Raging Sunset

by Fangzhou Ni

Sandwiched in between Thomas Jefferson High School and Ross Synder Recreation Center, this elder- and patient-oriented campus is confronting two of the most energetic youth groups. The building complexes standing in the middle compose a slender, linear architectural sequence along the long side that leaves sufficient open space on both edges to where the high school and recreation center are directly connected. In this case, the two major clienteles – patients and elder residents, although in a negative way, have more potential to interact with and benefit from energy and vitality of the youth.

Appealing stairs/elevators utilized respectively in the four key building projects – Outpatient Clinic, Physical Therapy Center, Lifelong Housing and Memory Care Clusters – build a subtle connection among them. The color use of these stairs/elevators has its intrinsic rationale, i.e., calmness of azure blue for the clinic, vigor of tuscany yellow for the housing, and nostalgia of magenta pink for the memory care clusters. Through the Physical Therapy Center and the permeable parking space, the building entities and the hardscape space are more naturally integrated into the site and landscape. At the same time, pilotis with lifted floors create a more transparent ground level, which contributes to the interpenetration between open spaces on the both edges, making more direct communication and interaction with the energetic neighborhood on the site.

Through these strategies, this proposal aims at conveying this active and optimistic life value to its main clients,

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light…