Fall 2022 Studio
Professor Aarati Kanekar Academic Work Cultural PavilionThis pavilion was designed for the upcoming 2025 Expo in Osaka, Kansai, Japan. I chose to represent the country of China choosing the sub-theme of connecting lives to drive my concept. When looking at the definition of connecting lives in the Osaka World Expo Master Plan, it states Connecting Lives is, “individual lives getting connected to build a community and enrich society.” Some of the points mentioned that stood out to me were response to climate change, new encounters, digital capabilities, and actions in context to the natural environment.
I created a pavilion that tells the story of one’ s journey throughout life as they connect with others and learn about the country of China together. This design creates an atmosphere that transforms what connection means for China and evokes a feeling of togetherness at the expo.
The Yangtze River is the longest River in China and a geographical point of connection in the country. A third of all inhabitants live near the river as it provides half of the fish and two-thirds of rice for the country. This project abstracts the geometry of a lake off the river, signifying the
connection between two regions and creates a topographical atmosphere within the pavilion. The site stands alone with no direct borders to other pavilions encouraging approach from all sides as you discover this unique gathering space that lies within.
Yangtze River
Dongting Lake
Jiujang
Wuhan Yichang Poyang Lake
Chaohu Lake
Hefei Nanjing Taihu Lake Shanghai
Chongqing
Lakes Cities
An ancient Chinese fable states, when two souls have something to learn from each other, an unbreakable red thread is tied to their ankle securing their destiny to meet. The first floor draws from this concept directly, creating undulating red columns that guide circulation and frame gathering pits at the open ground floor. A series of ramps float above the guests as they enter the space observing others on their individual journeys.
no defined entrance or exit inspired by the Yangtze River geometry influences other aspects of design undulating roof and exhibition space
The upper topography contains interior and exterior spaces that inform the location of geometry below such as the gathering pits or ceiling features. Taking elements from the topography and translating it to other spaces hints at the contrasting space above.
Visitors are immersed into an artificial landscape that encourages flow of movement like water. Exhibits showcase art using digital projections to teach guests about the Chinese culture. Access to observational lookout spots is located within these cave-like spaces for guests to experience this organic environment from different perspectives.
Spring 2021 Design Studio
Professor Michael Rogovin Academic Work Teaching Museum
Sitting amongst the trees next to the Peters Cartridge Factory lies this teaching museum. What once was an overgrown and flooded hillside is now a bustling community center. The campus features a Great Hall for large events, artist archives with a library and exhibition space, studios and fabrication labs for the artists, and housing for the on campus residents. One of the biggest challenges for this project had to do with the intense slope and the adjacent Miami River on site. The design had to address flooding issues while sitting structurally sound on the incline.
To combat these matters in regards to the design of the space, I created a series of forms that works with the topography of landscape; extruding forms off the hillside and creating cantilevers that form new spaces. The overall geometry of this large campus was derived from external factors including views, public and private spaces, and the flow of movement.
The sweeping ramp ties everything together acting as the spine supporting the project. As it weaves around different spaces, it promotes circulation and exploration of the site.
The columns supporting the ramp and cantilevered buildings blend with trees below, blurring the built and natural environment. This embraces the dense forest and protects the site from flooding.
The geometry encourages a sequence of views in specific directions drawing visitors towards internal activities or out towards the views of the land.
Vertical slats are along specific facades of the buildings tying together the composition and delineating private versus public areas of the project.
artist residences
admin
great hall
creative space
learning galleries
Entrance to the site extends from the existing parking lot featuring a driveway for easy drop off. The interstitial space created by the overhanging buildings provide an intimate and inviting access point to the community center. Spatial organization is based on visitor experience. The center of the project contains the most circulated spaces and the far ends the most intimate. Programs at the center turn inward
emphasizing collaboration and communication while learning. This teaching museum looks over the water creating a quiet exhibition space containing artist archives and a library. At the top of the hill, artist residences are situated with sweeping views of the site. Below, surrounded by a lush green space is a park for artists to showcase work in a casual environment or a place for visitors to relax in.
Spring 2022 Housing Studio
Professor William WilliamsAcademic Work
Large Housing Project
Located across the Ohio River in Bellevue, Kentucky, lies the site for this 100-unit residential structure with shared amenities aimed at the residents as well as the neighboring community east of downtown Cincinnati. The location poses many challenges and opportunities including questions regarding flooding, views, connection with the river, and the relationship with the adjacent context. How do you provide a place of gathering while keeping the lives of residents in mind? How will you connect with existing context without disturbing the area?
This design features sweeping views of the area and urban design in consideration to the neighboring roads and buildings. These factors in collaboration with a variety of commercial programs create a space of transition and a focal point for the area.
One of the main goals for this project was to interact with the river while keeping commercial and residential programs safe from flooding. Due to a majority of the site being in the flood zone, programs are placed on top of a plinth with parking underneath creating a flat surface for circulation above, safe from potential water damage.
