Steven Holl
Urbanism Architect
An Analysis of Simmons Hall
Fall 2013
Architecture Theories and Concepts
Jialu Zhang
Introduction
Thesis
Steven Holl’s work has similarities to modernism, such as open space and grids,
however to “bring modernism out of its
muteness,” he incorporates aspects of
urbanism in his architectural designs, as in
his Simmons Hall, which is motivated by
a wish to achieve “porosity”, he relies on
a “sponge” metaphor along with internal
“lungs” and an emphasis on transparency.
Background
Steven Holl is an American architect and watercolorist, who was born December 9,
1947.
With his embrace of computer technology, Holl transitioned into the digital design
era of the 1900s and at the same time, he practices globally.
He runs his office Steven Holl Architects in New York and Beijing.
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Philosophy
Insisting that “the prime motivation of his architecture is anti-ideological,” Holl
claims that the basis of his work is “neither sociological nor functionalist”, (Frampton& Holl, P7)
In Anchoring, (Holl,1996) Holl states his basic principles as follows:
1. “All work is experienced phenomenologically in terms of material, light, climate
and time.”
2. “Architecture is to be based on linear, planar, and volumetric elements, as these
are found in either natural or cultural from, ranging from the micro-photography
of crystal and plants to architectonic archetypes.”
In each project, Steven Holl explores new approaches to “integrate an organizing
idea with the programmatic and functional essence of a building. Rather than imposing a style upon different sites or pursued irrespective of program, the unique
character of a program and a site becomes the starting point for an architectural
idea.”(Architect, 2013)
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Case Study
Overview of Simmons Hall
Simmons Hall
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA, United States, 1999-2002
The Simmons Hall is a part of the expansion project at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT). He integrates all the functions in one space and the hall becomes
“one of the university’s art world”. It is called as a “vertical slice of city”, 10 stories
tall and 382’ long, providing a 125 seat theater, a night café, and street level dining.
(Holl, 2013)
Simmons Hall, MIT, 1999-2002
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“Sponge” Metaphor
The sponge concept enables interaction among
students, functional design and aesthetics at the
same time. Holl said that “‘a sponge can absorb
several times its weight in liquid without changing
its appearance.”
Large, dynamic openings are the “lungs”, bringing
natural light down and moving air up.
The urban concept provides necessary street-like
amenities and corridors. “Housing dining is on street
evel, like a street front restaurant with a special
awning and outdoor tables. The corridors connecting the rooms are like streets (11 feet wide).” (Holl,
P118)
“Holes in the entry canopy play against the grid’s
regular rhythm, providing a whimsical rendition of
the porosity theme”. (Holl, 2013)
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Transparency: Voids & Solids
“Five large openings corresponding to main
entrances, view corridors, and outdoor
activity terraces.” And each 9-small-windows
room forms a porous “solid” surface.(Holl,
2013)
Opposing architectural elements, such as
“solids and voids and opaqueness and transparency”(Perez, 2010) are applied. Organic
surfaces of the vertical cavities divides the
space.
The wall is 18” deep, “shades out summer
sun while allowing the low angled winter
sun to help heat the building.” (Frampton&
Holl, P212) There are more than 3,000 small
openings on the solid surface.
“The abundance of windows creates a
constant flicker of changing lights as the
different rooms are occupied, resembling a
city skyline at night. These windows also welcome plenty of sunlight and natural ventilation for each room.” (Perez, 2013)
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Materials
Prefabricated reinforced concrete is arranged in
a ruled surface system but “freely connected to
sponge prints.”(Frampton& Holl, 2003)
“With its cast-concrete exoskeleton clad in sanded
aluminum, the chameleon like building changes
appearance according to light conditions.”(Sarah
Amelar, 2003)
“Solar stack” glaze and curvilinear concrete stair
and walls integrate with the façade of the building.
“Cast glass seems to trap light within its material.
Its translucency or transparency maintains a glow
of reflected light, refracted light or the light dispersed on adjacent surfaces. This intermeshing of
material properties and optic phenomena opens
a field for exploration.” Holl says. “The sponge
concept for the new undergraduate residence
hall transforms a porous building morphology via
a series of programmatic and bio-technical functions.”(Holl, 2013)
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Structure
“Tripartite Division Simmons’ climate system is
designed to respond to conditions in each of the
structure’s three sections, or “towers.” Horizontal distribution is limited by the ar- chitectural
requirement for high-ceilinged corridors, so
distribution occurs primarily through vertical risers. Each of the three tower roofs is fitted with
an individual air-handling unit, or AHU.” (Holl,
2013)
The “PerfCon” structure is a unique design that
allows “maximum flexibility and interaction.”
