Andrew J. Foster Design Portfolio ||Kent e t State U University e s ty |College of Architecture and Environmental Design |Undergraduate Works |2010-2013
Design Index Adaptive Transformation
Net-Zero Housing Community
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Historical Unfolding Community Center
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Oberlin Inn Hotel/Fitness/Retail
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Akron Art Museum Sculpture Gallery
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Expansive Engagement Gastronomy Center
Sculpture Gallery/Outdoor Event Space
ADAPTIVE
|Net-Zero single family home and self-sustainable neighborhood |Oberlin, Ohio, USA | Fourth Year Design Studio | Fall 2013 | Prof. Lee Goodman
This study of circulation and program typologies of surrounding areas on a larger scale provides information of the local demographics and uses of space. Our site is located in a residential area where plenty of traffic will pass through to and from the nearby highway. This condition provides the site an opportunity to serve as a gateway to Oberlin and sustainable communities.
This study of the immediate area shows a strong connection between the site and a regionally linked bicycle trail. There is also opportunity to use this site as a passage to other surrounding communities as well as neighborhoods. The site provides access to local markets and shops which are within walking distance.
GateWay
Mission Statement
The Gateway community of Oberlin aims to utilize the site as a gateway to sustainable practices, not only on a local, but worldwide scale, while exemplifying the integration of local ecology and human living.
The articulation of the given site integrates the natural environment with human living. The design intends to alter the way people interact with their natural context. Natural processes for water filtration, energy harvesting, food and climatic adaption are presented through the site by use of water runoff corridors, native vegetation and wetlands, passive design strategies for households and on site food production. Public areas opening to the surrounding community provide a welcoming invitation into the site, opening the public’s eyes to responsible living. With this introduction to a new responsible lifestyle,
these ideas will filter throughout Oberlin and eventually creating a chain of sustainable practices throughout the region and the rest of the world, establishing this community as the gateway for this idea of living not only on the environment, but with it. The established relationships, not only within the site, but the relations the site has to the rest of Oberlin and its natural surrounding, is crucial for the continuation of sustainable living so the site provides open arms to visitors while maintaining the privacy needs of its residents, establishing a smart, desirable neighborhood community
This residence, situated in Oberlin, Ohio, adapts to the climate, nature, and surrounding context and aims to transform the idea of a house into a built component that embodies the naturalistic entities on which its foundation lies on. This residence aims to build a sense of community between neighbors by providing an inviting atmosphere, while simutaneously transforming the interior space and exterior facades to adapt to the privacy needs of its occupants. As a final contribuition, this residence strives to create minimal impact on the natural environment as it is designed to approach net-zero energy.
Form Division
Neighbor Interaction
The building materials transform on each facade to adapt to the privacy needs of the household. The porch marks the most communial part of the house and is backed with siding which covers the walls enclosing the living and kitchen areas. The stairs mark the transition from more to less private and is identified with a stone material that tranforms into the more private areas enclosed in wood siding.
The side entry provides an opportunity for facing porch elements that provide a framed view into the neighborhood as well as creating a shared space where neighbors can interact, strengthening the community aspect of the neighborhood.
Facade The building materials transform on each facade to adapt to the privacy needs of the household. The porch marks the most communial part of the house and is backed with siding which covers the walls enclosing the living and kitchen areas. The stairs mark the transition from more to less private and is identified with a stone material that tranforms into the more private areas enclosed in wood siding.
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Wood Burning Stove Appropriate Overhangs Daylighting PV Panels Insulated double-stud walls
Open floor plan Open riser stairs
Approaching Net-Zero Energy Passive strategies, such as daylighting and natural ventilation provide this house with much of the heating and cooling needed year-round. Energy efficient systems, such as solar hot water, a wood burning stove, and PV
panels are integrated to push this house towards net-zero energy. a highly, inulated envelope, open floor plans, double height spaces, minimal windows on non-south orientations, window overhangs and other building compontents help to provide comfortable conditions throughout the year with minimal energy usage.
