SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
PORTFOLIO Colleen McGinnis MS Sustainable Design Candidate University of Texas at Austin
RESEARCH STUDENT looking through a DESIGN LENS
INFOGRAPHICS
DESIGN STUDENT looking through a RESEARCH LENS
ARCHITECTURE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 02
Clifton Branch Library
03
Shading Analysis
04
Bachelor Hall Atrium
05
Four Mile Creek Watershed Education Center
06
“Light of Tomorrow” Velux Daylighting Competition
07
Quantifying Experience
08
Westcott Master Plan
10
Reclaimed Water Project Infographic
11
Site Selection / Site Assessment Infographic
12
Ecology of Aesthetics Infographic
13
Building Integrated Algal Photobioreactor
14
Content Machine Infographic
16
Curriculum Vitae
Miami University, BA Architecture University of Texas, MS Sustainable Design Miami University, BA Architecture
Miami University, Architecture & Environmental Science Miami University, BA Architecture
University of Texas, MS Sustainable Design Miami University, BA Architecture
University of Texas, MS Sustainable Design University of Texas, MS Sustainable Design University of Texas, MS Sustainable Design University of Texas, MS Sustainable Design University of Texas, MS Sustainable Design
“Designing may be the most powerful fulcrum from which we can move...toward a more sustainable place. Designers are the people who give a product not only its functionality, but also its personality.�
Janine Benyus
CLIFTON BRANCH LIBRARY
This project was my first informal introduction to sustainable design. This project was first informal introduction to tomyarticulate a concept When struggling When struggling to articulate a aroundsustainable which design. to focus my design, professor askedwhich what I would most like concept around to focus my design, a professor toasked achieve with this project what I would most like to achieve with this project. sustainability and he encouraged me to After some reflection I quickly found it was sustainability. letMy professor sustainable strategies encouraged me to let sustainabledictate strategies aesthetic a and spatial decisions. dictate aesthetic and spatial decisions, and this is the project
Clifton, Cincinnati, Ohio Second Year Design Studio Arc 202 Spring 2009
that resulted.
WATER / WASTEWATER There is a gray water reclamation system that makes use of used water from the sinks, the roof, and the air conditioning to run the toilets.
NATURAL VENTILATION
The shape of the building was specifically developed to maximize the potential for natural ventilation based on historic wind patterns. TO SEWER
DAYLIGHTING
The facade was strategically designed to bounce light across the purposefully narrow width of the building to maximize the benefits of daylighting.
02
L
L
L
L
L = area of low pressure
L
L
L
L
SHADING ANALYSIS
University of Texas at Austin Solar Geometry & Energy Flow Arc 386M Spring 2012
7A
12 2PM
11 1 1AM
10AM
9AM
8AM
3PM
2PM
1PM
MAR/SEP P
M
4P
High average temperature full shadee desired
M
5P
M
M
6A
6P
M
JUN
Moderate average temperature partial shade desired
Solar Geometry & Energy Flow in The Solar Geometry & Energy Flow in Buildings course Buildings intends to reacquaint the intends to reacquaint designer with natural sources designer with thenatural sources of of light and energy. This particular involved and energy. This project particular light redesigning an existing shading in a way that project asked the strategy designer to responds to the path of the sun at the exact annaturalexisting shading redesign strategy intheasite. way that included responded to coordinates of The process surveying the of conditions, the sunredesigning at the the natural regional andpath site-specific exact the coordinates site. The shading strategy,of andthe analyzing its success. process included surveying the regional and site-specific conditions, redesigning the shading strategy, and analyzing its success.
