DESA1002 'Continuous City' Dorian Brennan

Abstract

My building in Jerusalem is a Heart Research Facility. The whole idea was to create a meeting point for Doctors and Scientists from neighboring countries (Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia) and around the world to come together and forget their past conflict-ions and collaborate together on issues related to the heart. The building itself is protected like a heart is, by large ‘rib’ like columns that not only support the floor slabs and the facades but also enclose the building protecting it. The building is divided into two main buildings just like the heart is split into two chambers. The left side is used for relaxation and contemplation. A Cafe is located at ground floor an open outdoor sitting area on level 1 and a large contemplation and meeting room on level 2. The right side is used for scientific work. Labs, clean rooms and storage areas. The Entry is not that inviting or that easy to see. You first see curving planter boxes that sweep you around towards large sandstone walls. Once you start to walk towards these walls you then start to see openings that funnel you inside. From outside looking towards the building and trying to work out whats going on inside you don’t get a sense of what the building is used for or where these curved planter boxes are directing you. This relates to the heart when you see arteries leading into it but not knowing what each does or where each goes.