Portfolio A ly s s a ‘ A J ’ K o e h n M. Arch Portfolio 1
�There is a widespread belief that Americans hate cities. I think it is Probable that Americans hate city failure, buT, from the evidence, we certainly do not hate successful and vital city areas.. On the contrary, so many people want to make use of such places, so many people want to work in them or live in them or visit in them, that municipal self-destruction ensues. In killing successful diversity combinations with money, we are employing perhaps our nearestequivalenttokillingwitHkindnesS.� --Jane JacobS 2
i see architecture as a tool for social change. i am an urbanist, problem solver, and policy wonk. i love the application of critical lenses to maps, the power of cities, and sky high heels
Curriculum Vitae
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Space
Maritime Museum
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Charcoal Drawings
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Orphaned Spaces
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Place
Travel Photography
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Imagine Day Pep Rally Video
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Performance UBC Vote Mob
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Student Leadership Conference
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ALYSSA “AJ” KOEHN CURRICULUM VITAE
Education 2007-2012
University of British Columbia Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in Human Geography and Political Science
Fall 2012
CityStudio Vancouver CityStudio Vancouver is a project school that demonstrates innovation and sustainability in municipalities and communities.
2012-2013
Emily Carr University of Art and Design Continuing Studies Program Architectural Drawing; Basics of Architectural Design
Work Experience July 2013 Present
Graham Construction Ltd. Project Administrator
The project I am supporting is a $40 million “Airside Operations Building” at Vancouver’s International Airport. • Responsible for document distribution and records for site instructions, shop drawings, and other submittals on behalf of the general contractor to the sub-trades, architects, and project owner. • Update the working sets of architectural drawings with all approved changes. • Process and track all spending for the project as the site buyer.
Feb 2012 - The University of British Columbia April 2013 Student Development Coordinator, Leadership I was responsible for student leadership programming including staff advising to the Student Leadership Conference, managing the Centre for Student Involvement & Careers assistant (a co-op student role), and creating new programming to better support student clubs. • Advised 15 students in 3 distinct programming portfolios on conference planning. • Coordinated the 30 person student team retreat and designed development programming based on an assessment of the teams needs. • Strategically developed new programming for student club executives for opt-in, ongoing professional development. • Did a data analysis of the feedback from the 2012 conference to better assess the impact of the conference and identify areas for improvement. • Was involved in the planning of UBC’s Imagine Day, the 8000 student Orientation program in September, by providing support to the core planning team and 2 faculties.
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Student Involvement April 2010 April 2013
Student Leadership Conference Planning Committee Co-Chair (SLC 2012), Productions Coordinator (SLC 2011)
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April 2011 Sept 2011
Firstweek Coordinator, The Alma Mater Society (AMS) of UBC • • •
Jan 2011 March 2011
Dec 2009 April 2011
Planned and organized a week of orientation events targeted at the social needs of incoming UBC students. Hired, scheduled, and trained a staff of 10 students that facilitated each event. Increased overall attendance throughout the week as well as prominence of the AMS on campus.
Referendum Coordinator, The Alma Mater Society (AMS) of UBC
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April 2010 April 2011
Led the team behind Canada’s largest student run conference. Facilitated the development of a student volunteer staff of 24, ensured the big picture of the conference was being executed, and helped to establish a strong team dynamic. Integrated the branding of the conference into the core of our programming, increasing the strength and cohesion of the day. Increased turnout at the conference by over 10%, selling out the Chan centre for the first time.
Led the planning and marketing of a campus-wide referendum campaign to increase student society fees and renew participation in the Translink (bus service) program. Successfully passed 4 of 5 referendum questions with a voter turnout of over 14 000 students.
Student Senator, UBC Senate
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Sat for a one-year term as a Student Senator on the highest governing board of UBC. Am well versed in University organizational structures, policy, and best practices.
NRHH President, UBC Thunderbird Chapter
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Brought this International organization to campus to formally recognize the “top 1% of student leaders in residence” and compete for regional and national awards. Overcame the policy challenges presented in founding the first International chapter.
Awards and Recognition Margaret Fulton Award for Student Development, 2013 Alma Mater Society “Just Desserts” Award, 2012 The Ubyssey (Student Newspaper) “Person of the Year”, 2012 Dean’s Outstanding Leadership in the UBC Community Award, Nominee, 2012 National Residence Hall Honourary Bronze Pin, 2011 UBC President’s Entrance Scholarship, 2007
ENTJ urbanist humanist feminist event planner twitter lover yoga addict
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SPACE / speIs / noun 1. a container within which the world proceeds
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Above: Foam core massing model of my Vancouver Maritime Museum redesign.
