Buenos Aires Velodrome - the final product

The architectural design process is just that, a process. Luckily, the process for designing an Olympic Velodrome in Buenos Aires, Argentina is over. Well, temporarily, until I go back and make a few changes and updates before using this in my portfolio. What's up next you ask... a well deserved week off of school and then the final push before thesis. Sounds like the next project is going to be some sort of housing development that focuses on sustainability. Until then, the final presentation pieces for the Velodrome are below, including a fully animated video flythrough with the soundtrack provided by Hoobastank. Enjoy!

Ed

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbsjiQmMBns]

Structure as a Determinant of Form

This project includes designing a velodrome, an indoor bicycle racing track, that will provide both a world class sporting venue for the nation and a civic amenity for the Portenas in the neighborhoods surrounding the site. The site is located between the neighborhoods of Colegiales and Palermo Hollywood just outside of the center of Buenos Aires. It is currently an under used industrial area close to public transportation, airports, and the port, and not far from many of the city's other sports venues that are located just to the north along the Rio de la Plata. The intent of this project is to explore the tectonics of long span structures; not just from the standpoint of connecting two points and supporting a roof, but creating a meaningful architectural space, shaping the volume of the building, controlling daylighting, articulating building joints, surfaces and finishes, creating an identity on the interior and exterior of the building, and relating this new form to the existing surrounding context. The entire site is encompassed in the design concept which plays off of the juxtaposition of a dynamic structure like a velodrome and the often static, rectilinear urban fabric in which the building is sited. This concept is first witnessed at the macro, city wide level, and continues down to even the smallest details.

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Enough Vegetables to Make a Salad

For the first time this year, we have a couple consecutive days with temperatures over 70 degrees. I'm not sure if Spring has sprung, but I definitely have the fever. With that, it's time to start planning this year's crop.

We first tried our hand at gardening 2 years ago and had some success (with things like tomatoes and beans) and not so much with others (like pumpkins and corn). Well, it's time to turn that around; not only am I going to grow enough vegetables to make my own salad, but I'm going to apply my year of master planning projects at Drexel and put it to good use. Well, on a small scale at least.

Since we bought the house, we fixed up the shed,  put in a fence, and built our first small garden. At approximately 8'-0" x 7'-6", it's enough for a couple plants, but not the whole salad. Hopefully, with the new elements below, we'll have enough room to grow everything we need.

Until next time, Capt. Greenthumb checking out.

[caption id="attachment_465" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="This is the back corner of our property on the day we bought the house."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_464" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Same back corner prior to beginning the first garden."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_463" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="First garden we put in about 2 years ago. Produced some good crops, but not big enough for this years expectations!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_468" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Plan view of the three planter beds planned for this spring. Includes dedicated area for tomatoes and a trellis for the cucumbers."][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_466" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Anyone interested in where I get these great looking scale figures!?!?!"][/caption]

Guess the Building

Who can guess the name, location and architect of this building? First 10 answers win a free subscription to the CMG workshop blog! Leave your answers in the comments below.