Redesign Your School Athletic Pavilion | 2014 National High School Architecture Competition #166: Recent activity

I appreciate your use of color in plans and models. Orientation to the sun is a bit confusing between site and enlarged gym plans and how those relate to the 3D image. The curtain wall system would be a detriment to the PE program if it faced south or west, but I think, based on your site plan, that it faces north? To eliminate confusion, just add a north arrow and add directional queues for 3D images ("looking east" or "view from north")

I think the Band/Orchestra room may be a good fit at this acoustically separate building, but it was not mentioned as a goal in previous steps.

Good job going back to the original design list and focusing your design goals.

Good photo. Because this photo has people in it for scale, it is easy to see how inadequately the gym is sized.

I like both of these views (front and back). It has great symmetry. I really like your use of windows. Can you enlighten us on your use of natural light in the space and what economic and environmental benefits it can provide?

This is a good layout; however don't forget the bathroom facilities for the athletes! I see there is a girl restroom on the plan; however, I am assuming that you are reserving that for public use and not use by the athletes as apart of their locker room facilities.

This space has a nice flow but I would think a little bit about circulation here. It would be efficient to be able to get to the other side of the building with out having to cross the gym in one location to get there. Also think about egress (ways to exit the building). You have a lot of egress shown on the south (lower portion of the space - a North arrow would be helpful here). Since you are not allowed to exit through a mechanical room or storage space, I would like to see you explore other ways of egress.

This seems to be a good layout;however, I would think about how you can combine some of the spaces. For example, although I like the concept of having an amphitheater, that assembly space can easily be combined with the gym to serve the same function. This way there is more space for the gym and athletic facilities. Also, how is the gym being accessed by the main building and how does it connect conceptually? I would evaluate the adjacencies of these buildings. Do you have plans to relocate the Veteran's space for disabled students? I would address those ideas here. I would also like to see your ideas on how the gym and its associated facilities (ie locker room, trophy case, restrooms, etc.) will be addressed since those were listed in your competition as something that needed to be included.

I think it is productive to be critical of your designs; however, offer ways that you would improve it instead of just saying that you didn't like it.

I like the repetition of the arch. If you can repeat that throughout the rest of the design, you will soften up the squareness of the rest of your building. I also appreciate that you did a hand sketch of the space.

Having shade structures are both functional and add an element of design. You could also use these forms and integrate them into the design of the rest of the space for an element of cohesiveness.