EMERSON STEPP MArch

Gaia House - Interfaith Student Housing​

Problem: Design a residential housing complex that included the offices and spaces required by the Interfaith Center that represented the Green design movement and was environmentally responsible. 
Solution:  Using the Interfaith Concept of “Many Paths, a Shared Journey” I designed a multi-story structure that consisted of programmatic sections instead of the more traditional programmatic floors.  The sections have voids spiraling through them which became the community spaces.  The final structure was a combination of multiple sections orientated to create a slight undulation in the building’s form.  I then surrounded the sections in argon gas filled double paned glass.  The Glass covering the community spaces is less reflective than the rest allowing greater visual connectivity.  The end Section has a large community space.   

Primary Programs: AutoCAD, Sketchup, Photoshop. 3D Studio Max