Urban Textures Elisabeth Machielse Master of Architecture Candidate University of Pennyslvania Weitzman School of Design
2 | Weitzman Design
Contents
01 Ecological Playscapes Childcare and Community Center
02 Neighborhood Symbiosis A Response to Sea Level Rise
03 Monumental Memories Museum Archive Extension
04 Fructifying Centers Future Sutures Urban Market
05 Wellness Networks Market + Maternal Health Clinic
06 Edge Optics Visual Studies + Digital Fabrication
07 Neighborhood Networks LoLux Urban Housing
Elisabeth Machielse | 3
4 | Weitzman Design
01 Ecological Play Childcare Center and Community Center In collaboration with Juliet McCooey Arch 602 | Professor Miroslava Brooks
Elisabeth Machielse | 5
Play is a powerful experience and tool for children in the way it allows them to explore new ideas, learn about their physical and mental capabilities, and understand their surroundings more. When combined with education, the values of these playscapes can compound into an even more incredible experience. Ecological Play will allow children and adults alike to come together and learn about different ecologies in a playful, light-hearted way. The project focuses on creating a fun, explorative, and open learning environment. The main program is split into three buildings, a childcare center, community center, and event space, and the landscape includes a wild meadow, sensory garden, playgrounds, and learning areas. The buildings themselves have large atrium spaces to welcome visitors. These atriums and the connecting lobby all contain play spaces where children can jump around, use climbing walls, or weave in between the colorful columns. The buildings are also stacked together to create a ‘floating’ effect between some of the pieces. This is to encourage the children to use the panoramic views to study their surrounding environment. The buildings are meant to create a fun, lively way for children and adults to learn about their surroundings and garner a greater appreciation for them. The atrium spaces also feature beautiful hanging gardens and plants that lead up to the space, creating a strong connection between the building and surrounding landscape. No matter where a student is in the building, they have a glimpse out into either the lush atrium, bamboo grove, or sensory garden. These views are facilitated by the main curtain walls and walls with stones removed from the facade for a glimpse outside. Throughout the project, the connection between interior and exterior, play and learning, and places of interpersonal connection are always emphasized.
Elisabeth Machielse | 7
Aggregation studies of base unit for the buildings. The interlocking mechanism creates voids for features such as the atrium.
8 | Ecological Play
Chunk model of childcare center, showing classrooms, dining hall, play spaces, atrium, and surrounding paths.
Elisabeth Machielse | 9
10 | Ecological Play
Rendered plan of site.
Elisabeth Machielse | 11
12 | Ecological Play
Ground floor plan of each building.
Elisabeth Machielse | 13
Building Wall Section
14 | Ecological Play
Community Center Section
Childcare Center Section
Elisabeth Machielse | 15
Street-side elevation.
River-side elevation
16 | Ecological Play
Elisabeth Machielse | 17
18 | Ecological Play
Atrium and hanging gardens. Playspace on the left and lobby behind glass.
Elisabeth Machielse | 19
20 | Weitzman Design
02 Neighborhood Symbiosis A proposal for adaptation in the face of sea level rise In collaboration with Ziying Huang Arch 701 | Professor Matthijs Bouw
Elisabeth Machielse | 21
As climate change and sea level rise continue to worsen, people all around the world, especially in coastal areas, may have to relocate in order to live in a safer area. Millions of climate migrants will have to look for new places to go, which may be within their home cities or may even include moving to a new country. This can be a very difficult decision as climate change and relocation can have drastic impacts on people’s physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being, and can cause many cultural and societal strains. In Brooklyn, New York, many neighborhoods along the southern coast of the island will also have to contend with these rising water levels. Neighborhood Symbiosis aims to address these issues by creating a relocation plan and infrastructure such that people living in Gerritsen Beach, which could be largely underwater in the next century, can move north towards Sheepshead Bay. The project will focus on creating a safe space for the new residents to provide them with the tools for relocation, while also focusing on the social health and cohesion of the community as two different communities come together. Through a 3-phase approach over the next 80 years, the plan will develop a corridor for this transition. There are two main points of focus: the canal in Gerritsen Beach and a Community Hub in Sheepshead Bay that connects to the elevated corridor. In Gerritsen, coastal protection strategies will be put into place to buy the residents more time. Then, as people start to move away and flooding occurs more frequently, the canal will develop into a public park, memorial for the community’s history, and an education center to teach people about the effects of climate change. Once entirely inundated with water, the park will be returned into a wild area for native species and to create a wetland that protects the other parts of Brooklyn from flooding. In Sheepshead Bay, towers will be built to create space for new residents to move in. Over the years, elevated corridors will connect these towers to create physical ties between community members and provide protected spaces during storms. The community hub and connecting 3D park will create a transition point for the ground-level and elevated portion, while also bringing people together and promoting social cohesion. Elisabeth Machielse | 23
A: Sea Level Rise; B: Redlining; C: Racial demographics.
