Architecture Portfolio by emeliact

2019

EMELIA THOMPSON graduate portfolio in architecture

CONTENTS

RESUME

HOUSING MATTERS lincoln, nebraska

ACTIVATED ENVIRONMENTS chapman, nebraska

REFORMATIVE ARCHITECTURE

MASTER PLAN prairie pines, nebraska

ARTIST COMPLEX prairie pines, nebraska

SHOWCASE NATATORIUM lincoln, nebraska

fall 2018

spring 2018

missouri valley, iowa fall 2017

spring 2017

fall 2016

EMELIA THOMPSON thompson.emelia@gmail.com / (319) 540-3669 online portfolio / https://issuu.com/emeliact

EDUCATION

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Master of Architecture (3-year) / Graduation May 2019

University of Iowa

Bachelors of Arts Anthropology Bachelors of Science Psychology

WORK EXPERIENCE

RDG Planning and Design

Summer Intern May 2018 - August 2018

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

Residency Program Intern May 2017 - August 2017

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Communications Specialist / Truhlsen Eye Institute August 2015 - August 2016

Office Associate / Department of Neurological Sciences June 2014 - August 2015

HONORS

Design Futures Council Scholar 2019 Tau Sigma Delta / Top 20% of Class 2017 - Present J.A. Schneider Fund / College of Architecture Scholarship 2017

ACADEMIC INVOLVEMENT University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Teaching Assistant / Design Make Spring 2019 / Catherine De Almeida

Teaching Assistant / History of Design Spring 2018 / Dr. Peter Olshavsky

Teaching Assistant / Architecture History and Theory I Fall 2017, 2018 / Dr. Peter Olshavsky

Peer Mentor/Student Ambassador / College of Architecture Fall 2017 - Present

Teaching Assistant / Career Exploration in Design Summer 2017 / Catherine De Almeida

REFERENCES

Peter Olshavsky, Ph.D / Assoc. Professor at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln polshavsky2@unl.edu Christopher Turner, AIA / Architect with RDG Planning and Design cturner@rdgusa.com David Karle / Assoc. Professor at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln dkarle2@unl.edu

PROFICIENCIES

Advanced Proficiency in Rhinoceros 5 and 6, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Enscape, Microsoft Office Suite. Working Proficiencies in Sketchup, Revit 2018, V-Ray, Grasshopper.

6 / housing matters

housing matters program: university of nebraska - lincoln date: fall 2018 professor: steve hardy “Often we get focused on properties and the physical aesthetics, but we have to remember people make the neighborhoods.” -- Shawn Ryba, Executive Director of the South of Downtown Community Development Organization Collaborating with the South of Downtown Community Development Organization and Neighborworks of Lincoln, the Housing Matters studio began with a challenge: how can architects add value and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods around Lincoln by critiquing typical housing norms. The neighborhood of South of Downtown had additional appeals: how can we add value without displacing disadvantaged residents. 90% of South of Downtown residents rent, and the average adjusted gross income per household falls under $30,000. The “fourplex” was explored as another option to a traditional rowhouse. Providing windows on perpendicular sides adds a sense of airiness found in detached single family homes, while two party walls decrease costs and maximize density. The units are adaptable in today’s shifting market: they can be listed as a rental unit and comply with all zoning codes, or they can challenge existing code and be listed as a townhouse able to be bought and sold on the secondary market. The history and culture of the vibrant South of Downtown neighborhood was the driver throughout in developing an updated model capable of serving and empowering the population.

housing matters / 7

existing density

proposed density

Existing densities vary in South of Downtown from single family lots to large multiplex buildings with 12+ units. Current zoning laws allow for a maximum of 10 units on a multiplex lot, and the existing structure breaks that code.

The fourplex proposal infills 8 units onto a standard lot. These smaller, single lots are more typical in this neighborhood, but the proposal does have the ability to be repeated across larger, serial lots.

