The project of Raleigh Craft Center located at the intersection of S. Dawson and W. Martin Street; the site is adjacent to the southwest corner of Nash Square in the city of Raleigh. In contrast to the cubic, solid buildings with certain boundaries around the Nash Square, the idea for craft center start from simple cube which is tilted 30 degree to create a huge opening for the people to enter from below the cube. giving a sense of openness and community within the craft center. Therefore, siting of the building in the position where it can have sunlight as well as view towards the Nash Square is one of the central theme for the project. The northern part of the program box is lifted up. By lifting the box up, a new space was gained where people could gather and start the journey of exploring the craft center.
The design process focused on providing a variety of conditions for people to enjoy in each space. the goal being that users can choose whether to sit in the sun or shade,” Stairs are an extension of the fluid interior circulation system, guiding visitors around and through the sculptural building mass. the structural concrete walls of the base tilt and lean in a dynamic dialogue with the stairs.
Resembling origami and pinwheels craft. the exterior surface is outfitted with a triangular pattern of alternating clear, glazed and ceramic-fritted glass and aluminum panels. the arrangement meant to convey the ideas of collective and community embodied in the craft center in front of the public parkland. A more functional purpose of the alternating panels, is to diffuse light inside the building while preserving views outside. a mix of 60% insulating metal panels and 40% double-pane insulating glass units (IGUs). The facade is made of a grid of triangular modules with flat pieces, which form shell and when the pieces are rotated allows different possibilities, that combined, a disordered texture is achieved.The intention of this facade is that the different solar illuminations throughout the day generate play of shadows and reflections.
Designing a Concrete Box which is lifted up in the northern part, the concrete box has no openings on the east side. few random openings with the form of triangle design on the west to allow people to watch the galleries, studios from the main stairs that flow through the different levels of the craft center. Design to be a self supported structure, two concrete box and the atrium in between are surrounded by the self supported outer shell.