Alex Roberts architecture l design portfolio
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02 “We see architecture as an act of profound optimism. It is what we have to give and it is what we leave behind.� -Tod Williams, Billie Tsien Architects
Cut/Fold
Fabric Pattern Intervention
Artist Living
Poet and Dancer Residence
Ritual
Mission Hill Landscaping
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Cubed
Boxed Formative Space
Finding Light
Beacon Hill Youth Hostel
Force
Boston Harbor Association
PROJECTS Disconnect
WIT Annex Connector
Personal
Ancillary Projects
01 1 CUT/FOLD - Fabric Pattern Intervention 1st Year Studio - Professor David Pearson Type: Exploratory January 2013 In the first stages of our freshman year we learned how to interpret single actions and formulate systems to derive intriguing forms for architectural investigations. From there we were given fabric cutting patterns and assigned to communicate actions 05 through those line typologies. Initial investigations led to forms of wonder and imagination by mere instructions of: cut, fold, score, curl, and fray. Iterations of parametric architecture started to take on levels that weren't even known to exist. We were deriving shapes and patterns from a single cut, which drove to countless possibilities in the design process. My initial concept drove from the means of finned pieces withing smaller sections of the page, connecting over a set of two major folded axes. These finned moments often became an exploration into the deliniation of both prospect and refuge spaces.
FORM I Free Form I
A more formative space driven from the central dividing lines, created by assigning the fold directive on the major axes of the page.
I Axial Cuts I
Space definition from smaller pieces sectioned off from the base lines, creating new places and side spaces.
SHADOW
I Emphasized Space I
Moving into architectural concepts, the project turned into an intertwined artform of private and public plays. Using shadows as the driving force.
MOTION
I Expressive Motion I
The final iterations became a force of driving motion. The pattern came alive as a new character full of life and constant movement in all chaotic dimensions. Different from every angle.
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Dancer
Poet
Digital Diagramming // Model Transitioning Our goal was to take an idea and model in phases with small transitioning ideas into a project that can be manipulated into handling the needs for both inhabitants.
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Artist Living - Poet and Dancer Residence 1st Year Studio - Professor David Pearson Type: Exploratory March 2013 Now that our minds have been introduced to the tools that are necessary to create beautiful representations of art, we turned our focus into another exploration. In the form of a more architectural direction. After weeks of studying, surveying, and countless picture taking. We modeled and formed basic shapes that could house two separate people at the same time. We did such configuring without knowing who those people were. Finally the initial shock was dropped on the class that these inhabitants would be a dancer that would like to be seen by all people in the area and a poet that was handicapped with a wheelchair, who preferred to not be seen.
My intervention resulted in providing both artists with ample space to create while keeping the poet from being seen. The inhabitable wall in-between the two adjacent sides allowed for multiple ways of contact without a visual feature.
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Ritual - Mission Hill Landscaping 2nd Year Studio - Professor Andrew Marcus Type: Institutional October 2013
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Sophomore year we dove straight into the intense and teasing world of landscape architecture. Our site: a beaten down hill between a Roxbury brewery and residential housing up the road from Wentworth campus. The goal: revamp the area into a scene of high traffic and desire. In other words, we needed to take the spot and make into a more pleasurable place to aggregate towards. We each took a simple ritual that we performed in our daily lives and translated that into a narrative for the central focus of our landscape intervention. Using breakfast as said ritual,the idea was focalized on a single moment in the morning bringing together a group of unorganized people and setting them off on a single desired path for the rest of their day.
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Ritualistic Concept
Depth of Field
Imperative Direction
Taking the idea of converging paths and allowing sections of revealed pathways and eventually leading from dark to light
Using the given landscape we were challenged to mold and shape our forms to coincide with the light patterns
The idea of the trickling pathways down the hill gave headway to the cross-cross turning and maze-like conditions
Housings + Convoluted Pathways leading to main meeting place ending with clear egress
Bringing life and energy through an intervention that allows the inhabitant to get metaphorically and literally lost in the site, bringing more than just one act of interaction. Drawing an interest in the site will bring more foot traffic and avoid the negative associations that previously were associated with it.
