Alexis Halcomb Portfolio 2021

ALEXIS HALCOMB PORTFOLIO University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The Illinois School of Architecture Selected Work

In the course of architectural history many types of forms have been erected. Sustainable design moving forward is the most important concept we think about when creating these architectural forms. Thoughtful and meaningful design is important because we spend a majority of our lives indoors.

The built world should create an environment that is comforting to us as users and has a minimal impact on the habitat around that surrounds us.

A building has the potential to last through multiple generations. Design decisions impact not just the current generation but all of the future ones. We need to take responsibility in shaping the built world mindfully. We need to come to conclusions through research and learning from past design to better shape our future but more importantly the future of the next generations.

Sustainable design is beneficial not only to us as human occupants but the environment it is built upon. Thinking critically and intentionally about the site a form is built up on.

We as designers need to consider the impact on the natural environment by incorporating plants native to the built site when developing the natural landscape. Adding more intentional site composition and purposeful natural landscapes that will improve air and soil quality. This will result in a more healthy ecosystem that will cohesively rebuild any previously neglected sites. Natural landscape should be represented in built space from the existing natural plants or the addition of green space or gardens that move vertically in the built spaces we design.

We need to think of the landscape not as a blank canvas, but as an important composition that improves our daily lives and activities and further unifies the built world in a more positive way.

- ALH

Elevate - Paralympics Stadium Champaign, IL /// Spring 2020

Flex - Sports & Entertainment Champaign, IL /// Fall 2019

Convergence - Boutique Hotel Champaign, IL /// Fall 2018

Cascade - Book & Coffee Shop Champaign, IL /// Spring 2018

Connect - Arboretum Champaign, IL /// Fall 2017

Expansive Marketplace Champaign, IL /// Spring 2017

Conceptual Projects Fall 2016 - Spring 2017

Ceramics & Pottery Fall 2011 - Spring 2015

Elevate - Paralympics Stadium

Spring 2020 Graduate Design Studio: Behavior & Environment Campus // Champaign, IL The goal for this project is to encompass the needs presented for the DRES (Disability Resources and Educational Services) Performance Center. This project will also set the University apart from other schools in the nation and create a standard in design along with a state of the art facility. Providing a program that will be used as new wheelchair athletic training, innovation & research facility for not only the Paralympics. One of the key elements of this project is to completely enclose a 8 lane 400 meter track for use year round. Environment and weather plays an important factor in athlete performance capacity. Additional project design goals and challenges I set for myself was for this project to have zero carbon emissions and zero waste and further sustainable measures beyond LEED. The five wind cones implemented into the structure solve many of these challenges. Structural concept sketch diagrams how these wind cones provide natural ventilation and cooling. The vast roof canopy allows for natural shading, the harvest solar energy & provide solar cooling. Each wind-cone housing a particular aspect of the desired program; Main Entry (First St), Training & Gymnasium, Physical Therapy, Education & Research and Athlete Entry & Team building Space. The first level is dedicated to the athletes to aid in the navigation of the competition, training, education spaces, along with the increased privacy of athletes by restricting public entrances to two secondary upper level entrance spaces. One ramp connects to the campus and university dorms drawing on the incorporation of students, their families, and the alumni network. Another ramp connects the southern parking lot proposed to become a parking deck that spans over Kirby Avenue which would connect all guest attendees without completely shutting down vehicular traffic during events which is typical of Basketball and Football games.

Structural Concept Sketch

Conceptual Sketch

Exterior Perspective Render: Southern Entrance - Second Story over Kirby Avenue connected to the proposed parking deck

Future Dorm/Olympic Housing

Proposed Parking Deck

Main Entry connection to Grange Grove

Bird’s Eye Aerial View

PROGRAM: New Wheelchair Athletic Training, Innovation & Research Facility UIUC Center for Movement and Performance

Site Plan

Field house

Gymnasium, Education & Research

Arena

• 8 lane 400 meter track (indoor) • 3 (NCAA regulation Basketball courts • Seating for 2,500 • Tiered spectator seating at two different levels • Loge viewing platforms at either end • Dedicated press box • 2,400 sq ft of dedicated wheelchair storage

