Alexis Rae Maher Portfolio by Alexis Rae Maher

Alexis Rae Maher

Portfolio

Alexis Rae Maher 2020 alexis.r.maher@gmail.com

Contents

The Commons Elementary School

4-12

Unanimity

13-20

A Place in the Trees

21-26

Foster Care System

For Homeless Youth

THE COMMONS Elementary School

260 S BROADWAY, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

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Through the notion of moving the historical district of Downtown Los Angeles into the future, an elementary school design is created in order to keep up with the thousands of residential units being developed in the area. Though recent studies show that most households in DTLA are young professionals with no children, the makeup of these neighborhoods change over time and the quality of services available have an impact on these transformations. The intent is that “The Commons” elementary school can contribute to changing the demographics into a more diverse, more complex, inclusive, multi generational community. This opportunity to participate in the discourse between practice and academia gave me the ability to change the way a school will function, define the use of space and how those factors will improve their learning. “The Commons” is based on circulation, given its double helix staircase. The school hallway has been replaced by a common area or “shared space”. There are libraries wrapping the double helix staircase to help cushion noise. The libraries are also used to help divide the shared spaces and provide easy access to books and other resources. Classrooms are then wrapped around the exterior of the building for better light and ventilation.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS CLASSROOM LABS CIRCULATION ADMIN. BUILDINGS/PUBLIC SPACES

INDOOR/OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS There are adjacent indoor and outdoor classrooms divided by sliding doors for access and visibility to both styled classrooms. Outdoor classrooms, though remain “indoors” have access to air and sun through the perforated surface wrapping the exterior of the top three floors. CLASSROOM LABS Labs are located within the circulation for easy access and divided into two rooms, each with an accordian door for the ability to combine classes for integrated learning experiences. CIRCULATION Double helix staircase created for main circulation throughout the building. This provides two entrances/exits. ADMIN. BUILDINGS/PUBLIC SPACES Administration, Auditorium, and Parents Lounge are located on the first and second floor for easy access and provides more privacy for the classes on the third and fourth floors.

SOUTH

S BROADWAY

STUDENT DROP OFF

12'

ADMISSIONS/CHECK IN

PARENTS LOUNGE HANGOUT AREA

PARKING ENTRANCE WEST 3RD STREET

FIRSTFLOOR FLOOR FIRST

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BROAD

WAY

3RD WEST

STRE

24'

12' UP

LABS +12'

24'

12'

AUDITORIUM

A ADMISSIONS/OFFICES

SECOND FLOOR SECOND FLOOR

LIBRARY

24'

36' UP

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM INDOOR CLASSROOM

UP 36'

24'

LIBRARY

COMMON SPACE

THIRD FLOOR THIRD FLOOR

B OUTDOOR SEATING 61' DN

48'

CAFETERIA

DN 61'

A OUTDOOR AREA / PLAY

FITH FLOOR FITH FLOOR

LIBRARY 42'

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

48'

INDOOR CLASSROOM LABS 48'

LIBRARY

COMMON SPACE

42'

UCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

FOURTH FLOOR FOURTH FLOOR

CIRCULATION

INDOOR/OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS

CLASSROOM LABS

ADMIN. BUILDINGS/PUBLIC SPACES

PARENT DROP OFF AND PICK UP

SECTION A

TION B

DOUBLE HELIX STAIRCASE Provided for easy accessibility to both classroom labs, that are staggered on every half floor along with indoor and outdoor classrooms.

CLASSROOM LABS Labs are centrally located within the double helix staircase. Each lab entrance is placed on every half floor starting on the second floor. There are accordion doors placed within the classroom in order to either divide the lab into two classes, or submerge the two classes together for integrated learning

ADMINISTRATION CHECK IN

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SECTION B 0

UNANIMITY Foster Care System

556 S BROADWAY, LOS ANGELES, CA 90013

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Within this adaptive re-use model a Foster Care system has been implemented with this pre-existing commercial building in Downtown Los Angeles PROBLEMATIC STATISTICS Stress on families is greater in Los Angeles urban environments related to concentrated and general poverty, increasingly aggravated by lack of affordable housing. Children in the foster care system end up with psychological turmoil (1 in 3 children are abused in foster care). Only 58% of young people in foster care graduate High School and only 3% graduate College. 30% of homeless youth were in the foster care system (1 in 5 that age out of foster care end up homeless). 35,000 children in the system and only 8,000 social workers. ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTIONS Apartment complex would be owned by National Foster care and Adoption, providing children a safe comfortable space while giving foster parents an affordable housing option.Staff located on the 1st level, providing Counselors/ therapy offices within the complex, stationed staff provides a well looked after safe place for the children. Classrooms and desks provided, as well as an In-service credit G.E.D. program to help better educate children while also providing in school educators the ability to gain experience and credits for graduation. Independent styled apartments for Young adults in preparation for them to live on their own if not adopted or able to return to their biological families. Guest rooms where biological family members have the opportunity to stay the night if allowed.

