In a time where energy accessibility and costs are a growing concern U

for society as a whole, the need for more efficient work environments arise.
More and more working people are willing to trade space for close proximity to
their source of income. On the contrary, people with high and established in-
N
comes are able to trade proximity for prime real estate outside of the city; that
is, the suburbs. The centralized locations of the sites offer a unique opportunity I
for young professionals to live and work within the city of Buffalo with limited
energy costs. A building that combines the social and working lives of young
professionals might fit the scheme. Imagine a compact version of Silicon Valley
T
or the northeast’s Route 128 within Buffalo – a collaborative and social working
environment of young professionals that are helping to drive the slowly growing
economy of Buffalo. This also poses a unique problem – how does one separate
work and social lives within a complex while still maintaining a vibrant environ- D
ment for its inhabitants?
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&
A
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Conceptual
Sketch
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Study Models
~6”x4”x4”

Study Model
~8”x3”x7”

Initial scheme studies

focused on addressing the
street frontages as
opportunities for prime
working space. Each unit
includes a work area that
opens out towards the
streets, maximizing the
work space and allowing
residents to showcase
their projects.
 Two Bedroom Plan Three Bedroom Plan

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Studio Plan

SWAN
P M
Units are stacked,
E A
repetitively, throughout One Bedroom Plan
A I
the complex. The first
floor community space
R N
houses retail, a cafe, L
computer workstations, mail rooms,
and bike storage. The buildings on the east and
west - facing Main and Pearl - are
comprised of one-bedroom and studio
apartments. The Swan Street building
houses exclusively two and three-bedroom units. SITE PLAN
SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=200’
 N N

SWAN
P M
E A
A I
R N
L

SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1”=200’

PARKING PLAN FIRST FLOOR PLAN

PARKING
FIRST PLAN
FLOOR PLAN
SCALE:
SCALE: 1/16”=1’
1/16”=1’

N N
PARKING PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’

SWAN SECTION

SWAN SECTION

MAIN SECTION

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR
SECONDPLAN
FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’ SCALE: 1/16”=1’ SCALE: 1/16”=1’ SCALE: 1/16”=1’
SECOND FLOOR PLAN THIRD FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’ THIRD FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’

THIRD FLOOR PLAN FOURTH FLOOR PLAN

SCALE: 1/16”=1’ SCALE: 1/16”=1’

SWAN SECTION SWAN SECTION

MAIN SECTION MAIN SECTION

FOURTH FLOOR PLAN ROOF PLAN

FOURTH FLOOR PLAN
FOURTH FLOOR PLAN ROOF PLAN
ROOF PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’ SCALE: 1/16”=1’ SCALE: 1/16”=1’ SCALE: 1/16”=1’

ROOF PLAN
SCALE: 1/16”=1’

Digital Model,
Adobe Photoshop
 Matte Board and Vellum Facade Study Model
~3”x3”x10”

The structure entails a steel-structured curtain wall system, along with wood shiplap paneling to address the private areas of
each unit. The material of the building is split in a way that reveals a residential building which is flanked by two commercial buildings. The
residential building, facing Swan Street, is covered in wood paneling with long-spanning railings and balconies. The two commercial buildings
are comprised of a clean, curtain-wall system that open out towards Main Street and Pearl Street.
 Facade Detail Model, Various Materials
~4’x2’x2’

Facade Detail Model, Various Materials

~4’x2’x2’

The Main Street facade was initially designed as a curtain wall system with bold accents - such as the red aluminum mullions - in
order to call attention to the clean and efficient interior space used by the residents. To strengthen the idea of a clean, commercial-like
facade, the construction method was altered to include structural silicone in the curtain wall system. This achieved a simple design by
replacing the bold mullions with a more modern approach.
MAIN STREET WALL
SECTION & MATCHING
ELEVATION STUDY
 Matte Board Model
~10”x4”x8”