Site Plan
Project Phasing and Resource Flow
24 | Weitzman Design
Phase 1 (2030):
Residential towers
Coastal protection
Phase 2 (2065):
Community growth
Education + Memorial
Phase 3 (2100):
Elevated walkways + Park
Wetland growth
The project focuses on two sites, a community hub and an educational park, and is connected by an elevated corridor. Over the course of the next 80 years, and divided into two phases, each site will undergo development to help the communities respond to climate change, adjust to new living conditions, and
Elisabeth Machielse | 25
Creating an Elevated and Cohesive Community Upper Node Development: Sheepshead Bay
26 | Neighborhood Symbiosis
Ammenities and public space
Overlook and Events
Terraces and Public Commons
Play and Gathering
Elisabeth Machielse | 27
Building section, residential and public space
Building Use Designations
28 | Neighborhood Symbiosis
Building and Park Section
Level 04 Plan Sheepshead Bay Development: This community hub features apartments for relocated residents, amenities and resources for all as they address climate change, and public space for community members to help create social cohesian. The public park creates a vertical connection between the street level and the elevated community center, and features native species at the top of the park and greenery for storm water retention below.
Elisabeth Machielse | 29
Remembrance and Education in Response to Flooding Lower Node Development: Gerritsen Beach
30 | Neighborhood Symbiosis
Rising Tides and Flood Levels
1.0’
2.0’
Phase 1 (2030): Memorial 3.0’
4.5’
5.5’
Phase 2 (2065): Education
Gerritsen Beach Development: As the neighborhood begins to flood, the houses around the canal will turn into a memorial park for the people who used to live here and an educational center to understand the effects of climate change and flooding.
Phase 3 (2100): Habitats
Once the area is inaccessibe, the park will become a wetland where natural species can develop their habitats, while also protecting the coastline from storm action.
Elisabeth Machielse | 31
32 | Weitzman Design
03 Monumental Memories Museum Archive Extension Arch 501 | Professor Andrew Saunders
Elisabeth Machielse | 33
Seeing the shapes of famous pieces of ancient architecture evokes memories and associations that one has learned over the years. Students learn about these structures in history class, audiences see references to them in movies and books, and patrons can learn about them while exploring museums. These experiences turn into memories that shift when one sees the shapes of such structures, calling forth everything that they may already know and, even more importantly, the awareness of what they don’t know about those places. This project started with an analysis of artifacts found in the Penn Museum – in this case, focusing on a Tewa Bowl, made in New Mexico in 1940. The understanding of this object led to the development of a new type of container to hold it, emphasizing the use of Euclidean geometry and textural analysis to carefully develop each surface. This container was then combined with three other containers, each based on different artifacts, to develop a Curious Cabinet. Instead of looking at the history of these four artifacts in relation to a timeline, the cabinet looked at each object outside of their original context and interweaved them into a new narrative using both visual and textural methods. The cabinet demonstrates the ability of historical objects to reach across the boundaries of time and reframe each other. This cumulated in the development of an extension of the archives at the Penn Museum, situated in one of the main courtyards. In the new extension to the Penn Museum, these immense blocks establish subtle associations with ancient monuments of history such as Stonehenge and the Moai of Easter Island. By emulating the weight and regularity of these historic examples, the new addition to the archive encourages exploration and the search for connections between the past, present, and future. Each section is made to be reminiscent of those great stone figures, with an emphasis on structure through the use of Euclidean geometry. Furthermore, referencing the form of these ancient figures in a new way allows the building to become a space for reinterpretation of artifacts without redefining them – visitors can ask how the present-day events relate to the historical events connected to these objects. Establishing strong connections between history and the present emphasizes the importance of exploring what is in the archives, understanding how the objects connect to one another, and encouraging the preservation of such objects for years to come. Elisabeth Machielse | 35
Artifact
Container for artifact
36 | Monumental Memories
Artifacts and Containers
Group artifacts, texture studies, and each container. This page in collaboration with Miguel Matos, Yoki Luo, + Yulun Liu.
