ARCH 322 WINTER 2025
STUDENT
Rachel Chen
PROFESSOR
Francesca Mavaracchio
Using “exposed” as the guiding concept, the design explores the idea that exposure requires protection to be experienced. The form balances moments of enclosure and openness: solid walls shield the interior space, while full-height glass walls deliberately expose interior spaces to the surrounding.
There are four distinct exterior walls, each engaging differently with the idea of exposure. One wall is partially embedded into the natural topography, with half of it revealed and the other half protected by the earth. Another wall is composed entirely of glazing, using full-height windows to expose the entire court to the surrounding exterior surfaces. In contrast to this to this transparent facade there is a fully solid and protective wall that encloses the space laterally, while remaining completely open to the sky above.