19.00 40.00

20.00

40.00

19.00

40.00

75.00

19.00

35.00

15.00

7.50

15.00

7.50

16.50

50.00 3750 SF LOT / 937.5 SF PER UNIT / MEETS CURRENT R-7 CODE

16.50

1000 SF LOT / JUST UNDER 1250 REQUIRED BY CURRENT CODE BUT MEETS STANDARDS OF THE SOUTH OF HAYMARKET PLAN

25.00

rental strategy

home ownership strategy

As a multi family dwelling in zone R-7, the fourplex complies with all codes and regulations laid out by existing Lincoln municipal code and is capable of serving renters in South of Downtown.

Looking at small lot zoning regulations, the fourplex can adapt into a home ownership model. If designated as a townhouse sharing 2 party walls, the fourplex meets the criteria of fixed rate mortgage trends in the secondary market.

8 / housing matters

site plan By splitting a standard 50’ x 150’ residential lot into 2 50’ x 75’ lots, the fourplex is able to infill with 8 units onto what would typically only hold a single unit. As a high density neighborhood serving a large number of disadvantaged households, minimizing displacement was always at the forefront throughout the process.

housing matters / 9

CODE ALLOWABLE FOOTPRINT OF 35’ X 40’ ON A 50’ X 75’ LOT

MASSING BREAKS DOWN INTO 4 INDIVIDUAL UNITS OF 17’ - 6” X 20’ - 0” HEIGHT MAXED AT 28’ - 0” TO FIT WITH LOCAL CONTEXT .00

.00

7.5

.00

7.5

.00

0 5.0

7.5

0 5.0

7.5

.50

.00

0 0.0

.00

.50

.00

7.5

.00

7.5

2 INDIVIDUAL UNITS SHRUNK TO 18’ - 0” HEIGHT TO BREAK DOWN MASS. PRIVATE DECK SPACES SUBTRACTED FROM THREE STORY DUPLEXES, AND BEGIN THE CARVING OUT OF NICHES.

CONDITIONAL NICHE SPACE ADDED OR SUBTRACTED FROM FACADES, RESPONDING TO NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN LIGHT. .00

15 7.5

.00

20 .00

7.5

0 5.0

1 7.5

0 .00

.50

7.5

0 .00

.50 .00

.50

.00

7.5

ROOF PITCH ADDED TO RESPOND TO NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT AND STANDARD WINDOWS ADDED FOR COST EFFICIENCY

10 / housing matters

.00

7.5

.00

.50

.0 20

7.5

conditional responses

multiview perspective

The actual massing of the building was formed through an intentional process prioritizing natural light, outdoor spaces, and neighborhood context.

Due to the vibrant mix of neighborhood context, the units fit in with the street facing elevation while reflecting the industrial heritage of the neighborhood.

housing matters / 11

12 / housing matters

housing matters / 13

SOUTH ELEVATION

14 / housing matters

FIRST FLOOR

TRANSVERSE SECTION

DN DN

BASEMENT PLAN

DN DN

EAST ELEVATION

DN UP

DN DN

SECOND FLOOR

THIRD FLOOR

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

housing matters / 15

neighborhood association The South of Downtown neighborhood has a rich history, and the exterior design references to local examples of masonry facades.

16 / housing matters

interior treatment The interior is softened with ash cladding readily available due to an ongoing community partnership with the Urban Lumber Initiative.

housing matters / 17

18 / activated environments

activated environments program: university of nebraska - lincoln date: spring 2018 professor: david karle partner: paige nelsen Located in Chapman, Nebraska, Activate is a bee research facility involving three essential users: the public visiting the museum, the researcher studying the honeybee and running the apiary, and the actual bee – the glue holding the whole facility together. Early conceptual research was drawn from the hive and the swarm. An aggregate swarm intelligence is built from local interactions between each individual bee, forming a first rate collective. In the same vein, the research facility thrives on the interactions between separate buildings holding separate functions. The stand-alone structures of the public museum and café and the researcher labs are connected through an activated core, a seasonally adaptable, wooden structure that punches through the concrete masses of the two human zones. Spare, raw materials are used to showcase the natural beauty of the materials. These materials allow the earth to “scar” them as the seasons change and the environment adapts, letting the site itself become the architecture. The core shifts both naturally and artificially through the use of manipulatable wooden fins, and the introduction of foraging plants suitable for bees. This landscape grows into the core and allows the human and bee space to blend until they become one interactive zone.

