DESIGN PORTFOLIO ALEX HALL
M.ARCH 2022
SELECTION OF WORKS FROM UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA + UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
ALEXANDRA HALL
L E E D G R E E N A S S O C I AT E
ED UCATI ON
2020-2022
U N IV E R SI T Y
O F
V I R G I N I A
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
Masters of Architecture, 2022 Merit Scholarship Recipient 2016-2020
U N IV E R SI T Y
O F
M A RY L A ND
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, 2020 Sustainability Minor, 2020 Cum Laude
EX PER IE N C E
S KILLS
2021
KO H N
2021
M O R P H O SIS
2021
G R O U N D IN G
2020
2 0
2020
NATIONAL CENTER FOR SMART GROWTH
2020
CO L L E E N
Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Rhino Revit AutoCAD Premiere Pro ArcGIS Pro Processing 3
P E D E R SO N
F OX
ARCHITECTURAL INTERN NEW YORK, NEW YORK
A R C H IT EC T S
ARCHITECTURAL EXTERN NEW YORK, NEW YORK
T H E
C LO U D
RESEARCH ASSISTANT CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
TH
C E N T U RY
H I STO RY
O F
I DE A S
TEACHING ASSISTANT, UVA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
CREATIVE PLACEMAKING INTERN COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND
Enscape Sketchup Climate Consultant
H E A L E Y
A R C H IT EC T S
ARCHITECTURAL INTERN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Climate Studio LEED
2019-2020
Hand Sketching
V K S
A R C H I T E C T S : DESIGN + BUILD
ARCHITECTURAL INTERN KATONAH, NEW YORK
Laser Cutting Model Making
2017
B E D F O R D
AU D U B O N
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL INTERN KATONAH, NEW YORK
SO C I E T Y
AC HI E V EMENT S
2021
RE SE A R C H
F E L LOW
CARLO PELLICCIA TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Awarded funding for individual design research in Sardinia, Italy. 2020
P U B L I SH E D
P R O J EC T
THE WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE COVID-19 DESIGN CHALLENGE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Published in the August 2020 issue of The Washingtonian. 2020
FAC U LT Y
AWA R D
FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN
DESIGN
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Awarded to a Senior Bachelor of Science degree candidate for high achievement in design. 2019
1 S T
P L AC E
S E N I O R I N T R A-S T U D I O CO M P E T I T I O N UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Received first place award for “reCAPTURE”, a sustainable innovation center at the University of Maryland.
2019
FE L LOW SH IP
R EC IP IE N T
JOHN + SARAH STEFFIAN FUND UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Awarded to support the study of environmental degradation in the built environment.
J O U RNALIS M
2020
A
V E H I C L E
F O R
2020
CO R O N AV I R U S
2020
L I F E
2017
P l a nt s
2017
P l a nt s
CO N N EC T I O N
MAGGIE HASLAM, UMD TODAY
D E S I G N
C H A L L E N G E
WASHINGTONIAN STAFF, THE WASHINGTONIAN
A F T E R
M A RYs t u d i o
ALEX HALL (91), BEYOND JOURNAL
f o r
a
D e e r
R e s i s t a n t
ALEX HALL + JANELLE ROBBINS,
f o r
a
D e e r
S u n
BEDFORD AUDUBON SOCIETY
R e s i s t a n t
ALEX HALL + JANELLE ROBBINS,
G a r d e n :
G a r d e n :
S h a d e
BEDFORD AUDUBON SOCIETY
01
(W)ORK (I)N (P)ROGRESS CARLOS RAMIREZ CHICANO ARTS CENTER
02
PRODUCTIVE GROWTH FOOD PRODUCTION AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
03
reCAPTURE SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION CENTER
04
RESEARCH THE METALLIFEROUS RING
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
01
W.I.P. / L.A. I N T E G R AT ED AR T I ST I C S PACE S A R C H
7 0 2 0
S P R I N G
2 0 2 1
The proposal (W)ORKSHOP (I)N (P) ROGRESS taps into the Boyle Heights neighborhood rhythm and projects that energy into a dedicated creative space supporting the Chicano Arts movement. A main component of this project is a ceramic material system which envelopes and folds to create this network, allowing us to divide the art spaces by discipline while providing an opportunity to also connect them through this datum.
