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Aeris

This project lifts a greenhouse above the Mitchell Branch Library, holding the existing building as grounded and certain while the addition arrives lightly, like a passing visitor. Inspired by the experience of West Rock, heavy yet visually floating, the design preserves the active west façade and opens the east to the park. A subtle, terraced landscape rises into a sharp greenhouse volume that reaches toward West Rock without touching the library. Internally, sunken and elevated public spaces layer movement, light, and planting. The building becomes a meeting of two architectures: one rooted and steady, the other hovering, rising, and reaching outward.

Project

Adaptive Reuse, Greenhouse

Year

2025

Client

YSOA Core III with Peter De Bretville

Tools

Rhinoceros 7, Grasshopper, Blender 4.2, Adobe Suite, 3D printing, Laser Cutting

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Preliminary sketches of the distant "West Rock" floating behind the existing building in the horizon.
Preliminary sketches of the distant "West Rock" floating behind the existing building in the horizon.
Preliminary sketches of the distant "West Rock" floating behind the existing building in the horizon.

Preliminary sketches of the distant "West Rock" floating behind the existing building in the horizon.

Parti diagram showing the split nature of the site, grounded and ascended.
Parti diagram showing the split nature of the site, grounded and ascended.
Parti diagram showing the split nature of the site, grounded and ascended.

Parti diagram showing the split nature of the site, grounded and ascended.

Quickly iterated through 10+ 1/32" sketch models.
Quickly iterated through 10+ 1/32" sketch models.
Quickly iterated through 10+ 1/32" sketch models.

Quickly iterated through 10+ 1/32" sketch models.

1/32" Site model showing the existing library and West Rock. 8' long model made from cardboard, paper, basswood, and 3D Prints.
1/32" Site model showing the existing library and West Rock. 8' long model made from cardboard, paper, basswood, and 3D Prints.
1/32" Site model showing the existing library and West Rock. 8' long model made from cardboard, paper, basswood, and 3D Prints.

1/32" Site model showing the existing library and West Rock. 8' long model made from cardboard, paper, basswood, and 3D Prints.

1/16" Model iterations showing the final massing alongside three other massing options.
1/16" Model iterations showing the final massing alongside three other massing options.
1/16" Model iterations showing the final massing alongside three other massing options.

1/16" Model iterations showing the final massing alongside three other massing options.

Final 1/16th model showing clarity between the preserved east elevation and the new greenhouse addition.
Final 1/16th model showing clarity between the preserved east elevation and the new greenhouse addition.
Final 1/16th model showing clarity between the preserved east elevation and the new greenhouse addition.

Final 1/16' model showing clarity between the preserved east elevation and the new greenhouse addition.

Final 1/16' model showing clarity between the preserved east elevation and the new greenhouse addition.
Final 1/16' model showing clarity between the preserved east elevation and the new greenhouse addition.
Final 1/16' model showing clarity between the preserved east elevation and the new greenhouse addition.

1/16" Model showing the gentle topography created by the rear elevation.
1/16" Model showing the gentle topography created by the rear elevation.
1/16" Model showing the gentle topography created by the rear elevation.

1/16" Model showing the gentle topography created by the west elevation.

1/16" Model showing the entry through gentle topography.
1/16" Model showing the entry through gentle topography.
1/16" Model showing the entry through gentle topography.

1/16" Model showing the entry through gentle topography.

Larger 1/8" Model showing the existing and additional east elevation.
Larger 1/8" Model showing the existing and additional east elevation.
Larger 1/8" Model showing the existing and additional east elevation.

Larger 1/8" Model showing the existing and additional east elevation.

1/8" Sectional model showing the combined library and greenhouse spaces.
1/8" Sectional model showing the combined library and greenhouse spaces.
1/8" Sectional model showing the combined library and greenhouse spaces.

1/8" Sectional model showing the combined library and greenhouse spaces.

1/8" Sectional model showing a double height greenhouse space.