Marion College Field House

Abstract

This book is a compilation of an academic year's endeavor to take a project as close to working drawings as possible. Because of dissatisfaction with the size of the preliminary design, I analyzed the design the second quarter to remove the excess space while using the same scheme. Because of the extra effort to reduce the size of the building, I did not get as involved in detailing the mechanical, structural, or electrical systems as required in the second quarter thesis program.The program for Marion College's Field House was compiled from interviews with Marion College's Athletic Department, Marion College's Administration, and Ball State University's Athletic Department as well as pamphlets, bulletins, and reports by Marion College. Berry May, Marion College Athletic Director, and I worked together to list the facilities that the college needed and wanted in the new building.The concept of having horizontal circulation around the gymnasium under the bowl and vertical circulation divided into levels for spectator and athletic use, was developed in Design Scheme I. The building was located on the site to be compatible with pedestrian traffic and the outdoor facilities that were designed but not under construction.Design Scheme IA was the, result of a short design period in which modifications were made to the site plan and the entrance/lobby area, because I was dissatisfied with the compatibility with pedestrian circulation.The reduction in the size of the Field House came in Design Scheme II, winter quarter, when I analyzed the size, quantity, and capacity of each area of the building. The site was also analyzed and design modifications resulted. The result of the investigation was a 30 per cent decrease in the size of the building and the addition of a few activities on the site.Design Scheme III was the period when the architecture of the building was unified. The major part of the work was trying to make the entrances part of the total building instead of elements on the building.The total effort of my 30 week endeavor is bound in this book. The project is the evidence of five years of education, which only scratches the surface of the knowledge that I need to survive in the real world.