Final Studio Image One

The visit to the Apple Store at the Galleria Mall inspired me to pursue transparency through diverse spatial experiences and circulation. I felt that these concepts modeled themselves well with Apple’s commitment to user friendly “hands- on” exploration of their products. I have made this the core theme of my design. I looked toward the Chicago El Train as a source of transportation that promotes a plethora of views as you move through space. If you have ever been on the El you will have experienced traveling through tight corridors between high rises as well as traveling through larger scaled open spaces.

Transparency is achieved by allowing unfettered views both from the exterior to the interior of the store and from the interior to the exterior places that surround Copley Square.

Final Studio Image Two

The building site is very important to Copley Square and the rich historic tradition found within. With buildings by H.H. Richardson and I.M. Pei nearby, I felt compelled to incorporate them within my space by creating perspective views to them from the central circulation spine, shown here as the raised roof element on axis with the intersection of the two facades. Other views to Copley square are provided to the Apple shoppers as well.

Final Studio Image Three

The floor plan was established to provide a series a opaque and transparent exterior walls. This was done to provide storefront merchandising opportunities as well as managing the views to the exterior. Product would be placed upon millwork displays along the opaque surfaces. Shoppers act as living mannequins working away at the Apple products much the same as you see at any Apple mall store.

The circulation core bisects the building on axis with Trinity Church and the Hancock Building. The location allows for a variety of different spaces and experiences. Along the spine are located smaller, more intimate display areas, I have dubbed the "Tea Rooms". These are accessed via the stair platform and by the elevators located on each end of the spine.

There are six floors to the design, Each having different configurations to allow for the spatial diversity that I intended. A large trellised skylight caps the building allowing light to filter through the varying spaces down to the ground floor, continually changing patterns throughout the day.

Final Studio Image Four

The Boylston Street elevation is the gateway to the store. The entrance is located between two six story white marble wall planes that frame the gateway. The elevation is layered with a series of glazed surfaces and stone surfaces. The circulation core is defined by the use of predominately clear 12 x 12 glass block. These are used to provide human scale to an otherwise massive structure. Randomly placed colored units provide reflections of color throughout the interior spaces.

This element was designed to be a three dimensional vertical element, much like the multi-story bay window towers seen throughout the Back Bay Area.

I have also elected to use other glazing systems to provide scale and diversity. Framed curtain wall is used through as the predominant fenestration system, but frameless curtain wall is used above each doorway sloping towards Copley Square to further establish the gateway as the focal element of the Boylston facade.

Adjustable louvres are used on the curtain wall glazing to allow control of the natural light. This not only adds to the diverse light and shadow affects attainable within the space but also will provide control of unwanted glare within certain areas.

Final Studio Image Five

The Dartmouth facade was designed under the same principles as the Boylston facade with multiple glazing systems integrated within the prinstine white wall surfaces. Here again, glass block construction is speckled with colored units to provide ever changing reflections within the store.

At the sixth floor, access to an exterior gathering space is provided with views of the Boston Public Library and the corridor of Dartmouth Street. The trellised skylight extends to provide sun shade over a portion of the deck.

Final Studio Image Six

I designed the entry element with the

overriding theme of my building in mind. The storefront doors are located on each side of the front elevator. The elevator is designed as an open platform with a high tension stainless steel floor system anchored in the center with a glass capped, steel tension ring. This elevator was inspired to promote the sense of transparency and movement through a variety of spaces.

Final Studio Image Seven

The wall section illustrates the movement through the open central core of the building. The "Tea Rooms" are flanked between the stair platforms. The wall surfaces of the "Tea Rooms" are constructed of reinforced concrete, perforated aluminum panels, and clear glazing. These were chosen for their varying degrees of light transmittance and reflectance. The perforated aluminum also provides a human scale reference within this large central space.

Final Studio Image Eight

This photo shot from my massing model illustrates several key factors of my design intention. The view towards Copley Square is seen framed at the end of the stair platform.

The spaces of the "Tea Rooms" are evident along the circulation spine while the larger open display floor is seen beyond.