Elisabeth Machielse | 37
Cabinet
Assemblage of containers to hold artifacts
38 | Monumental Memories
Above: acrylic reflections. Below: artifact in void. This page in collaboration with Miguel Matos, Yoki Luo, + Yulun Liu. Elisabeth Machielse | 39
40 | Monumental Memories
Elisabeth Machielse | 41
42 | Monumental Memories
Elisabeth Machielse | 43
44 | Monumental Memories
Elisabeth Machielse | 45
46 | Weitzman Design
04 Fructifying Centers Urban Market and Park Arch 502 | Professor Annette Fierro
Elisabeth Machielse | 47
Over the course of decades, the effects of rain and cold, the stomping of feet, and neglect have carved away at the physical surfaces of Chinatown North. This act of carving has made the sidewalks more difficult to traverse while simultaneously revealing the history of the site – as surface layers are peeled away, they reveal the materials of past renovations and past additions to the site. Today, these patterns of displacement can be mapped when comparing areas of carving and accretion to the newly built and newly renovated areas of the neighborhood. The erosion of the current community is a growing risk as new buildings, such as loft apartments and office buildings, are added to the neighborhood. This marketplace is made of four sections, three of which are form a loop together with a courtyard at the center, and a separate pavilion to act as an intermediary between the open lots surrounding the site. To fight against unjust displacement, the new marketplace must act as a space for the community to come together and to support the people and businesses that make the neighborhood so rich. While development and changes in the community are inevitable, and new neighbors will be welcomed, these changes must occur on the terms of the existing community instead of in the interests of detached developers. By providing spaces for both more permanent and rotating businesses in the market, businesses of all kinds and stages can find a place to grow. There are permanent market stalls, open spaces for the rotating flea market, an area for food, and meeting rooms and workshop spaces for business owners and artists. The building also diverts rainwater from the roof and surrounding site area – while water can be a major catalyst for erosion, collecting and reusing that which typically breaks down a space demonstrates new opportunities for growth and developments. As visitors move upwards, the hallways become more narrow and winding like the halls of a souk, creating a long, evolving corridor of markets and meeting spaces. This type of form brings a sense of closeness to the market and allows the visitors to feel simultaneously enveloped in a space of their own, while still being a part of the city.
Elisabeth Machielse | 49
Examples of erosion + changing textures in the site.
50 | Fructifying Centers
Mapping of erosion (grey), growth (green) and displacement / new construction (pink) in the neighborhood. Showing the effect of human and natural forces that have shaped the site.
Elisabeth Machielse | 51
Building circulation.
52 | Fructifying Centers
Growth of trees onto roof.
Water-collection channels on roof.