activated environments / 19

SURFACE PULLED AWAY FROM GROVE AND PUSHED UP TO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC SPACE VIEWS TOWARDS THE BEE PROGRAMMING

SURFACE PULLED AWAY FROM WILDFLOWER FIELD AND PUSHED DOWN TO ALLOW PUBLIC ACCESS

SURFACE PULLED BACK TO RESPOND TO RIVER CONDITION

SURFACE PULLED AWAY FROM PRAIRIE AND PUSHED TO ALLOW FOR MAXIMUM NORTHERN LIGHT FOR THE RESEARCH SPACE

CREATE A COHESIVE SURFACE

SECTION AA

SECTION BB

SMALL MODULES LINKED TO

SCALE: 1/32” = 1’ - 0”

SITE PLAN

SCALE: 1/32” = 1’ - 0”

early conceptual research Early research was focused on modularity, conditional adaptations to aspects of site, program, and user, and local interactions to form a collective whole.

FRONT ELEVATION

PLAN

20 / activated environments

An aggregate swarm intelligence is built from a few kinds of simple, local interactions between agents. Bees achieve collective wisdom by organizing themselves in such a way that even though each individual has limited info and a limited intelligence, the group as a whole makes a first rate collective.

THE HIVE MIND

activated environments / 21

programming Activation, producing new and evolving knowledge, occurs when the formerly independent zones of public, bee, and researcher crossover.

ACTIVATED CORE /

PRODUCES NEW AND EVOLVING KNOWLEDGE THROUGH INTERACTIONS AND DIALOGUES BETWEEN FORMERLY INDEPENDENT ZONES

DEACTIVATED /

PUBLIC ZONE ONLY INTERACTING WITH PUBLIC

ACTIVATED /

PUBLIC ZONE INTERACTING WITH BOTH BEE AND RESEARCH ZONES

DEACTIVATED /

PUBLIC ZONE ONLY INTERACTING WITH PUBLIC

22 / activated environments

DEACTIVATED /

RESEARCH ZONE ONLY INTERACTING WITH RESEARCH

ACTIVATED /

RESEARCH ZONE INTERACTING WITH BOTH BEE AND PUBLIC ZONES

DEACTIVATED /

RESEARCH ZONE ONLY INTERACTING WITH RESEARCH

ACTIVATED /

ALL THREE ZONES INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER

activated environments / 23

PRACTICAL LAB (SEASONAL) RESEARCH ENTRY

COLD ROOM

HONEY EXTRACTION

STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE OFFICES PRACTICAL LAB

MECHANICAL ROOM

LOADING DOCK

RESTROOMS

MECH ROOM

HOT ROOM

RETAIL/CAFE

EXHIBITION

24 / activated environments

LOBBY

MOLECULAR LABS

RESTROOMS

PUBLIC ENTRY

floor plan (left) The square footage of each building was carefully coordinated to minimize waste and maximize energy conservation.

elevations The rolling hills of the Platte River Valley are taken advantage of. The public building is raised 5 feet above the research building, allowing for maximum views of the river valley. The research building is buried for energy conservation and privacy.

activated environments / 25

N ZO

/ E3

A SE

26 / activated environments

U /P

INT

TIO

3 NE

INT

TIO

E ON

INT

TIO

evolving knowledge Three zones were laid out during the programming phase: public (top right), research (bottom right), and the interactive core (left). The interaction between the three formerly independent zones generates new knowledge, forming a collective.

activated environments / 27

honest materiality Raw materials were used for both practicality and a biophilic nature. Large spans of glazing allow for uninterrupted views.

