ALEXANDER McKENZIE
CONTENTS OF WORK
my mind in images
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1
Reflected Chroma
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4
ABNC Runoff-Scape
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10
Institute of Color
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14
A Pavilion of Wood
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22
Dueling Tornados
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26
my mind in images Resume
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31
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33
Upper Antelope Canyon - Arizona
Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright - Scottsdale, Arizona
The Lighthouse - Palo Duro Canyon, Texas
Cairns, Unknown Artist - Sedona, Arizona
Salt Lake, Utah
Tuzigoot National Monument - Clarkdale, Arizona
my mind in images
White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
Salt Lake, Utah
2
REFLECTED CHROMA “THE WEST IS NOT JUST A MYTH” / Led By : RAFAEL DURAN-BENEYTEZ & ANGEL MARTINEZ-POSADA TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY at SEVILLA, SPAIN / SUMMER 2018 / In Collaboration With MICHAEL CASTILLO
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07:30
02:30
01:30
11:30
11:00
10:30
17:30
17:00
16:30
14:30
14:00
13:30
05:30
05:00
04:30
06:30
06:00
02:00
15:30
15:00
08:30
18:30
18:00
08:00
12:30
07:30
07:00
12:00
16:30
16:00
03:30
19:30
19:00
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13:30
13:00
09:30
04:30
04:00
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10:30
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14:30
18:30
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05:30
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22:30
22:00
11:30
06:30
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12:00
07:30
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11:00
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20:30
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13:30
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17:30
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12:00
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21:30
21:00
08:30
00:30
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18:30
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14:30
09:30
09:00
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15:30
01:30
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19:30
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10:30
23:30
23:00
10:00
02:30
02:00
16:30
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20:00
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11:30
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15:00
11:00
00:30
00:00
17:30
03:30
03:00
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21:30
21:00
01:30
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12:30
04:30
04:00
12:00
22:30
22:00
18:30
13:30
13:00
18:00
19:30
19:00
20:30
20:00
14:30
14:00
15:30
15:00
+3 HOURS 23:30
23:00
24:00
00:30
(44, 86)
+9 HOURS 20:30 17:30
17:00
08:30
08:00
(67, 42)
20:00
05:30
05:00
06:30
06:00
SITE
+6 HOURS 19:30 10:30
10:00
13:30
13:00
19:00
22:30
(44, 86)
22:00
02:30
02:00
03:30
03:00
(67, 42)
-3 HOURS 16:30
16:00
17:30
17:00
18:30
18:00
166 165 164 163 162 161 160 159 158 157 156 155 154 153 152 151 150 149 148 147 146 145 144 143 142 141 140 139 138 137 136 135 134 133 132 131 130 129 128 127 126 125 124 123 122 121 120 119 118 117 116 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
The Map captures the phenomenological passage of time as it is reflected by the rice fields. The five strips running through the map that break the continuity, represent shifts in time. These shifts in time are used to show the reflection of the fields at different times of the day.
21:30
The study of the landscape began by sampling images of the rice fields at different times of the year, and applying these colors to the map on the right. The map became more than a physical map. It shows the passage of time over the course of the day, as the sun moves from East to West in the sky.
21:00
The project began by creating a map of the region. Our map focused on studying the color pallette of the region. This color palette is completely dynamic and ever changing, specifically in response to the color of the sky. The color of the rice fields change as quickly as that of the sky.
-6 HOURS
REFLECTED CHROMA
37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21
117 116 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Y 0 X
The rice fields of Isla Mayor, just south of Seville, Spain, present a spectacular landscape, which while devoid of physical complexity, is filled with phenomena. The phenomena that I refer to is the reflective properties of the shallowly filled water pools which are required for the growth of rice. This attribute of the region was the emphasis of our project.
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+ 36.7m
+ 27m
+ 20m
+ 12.5m
+ 3m
The Light Tower focused on drawing in the light of the region through a mirrored facade, with apertures placed at different heights. These apertures would use colored lenses to turn the light into the colors found in the landscape. These colors would then be reflected by the fractal interior of the tower downward to the viewer. As the viewer approaches the tower, they see a monolithic mirror, much like the rice fields that make up the region. The Tower acts as a strip of comparison, that reflects the ephemeral nature of the region. The tower can slip into the surrounding landscape unnoticed, or be a powerful shining reflection of the landscape behind the viewer, depending on the diversity of light in the sky.
REFLECTED CHROMA
Following the creation of the map, a “Light Tower” was proposed to capture the essence of the phenomenology of the region.
As the viewer comes nearer to the tower, he descends beneath the reflective rice fields, and enters the viewing area. Looking up into the tower, the individual hues that make up the landscape are revealed.
