Community Center

Assignment

The assignment was to design a rural community center. However, about a week in, the professor got tired of the sensible designs we were coming up with and just told us to “go nuts while we can.” In the triumph of form over function, my community center resembles a volcano that spills its energy into the quiet rural landscapes. I grew up in a rural area, and I designed a building that I would be excited to see and go to as a kid. The rural communities in Russia are in decline, and as such, I created a destination worth staying for.

Program

The building is divided into three wings. The first wing is called “quiet.” It houses only the quiet types of recreation, such as arts and crafts clubs, a library, a winter garden, etc. The second wing is called “central.” It includes the entrances, a wardrobe, the administrative office, a cashier’s desk, restrooms on the first floor, and an exhibition area on the second floor. The third wing is called “loud,” which includes a café, a dance floor, and a concert hall that can be used both for performances and film screenings. This division permits different kinds of activities at the same time.

Back Entrance

Facades