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PROCESS

HOW WE DESIGN EVERY SITE IS UNIQUE, AND IT DESERVES A UNIQUE SOLUTION

Visualizations of the architectural design process sometimes lead to more confusion than clarity. We have created, tested & refined our process with our clients over & over again–because we believe that every architecture project is an opportunity to improve our process. You will not experience stale, stuffy or boring design work– we keep our projects & our partnerships invigorated with thought & a thorough use of the latest design technology because that’s what designing for tomorrow means to us. 

 
 

STEP ONE:

We create an inspiring plan for the overall specific piece of land concerning future usage. We help clients generate their program and find the highest and best use for their property. 

 
 

STEP TWo:

An example of this process, this site had a very unique shape and considerations such as the highway that wraps behind the site as well as the new transit stop adjacent to the property. This site presented some unique challenges which resulted in creative solutions.

 
 

STEP THREE:

We started with pulling the back corner of the site up to help protect the property from the highway and use its unique location within the city to create an iconic, mountain-like façade.

 
 
 
 

STEP FOUR:

We then looked at adding 25,000 square feet of retail to the project to spur community engagement and activate the street frontage.

 
 
 
 

STEP FIVE:

As we added the retail, we pushed the courtyard down to create view corridors for the building as well as a public park engaged with the retail space and the new train stop.

 

STEP SIX:

Safely engaging the building’s architecture with the public domain allows for a better urban experience for all. We studied in great detail where pedestrians would arrive at the site, establishing nodes where they would land, gently inviting them into the courtyard, and directing them towards the retail shops.

 

STEP SEVEN:

Well-designed architecture can help manage traffic and create safe and efficient parking spaces. We then studied the traffic flow and how people may approach and enter the building. We created a separation from the pedestrian realm through a tunnel that brings pedestrians into the parking garage. These design decisions create a safer built environment while also hiding the vehicles from sight.

 
 
 

STEP EIGHT:

We know that good architecture can play a role in creating a sense of community, promoting social interaction, and enhancing the quality of life. Begin the massing of the building with the garage as the foundation of the project.

 

STEP NINE:

We create architecture that uses the overall shape of a building to inform the uses of the spaces within and vice versa. Next, we added the retail space to the edges of the site to define the anchors and promote street engagement.

 

STEP TEN:

We create architecture that uses the overall shape of a building to inform the uses of the spaces within and vice versa. Next, we added the retail space to the edges of the site to define the anchors and promote street engagement.

 

BUILDING FORM

FINAL FORM

We then added 287,000 square feet of hotel. This allows business travelers that are meeting at the office adjacent to the hotel a short commute across the courtyard to do their business and finish it with a coffee in the lower retail space. The proximity to the airport is also a great asset for the site. This would be a perfect place to plan your business trip with the transit stop on the ground floor.

FINAL RENDERING

Strategically placed locations in a structure offer occupants a particular view allowing connection with surroundings and a sense of place and orientation. As you can see to the left the transit stop arrives just outside of the building and to the right you can see the meandering park entrance that takes you into the courtyard.

STREET ENGAGEMENT

The corner retail space becomes a hub and landing area for recent travelers office goers and the neighborhood returning from their daily activities.


FACADE

Never an after-thought, we see every facade as a way to control daylight, ventilation, and views, while also changing the appearance of an otherwise affordable building solution. Using the balconies as a sole point of articulation this gives the building the look of extravagance while the wall behind with similar sized windows and stacking structure makes this an affordable although unique place to experience.

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ARCHITECTURE . INTERIOR DESIGN . PLANNING

DOT – Architecture is a group of award-winning designers with experience in multiple scales of design from doorknobs, light fixtures, and furniture to global campus and master plans. DOT’s built project experience includes residential, Multi-Family, office, commercial, education, religious and government buildings. Our team has experience working at some of the top design firms in the world.