2013 - 2016
CHANDLER BLACKWELL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ANALYZING 4
UNDERSTANDING 6
EXPLORING 8
DISCOVERING 10
APPLYING 12
18 CELEBRATING
24 IDENTIFYING
28 DEVELOPING
36 LEARNING
44 REFLECTING
ANALYZING RELATIVITY
PETER EISENMAN’S HOUSE VI spring 2014
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Through orthagonally drafting the elevations, sections + plans of House VI, the relativity of its components was studied, analyzed + understood. Represented in a wooden wireframe model, a visual (inverted staircase) + a physical (functional staircase) path are displayed.
UNDERSTANDING MOTION
ANALYSIS OF A COFFEE POT’S MOVEMENT spring 2014
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With the only requirement being that an object has an inside + an outside, a coffee pot was chosen. The orthagonal drawing of the coffee pot shows plans, sections + elevations, + also the manner in which the pot itself moves + the motion of someone pouring it. The wire model represents the materiality + structure of the coffee pot; the wire becomes thicker as the material it imitates becomes thicker.
EXPLORING FOLDS
FOLDED PLATE STRUCTURES fall 2014
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Folding allows planar material to transform into a three-dimensional rigid structure. A triangle plate is folded into three sections + each section is folded into equivalent ridges, creating a stable, pyramid-like form. Through folding ridges into a curved, concentric pattern + pulling the edges together, volume + structure are created. A basic folded plate structure is bent in on itself, becoming a closed, cylinder shape. The folds turn into structure + create a volume similar to a column.
DISCOVERING CURVES
RULED SURFACES fall 2014
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A ruled surface is a curved surface generated by connecting straight lines between corresponding points. Lines are drafted to points on a series of disconnected + rotated triangles, generating curves + producing movement. By using a portion of the analog drawing, the model’s boundaries are constructed at set distances, again in the shape of a triangle, creating curves and voids.
APPLYING CURVES
SPANNING THE GAP: PEDESTRIAN + CYCLING BRIDGE fall 2014
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A 30 foot pedestrian + cycling bridge needs to span across a river in the Southeastern United States. The design emerges from the ruled surface drawing + model in the previous project. The experience attained by the pedestrian or cycler is essential to the design; the structure feels light + airy in the midst of a dense park. Ruled surfaces span above + below the bridge to add to the experience, while also casting unique shadows along the base.
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The ruled surfaces are attached to their boundaries through a joint system demonstrated in the drawing + model. Two designated look out points are spaced along the bridge: a subtle step down on the front side + a step up on the back side. Benches are also included in the design for points of rest. The manner in which the structure touches the sky was taken into careful consideration: the ruled surfaces splay upwards at different lengths and angles.
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CELEBRATING LIGHT + TRANSPARENCY
WOODLAND CEMETERY VISITOR’S CENTER, CLEMSON, SC spring 2015
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Designed to act as the Visitor’s Center for the Woodland Cemetery on Clemson University’s campus, the building’s footprint takes the shape of an unfolded cube that steps down a hill. To bring in light + create a strong sense of transparency throughout the structure, solid + translucent concrete + glass are all utilized + arranged on a grid, depending on the function of the space. The exhibition hall + reading room receive more light, while spaces such as the entrance + utilities receive less.
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The building’s structure makes use of a double steel grid that runs inbetween the exterior and interior layers of concrete + glass. The view to the outside changes while traveling through the Visitor’s Center due to the placement of the materials, also allowing for different + intriguing shadows to be produced throughout the day.
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IDENTIFYING URBAN FORM
ANALYSIS OF VENICE, ITALY fall 2015
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Through an urban design analysis group effort(with Matthew Krider, Clemson) of Venice, Italy, it was discovered that the city was built entirely on swamp land. A forest of hundreds of thousands of wooden pilings were driven 60 feet deep underwater through silt + harder clay, then sawn-off to create a flat, solid surface, holding the weight of the great structures above. The clay model represents the density of Venice, as well as its submerged structure.
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The main feature of Venice is its roughly two mile long Grand Canal, which divides the city into two parts. The overarching organizational pattern of the city is organic due to its structure fanning off the shape of the Grand Canal. The secondary structure consists of the canals that spawn off the main canal + seek passage ways through the 118 small islands of Venice. Narrow, strictly pedestrian streets form the tertiary paths. These organization layers are abstracted in the painting of the city.
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DEVELOPING URBAN DESIGN
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT, 3030 N BROADWAY, CHICAGO, IL fall 2015
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A neighborhood outside of Chicago needs a mixeduse residential building to occupy an undeveloped site + support the community’s desires. Under the area’s zoning codes, a height restriction was set to no more than five floors. The program given required commercial spaces on the ground floor + residential above (12 one bedroom, 12 two bedroom, 12 three bedroom, + 6 lofted apartments, as well as community spaces on each floor), + an urban design of the building + garden to fit in the surrounding context.
