Narrative
Othello's Place—is aimed at cultivating community connections through help, meet, play, learn. Nestled in the heart of Othello, between Rainier Valley and New Holly, this project site is strategically located near the Othello Link Station, which serves as the bustling urban core of this neighborhood. It enjoys proximity to key transportation hubs, including bus stops, cyclists, and pedestrians, along major corridors like Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South Othello Street. Surrounding our site is a diverse array of neighborhood typologies, encompassing mixed-use residential, medical, institutional, and commercial developments.
This project began by addressing the site conditions through several design strategies. The first involved elevating a central space envisioned as a welcoming living room where the community could gather and express themselves freely. Additionally, buildings were strategically positioned around the perimeter to shield this central space from the bustling intersection, enhancing safety and reducing potential accidents for pedestrians. On the second level, it unifies the central space with the perimeter hallways with educational hallways. Lastly, we carved out a visual connection, increasing the site's porosity between MLK Jr. Way and 42nd Street, enabling it to embrace the community and provide a flexible corridor space for large-scale events in the future.
The project's program revolves around four major themes: help, meet, play, and learn. Each theme offers various services catered to the diverse community. Residents can access the urban rest stop or visit the customer service center, conveniently located closer to the intersection. The corridors serve as meeting spaces for events and feature gallery areas for showcasing local art, such as the Onyx Art Collective. Towards the northern side of the site, a multipurpose gymnasium allows for sports activities like basketball and badminton, complemented by dedicated game and music rooms for teenagers on the second floor. Lastly, the learning space bridges the previous three themes by providing study tables and computer resources for parents awaiting their children.
Access to the site is achieved from MLK Jr. Way, where the sidewalk seamlessly integrates with the site boundary. This design element not only improves access but also incorporates a green buffer, mitigating the existing sense of danger that currently circulates the site. Each building features its lobby, accessed from underneath the learning hallway. During the day, when all three buildings are in use, these lobbies serve as flexible entry points. At night, two of the lobbies can be closed, while the café lobby remains open to serve the public.
The building's structure embodies the design gestures employed throughout the project. Precast concrete dominates the ends of the site, imparting a sense of protection, while as one turns the corner, the warmth of wood cladding and timber frame structures takes over, creating an interior environment of visual porosity and comfort.
In terms of the layout, the first floor is dedicated to essential public spaces, including the gym and gallery area, which can seamlessly expand into the corridor for larger events like farmers' markets or dance classes organized by the Good Foot Collective. On the other hand, the second floor focuses on areas for children, such as the teen reading, game, and music rooms, designed to provide a more secluded atmosphere.
In summary, Othello's Place aims to create a vibrant platform that fosters unity in a culturally diverse community, encompassing individuals from various generations. This platform serves as a gathering space where community members can participate in a multitude of activities including help, meet, play, learn. It offers a platform where they can express themselves and lead into the surrounding local institutions such as Onyx Art Collective, Good Foot Collective, Café Red, and many more.
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