Preliminary Design Option 2

Here are the revised floor plans (option 2) as a result of inputs by the committee submitted by Carol Balquin as of October 31, Monday, 2011.

Inputs submitted:
1 - Make the ground floor to be all parking spaces?
2 - Second floor to be the assembly hall?
3 - Is balcony possible?
4 - Shrink library to just shelves not a room.
5 - Utilize green decks to be office spaces and others.
6 - A definite spaces for parsonage and a guest room?
7 - Define in detail offices and cabinets.
8 - Multi-function hall with movable walls?
9 - Make washrooms closer to stairs?
10 - Stage to have stairs the whole front stretch.
11 - Sound monitor all over.
12 - Lobby to each floor especially where offices are.
13 - Add music studio (left out from last presentation).
14 - Assembly hall floors all flat?
15 - Convert mess hall to be dining hall that can be used as overflow area?
16 - Tea/coffee garden.
17 - Is additional remote entrance/exits possible?

The major revision done here is the moving of the assembly hall from first floor to second floor. This way, we can create more parking spaces as much as possible even if the city might not require.

Anyhow, in this revised plans (option 2), I am assuming that we got no problem with the variance permit and approval. Below is the ground floor plan. (figure 1). The Whole lot area is bounded by walls up to second floor. These boundary walls will act as fences/boundaries in the second floor up to about 4 feet high. This parking arrangement can accommodate at least 68 cars.

FIGURE 1. GROUND FLOOR PLAN - PARKING

FIGURE 2. SECOND FLOOR PLAN - ASSEMBLY HALL

The assembly hall in the second floor plan shown in figure 2 is setbacked by 5 meters (J) from lot boundaries. (C),(E),(G), and (H) are without setbacks. (F) is also a setback. (I) is the dining hall but can be used as overflow area whenever needed (J). All the purple colored spaces are for seats, being J,I/J are overflow areas, when glass sliding doors are fully open. (K) is the elevator for seniors and disabled only.


(Figure 3) Third Floor Plan - below: (A) Balcony overlooking the stage in the second floor, (C) is multi-function hall, (B) are offices, guests room/parsonage, etc, (F) are washrooms, (D) are stairs. Detailed plans are shown in figure 4.

FIGURE 3. THIRD FLOOR PLAN - BALCONY, OFFICES

FIGURE 4. OFFICES, PARSONAGE, OTHERS

Walls in between halls are movable as a matter of suggestion. These movable walls maybe like this example link here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=S7sjhAkOdnw This same kind of walls maybe used for the assembly hall walls, so that when fully open, will be able to use the 'overflow' areas.

(Figure 5) Cross Section - shows 5 meter setback at second floor with fast growing trees that for shading the hot sun walls (shown closed). First floor wall is at the lot boundary will serve as a tall concrete fence. The wall at second floor (shown blue) up to underside of roof will probably be divided to three sections along the height, being lower portion to serve as sliding doors, and being upper portions to serve as huge wall-to-wall windows that tilts open and close as desired.

FIGURE 5. CROSS SECTION

Challenges:

1 - The major challenge in this plan option is a variance to the city. Hope that we can get the variance approval without much penalties. Also, a variance application is not a guarantee of approval.
2 - Another challenge is a reduced natural ventilation to minimum in the first floor since most of it is enclosed all through the lot boundaries, except the portion in the entrance and the back. Although it maybe possible to provide high opening (like an open window) all through the perimeter walls about 2 meters in height up to the underside of beams or floor slabs provided that we can get a consent by the immediate boundary neighbors as per requirement of the city.
3 - Another challenge is the added cost in constructing a structurally sound frames to carry the whole load in the assembly area.
4 - Another challenge will be related to any expansion later on (if there will be) in the assembly area.

Advantages:

At least total 68 parking created. Another advantage is security - it creates a sense of security since the whole property is sort of secured by a tall concrete wall that defines the boundary of the building. This boundary walls terminates at second floor (where tree is) as shown in Figure 5 above.

Another advantage is it defines more buildable space compared from earlier option.

Yet, this plan option got an advantage of actually creating a privacy fence equals to the area of the lot, hence, floor space in the second and third floor can be maximize. Another advantage to this plan option.