The different values of light, shadow and reflectance are evident as they find their way through the spaces along with the shoppers enjoying their Apple products and hopefully enjoying the building designed to showcase them.

Building Section Two

Ground Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Roof Plan

Elevation Two

Elevation One

Building Section One

Sunday's Progress

Further Ground Floor Plan development.

Sunday's Progress

Building section development.

Sunday's Progress

Section at storefront elevator platform

Sunday's Progress

Plan view of second elevator, stair platform and "tea room".

Storefront/Elevator Detail

Final Studio Progress - Ground Floor Plan

Final Studio Progress - Second Floor Plan

Final Studio Progress - Third Floor Plan

Final Studio Progress - Fourth Floor Plan

Final Studio Progress - Fifth Floor Plan

Final Studio Progress - Sixth Floor Plan

Signature Element - Plan

The signature element within my Apple Store is the circulation spine. I have integrated the use of smaller and more intimate shopping areas, “Tea Rooms", within the spine by placing them between the circulation elements. These elements consist of two elevator towers and two stair platforms. The spine acts to divide the interior into a variety of different spatial experiences, both horizontally and vertically, while providing a sense of organization and order. My intention was to provide transparency within the Apple Store.

A shopper should be able to see many spaces from any given point of perspective, but should not necessarily be able to visually see the path to each space. The shopper does know that by returning to the circulation spine, access to these spaces is acheivable.

Signature Element - Plan Detail

The elevators are constructed with glass walls to maintain transparency through the space.

Signature Element - Plan Detail

They are placed at each end of the spine to promote ease of circulation to the six levels and to provide access to the "Tea Room" shopping experience without the use of the stair platforms.

Signature Element - Elevation

The spine itself is constructed of reinforced concrete pilasters from which the stair platforms are cantilevered. The glass elevator towers visually anchor the structure within the open central core of the store.

Signature Element - Elevation Detail

A skylight is located over the spine to provide natural light to the core and to provide a contrasting experience of light and shadows throughout the spaces.

Signature Element - Elevation Detail

The "Tea Rooms" walls are constructed with the reinforced concrete pilasters, perforated aluminum panels, and glass. These materials were chosen for their varying degrees of transparency and quality of light transmittance and reflectance.

Studio - Signature Element

My signature element is definately the circulation spline that bisects the store. This concept has been within my design from the beginning story board with the intention to use it to create a variety of spatial experiences and movement within the store. It is also something with which I am struggling with right now. I am also exploring different floor plates to add vertical (3-D) diversity which suggests that I change the circulation along this spline from the switchback relationship to a more varied relationship. Any feedback regarding this idea would be appreciated. Here are some diagram sketches I have been considering:

Sketch One

Sketch Two

Sketches one and two maintain circulation along the spline and add circulation at alternate floors along the edge.

Sketch Three

Sketch Three has circulation starting along the spline then locates circulation within various spaces on the floors depending upon the desired views from within to the exterior and with relation to the different interior spaces I am trying to acheive.

My dilemma focuses on abandoning the spline.

H&T -

I was just returning from a meeting and heard a radio adverstisement that I had to share. The add was from General Steel Co. and they were selling design services to the public for buildings at lower cost and half the construction time. They offered a range of exterior finishes from stucco to brick to metal panels. What they never mentioned was the fact that they are a metal building company selling proprietary metal buildings which I would have no objection to. What they were selling was architecture and engineering services with no mention of these professionals. I "googled" them and actually got a different company. They seemed to be selling the same thing. This quote is from Steel Co. website, www.steelcobuildings.net:

"No matter the size of the project we believe that each and every SteelCo building should be unique not only in appearance, but also in function. Often, individuals will come to us with their specific requests and inspirations and we are able to work with them without additional help. But on occasion, professional architects and engineers are needed to assist on a project. SteelCo works with architects who have an extensive knowledge of steel structures and offer complete services at a much lower price than you might find locally. This allows you to save a significant amount of money that could be used elsewhere, whether back into your pocket or on stunning extras for your building."

This is another example of how architects are valued within some parts of the industry.