ALEC ROVENSKY PORTFOLIO | SPRING ‘17
CONTENTS 1A 1B.1 1B.2 1C 2A 2B
PARTS & WHOLES na
ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS Cleveland, OH
URBAN ANALYSIS Syracuse, NY
SYRACUSE MAKERSPACE Syracuse, NY
URBAN ARCHITECTONICS na
SKINS & BONES IN THE CITY SoHo New York City, NY
1A
PARTS AND WHOLES The first exercise involves the speculative exploration of two contentions: moving from whole (the city) to part (the building) and moving part to whole, through abstract means.
whole to part Starting with a 12” square a number of geometric shapes were drawn. Next, a grid was added to subdivide the square resulting in three selected “cells.” These cells, in turn, show an abstract organization of shapes which represent buildings within a context that shapes the buildings’ geometries.
part to whole The reverse of the first exercise, “part to whole” began with a drawing in a 6” square. 3 formal operations were performed on the square to produce the resulting shape, which was then organized into a repeating composition.
The two opposing studies will form the basis of design techniques for the rest of the semester.
1B.1
ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS This analysis deals with the Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA) building in downtown Cleveland, USA, and how its formal strategies are informed by its external pressures emanating from the city which surrounds it.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Cleveland Institute of Art
Case Western Reserve University
Toby’s Plaza
Museum of Contemporary Art Downtown Commercial Space Public Space University Buildings Cleveland Art Institute Cleveland Botanical Garden
MOCA’s Geometery as it relates to urban context Each side of the hexagonal base of MOCA has doors which direct visitors to other downtown amenities and attractions. MOCA is located at the corner of a triangular site which influe
the octagonal square Designed by FMA architects, the MOCA serves as the region’s only non-collecting contemporary art museum. Situated at the corner of two major roads in downtown Cleveland on a triangular site, its base emerges as an octagon and morphs into a square as it rises. Its octagonal geometry reinforces directionality toward other downtown amenities such as the botanical garden and institute of art.
Floor 2
Floor 4
Ground Floor
Floor 3
Gallery Archives Workshops
Store Cafe Kiosk Coat Check Lobby
Main Gallery Lounge
Administration Workroom Conference Production Studio
Public Movement and Program through MOCA Visitors enter through the main north entrance and proceed up the monumental staircase to the main gallery on the fourth floor. The large staircase is located in the atrium and allows movement throughout
1B.2 URBAN ANALYSIS This analysis exemplifies a “whole-to-part” contention, analyzing how the external pressures of downtown Syracuse affect the urban form. The focus of which was a historical analysis of Syracuse.
New York State
City of Syracuse
Onondaga County Downtown Syracuse
EXERCISE 1B.2: HISTORY
NEW YORK W/ KAYLEEN O’ BRIEN ARC
108
Spring 2017 David Shanks
MONTREAL
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT ROCHESTER
ALBANY
*DOWNTOWN* UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
the salt city The expansive local salt industry gave rise to a city that would eventually become Syracuse. A series of canals, railroads and eventually interstates allowed for movement and shipment of goods throughout the New York region. This study focuses on the rise and rapid decline of population and businesses in Syracuse with the filling in of the canal in 1925. DISTRICT MAP W/ LINDSEY DEIRIG
*COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR*
NEW YORK CITY
Present Day Map
Key River Railroad Highway Metro Area City Sprawl 50
Number of People (in 10,000)
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
EXERCISE 1B.2: HISTORY
PRESENT DAY MAP W/ EVAN ELLIOT
SOLVAY PROCESS CO. The Solvay Process Company was erected in 1884 on Onondaga Lake and was used for manufacturing soda ash.
THE END OF SALT MINING 50
Number of People (in 10,000)
Number of Different Industries
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
Year
ERIE CANAL CLOSED The Erie Canal was closed in 1918 and consequently filled in.
END OF WWII Following the end of World War II in 1945 began the population decline in Syracuse, as more families chose to live in the suburb setting, rather than urban.
Key Industry Population Housing Boom
SYRACUSE POPULATION W/ KAYLEEN O’BRIEN
Salt mining in Syracuse ended in the early 1900’s following the closing of the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation. Industry in Syracuse began declining immediately after this occurrence.
INTERSTATE 81 Interstate 81 was constructed in 1957, forcing many Syracuse residents out of their homes and into government built housing.
1929
1957
2017 increasing vacancy By analyzing historical maps of the downtown region of Syracuse, a lot of information about the city’s population and priorities can be learned. Over time, a rise in commercial lots overcame the prevalent residential lots in the 20th century. Additionally, after the peak in the 1950s, more vacancies are now present in present day Syracuse than ever before due to a steady decline in population.
2017
KEY COMMERCIAL GOVERNMENT RESIDENTIAL RELIGIOUS BANKS HOTELS PARKS VACANT NO DATA DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE LOTS W/ GIOVANNA VEIGA
1C SYRACUSE MAKERSPACE Applying the knowledge from the previous two exercises, this assignment calls for the design of a new building in a pre-determined site. The building will serve as the Syracuse makerspace - a shared co-working space with facilities for education, fabrication and dessemination of various types of creations.
A
B
C
making a makerspace When designing concepts to fill the site, two iterations were considered. Concepts A & B closely relate to the MOCA, and were mirror images of each other in a horizontal axis. However, a different geometric design was chosen with a bridge feature. Concepts C & D allow for greater fenestration opportunities and better related to the surrounding context.
D
MOVEMENT PUBLIC PRIVATE MAKER MATERIALS
N
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
re(cycle) The primary concept of the proposed makerspace is to promote a circulation of materials that closely follows the creative process. New materials are delivered through the service entrance and are stored until needed by makers. The materials pass through the bridge and are used in the workshop. Finished projects are displayed and then dismantled to begin the cycle again.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
WEST VIEW SECTION
FRONT SECTION
FINAL MODEL
2A
URBAN ARCHITECONICS Addressing the issue of tectonic expression in a schematic way, this exercise calls for a small, simple pavilion building. A structural frame has been provided and will serve as the basis of the design for an enclosure system.
STUDY MODEL
rounded corners A ribbon-like enclosure envelopes the frame to connect the front facade to the roof, in a swift , continuous movement that exposes the beam at the meeting point of the two surfaces.
FINAL MODEL
2B
SKIN & BONES IN THE CITY Sited in SoHo, New York City, this final project will synthesize many issues and processes of the first year studio. The primary focus will be the first ten feet of the building, creating a “thick facade� and negotiating the relationship between the exterior urban context and the interior co-working office space.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN
CONTEXT STUDY I.C.W. ANALIS AROCHO
the SoHo afterlife The prevailing construction type in SoHo is cast iron frame, with characteristic tall ceilings and large window lighting for ample interior daylight built for a time before electric lighting. Now, the cast iron structures of the area have found a significant afterlife and are re-used as offices, art galleries and boutiques. My proposal draws the major and minor subdivisions from the context as it protrudes its curves into the city block.
SoHo STRUCTURE STUDY
re(combined) Each of the three ‘major’ modules are subdivided into three ‘minor’ modules: each with a unique section cut. The combination of different outward reaching curves forms many kinds of spaces. Spacious public balconies link distant modules, as small sectioned off balconies allow for a private breath from the office.
RIGHT MODULE
MIDDLE MODULE
LEFT MODULE
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
light Fenestration faces the northern and southern sun, allowing for ample light and extraordinary views of the street from the offices and balconies.
N
facade
Pedestrians across the street will appear to see a flat facade, which quickly pops out of its context as the viewer approaches its side.
STUDY MODELS
FINAL MODEL (FRONT)
(BACK)