28 / activated environments

activated environments / 29

30 / reformative architecture

reformative architecture program: university of nebraska - lincoln date: fall 2017 professor: lisa miller and kevin augustyn with HDR In collaboration with HDR, reFORM focused on the decline of main street USA to determine causes in small town America and develop architectural strategies that help move these towns forward. The first phase involved a deep dive into the chosen site of Missouri Valley, and determining the vital components of a healthy community. The second phase was a programming study, looking at how a critical access hospital can inject life into a defunct downtown and create opportunities lacking for young adults. The final phase implemented both our research and our program into the downtown Main Street, mapping out exactly how our proposal would help the town and fit into existing context. All three phases come together to create a cohesive proposal that represents a new model for both main street and small town USA.

reformative architecture / 31

FAMILIES MOVE INTO FORMERLY VACANT HOUSES/FARMHOUSES

APARTMENT RENTALS CREATED DOWNTOWN

OLDER GENERATION AND YOUNG ADULTS MOVE IN

FEWER DUMPY STRUCTURES, BETTER TOWN IMAGE

CAH GREENSPACE + EVENTS/FUNDRAISING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE / WELLNESS

COMMUNITY PARK / AMPHITHEATER

BUILDING A LOCAL NETWORK

YOGA IN THE PARK

YOGA STUDIO

BIG CITY AMENITIES

LOCAL BARS / RESTAURANTS

TASTINGS, EVENTS, AND FUNDRAISERS

“BALANCE AND BREW”

32 / reformative architecture

LOFTS

PROXIMITY TO FREE AMENITIES

BREWERY

TIQ

ILL

IST

LIN

RA CY NC TO EA TH GE EA NC TR NC Y E EA GE NC Y RI

IST

programming Programming diagrams and adjacencies within the town were developed with a focus on community sustainability through the creation of symbiotic networks.

reformative architecture / 33

ERIE STREET

BREWERY

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

LOCKER ROOM BATHROOM

BATHROOM

OFFICE

UPPER PATIO

OFFICE

COMMUNAL WAITING AREA

STORAGE GYM

OFFICE

KITCHEN

DIETICIAN CLINIC

EVENT BALLROOM

34 / reformative architecture

CONFERENCE ROOM UPPER EVENT SPACE

AUDITORIUM

STUDIO CONFERENCE ROOM

PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC

LOCKER ROOM

OFFICE

COMMUNAL KITCHEN AND BREAK ROOM

PAIN CLINIC W/ PHARMACY

WELLNESS SPA & CLINIC

proposed north elevation

ERIE STREET

Materials were chosen to fit into an existing brick downtown and call back to an industrial past as a railroad town.

floor plans

STORAGE APARTMENT 4

APARTMENT 1

APARTMENT 3 APARTMENT 2

The first floor is largely dedicated to the community and wellness centers. The second floor blends programming among multi use spaces. The third floor is dedicated to the residential units for both senior users and young adults.

reformative architecture / 35

interactive perspectives The brewery becomes a catalyst for a vibrant downtown, co-hosting community events like weddings, reunions, and town celebrations.

36 / reformative architecture

prioritized views The proposal is intended to be a hub, creating a self sustaining and self sufficient link within the community.

reformative architecture / 37

38 / prairie pines master plan

prairie pines master plan program: university of nebraska - lincoln date: spring 2017 professor: jeff day partner: quan pham The proposal combines a non-profit artistin-residence (AIR) program with an organic farm (GROUND). The hybrid program does not simply juxtapose the two functions on one site, but combines their operations. In short, artists who are granted residencies will be given space and time to work and in return they will work a few hours each week to manage the organic farm. In addition to these two primarily private programs, we considered how the public would experience the site and its developments through a farm store, restaurant, and indoor/ outdoor gallery spaces.

prairie pines master plan / 39

PUBLIC RECEPTION AREA

INDOOR EXHIBITION SPACE

ART COLLECTION AND STORAGE

MANAGING DIRECTOR OFFICE

OUTDOOR EXHIBITION SPACE

ART EXHIBITION SUPPORT

SUPPORT STAFF OFFICE SPACE

PUBLIC RESTROOM

INSTALLATION AREA

MEETING SPACE

MANAGING DIRECTOR ONSITE DWELLING

COMMUNITY STUDIO SPACE AND WORKSHOPS

PARKING LIBRARY/ARCHIVE AIR RESIDENCES W/ STUDIO SPACE CAFE/RESTAURANT VISITING ARTIST RESIDENCES W/ STUDIO SPACE GREENHOUSE

CSA

VEGETABLE GARDEN

FARM STORE

FRUIT ORCHARD HERB GARDEN TRACTOR/EQUIPMENT SHED COMPOSTING AREA

programming diagram Four program zones were developed from initial research about the site and program.

