CONCEPT
The Reedy Creek Improvement District Administration Building demonstrates the integration of formal sculptural qualities and symbolism of function in a building of modern vocabulary and unique image. As the Headquarters of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the building centralizes the agency functions and projects the independent identity of the organization. The floor to ceiling glass wall and the inviting cut-away entrance indicate the ideal of civic openness. The project exemplifies the boldness of simplicity and the qualities of minimalism extended by circumstance. A simple square plan is chamfered at the corners to create on two sides ascending skylights and on two sides a sloped overhang. A steel trellis structure retains the outline of the original cubic composition, creating a dramatic asymmetry within a static frame. The site design recognizes the intrusion of a development project on the landscape and explores the juxtaposition of the two. The building sits on a hardscape plinth of parking in the manner of a European urban plaza, and the parking area is boldly striped to re-enforce the constructed nature of the ground plane. In counterpoint, the trellis constructions are read as "trees" which complement the directly adjacent naturalistic site, embracing the building. Thus, the constructed ground plane extends under the existing trees and the constructed tree canopy extends over the building. The trellis is developed with dense flowering confederate jasmine. The parking striping in bright colors augments the visual delight of the overall project. The building will be inherently energy efficient. The compact form uses a minimal wall area to contain the required program volume, reducing heat gain and loss. This allows the building to utilize extensive glass areas, thereby reducing the daylighting requirements. The glazing on two chamfered corners slopes outward and as such is effectively self-shaded. The glazing on the other corners is sheltered by the trellis structures. The sloped columns which give the building its visual dynamism naturally provide a stiff structure eliminating costly shear walls. The compact from further limits structural costs. The RCID project provides a fresh, bold, civic presence of high quality and character, befitting work done under Disney corporate umbrella. It achieves this without resorting to theatrical mannerism, but through the exploration and presentation of the essential components of modern architectural design: space and the nature of materials. 4 stories
The site design recognizes the intrusion of a development project on the adjacent native landscape and explores the juxtaposition of the two. The building sits on a hardscape plinth in the manner of a European urban plaza, and the parking area is boldly striped to re-enforce the constructed nature of the ground plane. In counterpoint, the trellis constructions are read as "trees" which complement the directly adjacent naturalistic site, embracing the building. Thus, the constructed ground plane extends under the existing trees and the constructed tree canopy extends over the building. The trellis is developed with dense flowering confederate jasmine. The building is inherently energy efficient. The compact form uses a minimal wall area to contain the required program volume, reducing heat gain and loss. This allows the building to utilize extensive glass areas, thereby reducing the daylighting requirements. The glazing on two chamfered corners slopes outward and as such is effectively self shaded. The glazing on the other corners is sheltered by the trellis structure. The sloped columns which give the building its visual dynamism naturally provide a stiff structure eliminating costly shear walls. The compact form further limits structural costs. 4 stories
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