• 29,500 sq ft of dedicated treatment and training space • 5 lane 40 meter track • 1,825 sq ft of racing wheelchair roller space • 3,340 sq ft of treatment space • 3,325 sq ft of physical therapy • 4,125 sq ft of dedicatedhydrotherapy • 14,300 sq ft of research and education Combined meeting room for 90+ people with sloping floor • 925 sq ft Nutrition lab • 800 sq ft of Biometrics • 1,720 sq ft Physical Therapy simulation • 1,720 sq ft Maker Space

• 1 NCAA regulation basketball court • Seating for 2,000 • Generous “out of bounds” perimeter • Two tier seating • Dedicated press box • Individual locker rooms to accommodate 150 athletes

Interior Perspective Render: Second Level - Beer Garden in between Arena and Field house looking into Basketball Arena

-

-

Future Olympic Housing/Dorms

Garden Space Garden Space

-- -

---

Weights & Cardio

Physical Therapy simulation

Racing Rollers

Secondary Entry Racing Rollers

Gymnasium & Training Facility Below

PT Offices

Gymnasium & Training Facility

Physical Therapy UP

Women's Restroom

Exit for Team Buses

Men's Restroom

Entry Lobby

Exit

Retail Space

DN

Women's Restroom

Physical Therapy Below

Men's Restroom

DN

Gymnasium & Training Facility: 5 lane 40 meter track

UP

Event Security

Exit

Exit

hydrotherapy

Exit

Concessions

Equipment Storage

Fieldhouse Track Below

Fieldhouse Track 8 lane 400 m 3 Basketball Courts

Back of House Entry

Concessions

Loading Dock

Equipment Storage

Track Viewing Lounge Space

Track Storage

Locker Room 25 Athletes

Locker Room 25 Athletes

Locker Room 30 Athletes

Entrance to Grange Grave

Equipment Storage

-- ---

UP

Shower/ Restrooms

UP

Shower/ Restrooms

Shower/ Restrooms

Games and Activities

Team Dining Space

Locker Room 25 Athletes

Locker Room 25 Athletes

Team Lounge Space

Entry for Team Buses

Event Security

Referee Locker Room

Exam Room

Press Elevat

Exam Room

Locker Room 30 Athletes

Press Box

Team Bench

Concessions

-

Seating

Team Lounge Space Below

-

Men's Restroom

Men's Restroom

Wome Restro n's om

UP

Mechanical Space

Retail Space

Classroom

Back of House Storage

Women's Restroom

Seating

Basketball Arena

Oak St.

Seating

Classroom St orage

Seating

Women's Restroom

Exit

Retail Storage

DN

Basketball Arena Below

Concessions

Concessions

Classroom

Concessions

Classroom St orage

Meeting Room

Meeting Room 90 +

Basketball Storage

Office

Event Security Locker Room

Event Security

Office Lobby

Staff Space

Office

Office

Biomech Lab (Nutrition)

Office Lobby

Concessions

Retail Space

Office Office

Biomech Lab (Physiology) Office

Office

Event Security

Entry Lobby

Mixed Use Education & Research Space Below

UP

DN

Mixed Use Education & Research Space

Daily Life

Secondary Entry Nutrition Lab

Maker Space

Workshop

-

-

1st St.

UP

DN

W Kirby Ave

-

-

Parking

First Level

Main Entry Lobby Below

DN

DN

Men's Restro om Women's Restroom

DN

UP

Seating

Team Bench

Beer Garden/ Event Space DN

Men's Restroom

Collaborative Space

Bar Kitchen

or

Exa Roo m m

Seating

Entry for Athletes

Concessions

Main Entry

Main Entry Lobby

Sports Advertisement Stands/Tables

UP

Sports Medicine

Kitchen

DN

UP

dedicated wheelchair storage

Shower/ Restrooms

Shower/ Restrooms

Shower/ Restrooms

Second Level

1

Northern Entrance Render: Ramp elevated to connect the students from the direction of campus

Exit

Exterior Perspective Render: East Entrance - Line of site from Grange Grove/Memorial Stadium

