Mind the Gap”. We hear this as we enter and exit the subway or other mass transit systems. This simple phrase reminds us to look down as means to protect us from having a very bad day.It is this same concept that I am applying to this site. To look down, to build smaller than the surrounding buildings, to break away from the rigid block forms, to be expressive of this location and its unique program.My original feeling at the site is break away from the current built fabric and place a green circular building. However with better judgment and the numerous difficulties found with placing programs into circular buildings, I have dissected the site and identified unique intended moments that respond to the program, the immediate site and the greater vicinity.

1a- Site Analysis- response to the region as a whole2a- Building Fabric- response to site specifically3a- Site Layout – identifying the site parameters4a- Program Analysis-how people intend to fill the site5a- Site Opportunities -unique moments at this site6a- Design Response – putting it all together 7a- Elevations

Site Analysis

-Development boundary between existing mid to low level residential mix and high rise development

-Mass transit corridors,

-Site

-Green corridors

-Automotive transportation corridors

-Pedestrian routes from site

Columbus Ave

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Huntington Ave .

Dartmouth St

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-The site is located in South Boston which has a relatively low skyline in comparison to the surrounding neighborhoods to the North West and proposed developments to the East-Visually looking from a high rise building this site is located in a district that offers relief from looking into another high rise building across the street.-When entering the site from the south Boston skyline is the backdrop, it does not make sense to design something that might try to compete with the skyline with such a small site.-It makes sense to preserve this low skyline as relief from the existing hard edged corridor that has been created by the uniform building heights along this street.-It makes sense to preserve this low skyline as relief to the greater Boston area as a whole.

Columbus Ave

A- The building fabric immediately adjacent is comprised of Victorian brick and Brownstone townhouses, tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, and community gardens.- The building fabric immediately adjacent is comprised of brick as either well-articulated Victorian brick residential townhouses or flat Modern brick residential block apartment housing.- All the streets are lined with thick trees which help to break up the monotony of the brick and add color to the street.

B- The most interesting building of this district is the Church with its tall pointed steeple as the only built visual relief from the never ending corridor created by all the buildings being built to the same height.

C-The introduction of metal façade would offer many opportunities for visual relief due to the flexibility of forms, finishes, textures, and transparencies option that this material provides.

BUILT FABRIC

- Boston is very pedestrian friendly with green corridors and great access to public transportation- This site is very close proximity to the Greenway corridor just to the north of the site leading into the heart of Boston.- This site is located in near proximity to the Harriet Tubman Sq which is actually a triangle plaza made from the intersection of three different street grids.- Due to the proximity of the open space to the south of the site provide by the Harriet Tubman Sq, and the proximity of the Greenway corridor to the north of the site, it is likely that pedestrians would cut across the existing site frequently traveling from open space to open space en route either into or out of the city.

Huntington Ave .

Dartmouth St .

Columbus Ave

-Intersecting grids

-Foot path to city district Columbus Ave

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- An opportunity to do something other than brick!!- Given the program of the proposed building is a community music school and a gathering place a loud façade and un-uniform building form is justified.- Given that this site is in the heart of a neighborhood and only a few steps from several front doors, something that will contrast in a clean and crisp manner and still plays well next to the brick would be the best fit.-I imagine this space would be ran by nonprofit community groups for a wide variety of events with varying levels of scales for all ranges of people.-typical daily users I suspect most will just pass by,- others may have kids here for classes and some may have night classes after work.

Music Performance Space / Concert Hall-For rehearsal and public performances approx. 150 seats-Flexible configurations and infrastructure, similar to black box theaters- Including back of the house spacesPublic Lobby- Can be used of informal performances- Food staging area / prep kitchen for eventsLounge space- Students- FacultyMusic practice rooms - single- Approx. 120 nsf- TeachingMusic practice rooms - groups- 6-10 musiciansInclude all building and program support spaces

1-the brick wall of the adjacent building to the south the wall offers opportunity for pleasurable exterior garden backdrop. 2a- corner of Columbus Ave. and Holyoke St.- Columbus is a busy ave. into and out of the city, traveled by all ages at all times, via all methods.Bicycles, bus, automotive, walking,- Holyoke St, is a residential quiet street that dead ends into a Greenway corridor.