(Frampton& Holl, P212) Separate vertical passageways divided the floor into three smaller and
distinct communities.
“With bedrock too deep to reach and soil too unstable to support friction piles, the building was
designed to ‘float’ like a boar in water. A volume
of soil, equal to the weight of the building above
is excavated”. Then “the pressure exerted by the
building equals the pressure form the soil that
had been removed.” (Garofalo, P212)
Computer was used to generate the structure
model.
Revit model VS
Actual building
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Summary & Conclusion
Summary
Simmons
Hall
Photo
Interior
Feature
“Sponge” The sponge concept enables
Metaphor interaction among students,
functional design and aesthetics at the same time.
Large, dynamic openings are the
“lungs”, bringing natural light
down and moving air up.
The urban concept provides
street-like necessary amenities and
corridors.( Holl, 2007)
“Holes in the entry canopy
play against the grid’s regular
rhythm, providing a whimsical rendition of the porosity
theme”. (Holl, 2013)
Transparency:
Voids &
Solids
“Five large openings corresponding to main entrances,
view corridors, and outdoor
activity terraces.” And each
9-small-windows room forms a
porous “solid” surface.
Opposing architectural elements,
such as “solids and voids and
opaqueness and transparency.”(Perez, 2010)
Organic surfaces of the vertical
cavities divides the space.
Material
“A porous structure enables
light filter through and move
air up.” (Garofalo, 2003)
Prefabricated reinforced
concrete is arranged in a ruled
grid but “freely connected to
sponge prints.” (Frampton&
Holl, 2003)
“The foundation was designed as floating like a boat
in water.” (Garofalo, 2003)
“The pressure exerted by the
building equals the pressure
from the soil that had been
removed.”
“Solar stack” glaze and curvilinear
concrete stair and walls integrate
with the façade of the building.
The 18-foot depth of wall with
9 small open windows “naturally sheds out the summer sun
while allowing the low angled
winter sun in to help heat the
building.” (Frampton& Holl,
P212)
Colored window jambs are
reinforced steel bars with
different thickness according
to the force being applied. The
building changes appearance
according to light because of
the material used.
Structure
Exterior
The “PerfCon” structure is a
unique design that allows maximum flexibility and interaction.
(Frampton& Holl, P212) Separate
vertical passageways divided the
floor into 3 smaller and distinct
communities.
Computer generated the structure model and select windows
are filled in to resolve overstressed condition.
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Conclusion
Steven Holl’s work has similarities to modernism, such as open space and grids, however to “bring modernism out of its muteness,” he incorporates aspects of urbanism
in his architectural designs, as in his Simmons Hall, which is motivated by a wish to
achieve “porosity”, he relies on a “sponge” metaphor along with internal “lungs”
and an emphasis on transparency.
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References
Architecture View; Two Architects Who Tap Into Our Deepest Moods by Paul Goldberger.
Retrieved Nov 13, 2013, from http://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/12/arts/architecture-viewtwo-architects-who-tap-into-our-deepest-moods.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
Holl, S., Garofalo, F., & Evans, C. Huw. (2003). Steven Holl. New York: Universe
Holl, S. (2007). Architecture spoken. New York, NY: Rizzoli.
Frampton, K., & Holl, S. (2003). Steven Holl : architect. Milan: Electaarchitecture.
Steven Holl architects. Retrieved Nov 13, 2013, from http://www.stevenholl.com/
City on a Site: Simmons Hall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology by Steven Holl Architects by David Sokol, November 5, 2002. Retrieved Nov 13, 2013, from http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature86.htm
Steven Holl Architects. Architect. Retrieved Dec 17, 2013, from http://www.architectmagazine.com/projects/firm-profiles/steven-holl-architects.aspx
Steven Holl, Simmons hall at the MIT. Retrieved Dec 17, 2013, from http://www.designboom.com/portrait/holl_simmonshall.html
Simmons Hall, MIT: Mixed Mode. Retrieved Dec 17, 2013, from http://ps2pm.wordpress.
com/2010/12/01/simmons-hall-mit-mixed-mode/
Revit - Simmons Hall. Retrieved Dec 17, 2013, from http://frederickgrier.blogspot.
com/2010/01/revit-simmons-hall.html
MIT Simmons Hall Residence. Guy Nordenson and Associates. Retrieved Dec 17, 2013,
from http://www.nordenson.com/project.php?id=16&img=8&l=collab&cat=Simpson%20
Gumpertz%20&sup=
Simmons Hall at MIT/ Steven Holl. ArchDaily. Retrieved Dec 17, 2013, from http://www.archdaily.com/65172/simmons-hall-at-mit-steven-holl/
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