cunningham park | reflection spacereflection

design by YOUNGSOO YANG

thanks to stan

table of contents

location + site plan

concept + inspiration

spatial themes`

floor plans

sections

elevations

observation

transition

reflection

appendix

scale : 1” = 60’

joplin, missouri

missouri, usa

location + site

the site is located on the northern edge of cunningham park in joplin, missouri. the park is considered to be the ground zero of the tornado. the location carries a much significance to the event, because of its role during the disastrous event as the focal point for helping volunteers that flooded the city after the incident. to the south of the park, across w 26th st., is what used to be st. john’s medi-cal center, also an important place during and after the in-cident. the hospital was completely destoryed, and only its ruins remain. the joplin community commits to rebulid the city with cunningham park being the focal point. a number of projects have taken place that have revitalized the park, including the volunteer’s tribute designed and built by stu-dents of drury university.

the building is angled 79 degrees off of the north to the west. the particular angle is the sun angle at 5:34pm on may 22nd. that particular time and date is the official touchdown time of the joplin tornado. every year on may 22nd, at that particular time, the shadows of five concrete columns connect to the next column, as the five columns all become linked through shadows. this phenomenon symbolizes the connecting hands of help and hope for the joplin community. another axis directs toward st. john’s medical center to the south, for its implied connection to the hospital.

sun angle at 5:34pm on may 22

axis

to s

t. jo

hn’s

med

ical

cen

ter

79° NW

cunningham park

st. john’s regional medical center (in ruins)

SITE

w 26th st.

s m

aide

n ln

.

gabby st. blvd.

mcc

lella

nd b

lvd.

concept + inspiration

the main concept of this reflection space attempts to evoke a spiritual experience through the harmoni-ous coalescence of three classical elements of nature: earth, water, and light. each element also corresponds to a symbolic value relevant to the incident of joplin tor-nado and its aftermanth.

= recovery= reflection= hope

the spontaenous co-existence of these elements are ominpresent throughout the spaces, creating strangely serene and calming atmosphere, in the middle of an ur-ban environment. therefore, it provides visitors an iso-lated sanctuary, suitable for meditation and reflection. in order to truly produce and understand such a space, the main inspiration also comes from the nature: cave.

a cave is a perfect example where the harmony of the natural elements of earth, water and light is preserved only in its natural environment. caves provide shelter to animals and humans. in fact, caves were seen as a ba-sic form of sanctuary. in addition, caves were tradition-ally used as a place for religious rituals. ancient people used caves as a place for spiritual journey. naturally, for many ideal reasons, cave is a perfect choice for this project as a key source of inspiration.

earthwater

light

earthwater

light

cave

observation

transition

reflection

observation

3 spatial themes

the spaces are subtly and interconnectedly divided into three themes; observation, transition and reflec-tion. each spatial theme provides the visitors with unique experience and journey that as a whole, ac-complishes the spiritual path that has been laid out to offer a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

the three different spatial themes are acknowledged by different use of building materials. the observa-tion space consists mostly of glass, while the under-ground reflection space is pre-dominantly concrete. the transition space is a mixture of both. the glass-framed observation space creates an illusional effect of floating on water of the reflecting pool. visitors are constantly aware of the presence of water above their heads when they transition into the reflection space. once they reach the underground level, they are once again presented with subterranean water.

observation

transition

reflection

5 columns = 5 senses of reflection

reflecting pools. above and below.reflecting pools. above and below.

observationground level

the circulation of the spaces allows visitors to experi-ence the varying unities of the elements. upon arriving at the chapel, visitors may choose to either ascend to the observation deck or descend into the transition space. while those spaces may not be linked directly via circulation, they are related through its exchange of materials and human views. descending the ramps, one experiences the evolution of materials from space to space seamlessly before arriving to the heart of the reflection space. in a similar way, the ascent from the lower confines of the space to the open air alludes to the future sense of spiritual uplifting.

each of these spaces are inextricably linked via its path of ascending and descending ramps and through its tectonic intermingling of elements, with constant ex-periential relationship with the visitors.

floor plansscale : 1’ = 1/32”

transitionground/underground level

reflectionunderground level

a a’

d d’

c’

c

b’

b

sectionsscale : 1’ = 1/24”

aa’

cc’ dd’

bb’

east

west

elevationsscale : 1’ = 1/16”

N

S

EW

south

north

observation

observation

the project program required an observatory deck to be included as a part of the chapel. the primary aim was to provide visitors with a view overlooking the city of joplin, and reminding them of the devastating event that struck half of it.

the observatory deck overlooks the reflecting pool to the west, and the st. john’s medical center to the south, which is now in ruins from the tornado. it is a subtle expression that signifies the peaceful atmosphere of the calm water, while acknowledging the atrocities of the disaster. the building itself is a concrete box wrapped with glass curtain wall. it is arguably the brightest and lightest space. from outside, the cantilevered box seems to float on water as it is supported by steel mullions underneath. from within the space one experiences the illusion of floating on the water, as well.

adjacent to the observation space lies a reflecting pool with five tall concrete columns, which represent five senses of reflection. water streams from the top of these columns and gently flows along the surfaces onto the reflecting pool and further below to the underground reflection space.

interior of the observatory space

entry ramp to the observatory space

3 | observation room / day rendering

transition

transition

the project program required an observatory deck to be included as a part of the chapel. it pro-vided a challenge to integrate an observation space to the rest of the chapel which was mostly underground. the solution was to separate the observation space from the underground reflection space, which gave birth to another space of transition, linking the two major spaces.

descending into the transition space, visitors certainly experience a transition from tall, open, and light, to tight, low, and constrained. the most balanced space materially, light reflected from the surrounding water bathes the concrete walls via vertical slots and horizontal bands around the volume. from within the space, one senses he is walking underneath the water.

the transition space is a preparation stage for the beginning of the spiritual journey that takes one through long winding ramps down to the underground. one is able to sense the gradual depth that seems to overtake him as the path leads further below.

inrterior of the transitional space entrance to the transitional space

reflection

reflection

from the long winding ramps one reaches the undergound reflection space. over 20 feet in depth, the most monolithic, majestic of the spaces, the reflec-tion space comprises predominantly of concrete. within the austere confines, the tall concrete columns seen from outside penetrate into the volume. water-filtered light radiates around the top of the columns while thin slits of skylight around the outermost wall cloak the floor with a luminous band. the pool within the space completes the trinity of elements within the chapel. while one may be awe-inspired in the depths of this expanse, an unexpected gem lies just outside the reflection space.

in an attempt to imitate the cave-like atmosphere, the water from the outside reflecting pool trickles down gently along the columns’ surface. as the water touches the bottom pool, it creates curious sounds that echo throughout the vast expanse. the bright sunlight that pierces its way through the skylights is reflected against the water, generating a playful interaction around the space.

interior of the reflection space

interior of the chapel space

the final destination of the spiritual journey is a surprise factor of the entire procession. the small chapel is adorned with intricate wood slats sunbathed by a wide skylight, presenting with a surprise of stark contrast from the cold, clossal reflection space. it is an unexpected twist, a treasure box deep down in a cave, where one can still find the co-existence of water, earth and light.