Reimaging:

Douglass and Degraw

Aquatic Center

This was a collaborative project I completed with a team of XR peers during a university collab course.

Our collaborative project aimed to transform a pool facility at 250 Douglass St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, into a vibrant Agora, blending thoughtful design with functionality to enhance the swimming experience and foster social interaction. Key features included an adult swimming pool, children's pools, shower areas, lockers, reception/security, art gallery/exhibition space, skatepark, cafeteria, meeting rooms, and outdoor activity areas. Leveraging parametric design principles, natural elements, and ample lighting, the Agora provided a year-long experience, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces to create a dynamic environment for individuals of all ages. As a UX designer, 3D modeler, and architect, I played a pivotal role in conceptualization, spatial planning, 3D modeling, VR experience development, and parametric design integration, ensuring the realization of our vision for a welcoming and engaging communal space.

Project Description

Agora Oasis: Transforming a Pool Facility into a Dynamic Communal Space

Role

Overview

UX designer, 3D modeler, and architect designer

Sep 2023 - Dec 2023

Our Goals and How We Approached Them

In the heart of Canel, New York City, lies a public pool facility that has served as a seasonal refuge from the summer heat for years. However, the spatial structure of this public space results in near-zero community engagement for most of the year. After speaking with program members, we recognized the importance of this issue. So, the project was tasked with redesigning the pool facility so that it could operate year-round and transform it into a vibrant and engaging public space.

This was the original motivation for our team to rethink the traditional concept of a seasonal pool, thus envisioning instead a multi-purpose Agora that caters to the diverse needs and interests of the local community year-round. By reimagining the space as a multifunctional hub for the exchange of recreational and cultural activities, we aimed to have a lasting impact on the range of activities of the residents of this community, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

Focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, our team aimed to transform this common area amenity into an oasis of light and vitality, a beacon of community pride and engagement to breathe new life into the facility. Through careful planning, thoughtful design, and collaboration with stakeholders, we aim to create a space that not only meets the needs of the present but also inspires future generations to come together and create lasting memories.

Context & Background

Conceptualization and Design

Concept art, Designed by Vincent Callebaut for Kunming, China

Concept art, Designed by Vincent Callebaut

Spiralling Structures

Rooftop Landscape Garden and Plants

Elevating both aesthetics and functionality.
Provide structural stability.
Create a sense of flow and movement and enhance the overall experience of navigating through or around the space.

Offering a visually appealing and socially engaging space for the building to maintain a fresh air and environment.
Reduce and alleviate the temperature of direct sunlight on the ground.