Claire Grable 2020 Portfolio

2019/2020 Portfolio Virginia Tech - ITDS

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CONTENTS West Edge Tower Multi Use High Rise, Fall 2018

The Depot Blacksburg Regional Library, Spring 2019

Camp Current Summer Camp, Fall 2019

Marker Rendering ITDS 2224, Fall 2018

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WEST EDGE TOWER Seattle, Washington | 7 Weeks | Revit | Individual ASID + IIDA VA/WV “IDEAS� Award - 1st Place Winner Gensler Brinkmann 2019 Scholarship Competition-Nominee This space was proposed for the first level of the newly built West Edge Tower, located in Seattle, Washington.

The finished first level, located on a bustling street corner, will offer a wide variety of experiences, including a large coworking space, the building lobby, a cocktail bar, and outdoor courtyard. While only a few of these spaces have traditional access to each other, as a whole they offer a cohesive area to collaborate, focus, unwind, and create experiences.

This design supports human needs in several ways, including the use of natural materials, incorporation of daylight, and ergonomic furniture.

The design is inspired by the Paradise ice caves, nestled within the summit of Mount Rainier located not far away from the project location at 2nd Avenue and Pike Street. These caves, created by heat rising through the mountain and melting ice, form a series of transparent layers that rise up and cascade over all those who stand beneath. A focus is put on mirroring the experience that one has while traveling through these caves, moving from open to enclosed and from darkness to light. The overall goal is to offer a shift in perception that one has of the space through varying scales and levels of enclosure.

This idea is incorporated subtly and abstractly in several ways throughout the building, the first being the mezzanine structures. Constructed of a system of steel beams and columns, the mezzanines act almost as a bridge over the center of the coworking space and bar, inviting users to move under and over them.

Another aspect of the caves that was referenced is the passing of light through them. As the ice builds on itself, it forms different levels of thickness and allows different amounts of light to penetrate through it. This idea can be seen in the coworking space, where a floor to ceiling wall of overlapping glass panels not only connect the two levels of the space, but also represent a sense of varying transparency and reflectance. The bar area includes a feature piece that ties together a few of these concepts, with a darker overall atmosphere contrasting a glowing backlit glass canopy that encloses the direct area over the bar.

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Building Lobby

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NIC

wc p.o.

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Open to Below

Open to Below

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Mezzanine Plan NTS

NIC

tech startup wc

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courtyard

coworking

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benching

lobby

bar

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First Level Plan NTS

Wood + Steel Canopy

Overlapping Glass Planes

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The concept of shifting perception is incorporated in several ways throughout the co-working space, the first being through the mezzanine. The steel mezzanine structure acts almost as a bridge, allowing users to travel over and under it. This idea can also be seen in the feature wall, made of overlapping glass planes that not only connect the two levels of the space, but also offer a sense of varying transparency and reflectance.

Conceptual Diagrams

Co-Working Space 8

Benching

COURTYARD + BAR The building courtyard acts as a central hub for the tower, as it sits in an atrium that runs completely up through the building. Wooden forms offer a similar experience in shift of scale as the other spaces, while also providing shelter and connecting the space to the attached bar.

The upscale cocktail bar provides users a place to relax, unwind, and interact. Lighting is a key player, setting the mood with an ambient, glowing atmosphere. While the majority of the space is lit more dimly, the bar itself becomes a feature with the soft glow the backlit textured glass structure gives off.

Bar

Courtyard 9

THE DEPOT Blacksburg, Virginia | 7 Weeks | Revit | Partner: Kylie Heald

The Blacksburg branch of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library serves as a modern community platform and a sanctuary for public growth. Located on the former site of the Blacksburg railway depot, active in the early 1900s, the design of this space is informed by the historic significance of the building’s location.

The inspiration behind this design was the contrast between movement and stillness in relation to the site originally being a railway depot. Just as the train offers a moment of movement in contrast to those standing at the depot, we introduced small moments of movement throughout the space in creative and unexpected ways.

Technology is rapidly evolving, causing a reactionary shift in our behavior and environment. Therefore it is so important to shape contemporary library design around this growth so that libraries can continue to provide for their communities. Since the train was once considered a monumental technological accomplishment across the globe, we decided to introduce an innovative robotic book system in this space to explore a radically new way of storing and delivering books. Glimpses of the machine’s movement are captured through windows along an expansive feature wall.

A cutout metal railing is introduced to again offer a glimpse of movement into the space. The triangle cutouts, inspired by the traditional shape of a depot, give those in the library a peek as to who is walking behind it. In addition to this, the cut and folded railing detail shows only the moving hand of the user, again displaying a small moment of movement and activity.

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THE BOOK TRACK In addition to contributing visual excitement to the space, the Book Track maximizes the library’s efficiency. An electronic arm moves along the track between two stacks of books. When the arm receives computer feedback from an operator, it quickly retrieves and delivers a specific bin to the work station.

The machine is composed of 468 small bins (1’4.5” x 1’ x 3’ 5.625”) and 156 large bins (1’4.5” x 1’ x 3’ 5.625”), effectively doubling the book circulation capacity from 25,000 to over 50,000. The dimensions for these bins were determined by studying book sizes and human factors including average reach length to ensure that an operator can easily sort the books.

The concept of movement and stillness is again explored, and an image of a woman standing in front of a moving train was inspiration for the idea. By capturing and enclosing the Book Track’s activity behind glass, a duality is created between stagnancy, predictability, and tradition in parallel with activity, innovation, and movement.