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3m Above left, top: Guests proceed towards the lobby of the model. Above left, bottom: Looking towards the museum from the water. Above right: 1:200 scale site plan, first floor.
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Maritime Museum, Basics of Architectural Design, Fall 2013 Professor: Tony O’Regan
For this project we were asked to redesign the Vancouver Maritime Museum for a new home on Granville Island, a trendy, industrial area of Vancouver. We were given the site and had to complete a bubble diagram, site analysis, and sunlight survey prior to beginning our design. The focal point of the museum is the display berth for the St. Roch icebreaker ship. My design is meant to extend the ship into the surrounding landscape, mimicking the ships sails in the design and reaching out over the waters of False Creek. The curved roof structure is meant to invoke imagery of sails in the wind, while the rest of the building’s glass and harsh lines are representative of the arctic environment which this ship called home. My design was created using the model as a tool for conceptualization. Design was done through the model. Many iterations of the roof structure were completed and the negative space of the foam core allowed for many of these shapes to be integrated into the design in a way that they would not have been should I have started with a paper plan.
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Charcoal Drawings, Architectural Drawing, Summer 2012 Professor: Tony O’Regan
In this class, we began exploring the basics of architectural drawing through charcoal on parchment paper. Topics of study included 1, 2, and 3 point perspectives, figure drawing, line weights, silhouette, and contour drawings.
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Above: Learning the basics of life drawings. At left: Exploring reflections in the glass of an office tower.
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Above: Incorporating reflections and shadows in the water outside the Emirates hotel.
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Above left: Hard lines of Santorini, Greece. Above right: A softer look at Santorini.
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2a
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Hudson St. & SW Marine Dr.
TYPOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY NOISE & VIEW
ACTIVATION POTENTIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
NOISE & VIEW
Hudson St. & SW Marine Dr.
ACTIVATION POTENTIAL
visible from cars. it’s a great display place for a larger project. NOISE & VIEW This space is consistently bright, unlike the others in this area, which makes it the most appealing. There is currently some landscaping which is nice. The area feelsPublic industrial but is immediately Porkchop, TYPOLOGY next to residential so the space feels somewhat safe. Partially textured concrete pavement INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIVATION POTENTIAL This space is quite activate, but thinking about the large picture of all the spaces in this area,Bounded we see it on being improved witharterials, infrastruc2 sides by major sidewalk ACCESSIBILITY ture such as a pop up library or a bench. More pedestrian uses in space would enhanceThis it. space is directly under the overpass and is almost entirely NOISE &this VIEW shadowed. This is not an appealing space to spend time in but is highly visible from the other spaces. The western TYPOLOGY Porkchop, Public part of this space with a sidewalk is slightly more appealing. INFRASTRUCTURE Partially textured concrete pavement, one large tree Half of this space would be ideal for benches and a small gathering ACTIVATION POTENTIAL space. The shadowed portion on the space textured concrete ACCESSIBILITY Bounded on 1with side by a major arterial and on the others by transit has a wall that is ideal for a mural and would make an excellent only roads, sidewalk space for a public art installation. NOISE & VIEW
2d
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ACCESSIBILITY
shadow. The space is currently challenging to walk on due to the textured concrete. The area feels industrial but is immediately next TYPOLOGY Porkchop, Public to residential so the space feels somewhat safe. INFRASTRUCTURE 2 patches of green grass, some landscaping, 3 trees This space would be ideal for a small market, if something could be ACCESSIBILITY Bounded on all sides by a major arterial, sidewalk
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W 59th Ave. & Ontario St.
TYPOLOGY
Porkchop, Public
concrete pavementSt. 2b3 trees, textured Hudson Bounded on 2 sides by an arterial, sidewalk, parking lot adjacent & SW Marine Dr.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Hudson St. & SW Marine Dr.
ACTIVATION POTENTIAL
Crosswalk, Public
Logan St. & SW Marine Drive
of grass between sidewalks and road
Bordered by sidewalk, adjacent to North Arm Trail bikeway TYPOLOGY Residential Green Space, Public route and sidewalks are well used INFRASTRUCTURE
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1 tree
70th Ave. & SW Marine Drive
ACCESSIBILITY ing with the elementary school Sidewalk, across thealong street.major arterial NOISE & VIEW
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mercial businesses and parking lots. It is not an ideal location for resting or enjoying the community. TYPOLOGY Porkchop, Private
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W 73rd Ave. & SW Marine Dr.
