Edgar Cabadas
← Selected workProject 10 / 10
Academic / 2016

Poetics of the Generic

I began with the repetitive walls and columns of a commercial building. Moving those lines apart makes rooms within the perimeter and leaves an open court between them.

The elevated galleries frame an open court. At ground level, the arcade leads from the entrance toward the theatre.
FIG. 01The elevated galleries frame an open court. At ground level, the arcade leads from the entrance toward the theatre.Court and gallery
Project brief

Opening up a commercial floor plate

The lobby and shop face the court near the auditorium entrance. Above, exhibition bays form a loop around the opening. Two stair and lift cores connect the gallery to learning rooms below. At street level, pivoting display panels open the gallery edge toward the theatre approach.

Setting
Woodbury University
Studio
ARCH 283
My role
Studio design, program development, architectural drawings and modeling.
Project drawings

Drawings and studies

Court and massing

The continuous upper gallery surrounds an open court. The larger volumes at ground level separate beneath it.
FIG. 02The continuous upper gallery surrounds an open court. The larger volumes at ground level separate beneath it.Massing model
Exhibition rooms in cobalt line the arms of the court. The learning spaces in cyan close its end.
FIG. 03Exhibition rooms in cobalt line the arms of the court. The learning spaces in cyan close its end.Program diagram

Ground and gallery floors

The lobby and shop lead into the public court. From here visitors can reach the auditorium or continue to the stair and lift cores.
FIG. 04The lobby and shop lead into the public court. From here visitors can reach the auditorium or continue to the stair and lift cores.Entry level
Read drawing key
  1. Entry lobbyArrival under the arcade
  2. ShopPublic room at the entry
  3. Learning courtLower rooms get daylight
  4. TheatreAuditorium descends below
  5. Stair and liftLinked gallery access
A short glazed link closes the gap between gallery bays. Visitors can follow a continuous loop around the court.
FIG. 05A short glazed link closes the gap between gallery bays. Visitors can follow a continuous loop around the court.Upper gallery
Read drawing key
  1. South galleryA sequence of linked bays
  2. Glazed linkCrosses a break in the ring
  3. Side galleriesHinged display walls
  4. Cross galleryConnects both arms
  5. Stair and liftReturn to the public court

Façade and theatre

Pivoting display panels alternate with recessed glazing. The enlarged hinge detail shows how a panel opens within its bay.
FIG. 06Pivoting display panels alternate with recessed glazing. The enlarged hinge detail shows how a panel opens within its bay.Street frontage
Read drawing key
  1. Pivoted panelOpens at a gallery joint
  2. Entrance arcadeA shaded path to the court
  3. ClerestoryLight above the lower bays
  4. Hinge and revealDetail of the moving leaf
From the theatre approach, the glazed link spans the court. Pivoting gallery panels open toward the space below.
FIG. 07From the theatre approach, the glazed link spans the court. Pivoting gallery panels open toward the space below.Theatre approach
The auditorium seating descends below the entrance. A clerestory brings light to the gallery above, and the exposed soffit carries the theatre lighting.
FIG. 08The auditorium seating descends below the entrance. A clerestory brings light to the gallery above, and the exposed soffit carries the theatre lighting.Theatre section
Read drawing key
  1. Exhibition bandPivot leaves filter light
  2. Entry levelFoyer above the lower cut
  3. Raked auditoriumStepped seats face the stage
  4. Lower roomsOffice and support band
The upper gallery ring lifts away from the ground-floor volumes and lower rooms, exposing the court between them.
FIG. 09The upper gallery ring lifts away from the ground-floor volumes and lower rooms, exposing the court between them.Floor assembly

Project credits

Studio project by Edgar Cabadas, ARCH 283, Woodbury University. Instructor Louis Molina.

Drawing excerpts are resized for screen viewing. Refer to written dimensions.