Harlem Nexus (2021) — MARIAH VIMAN

nexus building floor plan final[Converted].png — Harlem Nexus Proposal

Located mid-block of 126th street and in direct correlation to the Apollo Theater, this building serves as an intermediary, one that bridges the gap of the educational disparities experienced within Harlem.

conceptual diagram final [Converted].png — ***Diagram 1***
Proposed as the Harlem Hearts Educational Center for All, this facility provides an interactive experience for all ages. The site location is at a critical convergence. The site has a major responsibility, connecting the past and the present. As a result, the Harlem Hearts Educational Center not only includes the historical past and narrative of the Apollo, but includes the future of Harlem, their minds, and most importantly their hearts.
The design is based in continuity and hybridity, to uphold and persist within future space and time. This diagram provides a visual representation of this continuous flow of education resources. This educational center will provide a variety of civic services and educational programs. The ground floor houses gallery space as well as a civic space, a town hall. The town hall serves as a room for mediation, specifically targeting the inequalities within the Harlem community. The first floor houses the administration offices and reading rooms. To assist higher education for adults, a reading room can serve as a place for after school prep and a tutoring center for their children. This can be subsequently used by the students at the school that lies on the same block. Following is the art/design studios with classes consisting of photography, film, modeling, and fashion design. This includes the ability to provide spaces for castings and auditions to scout local talent.
Lecture Hall as well as classrooms (which are easily transformable) spaces will also be used to house the community at large. Specifically, but not exclusively targeting adult education. Such as GED programs, workshops, guest speakers’, remedial classes, trade school classes, etc. Just above this houses the archive and additional storage space. The upper most levels are indoor/outdoor performance stages in which the public can view concerts, theater, and community led events. Students of all ages will have the opportunity to perform. The connections made within this diagram (diagram 1) are used to display this explicit hybridity. It inherently creates a circular and cyclical design through its various intersections. This is my intent, and what I will explore further in the next iterative design.

second massing diagram nexus final [Converted].png — ***Diagram 2***
Connection to the Apollo: The archive serves as a direct link to the historical past and narrative of the Apollo theater. Furthermore, the performance stages can be used as another outlet for Apollo’s amateur night. More importantly, the outdoor performance stage overlooks the Apollo theater, to show respect and homage to the legendary site. Educational programs and workshops can work in conjunction with the Apollo.
In working on the next iteration of this design, I will focus on a more fluid approach (diagram 2). One that not only speaks to this continuum but embodies it. This continuous hybrid design informs this circular and cyclical structure. Using a similar program, the focus will be on connecting each level more seamlessly.

nexus building sectional perspective final [Converted].png

Here my section provides a more in-depth description of the programs I have instantiated in this design. The transformability and hybridity of the design is highlighted.