DEC
Low average temperature full exposure desired
WINTER SOLSTICE
8AM
10AM
12PM
2PM
4PM
6PM
9’ 4’
10:00 6/21
18:00 6/21
12:00 6/21
14:00 6/21
16:00 6/21
Solar surface azimuth = NA
Solar surface azimuth = -4
Solar surface azimuth = 81
Solar surface azimuth = 50
Solar surface azimuth = NA
Elevation angle = NA
Elevation angle = 90
Elevation angle = 45
Elevation angle = 18
Elevation angle = NA
12:00 9/21
14:00 9/21
16:00 9/21
18:00 9/21
Solar surface azimuth = -53
Solar surface azimuth = -4
Solar surface azimuth = 44
Solar surface azimuth = 70
Solar surface azimuth = NA
Elevation angle = 55
Elevation angle = 88
Elevation angle = 55
Elevation angle = 27
Elevation angle = NA
08:00 12/21
10:00 12/21
12:00 12/21
14:00 12/21
16:00 12/21
18:00 12/21
Solar surface azimuth = NA
Solar surface azimuth = - 58
Solar surface azimuth = -36
Solar surface azimuth = -4
Solar surface azimuth = 28
Solar surface azimuth = 50
Solar surface azimuth = NA
Elevation angle = NA
Elevation angle = 14
Elevation angle = 45
Elevation angle = 88
Elevation angle = 45
Elevation angle = 18
Elevation angle = NA
08:00 6/21
Solar surface azimuth = NA
Solar surface azimuth = - 58
Elevation angle = NA
Elevation angle = 14
06:00 9/21
08:00 9/21
10:00 9/21
Solar surface azimuth = -94
Solar surface azimuth = -78
Elevation angle = 0
Elevation angle = 26
6”
06:00 6/21
4’
9’
EQUINOX
SUMMER SOLSTICE
6AM
06:00 12/21
VSA = 60
EApm = 35
HSAam = -75 HSApm = 60 S
03
BACHELOR HALL ATRIUM Miami University, Oxford, Ohio Poetry + Performance Studio Arc 302 Spring 2010
CLOSE IT
SHRINK IT
VENT IT
SHADE IT
DRAIN IT
The purpose of this project was to design a poetic and environmentally efficient atrium space in the current courtyard of Miami University’s Bachelor Hall. This home to the English and Math departments lacks a space to come together as a community of learners. The design was driven by the use of pragmatic solutions cloaked in poetic experience. The major elements of the design come from responses to environmental conditions, and the way in which the conditions were addressed respond to the poetic nature of the site.
04
FOUR MILE CREEK WATERSHED EDUCATION CENTER RAIN GARDEN:
This courtyard space is serviced with rainwater harvested from the roof. Its purpose is more than environmental, however. It is also an educational experience with the aim of inspiring visitors to create their own rain gardens.
Hueston Woods State Park, Oxford, Ohio Multidisciplinary Capstone Studio, ARC 402 Spring 2011 Watershed Management, GEO 426 Spring 2011
BIOSWALES:
Since the building users will be visiting to learn more about watershed protection, storm water management demonstrations are scattered throughout the site.
WATERSHED CONCEPT:
The watershed focus extends beyond the display content and into the experiential aspects of the site and building. The displays are installed in the east wing that, like the experience of water moving through the watershed, increases in volume and speed as you move through the space.
A grant from the NSF provided a unique opportunity to merge my studies in architecture and environmental science. This interdisciplinary studio brought design students, science students, and education students together to design a watershed education center. As a design and science student I was tasked with both designing the building and the content for displays. This allowed me to take a more holistic approach to sustainable design - first researching the experiential and biophysical characteristics of the site, and then applying that knowledge to the aesthetic and functional design of the structure itself.
MATERIAL CHOICES:
The facade materials include reclaimed wood, which limits the negative effects of logging on watershed health, and green walls, which serves as another storm water management technique.
05
“LIGHT OF TOMORROW” VELUX DAYLIGHTING COMPETITION Miami University, Oxford, OH Poetry + Performance Studio Arc 302 Spring 2010
SUNLIGHT AIDS IN VENTILATION
SUNLIGHT POWERS ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
SUNLIGHT HELPS SUPPLY WATER
The “light of tomorrow” is the use of sunlight as usable energy, and education is the tool to make this future a reality. This eco-classroom is built to fit as an addition to any primary school. It encourages the students to explore and interact directly with the sustainable processes made possible by sunlight. Making the processes tangible allows students to better understand and appreciate the importance of sunlight as the driving force in environmentally responsible construction and building operation. 06
war
ZONE 1
me
r war
QUANTIFYING EXPERIENCE
ZONE 2 me
r
ZONE 3 ZONE 4
coo l
m wa uch rm er
er
University of Texas at Austin Energy Modeling & the Design Process Arc 386M Fall 2011
: How much influence does occupancy have on the measurable characteristics of the experience of the inhabitant?