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Boyle Heights is an existing Chicano arts and culture hub. This project expands its reach. The new arts center capatilizes on the thriving network of LA artists. As a new space, the building is respectful but welcoming to both interested visitors and talented residents.
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Capsulated artistic pods are formed within the building. Three variations on the traditional glass facade occur in this building. Each facade is strategically placed according to program requirements and sunlight conditions.
B
LEGEND
VERTICAL GREEN WALL
CERAMIC TILE
5’-0 ”
C
F
A
25’0”
B
5’-0 ”
C E
A B
METAL PANEL
WIDE FLANGE STEEL COLUMN WIDE FLANGE STEEL BEAM GLASS PANEL METAL PANEL VERTICAL VEGETATION SUPPORT CERAMIC FACADE SYSTEM
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
A B C D E F
25’0”
5’-0 ” D
ALEX HALL
A
25’0”
Spatial definition is provided by the wrapping facade system. The flexbrick facade is a tool that not only provides protection against sunlight, but becomes a way to understand program and volume within the building. Each facade wraps its way around a specific set of elements.
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Circulation as datum. The hanging bridge becomes a workspace as well as vertical and horizontal transition space.
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
F G
H
I
J
K
L
STAINLESS STEEL PLATE WIND ANCHOR SYSTEM VERTICAL STEEL MESH WIRE CERAMIC TILE WEIGHT ANCHOR SYSTEM
A E
C D
LEGEND A B C D E F G H I J K L
1’-6” CONCRETE RETAINING WALL 1/8” METAL MOAT COVER MOAT FINISHED CONCRETE FLOOR REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB ATTACHMENT PLATE BASE ISOLATOR REINFORCED CONCRETE FOUNDATION MOISTURE BARRIER 6” VAPOR RETARDER 6” DIA DRAINAGE PIPE GRAVEL LAYER
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
A B C D E
ALEX HALL
LEGEND
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
02
PRODUCTIVE GROWTH FOOD PRODUCTION AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING A R C H 7 0 2 0 F A L L 2 0 2 0 I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N WI T H S I ER R A B R O WN
Manhattanville, New York has a rich history of production. However, as the ‘city’ began moving further and further uptown in the 20th century, Manhattanville became a peripheral extension of the city; a place more often traveled through than traveled to. Our proposal includes a roof garden above a market that serves as a gathering place for residents. This space and the green pockets within the towers expose residents to urban farming on a daily basis. Ultimately, our goal is to provide truly affordable living: affordable rent and fresh food, job opportunities, and, most importantly, a cohesive infrastructure that existing community networks can expand upon.
ALEX HALL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
GR EEN SPACE
EPI CEN T ER
M U LT I-USE
After disastrous events, NYC communities respond. Crises reveal networks of people and organizations as they unite. over time, these networks create community resilience. We saw this occur after 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy and today as New York is hit hard by COVID-19 and raises awareness for BLM .
NEW YORK CITY NETWORK COVID-19 Pandemic
Hurricane Sandy
A
Historical Sites
Manhattanville
Manhattanville
Evictions
Sandy Flooding Hurricane Zone
Covid Cases
Activated Organizations
Activated Organizations
MANHATTANVILLE NETWORK Black Lives Matter Organizations Columbia Opposition Organizations COVID-19 Organizations Black Lives Matter Network Columbia Opposition Network COVID-19 Network Black Lives Matter Protests + Events Columbia Opposition Protests + Events
W 125th St Influence Zone Columbia University Influence Zone
Manhattanville Building Damage Activated Organizations Dust Particle Zone
Evacuation Center Historical Landmarks
Annual Festivals+ Events
9/11 Terrorist Attack
Community
Health
Arts
Education
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Manhattanville is experiencing a food access crisis due to COVID-19. Recognizing the needs of today’s Manhattanville community while also drawing from its roots as a food production center. Our proposal integrates food production and resident operated gardens within the towers. Together, these auxiliary sites will produce necessary fresh food for the area, as well as providing local jobs for community members.