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ABNC RUNOFF-SCAPE “GULF COAST DESIGN LAB” / Led by: COLEMAN COKER / UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN / FALL 2020
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idea sketch
Runoff - Scape
vacuu-form mold
Runoff - Scape
plastic base
Runoff - Scape
Armand Bayou Nature Center focuses on providing education for the Greater Houston Area on Enviromental Issues and protecting the Bayou regions that surround the Houston Area.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
7"
8 1/2"
9"
Drawing Set:
3' 0"
CD Date:
10/1/2020
1' 5"
Scale:
1’-0” = 1/4”
Enviroscape Basin
The goal of this project was to create an environmental educational tool that would serve the students that visit Armand Bayou Nature Center. ABNC “strives to ‘Reconnect People with Nature.’”
Gulf Coast Design Lab Fall 2020
BASE 1/8” ACRYLIC
2
5 1/2” 7"
1/4"
1/4”
16 1/2"
1”
1/4”
1/2"
1/4”
1/4”
Armand Bayou Nature Center
4"
4"
17”
3
7"
4"
17”
1"
1/4”
Axon
1
Side Section
4
3'-0” Front Section
1/4”
7"
Drawing Set:
CD Date:
11/16/2020 Scale:
1/4” = 1’-0”
Enviroscape Basin
Gulf Coast Design Lab Fall 2020
A01
1/4” 1 1/2”
1/4” EQ.
1 1/2”
EQ.
1/4”
EQ.
1/4”
1/4”
EQ.
1/4” 1/4”
TBD
6”
TBD
8 1/2”
2 1/2” 1/4” 2” 1/4” 3’-0”
1/2”
1/2”
Rain Water Simulator – Enviroscape
Soil samples, both artificial and natural, are placed in the buckets, then water is poured onto them. The different infiltration levels will allow varying amounts of runoff to run onto the enviroscape, which represents the watershed of Houston.
3
Plan
Rain Water Simulator – Enviroscape
36”
36”
The result is an Enviroscape, combined with a Rainfall Simulator. These two elements combined simulate the effect of different soil types and ground coverages on the regional watershed table.
17"
4
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Through this project we hoped to provide ABNC with a tool that they could use to teach young residents of the Houston area about the effects of flooding on different levels of pervious and impervious cover in conjunction with the dangers of pollution.
A00
ABNC RUNOFF-SCAPE
Gulf Coast Design Lab Fall 2020
Rain Water Simulator – Enviroscape
This design-build product was done for Armand Bayou Nature Center, a non - profit organization based in Pasadena Texas.
Drawing Set: CD Date: 11/16/2020 Scale: 1/2” = 1’-0” Rainfall Simulator
A03
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INSTITUTE OF COLOR “COLORS” / Led by: Igor Siddiqui / University of Texas at Austin / Spring 2020
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North
BUILDING SITE
schematic volumes
schematic voids
sectional axonometric
The building aims to provide a place of reflection and study on the science of Color. It’s programmed spaces include exhibition spaces, studio spaces, an auditorium, conference rooms, and office space for building administration. The color palette of the project was developed with the goal to provide a coherent composition of color applied to space. The project acts as a break from the repetiton of the common city block. Voids are introduced between the party walls of the adjacent builldings and the project. These voids provide a discrete entry into the proposed building on the first level.
INSTITUTE OF COLOR
The “Institute for the Advancement of Color” is focused on creating a space for the study of color. The proposed site is an infill in New York City.
As occupants progress further into the building, they experience these void spaces that reveal the volumetric differences between the proposed project and its neighbors. The void spaces are used as the major circulation route through the building. The circulation routes which are carved from the city block, provide a corridored pathway that is familiar to the high rising city of New York. What remains of the city block after the voids are removed, is four solids that house the programmed portions of the building.
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basement plan
ground floor plan
S4
S4
S3
2nd floor plan
S4
S3
S3
1
S2
S2
S2
S2
S2
2
S2
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5 2
4 S1
S1
S1
S1
S1
S1
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5
1
S4
B
S4
S3
B1. Archives
3rd floor plan
G
B2. Exhibtion Space B3. Restroom
S4
2
S3
1. Entrance
2
4th floor plan
2. Reception Desk
5. Studio Space
4. Exhibition Space (Below) S4
S2
5th floor plan
3. Exhibition Space
S3
S2
S4
S3
S4
S3
S2
S3
S2
S2
S2
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10 8
S1
S1
S1
S1
S1
S1
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S4
3
S3
S4
4
S3
S4
5
5. Studio Space (Below)
7. Conference Room
6. Exhibition Space
8. Office
7. Patio Space
9. Patio (Below)
S3
10. Auditorium
INSTITUTE OF COLOR
The colors of the projects are arranged so that is is a logical progression through the project, from the ground floor to the auditorium on the fifth floor. There are three colors that are used for the three major volumes. Each color has a highly saturated hue that is applied to the program which is more open and loose. Each color also has its pair, which is an unsaturated version which is applied to the program that has a more directed use, such as office space or studio space.
