The Site
The purpose of this studio was to design a chess club in the Teste Building, an existing structure at the corner of Dorrance and Weybosset in Providence, RI. Next door is a vacant lot, which was incorporated into the site to open up possibilities since the existing building has major spatial restraints. We were asked to draw inspiration for our design by analyzing the game of chess along with the experience. This research was diagramed and then eventually used to draw inspiration to create architecture.
Diagram
My observation was that, at greater skill levels, players may be able to see more and/or more stratigic ways out of situations where they are at risk of being captured then those who are new to the game. This was represented in diagram with varying opacities of glass at the end of paths. The greater the opacity the greater the skill level necessary to pass. In additon players at lower skill levels may have moments of clarity where they are able to percieve the game at a higher level and similarly experts may experience what is commonly described as choking, where their minds revert back to the way they were when they were new to the game. This was represented as leaps between paths.
My design used the gradual constriction of a central stair, as the user moves closer to more private areas along with varying opacities of glass to show the concept that players with greater skill levels can see ways out that may not be clear to beginners.
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Section A-A'
Moments of clarity and reversion to lower levels of thinking was shown as changes in elevation wth second floor space becoming increasingly private as elevation increased.
Section B-B'
First Floor Program
Second Floor Program
