BLACK ROCK
NEW BUILD BATH HOUSE FOR THE TOWN OF BLACK ROCK IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO, NY
Black rock is the manifestation of surrounding context forming into a pillow diamond cut influenced black limestone mass designed to utilize rock geometry in its circulation, form, color, programming, interior and exterior features. This was originally conceptualized through a series of tool making and print making resulting in Black Rock. This was pushed through an immense rhino model existing of complicated geometric angled features ranging consistently through furniture, walls, lighting plans, ceilings, and features like dripstone that allows for internal reflection, perspective analysis, and meaningful thought of ones existence and the permanent and impermanent factors of it.
The final iterations of Black Rock educes mono no aware causing inner reflection and dialogue to be heightened when experiencing the bath house. Utilizing both Onsen and Banya typology mixed with programmatic activity to encourage overall wellness within oneself. Not only is it attractive because of its focus on wellness, but its designed pools encourage programming that allows for fitness classes and crowds within the Black Rock facility. Designing for those looking for experiment in innovative fitness and education for those unable to perform basic forms of movement that can save lives like swimming is at the core of Black Rocks intention to enhance the immediate community. Additional design factors intent on enhancing the community is a covered bus stop with seating, exterior native plantings that help the immediate ecosystem including a wetland edge planting near the creek-like splash pad. Podiums are erected throughout the planting beds to educate those on specific ecosystems present on site along with its environmental resources.
MONO NO AWARE
‘Mono no aware’ which can be deciphered in multiple different ways ultimately focusing on contradiction between the permanence and impermanence.