Alex Hall |Portfolio 2021

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