ACSA Steel Competition
Concept - The idea for our project is to bring family entertainment and physical exercise into the business district of downtown Buffalo, NY. This is accomplished in the design of a multi-use activity complex.
Why? - In Buffalo, there is a stretch of four months where the weather is unacceptable for outdoor activities such as golf. This design encloses two miniature golf courses, a 44-lane bowling alley, and a bar/restaurant in itself. People can enjoy these light forms of physical activity all year round. This activity center, in its proximity to the baseball and hockey venues, will bring more foot traffic and commercial business to downtown, allowing for further revitalization and urban renewal.
Lightness - The overall sensation on the interior of the activity center is one of lightness. This is conveyed by the building’s structure. Steel is an important material in this design because of its ability to span the necessary distance. The design seeks to achieve a sense of lightness by dividing the structure along two beams at points of columnar connection. Consequently, the space between the structure is filled with natural daylight so as to hide the structure. The exterior of the building also conveys a sense of lightness. By using different grades of stainless steel and glazing as cladding, an
effect of lightness is achieved as the building blends into its context by mirroring it.
SITE: Chippewa / Washington St, Buffalo, NY
PROFESSOR: Brian Carter
COLLABORATORS: Alex Griebel, Jarad Passen
YEAR: Spring 2015
COURSE: Architectural Competitions
Submitted in 2015 Open Category