Single Unit/Recreation Center Interior View - Lobby

Main & Swan Street Perspective, 11 AM

 DESIGN CONCEPT
The proposed building attempts to utilize the site’s context as one that is centered around an
economic and social landscape. Within the city, there are two key relationships between the urban context and its inhabitants: living and
working. In every city there are opportunities for both.
The complex uses these two concepts to create a hybrid typology.
The social program is broken down in to three components - live, work, and play. The highly residential building, located on Swan
Street (consisting strictly of two and three-bedroom apartments), contains a social program of a cafe and internet stations. The two live/
work units (single-person typologies) have a public program associated with the retail business, as they occupy corner conditions that face
highly-commercial streets. The third program is shared - a racquetball court and gym, located on the south-side of the building that looks out
towards Main Street.
The particular building strategy focuses on the privacy of the residents, while taking advantage of the opportunity to address the two
commercial street frontages.

Main & Swan Street Perspective, 7 PM

Digital Models,
Adobe Photoshop
 The original scheme distributes circulation towards the south side of the complex, with a total of four egress stairs and two elevators.
The revised scheme moves the circulation towards the north side of the building, allowing light to enter the units from the south. Two scissor
stairs and two elevators comprise the egress options.

ORIGINAL SECOND FLOOR PLAN

MECHANICAL

WET

CIRCULATION

S S
T T
A A
I I
R R

REVISED SECOND FLOOR PLAN DIAGRAM

Main & Swan Street

SUSTAINABILITY
In terms of materiality, sustainable timber panels are used on the majority of the north facade. Passive
solar heating is also utilized to maximize heating and cooling when necessary.
The building is able to grow in congruence with the microeconomy. The flexibility of the units allows
for as much - or as little - production within a space. A building that can address the constant shifting landscape
of its urban context is one that can be sustainable.

The scheme is
designed to
accommodate the
lifestyle of
city-dwellers.
The work spaces,
living spaces, and
social spaces are
situated to allow
separation between
the programs;
but, the building
materials, circulation
and aggregation allows
the different programs
to respond to
one another.
 Basswood and Vellum Model
1’x1’x3”

To find space within a

simple placemat requires
the extraction of specific
characteristics - colors,
tones, weaves, and
modulation. These
characteristics can be drawn
out and expressed through
exaggerated representation.
Matte Board Study Models
~8”x8”x6”

Subtle, yet
effective light
is preferred
in a factory
atmosphere.
To avoid direct
exposure, the
roof and walls are
staggered,
allowing ample
light to enter the
space without
compromising
worker safety.
The modulation
of opaque and
translucent
materials also
plays a part
in the control
of lighting
conditions.
This inverse
relationship plays
a large role in the
work environment
itself.
 Matte Board Lighting Model
~1.5’x1.5’x1.5’

Interior - Night Interior - Day

 MODULATION
&
INVERSION
Using specific modules to determine each floor’s organization, the building is arranged to reflect the
concept of inverse relationships. A play on the solid versus void relationship results in unique instances that give
character to the facade of the building, as well as the interior conditions.
Level One: Marina and Vehicle Parking
Boats are stored at water level. A boat crane allows for vertical transport for new boats to be
lowered, or old boats to be raised for repair. Below-grade parking is available for guests.
Level Two: Vehicle Parking
The entire second floor is dedicated to employee parking, with direct access to the circulation cores
that run through the center of the building.
Level Three: Workspace
The workspace utilizes the lighting conditions for an optimal working environment and is arranged
so that the boats are constructed in an assembly-line system.
Level Four: Roof
The skylights on the roof gradually expand to allow more light into the workspace as the level of
construction increases.
B C B C

A A A A

D D D D

B C B C
PLAN I. - MARINA & PARKING PLAN II. - PARKING

SECTION A SECTION B
 Site Plan

ALLEGHENY RIVER, PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA

B C B C

A A A A

D D D D

B C B C
PLAN III. - WORKSPACE PLAN IV. - ROOF PLAN

SECTION C SECTION D