ROOFTOP POOL AND RESTAURANT LAYOUT

Here is a sketch of conceptual ideas for the rooftop pool based on a meeting I had with an architecture professor named Frank Bosworth. He suggested placing the pool between the columns and adding an additional I-Beam at the father end of the pool for additional support. The pool's placement is on the south facade as the north facade is usually avoided. By placing the pool within the interior courtyard shell, the pool can get the necessary depth without cutting into any other portion of the hotel, such as the guest rooms. Since the pool was placed on the south facade, it is necessary to consider solar screening by possibly making the glass for the area have a special coating that addresses solar radiation or implementing shading through the vegetated roof garden system and trees.

Depending on how the final layout takes form, then the restaurant can be added on either the east or west side of the centralized pool area. The east facade may be more feasible for the view of the river; however, I was advised to check the nearby downtown sites to make sure that a good view of the Mississippi River is possible from this rooftop. Otherwise, either axis will work based on the city view. The main obstruction that needs to be analyzed is the Shaw Center for the Arts.


Here are a few sketched ideas that I may propose for the pool area. They are just rough ideas of what the main wall could look like if using an negative edge pool system. The space will have great dayligthing opportunities. There is no pool recommended for the hotel according to Hotel Planning, Design, and Development since there are only 200 guest rooms. However, I feel that the hotel would be more marketable. The minimum pool requirements are going to be adjusted slightly since a pool is not mandated.


The first idea is based off of an enclosed spa and surrounding pool with a main accent wall that hides the mens and women's restrooms behind them. The second idea is inspired by a two part pool where the main pool is raised about a foot above the second level pool that serves as a wading/cool off area. The raised pool drains over a wall into the wading area. I like both ideas equally. I was also playing with the idea of placing a gazebo entrance on the raised portion into the main pool but I am not sure if theoretically this can be done. I need to do a little more research into the placement and orientation of the second option.