CHRISTINA DREXEL ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO | 2015-2020
PROJECTS 1
THE CANYON
4-7
2
THE COMPLEX
8-9
3
CLT STAGGER
10 - 13
4
RETAINING RUIN
14 - 21
5
TERRAIN FLATS
22 - 27
6
TETRIS TOWER
28 - 33
7
EDED CENTER
34 - 43
8
OTHER WORKS
44 - 51
1
THE CANYON SITE 30’ wide by 30’ deep Canyon facing Northeast outside Phoenix, Arizona. PROMPT Entertain shadow, create places that relate to shadow in different ways, and explore creating spaces of inhabitation for two unrelated people. EXPLORATION By exploring the dynamic nature of light, shadow can in turn be manipulated to create a variety of spatial experiences and qualities. Through the use of slatted ceilings, the lighting conditions of the surface and subsurface structures are made highly variable. The variations in light and shadow allow different types of activities to occur within the same place throughout the day, better accommodating the inhabitants’ individual preferences.
Top View | 1/32”=1-0’
Investigation of lighting conditions
Section | 1/32”=1-0’
5
Final model and variations of the interior substructure lighting conditions 6
Investigation of lighting conditions and its impact on publicity and privacy 7
2
THE COMPLEX SITE 100’x 200’ plot of land in a pine forest, located at 45° North Latitude. PROMPT Thinking about sound, space, form and site, create three towers for three gongs. EXPLORATION The Complex addresses the need for a common gathering place on the site. Rather than create three separate structures, the towers are unified into a monumental, monolithic pavilion. Sited over the valley, the form of the towers amplifies the sound of the gongs across the entire landscape. Each tower is precisely oriented to completely envelope the listeners in sound, creating an atmosphere reflective of the power and intensity of the gong.
Competition board submission
3
CLT STAGGER SITE 24’ x 92’ plot bordering a forest and a small street in Baltimore, Maryland. PROMPT Design 8 single-person apartments of approximately 1000 ft2 utilizing a cross-laminated timber structure. EXPLORATION Through the act of splitting and shifting, a simple rectilinear volume can be fragmented into a complex network of habitable spaces. The subdivision of space through staggered and offset walls creates dynamic transitions between rooms. The act of shifting informs the program, clearly defining the boundaries between public and private places within the apartments.
Diagram of Structure
Investigation of fragmentation through structure, space, and form 11
Model Elevations: Front, Side, and Back
Building Section S1 and S2 | 1”=30’-0”
S2
S1
Site Plan | 1”=30’-0” 12
Second Story Floor Plan | 1”=13’-0”
First Story Floor Plan | 1”=13’-0”
Wall Section | 3/16”=1-0’ 13
4
RETAINING RUIN SITE Abandoned hydroelectric power station along the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, VA. PROMPT Create a facility for a local non-profit organization including a small gallery, teaching spaces, and a cafe. EXPLORATION As a relic of the constant battle between man and nature, the abandoned VEPCO power station is an important expression of Fredericksburg’s history. The building is maintained as an object, inhabited and observed by visitors from a glass structure suspended within it. This glass structure extends out of the building through existing aperture, creating a visual balance between new and old.
Study Models of Suspended Structure
Concept Sketches
15
FREDERICKSBURG The site is located at the edge of the historic district of Fredericksburg, a city in Virginia south of DC.
ROADWAYS Caroline street is a pedestrian friendly road that runs through the heart of the historic district.
WOODLAND Forest on either side of the site provide a natural buffer between the power station and the rest of the city.
HYDROGRAPHY The power station sits at the edge of the Rappahannock River, making the site susceptible to flooding.
TERRAIN The ground around the river edge slopes upward toward the street, making for a hilly site.