Elisabeth Machielse | 53
54 | Fructifying Centers
Elisabeth Machielse | 55
56 | Weitzman Design
05 Wellness Networks HOK Futures Design Competition 2021 In collaboration with Juliet McCooey Urban Market + Maternal Health Clinic
Elisabeth Machielse | 57
In a time that total community health has become more important than ever, this West Philadelphia project focuses on improving the physical, social, and environmental health of the surrounding community. It includes a market and maternal health clinic as the primary program, as well as a greenhouse, shading design over the market, and a ‘pop-up’ community space that can be used as a vaccination clinic, soup kitchen, or for other community events. The layout emphasizes circular focal points that encourage movement and connect the site’s program together, thereby bringing people together into the central spaces. The canopy is a perforated metal system that provides shading and helps prevent solar heat gain over the market buildings. The interior panels of the canopy are laid out in a geometric pattern which is inspired by the beautiful geometric ornamentation found in Islamic mosques. This was done to help create a close connection to the mosque that is located on the opposite corner from the market and clinic plaza. There are three different types of market spaces: (1) a farmer’s market, a flexible space that allows different vendors to come in on a daily basis and is placed along the main road to give visitors easy access; (2) open market vendor stalls that provide a small kitchen and storage area for the vendors and a window counter to easily hand the products to patrons. These stalls line the entire building and a central corridor provides vendors easy access to transport materials and waste; (3) and large food and market vendor spaces that offer a larger area for vendors that wish to stay at the market long-term and allow for both take-out and customer seating. These market spaces are supplemented by a cafe, which is both a full-service restaurant and a teaching kitchen for children, and a greenhouse, which can be used by the children to learn how to grow vegetables and promote long-term healthy living.
Elisabeth Machielse | 59
7 3
8
6
4
9
5
11
13
15 12
16
17 14
18
19
23
25
24
21
26
27 29
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
20
22
28
Ground Floor Plan
Open Market Vendor Stalls Private Vendor Hallway Take-out Windows Take-out Counter Café Full-service Kitchen Demonstration Kitchen Storage Closets Seating Area Farmers’ Market Large Food Vendor Space Large Market Vendor Space Loading Area Trash Collection Playscape Clinic Reception + Waiting Area
18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.
Supervised Children’s Area Supervised Playground Storage Room Loading Door Patient Self-Care Room Clean Supply Storage Janitor’s Closet Standard Exam Room Standard Exam Room Standard Exam Room Standard Exam Room Ultrasound Exam Room Ultrasound Exam Room Retail Shop Pharmacy Community Green House
4
6 2
Site Section
60 | Wellness Networks
3
5
1
3
4
5
14
6
13 7 11 12
10
8 9
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Level 02 Floor Plan
Curved Market Canopy Farmers’ Market Seating Area Community Event Space Access to Clinic Storage Closet Multipurpose Room
8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
10
7
Kitchenette + Break Room Private Office Private Office Conference Room Open Office Area Educational Library Terrace
12
8
9
1. 2. 3. 4.
Educational Library Retail Shop + Pharmacy Supervised Playground Terrace
11
5. 6. 7. 8.
Waiting Area Playscape Open Market Stalls Full-Service Kitchen
9. 10. 11. 12.
Demonstration Kitchen Seating Area Farmers’ Market Farmers’ Market
Elisabeth Machielse | 61
Market Canopy Solar Shading
Market Type 1: Farmer’s Market
Market Type 2: Open Market Stalls
Cafe: Education and Non-Profit Restaurant
Pop-Up Space for Community Events
Market Type 3: Large Vendor Space
Playground
Maternal Health Clinic
Community Greenhouse
62 | Wellness Networks
Above: View of cafe, market canopy, and vendor stalls. Below: View of clinic and greenhouse.