HEARTH ZONE WOOD-BURNING STOVE
OVERALL THERMAL
PEOPLE + = EXPERIENCE According to Lisa Heschong, “In many cultures a The experimental question beingrole exploredas in this thermal place plays an important a setting identified with family.” study was howthe muchcohesion influence doesof occupancy have This experiment ismeasurable intended to identify and on the characteristics of the experience of quantify the experiential the inhabitant? of approaching an qualities intimate family gathering. In According to Lisa Heschong, “In many cultures order a thermal to compare the different place plays an important role as a of the wood stove warming effects setting identified with the cohesion of family.” This versus the effects of occupants experiment is intended to identify and quantify and density within the activity the experiential qualities of ansimulation intimate family gathering g g space, the gathering. to compare the different was run threeIn order times: ( (1) ) j just the wood warming stove,effects ( (2) )of the j just the wood stovepeople, versus the (3) effects bothof occupants’ the wood stove and within the activity and density people. the gathering space. The simulation was run three
Outside temperature Just wood stove Just people Both wood stove + people
MEAN RADIANT TEMPERATURE (C)
=
30 25 20 15 10
times: (1) just the wood stove, (2) just people, (3) both the wood stove and people.
5 ZONE 1
ZONE 2
ZONE 3
ZONE 4
HEARTH ZONE 07
WESTCOTT HOUSE MASTER PLAN Springfield, Ohio Frank Lloyd Wright Studio
Prior to beginning the design process, we spent a significant amount of quality time interacting with the site. We talked with site users throughout the process to be sure that the new master plan would meet the needs of the users while staying true to Wright’s style.
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING TECHNIQUES:
Material construction, daylighting, and natural ventilation were all considered with regard to environmental impact of the master plan.
Our studio was asked to create a master plan for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House. The plan includes a visitor center, museum store, cafe, education space, temporary event pavilion, and various inhabitable outdoor spaces. The master plan was designed to respect the ideas of Frank Lloyd Wright and the principles of organic architecture. This overall master plan was developed with two other classmates. We took the ideas of the hearth, inhabitable space, and barriers as seen in Wright’s architecture to organize space within the site. The building design was then developed individually using spatial and experiential concepts inspired by Wright’s passion for nature and organic architecture.
08
03
As a student with dual interest both the science behind the collection of environmental data and the design of information graphics to effectively communicate findings I have found that I have a unique perspective within the field of sustainability.
RECLAIMED WATER PROJECT INFOGRAPHIC University of Texas, Austin, TX CRP 388 Public Interest Design Seminar Summer 2012
THE RECLAIMED WATER PROJECT MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER
As a response to the many trees lost to drought, the City of Austin developed a new initiative to use reclaimed water to nourish existing trees and establish new ones in city parks. This graphic, developed for the Public Interest Design Program at the University of Texas, is meant to communicate the proposed process to local residents and other important stakeholders.
SEMI-TREATED WATER (NON-POTABLE, BUT SAFE FOR IRRIGATION)
COMMERCIAL &RESIDENTIAL
NATURALLY FILTERED WATER RUNOFF
TREATMENT PLANT H0 water (H 0) N nitrates (N) P phosphates (P) solids pollutants
H O+ N+P
WATER TRANSPORT
CONVENTIONAL DISPOSAL H O+N+P
CO
H O+ N+P
O
COLORADO RIVER
CO CO
O
H2O + N + P
AQUIFER
10
N+P
N+P H2O
H2O + N + P
O
H2O
N+P H2O + N + P INFILTRATION H2O
WEST AUSTIN PARK
IRRIGATION
CISTERN
BACKWASH
ENCOURAGES ALGAL GROWTH, DEPLETES OXYGEN
SITE SELECTION / SITE ASSESSMENT INFOGRAPHIC
University of Texas, Austin, TX LAR 388 SITES Initiative Fall 2012
CO
SITE SELECTION When designing for ecosystem services, the site that is selected, and what is adjacent to the site become increasingly important to the water quality, water quantity, vegetation types and microclimate.
microclimate
O
carbon sequestation depends on vegetation animals
migration vegetation g
depends on vegetation type depends on soil characteristics
nutrient uptake depends on soil characteristics
SITE ASSESSMENT The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, along with a number of partnering organizations, developed a new assessment system for measuring sustainability in landscape design. As a student in the SITES Initiative course at the University of Texas, I was tasked with developing an information graphic to illustrate the components of the site selection and site assessment portions of the SITES rating system.
the characteristics of adjacent properties understanding the site characteristics and it’s ability to respond is equally important to
11
ECOLOGY OF AESTHETICS INFOGRAPHIC University of Texas, Austin, TX CRP 383 Public Interest Design Seminar Summer 2012 Inspi
re
Mate rial U se
One concept I have become fascinated with throughout my academic career is the application of biomimetic thinking to social systems. After reading a piece by Herbert Reid and Betsy Taylor, this was my interpretation of John Dewey’s “aesthetic ecology of public intelligence” influenced by the concept of natural ecology.
