Portfolio
Alex Clement Works From
Works Included: Biophilic Office space ............................. Project 1
Senior Thesis project Baltimore, MD
Integrated Lifestyle Housing......... Project 2
Second Year Studio Boston, MA
Integrated Transit Living.................... Project 3
Second Year Studio Rensselaer, NY
Memphis Memory Center....................... Project 4
Third year Studio Memphis, TN
Soldiers Field Housing.......................... Project 5
Design Development Studio Cambridge, MA
A different kind of periphery.......... Project 6
Fourth Year Studio Shanghai, China
Re-thinking the arch................................. Project 7
Material Exploration Troy, NY
Guest house renovation..................... Project 8
Professional Work sample Chaumont, NY
Laffargville gym addition...........
Professional Work sample Lafargville, NY
Project 9
Scanlon Residence................................... Project 10
Professional Work sample Chaumont, NY
woburn public library......................... Project 11
Professional Work sample Woburn, MA
alex D. Clement alex.clement.1111@gmail.com
(315) 778-5653 (c) Salisbury, MD 21801
1
Biophilic Office Space RPI 2008-2009
abstract:
Americans now spend nearly 90% of their time inhabiting architecture that causes health problems, limits exposure to natural light, and denies the benefits of being in the natural outdoor environment. How can the design of office buildings change to create a new enclosed ecosystem that can provide a healthier and more productive work environment? In order for there to be success, a new typology that integrates vegetation into architecture will be needed. Designing for two user groups, both humans and vegetation, will challenge the traditional notions of architectural design and enclosure. This new process will require a rethinking of space planning, building lighting, thermal and moisture controls and comforts, and the general way that building health is perceived. “We will never achieve ethical architecture that is beautiful and sustainable until nature is integrated and at the core and at the substance and being of the architecture, not added on to it.�- Steve Kieran Advisors: Michael Oatman, David Bell, Fareh Garba Note: This was my senior thesis project, this is a small sampling of a much larger body of work.
Wood Shading fins
Non- dust flooring Cork or Deck Boards Operable panels for flush cooling with fan
Near Ceiling glazing to retain heat
Open-air threshhold condition , using hedges and plants to filter inside and outside air
Varrying hedge types for sun screening and wind protection
Individual planting containers
Irrigation pipes for plants supply wall stability
Built-in Irrigation and drainage for dry seasons
Operable panels for air circulation and heat exhaust fan
Concrete slabs with Radiant heating/ cooling
Raised Floor creates Plenum for air flow
Twisting light-well expands the open space throughout and connects to the exterior spaces
Circulation and service core for building
Circulation tower
Wood ďŹ n shading system expressing the underlying exterior spaces
Subtracted space supply areas for vegetative inhabitation and interaction between users
South Circulation tower acts as a thermal mass barrier and a solar shade in the summer months
2
Integrated Lifestyle Housing RPI Fall 2005
Program:
Mixed-use community living apartment housing. Description: This modularized variable commitment housing complex was to be situated along Boston Harbor. The goal was to design a twenty-five unit building that was comprised of five different units typologies. These units were connected by a centralized open circulation tower that created a public gathering space for the inhabitants. Another space in the building that is evident in the renderings, is the open space located on the lower levels, which is designed for gardens and commercial space. Another goal was to was allow for variability among the units. This was accomplished through a facade system that would allow each unit to arrange facade panels in a way that they saw fit. This allowed for customization and variability throughout the building, yet still giving a cohesiveness of the facade from the exterior. The colored panels can be seen in the exterior renders, and arrangements of them can be seen in the interior renders. Partner: Jason Bean
Unit Diagram
Circulation Diagram
Ground Floor with surrounding sites
Massing Diagram
First Floor
Third Floor
Sixth Floor
Eighth Floor
Ninth Floor
Twelfth Floor
3
Integrated Transit Center RPI Spring 2005 N
Program:
A new train station, bus station, new mono-rail system, along with commercial space including restaurants and shopping. Description: This project was the design of a new transit center located in Rensselaer, NY, across the river from Albany. My main goals in this project were to create a design that could use a long spanning structure that would also allow for large areas of day-lighting. This complex was also meant to become an icon for Rensselaer county, thus its massive size and scale of structure. This urban project was meant to teach us the forces a community can place on a project and the complexity of mass transit systems in highly populated areas.
