Columbia Portfolio by Connie Lee

PORTFOLIO CONNIE LEE

[2020 – 2024]

CONTENTS

01 Mechanisms Of Mechanisms

02 Ukraine Diplomacy Lab

03 Mudfire Studio + Gallery

04 Framing The Sky

05 Jardins De Maria Matilde Almendros

06 Ways of Seeing

07 Impressions in Grey

01_Mechanisms of Mechanisms Fall 2024 Atlanta, Georgia Instructor: Daniel Baerlecken Collaborator: Kelsey Payne

01_outdoor 02_exhibition 03_atrium 04_cafe

This project reimagines the underutilized first floor of the Georgia Tech Architecture West building, transforming it into a vibrant and functional space. The redesign incorporates a system of counterweights, pulleys, ropes, and panels to unify the area, with the motion of the counterweights serving as a key visual and functional element. The adjacent outdoor area, previously underused due to sun glare and poor circulation, is enhanced by adding a new structure. This structure supports six movable panels that

extend the existing conditions, offering shading and additional pin-up space. Operated by a hand crank, gears, and pulleys, the panels are designed to be user-friendly and accessible. As the user moves the hand crank, the counterweight balls are lowered into the ground and the panels are lifted up. Safety and usability were prioritized in the design. Counterweights are securely locked into the ground to prevent unintended movement. A small bench and crossbracing create a semi-boundary, discouraging through traffic while having private spaces.

exploded isometric (event day) site photos: 01_outdoor 02_study area --> exhibition 03_atrium 04_cafe diagram: atrium

The entrance area, currently arranged as a study space with rows of tall tables, will be transformed into an exhibition space—filling the existing gap for showcasing student work to the College of Design community and visitors. This intervention introduces a motorized system where counterweights descend into a bench with a translucent backing, creating a visually engaging feature for those entering the building. The system is supported by a structure anchored to the existing concrete waffle slab, with panel size and spacing aligned to the waffle grid. As the

section perspective

counterweights descend, the panels fold upward toward the ceiling, and as the counterweights rise, the panels lower into position. While the panels typically rest in the lowered position to display permanent exhibitions, they can also feature work when folded up, utilizing the ceiling as an alternative display surface. Furthermore, the panels could also be used as additional pinup spaces. Additionally, six display cases are positioned near the windows, providing dedicated spaces to showcase models.

The atrium’s new intervention introduces panels that descend from the second floor, providing additional pin-up spaces and additional exhibition panels to showcase student work. These panels operate from a motorized pulley system attached to the existing fluting on the third floor, with a track installed along the second floor for the panels to rest on. The wiring is discreetly routed through the HVAC system and controlled remotely from the first floor. As the panels lower, the counterweights rise, and vice versa. For safety, the counterweights are

positioned at an inaccessible distance from the second floor. To compensate for the relocated study spaces near the entrance, the design incorporates new tables and chairs. The café intervention reimagines the space by removing the existing concrete walls, opening up the kitchen area to create a functional mini cafe. This replaces the current setup of a standalone serving table with a more integrated and inviting design. The system utilizes counterweights, panels, pulleys, ropes, and torsion springs, all supported by a new structure connected to the

model + detail: 01_outdoor 02_exhibition 03_atrium 04_cafe

F panel weight (folding) Fworm gear Fworm wheel

Frotational

Fapplied (crank)

Fcounterweight

wiring

Fball weight

motor

Frotational Frotational

Ftorsion spring

track

Fcounterweight

direction Fpanel weight

torsion spring was wound

switches

existing waffle slab. The design features two panels divided at the existing column, creating a distinct flow: customers order on the left side and pick up their orders on the right. The setup is optimized for one to two employees. When the cafe is open, the panels lift upward, signaling its availability, and when closed, the panels lower to close the space. The counterweights travel along the ceiling and descend into a translucent box where they lock securely. Opening the panels is effortless, requiring minimal force due to the torsion spring. Once raised, the panels