Sectional Cut E-W: Facing South

Site Boundary Pedestrian Circula�on Minor Vehicle Circula�on Buildings Green Space Major Vehicle Circula�on

Interior Perspective - Ground Level Main Entrance: View of the Basketball Arena (left), main staircase (center), and Field house Track (right)

Connec�on to Train Main Parking StateFarm Center Secondary Parking Campus Rec Outdoor Center DRES (Disability Resource & Educa�onal Services

Site Outline: 786’ x 1230’ Pedestrian Circula�on Minor Vehicle Circula�on Buildings Green Space

Site Frieze Morphosis + Program Diagram

Northern Elevation

Southern Elevation

Major Vehicle Circula�on

Nugent Hall Ikenberry Dining Hall ARC (Ac�vi�es & Rec Center) Memorial Stadium

Site Axon & Analysis

Flex - Sports & Entertainment

Fall 2019 Graduate Design Studio: Detail & Architectonics Downtown // Champaign, IL This project was inspired with the challenge of redesigning Top Golf. The duration included working directly with the design build firm for Top Golf locations. The introduction of this studio was spent researching marketing strategies and how to best increase revenue of a project while decreasing the need of floor space.

More specifically how to bring a the company's advertised culture of entertainment into less populated communities further from large city suburbs of places like Chicago. This design expands upon simulated golf with the addition of racquetball that incorporates target technology used at Top Golf locations into the equation. In this particular model, the facility is two stories and only two bays are allotted for racquetball out of the 14. The suggestion of adding more racquetball courts to the 12 simulated bays can be added upon and the form of the building can be expanded because of the linear floor plan allows for flexibility. The first and second floor reflect each other making the addition of a third floor also attainable.

The concept centralizes the bar around the opening of each bay so users have more meaningful interactions. The calculated occupancy is 400 people and the flexibility of the floor is created by spanning of the joist girder structural system.

www.au

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

First Floor: Looking out of bay toward bar and main entry

1

1

S 4-4

S 1-1

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

BAY 12

BAY 07

BAY 02

No.

De

Sectional Cut E-W: Facing South 0'

4'

8'

16'

32'

Section 3 1/8" = 1'-0"

Site Context O

Proje

Sec Project Number Date Drawn By Checked By

Scale

First Floor Plan

S

Second Floor Plan

Built Model: Roof removed showing layout of second floor

Second Floor Render: Looking into double height racquetball court

Exterior Render: Main Entry Perspective

Conceptual Sketch Built Model: Main Entry Perspective

First Floor Render: Main Entry - Information Desk

Convergence - Boutique Hotel

Surrounding Building BUILDING USE Use RESIDENTIAL COMMERICAL RETAIL/ORGANIZATION

Fall 2018 Architecture Design and Development: Integrative Studio Downtown // Champaign, IL This 42 room boutique hotel provides users with a space to gather and connect while visiting. This hotel would be directed towards groups that plan on visiting campus or simply getting a taste of what champaign has to offer. The downtown atmosphere is something sought after and this concept of converging came about when reviewing the plan for the parking lot just to the south of Washington Street. Each room has a view of the open garden and beyond to the main downtown space. This space’s intentions are to direct and connect users to towards the heart of downtown in Champaign. The guest rooms are the same dimensions to lower the overall cost and improving basic functionality that would encourage guests to spend more money downtown when they save on room cost. The garden boxes also help bring nature back into the city and their placement creates a maze-like plan that all lead one to the center of the site. The material palette consists of spandrels glass and a concrete two way column & beam system in addition to the concrete garden boxes. The HVAC distribution uses a four pipe water system that moves vertically to each floor in the structural system connected to the staircases on the east and west end. All rooms have a fire resistance rating of 1 hour and the stairs have a 2 hour rating. The occupancy classification is a residential hotel with a commercial restaurant on the first floor.