INFRASTRUCTURE 3 trees, bus stop shelter, decorative rocks, billboard ACTIVATION POTENTIAL make a destination. ThereTransit is an opportunity add morealong treesmajor and arterial ACCESSIBILITY stop on site,tosidewalk, landscaping to improve the access of the neighbourhood to green NOISE &space. VIEW
TYPOLOGY Public spaces in the other. This space Porkchop, is not overly enjoyable. ACTIVATION POTENTIAL
shadow. The space is currently challenging to walk on due to the textured concrete. The area feels industrial but is immediately next to residential so the space feels somewhat safe.
ACTIVATION POTENTIAL
This space would be ideal for small gatherings and seating for those accessing the bus loop area. More landscaping would greatly enhance this particular piece of the Hudson area.
View looking West
INFRASTRUCTURE This space could be best utilized with improved greenery. Many ACCESSIBILITY Roads on all sides, no marked pedestrian accessibility passing through. We recommend more trees and improved landNOISE & VIEW scaping. mediate surroundings. Not easily accessible by foot, and far from other pedestrian destinations. While the lack of accessibility hinders the functionality of the space amount of greenery in a mainly concrete landscape.
View looking Northwest
View looking West
View looking East
View looking East
View looking Northeast
View looking East
View looking Southwest
W 57th Avenue
Oak Street
Cambie Street
Driv e
Granville Street
Park
W 70th Avenue
SW
e riv eD rin Ma
V V
N
GOAL #6 ACCESS TO NATU
All Vancouver residen live within a five min walk of a park, greenw or other green space by
Above: Our final map of Orphaned Spaces on our presentation board. At right: Examples of pages from our directory of spaces.
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ia l ter Ar e te n tr ou Ce er ia l Bik erc mm Co e it n tr ns Ce Tra it y un n mm ee Co Gr in g is t Ex
Location / Address
TYPOLOGY
Space identity, land ownership.
INFRASTRUCTURE
On-site amenities and features.
ACCESSIBILITY
Methods of access to the site.
NOISE & VIEW
Qualitative observations of the site.
ACTIVATION POTENTIAL
Description of potential future uses based on community priorities, community feedback and feasibility.
2c
Hudson St. & SW Marine Dr.
TYPOLOGY
Porkchop, Public
INFRASTRUCTURE
Partially textured concrete pavement
ACCESSIBILITY
Bounded on 2 sides by major arterials, sidewalk
NOISE & VIEW
This space is directly under the overpass and is almost entirely shadowed. This is not an appealing space to spend time in but is highly visible from the other spaces. The western part of this space with a sidewalk is slightly more appealing.
ACTIVATION POTENTIAL
Half of this space would be ideal for benches and a small gathering space. The shadowed portion on the space with textured concrete has a wall that is ideal for a mural and would make an excellent space for a public art installation.
0$3 2) 0$532/(·6 253+$1(' 63$&(6
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5 Cambie St
9
Oak St
Granville St
13
4 2
SW
12
8 11
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3
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6
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View looking Northeast
Orphaned Spaces, CityStudio, Fall 2012
Professor: Duane Elverum Group members: Logan Sturrock, Emma Fennell, Steve Stanczyk Marpole is a space on the brink of great change. Spanning from Angus Drive to Ontario Street and 57th Avenue to the Fraser River, Marpole is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods. The City of Vancouver is in the process of developing a new community plan for this area. Our project focused on a very particular part of the neighborhood: the orphaned spaces. We thoroughly documented all of the publicly owned, underutilized spaces in Marpole and prioritized them by their potential for activation. For each space we analyzed a number of factors on site and in the surrounding area. After developing a typology of spaces, we were able to assign a classification to each site. Features such as infrastructure and accessibility were recorded in addition to qualitative observations such as view and noise. For our final project we created a directory of spaces, as well as presented our map graphically. We included the beginnings of our work on possible urban interventions for these spaces. CityStudio Vancouver is a project school that demonstrates innovation and sustainability in municipalities and communities. These projects are co-created with City of Vancouver staff, communities and students.
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PLACE / pleIs / noun 1. an area that gains meaning from the actions performed in it; 2. a space with a sense of belonging, a community presence;
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The Pyramids, Paris, Summer 2011
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Mona, Paris, Summer 2011
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Travel Photography, Paris, Summer 2011 Independent project
I have been passionate about digital photography and videography as a medium since I purchased my first DSLR in 2008. This collection of photographs was from my last trip to Paris. I am fascinated with the history, city construction, architecture, and unique sense of community on the streets of Paris. I tried to capture the stoic, but still inviting, atmosphere of the city in these photographs.
