Natura
Objective:
This project proposes a redesign of the cafeteria and food area located on the ground floor of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital at 3333 Burnet Ave. The current cafeteria is outdated and not engaging for children. The objective of the project was to create a space that serves the three main user groups in the hospital: the staff, patients, and the visitors.
This project was in collaboration with Maia Gilioli.
Site
Execution
The design concept for the proposed cafeteria renovation was “Natura”. The idea behind Natura stems from a part to whole relationship. We combined United States National Park influences with parametric design pulled directly from the earth’s layers. The design is inspired by the Latin phrase “Natura non facit saltum” meaning nature makes no leap or in nature, things change gradually. We incorporated this phrase directly into our design by abstracting the passage of time that can be seen in the earth’s core as well as the rings on a tree stump. We use a similar design language throughout by creating varying degrees of density and gradual undulating structures translating subtle changes.
We identified an interconnectedness between the gradual evolution of humans within nature and how the evolution of one directly influenced the evolution of the other. A physical manifestation of their similarities are a human’s fingerprint and a tree trunk’s ring print. We pulled vertical and horizontal line elements out of the parks individual expressions of time. In terms of program, Joshua Tree national park functions as the food preparation / purchasing area, Yosemite influenced the kids and group dining zone, Mammoth Cave influenced the semi-private dining zone and the exterior space is representative of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
