The Crevice / Hall

UG3 / Malcolm McCullough / F’22

What does it mean to go Bowling Alone?

The parameters of this project were to design a hostel in rural Pennsylvania, with the focus on how the concept of hall would represent itself in the space. One of the givens was that this hostel would be frequented by cyclists due to its proximity a popular biking trail, and also exist adjacent to a small town, called Blackwell.

I found inspiration in the canyon we were situated in and used that as my main form finding method. The crevice would serve as a jarring circulation that guided visitors to the main focus of the hostel, the pair of halls. My research for the cultural impact of this building took root in the idea of social capital, or ones ability to find and make connections within a community of people. We so desperately lack it, I felt inclined to develop spaces where people can gather in a variety of levels of comfort.

Which led to the two halls.

First encountered is the outdoor hall, where the space is loosely divided with concrete slabs that are multifunctional to encourage mingling and gathering between new people. From there you can step into the indoor hall, a more divided space in the literal sense, but still not fully closed off from space to space. Those that are less inclined to make new friends still have many spaces to be in the presence of others without having to break out of their social boundaries.

Drawings

indoor hall