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9
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Exhibition space is placed on the most open floors which are the basement, the first floor, and the third floor. Studios for research and production are found on the second floor. On the fourth floor is administration space for the building. And concluding on the fifth floor is the auditorium space.
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6
1
Internal circulation is colored in teal on the exterior, and an unsaturated version of the hue on the interior. This directs occupants to the core stairs and elevator that are placed int the back of the building.
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2
2
S3
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5
1. Entrance 2. Reception Desk 3. Exhibition Space 4. Exhibition Space 5. Rest Room 6. Studio Space 7. Exhibition Space
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8. Conference Room 9. Office Space 10. Auditorium 11. Secondary Circulation 12. Elevator
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entrance
first floor gallery
third floor gallery
looking on first floor gallery
studio space
looking on third floor gallery
INSTITUTE OF COLOR
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5
5
4
5
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4
2
8
6
3
3
3
2
1
1
S2
1. Archives 2. Exhibition Space 3. Studio Space 4. Office Space 5. Auditorium 6. Elevator
2
S4
1. Entrance 2. Exhibition Space 3. Studio Space 4. Exhibition Space 5. Office Space 6. Conference Room 7. Auditorium
8. Secondary Circulation
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A PAVILION OF WOOD “Principles of Good Design” / Led by: Michael Benedikt / University of Texas / Fall 2019
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physical model
The two roof structures are also structurally tied together, as there is a small tension rod that bridges the gap between the two structures. Each structure would not stand, if it were not for the other. The original inspiration for this design was the overlapping of two hands, which is a symoblic gesture of a marriage.
A PAVILION OF WOOD
The “Pavilion of Wood” is a proposed marriage pavilion that seeks to represent the relationship of a marriage. The two roofs that overlap are not the same without the other, and their combination creates a greater form and image than one by itself. The two oculi that line up with each other provide a view to the sky, that is only visible from the point of the marriage ceremony, where the Bride and Groom meet.
The pavilion was designed completely manually, through extensive model making and sketching. Shown here is the final model along with analog hand drawings of the Plan, Elevation and Section. This intentional desicion by Michael Benedikt who led the studio, was to have us as the designers focus on the tectonic construction of each individual element, and to focus on the way the structure came together as a whole.
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DUELING TORNADOS Aztlan Park Design Studio / Led by: Ophelia Mantz / Texas Tech University / Spring 2017
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-3’ 0’
-1’
-2’
+4’
+4’
+3’
+2’
+1’
+5’
+5’
+6’
+6’
+7’ +8’
+7’
655’
+8’
+9’
640’
+11’
+12’
+10’ +9’
523’
The structural system of the ampitheater is inspired by the many railroads that run near this area, as another token of history that is preserved in the ampitheater.
+11’ 3
+14’
242’
1
2
+15’
183’ 0’
The upper ampitheater is reached by taking a large ramp with plenty of open grassy space for unprogrammed activities. Once you have reached the performance space you have an area that is affected by the elements and can be seen from a greater distance due to its elevation. The over arching ramp structure represents the second, larger tornado.
+15’
4
+14’
+13’
+12’
391’
The program on the ground level is arranged so that at all times you are able to view the performance, whether you are in the stands, getting a bite to eat or something to drink, or entering the restrooms. This line of sight is representative of the first, smaller tornado.
410’
+13’
+10’
501’
The structure actually accomodates two different performances at once. The larger ampitheater is dug into the shallow hill and allows for a sheltered performance that can also show films on a large screen.
+12’
+8’
561’
+11’
+13’
+10’
+9’
602’ 590’
Aztlan Park is the site of this project, and the form of the ampitheater is derived from the two tornadoes which crossed paths near its location.
DUELING TORNADOS
-6’ -5’ -4’ +3’
773’
In Lubbock, Texas in 1970, two tornadoes raged through the north eastern side of the city and disrupted many neighborhoods and populations. Aztlan Park, is one of the major regions that was affected by this natural disaster.
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physical model
Summer Solstice 74.63°
At 4:30 PM Equinox 43.18° Winter Solstice 24.66°
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DUELING TORNADOS
Chapel of the Holy Cross, Richard Hein - Sedona, Arizona
Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright - Scottsdale, Arizona
Cathedral Rock - Sedona, Arizona
Montezuma’s Castle National Monument - Camp Verde, AZ
Somewhere in New Mexico...
Spiral Jetty, Robert Smithson - Salt Lake, Utah
my mind in images
White Sands National Monument - Alamogordo, New Mexico
Spiral Jetty, Robert Smithson - Salt Lake, Utah
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