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Architecture

On John Portman's Atria: Two Exercises in Hotel Composition

Profile image of Heather LiglerHeather LiglerProfile image of Athanassios EconomouAthanassios Economou

2019, Design Computing and Cognition (DCC)

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05363-5_22
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21 pages

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Abstract

Two formal exercises in hotel composition are presented. In both, the hospitality work of the architect John Portman is the focus. His language of hollow forms is addressed following his unique claim on the organizing principles found in his 1964 house, Entelechy I. The first exercise outlines a generative specification for his atrium hotel language in a parametric shape grammar informed by the logic of the house that generates an atrium hotel prototype. The second exercise speculates with a sketch on how transformation grammars can yield various configurations to explore Portman’s atrium hotel language for a series of initial shapes. The overall goal of the research is to progress an ongoing effort to build a constructive theory on Portman’s architectural language as explored for a variety of scales and contexts.

Figures (13)
Fig. 2 The plans of the 1964 residence, Entelechy I in Atlanta, GA, USA, from bottom to top: the lower level (L.); the upper level (L.); and the roof level (L.).
Fig. 2 The plans of the 1964 residence, Entelechy I in Atlanta, GA, USA, from bottom to top: the lower level (L.); the upper level (L.); and the roof level (L.).
Fig. 4 The plans of the 1967 Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, GA, USA, from bottom t top: the lobby level (L..); a typical guestroom level (L.); and the roof level (L,).
Fig. 4 The plans of the 1967 Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, GA, USA, from bottom t top: the lobby level (L..); a typical guestroom level (L.); and the roof level (L,).
Fig. 5 Initial transformation rules tl — t3.
Fig. 5 Initial transformation rules tl — t3.
Fig. 7 Shape rules 01-05 for Stage 1: Framework. stage | includes five rules to complete the Iramework as shown in Figure /. Rule | subdivides the initial shape by an offset dimension representing the depth of the guestroom module. Rule 2 subdivides each side of a given shape into a series of n guestroom modules as defined by the designer, where each module represents a hotel structural bay, which typically means two stand- ard guestrooms or one suite. In the square configuration demonstrated here, the corner modules are emergent after this rule is applied. Rule 3 redefines the inner boundary to accommodate a perimeter corridor at the guestrooms. This rule also includes the label “c” at corners to define future circulation networks that will connect to the corridor. At least four c labels must be applied in any production to plan for the minimum of two egress stairs and two service elevators. For the square configuration, the c label is used to assign these locations in a configuration guided by rotational symmetry. Rule 4 uses this c label to further mark the ordering for the circulation sys- tem across a half-module of the guestroom bay. The final operation in this stage is Rule 5 that defines the number of levels the grammar will generate in a production with the description rule p — p+ q, where p = | for the
Fig. 7 Shape rules 01-05 for Stage 1: Framework. stage | includes five rules to complete the Iramework as shown in Figure /. Rule | subdivides the initial shape by an offset dimension representing the depth of the guestroom module. Rule 2 subdivides each side of a given shape into a series of n guestroom modules as defined by the designer, where each module represents a hotel structural bay, which typically means two stand- ard guestrooms or one suite. In the square configuration demonstrated here, the corner modules are emergent after this rule is applied. Rule 3 redefines the inner boundary to accommodate a perimeter corridor at the guestrooms. This rule also includes the label “c” at corners to define future circulation networks that will connect to the corridor. At least four c labels must be applied in any production to plan for the minimum of two egress stairs and two service elevators. For the square configuration, the c label is used to assign these locations in a configuration guided by rotational symmetry. Rule 4 uses this c label to further mark the ordering for the circulation sys- tem across a half-module of the guestroom bay. The final operation in this stage is Rule 5 that defines the number of levels the grammar will generate in a production with the description rule p — p+ q, where p = | for the
minimum of one floor level, and q adds any additional levels. In the deriva- tions illustrated here, the level definition includes three floors in total so that an output of three plans can be generated. The three levels necessary for this outcome include the lobby level (L,), a typical guestroom level (L.), and the roof level (L,). For simplicity and clarity in the rules, only one level is shown although the application of the rule may affect multiple levels, which can be seen in the derivation at each stage. Figure 8 shows the derivation at this stage in the grammar to define the framework. Fig. 8 Derivation of the framework for a square atrium hotel.
minimum of one floor level, and q adds any additional levels. In the deriva- tions illustrated here, the level definition includes three floors in total so that an output of three plans can be generated. The three levels necessary for this outcome include the lobby level (L,), a typical guestroom level (L.), and the roof level (L,). For simplicity and clarity in the rules, only one level is shown although the application of the rule may affect multiple levels, which can be seen in the derivation at each stage. Figure 8 shows the derivation at this stage in the grammar to define the framework. Fig. 8 Derivation of the framework for a square atrium hotel.
Fig. 9 Shape rules 06-11 for Stage 2: Configuration. spatial requirements, yet always depends on the visual and experiential ki- netics of the exploded elevator. Rule 10 is applied to add vertical egress circulation, which can be coordinated with code requirements to specify its required application. In the grammar, it is assumed that it must be applied at least two times for any production to allow for two exit stairs. Rule 11 com- pletes this stage of the grammar and is applied to add service circulation for the operating needs of the hotel and follows the minimum specification of two elevators as in the Hyatt Regency. Figure 10 shows the derivation to illustrate how the design is developed from a framework to a basic configu- ration for the hotel.
