PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
TYPE
NEW CONSTRUCTION
LOCATION
SANTA FE, NM
DATE
Designed for a sculptress met during a MacDowell Colony Fellowship, the studio
needed to provide a serene and in mate indoor / outdoor space in which the ar st
could work. Located near her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the studio uses simple geometry derived from the ghtly constrained site setbacks. These geometric
propor onal systems governed the morphology of the solid and void of the studio
and site. Fundamentally a clean, well lit, space, the singular figure of the plan need
to provide a refined yet flexible workspace protected from the elements. The [C]
Fold form took reference from Donald Judd’s concrete boxes and provided a dominant yet prisma c and func onal form.
2012-2013
SIZE
750 SQ.FT.
COST
$ 25,000
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
Context
Sited in the harsh climate of Santa
Fe, the thermal swing from hot
summers to frozen winters required
careful a en on to thermal barriers
and si ng. Using natural light for illumina on but shielding from the
harsh intensity of the southwestern
sun, the formal premise and si ng
derived from the ght constraints of
site, budget, and climate.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
anonymous box
c fold
judd frame
transparent long sides
end frame
double end frame/porch
end cut-back
half void
third void
quarter void
4’ void
half subtraction
third subtraction
quarter subtraction
shift volume
transparent vs opaque
double box
transparent vs opaque
double height
entry volume
top as lantern
double height
entry volume
opaque double height
clerestory roof kick
entry volume
roof kick
entry volume
roof kick
light funnel
rotational element
light funnel
entry volume
light funnel
truncated light funnel
entry volume
truncated light funnel
shortened truncated light funnel
shortened truncated light funnel
entry volume
shortened truncated light funnel
entry volume
cropped
shortened truncated light funnel
cropped
truncated L fold
entry volume
truncated L fold
entry volume
double height clerestory
roof kick
entry volume
double height clerestory
roof kick
entry volume
overhang roof
double height clerestory
roof kick
entry volume
large overhang roof
double height clerestory
roof kick
entry volume
large overhang roof
loft
double height clerestory
roof kick
entry volume
large overhang roof
loft
single figure
double height clerestory
roof kick
large overhang roof
loft
single figure
subtraction
double height clerestory
roof kick
large overhang roof
single figure
subtraction
double height clerestory
double kick
large overhang roof
single figure
subtraction
double height clerestory
double kick
large overhang roof
porch
quarter void
end funnel
quarter void
end funnel
double taper
quarter void
end funnel
quad taper
quarter void
three skylights
sawtooth
top lit
quarter void
two skylights
sawtooth
top lit
quarter void
end skylight
sawtooth
top lit
quarter void
end skylight
sawtooth
north lit
quarter void
two skylights
sawtooth
north lit
quarter void
three large skylights
sawtooth
north lit
quarter void
two large end skylights
sawtooth
north lit
quarter void
two large skylights
sawtooth
north lit
quarter void
large center skylight
sawtooth
north lit
quarter void
large end skylight
sawtooth
north lit
quarter void
large protruding end skylight
sawtooth
north lit
shaped pitch
subtraction
Form Series
The design process developed out of
itera ve form studies. Working in a
process where an architect was talking to a sculptress, the form and the
overall figura on became important
touchstones. Opera ng within very
ght dimensional limita ons and an
incredibly small budget of $3500,
the form needed a simplicity of constructability while maintaining its
composi onal prowess.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
www.bordenpartnership.com
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
Form
The primary form is an outer fold
of metal with an infill of wood. The
[C] Fold form was selected for its
low profile, indoor / outdoor con nuity of spaces, and modularity of
construc on. Easily built and maintained, the focus could become the
detail and materiality as primary reinforcements to the geometry.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
Geometry
Founded in the square, the root
two rectangle and the golden secon, the studio becomes a three
dimensional composi on of pure
geometries. Three cubes long [two
interior and one exterior] the overhang and wall panel dimensions
become golden sec ons in plan and
root two rectangles in eleva on. The
translucent panels are four squares
high and subdivide the lateral wall
back into a square [that matches the
end wall dimensions] flanked by two
columns of light. Each material reiterates these geometric delinea ons
and composi onally interrelate
through their propor onal systems.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
www.bordenpartnership.com
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
Four Square
Four planes [each in the cardinal direc ons of: north, south, east and
west] establish a primary posi on
to the ar st as the centrally located
focal point. Each iden cal floor to
ceiling square is subdivided from
the overall rec linear shape by corner transi ons of light. The resulting form establishes direct, primary,
non-direc onal, geometric, wall surfaces. The purity of the square lies
in its intrinsic ambiguity between
landscape and portrait. This allows
for the focus to shi from the form
of the wall to the objects on its surface. The architecture establishes
the hierarchy for the work displayed
upon it.
www.bordenpartnership.com
Light
Light is the essen al mediator of
the space. It provides func onal visual necessity to the work and dominates the composi on. Achieved
through four iden cal panels located at each of the four corners, the
translucent, double walled, skin of
polygal allows for the wall surface itself to glow with illumina on. Internal light fixtures allow for the condion to work both with natural and
ar ficial surface based light. The result is an interior and exterior glow
that disengages and objec fies the
four iden cal square walls. As a result, the displayed work is privileged
through the homogeneity of its surrounding wall form and light frames.
