polaris.
A SILENT RETREAT BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH.
DESCRIPTION.
Polaris is meant to form a relationship between the individual and the sky, enveloping aspects of what the site once was before being touched by humankind and construction. The quiet hotel is located along highway US-93 S. in downtown Whitefish, Montana. It was designed as an escape from the loud distractions of everyday life by providing users with a threshold between heaven and earth. To achieve this goal, the ‘framing of the sky’ and the layout of the site were emphasized and organized from constellations and conventional construction through three architectural elements: structure, voids, and programming.
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AIA Spokane Chapter offers a student design competition with the primary goal to showcase the high standard of design and execution achievable from some of the most talented students in the region. The 'Open Category' is for each of the three participating schools to submit work from their top 15 students that best represent their design talents.
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Accelerated Graduate Studio | 2022 | Whitefish, MT
AIA Spokane Student Design Competition
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In collaboration with:
Denise Tlatelpa
INITIAL DESIGN CONCEPTS
Sky
Vernal Equinox
Autumn Equinox
Summer Solstice
Winter Solstice
Azimuths
Parking Grid
BIG IDEA
Sky + Structure + Parti
Exploded plan axon of how constellations during cosmic phenomena shape the circulation, guide programming, and form structure.
INNOVATION
Redirect View
Large openings and framed structure becomes a mechanism for redirecting typical horizontal views and orienting user toward the sky above.
Constellations
Pathways
Units
CIRCULATION
Walkway Paths & Unit Location
Constellations above the site form the pathways for private and public guests to walk on. Each star point identifies a unit location along the pathway.
WATER
Reflection of the Sky
Reflecting pools mirror the sky above, creating two planes: one above and one on the ground, to bring the individual closer between worlds.