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1 TEEN SPACE

5 RESTROOM

9 RECEPTION

13 BOOK TRACK

17 STAFF LOUNGE

2 STUDY ROOM

6 KID’S BOOKS

10 MECHANICAL

14 PRIVATE OFFICE

18 COMMUNITY ROOM 1

3 LOUNGE

7 STORY AREA

11 BOOK DROP

15 STAFF KITCHEN

19 COMMUNITY ROOM 2

4 CAFE

8 KIOSKS

12 STORAGE

16 MAKERSPACE

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Cozy nook seating lines the large windows on the Northwest face of the building. Lined with a warm Oak wood, a traditional material used in train depots, these forms highlight the naturally illuminated portion of this space. The same material is applied as a window trim in the entry hallway to unite the two regions of the library.

Checkout kiosks adjacent to the reception desk make it easy to browse and reserve from the extensive book collection. Addressing universal design accommodations (accessibility needs and human height variability), touch screen computer displays tilt and pivot. The kiosks also cater to children, offering a simplified computer interface at a lower height.

THE DETAILS The mezzanine is enclosed in an envelope of brushed brass panels.

Cutouts in these sheet metal structures incorporate geometry that alludes to the form of the depot. Brass is a durable and versatile material that adds a luxury and refinement to the space, creating a lasting impression. The material is also easy to manipulate at many scales so it is reflected in other parts of the design. The cutout handrail shows another small moment of movement.

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CAMP CURRENT Pocono Mountains | 6 Weeks | Revit | Individual

2020 Bienenstock Interior Design Competition Submission

Located within Pennsylvania’s scenic Pocono Mountains, this summer sleepover camp provides children with a creative outlet away from everyday life. The natural setting, barrier-free design and wide range of activities encourages the confluence of inspiration, fun, and personal growth.

The driving force behind this design is the set of rapids located in the northern Lehigh River.

The currents of these rapids, formed by shifts in density and the combination of hard and soft rock beneath the water’s surface, move swiftly through the shifting path of the river with energetic ease.

The Lehigh rapids have inspired the design of this space in several ways. One inspiration is the axial shift in direction the user takes while traveling down the river. An increase in density towards the center of the space causes an axial shift in direction in both the first and second floor plans.

Additionally, when traveling through rapids one can’t always see what’s ahead. That idea is echoed in the first floor branding wall as it hides the stage and directs the flow through the space, as well as the hallway leading into the main living space on the second floor.

Not only do the fast currents of rapids shift dramatically in a horizontal direction, the flow also shifts vertically. Since major elevation changes couldn’t be made on the floor, a slatted ceiling element not only changes the height of the ceiling plane, but also guides the user through the space following the shifting axis.

The sustainable materials chosen were meant to reflect not only the natural forest environment but also the moving water. The many rocks in and around the river are echoed in the rock surfaces used. White reflects the whitewater effect that happens in the rapids, and blues were chosen as the iconic hue to suggest water.

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River Path

Ceiling Feature

Parti Diagram

ACTIVITY CENTER The activity center is meant to engage and energize campers while also providing them with a safe, easy to read environment.

The ceiling is what ties the space together conceptually through the subtle slatted detail that mimics the flow, elevation changes, and wayfinding aspects of the rapids. The stage is in the center, and is equipped with stage lighting and a roll down backdrop to prepare for performances.

Stage Area 18

LEVEL 1 PLAN NTS

LEVEL 2 PLAN NTS 1 ACTIVITY CENTER

5 NURSE

9 DEN

13 MASTER BED

2 STAGE AREA

6 DIRECTOR’S OFFICE

10 KITCHEN

14 MASTER BATH

3 PROP STORAGE

7 CONFERENCE ROOM

11 DINING

4 RESTROOM

8 LAUNDRY

12 LIVING 19

Living, Dining, Kitchen RESIDENCE The camp director’s apartment was designed to be a calming escape from the high activity area with the campers. Barrier free design was used to ensure that people of all abilities can utilize the space. White was used to emulate the foamy whitewater effect of the rapids, while touches of blue tie back to the water itself. Slats are also used in the apartment to add texture and ceiling elevation changes.

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Master Bedroom 20

BARRIER FREE DESIGN KITCHEN UNDER COUNTER MICROWAVE 36” COUNTERTOP DISHWASHER DRAWERS 34” COUNTERTOP 30” WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SINK HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE GAS COOKTOP 42” COUNTERTOP/BAR SEATING DOUBLE WALL OVENS STORAGE FOR DISPLAY ITEMS MASTER BATHROOM ZERO THRESHOLD SHOWER WITH GRAB BARS AND HANDHELD SHOWER HEAD LEVER DOOR HANDLE GRAB BARS NONSLIP FLOORING

SUSTINABLE MATERIALS 1. PINE, LOCALLY SOURCED, FSC CERTIFIED 2. INTERFACE NET EFFECT CARPET TILE, GREEN CIRCLE CERTIFIED, 100% RECYCLED YARN

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3. FIRECLAY TILE, RECYCLED CLAY, B-CORP

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4. MAHARAM KVADRAT CODA FABRIC, GREENGUARD CERTIFIED

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5. CONCRETE PAVER FLOORING, LOW VOC SEALANT

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6. NORA BY INTERFACE NONSLIP FLOORING, GREENGUARD CERTIFIED, FREE OF PVC + PLASTICIZERS 21

Marker Rendering ITDS 2224, Fall 2018

An advanced study of design representation methods using hand based media for rendering interior design specific concepts and ideas. Concepts such as materiality, study of space, and interiority are explored.

Simple Spaces

Rendering Cubes 22

Altered States

Interiority

Original image: https://www.gensler.com/projects/bayer-healthcare

Rendering Interiors

Material Simulation

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832-403-9714 cg97@vt.edu

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