claire m craven design portfolio
CONTENTS
Curriculum Vitae
3
Academic
Secret Garden Ode to the Invisible Student Lounge A New Norris House Fancy Futon
6 12 24 26 30
Professional
Going Up Upper East Side Control Room Renovation Loft Addition Rooftop Addition
42 46 48 50 52
claire m craven claire.craven@gmail.com 865 686 2319 61 Foster street New Haven, CT 06511
education 2012 University of Tennessee, College of Architecture + Design Knoxville TN Bachelor of Architecture, Summa Cum Laude 2010 Grand Tour of Sweden: Lewerentz and the Spiritual Landscape
experience CURRENT Gray Organschi Architecture New Haven CT 2012-2015 Designer Responsibilities include drawing in all design phases as well project and construction management. Current work involves managing design and construction for the Firehouse 12 rooftop addition, a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structure providing sleeping quarters to musicians, to be built on top of a renovated early-20th-century fire station which now serves as a recording studio. All core experience hours of the Intern Development Program have been completed. spring 2015 Cooperative Arts & Humanities Highschool New Haven CT Co-Op After School (CAS) teacher, Introduction to Architecture 2012-2015 New Haven Reads New Haven CT Graphic Designer, pro-bono 2010-2012 University of Tennessee, College of Architecture + Design Knoxville TN Lecturer, Architecture 171 & 172: Design Fundamentals Studios Designer, student lounge, Humanities building renovation Collaborative work under professors Brian Ambroziak and David Matthews Teaching Assistant, Architecture 122: drawing and intention, Chuck Draper Architecture 121: drawing and perception, Chuck Draper Graphic Designer, Odd Fellows Cemetery project, professor Katherine Ambroziak Translation work and soundtrack, time[scape]lab exhibit, professor Brian Ambroziak Student Research Assistant, exhibit design for the New Norris House included research, writing, graphic design, exhibit layout. professor Tricia Stuth Interior Design, a New Norris House design-build project conceptual design, team coordination, choice of materials/furniture, furniture fabrication Teaching Assistant, Architecture 102: Visual Design Theory, professor Brian Ambroziak Freelance 2014 Website design for Laura Pappano, journalist & writer 2012 Translation (English to French) of construction documents for Tobin Starr + Partners
awards & honors Faculty Design Award awarded to faculty-chosen top design project of graduating class Tau Sigma Delta honorable mention EUReCA Award exhibition of undergraduate research and creative achievement Tau Sigma Delta architectural honor society
skills Autocad, Revit, Rhino, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Soundbooth, Premiere Pro Graphic & web design, hand drawing & drafting, watercolor, model craft, woodshop experience Native proficiency in French
interests Teaching, stairs, hardware and line weights, off-the-shelf materials because everything can be beautiful if treated thoughtfully, making things, graphic design & illustration, writing, and reading a lot, travelling, music, and good conversation.
ACADEMIC WORK University of Tennessee, Knoxville
SECRET GARDEN a plant nursery for downtown Knoxville, TN
This project posits that the essence of ‘home’ resides in the feeling of belonging, often related to but not dependent upon family ties and actual ownership of place. The plant nursery is a place where children are responsible for the nurturing of flowers and herbs. Through the everyday act of caring for the plant, the child defines for herself a place in this world: she belongs. The site –an empty lot on Clinch Avenue between Fort Sanders and downtown– contributed to the secret of the place both in its location and typography, promoting a sense of comfort and safety.
In order to embody a feeling of belonging, the project seeks to employ a dialogue of retreat as well as changes in scale. The design parti consists of a retaining wall which responds to the site typography and allows for the creation of an elevated courtyard, which becomes the secret garden. The change in elevation presents the ultimate retreat by creating a path for public traffic through the heart of the site. Inside, a reading room provides a public front as well as private reading nooks in which children may retreat, by themselves, with a parent or with friends, to read a book comfortably.
swaddling Space, through the use of scale, temperature and texture, can remind us of the comfort and safety of our prenatal days.
ownership The scale and privacy of spaces can address the individual on an intimate level.
retreat By contrasting the privacy of spaces the child’s sense of place is reinforced, the notion of territory becomes tangible.
universal The child’s awareness of self is enhanced as his physical place within the world is suddenly defined not by his occupation of the horizontal plane but by the sweeping of his gaze from ground to sky.
ODE TO THE INVISIBLE saltwater baths on the oceanside, Emerald Isle, NC
Because architecture is born out of a response to our physical and spiritual needs, it is an inherent reflection of the humanity it is meant to serve. Like stories, it is a vehicle for meaning. Architecture’s position at the core of humanity gives it the opportunity to become the ultimate storyteller; because it shapes the spaces we live in, it can provide a bridge between fiction and reality by giving our stories (the ones we tell and the ones we live) a place where they unravel side by side. This confers to architecture the power to define an image for our society and ourselves; and because it can define it, it also has the ability to distort the view we have of ourselves. The focus of this investigation is to explore the impact of the built environment on our self-image: it seeks to rewrite the story of Narcissus by addressing the different stages of his self-realization in the context of the ocean’s moving waters. The baths provide a place for literal and figurative reflection. Like Narcissus’ pool, they provide a frame for our image; for it is in the most mundane of actions that we define who we are. The acts of changing, cleansing and bathing have echoes of considerable importance depending on the stage. The project explores issues of self-awareness as it occurs between reality and fiction, between the singular and the plural, on its way out to sea. An ode to the invisible, this tale is about breaking mirrors.
