Interweaving Helix
The project investigates the limited interaction between public and private domains within Leimert Park. As the area has become a cultural hub for artists, creators, and community activities there is now little or no interaction with private areas in the community, the project taps into this idea to bridge public and private programmatically. By looking at the connective tissues of Leimert Park which are made up of sidewalks, alleyways, and breezeways, the project uses these typologies to seep into the project by interweaving public and private programs through the use of a helix to incorporate programmatic spaces. The helix is an extension of the sidewalk a recall to the communities’ extensive network of pedestrian-friendly pathways which also have nested community programs. As the helix wraps around the building it starts to connect itself with the public program by blurring the line between interior and exterior by using foldable glass walls. This opens the programs to the exterior to create gathering spaces, while the private areas which share the same space as public program become more of a visual connection between them.
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