EXPANDED VERSUS COMPACT BUILDING
We believe there are two confronted approaches to the organization of the building in relation to the given plot. On one hand, a building that expands towards the limits of the plot maximizing the size of the interior patio. This approach provides a large space for the patio while reduces significantly the public space around the building with narrow pedestrian walkways. On the other hand, we propose a compact building approach. This approach tries to bring the various masses of the building towards the center of the plot providing in result a more compacted space for patio while giving much larger public areas towards the streets.
We believe the public character of this building starts in the surroundings. The approach to a public building must be also public and therefore the dimension of the pedestrian ways around the building should be in relationship with the volumes of the mass and the scale of the entrances.
UNFOLDED PATIO
The organization of the plot around a patio goes back in centuries to the very origins of this area. The new design proposal wants to preserve the tradition by organizing the new programs around a central space while, at the same time, providing a new condition to the site by unfolding or duplicating the central space into two levels. The patio on the first level is covered by the second patio on the fifth floor and it acts as the main entrance lobby of the building. From this space citizens can reach all public facilities. On the 5F the unfolded patio is green and serves mostly to the public servants.
PROGRAM ORGANIZATION
Programs are organized around the central lobby in an easy and intuitive way. From this central space citizens and public servants can find the access to all programs. The gu-department office is allocated in the tallest building to the south of the plot. The fire department is allocated in the building to the west side while the council office is allocated to the north side, above the existing building.
Most of the cultural programs are allocated in the former school building. It is proposed to remain its whole structure in order to fit most of the cultural programs. It is only the large cultural spaces that are located in the B1 level such as the main auditorium and small auditorium.
All health facilities are allocated in the central space between the 3F and the 4F with a very easy access for citizens.
B2 level also is a public level with multiple rooms for workshops and public activities. The historical remains exhibition is allocated in the B3 level as well as the mechanical and electrical rooms for the gu-department and fire department building.
Finally, two levels of parking are allocated on the B4 and B5 levels with independent access and exit ramps.
