Taylor Duman

The Uptown Kulturhus, located at the intersection of W. Lawrence Ave. and N. Winthrop Ave., gives the neighborhood a place of coming together. Pulling in history and looking into the future of the Uptown neighborhood, this Kulturhus incorporates a Library, Museum and Rehearsal Space/Auditorium.

 

With easy access to public transportation, using the “L” Red Line, various bus lines, vehicle transportation and pedestrian access, the Kulturhus is located in the perfect location. Merging between residential to the South and commercial to the North, the Uptown Kulturhus brings together all aspects of the existing neighborhood.

 

Walking North on Winthrop, community members will see a five-story glass and steel building with dark oak paneling wrapping the exterior. With a transition from smaller residential buildings to this five-story building, the Kulturhus stands out on the site and within its surrounding buildings. Various openings allow natural lighting into the building, as well as small views into the building

from people passing by on the streets and waiting for the train.

 

Viewing the Kulturhus from the West, this project can be seen from the Red Line platform, looking through the building and seeing community members interacting with each other and with the site itself. Parking is also available to the West of the site by access of an alleyway that borders the site.

 

All community members are welcome to interact, learn, and experience Uptown to its fullest. Youth can come to the Kulturhus and learn about Uptown’s history from the museum and library. They can also work on schoolwork in a quiet environment with desk space in the library. With the Uptown Theatre being condemned, the rehearsal space and auditorium allows the local theatre

groups to continue their performances for the community.

 

The library and museum are located on the lower three floors in an attempt to be closer to the roots of the old Uptown Neighborhood. The fourth and fifth floors hold the rehearsal space and auditorium for local theatre groups. The idea behind their location is to build off of the former Uptown Neighborhood and its historic theatre organizations.

 

The interior spaces are divided by thin and light window walls extending floor to ceiling, allowing views of the neighborhood to be seen throughout the project. Various staircases allow access to the many corners of the space, for one to fully experience and maneuver his way through the Kulturhus.

 

The overall geometry of the Kulturhus is a rectangular prism, with each floor divided by the window walls cutting through the space. These cuts within the prism allow movement to occur throughout the interior spaces making the overall building feel lighter. Natural lighting is also provided throughout the building illuminating every space in the building. These cutouts also create unique and interesting spaces within the rectangular footprint, forming sharp corners and dividing each level into completely

different spaces all together.