Thinking about Structure I | Not a Container

For the upcoming studio project, Storefront for Philosophy, I have created a preliminary design. The overall shape of the design fits into the shotgun house-proportions of the site while still allowing for organic form and outdoor space. The design involves a cut out of the middle of the building, to allow light throughout the building and to create outdoor space that can be enjoyed from many entrances. This creates a structural problem to solve to be able to include these large overhangs.

My initial idea is to use the stair case on the left side of the building as a structure column for that part of the building. On the right side of the building I have the two corners columns as that structural support. For the platform in the middle of void, I included a set up columns.

During class, we discussed a solution to the structure of the building. Along with the column supports I included, there would be a box truss running along the lateral distance of the building at the point where the bridge/catwalk was placed. The floor above this point can be sitting on top of the truss and the floor underneath can be hung from it. This would provide the opportunity to have more void and less columns.