DISCOVERY
ch han ngi ging g roo oom ooms mss
bath ba ths hs
ou o utd doo oorr ba bath ths hs
COMTEMPLATION DESIRE
pier pi er
REALIZATION
entry changing rooms baths pier In Ovid’s narrative poem Metamorphoses, the struggle between Narcissus outdoor andbathshis self-image occurs in the sequential stages of discovery, contemplation, desire, realization, and longing. (below) In order to explain and develop the sequence and attributes (both physical and phenomenal) of the various spaces of the bath, a soundtrack was designed as a mean to illustrate the project. This six minute long track layered segments of songs, sounds, and spoken words to convey the experience the baths sought to define; it proved itself incredibly helpful in conveying the thesis for the project as well as informing the choice of light quality, materials, and scale of both landscape and space.
driving
wate wa t r te
00:04:46
00:0 04: 4:15
00:03:44
00:03:16
00:02:20
00:01:49
00:0 00:52
en ntr tryy
reetu urn rn
LONGING
water
retu re turn rn rn
parking
picnic areas
beach access
baths
pier
The baths look out toward the ocean, accessed through the dark, damp womb of the dune. The concrete, polished at times to allow occupants to catch a reflection of their silhouette, holds the water. The roof, arching wood boards over the baths, opens at each end. Marine grade fabric is stretched over the structure, muffling raindrops and blocking the wind when tethered to the ground; the place allows for the occupant to experience the ocean-side caught in-between water and wind. It seeks to give a sense of place in the midst of the ephemeral occupation of the beach, revisiting the everyday in order to give people the chance to define for themselves a different image, away from imposed reflections. Architecture is a means, not an end; this project acknowledges that there are limits to what design can do. The answers we seek may only be found within us; the power of architecture lies in its ability to raise questions. This project asks of us: who are you?
above (Discovery) The entrance to the baths lead first to the changing area, where visitors are greeted by their own blurry selves, reflected in the surface of the polished concrete walls.
right (Contemplation) The shower space is intimate and introverted. The back wall slants away from the occupant to let in light, outside air—and occasionally, sand–so that both water and light can wash over the body.
above (Desire) The salt water baths, held by the board-formed concrete shell, provide a visual connection with the ocean’s horizon while physically removing the occupant from the beach. Marine grade fabric, stretched over the roof planks, both echo the wind and muffle the eventual raindrop.
right (Longing) At the end of the pier the ocean is yours. While the sides of the boardwalk slope down, its center remains level, allowing visitors to stand straight and tall against the wind, without any obstruction.
STUDENT LOUNGE University of Tennessee, Knoxville
This project, a collaboration between UT’s Facilities Services, Classroom Upgrade Committee, Learning Center and College of Architecture + Design, was implemented as part of the renovation scope for the Humanities and Social Sciences building. The design concept for this student lounge proposes that a space becomes a place when there is a desire for it to be occupied. Dwelling is taking ownership of a space through its physical occupation in time and implies a stillness and comfort conducive to learning. By creating a space of dwelling in a place of high turnover where students come to class and then leave campus, the project seeks to instill a sense of belonging to the University of Tennessee. In doing so, it offers a retreat from the classroom setting while providing a place for students to feel connected—to each other as well as to the greater campus community. The Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) prototype implements the fundamental aspects of a place of dwelling through its spatial sequence as well as through the choice of materials and lighting. Designed by three interior design students (Megan Zolnier, Jessica King, Dani Collins) and three architecture students (Mary Miller, Annie Stone, Claire Craven) alongside professors David Matthews and Brian Ambroziak, the project was completed in August of 2012.
A NEW NORRIS HOUSE Design-Build in Norris, TN
A New Norris House is a research and education project led by the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Architecture and Design. Working as a team, faculty and students from architecture, landscape architecture, civil/wastewater engineering, interior design, environmental studies, and planning departments – with help from industry and professional partners, and community and government bodies – designed and constructed a sustainable home and landscape in Norris, Tennessee. As the house neared completion in the spring of 2012, the team was faced with choices of interior materials, furniture, and storage design. The interior design team was responsible for determining an interior concept which would resonate with the spirit of the house as a way of redefining modern living. photography by Ken McCown
The New Norris House revisits the patterns of our everyday life. The space is small and open; where and how does home happen? The frame for the communal space allows for a connection to the landscape, defining a space for living in which rituals of everyday life are celebrated in an effortless way. The act of being human therefore shapes the interior: the normality of objects becomes the decorative element, as we hang our coat, place our keys, boil water for our tea. The openness of the house is balanced by the discrete seclusion of its private realm. Rooms become colored cases which offer a more intimate shelter, painting the light as it moves into the common space.