Site Analysis | 1�=3400’
16
Upper Level | 1”=20’-0”
Site Plan \ 1”=60’-0
Lower Level | 1”=20’-0”
17
18
Building Elevations | 3/8” = 1’-0”
19
Steel Arches
STRUCTURAL GLASS ENVELOPE
Glass Envelope
Raised Floor
Vertical Circulation
Glass Envelope
RAISED FLOOR WITH UNDERFLOOR AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
FIRE RATED GLASS FLOOR
Wall Section | 1/4” = 1’-0”
20
Exploded Axon Diagram | 1”=40’
Building Section | 1/32”=1’-0”
Building Section | 1/32”=1’-0”
21
5
TERRAIN FLATS SITE Neighborhoods 1004 and 1005 in Garath, the 10th District in DĂźsseldorf, Germany. PROMPT Explore the possibilities of higher housing density through the development of urban and architectural typologies for collective living in DĂźsseldorf. EXPLORATION By combining the characteristics of two existing building typologies, a new form of housing can be introduced to Garath to encourages economic growth while maintaining the character of the suburb. These mixed-use facilities will not only encourage people and businesses from the city center to come to Garath, but also help to reconnect the existing community through social amenities.
+
=
SINGLE-FAMILY HOME
HIGHRISE
TERRACE LOWRISE
Community Privacy Nature Homogeneity
Anonymity
Community Proximity Nature Diversity
Proximity Culture Diversity
Front Facade Axon| 1:500 m
Rear Facade Axon| 1:500 m
Site 1 Plan | 1:1500 m
23
N
1
3
2
3
4 5
2
6
1
7
4
5
6
7
Master Plan Zero Degree Axon | 1:9200 m and 1:3060 m
24
1001 1002
1003 1004 1006
1007
1005
Düsseldorf and Garath| 1:1000000 m and 1:800000 m
Site Analysis | 1:16000 m
BUILDINGS The buildings in Garath are very spread out, giving it a green, suburban quality.
INFRASTRUCTURE Garath is divided by a railway and road system into seven different subdistricts. HYDROGRAPHY The Altrhein is a brook on the edge of Garath with many hiking and cycling opportunities. TOPOGRAPHY The area is slightly hilly between the border of Garath and the Altrhein.
Map of Garath |1:400000 m
Site Analysis | 1:20000 m
25
First Floor | 1:550 m
26
Second Floor | 1:550 m
Third Floor | 1:550 m
Fourth Floor | 1:550 m
Fifth Floor | 1:550 m
Apartments + Vertical circulation
Allotment
Cowork Space
Workshop
Fitness Center
Daycare
Assisted Living
Program Diagram
Rear Elevation | Zero Degree Axon
27
6
TETRIS TOWER PARTNER
Lili Bunnemann
SITE A vacant or underutilized lot in each of the following cities: Berlin, Paris and London. PROMPT Generate high-quality apartments through modular design to meet the increasing demand for housing in European capitals and cities. EXPLORATION This design uses two types of modules: supply units and living units. By combining several units into one, it is possible to create adaptive and versatile living spaces with minimal deviations to the original module. All three designs employ a unique combination of modules in order to address the site specific needs, but maintain the common goal of creating passage throughout each site.
4.5 m2
18 - 36 m2
54 m2
72 m2
108 m2
Circulation
Single
Couple
Tripple
Quadruple
14 AFFRE / ST BRUNO, PARIS | 1:4000 m
Concept diagrams of modules
EITELSTRASSE 79, BERLIN | 1:4000 m
97 RUSSELL ROAD, LONDON | 1:4000 m
Hall- and Living Module Connection | 1:150 m
Module Program | 1:150m
29
8 qm
15 qm
7 qm S1
12 qm 3 qm
S2
Plan of an Apartment | 1:100 m
S1 Interior Elevation | 1:100 m
S2 Interior Elevation | 1:100 m
30
Exploded Axon of Living Module | 1:100 m
Berlin Ground Level with Context | 1:800 m
London Ground Level with Context | 1:800 m
Paris Ground Level with Context | 1:400 m
31
Ground Level Plan | 1:350 m
Fifth Story Plan | 1:350 m
32
First Story Plan | 1:350 m
Seventh Story Plan | 1:350 m
Front Elevation | 1:400 m
Courtyard Elevation + Section | 1:400 m
Wall Section 1 | 1:40 m
Wall Section 2 | 1:40 m
Connection Detail 1 | 1:40 m
Connection Detail 2 | 1:40 m
33
7
EDED CENTER SITE Dietrick Lawn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Virginia THESIS Food & Architecture: Revealing the Complexity of Necessity EXPLORATION We eat for many reasons - pleasure, indulgence, boredom, connection, tradition, nostalgia, stress. To say nourishment is the only viable reason we eat disregards a massive part of the human experience. We do not eat purely for sustenance much in the same way we do not simply build to create shelter. Although we experience both food and architecture every day, we often remain unaware of the implications they have on our lives and each other. The EDED Center attempts to reconcile this growing chasm through transparent design.