are secured with a side-locking mechanism. The panels extend outward from the existing structure, making the café visible from the entrance and inviting passersby to engage with the space. The new cafe also invites people to hang out in the atrium. The system is highly adaptable, seamlessly accommodating various scenarios such as pinups, events, or everyday activities. Even when not actively in use, the panels and counterweights contribute to the space’s visual appeal. The panels showcase work, while the

counterweights double as sculptural elements, adding a playful element to the environment. The café, designed as an integral part of the space, would typically remain open during events, further enhancing engagement. For example, on event days with larger crowds, the outdoor panels can be raised to extend the usable space, offering additional seating and shading. The exhibition panels can also be lifted to create areas for serving food, while the atrium panels are raised to maximize open space for the event. On typical days, the panels can be adjusted

as needed to provide shading for study or relaxation, offering flexibility based on individual preferences. All panels, except those in the cafe, are designed to double as pin-up spaces, adding functionality and versatility to the environment.

2:30 pm 5:00 pm

12:00 pm

plan zoom: 01_outdoor 02_exhibition 03_atrium (2 + 3 floor) 04_cafe plan sun analysis (october) site photo: outdoor icon: outdoor perspective

02_Ukraine Diplomacy Lab Fall 2024 Atlanta, Georgia Instructors: Katherine Wright, Ellen Bassett, Miro Malesevic Collaborators: Ansley Boutwell, Allison Eberhardt, Jarrett Ely, Patrick Griffin, Nina Kesava, Aubrey Lassetter, Miriam Lowery, Addison Moses, Joshua Patrick, Kelsey Payne

zolochiv photos zolochiv relation to kharkiv + border icon: site photo

The Ukraine Diplomacy Lab is a collaborative project involving 11 selected Georgia Tech architecture students and two students from the Kyiv School of Economics. Directed by Dean Ellen Bassett, Professor Katherine Wright, and Research Scientist Miroslav Malesevic, the project was prompted by the U.S. State Department’s Diplomacy Lab. Its goal was to develop a thoughtful and sustainable approach to redesigning Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Our selected town, Zolochiv, a small town

located in Kharkiv Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, is situated about 40 kilometers from the regional capital, Kharkiv, and just 25 kilometers from the Russian border. Historically a rural settlement, Zolochiv is surrounded by fertile agricultural land, which has traditionally been used for growing grains and other crops. The town’s history is marked by periods of Russian and Soviet rule, as well as its independence following Ukraine’s declaration in 1991. Today, Zolochiv is known for its strong community and cultural resilience. However, it now

faces significant challenges in post-conflict reconstruction, as it strives to preserve its traditions while adapting to the demands of modern development and addressing the needs of its displaced population. After months of researching Ukraine’s energy, water, industry, and agriculture systems, we developed five interventions to address both short-term and long-term needs for rebuilding. These interventions include creating a civic center, hospitals, parks, and a memorial/ boardwalk.

As the project progressed, we contacted a local gym owner through social media, allowing us to connect directly with the local community. We used this connection to distribute surveys, gathering insights from the residents about their thoughts on rebuilding and what their aspirations for the future are. The aim of the civic center campus is to create a central hub for municipal, commercial, and recreational activities. The design respects the existing buildings while revitalizing and expanding the public space.

By incorporating the existing plaza and park, the campus creates a connected environment that merges different types of public spaces in the heart of the town. However, due to concerns about the vulnerability of a centralized city center to Russian shelling, a short-term solution is proposed: distributing these hubs along the new bus route that encircles the town, ensuring more dispersed points of access while maintaining safety. The new schools function as both educational spaces and community hubs, open throughout

civic center / центр

the day and evening. The school integrates a protected underground space to ensure safety in the event of emergencies, while also contributing to the daily flow of activities. By extending into the adjacent park, the design promotes resilience, adaptability, and strengthens the bond between the school and the surrounding community, ensuring it serves as a shared resource. Shevchenko Park is being transformed into a dynamic public space with five zones connected by linear and organic paths. The linear paths

Q: What percentage of buildings in Zolochiv have been destroyed? A: 30-70%

Q: What is it like living in Zolochiv right now? A: The situation is better than it was a year ago, but it is still dangerous, could be fired on at any time.