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1BDR GROCERY STORE
2BDR
1BDR
3BDR
2BDR
3BDR
2BDR
2BDR
3BDR
3BDR LUXURY
LUXURY
1BDR
2BDR
LUXURY
LUXURY ART GALLERY
2BDR
1BDR
2BDR
2BDR
1BDR
BOOKSTORE
WELLNESS CENTER
ICE CREAM + COFFEE SHOP
RESTAURANT
GROUND FLOOR//commercial
1 BEDROOM UNIT PLAN
LUXURY
COMMON
LUXURY
LUXURY
1BDR
3BDR 1BDR
RESIDENTIAL LOBBY
DANCE STUDIO
COMMON
1BDR
BOUTIQUE 1BDR
LUXURY
3BDR
RESIDENTIAL LOBBY
3BDR
2BDR
2BDR
SECOND FLOOR//residential
2 BEDROOM UNIT PLAN
3BDR
3BDR
ROOF GARDEN
3BDR
1BDR
1BDR
2BDR
2BDR
2BDR
LUXURY
THIRD FLOOR//residential
3 BEDROOM UNIT PLAN
3BDR
3BDR
LUXURY
FOURTH FLOOR//residential
ROOF PLAN
LUXURY UNIT PLAN W/ LOFT
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The building’s exterior elevations give a strong orthogonal presence. Upon entering the courtyard through one of the three entrances (off N Broadway + from the urban garden), the experience changes as the surrounding walls are curved + layered in a more organic gesture. Circulation to users is restricted to the commercial spaces + gardens, but residents can enter through their own lobby + use the stairs floating above the courtyard entrances + the open-air corridors to move through the building.
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LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
THE NECESSARY LIBRARY, VALLE DEL LAGACCIO, GENOA, ITALY spring 2016
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During a semester abroad in Genoa, Italy, the studio was designed around the necessity for a public library situated in the Lagaccio Valley region, taking the place of vacant goverment buildings. The children’s library, designed in collaboration with Madison Smith, Clemson, spans the width of the site + is divided into three parts, with the atrium centered above the underground river’s path. The purpose of the library is to holistically educate a child’s mind; the two external wings are specific to either left-brain or right-brain learning. An exterior theater allows both sides to collaborate on a production.
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LEFT BRAIN
GSEducationalVersion
RIGHT BRAIN
GSEducationalVersion
GSEducationalVersion
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The Left-Brain Wing of the children’s library features equipment and book collections aimed at left-brain learning, such as patterns, order, math, logic + science. The architecture of this wing is gridded and planar, split up into different levels. The Right-Brain Wing features more ‘learning through play’ equipment, including arts + crafts areas, music rooms + kitchen centers. The architecture of this wing is made up of free-flowing curves, reflecting the creativity + imagination of the right-brain. The atrium consists of a pre-production stage, used for costume-making, set-building + practice.
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GSEducationalVersion
GSEducationalVersion
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REFLECTING IDIOSYNCRACIES
CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, CLEMSON, SC, YEAR 2050 fall 2016
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borders | boundaries | architecture
CLEMSON2050 :
ABSTRACT
borders | boundaries | architecture
CLEMSON2050 :
per meable public space
permeable public space
This proposal presents the cumulative research and investigation gathered by the Clemson2050 studio collaboration representing Clemson University Architecture Department within the College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities in regards to the infrastructure required to facilitate the continued growth of the School.
MIXED ZONING + SUSTAINABILITY
CLEMSON 2050 This proposal includes an interactive study by means of collaboration and research in order to explore the expansion and development of our city and region. In researching and finding the America2050 plan we were able to find a basis for our project scope. Along with the research we found on our own and the research put forth by America2050 we have identified with the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion and have adopted the futuristic ideology set forth by this research as a basis for our projects. In discovering what the region as a whole needed and has developed we were able to take a closer look at what our city, Clemson, would need to adapt to this plan. In collaboration as a studio we were able to identify our needs as a growing city in the megaregion and how we as architects could address such needs.
ABSTRACT
This proposal suggests an alternative to Clemson’s current zoning strategy. Due to the segmented nature of communities, large distances between necessities creates a culture of dependence on automobiles. By exploring greater integration of mixeduse zoning, we hope to increase the sustainability of Clemson in three primary ways: economically, environmentally, and socially. We plan to increase economic sustainability by creating new and more accessible businesses, by making Clemson a model of economic development for the AtlanticPiedmont region. Environmentally, we hope to reduce traffic and increase walkability by encouraging alternative modes of transportation and utilizing Clemson’s natural elements, specifically Lake Hartwell. Finally, we intend to strengthen Clemson’s identity through designing social spaces, which serve as communal hubs.
REDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY The studio has created a redevelopment strategy for the City of Clemson that provides critical visioning information as Clemson looks to future development. We have prepared architectural strategies and specific design solutions addressing the areas of need that were identified in the initial research.
SOUTHERN CRESCENT TRAIN LINE The impact of the Southern Crescent rail line on the settlement patterns of the South East is one of significant importance, especially in regards to the sustainability of the region. We look to embrace the rail line, not only in its historical context, but as an important factor for future expansion of the region. The Southern Crescent rail line bisects the heart of the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion, as outlined by the America2050 plan, and will continue to act as the artery that pumps life into the region and the Clemson community. Through our own investigations, we will explore the social, economic, and environmental impacts using architecture as a practical solution to bring common ground within the Clemson community and the region.
∙City Hall ∙Food Market ∙Train Station ∙Parking ∙Housing ∙Incubation Center ∙Visual Arts Center ∙Performing Arts Center ∙Outdoor Recreation Center
SENSE OF PLACE
Each facility was defined and detailed along with a site plan and its connection to the urban strategy. These facilities will enhance the quality of life in the city of Clemson and foster an unprecedented sense of innovation, community involvement, and collaboration between the diverse population lodged in the city. At the forefront of each design was a commitment to sustainability and consideration of local and regional context to ensure our solutions are enduring and contribute to a strong sense of place.
This proposal considers the regional and local borders of Clemson, South Carolina in order to identify the various needs of the city of Clemson and consolidates them into programming for a multi building city plan. Furthermore, this proposal begins to explore the issue of site in regards to its potential and effect at various sites along the city’s main streets. This proposal lays the groundwork for the development of this new city plan that not only meets the current needs of Clemson, but is intended to accommodate the city’s future growth. The proposal initially looks at a comparison of two University towns (Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Charlottesville, Virginia) with that of Clemson, South Carolina to prepare architectural strategies and specific design solutions based on sense of place. This will give the necessary visionary and critical information of the town through comparison.
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A proposal was created by the Clemson2050 studio collaboration to present the cumulative research + investigation in regards to the infrastructure required to facilitate the continued growth of Clemson University + the City of Clemson in the year 2050. The Abstract included in the proposal details the importance of the Southern Crescent Train Line, Sense of Place, Mixed Zoning + Sustainability, + the Redevelopment Strategy, consisting of nine specific design programs, connecting pieces + routes between sites to produce a more cohesive urban layout.
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permanent gallery
pine forest gift shop/ info center wooden trail library childrens workshop painting sculpting + studios offices entrance hall photography studio
temporary gallery local gallery cafe artist-inresidence apartments
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pavillion
red clay
How can architecture celebrate, reflect + respond to the idisyncracies of the surrounding environment? Until this proposal, Clemson has not developed any type of art or cultural center, but the need is evident. The unique location of the facility will contribute to the design, where it will be nestled in a forest with red clay soil + adjacent to a body of water + a winding wooden trail. The Center for the Visual Arts will give back to the community, becoming the heart of Clemson through a celebrative + collaborative environment for students, residents, + outof-town visitors to engage in + learn about the visual arts.
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ell
lake hartw
The premise behind this project–celebrating, reflecting + responding to the idiosyncracies of the surrounding environment–determined much of the design + architecture. Through designing + constructing purely in section, floating planes + shear walls that double as art displays were inherently developed. These study models were cut from the drawings shown to the right, allowing the design process to move back + forth simultaneously between thinking, drawing + making. The floating planes of the roof and floor structure allow the exterior walls to be glass, creating maximum light in the galleries.
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permanent gallery
local gallery
artist apartments
keowee trail
structural / art displays: side to sidewalls movement
boardwalk
keowee tra
il
temporary gallery
cafe
pavilion
concrete wood
lake hartwell
Because of the size, scale + structure of the model, the cut files were changed to plan view, allowing assembly + lamination to take place vertically instead of horizontally. The studio was focused on the design + build of a model, so acrylic rods were chosen as columns to enhance the concept of floating planes, held together by gaskets. One half of the Center for the Visual Arts’ foundation is filled-in concrete, + the other half is floating over the fluctuating lake, structured on more than 75 columns. The art displays that are not needed as shear walls slide back + forth, allowing the galleries to adapt to the artist.
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SEEING + MAKING
PERSONAL WORK 2013-2016
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SEEING + MAKING
PERSONAL WORK 2013-2016
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