TRACTOR/ EQUIPMENT SHED

COMPOSTING AREA FRUIT ORCHARD

HERB GARDEN

GREENHOUSE

adjacencies

VEGETABLE GARDEN

Program adjacencies were grouped together and informed site layout.

CSA CAFE/RESTAURANT FARM STORE

site zoning diagram (right) The bubble diagram was then laid over the initial site map, eventually altered according to topography responses..

PUBLIC RESTROOM PARKING

INDOOR EXHIBITION SPACE

PUBLIC RECEPTION AREA OUTDOOR EXHIBITION SPACE

COMMUNITY STUDIO SPACE AND WORKSHOP

ART COLLECTION AND STORAGE

INSTALLATION AREA

VISITING ARTIST RESIDENCES

ART EXHIBITION SUPPORT MEETING SPACE LIBRARY/ARCHIVE

SUPPORT STAFF OFFICE SPACE

MANAGING DIRECTOR OFFICE

MANAGING DIRECTOR ONSITE DWELLING

40 / prairie pines master plan

AIR RESIDENCES

ZONE 1: PUBLIC FACING

EMPHASIS ON ACCESS USING TREE LINES AND EXISTING BUILT SITE SEPARATION FROM ARTISTS CIRCULATION AS VITAL CREATING EXPERIENCES

ZONE 2: FARMING/AGRICULTURE EMPHASIS ON FARMABLE LAND CONNECTIONS TO DIFFERENT ASPECTS GREENHOUSE AS A LINK/NODE UTILIZING EXISTING BUILT FARMLAND

ZONE 3: SUPPORT

EMPHASIS ON CONNECTIONS LINK BETWEEN PUBLIC AND WORKSHOP UNOBTRUSIVE AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE

ZONE 4: ARTISTS RESIDENCES

EMPHASIS ON MOBILITY MOVABLE RESIDENCES ALLOW ARTIST TO CHOOSE WHERE TO BE LINKING INDOOR AND OUTDOOR, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, PRAIRIE AND TREE LINES UTILIZING EXISTING AND NEW PATHS THROUGH SITE LANDING ZONE OPPOSITE GREENHOUSE NODE AS A COMMUNITY SPACE COMMUNITY SPACE ON HIGH GROUND ALLOWING FULL VIEWS

prairie pines master plan / 41

42 / prairie pines artist complex

prairie pines artist complex program: university of nebraska - lincoln date: spring 2017 professor: jeff day The program combines a non-profit artistin-residence (AIR) program with an organic farm (GROUND). Both programs will be developed as institutions that close the gap between sites of production and sites of consumption: the production of art and the exhibition of art, the cultivation and eating of good food. The art side of the institution combines the AIR program (with artists on site for a 3-month residency period). In addition to this, both indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces are incorporated into the proposal. After developing the Prairie Pines master plan, this project focused on a deep dive of the community artist complex and construction techniques using engineered lumber.

prairie pines artist complex / 43

floor plans

DOWN

Double height space on the south facing leg allows for trailer parking. The studios are adaptable, and able to increase or decrease in size according to what mediums are represented that session.

STUDIO 1 UP

STUDIO 2

FIXED CLT PANEL MOVABLE CLT PANEL

STUDIO 3

DOWN

MEN’S BATH

DOWN

WOMEN’S BATH

BENCH

DECK/COURTYARD

TRAILER PARKING

DOWN

PERFORMANCE ART

FIXED CLT PANEL MOVABLE CLT PANEL

COMMUNITY SPACE

DOWN

44 / prairie pines artist complex

MEN’S BATH

TRAILER PARKING

WOMEN’S BATH

BENCH

DECK/COURTYARD

WELDING STUDIO

elevations The cladding is made from locally sourced ash. A sawtooth treatment on the roof allows optimal north light to flood the studios.

prairie pines artist complex / 45

interior perspective Interior spaces were formed entirely from CLT panels.

sections Space for the moveable artist residences was incorporated into one leg of the L-shaped building, while the other served as larger, community studios.

