MISS
DONNELL PINDER
OBJECTIVE
“
Email: donnell1.pinder@famu.edu Address: 410 Victory Garden Dr. Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: 850.345.7959 Portfolio: https://issuu.com/donnellpinder/ docs/port_print
EDUCATION
To work in an environment
where the limit of my abilities are pushed resulting in professional growth which leads to company success and prosperity.”
2015 - 2017 + M Arch (Architecture)
Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida 3.93/4.0
Summer 2014 + MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts
Summer 2013 + Career Discovery
Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts
2012 - 2015 + BS (Architecture)
Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida 3.83/4.0
2010 - 2012 + AA (Architecture)
University of The Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas 3.15/4.0
EXPERIENCE Jun - Jul 2016 + THE DESIGN GROUP (TDG Architects) Nassau, Bahamas
Jun - Aug 2015 + Summer Intern
Worked with the team on the public hospital in The Bahamas. My task was to build the 3d model and produce construction drawings for the hospital.
Aug 2013 + LAWRENCE CHISHOLM & ASSOCIATES LTD.
Nassau, Bahamas Summer Intern Worked with the design team on a residence on the western end of Nassau. My responsibility was to 3D model the project in Google Sketch-up and Autodesk Revit for the client’s benefit.
HONORS/AFFILIATION 2015 - Present + The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) Florida A&M University Chapter
2014 - Present + Golden Key Honor Society Florida A&M University Chapter
2010 - Present + National Society of High School Scholar Jordan Prince William Baptist High School
2010 - Present + Dean’s List
University of The Bahamas & Florida A&M University
2014 - Present + Green Coalition
Florida A&M University
2014 & 2015 + Most Outstanding Student in Architectural Studio (3rd & 4th Year) Florida A&M University
2017 + AIA Henry Adams Certificate American Institute of Architects
SKILLS 0
Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Auto-CAD Autodesk Revit Sketchup MS Office Sketching Model Building Lumion
5
10
I believe that like art, architecture has a purpose beyond the practical realm. Architecture should not only provide shelter but should also make a statement and evoke emotion. Like art, architecture should be able to be beautiful and inspiring while still doing its practical job. There is this whole idea that only artists and others like them are capable of using the left side of the brain which is creative and innovative, while scientists, engineers, etc. are only capable of using the right side which is more rigid and practical. I believe architects must be in the middle and engage both sides of the brain in creating architecture. Therefore, this portfolio is a collection of my work which seeks to engage the practicality of architecture while still aiming to inspire others.
01
FRENCHTOWN ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM ART INSTITUTE
8
02
SOMERVILLE FILM ARCHIVE
12
03
LAGOON 20 DEVELOPMENT
16
04
DESIGNING WITHIN VIRTUAL REALITY
18
05
PILSEN ART SQUARE
20
06
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL
24
FRENCHTOWN ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM ART INSTITUTE FALL 2015 FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC PROJECT For this project I researched the art theory abstract expressionism and designed an art institute inspired by this theory. Concluding my research, I found it best not to directly represent the theory but to be the theory. Therefore, I created a work of art in the style of abstract expressionism rather than try to represent abstract expressionism. I chose to put my art institute in Frenchtown because it is now in a stage of revitalization. Which means they want to reinvent the way people see them. Frenchtown was at one time a proud minority neighborhood that had a strong cultural heritage. Over the years certain events took place leaving Frenchtown as a breeding ground for criminals, drug addicts, and the homeless. This is the reason for the revitalization efforts taken and I feel as though my art institute can be a useful tool in helping these people reinvent themselves. I chose to focus on the past and future of Frenchtown and used geometric forms to communicate both the past and future of Frenchtown with certain elements tying them together.
PINDER | 8
“Architecture is art, nothing else,� -Philip Johnson
GROUND FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
FIGURE GROUND
THIRD FLOOR
PINDER | 9
NORTH ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
EAST ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION EXTENDED PINDER | 10
PERSPECTIVES
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
TRANSVERSE SECTION EXTENDED
PINDER | 11
Somerville Film Archive SUMMER 2013 HARVARD’S CAREER DISCOVERY ACADEMIC PROJECT My design intention was to create a building that exemplifies film or a place of viewing by its form. Therefore, I chose to design a structure which took advantage of the architectural language of amphitheaters which are associated with entertainment, for example a stadium. I also took a film reel and used it as a site and floor plan generator by creating a circle and allowing the site edges to puncture the structure at those particular angles ,therefore, creating the primary, secondary, and tertiary entrances and exits into the central plaza. The administration spaces, the gallery, and the theatre are all in the tallest structure while the library and bookshop are in the second tallest leaving the lobby and café in the smallest structure. I then placed the outdoor theatre at the back having the other three structures surrounding it to muffle the noise of the traffic. The center is the focal point ,therefore, I raised the plaza and designed ramps that start from the center, which is its highest point, and descend towards the edges of the site. Since the center is the focus I made it imperative that the only entry into the structures is through the central plaza.