ENTERTAINMENT FOOD/DRINK

Built Model: Ground level perspective facing north from open garden

3D Model Render: Bird's Eye Perspective

A115

5

4.5 13' - 3"

1 A103

3.5 13' - 3"

3 13' - 3"

2.5 13' - 3"

2 13' - 3"

1.5 13' - 3"

1

5

4

Unloading dock

UP

1 A102

Kitchen/prep space

2

1.5

1

26' - 6"

DN

Conference Room

Printing

7

Dining Space

Gym

Pool Unloading dock for Hotel

Checkin Desk

Outdoor Dining Space UP

8 9

10

1

A105 Main Lobby

2.5

6

Bar Area

Dry Storage

9

3 105' - 5 3/4"

Freezer

Elevator Lobby

3.5 26' - 6"

7

8

4.5

13' - 3"

10

DN

119' - 4 1/16"

1

1

Unloading dock for Restaurant

6 A102

Second Level Interior Render:1 Workout room

A103

4 13' - 3"

A115

1

Built Model: Second level balcony

1

A116

Garden

11

11 Main Entrance

12

12

Ground Level Second Level Interior Render: Pool room looking out to balcony

Second Level

1 A104

1 A104

A114

Scale 1/4" = 1'-0"

Project Number Issue Date Author Checker

Floor Plan - Guest Room

Project number Date Drawn by Checked by

No.

Description

Date

Room 503 Room 502

A115

1 A103

4

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

Ground Level Exterior Render: Approaching main entry - facing Northwest

1

106' - 0"

26' - 6"

13' - 3"

1

ø 5'

3' - 0"

7

1' - 10"

Elevator Lobby

8

Room 300

Room 301 Room 302

Room 303 Room 304

Room 305

Elevator Lobby

4' - 11 3/8"

9 Typical Guest Room Level: 3rd - 9th 118' - 2 1/16"

10

Typical Room Plan with ADA dimensions 1

www.autodesk.com/revit

ø 5'

- 0"

Room 500

5' - 5 7/16"

A102

- 0"

3' - 0"

6

ø 5'

13' - 3"

4' - 5 7/8"

13' - 3"

- 0"

13' - 3"

4' - 10 17/32"

26' - 6"

13' - 3"

4' - 0"

26' - 6"

13' - 3"

Alexis Halcomb

4.5

Room 501

5

Capstone - ARCH 475

1

A116

1 A102

11

Level 11 108' 0" Level- 10 105' - 0"

12

Level 9 94' - 0" Level 8 83' - 0" Level 7 72' - 0" Level 6 61' - 0" 1

Level 5 50' - 0" A104

Level 4 39' - 0" Level 3 28' - 0" Level 2 15' - 0" Level 1.5 10' - 0" Level 1 0' - 0" Basement -12' - 0"

Sectional Cut S-N: Facing West

Built Model: Approaching main entry - facing Northeast

Cascade - Book & Coffee Shop

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 2.0

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 1.5

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 1.0 Spring 2018 Architecture Design and City Downtown // Champaign, IL The goal of this building’s design is to create a space for Readers that is user friendly and health beneficial to those looking to relax and read a good book while drinking a cup of coffee in downtown Champaign. When thinking of natural settings that assist in focus and relaxation, a water fall, is something that comes to mind. The water falls in Starved Rock National Park are a main conceptual inspiration.

The space around these falls are mostly rock, yet still has ample light throughout the space that makes it very bright and the running water drowns out any outside noise. This natural setting was achieved in the building by placing a water fountain in a central location that divided private reading and public spaces, using lighting shelves to bounce off and deflect back into the space.

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL -1.0

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL SITE 23’ X 145’ MAIN ROADS SIDE ROADS

12 10

7

1

11

8 10

12 10

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 2.0 FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 2.0

10

10 7 10

8

12

10

1

12

11 4

N MARKET ST.N MARKET ST. N MARKET ST.

4

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 1.5

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 1.0 FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 1.0

11

4

8

12 1

4

9

4 2

12 1

12

11

8

12 1

3

5 6

9

S

12

3

6

Basement Level

30 feet

12 - Elevator — 35 sq. ft.

A

NM ARK ET S T.

C

B JON’S PIPE SHOP PARKING LOT

N CH ESNU T ST.

VACANT HISTORIC GROCERY STORE SITE (23’ X 14 5’)

VACANT BUILDING

4-

BOOK STACK DISPLAY 5 3 X KEY:Key: 4 4 // 1500 lin.1ft.