46 / prairie pines artist complex

NORTH LIGHT ACCESS

STUDIO 1

WELDING STUDIO

WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BATH

COMMUNITY SPACE

STUDIO 3

STUDIO 2

PERFORMANCE ART

ZINC CLADDING

CLT PANELS

GLULAM BEAMS

CLT PANELS

GLULAM POSTS

CONCRETE FOUNDATION

construction diagram CLT panels in a standardized size made up the bulk of the construction of the project. For larger spans, glulam beams were brought in.

prairie pines artist complex / 47

48 / natatorium

lincoln showcase natatorium program: university of nebraska - lincoln date: fall 2016 professor: david karle The project introduces the site in the conceptualization of architecture. It involves the design of the space between buildings and the effects on their elevations. We were given a program - a public swimming pool - and a site. More importantly, the intention behind the studio was to consider the following questions: What permanently and temporarily occupies the site? What functions on the site? What influences the site? What are the opportunities and constraints of your program and why are they important? The project goal was to treat an often utilitarian structure (the natatorium) as a theatre and enhance the perception of a competition as a performance. The experience of a swim meet becomes exaggerated, even theatrical, for both the athletes and the families supporting them.

natatorium / 49

MEN’S PUBLIC BATH

CHECK IN

WOMEN’S PUBLIC BATH

ELEVATOR

UP TO CATWALK /SEATING

GLAZING TO ALLOW NORTH LIGHT AND VIEWS

STORAGE

50 / natatorium

MEN’S LOCKER ROOMS

WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOMS

ADMIN

PRIMARY SWIMMER ENTRY AND DROP OFF

STORAGE

ADMIN

WOMEN’S LOCKER

9TH STREET

OPAQUE GLASS ON WEST FACE

MEN’S LOCKER

GENERATOR

“BACKSTAGE”

MEN’S PUBLIC BATH

UP TO CATWALK

CHECK IN

WOMEN’S PUBLIC BATH

UP TO CATWALK

LOBBY

DOWN TO LOBBY

ELEVATOR

OPEN TO BELOW

DOWN TO LOBBY

TO SEATING ELEVATOR

SEATING ABOVE

PRIMARY PUBLIC ENTRY

EXTERIOR PLAZA

ADDITIONAL SEATING ABOVE

A R STREET

interior perspectives

floor plans

Light floods the lobby space and invites people in, while the pool allows for maximum northern exposure.

A sawtooth exterior treatment was utilized to control southern light exposure while maximizing it to the north.

natatorium / 51

elevations

COURTYARD MARRIOTT

The building layout maximized downtown views to the southwest and minimized noise levels from the interstate.

50’ - 4”

GLAZING FOR NORTH LIGHT

29’ - 4”

16’ - 0”

BACK OF HOUSE ENTRANCE

BVH ARCHITECTS

9TH STREET

50’ - 4”

FRONT OF HOUSE

29’ - 4”

GLASS BOX LOBBY EXTERIOR PLAZA

16’ - 0”

BACK OF HOUSE

50’ - 4”

29’ - 4”

SEATING

9TH STREET

50’ - 4”

FRONT OF HOUSE OPAQUE GLAZING TO ALLOW LIGHT BUT NOT VIEWS 29’ - 4”

GLASS BOX LOBBY 16’ - 0”

BACK OF HOUSE

52 / natatorium

EXTERIOR PLAZA

SAWTOOTH FOR LIGHT WITHOUT DISTRACTION

STORAGE GLAZING FOR NORTH LIGHT AND VIEW WOMEN’S LOCKERS

OPAQUE GLAZING FOR NORTH LIGHT

TO SEATING

CHECK IN

ELEVATOR

UP TO CATWALK

WOMEN’S RESTROOM

MEN’S RESTROOM

section axon Clear public to private program zones exist as the user moves north to south. SEATING

sections

OPAQUE GLAZING FOR NORTH LIGHT

“BACKSTAGE” LOBBY

ADMIN

Height alterations allowed for stadium seating, a catwalk, and a double height lobby.

SEATING

CATWALK MEN’S RESTROOM

WOMEN’S RESTROOM CHECK IN

LOBBY

natatorium / 53

THANK YOU thompson.emelia@gmail.com