Fig. 9 Shape rules 06-11 for Stage 2: Configuration. spatial requirements, yet always depends on the visual and experiential ki- netics of the exploded elevator. Rule 10 is applied to add vertical egress circulation, which can be coordinated with code requirements to specify its required application. In the grammar, it is assumed that it must be applied at least two times for any production to allow for two exit stairs. Rule 11 com- pletes this stage of the grammar and is applied to add service circulation for the operating needs of the hotel and follows the minimum specification of two elevators as in the Hyatt Regency. Figure 10 shows the derivation to illustrate how the design is developed from a framework to a basic configu- ration for the hotel.
Fig. 10 Derivation of the configuration for a square atrium hotel.
Fig. 10 Derivation of the configuration for a square atrium hotel.
of the full length so that the corners of the overall form can be emphasized. Rule 14 is applied to the lobby level to create a recessed entry and its inverse, the projecting balcony, which are on opposite sides of the lobby, related ei- ther axially, symmetrically, or asymmetrically in a design. Both the recessed entry and the projected balcony impact the exterior enclosure at the lobby level too. The recessed entry breaks the perimeter at the primary entry side of the building and the projected balcony does the same, while also stimu- lating an inset translation of the perimeter back towards the interior, Fig. 11 Shape rules 12-20 for Stage 3: Style.
of the full length so that the corners of the overall form can be emphasized. Rule 14 is applied to the lobby level to create a recessed entry and its inverse, the projecting balcony, which are on opposite sides of the lobby, related ei- ther axially, symmetrically, or asymmetrically in a design. Both the recessed entry and the projected balcony impact the exterior enclosure at the lobby level too. The recessed entry breaks the perimeter at the primary entry side of the building and the projected balcony does the same, while also stimu- lating an inset translation of the perimeter back towards the interior, Fig. 11 Shape rules 12-20 for Stage 3: Style.
aiming to tie the lobby to an exterior feature of a plaza, water fountain, gar- den, or in the case of the Hyatt Regency, to overlook the pool deck one leve below the lobby. Rule 15 adds the rotating restaurant at the top of the gues elevator core to facilitate ease of access for hotel guests and visitors as wel as the best and most comprehensive panoramic views. Rule 16 is applied to create a vertical coordinate joint to further amenity levels and services below grade, typically including meeting spaces and ballrooms for a variety of events. This joint might be developed with an escalator or a monumenta stair to physically connect the levels. Rules 17, 18, and 19 add the guestroom layouts to the modules to detail the most private spaces in a hotel design.
aiming to tie the lobby to an exterior feature of a plaza, water fountain, gar- den, or in the case of the Hyatt Regency, to overlook the pool deck one leve below the lobby. Rule 15 adds the rotating restaurant at the top of the gues elevator core to facilitate ease of access for hotel guests and visitors as wel as the best and most comprehensive panoramic views. Rule 16 is applied to create a vertical coordinate joint to further amenity levels and services below grade, typically including meeting spaces and ballrooms for a variety of events. This joint might be developed with an escalator or a monumenta stair to physically connect the levels. Rules 17, 18, and 19 add the guestroom layouts to the modules to detail the most private spaces in a hotel design.
Fig. 16 Rule transformation s09 for a triangular atrium. reassigned as the triangular atrium and labeled following the same conven- tions to define the x variable on the left-hand side. Then, the square elevator core with five elevators is the shape assignment for the y variable on the right-hand side to generate the new shape rule.
Fig. 16 Rule transformation s09 for a triangular atrium. reassigned as the triangular atrium and labeled following the same conven- tions to define the x variable on the left-hand side. Then, the square elevator core with five elevators is the shape assignment for the y variable on the right-hand side to generate the new shape rule.
Fig. 17 Alternative atria, from left to right: a circular hotel; a triangular hotel.
Fig. 17 Alternative atria, from left to right: a circular hotel; a triangular hotel.
Fig. 18 Alternative atria, from left to right: a pentagonal hotel; a hexagonal hotel. Though the comp 7 and 18 illustra he ambition of t mations that test t ete details are left out here for the sake of space in the paper, the potential flexibility enabled by rule transformations described by he schema is immediately appreciated in Figures 17, 18, and 19. Figures e alternative atria hotels based on this exercise in hotel composition, and Figure 19 sketches the derivation of the typical guestroom evel for all five initial shapes of Figure 15. This final image aims to show his exercise: to use schemas to generate rule transfor- he logic of a grammar for a variety of different contexts, here simulated with new shape assignments. The redescription with the schema models how parametric shape rules and rule schemas can inform
Fig. 18 Alternative atria, from left to right: a pentagonal hotel; a hexagonal hotel. Though the comp 7 and 18 illustra he ambition of t mations that test t ete details are left out here for the sake of space in the paper, the potential flexibility enabled by rule transformations described by he schema is immediately appreciated in Figures 17, 18, and 19. Figures e alternative atria hotels based on this exercise in hotel composition, and Figure 19 sketches the derivation of the typical guestroom evel for all five initial shapes of Figure 15. This final image aims to show his exercise: to use schemas to generate rule transfor- he logic of a grammar for a variety of different contexts, here simulated with new shape assignments. The redescription with the schema models how parametric shape rules and rule schemas can inform
Fig. 19 A sketch for the derivation of the typical guestroom level for five initial shapes in the atrium hotel language.
Fig. 19 A sketch for the derivation of the typical guestroom level for five initial shapes in the atrium hotel language.

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