Continuity

The archive was definitely a helpful addition to the model, it especially helps to define the space around the theaters.  The end theater looks better moved over-it gives the space between theaters more room- but it could probably still move over a little further.  The major problem I'm having right now is the continuity of the archive.  The archive itself is continuous by a path against the existing building that is open to the library.  However, it needs to have continuity in the enclosure so the archive reads as one object.  I tried adding a solid piece to the outer edge, but in all other cases the walls follow the circulation so adding a solid piece not connected to anything doesn't seem right.  On the other hand I don't want to block off the visual connection in the cross section, so something too thick and solid doesn't work either.  I could also try reworking the library space so that the connection between archive spaces occurs on the outer edge of the space instead of against the existing building.

completely open library



solid component extends down to the next floor plate in the front




thinner piece connecting the archive spaces



Model Time

So far the model is going pretty well, I still need to add the archive on the top and then I'll get a better idea of how the whole building works.  I'm definitely realizing the limits of drawing just the sections in fully articulating the flow of everything.  The only difficulty im facing is becuase everything is on separate levels I kind of had to juggle the different pieces in my hands to get an idea of how it looks together until it was far enough along.  There are some things that need to be changed from looking at the model as together as it is.  For example,  I think the theater on the end needs to move farther out because the it seems to be overpowering the main theater too much from the front.  From the side the main theater is reading as an object well.  I'm a little concerned that the right side of the building is too heavy with the three theaters, which I think was a problem I had at midcrit so I should have recognized that, but they are successful in contrasting the more open pieces, like the entrances and the open space under the building.  On the other hand, I think the left side doesn't quite have anything substantial enough attaching it to the ground.  There's also less visual continuity cross sectionally than there was in my head.  It might be because the program is laid out in a very linear way, so there are only so many spaces that pass each other.  It just makes the archive's relationship to the the different moments of program more important.