Inhab it
Non-living Components
the physical environment (natural and built)
Living Components people “nature”
rm Info
t men e c a Pl
sfor Tran
m
The Ecology of Aesthetics
n/ io t a et sion r rp s te re In Exp e at re In
Outcomes
understanding knowledge aesthetic experience
sp
ire
Waste Waste Nonliving
C
Living
Living
Nonliving
Waste
Waste
Nonliving
Waste
Nonliving
Living Nonliving
Living
Living
Living Waste Waste
12
BUILDING BUILDINGINTEGRATED INTEGRATEDALGAL ALGALPHOTOBIOREACTOR PHOTOBIOREACTOR
University of Texas at Austin Sustainable Architecture Arc 386M Fall 2011
anaerobic digestion converts algal biomass (protein, carbohydrates, lipids) to methane gas
nit are rogen con and via verted phos pho int pho tosy o bi rou nth oma s esis ss
clean water reused in the house
FUEL l ria ate dm er oli iliz al s ert idu of res int de ma
BIOMASS
biomass can be extracted and burned or consumed (depending on species) methane gas used in place of natural gas
NUTRIENTS
is ter the wa nto stem ste d i r sy wa duce acto ro re int obio ot ph
app ly to g fertil ard izer en
CLEAN WATER
WASTE
FOOD
Algal g photobioreactors p (APBs) are closed systems that specifically use algae Algal photobioreactors (APBs) closed in water, encased in are either systems thatponds use algae encased in glass raceway orin water, clear eithertubing raceway ponds or clear glass tubing exposed to light. exposed to light. These closed systemswould would These closed systems be ideal for the be ideal for the required off-the-grid nature criteria for of theoff-the-grid Solar Decathlon competition because Solar Decathlon the they would control cultivation through competition because they photosynthesis and allow for the extraction of would control cultivation algae from photobioreactor at various points through photosynthesis and throughout the process. extraction of allow for the algae from photobioreactor biological services of algae include at The various points throughout wastewater treatment,the the cultivation of process. biomass, sourcing of methane gas, and
The biological creation of plant fertilizerservices to be appliedof to algae include wastewater home gardens. treatment, the cultivation of biomass, sourcing of methane gas, and creation of plant fertilizer to be applied to home gardens.
13
CONTENT MACHINE INFOGRAPHIC University of Texas, Austin, TX CRP 383 Public Interest Design Practicum Summer 2012
As a part of our Public Interest Design report exploring the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a public project in San Francisco, this graphic was included to illustrate the content machine concept described by the architect.
6 REDESIGN
1 PLAN
2VENDOR: DESIGN RITUAL ROASTERS WAS ENVELOPE A + D: THE OVERALL CONCEPT, THE SITE PLAN, VENDOR SELECTION.
CITY: THE CITY CODE DICTATED THE POSITION OF THE SHIPPING CRATE CAFE.
5 CRITIQUE
PATRONS: VOICE RECEPTIONS OF
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS TO THE BARISTAS.
VENDORS: RESPOND TO THE PATRON’S RECEPTION OF THE NEW DESIGN AS WELL AS RESPOND TO THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES.
ABLE TO KEEP THE AESTHETICS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR OTHER LOCATIONS.
3 DEPLOY
PATRONS: THE CUSTOMERS CAN REARRANGE SEATING AREA TO FIT THEIR NEEDS. ON-SITE EMPLOYEES: THE BARISTAS
AT THE PROXY LOCATION HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO SERVE COFFEE IN THIS NEW SETTING SO THEY EXPERIMENT WITH THE DESIGN OF SERVICE.
ENVELOPE A+D: ANALYZES THE OVERALL
SUCCESS OR FAILURE TO GUIDE FUTURE VENDORS.
