The current site is a SLOPING TRIANGULAR SHAPE and is currently being used as a parking lot.

The site sits in a unique location between a residential area to the south and a commercial area to the north.

The site is nearly adjacent to a PROMINENT INTERSECTION in Mission Hill which features MBTA service from the Greenline.

The site is sitting across the street from a large parking lot and the Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park.

The final form of my design was informed by my development of the functional organization of programs.

I first determined what programs needed to be connected to each other, and then I determined the appropriate scale of each of the spaces.

And from that analysis, I found the form of the building.

While my building is four floors tall, and takes up the entire site, it is quite appropriately sized compared to the local structures.

The building is VERY EASILY ACCESSIBLE from the intersection and from the park that is located from across the street.

The SUN PATH   was very important in terms of organizing where to place community garden and greenhouse. I wanted both to be on the south side of the building for

maximum sun exposure.

Dealing with a sloped site is difficult, so I simplified the design process by excavating the site so that there was a flat entrance to the first level from the north, and a flat entrance to the third level from the south.

While the building is 4 tall levels tall, the whole building is easily accessible thanks to the STRONG CONNECTION AND VISABILITY between floors through the ATRIUM.

The detailed section drawing reveals the construction methods used to create my building. We are using basic

mass timber construction with 3-PLY CLT flooring slabs.

The roof consists of an exterior ALUMINUM overhang that aids in draining water away from the building.

The basement level of this building has exterior ACCESS FROM THE NORTH through a large courtyard. 

The COURTYARD acts as a protected public space. It serves as a welcoming introduction to the building.

Upon entry, one is greeted with the open to PUBLIC CAFE, which is then followed by the ATRIUM SPACE that

houses the staircase and elevator.

The KITCHEN is a protected space that occupies the far end of the first level. The cooking stations are organized into rows and groups for easy collaboration.

View of north entrance into courtyard.

All of the floors in this 4 floor building are CLOSELY CONNECTED with strong visual access through this atrium.

We hired Gordon Ramsey to teach classes here, but unfortunately he has to be tough on his students sometimes!

The second level of the building serves as a LOFT and observation area. I like to think of it as an extension of the first level.

There are plenty of SEATING options here just in case seating on the first level runs out.

This kitchen is surrounded by OBSERVATION SPACE for students and curious minds alike.

This section helps to paint the picture of what the relationship is between the loft and the first level.

People on the first level are cooking, and hungry patrons and observers await their food on the loft floor above

The third floor entrance is level with the street at the top of the slope towards the south.

Programs include the COMMUNITY GARDEN, community greenhouse, and the north-facing balcony.

The garden is organized similarly to the rest of the building with the USE OF A GRID.

Garden beds are PROTECTED by miniature 'house frames'.

The greenhouse is connected to the garden seamlessly with the use of a GARAGE DOOR the can stay open during the summer months.

Plenty of seating and plenty of views with protection from horizontal and vertical louvers.

Level foor serves as a LEISURE SPACE with amazing views of the surrounding mission hill and beyond.

This space was intended to have maximum PRIVACY   and serve as a sancuary from the speed of the city.

Seating options surround the perimeter with a 360 degrees glass curtain.

The fourth floor is such an amazing sanctuary that they wanted to film a scene here for the new Legally Blonde movie!