Suspending Volume
exploring the effects of the familiar and surreal through adaptive reuse
Adaptive Reuse for the Cleveland School of Media Arts
Cleveland, Ohio
4A Design Studio, Fall 2022
Instructed by Matt Hutchinson
AIA Cleveland Merit Award
Cleveland, Ohio
4A Design Studio, Fall 2022
Instructed by Matt Hutchinson
AIA Cleveland Merit Award
Published in the Dezeen School Show
Featured in the Kent State University CAED X-Gallery
Inspired by surreal imagery, this project takes the idea of suspending volume as its provocation to create a public datum and a novel experience. To achieve this, two of the existing structures are “cut free” at the ground level, seemingly tied together and hung from a new additional massing. A material and tectonic strategy of reveals between the existing volumes and the structure emphasize the effect of suspense. The sweeping gesture at ground level allows the surrounding urban fabric to extend under and through the project, tying it to its context. To support this, the only perceived interruptions are a series of programmatic attractor points. The two
existing volumes lend themselves toward a spatial organization of classroom-based learning and learning by doing; while, a new additional volume hosts shared spaces that act as connective tissue between the two.
existing volumes lend themselves toward a spatial organization of classroom-based learning and learning by doing; while, a new additional volume hosts shared spaces that act as connective tissue between the two.
exterior perspective from public approach
third floor plan
transverse section aa
1/4" = 1' - 0" tectonic chunk model
exterior perspective from private access
exterior perspective at night
ground floor plan
1/4" = 1' - 0" tectonic chunk model
1/4" = 1' -0 " tectonic chunk model
longitudinal section bb
1/4" = 1' - 0" tectonic chunk model