The possibility of closing Columbus Ave for a street fair, is not likely. But Holyoke St would be great because of the minimal automotive traffic and the high amount of pedestrian access. Added feature to Holyoke is the building face immediately to the North is a very plain blank brick wall, which would also make for a nice backdrop for a large banner promoting the local community street fair.

existing large tree

walking the dog

bicycle traffic

busy traffic

bus stop

coffee / snack

possible garden

main entry

rustic brick wall

small trees

corner

two way residential entry

Hol

yoke

Ave

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Columbus Ave .

-Maintaining the gap,-Being a good neighbour -Unique building facade with contrasting materials-Columbus Ave open directly to the Garden

-From Columbus Ave there is direct access to the Garden via an exterior set of steps. -From Columbus Ave there is an entry at the corner of Holyoke

HOLYOKE AVE.

-From Columbus Ave there is direct access to the Garden via an exterior set of steps. -Due to elevation changes the Garden was dropped and an exterior set of steps. -There is also interior passageway in between the main Performance space and the Garden

GARDEN

COLUMBUS AVE.

ELEVATORS@ FIRST LEVEL

RAMP TO GARDEN@ GROUND LEVEL

-Here we see an interior view from the Garden Entry. -Shows the Ground level ramping down under the First Level.-Shows the Main performance space at the core. -This allows all visitor to pass by and be able to observe without major distractions. - Behind the Performance Space is two levels of Student classrooms. -We see these two levels have open a balconies to the atrium space- To the right we see the glass wall that allows all levels a view of the Garden.

-The Garden is an important feature in being able to incorporate the existing vintage brick wall of the adjacent building. - The glass wall that allows all levels a view of the Garden. - The roof deck is mostly open and will have a nice view of the Garden.

Columbus Ave

-Maintaining the gap,-Being a good neighbour -Unique building facade with contrasting materials-Main entry is opens directly to Garden

COLUMBUS AVE.

HO

LYO

KE

AV

E.

-This level is home to the Main Performance Space, as well as staging, storing, classrooms and lobby areas. -The primary access to this to the level is from the elevators. -An alternative is the stairwell that opens to the Garden.

COLUMBUS AVE.

-Being a good neighbour -Unique building facade with contrasting materials

- The building fabric immediately adjacent is comprised of Victorian brick and Brownstone townhouses, tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, and community gardens.-The elevations feature a metal panel facade with varied levels for dark to light greys. -This helps minimize the overall bulk of the facade. -The ribbed green metal adds a contrast that is welcoming to the Brick in winter and summer.

COLUMBUS AVE.

-The main Performance Space is on the bottom level and visible by the two levels of classrooms above. -The roof deck is mostly unconditioned space.

-Entering from the corner visitors ramp up to the first floor. -The entry ramp curves around behind the Street Stage. Can double as load space and back stage space. -The First level offers a few classrooms and access to the elevator for levels above and below. -From the entry visitors can see down into the Main Performance Space.

COLUMBUS AVE.

HO

LYO

KE

AV

E.

-This level has the majority of the classes views down to the Main Performance Space and an exposed balcony that overlooks the street corner.

COLUMBUS AVE.

-This level offers a rooftop terrace, Vip lounge, some class rooms. - Views of the city to the North, the Holyoke to the East, Columbus to the South, and the Garden space to the West.

COLUMBUS AVE.

COLUMBUS AVE.

-Maintaining the gap, which has been created by the the Garden space. -Being a good neighbour, the overall building height, gradually diminishes to soften the corner. -Unique building facade with contrasting materials offers various levels of occupancy to enhance the program.