4 NEW CONTENT 14
RITUAL ROASTERS: THE NEW DESIGN IS TESTED AT PROXY AND THEN IMPLEMENTED IN THE PERMANENT STORE.
O B J E C T I V E
I aim to acquire a position that will allow me to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to a sustainable world.
E D U C A T I O N
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN, TEXAS
Master’s of Science in Sustainable Design, expected December 2013 GPA: 3.75/4.0
MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD, OHIO
Bachelor of Arts, Majors: Architecture, Environmental Science GPA: 3.61/4.0; Graduated Cum Laude Awards: Departmental Honors, Miami University Department of Architecture and Interior Design, May 2011 Leila and Richard Smith Scholarship, Miami University School of Fine Arts, May 2010
R E L A T E D
E X P E R I E N C E
PROJECT ASSISTANT DELTA INSTITUTE, CHICAGO, IL
AUGUST 2011 - MAY 2013
AUGUST 2007 - MAY 2011
MARCH 2013 - PRESENT
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Chicago Green Office Challenge, including the management of interns - Provide design and written support for project deliverables and publications - Provide research support for project development
TEACHING ASSISTANT, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS I SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN, TX
AUGUST 2012 - DECEMBER 2012
- Developed and led lab activities pertaining to lighting, electrical, and acoustic design - Guided students through design projects and analytical reports, and evaluated student work
PUBLIC INTEREST DESIGN EXTERN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN, TX & PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
MAY 2012 - JULY 2012
CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING INTERN OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN, TX
FEBRUARY 2012 - OCTOBER 2012
- Measured social, economic, and environmental impacts of a public project on the surrounding community - Conducted interviews, analyzed data, developed infographics, and produced both an academic and professional report
- Coordinated the university-wide greenhouse gas inventory - Gathered relevant energy use data and calculated emissions - Developed graphics and layout for the greenhouse gas inventory report
LEED PROJECTS INTERN US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL CENTRAL TEXAS - BALCONES CHAPTER, AUSTIN, TX - Drove the regionalization process to refine Regional Priority Credits for LEED 2012- Synthesized Chapter-wide input regarding regional environmental issues; managed volunteers
16
AUGUST 2011 - JANUARY 2012 (continued as a volunteer January 2012 - July 2012)
INTERN CHICAGO CENTER FOR GREEN TECHNOLOGY, CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, CHICAGO, IL
MAY 2011 - AUGUST 2011
TEACHING ASSISTANT, INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE & URBAN DESIGN DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD, OH
JANUARY 2011 - MAY 2011
- Assisted with the LEED Existing Building Operations & Maintenance certification process - Developed graphics for displays and pamphlets for the City of Chicago - Led student and professional groups on tours of sustainable tactics throughout the facility
- Engaged students in both small and large group discussions - Provided in and out of class guidance to individual students - Assisted in the grading and evaluation of assignments
STUDENT SPECIALIST OFFICE OF RECYCLING, MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD, OH
AUGUST 2008 - MAY 2011
- Designed and distributed advertisements for events - Promoted general environmental awareness on campus - Planned and coordinated environmental programs on campus
STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, FLORENCE, ITALY
AUGUST 2009 - DECEMBER 2009
- Immersion into the European culture - Exposure to both historical and modern art and architecture - International travel experiences with and without the university faculty
S K I L L S
&
I N T E R E S T S
STRONG WORK ETHIC DRIVEN BY PASSION AND INSATIABLE CURIOSITY [for sustainability and the built environment] INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM WORK [interior and graphic designers, educators, planners, policy makers, scientists] ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE [Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver] CARBON ACCOUNTING [GHG Inventory at the university level] DRAFTING AND 3D MODELING [Hand drafting, AutoCad, SketchUp, FormZ] ENERGY MODELING [Energy Plus] LEED EB:O+M [Analysis and documentation] MICROSOFT OFFICE [Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel, Outlook] ORGANIZING AND SUPERVISING EVENTS [Especially pertaining to environmental awareness] PUBLIC INTEREST DESIGN [Analyzing and quantifying environmental, economic, and social aspects of design] TRAVEL [international & domestic, independently & as a group] PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY IN DAILY LIFE [bicyclist, vegan, conscious consumer]
17