FANCY FUTON a lounge chair for the New Norris House
Designed for the compact living space of the New Norris House (750 sq.ft), the convertible chair serves as the main lounge seating within the house. In order to keep the house uncluttered yet welcoming, it accommodates potential guests by transforming into two day beds which make a queen size bed when pushed together, which allows for the use of standard bed sheets. The hand-sewn cushions, whose colors complement the interior scheme, feature buttoned flaps designed to keep the cushions in place. Made of white oak plywood and finished with beeswax, the chair materials resonate with the warmth and sustainability of the interior finishes.
designed with Mary Miller photography by Ken McCown
Chair and ottoman detail with countersunk bolts. Bolts at pivoting joints were left uncapped for future access, all others were capped with matching laser cut white oak veneer.
ottoman
In an effort to respect both budget and schedule constraints, the chair parts were streamlined to only five different slat lengths. Since the New Norris House team included students with different schedules, this allowed for an easy delegation of tasks and expedited the construction process. All slats were cut, laminated, sanded, drilled, and finished in batches to which anyone with some free time could contribute. All the parts were carefully cut out of two pieces of plywood per chair, (with a combination of cnc milling and table saw) creating very little waste.
chair
10 stoppers
10 stoppers 11 slats
8 slats + 2 legs
10 stoppers 10 stoppers
8 slats + 2 legs
- or -
11 slats
8 slats + 2 legs
10 slats
10 stoppers
10 stoppers
9 slats + 2 legs
01 chair = 02 4 x 8’ sheets of white oak plywood 10 threaded steel rods 03 cushions 01 standard pillow
20 03 01 01 01
feet of sketches on trace chipboard models basswood model seat mock-up full scale prototype
beeswax finish custom sewing: sarah benton
This ‘fancy futon’ sought to provide a comfortable yet flexible piece of furniture by accommodating a variety of combinations (left) while being easy to maneuver. Ease of fabrication was also an important factor as it would impact speed of production: all chair components were made to be ‘Mary & Claire’ sized (above) in an effort to be realistic and efficient about material handling, production process, and assembly.
PROFESSIONAL WORK Gray Organschi Architecture, New Haven CT
GOING UP ash & glulam stair, Adirondacks NY
This custom-made stair was designed for a private residence in upstate New York. Design responsibilities involved thorough technical drawings, 3-D modeling, material research and hardware specifications, alongside with several design iterations in order to solve issues created by the space constraints of a tight stair opening. The process required both attention to detail and a solid understanding of the assembly process. The stair was manufactured and assembled in house, then dismantled and shipped to be re-assembled on site. photography by Lisbett Wedendhal — www.lisbettwedendahl.dk
Above Stair elevation showing head clearance, materials and extent of detail drawings.
Right Stair section showing tread cut longitudinally. Two glulam beams, pulled apart to relieve visual bulkiness, provide structural support to the solid ash treads. Inclined aluminum posts allow the guardrail to float by continuously.
UPPER EAST SIDE New York City
This interior renovation combines two apartments on the upper east side of Manhattan, NY to create for our client a home both elegant and feminine. Responsibilities for this project included construction drawings and construction administration, project management, furnishings, and client interaction. photography by Lisbett Wedendhal — www.lisbettwedendahl.dk
CONTROL ROOM RENOVATION Firehouse 12, New Haven CT
This short turn-around renovation focused on remodelling the interior of the control room of the recording studio at the Firehouse 12, a renown venue in the avant-garde jazz scene. Project responsibilities included project management, coordination with the acoustic and mechanical engineers, drawing and material ordering. photography by Marion Forbes
LOFT ADDITION Firehouse 12, New Haven CT
This jewel-box sized addition to the existing loft of the Firehouse 12 studio, located above the control room, provides performing musicians with a place to shower, get ready and relax. Clad in white-washed ash, it features a powder room and a shower room on the inside while providing on the outside a full wall of storage for the loft TV, printer, and guest coats. Responsibilities on this project included general project management and construction administration, as well as drawing and detailing. photography by Marion Forbes
ROOFTOP ADDITION Sleeping quarters for musicians, Firehouse 12, New Haven CT
This rooftop addition expands the sleeping quarters of the apartment at the Firehouse 12, an old firehouse converted twelve years ago into a bar, recording studio, and a two-bedroom apartment. The new construction will sit on top of the existing brick shell and will contain three bedrooms, a half-bath and a shower room. The Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels operating as floor and roof structure will be exposed on the interior, providing the space with a soft and monolithic interior finish, while a standard timber decking will clad the interior framed walls and add shear bracing as well as visual continuity to the interior finish. Responsibilities on this project include drawing in all phases, building permit applications, assisting with project management and scheduling, material research and ordering, and construction administration.
“There is the hidden presence of others in us, even those we have known briefly. We contain them for the rest of our lives, at every border that we cross.” —Michael Ondaatje
thank you
claire.craven@gmail.com 865 686 2319