Ruins
Design 3, Fall 2023
Barcelona, Spain
Professor: Charlie Hailey
Ruins explore how architecture can draw inspiration and react to sites where the function and integrity of previous architecture have evolved. This project explores how a space can be designed to be suitable for a hot air balloon launch, javelin throw, and Earth Room.
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The chosen precedent for this exploration is the Olympic archery range and training facilities in Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, designed by Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós between 1988 and 1991. These buildings, partially deconstructed, are striking and are characterized by their treatment of light and shadow, overhead conditions, and response to the environment. Using this precedent as a foundation, we developed our project with distinct programs and objectives. The main goal given was to form unique but connected spaces that would be suitable for a hot air balloon launch, a javelin throwing center, and an “Earth Room” exhibit while considering ideas such as ruins, palimpsest, and memory.
ru·in
noun
the physical destruction or disintegration of something or the state of disintegrating or being destroyed
verb
reduce (a building or place) to a state of decay, collapse, or disintegration
mem·o·ry
noun
-
the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information​
-
something remembered from the past; a recollection.
Definitions from Oxford Dictionary
Diagramming Site
Our exploration began by analyzing and diagramming the site at three scales: site plan, training range, and competition range. From here, I selectively combined the diagrams to create a single, new mapping. This mapping would become the basis for my entire project, influencing the ground and overhead conditions and overall movement of my model.
Draft Floor Plans & Sections
In articulating each of my spaces, I began by drafting floor plans and sections that met the program requirements for each of the three areas.
Earth Room
Hot Air Balloon
Javelin Throw
Preliminary Relief Plan
Hot Air Balloon
For my purposes, my balloon is approximately 70ft tall with a diameter of 50ft. As such, I needed to make an area large enough for the balloon to lie down safely.
Earth Room
Walter De Maria's piece inspires the Earth Room and must contain a similar amount of soil while preserving the core values of her work. We have artistic freedom to make changes, but these should not alter the ultimate purpose.
Javelin Throw
The Javelin Sector has to meet the specific dimensions as outlined by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). This includes the length and width of the runway, throwing sector, and landing zone.
Final Relief Sections
I chose to create relief sections as they more effectively conveyed the depth of the piece. Given the mountainous terrain outside of Barcelona and my desire for the buildings to appear integrated with the land, I felt that a relief section best captured this vision.
Model Images