Operable, wooden elements around the perimeter of residential units for privacy and customized views.
Residential spaces sit on top of the commercial geometry for privacy and best views of the city and river.
Organic shapes encourage flow of movement including sweeping, conversation steps leading to additional programs.
Located below flood plane made with permeable material. Direct access to river walk and main floor above.
The form of the building encourages the idea that views are constantly evolving. As you approach the space, the plinth above the flood plain contains a mixture of hard and soft scape bringing the natural environment into the area as you walk around the amenity spaces. These amenity spaces promote a sense of community for the residents living on site as well as those in the neighborhoods surrounding. The spaces encourage residents or visitors to gather for entertainment or just daily tasks such as shopping, food, and physical activity.
There is also a direct access to the river walk connecting the river and greater Cincinnati area. When entering the site, you are surrounded by three triangular forms that make up the main buildings. The geometries of the building shift every two floors and pivot around a main spiral staircase for residents. Units are arranged around the perimeter creating an open-air atrium and provide an alternate public, yet still private, space for the residents alone. Terraces are also at each level for more private communal space for residents.
Units are organized to fit within the triangular forms. Traditional one to three bed units are placed on the straight edge of the buildings orthogonal to the walls. Special 4-bed, double height units are placed at the rounded corners of the triangle with circulating views. Above is an example of a specialty suite and the unit organization is to the right.
studio1 - bed
A collective housing space that fits a total of 100 units accompanied by shared amenity spaces brings the people of Bellevue together. The food grocer and rotating food hall supports local merchants. The public pool with gym and spa provides a community center for all age groups creating communities within the larger picture. The walking path acts as an extension of the community and provides that connection with the river. The riverfront restaurant acts as a destination for visitors. These spaces all come together and showcase the beautiful Cincinnati Skyline sitting at the river edge.
Spring 2021 Design Studio
Professor Michael Rogovin Academic WorkSmall Trailer Exhibition
For this project, I designed a museum display that fits within the restraints of a trailer (7.5’ x 25’ x 13’). The goal was to expand the space and create an open floor plan while simultaneously interacting with another student’s trailer on a 50’ x 50’ plot of land. We choose items from the Cooper Hewitt Collection in the Smithsonian to disperse between our projects then continued with our own designs. To have an element of cohesion and directly connect the exhibits, I designed a folding ramp system that encourages circulation in and around the two trailers across the site.
Within my own trailer, I decided to focus the concept of movement and transformation creating interactive exhibition spaces. To begin this design process, a series of charcoal sketches, such as the one to the right, were developed to study types of display spaces and their relationship to light and shadow.
The kinetic aspect of the trailer made this a detail driven project, designed from a technical standpoint. This includes sliding doors to expand the space, fold down platforms for visitors to walk on, and attachable ramps.
Within the exhibit space, unique displays showcase the items above in extraordinary ways, tailored to unique aspects of each item. One example is an interactive trainset you can operate by moving a little lever in the wall.
wooden attachment for removable ramp
4’- 0” x 10’- 0” wooden plank detail for sliding doors
metal sliding door
sliding door track
1/2’ steel exterior panel
industrial steel hinge pair
4’- 0” x 4’- 0” (square corner)
wooden rails
wooden deck (2 x 4 planks)
insulation
drywall interior finish
1” air gap
0’- 4” x 11’- 2” wooden plank detail for sliding doors
1” air gap
industrial steel hinge pair
4’- 0” x 4’- 0” (square corner)
a kinetic physical model that drove design decisions
Spring 2022 Housing Studio
Professor William Williams Academic Work
housing charrette
Beginning with an extant row house in the Pendleton neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, I was tasked to create an entirely new architectural intervention within a block. The aim was to think fast and make quick decisions designing a project within little over a week. The clients for this renovation come from a list of characters from the board game Clue. This project was studied in section developing schemes designed around the chosen character. Later on in the design process, an appendage is added to the exterior of the home for another character.
I choose to design for Mrs. Peacock who is a party animal that requests a roof deck and added a greenhouse as my additional external condition for the character Reverend Green. I choose to keep the traditional brick row house to match the context of the neighborhood and use a proportional system to influence design decisions.
new appendages catered for clients
regulating lines enforce overall proportions
external materiality follow internal floor planes
geometry closely follows internal program
rennovation stays within site boundary
glass curtain walls indicate new additions
When looking in elevation, you can see the proportion system that is influenced by the existing structure and window placement. The plans also follow the exterior organization and are designed practically, based on everyday life of individuals that reside there. Mrs. Peacock is described as an entertainer so I decided to place social, gathering points on each floor. There is also no defined stair core but rather multiple types of
vertical circulation encouraging exploration of the space. the only entrance to the basement is through the greenhouse forced to enter the new space. The placement of the greenhouse on the long side of the building to capture the most sun. associated with internal gathering points with windows sanctuary engaging the space from other areas of the house.
space. For example, greenhouse so guests are greenhouse is located Its location is also windows looking into the house.
