“Architecture is about trying to make the world a little more like our dreams.” -Bjarke Ingels
I. SUBMERGE II. Conversion III. Metanoia IV. Conform V. Revive
Selected Works (B.S. in Architecture - Masters of Architecture) -2022-
SUBMERGE
l Spring 2018 l
Site: Nicollet Island, MN
The process of boat building and the journey of the material is something that is not appreciated or evident to the general public. This canoe crafting passage will submerge high school to college age students in the art of boat building and the elaborate journey of the material. The program term that further inspired the project was “passage”. Through the project, he defined the passage as a unique and time consuming journey, specifically the journey of the material. “The art of boat building is breathing life into an inanimate object.”
Section Perspective
Roof Plan
Floor One
Below Grade
The unique circulation of the building allows for the viewer to embark on a journey alongside the material. Whether it be entering through the tree canopy, walking through lumber storage, viewing the boat building, or seeing the first voyage. The building circulation allows the user to experience and appreciate every part of the material’s journey. The building takes inspiration from the structure of trees. Sitting high above the ground on trunk like pillars. The roof bends, rises, and falls similar to the way the tree canopy hangs over your head. In a way, the building becomes a forest of its own with the columns bridging the two groups of thick forestry on the site.
Rendered Section
CONVERSION l
Fall 2021 l
Site: New Delhi, India
Group Members : Sanjeeta Neupane l Renee Saavedra
The U.S. embassy building in New Delhi has reached the end of it’s projected life time as a government facility. It is being requested that the old embassy be converted into a residential development. The existing site included a manicured english garden scheme that hosted many non-native plant species. With massive flooding concerns and declining populations of native flora and fauna, a new Eco hotel is being proposed. The development can serve as an example for future development in India on how to treat rainwater, design for native flora and fauna, and create a unique environment to explore the landscape.
Rendered Section Perspective Renee Saavedra
Site Axon
Site Axon
The landscape was carved out to follow the natural water flow patterns of the area, in a connected and unified system. This lowered landscape element moves water quickly across the site and eventually back into the river. While the front of the site was preserved for various outdoor experiences, the buildings at the back of the compound were demolished to make way for a bird sanctuary park. The pathways on the site encourage roaming and interaction with the vegetation. The old embassy building and the interior courtyard now opens up to the landscape blending the interior and exterior. The existing block facade was then manipulated to hold various native plants.
Existing Site Condition
Site Seasonality and Features Section
New Site Development Axon
Metanoia l
Fall 2019 l
Site: North Minneapolis, MN
This schematic design proposal was based on creating a solution for assisting youth in North Minneapolis. The program designed was based around the idea of Animal Assisted Therapy, using animals to bridge the gap between patient and therapist. As the youth work side by side with the therapist to care for their animal they have the opportunity to bond with their therapist in a new way. The center sits along the river front in North Minneapolis and uses it’s unique roof shape to preserve a corridor to the park while sheltering views into the building from surrounding industrial buildings.
Exterior Perspective
Program Research and Findings
75%
75%
Youth That do Not receive Enough Mental Health Care
Patients Prescribed Medication Felt Psychological Therapies Would Be More Effective
45%
41%
Residents Under 24 Hawthorne
Residents Under 24 Folwell
50% Year
0
1
2
Robinson(1996)- Significant Decrease in Depression Rates and Overall Mental Health Issues
Patients Met Recovery Criterion After Cognitive and Interpersonal Talk Therapy (Out of 25)
82% Week 1
2
3
4
Marr(2000)- After Implementing AAT, interaction rates between psychiatric patients rose dramatically
Mims(2016)- In treatment of PTSD patients, Implementing AAT reduced symptoms by 82 percent
Purpose: To create an innovative treatment plan centered around Relief, Trust, Self Admiration, and Compassion. Based in a tranquil environment that truly allows an individual to heal and find purpose. Metanoia (n.) the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self, or way of life.
1- Animal Housing 2- Group Training 3- Group Therapy 4- Animal Care Classroom
5
5- Aromatherapy/ Meditation Space 6- One on One therapy rooms
6
4
3
2
1
Section Render
Interior Render
Interior Render
The building is set in an environment that is meant to be peaceful and tranquil for their healing process. As you progress through the therapy opportunities you move closer to the river front and the relaxing qualities that environment brings. Metanoia creates a beautiful place and one of a kind opportunity for struggling youth. Whether it caring for the animal, petting and playing, contemplating life with your animal by your side, or sitting with the animal as you talk through your thoughts. Metanoia is a place for healing, a place for growing, and a place to change someone’s journey.
Process Model- Animal Housing
Process Model- Animal Housing
Final Massing Model
Final Massing Model
Conform l
Fall 2018 l
Site: Hennepin Bluff, MN
The riverfront interpretive center brings the viewer through an informative journey as they make their way to the waterfront. Calling out significant aspects of the site and the rich landscape. The architecture assists in revealing the natural beauty of the site. The building leaves a small footprint, designed around trees and cliff faces to preserve the natural landscape and vegetation found there. The building removes none of the trees or cliff face on the site but rather works to preserve them. The building conforms to the site by molding to each crack and crevice as it creates a contrast between the built and natural environment.
Section Render
Floor One
Roof/Site Plan
Section Render- Small Classroom
The building houses classrooms, a cafe, an outdoor and indoor theater, and exhibition space. The cliff is used as a sorting element to place mechanical and non program specific rooms inside the cliff. While allowing the interpretative program to be on the outside of the cliff face overlooking the site. The building maintains a low profile and a flat roof to allow the building to blend into it’s landscape. The subtle moments where the building and landscape intersect is celebrated. The cliff face acts as the back wall to every room and the roof opens up to allow the trees to grow through the structure.
Left: Final Model
Revive l
Spring 2019 l
Site: Upper Harbor Terminal, MN
The Upper Harbor Terminal is a deteriorating shipping terminal utilizing areas of the riverfront in North Minneapolis. This urban design development works to preserve wildlife corridors along the riverfront while creating a more accessible resource for the surrounding neighborhoods. The proposal includes some new additions to the site while also preserving some of the more monumental gestures of it’s history. The development breathes new life into this location and creates a thriving ecosystem and resource for all.
Section Render-Tree Canopy Pavilion
Development Site Plan
Existing Building
Existing Structure
New Development
New Development
Tree Canopy Pavilion
Ecology Research Center
Climbing Wall and Observation Tower
Animal Hospital/ Wildlife Viewing
Conservatory
Kayak Rental Bat Habitat and Education
Venue Rental/ice rink
The basic idea is to create the building blocks for the landscape and habitats along the river to heal themselves, and use the architecture as vessels for viewing that change. Creating an environment where not only humans and wild life coexist, but where they thrive.
Preserved Wildlife Corridors
Section Render-Wildlife Viewing
Healing Process
5 Year
Dense Woodlands
Creates Region of protection for raising wildlife and to create habitat zones. Thick forested area acts as a buffer zone from the highways and neighborhoods.
Preserved Movement Corridors
Allows wildlife to circulate from habitats and across the site
10 Year
15 Year
Constructed Wetland
Allows flooding along the riverfront and places for migratory birds to nest. Placement along the river allows for easy access to wildlife using the river as a corridor.
Habitat Zones
Process Sketch
Process Sketch
Process Model- Circulation
Site Massing Model
declandemille@gmail.com Arizona State University Tempe, AZ
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DECLAN DEMILLE