This residential plan establishes a new way of living as an integral part of Oberlin and the natural context. Instead of designing a community that could be placed meaninglessly on any site, a more intelligent design process with the upmost respect to the natural surroundings must be established to create a neighborhood that sets a precedent to the relationship between human living and natural ecology. Welcome to the Gateway Community.
HISTORICAL
UNFOLDING
|Communitry and Historical Center |Vermilion, Ohio |Fourth Year Design Studio |Fall 2013 |Prof. Lee Goodman
Historical Unfolding This community center designed for Vermilion’s lakefront slides into place with the historical context of the Wakefield House and unfolds it into an interconnected complex of active spaces which provide a welcoming space for local residents and marks a destination point for events and tourism. To respect the historical integrity of the existing house, a “next door neighbor” condition is
established, creating a visual split entry into the space. The addition unfolds to provide public spaces suitable for housing local festivals, events, and performances. A board walk extending from the lake to Main St. ties the center back into the city, creating a new pedestrian entry to the lakefront. Sustainable practices that respond to Vermilion’s unique climate are present as the design aims to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge.
The site plan responds to the way pedestrians tend to move through the site towards the lake and from the river. The main entry is intended for pedestrian use only as vehicular traffic is intended to be minimized. The entry is lined with water that creates a lakrfront feel starting at the corner of the site. The water path doubles as a basin for storm water run off. A secondary entry from the Vermilion river is found at the
east end of the site. Form here, water vehicles can dock and the boardwalk connects this entry to the rest of the site. On the way places for water activity rentals and fishing products can be purchased. Snack bars are also located in this area along with space provided for urban agriculture to supply the food for the cafe located in the main building.
Height of forms adjusted to break up Form slides to engage residents form and compliment local residents on neighboring streets Roof elements respond to historical Next door neighbor Existing porch elements context and unfold to provide passive condition established extended to unify form design strategies
Historical context maintained
Form slides to engage the beach condition
The form takes shape by first creating a next door neighbor condition with the Wakefield house. The form then slides out to provide public spaces that respond to areas of public access. The roof heights are then adjusted to context and the roof forms unfold from the slope of the Wakefield House
Courtyard establishes an interactive exterior space between neighboring forms
The floor plans are articulated to provide large open public spaces for events, eating and public interaction. The Wakefield House is rennovated into a historical center while the rest of the building serves as a community center. the existing porches of the house are extending to connect the two buildings. Two-story spaces are designed to
maximize public interaction and increase ventilation. The town hall spaces located by the beach mimmicks the lighthouse placed on the edge of the lake dock, using light in the night hours to signal the town when events are taking place, as a lighthouse would signal the ships to land.
AUDITORIUM
Beach Level Plan
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
East Elevation
South Elevation
Third Floor Plan
Upper floors contain areas for buisiness and education with flexible meeting areas and small lounges. An outdoor deck connects these spaces to the upper levels of the historical center to provide a unique space that over looks the beach where people can enjoy lunch or just relax and enjoy the view.
Preliminary Perspective Sketch
West Elevation
North Elevation
Living Building Challenge Energy
-Passive solar -Natural Ventilation -PV Panels
- Daylighting - Respect to History
- Adjusted heights respect residents - Town Hall
Materials
Water - Living Machine - Efficient Runoff
Equity
Health - Natural air flow
- Concrete from 1970s addition - Recycled wood -Rennovation of Wakefield house - Recycled brick
South-North Section and Ventilation
Site Beauty
- Respect to Vermilion’s context - “Nextdoor neighbor” - Lake views
- Urban agriculture - Minimal car access - Set back to respect to residents
The wind and solar activity are considered through floor plans and section to provide passive design strategies. The prevailing winds from the southwest are captured and allowed to flow throughout the building through cross ventilation, while openings in the roofs provide outlets for the stack effect. Solar activity is controlled by the use of overhangs to allow the winter sun to warm the building while shading the summer sun to keep it cool.
