Senior Center

12/2024

Project Description

This was a semester long project with the goal of seeing a complete project from start to finish. It included research, sketches, floor plans, site plans, models, materials, branding and renders.

Mediums/Programs

Marker/Paper

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Sketchup

Revit

Research and Site

I found an open field that would be perfect for the senior center. Their is plenty of room, wooded area behind for privacy, and adjacent main roads for easy access, especially in conjunction with the public transport.

I wanted to choose a location in the greater Cleveland area, and after some research I went with Brooklyn, OH. This was primarily due to the abnormally high percentage of citizens age 70+ relative to the surrounding area.

Brooklyn also had its own public transport specifically for older citizens. They could request a pick-up directly at their front door, which provides easy access to and from the senior center

Concept Sketches

I had a set list of spaces to include which largely got divided into two groups. One group was composed of the dining area, clothing store grocery store, and the other was the fitness center, recreation center and medical center. Along these there was a main lobby, as well as a number of meeting rooms, offices, and bathrooms.

This Phase was about getting ideas on paper. It primarily composed of bubble diagrams to establish space relations, many different floor plans, and potential exterior designs.

The dining area and fitness and recreation should all have easy access to natural light, and the medical center, grocery and clothing stores should all be near a parking lot.

Floor Plans

Once I had picked the exterior shape of the building, I had to find the best layout for each space. Each plan has its strengths and weaknesses, but I chose the one that best fit the criteria I created during the sketching phase.

Final Floor Plan

The front entrance leads directly into the lobby, which serves as the heart of the building. In the top right is Recreation and Fitness with the locker rooms between them. Immediately below fitness is the Medical center. Next in the South-East of the building are a range of different kinds of meeting rooms to accommodate a wide variety of events. Next to them are the offices separated by restrooms. Finally is the clothing and Grocery stores with a nearby exit, and the dining area with plenty of space for natural light.

Exterior Model

This is a basic model of what the overall shape of the building would be. The main emphasis is on the roof, specifically the overhang located above the dining area.

Materials

These are preliminary material boards for the interior (above) and exterior (left). The main goal is to provide a natural feel with the use of woods and stones.

Logo Designs

I continued this idea of natural elements into the logo design. Taking inspiration from objects produced such as flowers or gems, or even the sun, as well as making use of organic curves. Between these four designs I felt number 4 was the strongest. The flower-like nature of the design made it welcoming and calming.

Fitness Center

This is the fitness center, with an open area near the windows to be used for a wide variety of uses, and stationary fitness machines at the back.

Meeting Room

Here is one of the small meeting rooms. There is seating for 12 and a TV and shelving. These meeting rooms would be able to be booked for private parties or used by the organization to host events.