school / школа

park / парк

provide direct access to key areas, while the organic running track offers a relaxed route for leisurely walks or jogs. Features include a children’s play area linked to the nearby school, promoting family interaction, and a community gathering space that utilizes the school as a communal resource outside school hours.The sports park module features outdoor gyms, sports fields, and a skate park. The proposed riverside boardwalk intervention is designed as a place of healing and reflection in a post-war context. The boardwalk, designed

alongside a memorial, offers a nature retreat where individuals can pause, reflect, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the wetlands. This space aims to create a calming environment that supports emotional recovery while celebrating the community’s resilience. Instead of a single structure, the hospital is designed with smaller spaces, connected by an underground system. This layout provides multiple exit points, allows natural light into the underground levels, and offers views of the surrounding green spaces.

Q: What do people do for fun?

hospital / лікарня

A: People like to do ice fishing, they generally use the river for recreation. The town and community are very connected to nature and outdoor activities.

Q: What are your thoughts on more immediate construction versus planning for a future after the war?

memorial / меморіал

A: When building construction is taking place, russians see the activity as a target and will immediately shell it. If there is any activity going on residents are aware that russians might shell that area, so they are scared to go.

03_Mudfire Studio & Gallery Summer 2024 Decatur, Georgia Instructor: Katherine Wright

The renovations to MudFire aim to create an inclusive community hub for makers and artists, fostering collaboration and creativity while addressing the needs of the community and owners, Daphne and Deklan. The design balances open, interactive spaces and private areas for focused work, with minimal walls to allow for adaptable, multi-functional spaces that cater to present and future needs. A new second floor extends the existing structure approximately four feet, adding a perimeter walkway both on the first floor and

second floor. This boundary enhances the outdoor garden (16) by providing shading and a sense of enclosure, creating a more inviting and functional space. Key areas such as the gallery (12), event space (13), and reception with supplies (14) are repositioned near the entrance to welcome visitors, replacing the original gallery’s hidden location at the back. The main studio, also near the entrance, offers an open and inviting workspace for both visitors and makers, while the RA studio in the back provides a quieter, more private area for resident artists.

section perspective main studio perspective behind wall perspective study model icon: physical model wall feature

The outdoor garden (16) serves as a communal space where studio members can socialize and have lunch. Adjacent to the garden, the breakout room (15) offers a social and collaborative space for learning and interaction. The classroom (07) is designed as a semi-private space, utilizing shelving as partitions. Sinks and cleanup areas are located at the back, adjacent to the outdoor area for shipments and waste disposal. The glazing area (06) is positioned on the right side, equipped with shelves for supplies and additional tables for glazing.

Kiln operations are housed in a separate space (existing), with indoor kilns and storage complemented by an outdoor kiln under a newly added roof structure. The second floor includes private spaces for Daphne and Deklan’s office and incubator spaces for professional artists running businesses. This adjacency is helpful since the owners offer a program to these professional artists and require collaboration. An additional workspace above the kiln room offers a quieter area for makers seeking a more private working environment. The walkway around

05 04

06 mec. 02

elec.

06 13 11

01 12

the second floor allows views into the outdoor garden and other exterior spaces, enhancing connectivity. A large elevator links the two floors, designed to accommodate the movement of large works and materials. Storage, a primary concern for the owners, is integrated throughout the studio. As part of the redesign, we utilized 3D clay printing to create a feature wall that symbolized Mudfire Studios. Designed to function as both an artistic centerpiece and functional shelving for displaying Mudfire projects, the wall drew

inspiration from the community’s desire for interconnectivity, featuring an interwoven pattern that traveled throughout the space. Collaborating with Trinity To, we developed and tested a prototype in Georgia Tech’s Digital Fabrication Lab, exploring the possibilities and limitations of 3D clay printing. Together, we designed and fabricated individual bricks—six measuring 4.5” x 9” and four measuring 4.5” x 4.5”—which were assembled into a to-scale 18” x 18” prototype wall. Positioned at the entrance, the wall extends across the space, leading to the outdoor area.

plans physical model pictures 3D clay bricks icon: wall detail/studio space

04_Framing The Sky Fall 2023 Myvatn, Iceland Instructor: George Johnston

Located in northern Iceland next to Lake Myvatn, a beer spa is proposed to replace a souvenir shop next to Hotel Sel. Connecting guests to the Aurora Borealis, Myvatn craters, Hverfjall volcano, and the amazing landscape that surrounds the site. This building joins the essence of nature with an experiential journey. The final location of the site was based on three main factors: the adjacency to the hotel, the panoramic views of the Skútustaðagígar craters, the proximity of the main highway, and the symbolic connection to the Hverfjall volcano.