Section Perspective showing Air Circulation A B
C E G
D F
B
D
C E
F
G
A
B
A
4
Memphis Memory Center RPI Spring 2007
Program:
A three tier living facility for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. Description: This goal of this studio was to design a long term care facility for people suffering from memory related diseases. My goal was to create a home-like atmosphere for the patients while still maintaining a level of security and simplicity for the staff to operate. One important part of this therapeutic environment is that all the patients are engaged with the surrounding environment. Connecting the inside environment with the surrounding nature played a major role in the layout of the spaces. The facility is organized into three separate buildings that helps to put patients with similar stages of disabilities together and better care for them. These three buildings group together to create a complex that allows for space to wandering and therapy of patients.
Large windows allow for large amounts of natural lighting. There is also a ventilation panel built in to avoid overheating.
Planter Boxes along the corridor system helps to create a more interactive space and more enjoyable to be in. Could also be used to grow plants for nutrition of residence
Corridor Section
Large windows facing North allow for daylighting
Green roofs help with drainage, absorb sound, produce oxygen, and more
Bright South Light Reflect up by light-shelves
Building Section
Planter Boxes along the corridor system helps to create a more interactive space and more enjoyable to be in. Could also be used to grow plants for nutrition of residence
Typical Room Plan
Typical Double Room Plan
Large windows allow for large amounts of natural lighting. There is also a ventilation panel built in to avoid overheating.
5
Soldiers Field Housing RPI Fall 2007
Program:
Adjunct Faculty Housing and Graduate Dormitory at Harvard University. Description: This project was part of RPI’s Design Development Studio. It originated as a design from two other students, but through this studio, was completely redesigned through by myself and a partner. This project intends to provide a radical solution to the otherwise drab construction of dormitory life. Posing a living condition in which students and faculty live together within a communal atmosphere allows for the diffusion of information that is critical to the success of higher education facilities. The project places students and adjunct faculty within a matrix of two axis, one stressing individuality and privacy and the other exploring the potential of the collective whole. Both of the extremes presented within the project are required in a collegiate environment. The two axis materialize within a social atrium lined with delicately perched private apartments and expose porches. To mitigate the juxtaposition of public and private, the landscape is scooped up from the outside and pulled up into the atrium, climbing its way up the walkways and walls. Together with the landscape, the walkways create a middle ground for the privateness of the apartments to meld with the inherent social environment of the atrium. Through the use of public planters and enlarged semi-enclosed areas, precious chance encounters and important planned events can take place, both creating a sense of community. Partner: Victor Barbalato Initial Schematic Design: Aaron Smith, Brian Spangler
Section Perspective Showing Conditioning Strategies:
Residential Unit Isometric (2) LAYERS OF GYP BD. E.S. LIGHT GAUGE FRAMING SPACE FOR TRUSS CHORD -IN FILL WITH BATT INSUL.
WOOD FLOORING
LIGHT GAUGE FRAMING
SLEEPERS
EXTERIOR GRADE SHEATHING
2” RIGID INSULATION DOUBLE PANE INSULATED GLASS
PERFORATED METAL
HOT WATER PIPING
FLOOR AND CASING SIMILAR TO DETAIL ‘A’
PERFORATED METAL PANEL 6” PRECAST CONCRETE RECESSED SLAB ANCHOR RIGID INSULATION BATT INSULATION
DETAIL ‘B’
DETAIL ‘A’
BOTTOM OF TRUSS METAL CASING
SLIDING CHANNEL GLASS WALL WOOD CEILING SLATS
TOP CHORD OF TRUSS 6” PRECAST CONCRETE RADIUS GLASS WINDOW FOR WATER RUNOFF
COLD WATER COOLING SYSTEM WITH DRIP TRAY
"
!