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Above: The crowd awaits the start of the pep rally.
Imagine Day Pep Rally Video, UBC, Fall 2012 Video stills
On the first day of classes, UBC Orientations runs “Imagine Day�, which cumulates in a 10 000 person pep rally to welcome new students to campus. During this pep rally, my 3 minute video was played to serve as the introduction to UBC by the current student body. How does one sum up the entirety of the UBC student experience in just 3 minutes? To me, it meant capturing the big hearts and deep passion of UBC students and alumni, as well as showcasing the vast opportunities that come with being a member of this community. This video represents what it will mean to these students to be a part of the UBC Class of 2015. I wrote, filmed, and produced this video, with support from UBC Student Development.
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PERFORMANCE / pəˈfɔːm(ə)ns / noun 1. the idea that every action we take is rooted in our internal politics; 2. an action that defines place and creates community;
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UBC Vote Mob, UBC, Spring 2011
Video stills Videographers: Jon Chiang, Peter Planta, Vivek Pandher I led a team of 4 other young women to organize and produce this “Vote Mob”. This was part of a national movement of campus demonstrations and videos dedicated to getting more students out to vote in the 2011 federal election. With almost 10 000 views on Youtube and much local media coverage, as well national coverage of the larger movement, this video brought the rally to the masses through a high quality production. I directed, produced, edited, and was one of 4 videographers of the event, as well as designed the advertisements, organized volunteers, planned media engagements, painted signage, and directed the “mob” around campus.
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Student Leadership Conference, UBC, 2011-2013 The UBC Student Leadership Conference (SLC) is a student created initiative that provides delegates with a focused, one-day opportunity to develop their personal and professional skills, establish a network of peers and mentors, and expand their leadership potential. The conference began in 2003 and has since grown into a flagship campus program. It is the largest student-organized leadership conference in Canada. While I was on the organizing committee we saw a growth in participation from just over 1000 to 1300 participants in 3 years, as well as a revitalization of the SLC brand and presence on campus. Under my leadership, we turned the Student Leadership Conference into an event that was highly talked about and highly regarded by students, faculty, and staff alike. We won accolades for from Public Affairs, The Ubyssey (the student newspaper), and even the President of UBC for the direction and growth of the conference. For my work as co-chair, I was awarded the “Margaret Fulton Award for Student Development” and offered a role within The Centre for Student Involvement and Careers as a professional staff member even before I had graduated. My passion and dedication to this conference was by far my best learning experience outside of the classroom and contributed immeasurably to my growth as a leader.
Productions Coordinator, 2011
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Co-Chair, 2012
Staff Advisor, 2013
Developed a digital media strategy for the Communications and Promotions team, including filming promo videos and ‘vlogs’, producing advertising videos for the team at large, and updating the websites with photography and video.
Co-chaired a team of 24 students to plan the 2012 conference. I was responsible for the vision and outcomes of the Communications and Promotions, Workshops, and Keynote Programming portfolios.
I held a unique role, having been so passionately involved in the conference as a student, that I got to use both my student and staff experience to think critically about the delegate experience and overall conference goals.
Lead the “Faces of Today” project (8 video profiles of student leaders across campus) from start to finish by creating the selection process, filming the interviews, and editing the final videos to play the day of the conference.
I thrive in large-scale event planning roles as I excel both at being detail minded in the planning process and at problem solving in time-sensitive, high-pressure situations.
Created weekly leadership development programing for the 25 student committee as well as organized retreats and team recognition events.
Co-chairing the 10th anniversary of the conference in 2012 in front of 1100 delegates. Photography by Chris Borchert.
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Promotional Video, Fall 2011 Using only paper cutouts and my hands, I created a one-shot promotional video that highlighted our conference theme- Rethinking Leadership.
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Faces of Today, Winter 2012
I interviewed, filmed, and edited footage of 8 student leaders from across the UBC campus to create a collection of two minute long video portraits. These portraits showcased their personal leadership journeys. These were shown to an audience of 1200 students throughout the day of the conference on the big screens of the Chan Centre.
Promotional Video, Fall 2012
We created an interactive marketing campaign for the conference where students could submit the most “awesome” thing about our campus to be featured in a poster or video. I created this video from the responses to highlight our campus as well as our keynote speaker Neil Pasricha, author of “The Book of Awesome”.
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