Master Plan Axon | 1”= 60’-0” D2 PRITCHARD HALL
DIETRICK LAWN
CASSELL COLISEUM
AMBLER JOHNSTON HALL
Site analysis diagram
Exterior Perspective | View from Street
35
East Elevation | 1”= 60’-0”
Site Plan| 1”= 90’-0”
36
West Elevation| 1”= 60’-0”
Ground Floor Plan | 1”= 60’-0”
Building Section | 1”= 60’-0”
37
1
DUCK POND LOT
2
DIETRICK LAWN
3
TENNIS COURT LOT
4
NORTHEND CENTER
A
HOMEFIELD FARM PRODUCE STAND
B
BLACKSBURG FARMERS MARKET
D
HISTORIC SMITHFIELD PLANTATION
VIRGINIA TECH
VT Residential VT Academic BT Bus Stops Major Routes Downtown Campus Property Potential Site Existing Amenity
C
HAHN HORTICULTURE GARDEN Virginia Tech Campus analysis and site call-outs
38
Preliminary massing and analysis of form
Testing the different ways to unify the spaces under a single roof 39
1. FRAME The frame acts as the main unifying element between interior and exterior spaces
2. PATH The path simultaneously divides and connects the different interior spaces.
3. CLUSTERS The varied roof forms visually indicate the unique activities occurring within each module. Fragmentation of form study
40
Study with greatest porosity
Program spatial flow diagram
Program cluster diagrams
Cluster plan arrangement diagrams
41
Indoor garden research and planning
42
RED WIGGLER HOME GROWN
STORE BOUGHT
GERMINATION (paper towel method)
CROSS-SECTION
Indoor garden study photo collage
43
8
OTHER WORKS
1
VIDEO PAVILION
45 - 46
2
DRUM-CHAIR
47 - 48
3
ZIPZHOCKER
49 - 50
1
VIDEO PAVILION SITE 30ft x 50ft space in Exhibit Hall C of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. PROMPT Create a pavilion to serve as the presentation hub for PRINTING United at the trade show. EXPLORATION The PRINTING United Video Pavilion addresses the need for a common gathering place on the show floor. It primarily incorporates video as a method to capture the voices of the exhibitors in the specialty imaging industries. Using an elegant white stage with simple seating, unmanned cameras, and attractive lighting, the pavilion is flexible enough for constant changeover of presentations.
Side Perspective
Top View | 1/8” = 1’-0”
Front Perspective
Section Cut | 1/8” = 1’-0”
Iterations of preliminary diagrams exploring different stage forms. 47
2
DRUM-CHAIR PROMPT Create a piece of furniture based on the combination of these two randomly selected objects:
Drum (Instrument)
Chair EXPLORATION Inspired by the Cajon, the design consists of a lightweight wooden frame with a thin plywood veneer that reverberates when struck. Each face acts as a playing surface. The drum-chair is light and easily moved, making it ideal for performance artists and street performers.
Full size, interior wooden frame
Exploration of wood joinery
Completed drum-chair sheathed in 1/8� plywood veneer 49
3
ZIPZHOCKER PROMPT The finished stool must have a maximum external dimensions of 50x50x50 cm and must be constructed using only strips of ash wood with a maximum width of 8/32 mm. The type and materials of the joints are freely selectable. EXPLORATION ZIPZ is a stool made of ash wood that is only assembled with zip-ties. The goal of this unorthodox wood joinery was to create a piece of furniture that can be disassembled in a variety of ways. Each piece of wood is separable and can be completely or partially dismantled. The various assembly and disassembly options allow for maximum flexibility during transport and shipping.
1.
1.
2.
2. Isometric M 1:3
Top View M 1:5
Detail M 1:1
Front View M 1:5
Exploded Axon M 1:5
Side View M 1:5
51
CHRISTINA D R E X E L cdrexel@vt.edu (+1) 484-886-7882 issuu.com/cdrexel