THIRD FLOOR
GARDEN FLOOR
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
GROUND FLOOR
ALEX HALL
How can affordable housing design support healthy living? We responded to the lack of landscaping by situating the open public spaces nearest to the street which are directly accessible. Next, each tower was strategically placed to allow for the most sunlight to reach the garden level. this resulted in a highly productive zone on the South Western corner as well as a varying quality of shade across the garden. This layout can support 7,500 sqft of greenhouse food production, 4,500 sqft of traditional field area, and 5,000 sqft of residential gardens.
ALEX HALL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
APARTMENTS BENEFIT FROM BUILDING MASSING, BRINGING IN LIGHT
PUBLIC MARKET WALKWAY CONNECTS TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE EXISTING VIADUCT
Sunlight intensity studies helped determine field placement. The diagram on the right shows the sunlight lux levels. The annual average is 31,55 lux for these outdoor growing spaces. The standard lux requirement for robust outdoor plant growth is around 20,000 - 25,000 lux. Our landscaping, shading devices and the addition of greenhouses will put our growing areas right in this range. The Summer and Winter solstice diagrams show the necessity of these shading devices as well as the adequate amount of Winter light. In the Summer Solstice diagram, the natural form of the cutouts shades their interior spaces. This void overhang functions as a protection against ‘solarization’ which is a condition where plants stop undergoing photosynthesis. 8,000 LUX Annual Sunlight Exposure
50,000 LUX
ALEX HALL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Summer Solstice Sunlight Exposure
500 LUX
Winter Solstice Sunlight Exposure
The building integrates food production and community sustainability. Our program integrates the agricultural research with the economic needs of the site, which both culminate in the marketplace on the ground floor of the building. The hydroponic system will extend far beyond just production of fresh food. The greenhouses and fields can produce enough produce to feed 90% of our residents each year. PRODUCTIVE FIELDS + GREENHOUSES
COMMUNAL RESIDENTIAL GARDEN
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
03
reCAPTURE SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION CENTER A R C H
4 0 3
F A L L
2 0 1 9
Located within the Paint Branch River watershed, reCAPTURE facilitates cohesion between the built environment and the floodplain. Using the river as a lens, the need for stormwater management becomes overt. This project explores the role of water and topography in environmental systems and as tool for spatial exploration.
I N T ER SE C T
E X T EN D
I N T ER AC T
SI N K
FLOW
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
N
SI T E PL AN
reCAP absorb N
SE C O N D FLO O R
N
FI R ST FLO O R
On a rainy day in C and pools up at th roof angles encirc rainwater which is systems inside.
ALEX HALL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
PTURE mitigates flooding by bing and collecting rainwater.
College Park, water sweeps down the field he entrance of campus. the building form and cle the oversaturated ground and collects s diverted into cisterns and treatment
Multiple strategies work toge minimize energy use. Rising out of the landscape, the building benefits from the thermal properties of the earth. As the building carefully extends from the topography, the green roof becomes a garden area while decreasing impermeable surface. The massing of the building allows for elongated Eastern and Western facades with appropriate passive shading strategies. Building orientation is equally symbolic as well as it is a strategic sun shading technique. Minimizing the Eastern and Western facades allows for controlled Northern and Southern light. Vertical fins flow along the facade tying in the classic brick color of campus as well as controlling ambient light.
ALEX HALL
ether to
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Sustaina embedd
CL A S SRO O M SE C T I O N
Native vegetation lines storm water unlike the grass. Plants like Gold constructed wetland t building. The wetland collection system dire toilets and sinks. O FFI CE EN T R AN CE
I T ER AT I VE M O D EL S
s the site and properly processes e current groundcover of mown den Ragwort and Milkweed fill the that flows naturally around the filters water and then the roof ects excess water within the building’s
O FFI CE SE C T I O N
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
E X H I BI T I O N SE C T I O N
ALEX HALL
able design practices are ded into the building’s form.