www.bordenpartnership.com
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
metal siding
lighting & electrical
siding & polygal
framing
footers
Tectonic Axonometric
The tectonic axonometric illustrates
the diverse layers of the construcon and maps the material module
into the geometric logic of the project. Each system becomes a support
character in the establishment and
reinforcing of the form. The result is
a tectonic op miza on based upon
material efficiencies.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
1"
11'-42
1'-3"
3'-23
4"
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
floor plan
sheetrock
Door Detail
In lieu of a door, the square south
wall becomes a full pivot door. Recessed pivot hinges allow for the wall
to align with the inner wall surface
extending the edge and comple ng
the lining of the exterior deck. When
open, the space expands to the outer edge of the studio and deck, yet
neatly resolves with the adjoining
surface to provide a drama c “en
plein air” workspace.
screwed 8" oc for continuity
1
2"
inner surface
insulation
R14 batt insulation
internal framing
2" x 4" framing with 4" x 4" [or doubled 2" x 4"'s] at hinge edge
3 heavy duty gate hinges [inset] for flush closure
6" caster on north end [inset and concealed]
rubber gasket underneath to create base seal
inset expandable foam or weather-stripping on top and two sides to create weather seal
lockable latch on west edge
screwed 8" oc for continuity
plywood sheathing
metal flashing edge
siding
1" aluminum C channel at top, bottom and sides [spacer between wood and metal]
burnt and sealed tongue and groove Douglas Fir
[to match east and west faces]
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
3'-8"
1"
3'-42
9'-10"
1"
4'-72
1'-10"
3'-33
4"
4'
6"
1'-3"
8'
3'-8"
4'
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
Concealed Gutter
Revealed Gutter
Metal roofing*
Metal roofing*
Bolt fastener (pre - drilled)
Bolt fastener (pre - drilled)
6”x 6” box beam (metal*)
6”x 6” box beam (metal*)
2 x 6 secured to existing framing
Metal siding*
Drainage Options
Downspout
Drain Plate
Chain
Barrel
GuƩer Detail
To harvest and mediate the substanal yet episodic rainwater of Santa
Fe, an extruded C channel gu er
sits at the north edge. Can levering
off the building, the channel routes
the water to a removed drop point.
A rock circle splash-plate allows for
the drama c figura on and reverbera on of the water as it falls. A
subterranean rain barrel catches
and stores the rainwater for irrigaon.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
Enclosure
Shielding the ends of the studio
to cradle a delicate and pure inner
space, the outer surface takes on
a protec ve role. Its durable metal
clad, wrapping walls stand up to
the harsh elements and light of the
Santa Fe climate and seasons. The
nestled inner space is protected
from the wind and sun allowing
for a pure, white interior and four,
translucent, paneled walls to open
for ven la on and light.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
www.bordenpartnership.com
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
Space
The sec on shows the con nuity of
surface from indoor to out allowing
the space to engulf the complete
form. On the inner walls, the east
and west surfaces are symmetrically
flanked by floor-to-ceiling polygal
walls. Internally lit they allow for
natural or ar ficial light to emanate
from their surface as needed. Their
resul ng subdivision of the side surfaces creates four iden cal square
walls [locally non-direc onal in geometry but encircling in posi on] to
allow for the display of work in an
objec fied wall condi on.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
www.bordenpartnership.com
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
Exterior
Set simply in the site, the approach
to the studio is on the oblique allowing for the form to be read in
full perspec ve. Upon approach one
jarringly mounts the outdoor table
like ge ng on a horse. Its abrupt detachment from the ground, through
a delicate hovering over the gravel
clad site, allows for a disconnec on
to the form and provides a priority
to the space and the rituals of the
work produced there.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
Interior
The interior is a gallery stark white.
Illuminated through the even light
of polygal wall panels, the south facing pivot wall opens to an outside
workspace and fi h gallery wall.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
www.bordenpartnership.com
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
Model Series
The model shows the itera ve sequence from geometric origins
[based in classical propor onal systems] through the diverse tectonic
systems. From pilo s that tread
lightly on the ground to allow air and
water to move below; to the framing that op mizes standard lumber
dimensions to value engineer the
construc on; to the final form that
shows the collec ve resolu on; the
model is about process and intenon manifest in a simple built form.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com
Surface Form
The west eleva on shows the simplicity of the scheme: a protec ve
wrapper that bounds an objec fied wall cloaked in light. The space
flows from inside to out, while the
edges response to site, context, climate and func on. The evolu on
from the objec fied art to the gri y
reali es of the context aggregate in
successive layers. The form is the
diagram.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
www.bordenpartnership.com
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
PROJECT
CARR STUDIO
ConstrucƟon Photos
Built by the owner and sculptress
without any prior construc on
knowledge, the building was detailed like an artwork. Materials
were chosen based upon the writings of Louise Bourgeois, The site
was treated like a Judd. The construc on became composed like an
Ellsworth Kelly. The simple became
the premise.
BORDEN PARTNERSHIP
6385 W. 80TH PLACE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
www.bordenpartnership.com