ARCH007 → Gray Space, Chattanooga Cultural Center For Aquatics and Dance
The new cultural center located in the heart of Chattanooga, connecting three different areas: the Central Business District, the University of Tennessee at Chat - tanooga campus, and the City Hall Area, Makes the cultural center become the aggregation point. Through analyzing city elements, Mountain and River as the two Chattanooga icons, are symbolized in the project for Aquatics and Dance.
This project incorporates the studio thesis topics. The topic is grey space, an architectural concept proposed by Kisho Kurokawa. Grey space is an interme - diary space between indoor and outdoor, which illustrates the ambiguity and multivalency of architecture and allows the compromise and co-existence of the two spaces
The ground floor is the level for people to gather and play. The public plaza, ramped stairs, and exterior pool provides spaces for people participating in activities on the site. A cafe and a food market are located underneath the dance for people to enjoy. The ground floor is also the entry-level for the aquatics program as well as providing courtyard space. The aquatics area sinks under the ground, which provides opportunities for people on the ground level to view the activities happening in the aquatics space.
The second and third level forms by grey spaces, entrances, and circulations. Grey space such as rooftop garden and courtyards gives people a new experience, in which they are inside the culture center and still outside in the natural environment. In addition, the grey spaces are open for public use and guarantee a certain sense of privacy. The entrance for dance encourages people to interact with the urban environment, in which the transparent glass provides a view to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center across the street. Circulations such as bridges and ramped stairs allow people to interact with the activities on the site visually and physically.
The fourth and fifth levels are the dance programs’ spaces, including dance studios, support spaces, staff services, and locker rooms. The rehearsal and performance studio provides 30 ft high space for the fly space and upper catwalk as well as providing 100 seatings. Medium and small dance studios are on the other side of the building and are attached to the aquatics building. Staff and support spaces are at the fifth level. In addition, there is a courtyard space for the audience or actors to enjoy the outside environment. Double-height corridor space brings sunlight and external connection. The outer facade changes based on the program, informing the idea of fluid.