04
RESEARCH T H E M E TA L L I F E R O U S R I N G A R C H
7 1 0 0
S P R I N G
2 0 2 1
Coastline Conditions: Sardinian Mining Typologies explores the relationship of valuable mineral deposits and the history of architectural innovation on the island of Sardinia, Italy. Within this research topic, I seek to analyze the buildings created as an ancillary process of the mining industry. The relationship between architectural development and mining on the Mediterranean island is undeniable and rooted in centuries of mineral extraction. Over time, the presence of geological formations has diverged and coalesced with political factions, fueled economic surges and remained steadfast in defining Sardinian culture. This confluence of geology, economics and culture has allowed for the architectural articulation of the Sardinian coastline. Ultimately, years of cliffside development has resulted in an abundance of sea ports, mineral laundries, watchtowers, railways and villages. Together, these structures become a physical materialization of the island’s mineral fortune.
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
CAN YOU LOOK PAST GEOGRAPHIC SURFACE LAYERS AND SEE THROUGH THE VERY GROUND YOU STAND ON?
ALEX HALL
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
IF YOU COULD, YOU WOULD SEE EARTH’S SUBSTRUCTURE: THE GEOLOGY THAT BUILDS UP, ERODES, AND REFORMS INCESSANTLY.
ALEX HALL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE LAYERS INTERSECT?
ALEX HALL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
MINERAL EXTRACTION AND INTRINSIC ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN.
Ca
a or
Masua is re-established as a mining town
Horizontal Tunnels
Construction of the first horizontal tunnel called "San Vittorio gallery" by the Iglesiente Pietro Diana
P
19 1 0
Silver Mining
Silver casting under Catalan Rule
Silver and Galena Mining
19
19
rin g
Pr a
Industrial, Econ om ic an Significant Engi nee d
tu ra l
Peak in Sardinian Minin
20
19
Tunnel Constructed
1950s-60s Sardinia was the most importa mines for lead and sphalerit
Connecting the Montecani and Acquaresi mines
and Technologic al I n n ov at i
Abandonment of Mines
Depopulation of Iglesias after Arborean defeat
Porto Flavia
Expedited mineral loading
tic Ar
Genoese Agreement
Genoese extraction of Sardinian minerals
Mine Revived
1862
1813
so ci o
1
n Mi Belgian discovery of a new mineral vein
Min p fo ing etu Effi lS for Unique A a w o c l cie l rch a t iti a ite l h n o c st ice ct
sua Ma
ess row ,P es tion ci ula
Galena Mining
A license is granted to a Cagliari merchant to extract galena
Crisis
4
1
17 2
174
Rekindles interest in Iglesciente mines
i ad ier
Masua Mines are sold to Lanusei Mines
174
Control of Mines
Giovanni Massa
Lead mining is active
nds + even ic tre ts m no o c -e r Sardinian
Control of Mines
Swedish Società Mandel control all mines in Iglesias
Società Nieddu e Durante control all mines in Iglesias
Lead Foundry
e sit
Masua Mines
L
m ar am
g in in
ria
ve La
Ig le si e
m
ar ch ite c
la D
om e
s ti ca
Por to
Fla via
his to ric
e nt
n: tio a v no n i l ra u t
ces + instan s e i olog typ
Porto Flavia
Section through horizontal gallery and extension to loading ships
Exploitation of minerals under Pisan Rule
on
Porto Flavia
6000 BCE 3000 BCE 1000 BCE
0
Pb
16
Ag
29
Economic Crisis
30
Fe Cu Zn
26
S
47
Porto Flavia closed
82
Savoy Rule
Spanish Rule
Incessant fighting between the Catalan/ Aragonese (Spanish) and the Arboreans (Sardinians)
Pisan Rule Aragonese Rule
Roman Rule
Phonecian Domination
Punic Rule
Nuragic Civilization
neolithic bronze age iron age
Elevation on the cliffside
Post-
Porto Flavia bec
High Production in Sardinian Mi 1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
1850
1900
1930s
ALEX HALL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
es
ng
ant tes
Geotourism
Porto Flavia is open to the public as a Museum
Complete Cessation
All mining activity stops in 1998
UNESCO Recognition
Parco Geominerario della Sardegna Mining region designated as culturally significant
Decline in Mining
COVID-19 Pandemic
Global mining development makes it hard for Sardinian mines to compete in the 70s-80s
-War Operation
came obselete in the 60s
ines 1960s
1990s
today
THANK YOU. ALEX HALL
M.ARCH 2022
