In the process of designing a market hall on this site in East Liberty, I focused on addressing two main concerns. First, this market hall needs to respond to site conditions such that each space is logically located and accessible both to each other and from the surrounding area. Secondly, I want the central market space, dedicated to selling produce and other grocery products, to be perceived as spatially separated from the busy intersection and street traffic nearby, while remaining visually open, and accessible enough to remain contextualized. These two goals often run counter to one another, but in combination with site-specific conditions, particularly footprint and elevation changes. they start to work together in creating programmatic spaces as well as the thresholds between them.
The central market is lowered 3’ from street level in order to heighten the sense of spatial separation between it and other nearby spaces. As people either walk down the stairs or go down the ramps into the space, they become more aware of the edges of the central market space. By lowering this space, it becomes more inviting, allows it to be a taller space while still responding to the heights of buildings on to the South, and is still connected to rest of the program. Although food is the focus of the central market space, there is also a secondary market space geared towards selling other items, like clothing, shoes, crafts, or other supplies. This secondary selling space responds to the shops of the street opposite it both programmatically and in relation to height. The glulam support structure of both market spaces helps to create large open spaces on this oddly shaped site, as well as creating a distinctive space within the halls. My hope is that by making such a function-oriented building spatially and visually interesting, it can start to become a thriving social and economic center in East Liberty.