Project Outline

Corporex company’s 2008 design competition that was seeking a “unique architectural solution” for Phase I of OVATION, a mixed-use development at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers with total estimated cost of around $1 Billion was put on hold due to the recent economic downfall. The recent recovery, however, points to remarkable improvements in the construction industry hence we reconsider the OVATION project once again. Currently, the Ovation project is back on the table yet with notable reduction to its scope. This Senior Capstone Project will aim to envision a new sustainable mixed-use residential community within the initial Ovation proposed master plan.  This will include a series of ten story condominiums with public amenities to enhance life of the residents. Complete architectural and structural design of one of the typical structures as well as the schematic design of each condo unit type will be included in this project.

The Plan is to achieve this vision by constructing a best in class mixed use community called Ovation. Ovation is endowed with a rare location that allows it access to two rivers creating an exceptional environment. In approximately 400,000-450,000 square feet developed space, its design is anticipated to be an advocate of future sustainable lifestyle, housing 150-200 residential units (two, three, and four bedroom units). It will also include 40,000-50,000-square feet onsite amenities such as: restaurants, cafés, childcare, cinema, spa-gym, as well as roof gardens, sports, and entertainment spaces. Outdoor amenities will ideally include open concerts, water features, tennis, volleyball, and/or basketball courts for residents and visitors (may be blocked out, not necessarily designed in detail). An open air parking garage for 2,000 cars will serve the residents, guests, and employees. Total capital investment for this project will be approximately $200,000,000.

The primary theme for this project is HEALTH. Understanding HEALTH will be your project and developing strategies to sustain health will be your architectural challenge in this term. In this project you will explore health in terms of community health as well as individual health. There will be SIX phases to this course. Phase I will focus on project and site research, as well as the initial Site Analysis and Design (the research portion of this phase will be a CLASS TEAM PROJECT); Phase II, Preliminary Design; Phase III, Schematic Design; Phase IV, Design Development; Phase V, Design Drawings; and Phase VI, will be Final Presentation. You will develop your own program based on the Corporex requirements.

Parameters set for this Project by the instructors

•  You shall treat the remaining buildings on the proposed site as the existing context. Hence your proposal will need to respond to both larger contextual issues as well as its immediate surroundings, and aim to resolve site circulation, access, views, and other site problems.
• A strong concept will REDEFINE architectural language while respecting the existing context, potentially drawing its inspiration from the existing site characteristics.
• Each proposal shall re-envision the project anew rather than merely filling in the blank with programmatic requirements alone.

ESSENTIAL guiding DESIGN themes

• Architecture as health, health as architecture
• Architecture as landscape, landscape as architecture
• Architecture as structure, structure as architecture