The Ruffle Tower | Studio II
street perspective
The Ruffle Tower is a proposed design for a textile school and residential center in Asheville, North Carolina that highlights the beauty and organic forms often found in the fabric industry. The design mimics ruffles stacked upon each other, specifically a dress from the Spring 2020 Givenchy runway show. I was inspired by the depth and form of the ruffles and how they work together to create a larger form.
Givenchy Spring 2020 vs. a preliminary sketch
How do we translate these interacting, free-flowing forms into architecture?
existing site plan
proposed site plan
The structure of the Ruffle Tower is mostly the ruffles themselves. Each ruffle would be reinforced, poured-in-place concrete that sits on top of each other. Each ruffle varies in size, some creating double-story or triple-story vertical spaces. On the interior, the ruffle entrances meet in a common, open area. In the center of the building is the vertical circulation- two sets of scissor fire stairs and two elevators to bring the residents and students safely from the 8th floor to the ground.
site section diagram
The bottom floor is made to encourage the public to join in with community classes, public lectures, and art shows. As we reach the second and third floors, the school spaces break into smaller areas for focused learning.
ground floor plan
second floor plan
third floor plan
fourth floor plan
Natural light fills the building by way of the large windows and the outer edge of the ruffles, using them as skylights as well.
interior perspective
exterior prespective from rhino