Adaptive Reuse: Senior Capstone
The Project - Preliminary Design Phase
My Senior Capstone project is one involving Adaptive Reuse. What is Adaptive Reuse?
To me, Adaptive Reuse is a process within design where we take already built structures, and we create something different. Repurposing and redesigning the building to give it a new value for its users to appreciate.
This project includes transforming an old tire shop into a Boys and Girls Club facility. Located in Gilbert, Arizona this project site is within a commercial complex, containing the main building in the center with about 5,000 sqft of interior space, to the west is an adjacent parking lot with about 6,000 sqft of space, and to the east is an adjacent green field with about 7,000 sqft.
This site map above shows the building in which will be transformed into a facility for the use of the Boys and Girls Clubs Organization. To the East there is the paved section right outside the building that can be used along with the Green Field connected. To the West is the adjacent parking lot that could also be used. Below are pictures of the exterior of the building. Along with the adjacent building.
Scope of Work
The scope of work for my Capstone Project of transforming an old tire shop into a Boys and Girls Club facility is as follows; Using the entirety of the main building to my advantage along with the paved section outside and a part of the Green Field as mentioned before. Refer to the image below.
Problem Statement:
When figuring out the overall idea I had in place for my Capstone there were questions to start with that ultimately got more specifically answered as I worked through them…
What will you design?
My intention is to design a Boys and Girls Club facility that functions as an art studio and retail shop.
What is its nature?
This facility will be one where students will be at the age where they can drive themselves and carpool with each other to arrive to the facility.
For the retail portion, at first the idea was a walk-up window but has changed where this facility will have patrons walk into the front of the building where there will be a show room to shop student made artwork.
Who is it for?
This art studio and retail shop will be a facility for 16-17 year old students to create handmade art pieces to sell to patrons and support the facility with new art supplies when permitted.
Why is it needed?
The thing is, Students at these ages don’t often have true access to fuel and/or fund their own creative outlets.
What are the benefits of the facility?
The benefits of a facility like this is that it is home to a safe environment for highschool juniors and seniors to be creative and also get to learn about retail expeirence.
Why is it interesting?
This design concept is interesting because it has its purpose of being a Boys and Girls Club facility that works as and afterschool and weekend program along with a retail shop.
Final Thoughts:
The building shell given for this project is actually a very fun one to work with, it allows ample space for storage, facility necessities, specific work rooms, and overall the ability to have open space for the users to shift around freely.
Lighting will be an imperative part to this project as the facing of all the windows and garage doors only really get good light during the morning due to the sun exposure to the building. As the primary use of the building will be an afterschool program, the lighting will need to be well thought out to provide what will be needed to work on projects once the sun has gone down.