Book Stack Display — DISPLAY 1500 lin. ft.

SPECIAL PROMO 6 BOOK STACK DISPLAY Special Promo Display // 25—sq. 25 ft. sq. ft. // 1500 lin. ft.

DISPLAY KEY: MAGAZINE 4 -7 Magazine DisplayPROMO — 30 lin. ft.

SPECIAL DISPLAY lin. ft.

1 - Courtyard — 480 sq.////30 ft.

25 sq. ft.

1 BOOK - COURTYARD STACKDISPLAY DISPLAY 58 MAGAZINE 2 - Purchasing Counter — 75 sq. ft.

480 sq. ft.

9 //////1500 lin.ft. ft.

30 lin.

3 - Small Workroom — 400 sq. ft.

2 SPECIAL - PURCHASING COUNTER 10 PROMO DISPLAY 6 1 - COURTYARD 4 - Public Restrooms //— // 25 7548 sq.sq. ft. ft.

11 sq. ft. // 480 sq. ft.

3 MAGAZINE - SMALL WORKROOM 12 DISPLAY 71 5 - Private — COUNTER 48 sq. ft.

2 Restroom - PURCHASING 400 sq. ft. //////30 lin.sq. ft.ft.

6 - Mechanical Room — 80 sq. ft.

75 1 81 3- COURTYARD - SMALL 7 - Coffee1Shop — WORKROOM 80 sq. ft. // //480 sq. ft.

9 400 sq. ft.

8 - Water 2Fall - PURCHASING COUNTER 10 9 - Main Entrance // 75 sq. ft.

11 - SMALL WORKROOM 12 10 - Group3Discussion Space 11 - Quiet Reading Space// 400 sq. ft.

12

6

First Level 9

3 5

2 9

8

11

12

2

8

1 11

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 1.0

t

9

Intermediate First Level 4

KEY:

fee

2 9

8

11

5

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL -1.0 FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL -1.0 14 5 FLOOR fee PLAN // t LEVEL -1.0

2 2

8

1

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 1.5 FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 1.5

E UNIVERSITY AVE

Site Analysis

7

8

1

11

FLOOR PLAN // LEVEL 2.0

23

8

1

11 12

10

7 Second Level

1

12 11

Site Content

Built Model: Exploring interior waterfall perspective

Built Model - Exploring Exterior Shading Device: Approaching main entry - facing Northeast

Southern Exterior Elevation: Facing North

Longitudinal Sectional Cut W-E: Facing North

EAS T SEC CROSS TION AL C UT

LON G SEC ITUDINA TION L CUT

SOU

THE RN E XTER IO

R EL EV

ATIO

N

WEST CROSS SECTIONAL CUT

Sectional Cut N-S: Facing East

Sectional Cut S-N: Facing West

CONNECT - Arboretum

Fall 2017 Architecture Design & the Landscape UIUC Arboretum // Urbana, IL This program is located in the Arboretum, which is a part of the University of Illinois campus. This site was selected to connect existing circulation, while keeping the area accessible so ‘the Center’ will be able to be reached and appreciated by all. This facility is meant to be a flexible place for interpretation, but focused on educating the public about plants locally in the Arboretum. The central hub is for students, faculty, and the local community to gain knowledge of nature and cultural heritage. This building also connects the Japan house and garden so users can make a visual connection of the locations and the importance of both.

The structure and roof also has a unique curvature to mimic the pond and the organic shape created.

3D Rendered - Sequence Diagrams

Ground Level Exterior Render: Approaching main entry - facing Northeast 0 FT

50 FT

100 FT

200 FT

400 FT

ADDITION TO PATHWAY = EXISTING PATHWAY = BUILDING ROOF = ADDITIONAL PARKING = EXISTING VEGETATION = EXISTING POND = EXISTING PARKING/ = STREETS

Site Content

ELEV S. F

Ground Level Interior Render: Looking toward Gallery space

PRIVA TE

Conceptual Sketches:

