The Ascent

Important points on the building:

• Celebration of the site, as well as an interior celebration

• Reflection upon the art, as well as an artwork itself structurally and geometrically

• The exterior echoes the interior, with different rhythms of the facade representing different rhythms within the building to create a provocative and interesting facade.

• Usage of the interior walls and grooves within the walls to direct the people towards the artwork, as well as to contain the artwork, creating a point of reference where the artwork should be situated.

• Building constructed in volumes to create spaces suited for certain activities, large room could indicate space for thinking and viewing larger works, whilst smaller, more intimate rooms are to inspect and scrutinize smaller paintings.

• Decisive conclusion that the building is to be constructed by modular concrete slabs, not only is that to sympathize with the materiality of the surrounding concrete plastered buildings, but to re-enforce the strength and the power of the structure.

• Taking into consideration, that people need the natural light. Achieved by not flooding the light in, but controlling and directing it to places that would enhance and benefit the paintings. This was achieved by the sizes of the overhangs, and the ammalgamation of the facade and windows.

• In maintaining the harmony of the horizontal aspect, instead of treating it as a problem, I utilized it to create hidden balconies, and "points of escape" by setting the facade back.
• The use of interior balconies was to connect the interior spaces, to create the sense of community and generous aspect of the building.

• There is a distinct separation between the private and public spaces, the only connection is the balconies and the stairs. Yet it would be wrong to say that I did not consider the design of the living space, it is very much central to the design.
• The volumes are connected by a set of public stairs, as is the private areas, they are connected by a set of hidden and secluded stairs.

Function:

• There is a loading dock.

• The storage is separated by a removable wall, so that the paintings could be accessed easily.

• The stairs are wider than usual, and set apart wider, so that the people can carry the paintings up the building.

• The bigger paintings are set with deflected natural light, whilst the smaller sketches and graphite drawings are more freely organised around the art gallery.

Extra notes:

• I explored how a person would feel when they first saw the building from across the street. I concluded that they would look up, as intended, due to the height and the setback.

• There was a creating of "glowing spaces" where there would be an inner illumination when viewed from the exterior. This was when I was considering how the building would look at night. I wanted the building to be just as effective at night as well as the day.