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Full Plan + Model Iteration
04 Cubed - Boxed Formative Space 2nd Year Studio - Professor Michael MacPhail Type: Exploratory June 2013 In essence, this project we completed on the idea of the lack of knowledge. We were given a list of sized boxes and were guided in creating dynamic forms using the predetermined seven boxes. Peeling back walls and layers, and adding thicknesses and purpose we began to see the formative construction of our grand idea. 13 Once the concepts were initially pitched, we were then pushed farther as to imagine the same idea but located in the squished and narrow spacings of Boston life. The focus was driven from the idea of a conch shell, spiral action centered around a “watch tower�, this original state then turned into the notion of subtractive and additive space while climbing the intervention in the vertical direction.
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Form Analysis
Driving through iteration after iteration, we formed small movements into monumental decision making. With each new model, discoveries were made. Openings and sources for light passageways and chances for interaction within potential programmatic rooms. Negative space became a proposal for new changes and relations
Subtractive Identity
Directional Movement
Subdued Volume
The spiral form did not suit well with the narrow site reflection, meaning the concept took on the subtractive formulation
With new meaning, the ascension of the project took on a similar idea of movement. Rather in one direction up a path, two at once
At the bone, the strict shaping of this project dries out the concept of a flowing motion. But the interior represents the soft circulation
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Floor Plans & North Facade Perspective
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Finding Light - Beacon Hill Youth Hostel 2nd Year Studio - Professor Michael MacPhail Type: Institutional Location: 66 Charles Street, Boston MA After spending the majority of our semester, searching for strength in our ideas. We were brought out into the booming area of Beacon Hill, and from there our professors told us to run wild. I immediately fell in attraction with the broad range of apertures in the area. Literally thousands of sunken in doors, protruding windows, patterns of repetition, and most importantly the beauty. With this exploration, a new language was formed directly from the site, the program, and the unspoken definition of an opening. I used the immense circulation and light as my modeling moments, and created a maze of turning points on the wrapping facade. Each programmatic element became itĘźs own distinction.
Language Development Site Taking information from the immense collection of photos was a challenge, but was focused strictly on variation Depth Moving in closer,each individual notion became an exploration in itself. How tall? How close? What era?
Framing With the program presented the focus came from what each element needed
West Elevation 20
The direction of light & travel molded the necessities of each space Wrapping Each face of the elevation became a critical piece of canvas where the push and pull language took to new life. It touched upon the developments while bringing more dramatics to the form
Sectional Studies
Extension While a wrapping facade was bringing about new life, the idea that the mold needed accent in sight. Program was literally forced in and out into the street helping the project see new light
East Elevation
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Force - Boston Harbor Association Headquarters 3nd Year Studio - Professor Meliti Dikeos Type: Institutional 21 Location: 16th Street, Charleston, MA September 2014 Our first opportunity to perform in a working timeline and also with formation of a critical site local issue, the goal of rebuilding the Boston Harbor Association headquarters was presented. Paramount importance was driven towards protecting the site from the currently rising tides of the ever-changing Boston Harbor. Due to difficult winters and sporadic springs/summers the tides and rising waters have pulled mass efforts into redirecting the path of the Harborwalk into a more experiential opportunity. The piece of site directed to us was a massively sized possibility for exploration. This large size drove me to make this intervention based on scale and experience. I derived the site from purely fantasized perceptions. The surroundings seemed to go on for miles in length and height. This extraordinary sense translated directly into abstract form and geometric beings. Program and structure became the clay and modeled such perception into a vast reality. While the site began to take form the large scale structure of our interventions seemed to take on new life and vision.
6 Formative Conceptual Interpretation 22
SITE PLAN Unchanged Harborwalk - 6 Spaulding Rehab Center - 5 Tobin Bridge g travel - 4
Entering road - 3 Boston Harbor - 2 Physical Site - 1 y
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Conceptual Being - the dependency on imagination drove this project from initial stages of wonder to a more future perception of reality. The idea that one can look around and discover a new sense of self, is an idea of conceptual architecture
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23 Lobby + Level 1 1 - Lobby 2 - Theater 3 - Library (first floor)
Level 2 4 - Cafe 5 - Library (second floor) 6 - Four separate classrooms
Level 3 7 - Community specific spaces 8 - 15 separate offices 9 - Outdoor space
Final Effort (Sectional)
Programmatic Distinctions
Office space Library space Demonstration space Mid-Design (Massing)
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Classroom space
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Disconnect - WIT Campus Connector 3nd Year Studio - Professor Marilyn Moedinger Type: Institutional Location: Boston, MA January 2015 From freshman year we weĘźre instructed to begin projects fresh and unconnected from other beings. Spring semester was the first experience becoming an additive architecture student. Our challenge was to connect the north and south wings of a current campus building, both of which house the majority of the design majors. This process allowed us to have the utmost deep connection to the project. We could mold the program to our needs and desires.