ATRIUM

INTERIOR BALCONIE PERICE EXISTING FACADE

SLIDING PARTITIONS EXTERIOR BALCONIES

PRE-EXISTING FACADE

PRE-EXISTING FACADE This proposed project contains a balance between the pre-existing and new architecture in place EXTERIOR BALCONIES Balconies have been placed within the structure as well as interweaving with the existing facade connecting their relationships. SLIDING PARTITIONS Perforated sliding partitions are used for privacy and filtration of the air when exterior balconie windows are open. They help divide the spaces within the structure as well. This makes flexible yet private spaces

T EE BRO

ADW AY

TR 15

SOU

3rd Floor

SHARED SPACE

GUEST ROOM

YOUNG ADULTS SHARED SPACE

TODDLERS / NEW BORNS

THIRD AND FIFTH FLOOR A

2nd Floor CLASSROOM SHARED KITCHEN GUEST ROOM UP

YOUNG ADULTS

TEENS

SECOND AND FOURTH FLOOR

LIVING SPACE

SHARED SPACE CIRCULATION PRE-EXISTING FACADE

Adjustable floors with private and public spaces woven in creates an open and flexible floor plan. There are indoor balconies that are exposed to ventilation and light within the building due to atriums carved out of the floors.

SECTION B

SECTION A

SHARED HANGOUT SPACE

LIVING FAMILY SPACE ENTRANCE

A PLACE IN THE TREES For Homless Youth

260 S BROADWAY, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

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This project for housing homeless teens proposes modular shelters within prefabricated Quonset huts that are re-purposed and reconfigured using the Biophilia hypothesis (BET), i.e. that humans seek to connect with nature. Indoor and outdoor spaces are connected allowing natural light and ventilation to flow freely throughout the structure. New beams and columns inserted into the Quonset hut allow a partially open roof with ventilated skylights that immerses residents in a floating, tree house-like atmosphere. A spiral staircase wrapping around an elevator takes the residents from the ground-level multipurpose space to a second level with elevated sleeping bunks, a washroom and laundry area. Residents feel like they are still outdoors, but safe, elevated between the canopies of trees that surround the Quonset hut and produce calming, dappled light. Indoor and outdoor spaces are connected allowing natural light and ventilation to flow freely throughout the structure. New beams and columns inserted into the Quonset hut allow a partially open roof with ventilated skylights that immerses residents in a floating, tree house-like atmosphere. A spiral staircase wrapping around an elevator takes the residents from the ground-level multipurpose space to a second level with elevated sleeping bunks, a washroom and laundry area.

SKYLIGHTS INSTALLED IN GALVANIZED METAL ROOFING WITH INSTALLATION AND PLYWOOD FINISH

COLUMN AND BEAM STRUCTURE WITH CLIPS FOR STRUCTURAL SUPPORT OF FLOATING SLEEPING BUNKS AND WASH ROOMS

EXPANDED METAL STAIRCASE AND PATHWAYS WITH PAINTED STEEL GUARDRAIL

GROUND FLOOR CONCRETE SLAB AND PLYWOOD WRAPPED ELEVATOR

KITCHEN AREA

STORAGE AREA

RESTROOMS

DINING AREA

SLEEPING BUNKS

COMMON AREA A

LAUNDRY AREA KITCHEN AREA

CIRCULATION C

GROUND GROUND FLOOR FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR 2ND FLOOR

SECTION C

The implementation of a representational tree trunk indicates stability and protection while including the philosophy of Biophilla design, creating indoor and outdoor relationships. The structure was constructed with the notion in mind that homeless youth prefer living outdoors over a confined sheltered space. This provides the occupants with the feeling of comfort with familiarity while creating safety within the structure.The Quonset hut was organized through the use of multifaceted elevated flooring which branches out throughout the structure.

SECTION E

SECTION A

SECTION B

ELEVATED SLEEPING BUNKS

LAUNDRY AREA