Providence, Rhode Island
2024

Inspired by ancient stepwells, the space is nestled in a valley and on a stream. From the beginning, its parti was compression and expansion enabled by structure that doubles as aperture. Like a loom, it is as if stacked members are repeatedly fragmented and weaved over and over again--blurring the line between solid and void. 

Drawing on the philosophy of stepwells where at each height travelers may rest in shaded nooks and still experience the architecture in conjunction with the natural water table height, five tiers of steps invite the user to dwell, rest, sit, lay, or look out at the steps not submerged underwater.

Staying true to the stacked members design language, beginning at the northeast top of the valley, a cascading stair-path with a softened gradient gently wraps the east slope of the valley, conforming with the natural topography as it curls along the slope.

Descending and ending at the southeast corner of the structure, users are guided down the gentle gradient of the stair-path with their view of the interior concealed. As the path widens, they enter the structure where the ceiling is at its lowest elevation and the floor at its highest. Emerging from the stair-path, users experience a deeper compression from the moment they enter the interior space. However, as they look forward, the vista expands and broadens both upwards and downwards as the floor cascades in a series of steps and the roof rises towards the north end.

The west slope of the valley is a waterfall that permeates the very floor of the space at various heights of the water table, offering an expansion into the natural environment that materializes as users enter. This results in a culminating experience of compression and expansion through first concealing views down the stair-path and then further compression at the threshold, followed by a dramatic expansion of space and field of vision that juxtaposes the journey.

Users traverse, dwell, sit, or lay along the decking that border each tier of steps.

An open roof forcefully confronts users with a vista to rest and gaze at natural elements and the sky above in contrast to the fragmented structure that melds structure with the surrounding natural environment.

A light column in the northwest corner supports the canopy structure--staying loyal to the design ethos while allowing space to be carved out and open up gradually towards the north front.