Heat gain from Winter Sun
Shaded Summer Sun
This community Center embraces Vermilion’s rich nautical history and transforms this under-developed beachfront into an interactive public gathering space which encourages tourist and local relations and expresses the areas historic traditions. Integrating sustainable building strategies in the design helps unfold a new chapter of Vermilion’s history. It marks the progression of the community and the responsible awareness of the abundant natural resources this area has to offer.
|Hotel/Retai |Oberlin, Ohio |Third Year Design Studio |Fall 2012 |Prof. Horton
Visitor Integration The site lies on a transitional location between downtown Oberlin and Oberlin college with residential situated to the east. The intended design uses the regional pedestrian paths to carve out space to be used by the public. The concept is to link the activity found in Oberlin’s urban setting to the liveliness of the campus, using the hotel as a transitional node where visitors can integrate themselves in with the community during their stay.
EDUCATION
RESIDENTIAL
blends in with the natural context of while taking full advantage of views. A thrid form, serving as the standard guest rooms, links these forms together, symbolizing the connection the hotel establishes between its private guests and the public.
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The building form is articulated by creating one strong wing to create an urban corner condition on the edge of downtown. The area away from downtown respectfully steps back from the natural public square to the west, serving as extended stay guest rooms, which
SERVICE
RETAIL
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RETAIL
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LOUNGE
CAFE
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EXTENDED STAY
LOBBY
Ground Floor/Site Plan
This concept focuses on the qualities of the various pedestrian walkways and public bike trails that make Oberlin’s integration with its local and regional context so successful. The form responds to these qualities by opening up to public accessibility on the ground level, allowing pedestrians to move through the exterior of the building as they transition from the City of Oberlin and its campus. The separation of form creates a semi-public center courtyard in the center of the site which allows the guests and Oberlin’s public to interact.
Through linking the hotel guests with local residents, students, and the surrounding context, the user experience becomes more dynamic with a wider range of ways to spend their stay. This approach provides guests with the oppurtunity to relax and enjoy the dynamic views of Oberlin’s Tappan Square while having the attractions of downtown Oberlin at their doorstep.
Gest Wing with Fitness Deck
Standard Guest Wing
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Extended Stay Area/Business/Pool Wing
Dining, retail, public lounges and outdoor spaces are located on ground level to add to the urban activity of downtown. Offices and a fitness center are placed along the Urban edge as well. The form then opens up and steps down towards Tappan Square to
East West Section/Urban Edge
compliment its natural evironmental features, which simutaneously creating terrace space for the extended stay guests. Guest rooms are placed in the connecting wing to provide guests with an easy transition to the city’s attractions.
Using the bike trails which connect Oberlin to neighboring towns as a reference for design allows increased movement and circulation through a space where guests can visit and receive the full experience of
North-South Section/ Through courtyard
Oberlin. The way it opens up to the surrounding context provides new ways and areas for public and private interaction, whether it be parents visiting a student or a buisiness person on a visiting for work.
SCULPTURE GALLERY
AKRON ART MUSEUM
|Sculpture Gallery |Akron, Ohio |Third Year Design Studio |Fall, 2012 |Prof. Micheal Horton
This design for the Akron Art Meseum’s Sculpture Gallery responds to two key features of the Existing meseum while grabbing visitor attention toward the interior by allowing the public to engage in the outdoor space. The two key features of which influences the design is the top sculptural overhang and the sculptural support on the south side of the museum. Guests may enter the site from two locations, the first being adjacent to the existing cafe of the
museum and the other located on S. High St. From each entrance, two key views of the gallery can be seen. When entering from S. High St., visitors get a head on view of the sculptural support which draws attention to the main ramp which rotates of the curved aesthetic of the support, winding the ramp clockwise around the gallery. This winding effect allows panoramic views of the sculture galer, giving guests a 360 view of the enitre space.
As the ramp comes to its highest point, it transforms into a deck wchich alignes directy with the top sculptural piece, establishing an indirect relationship with the museum. Additionally, the deck acts as a roof for an outdoor cafe below. The northern edge of the deck continues into a water
feature that cascades 11 feet to ground level. Its function is two-fold, allowing dynamic views from the existing cafe while simultaneously masking noise from the surrounding urban fabric. This water feature is directly visible from the second entrance into the site.