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This project also included a general revamp to the entirety of the area, which housed residential areas across the street from the site. Bringing new life and generating a sense of community was key to a successful intervention. I began to compile all forms of site information and from there I gathered a list of pieces that seemed to lack a metaphorical connection. I derived my concept from these various levels of disconnect, both physical and not.
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The main idea came from the initial disconnect of the two spaces, and the disconnect between single floors and majors
One bar being as the direct connection and the other representing the lack of connection to the original state
The separation of distinct floor spaces involved a difficult task of connecting all floor heights into one flowing project
Adding program and spiraling staircase brought forth a new type of open space allowing a connection of all elements
Structural Strategies Steel Structure The formative ideas around this intervention drew upon the existing conditions and idea to revamp the surroundings. Considering the area was of an older aesthetic the idea was to revolutionize the system entirely. Avoiding the concept of a cold and bare idea the steel structure provided support while letting the atrium remain in its fullest potential Sectional + HVAC Models 29
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Exterior Bar Section
Light Well The light well opens and connects the entire space and filters down each floor with ease
Variety of Hierarchy The differentiating between separate majors forces the abrupt connections to have high importance for access
Geometric Basics Essential moments in the project are based off of maximized program and most direct possibilities
Diagrammatic Analysis Noise
Floor Plans HVAC via central tree
Sun & Solar Gain
Atrium - Exhibition Style
Level 5 + 6
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Level 3 + 4
Concept Model Proof of concept representing the division of all space types including their levels of noise. Each connect with one another via an open space that buffers all sound (atrium space)
Basement/Service Level
Personal - Extra Projects
Time Span: 2014-2015 Type: Extracurricular One of the best aspects of the architectural phenomenon is the crucial fact that there is no end to it. The extension of architecture in our lives is the greatest thing imaginable. I have been able to take the things I have learned and not only applied them in the non-architectural classes but I have also managed to develop a love for the design world in the industrial sense. I procured an internship at danger!awesome, a fabrication shop in Cambridge, and learned an incredible amount of knowledge that I have taken into my studies. During the time at this internship, I developed a talent for taking a client project and taking it from paper to a physical item that they could fall in love with. Whether it was laser cut and put together, 3D printed, or CNC milled. No day in the shop was exactly the same and that was the best part, I could go from designing a custom sign for a company to 3D modeling pieces for 33 a prosthetic arm. Outside of the internship I enjoyed many personal projects from learning the vast and vibrant world of the street art phenomenon. Taking part in this world really brought a sense of enjoyment to myself in form of self-expression through color and style. Aside from that, I also took time in between semesters to take old pieces of seeming “trash� and making them into functional lamps. From spray paint cans, an old car jack, and a nearly broken glass bottle, there was no end to the possibilities.
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Unlimited Possibilities: Working in an abstract form for an art installation, a trophy design for our teamĘźs first alumni tournament, and a lamp from a distressed spray paint can found in the architecture studios
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Internship at Danger!Awesome Variety Design: This aspect of danger! awesome brings a new level of creativity through the doors. Each designer helps the client, with the specific needs helping to create their logos, or the perfect aesthetic for the need.
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Personal Work: Over the summer danger!awesome created a new brand for themselves, which included creating a new “mascot� which I helped design, paint, and give identity to. With the new brand, came the need to have a product line that they could mass produce. The majority of my summer included creating several products for this line
Corporate Works: Working with new and exciting companies to extend their brands and visions with the surrounding areas. We help with designing and bringing their ideas from mental to physical creations with a var-iety of materials
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Alex Roberts A COMPENDIUM OF WORK FROM 2012-2016 37
about I was born and raised in Mansfield, Massachusetts. With my mind set and ambitions ready I set my sights on the city of Boston for continuted education. I believe architecture to be a form of singular expression, in the idea that it draws focus from the artist and turns into a revelation of self-being and awareness. Architecture enhances our everyday lives, and IĘźm glad to be a part of the spectacle.
education Bachelor of Science in Architecture Wentworth Institute of Technology Graduation - May 2016
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