Gould Hall
Fab-Lab
University of Oklahoma, Gould Hall Fab-Lab Addition | Program
Program & Mission
The purpose of a Fabrication Lab at Gould Hall is to enhance creating and making within the college of architecture. Subsequently, the Fabrication Lab must function as a space that facilitates the chaos and spontaneity that accompanies the making of things. The act of making can be sharp and intentional or meandering and experimental. To facilitate this range of action, movement through the space must be free, fluid and dynamic; an open plan, providing an ambiguity of function that can conform to the needs of multiple individuals. Consequently, program is not constrained by physical dividers within the building layout, but rather by circulation corridors that weave between spaces and act as open partitions.
Massing Studies
University of Oklahoma, Gould Hall Fab-Lab Addition | Site Context Plan
Project Parti
This Piece demonstrates development of the architectural parti, the main conceptual idea or scheme, through expressive experimentation with materials. Material properties are here used to convey attributes such as solidity, transparency, axis, core, etc.
Software was abandoned, and a materials/tools-first approach was taken. Design solutions were sought strictly through gestural manipulation of the tangible.
Architectural Concept Model | Wood (various species), Acrylic
exploded axon
University of Oklahoma, Gould Hall Fab-Lab Addition | Exploded Axon | NTS
While the fabrication lab’s prime directive is to function as a space for creating and making, it is important also, that the space become a beacon for the college of architecture. Engaging departments across the university is crucial for strengthening the college of architecture. Providing a space where all members of a community can engage one another, will help to unite the colleges through interdisciplinary engagement, while simultaneously generating interest in the college of architecture. Thusly, it is imperative that the fabrication lab possess two modalities of access; physical and visual. Visual access should feel total and all-inclusive, allowing all whom are interested, to engage in the act of creating and making. However, to provide a space that remains inescapably linked to the college of architecture it is imperative that physical access remain controlled and exclusive. The centralized social space at ground level facilitates these requirements by offering large open views into a variety of work spaces, while simultaneously localizing primary egress paths and controlling physical access.
University of Oklahoma, Gould Hall Fab-Lab Addition | Section Perspective | NTS
