The Folding Boat Centrum Communitatis by Xuechen Chen

The Folding Boat Centrum Communitatis by Xuechen Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Idea Competition Category.

ArgentumIdea· 2024

The Folding Boat Centrum Communitatis

by Xuechen Chen

Client: Xuechen Chen

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Idea Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #160482

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About The Folding Boat Centrum Communitatis

Navis Plicans, ad ripam Fluminis Harlem sita, spatium multifunctionale est quod ut facilitas remigandi pro collegio communitatis, bibliotheca parva, atque museum remigio athletico dedicatum servit. Tecto metallico plicato insignita, haec structura spatium interius definit parietibus in laquearia congruenter transeuntibus. Ad convergentiam regionum historicarum et modernarum posita, diligenti elementorum dispositione programmata, circulationem, et conspectum urbanum observat.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

The Folding Boat Centrum Communitatis victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur The Folding Boat Centrum Communitatis opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. The Folding Boat Centrum Communitatis creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Folding Boat, located along the shore of the Harlem River, is a multifunctional space serving as a rowing facility for the community college, a small library, and a museum dedicated to sport rowing. Featuring a folded metal roof, this structure defines its interior space by seamlessly blending walls into ceilings. Positioned at the convergence of historical and modern districts, meticulous placement of elements respects programs, circulation, and the urban landscape.
Dimensions & Packaging: 18,000sf
Tags: culture, community center, wood, metal, concrete
Production Technology: metal, glass and wood panel
Design Challenge: The multiversity of the programs and the materials.
Research: This research abstract explores the integration of folding as architectural elements across various scales, experiences, and programs within the context of the Rowing Boat project. Serving as a sport museum, rowing boat facility for a local college, and a community center for the neighborhood, the project examines how folding techniques can be applied to create dynamic spaces and functional designs. Through case studies and design explorations, this research delves into the innovative use of folding to enhance architectural aesthetics, spatial experiences, and programmatic functionalities within a multi-functional facility.
Inspiration: The project's inspiration stems from the unique topography of the site, characterized by varying slopes. This distinctive landscape presents an opportunity to mimic and enhance the site's features through the use of folding in the design. The folded elements not only echo the site's topography but also contribute to the project's special aesthetic qualities.
Project Duration: Unbult, Bronx, Newyork
Operation Flow: The Folding Boat project draws inspiration from the site's unique topography, using folding in design to echo its slopes and enhance aesthetics. Located along the Harlem River, it's a rowing facility, small library, and sport museum. The folded metal roof blends spaces, respecting historical context and urban landscape. This research explores folding's integration in various scales, programs, and experiences, enhancing architectural aesthetics and functionality.
Team Members: Xuechen Chen
Image Credits: XUECHEN CHEN