33 Calhoun Street
Spring 2017 // University of Cincinnati
Professor: Whitney Hamaker
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Calhoun Street runs along the south border of the University of Cincinnati’s main campus; it is a commercial thoroughfare to the school featuring restaurants, entertainment, and a growing number of multifamily housing complexes. Adjacent to the site is Old St. George church, a notable landmark that has been there for more than a century. The area marks a junction between the urban scale of university buildings with its residential scale neighbors in surrounding Clifton Heights. The project calls for a twenty-one unit apartment building comprised of one, two, and three bedroom units, with a mixed use component that addresses the ground floor.
The most difficult site constraint is a 20’ elevation drop from the north to the south. To address this, a series of folds rise from the topography enveloping the ground plane to form a park. Ascending the series of terraces, ramps, and gardens is a pedestrian carpet that links Clifton Heights to this growing commercial district. Nestled within are a series of storefronts that cater to the needs of the neighborhood.
The apartments themselves rise in a modular pattern and bridge the gap between residential and commercial scales. Each unit is double height with immediate exterior access. South facing units include balconies with brise-soleils for sun protection and north facing units use double height glazing for better sunlight. The north and west facing brick facades use an undulating, stepped pattern that expresses the structural module and allows for a unique interaction of light and shadow. On the building’s roof is a canopy for sun shading that can double as a solar array and an open balcony for tenants.
Vehicular Circulation
Calhoun St is one way running west, McMillan St is one way running east, and Scioto Ln is a lightly used connector.
Pedestrian Circulation
Active on three sides, the lifted north facade preserves an unobstructed ground plane intended for pedestrian use.
Structure
Concrete column and slab construction allows for large clear-spans while cross-bracing along the west provides rigidity.
Retail
Three retail locations along the ground floor utilize the pedestrian carpet to engage bystanders.
Interior CirculationDouble height units allow for hallways to be only on the second and fourth floors while stair cores are to the east and west.
AmenityThe lower level features a large gym while the upper floors include a game room and outdoor balcony
One Bedroom Units
Seven in total, five are north facing and two are south facing.
Two Bedroom UnitsEight in total, five are north facing with south facing balconies and three are south facing.
Three Bedroom UnitsSix in total, two are north facing with south facing balconies, two are south facing with north facing balconies, and two face south.
One Bedroom Unit
Two Bedroom Unit
Three Bedroom Unit
