Reemerging Datum

Houston is a city highly dependent on the vehicle, which results in a multitude of stand-alone parking structures. The tops of these structures create the access to, what I refer to as, the unrecognized datum: a location which offers breathtaking views of the city not able to be accessed from anywhere else. This datum is highly under utilized, and the Reemerging Datum Complex proposal is a way to develop a plan which not only recreates this datum through density, heterogeneity of building, and immersive architecture; but also makes the spaces offering the breathtaking views mentioned above accessible by the public.

Professor: Jesus Vassallo

The walkable nature of the complex gives potential to a greater social life between the residents. 

The walkable nature of the complex gives potential to a greater social life between the residents. 

Image of public plazas which flank the vehicular street in order to hint at the life of the complex, in an attempt to entice them to live in the neighborhood.

Image of public plazas which flank the vehicular street in order to hint at the life of the complex, in an attempt to entice them to live in the neighborhood.

Image showing the immersive nature of the vehicular street of the complex

Image showing the immersive nature of the vehicular street of the complex

The datum has re-emerged in the design of the complex, and this image shows the creation of the publicly accessible cityscape within the design.

The datum has re-emerged in the design of the complex, and this image shows the creation of the publicly accessible cityscape within the design.

Reemerging Datum_Test 1
Reemerging Datum_Test 2
An exercise of stripping the facades and mimicking the building arrangements with shipping boxes allowed for spatial qualities and relationships of buildings to become apparent.

An exercise of stripping the facades and mimicking the building arrangements with shipping boxes allowed for spatial qualities and relationships of buildings to become apparent.

Reemerging Datum_Building Height Variation Test
Reemerging Datum_Building Height Test
Exploration of the effects of building proximity and height on composition.

Exploration of the effects of building proximity and height on composition.

Final composition of the Reemerging Datum Complex, which arises from the previous compositional studies of the existing Downtown Houston conditions. Material: Strathmore

Final composition of the Reemerging Datum Complex, which arises from the previous compositional studies of the existing Downtown Houston conditions. Material: Strathmore

Axonometric illustrating the final composition and the variation in facade treatments of all building. 

Axonometric illustrating the final composition and the variation in facade treatments of all building. 

Location of garages along the main road creates a pedestrian life. The winding road allows for full immersion of vehicular traffic into the complex. The building footprint arrangement creates smaller pockets of communal space.

Location of garages along the main road creates a pedestrian life. The winding road allows for full immersion of vehicular traffic into the complex. The building footprint arrangement creates smaller pockets of communal space.

Facade type 1 - detailed with wood and steel construction

Facade type 1 - detailed with wood and steel construction

Facade type 1 - detailed with wood and steel construction

Facade type 1 - detailed with wood and steel construction

Facade type 3 - detailed with wood and steel construction

Facade type 3 - detailed with wood and steel construction