Boat House on the Charles

Layers�of�circulations

Layers�of�circulation

Rigor

Plateau

Cool�Down

Rigor

Layers�of�Circulation

Layers�of�circulations

Layers�of�circulation

Rigor

Plateau

Cool�Down

Rigor

Layers�of�Circulation

Cambridge, MACharles River

Project Details:Academic Studio: Boston Architectural College (BAC)Scope: Individual Project by Shihab NaeemProject Objective: Select and analyze a site for pro-posed boathouse, develop a conceptual analysis of site and translate ideas into a boathouse.Duration: 8 WeeksDate: 2nd 1/2 of Fall 2001 Semester

Foundation Studio: Boat House on The Charles River Site: Boston, MAInstructor: Gregory Buck, 617 262 5000

Proposed Site

Layering of Program

Layering of Program

Design�Studio�B1

Boathouse�on�the�Charles

Boathouse�Design�(5�weeks)

Instructor:�Gregory�Buck

After�building�a�site�model�and�understanding�the�little�nuances�that�exist�within�the�site.��I�devised�a�concept�for�the�boathouse

relating�what�I�found�compelling�in�the�site�and�organize�the�building�around�on�this�idea.��I�found�that�the�site�in�my�context�had

layers�of�circulation�that�went�in�different�area.��You�have�the�T�and�traffic�hovering�above�the�cars,�pedestrians,�joggers

underneath�on�Storrow�Drive.��I�then�devised�a�building�which�would�organized�under�different�layers�of�acivity�within�the

boathouse.��One�level�dedicated�to�athletes,�one�level�dedicated�to�fans�and�a�last�level�that�would�be�ceremonial.��A�space

celebrating�the�athletes�with�a�space�that�would�admit�maximum�amount�of�light�and�spectacular�views�of�the�Charles.

In�these�models,�the�red�space�is�supposed�to�be�athlete�space,�the�Blue�space�is�the�visitor

and�fan�space.��Lastly�the�yellow�space�is�the�ceremonial�space�where�the�weight�room�and

team�room�will�be�located�on�polar�ends.

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Site Analysis

The first part of the assignment required the class to analyze the Charles River, a river which separates Boston, MA with Cambridge, MA. It is a remarkable river where nature runs freely, it has beautiful biking and walking paths and it is serene. There are several boathouse on this river and it is a great setting for a proposed one. We were individually required to find a site and capture its essence through graphical and physical representations: diagrams, sketches, drawings and models.


Boat�House�on�the�Charles

Site�Analysis�(3�weeks)


The�first�part�of�this�assignment�required�us�to�analyze�the�Charles�and�find�an�area�that�has�an�engaging�design�concept

and�capture�it’s�essence�through�diagrams,�drawings�and�a�model.��The�Charles�River�has�amazing�backdrops�of�the�Boston

city�skyline.��Plus�nature�is�wild�and�free�by�the�river.��It’s�a�peaceful�area�to�walk,�run�or�bike.��It’s�peaceful�and�the�existing

boathouses�on�this�river�just�add�to�the�serenity.

The�area�which�caught�my�attention�was�the�intersection�between�Storrow�Drive�and�The�Longfellow

Bridge.��I�found�it�interesting�how�this�very�busy�spot�was�near�Beacon�Hill,�one�of�the�most�peaceful

areas�in�all�of�Boston.��An�area�known�for�it’s�rolling�hills�and�classic�Bostonian�designs.

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Site Analysis

The area which caught my attention was an area that intersected Beacon Hill, the Longfellow Bridge and Storrow Drive. I found it inter-esting that within these intersecting elements led to a peaceful and historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill.

Selected Site












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Site Analysis

Studying the site further showed me how there was a layering of circulation. BelowIs sketch showing this relationship. The Orange Represents The Longfellow Bridge, The Green Represents the Highway called Storrow Drive and the Red Indicates the Bike/Walk-ing path.

Studying the site further showed that there are interven-tions within these layers of circulation. One of them is the stairway which allows one to cross over Storrow Drive.





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Site Model A Site Model at a scale of 1/16” = 1’-0” was constructed to further analyze the area. The area of model measures 372’ x 402’. The bridge represents Longfellow Bridge. Within this series of layering emerges several conditions: The monolithic Longfellow Bridge has a strong presence as it carries 2 forms transportation: cars and train. It hovers above the Highway (Storrow Drive) which exudes a franticness as cars commute at high speeds. While the Charles River is tranquil, it adds a sense of peacefulness to the biking/walking path. Analysis has shown that the different forms of layering express a certain amount of contrasts and contradictions. Train Track

Street or Cars

Highway(Storrow Drive)

Biking, Walking Path

Charles River

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Site Analysis Into Building Translation

Recognizing that the site had layers of circulation, I wanted to further the analysis through additional sketches and then into a preliminary set of building diagrams.

I began the design of the boathouse with the idea of layering as the concept. I initially starting thinking of layering areas of function. I thought of layering the areas dedicated to exercise (purple) while layering areas of contemplation, i.e. public spaces (blue).

I started to consider the topmost floor as a mezzanine that hovers above the lower levels in the sort of manner of the site. I began to consider the basement level as the area to house the athletic spaces.

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Athletic��public/interactive ceremonial

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Preliminary Floor Layout

As layering became the conceptual idea, I started to consider the organization as a layering of activities with its own specific role. The Base-ment would house the athletic spaces, the first level would house the public space and the top level would be a ceremonial space where the athletes would reflect and convene in meeting rooms and an exercise center.


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Ceremonial Space

Public/Interactive

Athletic

Athletic

Public/Interactive Ceremonial Space16

Site Model on Site

A site model at a scale of 1/16” = 1’-0” composed of different layers of organizations would be placed on site model.

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Developing a Boathouse With a Relationship to Rowing

After Conceiving of a building composed of layered elements, I wanted to push the design further by creating an interior that had an interventionist quality like a bridge near the site, the Storrow Drive Bridge.

I then thought about the actual rigor involved in the sport of crew. Through discussion with other crew racers, I learned that the sport is based on intense exertion followed by a down and then again exertion. I wanted to create a ramp movement with the interior that would emulate this idea.

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Final Model

Site Plan

For the final model, I felt the transparency and glazing in the design was of utmost importance in providing views of the Charles River. Crew athletes would use this space for both the season and off-season to train. Because the sport is so demanding, the athletes need to spend a lot of time here.

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Final Elevations/Sections

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Final Elevations/Sections

1. Boat Storage2. Men’s Locker Room3. Women’s Locker Room4. Visitor’s Coaching Room

5. Home’s Coaching Room6. Visitor’s Locker Room7. Men’s Bathroom8. Women’s Bathroom

9. Boat Storage10. Miscellaneous Storage11. Dock

12. Cafe13. Deck14. Function Hall15. Indoor Rowing Tank

16. Weight Room17. Meeting Hall

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0. Athletic 1. Public/Interactive 2. Ceremonial

0. Athletic

1. Public/Interactive

2. Ceremonial

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Documents

Boat House on the Charles