PINDER | 12
“Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves.” -Julia Morgan
MODEL
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PARTI DEVELOPMENT
SECTION PINDER | 14
FLOOR PLANS
NORTH ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION
PINDER | 15
LAGOON 20 DEVELOPMENT FALL 2016 FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC PROJECT Lagoon 20 is a low income housing development located on highway 20 in Tallahassee Florida. It is known for its lagoons that act as focal points in the forest like environment. This housing development hopes to target individuals who were self-sustaining but due to some unforeseen circumstance suffer from financial distress. This development not only seeks to house these individuals but also empower these people who have more than likely feel victim to public embarrassment and humiliation due to their situation. This development acts as an oasis that gives these individuals the opportunity to better position themselves financially as to transition to more suitable housing. The lagoons at Lagoon 20 were introduced after discovering that studies have shown that our lives are diminished if we cannot establish rich and abiding contact with water. Therefore, we wanted to create a situation where there is water to swim in, water to sit beside, water to dangle your feet, etc. The planning of the development was a group effort ,however, the houses were individually designed.
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“Architecture is the art and science of making sure that our cities and buildings fit with the way we want to live our lives.� -Bjarke Ingels
SITE PLAN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
NORTH ELEVATION
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
SOUTH ELEVATION
PERSPECTIVES
EAST ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION
PINDER | 17
Designing Within Virtual Reality SUMMER 2014 MIT SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM INTERNSHIP PROJECT “Virtual” reality has existed for decades. However, this technology has not been widely explored until recently due to the equipment’s high cost and large physical size. At present, devices are much smaller and much more affordable to allow developers to advance VR technology. Currently in architecture there is a barrier between the architect and the space they design. Experiencing representations of space is entirely psychological. The architect must think abstractly to translate a drawing or physical model into a spatial experience. Therefore, I created an interface that allows designers to construct their designs within virtual reality. Through code manipulation, mainly JavaScript and C#, I used the X-Box Kinect, Oculus Rift, and Wii Fit Plus as tools of navigation in the virtual space. This interface allows the architect to use the Oculus Rift to look around the space as if in the real world, while the Kinect and Wii Fit Plus allow the architect to move and interact with objects in the space.
PINDER | 18
“The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art” -John Lasseter
INTRODUCTION
PROCESS
“Virtual” reality has existed for decades. However, this technology has not been widely explored until recently due to the equipment’s high cost and large physical size. At present, devices are much smaller and much more affordable to allow developers to advance VR technology.
PHYSICAL IDEA
DRAWING MODEL VIRTUAL
IDEA
DRAWING TEST MODEL
SOLUTION VR HEADSET
VIRTUAL TEST HUMAN PHYSICAL DRAWING MODEL TEST
BODY TACKING DEVICE
COMPUTER MODELING ENVIRONMENT
HUMAN INTERFACE DEVICE EXPERIENCE
SYSTEM VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET This device is used for its ability to allow the user to visually experience the virtual space created. OCULUS RIFT
XBOX KINECT
WII FIT PLUS
BODY TRACKING DEVICE This device is used to track the movement of the player; the movements of the player are then mirrored in the virtual world.
HUMAN INTERFACE DEVICE This device allows the user to move around a larger space in the virtual world then would be detected by the dimensional constraints of the Kinect.
FUTURE WORK Using this technology for historical analysis can be a future application. Tying this system to the way we learn about historical buildings built and not-built. In the future this technology can be used by professionals in the field. These professionals can use this to help their clients understand their design better.
REFERENCES Mitchell, William J., and Malcolm McCullough. Digital Design Media: A
Handbook for Architects and Design Professionals. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1991. Print.
Mitchell, William J., Robin S. Liggett, and Thomas Kvan. The Art of Computer
Graphics Programming: A Structured Introduction for Architects and Designers.
New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1987. Print.
PINDER | 19
PILSEN ART SQUARE FALL 2016 FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC PROJECT The concept of Pilsen Art Square is to promote civic life and social interaction. Theorists Allan Jacobs and Donald Appleyard’s suggest that cities should encourage participation of their citizens in community and public. The structure of the city should invite and encourage public life, not only through its institutions, but directly and symbolically through its public spaces. Therefore, the most important aspect of this complex are the exterior spaces. How to design these spaces, however, was influenced by Christopher Alexander’s book “a pattern language”. By providing small communal spaces, pedestrian eateries, a sunken plaza, an interactive water fountain, and 9% parking this development becomes a desirable social space for residents. Pilsen is known and sought out for its Mexican culture which is rich in the food and art of the neighborhood. Therefore, the development uses those two entities as main attractions for the site. Murals are painted on the walls boarding the Paseo, the wall facing the support storage and the walls boarding the site to the east. As for Mexican food, there is a food truck plaza and various eateries that are opportunities for local restaurant owners to come and sell their food bringing people to the development. Furthermore, the sunken plaza has a interactive fountain that is converted into an ice skating rink in the winter.
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“Architecture is an art when one, consciously or unconsciously, creates aesthetic emotion in the atmosphere and when this environment produces well being” -Luis Barragon
SITE PLAN
PINDER | 21
WIND FARM
SITE SECTION
SITE SECTION PINDER | 22
WIND TURBINE
PERSPECTIVES
PINDER | 23
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL SUMMER 2016 TDG ARCHITECTS PROFESSIONAL PROJECT This project is a renovation/remodeling of the existing public hospital in Nassau, Bahamas. My task on this project was to generate a 3d model of the existing hospital and make changes of this model where appropriate. Also, I was tasked with producing construction drawings and 3d renderings. These are samples of the documents generated.
PINDER | 24
“The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.” -Frank Lloyd Wright
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
PINDER | 25
PARTITION DETAIL
PARAPET DETAIL
EAST ENTRANCE PERSPECTIVE
CT ROOM PERSPECTIVE PINDER | 26
DRAIN DETAIL
WALL DETAIL
LIFE SAFETY PLAN
PINDER | 27