HOT AND COLD WATER SUPPLY FROM INSIDE ATRIUM WALKWAYS SHAPE OF CHORD PAINTED ONTO EXTERIOR SHEATHING PERFORATED MEAL PANEL
ANGLED EXTERIOR WOOD SLATS
OPERABLE HOPPER WINDOW FOR CROSS VENTILATION
DOUBLE PANE INSULATED GLASS HOT WATER RADIATOR
BOTTOM CHORD OF TRUSS
(2) LAYERS GYPSUM BD. E.S. ON LIGHT GAUGE FRAMING FOR COUNTER
A
Typical Floor Plan:
6
A Different Kind of Periphery Tongji University Spring 2008
Program:
A community for low income families in the desolate urban areas of Shanghai. This development includes hundreds of homes, a day-care center, and a commercial area with recreational park. Description: This three person team project (2 RPI students and one Tongji) is one that dealt with city boundaries and communities with in communities. We found a site the we thought best represented a periphery condition with the city of Shanghai and addressed it with this project statement: As a city like Shanghai grows, it imposes itself on the surrounding area to fit the needs of the growing city. Often this results in the city destroying small villages, and replacing them with “developments� that force current residents to either change their lifestyle or move to the fringes of the city. Our goal is to create an environment that can sustain current life styles of community, while still being updated. This occurs through a series of low income residences that double as household businesses if desired. A commercial bridge that brings more locals through the site provides opportunity for these businesses to thrive. With a local child care facility on the grounds as well, using the close public transit to work away form home is also a maintained quality. This contemporary Li Long housing revitalizes the dissipating quality of community that the urban expansion of Shanghai is inadvertently erasing. Partners: Jenna Nurkowski, Jong Lei
Urban Community
Residential Community
75 Housing Blocks 1 Day-care 2 Public Parks
Neighborhood
4 Housing Blocks 1 Courtyard
Neighbors
4 Apartments 1 Rooftop Courtyard
B
Commercial area with recreational park Scale 1:500
School Section: Day ligting through Skylights & Clerestories Natural Ventilation through operable “garage Day-care door” Section systems Perspective
Housing Floor Plans:
Typical Housing Diagram: Pre-Cast Concrete Roof Panel
Lighting Analysis:
Pre-Cast Wall Concrete Panel
Pre-Cast Floor Concrete Panel
Insulated Alumninum Facade
7
Re-thinking the Arch RPI Spring 2007
Concept:
A material exploration utilizing 8” CMU blocks and nylon tie straps. Description: This project was a material to study the limits of 8” x 8” concrete block. Our goal was to investigate the possibilities of using CMU in a new and innovative way. We went through many preliminary studies before we created the self- sustaining arch. Through a process of additive weaving of nylon strapping we were able to allow the CMU support itself without any bracing. By using the compressive strength of the concrete and the tensile strength of the nylon, the forces are balanced out to create a stable structure. Partners: Victor Barbalato, Jenna Nurkowski, Sara Patterson, Michael Prince
8
Guest House Renovation Bernier Carr & Ass. Summer 2005
Program:
To take an existing storage shed, and transform it into a functional greenhouse and guest house. Description: The goal of this project was to re-work the facade and lighting of the existing shed to allow for a more functional interior space. Because this was my first professional project, my supervisor insisted that it be done using hand drawing, and the sketches shown here are the exterior schematic for the project.
9
Laffargville Gym Addition Bernier Carr & Ass. Summer 2007
Program:
The addition of a 30,000 square foot Sports Complex to an existing K-12 school. This project is scheduled for completion in 2010, and is expected to receive a LEED Silver classification. Team: Michael Harris, AIA (Team leader), Alex Clement, Christopher Thomas, Christopher Bova (Artist) Personal responsibilities: 3D Model development, All renderings, Concept development, Schematic 2D plans, Initial Design Development.
10
Scanlon Residence Bernier Carr & Ass. Summer 2007
Program:
This newly constructed 2,000 S.F. home was designed to feel as open as possible and to give preferential viewing from the living room out to the lake shore adjacent to the home. Personal responsibilities: Concept development, Schematic drawings, 3D Model, All renderings, Design Development.
Southern Elevation
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
11
Woburn Public Library Bernier Carr & Ass. Spring 2009
Program:
This design competition was an competition for the expansion of a historic library. Description: The goal of this project was to add a modern addition to the Woburn Public Library that could accommodate many functions and yet not overwhelm the historic value of the original building. “Past, present and future come together at the new Woburn Public Library. The challenge of this expansion is to balance the rich history of the past with the fast-paced and exponentially increasing digital world we live in today. The solution lies in an open, light, flexible design conceived as a “transparent bridge to the future.” The Library is no longer a monastic retreat but a community hub in which to share ideas, experiences and knowledge. It is a socially responsible space giving back to the environment and encouraging stewardship among patrons. Overall, the expansion pays homage to the past the while cultivating a brighter future for generations to come.” Team: Michael Harris, AIA (Team leader), Alex Clement, Mark Reynolds R.A. , Krysta Aten-Schell, Benjamin Tabolt, Christopher Bova (Artist) Personal responsibilities: 3D Model development, All renderings, Concept development
About me: I am a 2009 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor’s Degree of Architecture. My goals are to become a licensed and practicing architect within the next five to seven years. I have a background in educational, residential, and medical architecture with interest in sustainability and commercial architecture as well.
My architecture: Architecture serves a purpose. The goal in designing architecture is to create usable space that fulfills the clients needs as well as innovating on building practices. Although not always possible, architecture should reflect and respect its surroundings while improving them at the same time. With function, experience, materiality, and practicality always in mind, an architects goal is to make better spaces for the world to inhabit.
Credits: All portfolio work, unless otherwise noted, by:
Alex clement
alex.clement.1111@gmail.com www.a-clement.tk (315) 778-5653 (C)
Resume: www.a-clement-resume.tk