PUBLIC

PRIV ATE

Circulation & Space Function

Structural System Exploration

Conceptual Form

SECTION 1

0 FT 5 FT 10 FT

VATION FACING

20 FT

40 FT

80 FT

1 - MAIN ENTRANCE 2 - SECONDARY ENTRANCE 3 - STAFF ENTRANCE & CONNECTION TO 4 - MULTI-PURPOSE GALLERY // 1,200 SQ. FT. 5 - STAFF OFFICE // 150 SQ. FT. 6 - WOMENS RESTROOM // 160 SQ. FT. 7 - MENS RESTROOM // 160 SQ. FT. 8 - GENDER NEUTRAL RESTROOM // 30 SQ. FT. 9 - CUSTODIAN’S CLOSET // 25 SQ. FT. 10 - GALLERY STORAGE // 100 SQ. FT. 11 - GENERAL FACILITY STORAGE // 100 SQ. FT. 12 - MECHANICAL ROOM // 100 SQ. FT. 13 - OUTDOOR COVERED SEATING 14 - LANDSCULPTED EXTERIOR BENCH

3

5

ROOF EXHIBIT WALLS/DISPLAYS

8

5 6 10

4 7 11

1

9 4

4

12

2

13

14

SECTION 1

ELEVATION N. FACING

Ground Level

Southern Exterior Elevation - Facing North

Northern Exterior Elevation - Facing South

Expansive Market Place

Conceptual Sketches:

Spring 2017 Strategies of Architecture Design Downtown // Champaign, IL This project investigates the design concept of movement and how the compression and expansion effects the structure. As one enters into different spaces, the ceiling heights fluctuates based on the connected function. The main goal of this project is to educate the general public about health and wellness while supporting the local market. This support would benefit the well-being of the community’s economy in a longer duration. This building allows individual to explore the space when the user explores the different floor textures that align and collaborate with the varying heights of the ceiling. These textures are meant to remind using of different patterns revealed in nature within various environments. While taking the design into consideration, users learn about local produce as they stroll through the market or take a cooking class. The objective of the market and this program is to investigate how the right food and amount can supply the body with important nutrients for survival and replenishment. This space targets the community as a whole because physical health has a influential impact on our mental health and how we as people see ourselves externally. Overall, the intention is to get city dwellers interested in what lies beyond paved streets and high risers and become more curious how nature and food impact our everyday lives.

Circulation & Space Function

Structural System Model

Conceptual Form

3D Model Render: Bird's eye perspective with site context

Ground Level

Built Model: Interior showing farmer's market display

Built Model: Approaching secondary entry - facing Southwest

Built Model: Bird's eye perspective

Ground Level Exterior Render: Approaching main entry - facing Southeast

Western Exterior Elevation: Facing East

Fortress - Dwelling

Spring 2017 Strategies of Architecture Design Conceptual - No Set Location This conceptual dwelling symbolizes a forest of trees and the height variations resemble that of a fortress. Starting out with a model made of only square shaped rods, each rod varies in thickness, but are all the same distance apart from one another. When placing the building part of the fortress I removed or cut sticks that also acted as structural support. The different building spaces were made out of all glass because in a forest the density of the trees creates walls, yet still allows light from above.

Vineyard - Design Project

Fall 2016 Graphics for Architects Conceptual - No Set Location This design was more exploratory and focused on expanding upon concepts. I chose leaf veins and wanted to convey how the structure supports the leaf. Using many leaves vertically adds more dimension and the veins create different shaows that express each unique piece of the vein.

Section A-A

Section B-B

Floor Plan

Ceramics & Pottery

Fall 2011 - Spring 2015 Ceramics 1 - 4 Function and Sculptural Throughout my four years of high school I was enrolled in 4 levels of ceramics and created over 50 projects. Included is a brief collage of a hand-full of the projects I designed and created. These assignments narrowed my path toward design and architecture. Before completing any assignment, sketching and incorporating conceptual goals taught me a lot about design schematics and understanding how to plan for how an object is built.

photo from fall 2016 constructing conceptual model

Alexis L Halcomb Master of Architecture Candidate '21 Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies '19 Graduate Assistant – Graphic Designer ’20 - ‘21 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The Illinois School of Architecture ahalcom2@illinois.edu www.linkedin.com/in/ahalcom2