Alex Otterbein, M. Arch
Portfolio architecture & design select works 2009 | 2013
Architecture is a fine art, created to address both beauty and meaning. Architecture can be molded like sculpture, painted as if it was canvas, comprised as a story or designed to evoke emotion. Architecture can embrace or neglect its environment. Architecture can choose to engineer curiosity, apprehension, or admiration. Architecture can decide to be audacious or demure.
Contents
Savannah Music Conservatory
Terminal West Transit Center
Los Angeles Residence
Chatham County Boathouse
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Addendum
Models & Renderings
Savannah Conservatory of Music A learning & performing center for the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus & Orchestra. this music Conservatory is a place for professionals, students, and the community to learn, practice a collaborate and perform. The concept is derived from the spatial experience of the site. This plot of land is at the end of three roads, occupies 3 different levels of grade, consists of things new & old, and does not have any true identity. These characteristics begin to create a feeling of disjointed or disconnected. Using this logic a concept began to form by diagramming different axis’ and boundaries that reinforced this disjointed nature of the site.
Level Three
Level Two
Level One
Concept Models
South Elevation
Theater Structure Coffered Detail
North Elevation
Parapet Coping Drip Edge
Roof Membrane Roof Insulation Roof Deck
OWBS Joist Concrete Metal Decking OWS Joist Girder OWBS Joist Steel Angle ConcreteSteel Beam WFlange
Metal Decking OWS Joist Girder Steel Angle Wood Cladding WFlange Steel Beam
C Channel Metal Stud Dry WallCladding Wood Air Space C Channel Sheathing Metal Stud Dry Wall Air Space Sheathing
WFlange Steel Beam Open Web Joist Girder Wood Cladding Flashing Glazing Metal Framing
Pre-Cast Concrete Panel Insulation
Pre-Cast Concrete Panel Insulation
Wood Cladding Warren Bottom Chord Steel Truss WFlange Steel Beam Suspended Ceiling
Steel Termination Strip Air Space Steel Termination Strip Sheathing Air Space Moisture Barrier Sheathing Cant Moisture Barrier Drip Counter Cant Drip Counter
Anchor Bolt Anchor Bolt
Concrete Footing
Concrete Footing
OWBS Joist Concrete Metal Decking OWS Joist Girder Steel Angle WFlange Steel Beam Wood Cladding C Channel Metal Stud Dry Wall Air Space Sheathing
Pre-Cast Concrete Panel Insulation Steel Termination Strip Air Space Sheathing Moisture Barrier Cant Drip Counter Anchor Bolt Concrete Footing
Rebar
Rebar
Rebar
Level Two Structure
Level Three Structure
Level Four Structure
Terminal West Transit Center It is 2025, and the city of Savannah is looking to make changes. Gasoline has sky rocketed to $10/ a gallon and alternate means of transportation are necessary. The city has decided to sponsor a competition for the design of a transit hub that brings new forms of transportation and encourages downtown development. As the need for public transportation increases Savannah created a project called the B2T Transfer. B2T is a modular shelter that creates interest and makes public transportation more convenient. B2T or bike to transfer provides shelter and storage for commuters utilizes the bus or streetcar systems. The premise for the B2T shelter was to develop a system that provided different structural treatments where the use of the shelter changed. The bike storage, seating and pathway through the shelter each have a different height or angled roof.
Level One
The final site design creates unity along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and connects MLK with western streets. Reorganizing in this manner made it possible to bring the train platform in straight oppose to an angle. A triangular park also frames the backside of the lot where mixed use buildings are proposed.
Level Two
The Luminous Cube The Cube House: the objective of this project was to develop a complete understanding of space and form. This understanding was to be formed in the development of a modular cube construction. The New York Five, a group of modernist architects, advocated this idea of pure simplistic form. The beginning of this design project started with experimenting with 4 5�x5� foam core cubes. Using different transformation techniques the cubes were to be developed into different studies of open and closed spaces. After the construction of the 4 cubes, the interior space formed and the techniques were to be analyzed. Determining what transformations were used; subtraction, repetition, rotation, reflection and shearing. In this design process framing views and separation of planes proved to be the most dynamic. Interior spaces should focus on light and privacy. The house design requires; living area, studio, food preparation, sleeping area, garage, deck, hygiene areas, and vertical circulation.
Richard Meier, one of the New York Five, has produced many buildings thats showcase these ideals. The Giovannitti house shows simple planes with extrusions and subtractions. Meier believed that the experience on the interior was of equal importance to the aesthetic of the exterior.
Level Four
Level Three
Level Two
Level One
Structure and material should be considered with location and site in mind. For this design project I decided to use IPE Brazilian hardwood siding. This wood siding allows the exterior panels to breathe and avoid heat gain, in addition it is maintenance free and maintains strength in harsh climates. The main structure is going to be made out of ICF concrete wall systems. ICF walls are more energy efficient and provide healthier indoor environments. The curtain wall framework with be all bronze details.
ICF concrete wall systems
IPE Brazilian hardwood siding
Bronze window cladding
North Elevation
West Elevation
East Elevation
South Elevation
Chatham County
Rowing Association Boathouse Program Rowing Boathouse: boat storage, boat ramp, gym, classroom, offices, locker room and conference room. Objective Obtain knowledge of rowing traditions and history along with analysis and history of the site in order to formulate a building concept. Conceptualization will come from an understanding of form, space, human function and environmental context. Site Oatland Island, on the Wilmington River. Scale 15,000 sqft
The concept for Chatham County Boathouse was the summation genius loci and personal experience, which lead to an individuals automatism thoughts, ideas & feelings triggered by a place or event. Due to objective chance the elements of the palm tree on site and the drastic tidal change develop a language of overlap.
Level One
Level Two
The key feature of the Chatham County boathouse are the six light-wells. The light-wells integrated into the design reveal the opportunity for the user to view an experience a sense of overlap within the building.
North Elevation
West Elevation
South Elevation
East Elevation
The Volta Collaborative The Volta Collaborative is an adaptive reuse project of an existing building in Savannah, Georgia. The building is located on Bull Street outside the downtown historic district. Formerly known as the Starland Dairy this structure contains a rich history of its own. The future goal is for the Starland Dairy to become a mix use structure with offices for the Volta Collaborative and residential.
Urban Design This model was part of an urban project for a real fortune 500 company out of Orlando, Florida. The objective of this project was to re-design and re-theme an existing area. This included proposing new road connections, buildings, waterways and dominating themes.