SPCS
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SPACIS
Space Exploration Center

SPACIS

Space has become redundant again. Popular culture is uninterested in the goings-on in space. For most it is a junkyard filled with obsolete satellites and other clutter. The ambitions are muddy. Once achieved, mans absurd relation with space becomes yesterdays news. To become relevant to the public, CASIS must be an amenity and not a mission.

Instead of promoting the center as a space headquarters, market it as a public interface: hockey rinks, dog parks, terraces, nighttime activities etc. Allow the public to move through the building unimpeded and they will already be there to support the space missions when necessary. A layered sequence of interior spaces and 24/7 publicly accessible parks split the program up and force interaction between the casual person and the secretive space employees. The public doesn't care about space but maybe a casual encounter could change their opinions on the subject.

The desired program is small in comparison to the allowable buildout of the site. The building is stacked and pushed to the edge as a strategy for converting the small program into presence in the city. The remaining open space at ground level becomes a needed hockey rink and dog park. Interior and exterior uses may be used completely independently of program—the parks at the bottom, middle, and top of the building are completely accessible to the public with dedicated lifts at all times of the day.

Space Exploration Center

PROGRAM: Space Research Headquarters

CONTEXT: New York City, New York, USA

SITE: 40th St & 1st Ave (Near United Nations)

CRITIC: Peter de Bretteville

CLIENT: CASIS

YEAR:
2012
AWARDS:
NEWS:
No items found.

Institutional

Urbanism

Chart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCSChart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCSChart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCSChart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCS

Instead of promoting the center as a space headquarters, market it as a public interface: hockey rinks, dog parks, terraces, nighttime activities etc. Allow the public to move through the building unimpeded and they will already be there to support the space missions when necessary.

Chart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCS
Chart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCS

PROJECT IMAGES

Pair of elevations looking at using layers of material depth to emphasize various program zones within SPCSPair of elevations looking at using layers of material depth to emphasize various program zones within SPCSPair of elevations looking at using layers of material depth to emphasize various program zones within SPCSPair of elevations looking at using layers of material depth to emphasize various program zones within SPCS
Urban plan illustrating the extension of the parkway system through the SPCS project and down to the adjacent parkUrban plan illustrating the extension of the parkway system through the SPCS project and down to the adjacent parkUrban plan illustrating the extension of the parkway system through the SPCS project and down to the adjacent parkUrban plan illustrating the extension of the parkway system through the SPCS project and down to the adjacent park
Animation showing the various formal and programmatic intentions incorporated into the SPCS massingAnimation showing the various formal and programmatic intentions incorporated into the SPCS massingAnimation showing the various formal and programmatic intentions incorporated into the SPCS massingAnimation showing the various formal and programmatic intentions incorporated into the SPCS massing
Study perspectives of the SPCS center from the two major public spaces on either side of the facilityStudy perspectives of the SPCS center from the two major public spaces on either side of the facilityStudy perspectives of the SPCS center from the two major public spaces on either side of the facilityStudy perspectives of the SPCS center from the two major public spaces on either side of the facility
Model showing the layered facade and the floating golden cube of the upper SPCS public galleriesModel showing the layered facade and the floating golden cube of the upper SPCS public galleriesModel showing the layered facade and the floating golden cube of the upper SPCS public galleriesModel showing the layered facade and the floating golden cube of the upper SPCS public galleries
Pair of study aerial perspectives of SPCS looking into the main gallery space and above the layered roof decksPair of study aerial perspectives of SPCS looking into the main gallery space and above the layered roof decksPair of study aerial perspectives of SPCS looking into the main gallery space and above the layered roof decksPair of study aerial perspectives of SPCS looking into the main gallery space and above the layered roof decks
Structural isometric drawing diagramming the combination of megastructural diagonals, vertical columns and braces of SPCSStructural isometric drawing diagramming the combination of megastructural diagonals, vertical columns and braces of SPCSStructural isometric drawing diagramming the combination of megastructural diagonals, vertical columns and braces of SPCSStructural isometric drawing diagramming the combination of megastructural diagonals, vertical columns and braces of SPCS
Section perspective drawing of the diagonal vertical circulation sequence throughout the SPCS research center from the plazaSection perspective drawing of the diagonal vertical circulation sequence throughout the SPCS research center from the plazaSection perspective drawing of the diagonal vertical circulation sequence throughout the SPCS research center from the plazaSection perspective drawing of the diagonal vertical circulation sequence throughout the SPCS research center from the plaza
Section sketch studying the inversion of public space into the SPCS research center from the park and hockey rink belowSection sketch studying the inversion of public space into the SPCS research center from the park and hockey rink belowSection sketch studying the inversion of public space into the SPCS research center from the park and hockey rink belowSection sketch studying the inversion of public space into the SPCS research center from the park and hockey rink below
Hybrid drawing combining massing axons, sections, and program concepts as part of the SPCS processHybrid drawing combining massing axons, sections, and program concepts as part of the SPCS processHybrid drawing combining massing axons, sections, and program concepts as part of the SPCS processHybrid drawing combining massing axons, sections, and program concepts as part of the SPCS process
Animation revealing the interplay of structural systems and mechanical systems for the SPCS research centerAnimation revealing the interplay of structural systems and mechanical systems for the SPCS research centerAnimation revealing the interplay of structural systems and mechanical systems for the SPCS research centerAnimation revealing the interplay of structural systems and mechanical systems for the SPCS research center
Multiple perspectives of the two public auditoria located through the vertical exhibition path of the SPCS HQMultiple perspectives of the two public auditoria located through the vertical exhibition path of the SPCS HQMultiple perspectives of the two public auditoria located through the vertical exhibition path of the SPCS HQMultiple perspectives of the two public auditoria located through the vertical exhibition path of the SPCS HQ
Chart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCSChart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCSChart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCSChart combining issues of space research with issues of public demand and desires for urban space around SPCS
Elevation and section details showing how the layered facade will integrate with the main SPCS volumesElevation and section details showing how the layered facade will integrate with the main SPCS volumesElevation and section details showing how the layered facade will integrate with the main SPCS volumesElevation and section details showing how the layered facade will integrate with the main SPCS volumes
Concept pair of Albert the space monkey and Johnny Carson highlighting the public's perceptual of current topicsConcept pair of Albert the space monkey and Johnny Carson highlighting the public's perceptual of current topicsConcept pair of Albert the space monkey and Johnny Carson highlighting the public's perceptual of current topicsConcept pair of Albert the space monkey and Johnny Carson highlighting the public's perceptual of current topics
Study models looking at variations for SPCS giving back public space to the city while floating or consolidating the programStudy models looking at variations for SPCS giving back public space to the city while floating or consolidating the programStudy models looking at variations for SPCS giving back public space to the city while floating or consolidating the programStudy models looking at variations for SPCS giving back public space to the city while floating or consolidating the program
Pair of perspectives showing the lifted walkway linking the parks through the front entry of SPCS research centerPair of perspectives showing the lifted walkway linking the parks through the front entry of SPCS research centerPair of perspectives showing the lifted walkway linking the parks through the front entry of SPCS research centerPair of perspectives showing the lifted walkway linking the parks through the front entry of SPCS research center
Study sketches looking at the potential of interconnected vertical program within a solid volume for SPCS headquartersStudy sketches looking at the potential of interconnected vertical program within a solid volume for SPCS headquartersStudy sketches looking at the potential of interconnected vertical program within a solid volume for SPCS headquartersStudy sketches looking at the potential of interconnected vertical program within a solid volume for SPCS headquarters
Perspective of the glowing SPCS center from park across the street at nightPerspective of the glowing SPCS center from park across the street at nightPerspective of the glowing SPCS center from park across the street at nightPerspective of the glowing SPCS center from park across the street at night
Animated sequence of plans showing the separation of public experiences and research experiences in the SPCS headquartersAnimated sequence of plans showing the separation of public experiences and research experiences in the SPCS headquartersAnimated sequence of plans showing the separation of public experiences and research experiences in the SPCS headquartersAnimated sequence of plans showing the separation of public experiences and research experiences in the SPCS headquarters

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