By extending these matrices and learning from the site, a “plinth” was formed, creating a foundation for the beer spa to rest on. Inspired by the ethereal skyscapes of James Turrell, the design concept aims to forge a profound connection between visitors and the celestial canvas above. At ground level, the entrance to the beer spa stands distinct and separate from the main entrance, delineating two distinct experiences for visitors. The cafe, souvenir shop, and brewery is located on the first floor and is inclusive to all visitors, separate from the

beer spa render idea sketch + plinth james turrell: “meeting” (moma ps1) icon: beer spa room

beer spa on the second floor. The spa’s entry begins at the ground level, adjacent to the hotel. Visitors transcend to the second floor, where they will travel through the main hallway. There, guests are greeted by vertical wooden panels, simultaneously serving as an ambient light experience and a protective shading device from the long daylight hours during the summer. The beer bath, relaxation room, and changing rooms have sawtooth roofs, framing the aurora borealis at night to the north and blocking the sunlight from the south. The journey culminates

on a terrace offering a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the surrounding landscape and celestial experience. A vertical language permeates the structure. Stark black wood cladding surrounds the exterior, contrasting with the transparent glazing of the ground floor to create a weightlessness to the spa, like it is floating.

site photo exploded axon site plan info: cafe

terrace render plans physical model icon: hallway

section perspective

05_Jardins De Maria Matilde Almendros Summer 2023 Barcelona, Spain Instructor: Mark Cottle, Sekou Samuels Collaborator: Fatima Jarquin

site (2006 -> 2007 -> 2023) site photo (2009) site photo (2023) perspective: on ramp icon: plan

In the heart of Eixample, this project seeks to revitalize an urban garden by blending its rich historical context with modern design elements. Jardines de Maria Matilde Almendros is a small interior garden, named after Catalan radio broadcaster and actress, Maria Matilde Almendros. Due to overpopulation and the rapid growth of buildings, the site, a once open space for children to play, is reduced to a small area with limited sunlight and poor ventilation. A hotel was built in 2015 which significantly decreased the size of the garden.Today, the garden remains

a cherished refuge for many seeking tranquility from the busy streets. This initiative seeks to reclaim the space for its original purpose, reintroducing children to the space while embracing the diverse needs of the community. Nearby activities such as main roads, other gardens, and metro stations, were analyzed to provide context for demographics and circulation patterns. Inspired by the original materials found on site—glass blocks, brick, and concrete—the intervention carefully integrates these elements. Prioritizing accessibility, the layout incorporates

[DIAGRAM]

jardins de mar gran via site section oblique (existing)

rocafort station

ria matilde almendros

jardins de tete montoliu

an arrangement of ramps and stairways, guiding visitors along a well-planned circulation path. Mirroring the existing brick arches onto a blank concrete wall, the design introduces playful nooks and seating areas, paying homage to the site’s history and materials. Continuous brick nooks along a wall offer children opportunities for exploration and play, while a spacious seating area ensures parents can supervise their little ones comfortably. Additional seating areas, including benches positioned along ramps and a secluded space behind a ramp, provide ample

opportunities for relaxation and contemplation. This project, rooted in a deep respect for its cultural legacy, aspires to create a vibrant and inclusive community space that balances the old and the new.

section perspective isometric (existing --> intervention) perspective: entrance perspective: under ramp icon: under brick play nook

06_Ways of Seeing Summer 2023 Barcelona, Spain Instructor: Maria Valasquez

07_Impressions in Grey 2020 - 2021

my sister’s hands, 2020 graphite on paper 10’’ x 12’’

still life, 2021 graphite + charcoal on paper 13’’ x 9’’