Architecture Portfolio
Sean Stevens sean.stevens.123@gmail.com
Portfolio
Sean Stevens Applicant to study BA (Hons) Architecture at University of Westminster
My portfolio consists predominantly of excerpts of sketches I have completed since realising that I want to change career and return to study Architecture at university. In addition, I have included items that reflect my inspiration and experiences that led me to this decision. All sketches were completed from December - January 2021.
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Table of contents
sean.stevens.123@gmail.com
02 - 05
Sketch practice
06 - 09
Everyday objects
10 - 12
Imaginations
12 - 17
Flat renovation
18 - 25
Skyscraper for Bath
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Sketch practice
To practice sketching, I chose to do multiple short 5 minute charcoal sketches of a bell pepper in different arrangements.
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The purpose behind this drawing exercise was to explore representing curvilinear irregular forms.
Object: Red and yellow bell peppers Medium: Charcoal
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Sketch practice
This exercise required that I sketch a pod of peas from memory. This resulted in highly stylised, spherical peas - in contrast to the reality of irregular pods that were subsequently sketched (opposite).
Object: A pea pod from memory Medium: Pencil
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Object: A pea pod from observation Medium: Pencil
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Everyday objects For this set of drawings, I used either pencil or charcoal to draw everyday objects found around the home that presented an architectural quality.
Object: Stapler Medium: Charcoal
Object: Plug adaptor Medium: Pencil
Object: Plug adaptor Medium: Pencil
Object: Plug adaptor Medium: Pencil
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Object: Coca Cola Glass Medium: Pencil
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Everyday objects
Object: Headphones Medium: Charcoal
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Object: Upside down candle holder & adaptor Medium: Oil pastel
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Imaginations For this set of drawings, I explored my local neighbourhood with my sketchbook. bringing to life otherwise ordinary street scenes.
Medium: Pen (black and red) Time taken: 20 minutes There’s a small Malaysian restaurant on Chapel Market which makes me nostalgic for the hawker stalls in South-East Asia. I have Malaysian heritage and I’ve always been allured by the casual, bustling dining scenes of these food stalls: with neon lights, fragrant smells coming from stalls where cooks have crafted their recipes over generations. I decided to explode this microcosm of Malaysia found on Chapel Market into a street scene from Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur. After first drawing Chapel Market, I sketched Jalan Alor from memory on overlaid trace paper: the skyline of the city in the background, hanging red lanterns, plastic chairs and stainless steel hawker stalls everywhere.
References: Screenshot from Google Street View / Google Images
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Medium: Charcoal / Oil pastel Time taken: 30 minutes I’ve always been intrigued by this giant red gorilla by Richard Orlinksi that stands outside a recent residential development on Pentonville Road. It’s violent, bellowing form seems to act as a symbol to ward off intruders. I chose this perspective because it looked intimidating, with the gorilla towering over the protagonist. I used charcoal to render a dystopian vision. As the colour red is important to the gorilla, I chose use oil pastel but intentionally attempted to mantain its angular, plastic form.
Reference: Screenshot from Google Street View
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5.1 43-53 Myddelton Square is the reconstructed and laterally converted group of houses in the centre of the west side of the square.
Flat renovation 5.2 Flat 27 is on the ground floor of the eastern most property and hence features an original party wall (with chimney breasts) shared with number 54 Myddleton Square. 5.3
It is accessed via a communal entrance from Middleton Square.
5.5
The flat layout is characterized by two bedrooms, a bathroom with separate
A key experience that developed my design skills and project 5.4 Flat 27 isskills consistent listing description externally flat. management waswith thethe renovation of a dilapidated The is aliving post-war reconstruction of athrough Georgian toiletflat room, area and independent kitchen whichterrace; is possible the access this interesting history presented challenging choices with to the rear of the building. regards to layout and finishings in an effort to honour the 5.5 Flat 9 metres wide by 9 metres deep, with a 1.9 metre by 3 history of 27 themeasures building. metre concrete framed service wing at the rear. The service wing is presently an open balcony and features a disused chute and flue as well as inbuilt brick storage units.
Plan: Before renovation
The cellular layout consisted of smaller rooms with many built in cabinets. Two bedrooms, one at the front of the building and the other at the back, in addition to a separate living room and kitchen were all accessed off a narrow, windowless hallway.
Flat 27 _Existing Plan
Three large sash windows exist at the front of the building, with crittal windows at the back. Unusually, the building also features concrete slab construction, which is visible from the back of the building.
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Photos of the flat before the renovation Medium: Photography
I sought to design a more open plan layout which would be suitable for contemporary modes of living, and allow for a more spacious feel. I saw an opportunity to enclose the existing balcony to create additional, much needed space. The existing balcony’s use was redundant, and it’s aesthetic value low having previously been a coal store. My initial sketches sought to maintain a bedroom at the front of the building, and to remove walls between the existing living room and kitchen to make an open plan room. The existing balcony utility would be enclosed, forming additional space off the kitchen. In order to figure out the different layout options, I chose to use a 3D modeling software, which allowed me to rapidly iterate on different variations. The layout I ultimately chose was to form a large open plan space at the front of the property by joining the existing living room and bedroom together Whilst I had considered placing the kitchen immediately as you enter the property, due to practical plumbing considerations and also due to proximity to the bathroom - I decided against this in the end.
