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Overlapping Illumination

Date: January 2024 - May 2024
Principal Researchers: Student Researchers: Cristian Gomez & Mo Zaina, M.Arch Faculty Advisor: Professor Osman Attmann Location: St. Louis, MO

In the pursuit of creating a Steel Innovative Center that seamlessly integrates concept and functionality, our design philosophy is programmatically driven by a commitment to illumination and overlap, and functionally driven through the method of the building as a machine. The overarching goal is to craft a space that serves its primary purpose as a hub for steel innovation and creates a safe space to care for and educate children while contributing to the visual and cultural landscape.

Overlapping Illumination epitomizes the fusion of form and function, embodying the essence of a living machine. Crafted with precision-cut nuts, bolts, and steel cables, every element showcases steel’s adaptability, speed, and resilience. Its expandable framework anticipates growth, while its transparent design fosters collaboration. Light dances through steel-framed windows, highlighting its industrial beauty. This building, temporary yet sustainable, heralds a new era of architectural ingenuity, showcasing steel’s limitless possibilities in every detail.

By embracing steel’s inherent properties, such as sustainability and efficiency, the project not only meets today’s needs but also anticipates tomorrow’s challenges. From the seamless integration of educational spaces to the incorporation of innovative design elements, every aspect of our Steel Innovative Center is meticulously crafted to showcase the potential of steel in a practical and inspiring way.

The heartbeat of our design philosophy is the pulsating overlap, where the clinks and clangs of steel creation resonate with the laughter of children. The childcare facility, infused with factory transparencies, becomes an interactive classroom, educating young minds in a way that mirrors the energy of the steel-making process. Simultaneously, adults find spaces tailored to their learning, fostering a community that embraces a culture of continuous education within the realm of steel innovation.

Illumination, as a guiding principle, goes beyond the literal sense of lighting up a space. It embodies the metaphorical light shed by knowledge and discovery. The Steel Innovative Center, conceived as a lantern, symbolizes the enlightenment that comes from understanding the intricacies of steel production. Positioned adjacent to the St. Louis Arch, this beacon of learning becomes a gateway to a world where steel innovation and education dance together in the limelight.

In conclusion, the forge of illumination design philosophy is an ode to the intricate dance of steel and education. It weaves a narrative where the brilliance of steel innovation illuminates the minds of both the young and old. The Steel Innovative Center becomes not just a factory facility but a symphony of enlightenment, where functionality, overlap, and operational efficiency create a space that not only stands as a beacon of progress but also nurtures the seeds of knowledge and curiosity.

More Information: ACSA/AISC Steel Competition Award

Colorado Center for Community Development

CU Denver

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