In addition to giving guests panoramic views of the gallery, the ramp divides the ground level into four areas for sculptures and events. The first area is a large open area that is suitable for large events and gatherings, allowing a smooth transition into the gallery from the entrances. The second area is framed by the main ramp and is designed to provide flexibility so that sculptures of any size can be placed in various positions. This area is divided by green spaces to direct guests around the
entire site. The third area is framed by the main ramp and a secondary ramp that transcends into a smaller, more inimate space for a more personal look at a specific peice of art. This area is accessible by walking under the main ramp’s, incline on ground level. The fourth area is located at the highest, most eastern end of the site. This area, accessible by ramp, leads to an exit and another space for sculpture placement. From this hight point, the gallery can be viewed in its entirety.
|Gastronomy Center |Florence, Italy |KSU Florence Program |Third Year Design Studio |Spring 2013 |Prof. Paula Giacconia
“Extension” of market
Increased public access
EXSPANSIVE ENGAGEMENT is an extension of the St. Ambrogio Market, which allows the public and students to share thoughts and ideas and take part in the rich culture of food and gastronomy in the center of Florence. The form reflects the market’s pavillions, but instead of public space framing the program, the program takes shape to frame the public space. Separated in to three sections on ground level, the building opens up to its surroundings to allow easy accessibility into the site
and increase public engagement. Public areas around the building and within its interior draw in visitors and a rhythmatic facade composed of solid and voided panels allows visitors to obtain multiple unique views of the interior, market, and the neighborhood, creating visual and social interaction. Blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor presents a strong connection between the public and occuring events within the building.
The foot traffic typology is determined by the buildings around teh site and their uses. The reddots symbolize people traveling for business purposes. The blue stands for education,
the green represents market uses and grey represents residential. The site is used by all four typoligies creating a mixture of purpose for traveling through the piazza.
Imitation of roof context
The panoramic view of the site shows how the surrounding buildings are oragnized and gives a clear image of their various shapes and sized. When applying a color to them according to thier typology, it gives and idea of where on the site visitors of different purposes will travel to.
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The site sits in a location which recieve a variety of influences from its differing surroundings. Commercial, business, residential, and educational areas are all located adjacent to the site. This creates a unique space in which people with all types of purposes will mix with eachother on the way to their destinations. the design for this site takes full advantage of this crossroads by allowing the public to walk through the building and peer inside to gain intersest in the gastronomy that is so important to Italy’s culture. A couple issues are adressed in design: First, the Sant’Ambrogio
market is the main attraction of the area so the gastronomy center design feeds off of the close relationship and extends off of it. The school of architecture located to the south of the site is adressed through design by creating a smaller courtyard area framed with a bookstore and restaurant for quick access to food and resources and community interaction. The third condition is the height of the residential areas to the north. To adress this, the building height remains low other that the highest point which is located opposite of the residents.
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The form is composed of two main extending elements hinged by a space that serves as a student hub and classrooms. The extending roof elements are cut outabove the separated spaces on ground floor to allow light to the paths and allow additional views to be shared between indoor and outdoor space
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
The facade study was influenced by the rythmatic window openings found around the entire city of Florence as well as the immediate context. The general shape of the openings were then elongated so that each shape was connecting to another, creating the panelized aesthetic of the exterior.
The floor plans are articulated to engage the community and provide an active border surrounding the redesigned piazza. The main lobby is located directly across from the market to grab the attention of the market crowd. A restaurant, bookstore and public lounge are place on both sides of the south separation on ground floor.
These programs engage the students of both schools to interact. A secondary education lobby and auditorium are placed on the east and north ends of the building. The upper floors conist of an even space that overlooks the market and classrooms for gastronomy education as well as study lounges.
Gastronomy and Architecture are greatly celebreated in Italian culture so this site lies in between two spaces that relate to these things. Linking these spaces together with Expansive Engagement allows cross learning and interaction between students and the general public. These links reflect the strong connection to culture these institutions have, marking a new city center of culture, education, and gastronomy. Allowing the local residents to interact with these cultures on a daily basis is equally as important as the institutions themselves. Combining all these aspects with expansive engagement strengthens the community as a whole and add to the dynamic characteristics of the neighborhood.