To start, the material I picked was wood to match the aesthetic of the building, specifically the courtyards and the wood facade elements. I tried selecting a grid that was consistent with the layout of the building. I picked mass timber columns and joists/beams. I limited the beam span to a maximum of 25 feet and a spacing of 5 feet in between beams
Grid system:
Model in coordination view:
Overall, I don’t think the placement of the columns interrupts the circulation around the stairwell/atrium. However, since the columns were placed on a rigid grid, they are two columns placed in hallways. Additionally, the columns do get a bit of in the way around the cafeteria area but given that the columns are wood, I believe it adds to the aesthetic of the building.