New plan Medium: 3D Render
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Flat renovation
Being responsible for the whole process - from conceptualising the new layout, navigating the legalities of altering a listed building, and selecting the handling the practical issues that emerged during the construction process - gave me a first-hand insight into the profession. Notes:
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Plan: Before renovation PARTY WALL TO N.o 54 Myddleton Square
New fitted joinery
New plasterboard false ceiling with appropriate scaled cornice, based on evidence found in adjacent original properties Original chimney breast within the same row
New utility joinery and sink, utilising existing external drainage connection
Existing opening infill with reclaimed brick to match existing
Original chimney breast
A Original sash windows overhauled and glazing replaced with slim-lite double glazed units Traditional shutter joinery reinstated in original configuration based on evidence available in adjacent properties
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2
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5 A Existing opening infill with reclaimed brick to match existing
ESCAPE
Rev:
ENSUITE
Existing opening infilled with the new white crittal type double glazed metal framed windows of profile and proportions to match existing above and adjacent
MASTER BEDROOM 13,7 sqm
New reversible timber studwork plasterboard partition walls. New skirting and architraves matching the existing
Concrete ceiling insulated and lined with plasterboard New fire glass sliding doors
KITCHEN LIVING AREA 31 SQM
Structural steel column (enclosed)
New reversible timber studwork plasterboard partition walls. New skirting and architraves matching the existing
GUEST ROOM 1 9 sqm
B
B
New reversible timber studwork plasterboard partition walls. New skirting and architraves matching the existing
Modern London stock face brickwork to rear elevation from late 1940s reconstruction works
HALLWAY
New fife glass sliding doors Structural downstand over shown dashed (encased steel beam)
White painted single glazed crittall windows to rear elevation from late 1940s reconstruction works
BATHROOM FLAT 27 ENTRANCE
Proposed kitchen to be connected to the existing drainage system
C
C
SHARED ENTRANCE
access to the communal gardens
30 Shack Dalston, United K
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1
Circa 1947 front door in original location (no shutter or architrave internally)
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Clien Sean
Modern/reconfigured stair from late1940s reconstruction
LEGEND
Proje FLAT Clerk
NEW WALLS ORIGINAL HOUSE LOAD BEARING WALLS
Draw Prop
LIGHTWEIGHT/NOTSTRUCTURAL PARTITIONS REMOVED
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Date:
PROPOSED_Ground Floor Plan
28.06.
Scale 1 : 50
Drawi
SE 146
Scale:
SCALE BAR 1:50
This was the first project that I was responsible for. I am overall happy with the end result, which pays testament to both the building’s Georgian heritage and post-war reconstruction. That said, there are things that I would do differently in future projects, paying more attention to storage solutions and learning about lighting design.
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1:50 @
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Open-plan living room/kitchen replaces the previous bedroom and living room. Medium: Photograph
A steel column revealed during the construction process was preserved rather than plastered over. Medium: Photograph
A bedroom replaces the old kitchen, made possible by changing the room dimensions slightly. Medium: Photograph
As second bedroom / study replaces a previous bedroom and WC. Medium: Photograph
A new en-suite bathroom replaces the previous balcony. Medium: Photograph
A compact shower-room replaces the old bathroom. Medium: Photograph
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Portfolio
A sketch of the street scene from one of the front windows Medium: Pencil
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A simple outline of one of the sash windows and a study of the window rope mechanism. Medium: Pencil
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A skyscraper for Bath
Photo of the Royal Crescent (credit: Unsplash)
During my first visit to Bath in 2019, I was struck by the Georgian architecture. I was particularly inspired by the soft, golden tones of Bath stone, the historic Baths, and the iconic Royal Crescent, and set about conceptualising what a contemporary skyscraper could look like in the city.
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Quick sketch of Royal Crescent columns The 114 Ionic columns of the Royal Crescent are one of its defining features.
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Portfolio
No 1. Royal Crescent, Bath Medium: Pencil
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A contemporary interpretation in glass and Bath stone Medium: Pencil
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I am fascinated by the historic importance of communal baths, where all classes of society would converge to seek the healing powers of the natural springs. This social function and reflection provided by the calm waters would be elements that I would seek to reproduce in a skyscraper concept.
The Roman Baths Medium: Oil pastel and pencil
The Roman Baths Medium: Watercolour and pencil
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Stone buttresses Medium: Pencil
Stone buttress Medium: Pencil
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Portfolio
An initial concept of a contemporary crescent-shaped skyscraper. The 114 columns, regularly spaced, create a soothing rhythm and echo the rhythm of the Royal Crescent. Medium: Pencil
The Royal Crescent has a uniform facade, but its back is anything but uniform having been constructed by different builders to a variety of plans. Likewise, the skyscraper would echo this with a series of irregular shaped balconies, determined by each tenant. Medium: Charcoal
I lived in Barcelona for a year in 2016 and developed an interest in the Catalan modernists, including Gaudi and Domènech i Montaner. This sketch of a window of Casa Batlló made an impression due to its irregular forms, inspired by nature. Perhaps the irregularity of the back of the skyscraper could be informed by this example.
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Medium: Charcoal
sean.stevens.123@gmail.com
The uniformity of the initial concept is imposing and monolithic. However, this imposing nature is softened by the slight irregularities in the colour of Bath stone, which form the columns. A still, circular pond at the base of the building reminds us of the natural springs, and a community centre on the ground level links with the historic social function of the natural springs. Medium: Charcoal
A sketch of the columns of the Museum of Modern Literature in Marbach, Germany. I was inspired by these contemporary columns surrounding the volume. Medium: Pencil and charcoal
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Sean Stevens
sean.stevens.123@gmail.com
Portfolio