Elisabeth Machielse | 63
64 | Weitzman Design
06 Edge Optics Visual Studies + Digital Fabrication Explorations during core curriculum and elective courses
Elisabeth Machielse | 65
Architectural follies were popularized in the 17th and 18th centuries as superfluous structures that could sit in extravagant gardens. Often using references to other times and places throughout history, they represented a ‘foolish’ or heavily stylized form of artistic and architectural movements. Taking this notion, and combining it with the power of 3D representation and 3D printing, this course examined the relationship between image and object through history and materiality. Edge Optics focuses on the translation of 2D and 3D motion as created by repeating elements and understanding how that can translate into a 3D printed object. By printing this object, which is rooted in repetitive qualities and illusion, it forces a translation between the 2D illusion and the laws of the 3D. The object features a simple, radial image that creates a pulling and moving effect as it moves outwards. This is then mapped onto a physical object that began as a shell made of dome-like forms. The center of motion in the image starts with the red dot, which was initially aligned to the center of each side of the object. Through a series of cuts and offsets that were drawn from the initial image, it created a misalignment between the images and the seams of the object. This condition was then furthered by stretching certain elements in the object - by elongating these areas, pulling up, down, or to the side, as seen on the edges, it could interrupt the way the object and image meet. It also continued to find the balance between repetition, predictability, and pattern, and disrupting that as the form developed. Through these techniques, the legibility of the object’s edges changes from every vantage point, sometimes being highlighted by a change in the texture, and at other times being hidden and blended between the 2D and 3D as the image wraps cleanly along that edge. Other elements such as the angle of approach, lighting, and size of the object could further cause a blurring of the edges.
Elisabeth Machielse | 67
Left: Original optical image. Right: Process steps.
Digital representation of folly.
68 | Edge Optics
Close-up views of 3D printed folly.
3D printed model of folly.
Elisabeth Machielse | 69
70 | Weitzman Design
07 Neighborhood Networks LoLux Urban Housing and Adaptive Reuse Arch 601 | Professor Jonas Coersmeier
Elisabeth Machielse | 71
The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway cuts through the city in a way that disconnects neighborhoods and pedestrian interaction on either side while making it more difficult to traverse the city for those who do not have a car. This system inherently creates inequity– some who don’t have a car have to spend almost 4 hours a day getting to and from their job in other parts of the city, and it becomes more difficult to interact with the neighborhood. This project aims to create a building that would bridge the BQE, find new ways to connect people with each other, and create more equitable opportunities for people to access the parts of the city and their jobs. To achieve this, the building focuses on connectivity and circulation and creates public space on three levels: (1) a transit hub that connects the community to the rest of the city. (2) weaving corridors and collaborative space that encourage interaction between residents, and (3) open spaces for family members to come together with each other or with their immediate neighbors. The housing units themselves are located across the six towers, where each tower creates an interior courtyard that tapers open towards the top to allow more light in. A weaving corridor on each floor connects the interior and exterior of the courtyards and provides ample space for residents to come together and sit. These courtyards are also all attached to the existing building on the site. This connection between the original and new structures effectively reverses the building typology inside-out – whereas before the building faced out to the street, it now faces inward to refocus on a sense of community and encounter. These courtyards attach to the existing building not to swallow the original building, but instead to bring it back into a neighborhood community that it was once isolated from because of the BQE.
Elisabeth Machielse | 73
Material cast study - for facade.
Material cast study - close up of textures.
Facade close -up showing textures and unit assembly.
74 | Neighborhood Networks
Building Elevation
Site aerial showing connection over BQE.
Elisabeth Machielse | 75
Cut-away diagrams and highlight of public gathering spaces.
76 | Neighborhood Networks
Ground floor: train station entrance and shops
Second level: train platform and housing
Typical housing layout and corridors
Elisabeth Machielse | 77
78 | Neighborhood Networks
Building Section showing unit interiors and outdoor gathering spaces.
Elisabeth Machielse | 79
80 | Weitzman Design
Residential Unit Options, each with two levels and balconies for public gathering.
Elisabeth Machielse | 81
82 | Neighborhood Networks
Level 1 of typical residential units and highlight of public spaces + walkways.
Level 2 of typical residental units
Elisabeth Machielse | 83
84 | Neighborhood Networks
Birds-eye view of couryard, looking down on the tram station.
Elisabeth Machielse | 85
Elisabeth Machielse