My name is Emily Nelson, and I am passionate about design, travel, and continually learning new skills. Meeting and collaborating with fellow professionals in the architecture field excites me, as does the opportunity to contribute to innovate designs.
A few things about me:
• Linguistic Skills: I am fluent in French and have learned conversational Italian during my study abroad experience.
• Professional Attributes: I am highly organized, a great communicator, and a fast learner.
• Community Engagement: I am an active member of the AIA and enjoy participating in community events.
• Leadership Experience: I am not afraid to take on leadership roles; I served as Chapter President and V.P. for AIAS while at Kansas State University.
I hope you enjoy viewing my work and consider me as a strong candidate as an architectural designer.
Thank you,
Emily Nelson
CONTENTS
Native Title Fifth Year Project
Co-Housing Shelter Fourth Year Project
Micro Apartments Third Year Project
Manhattan Farmers’ Market Third Year Project
Professional Work
Selected Work
Italian Studies Fourth Year Study Abroad
01 NATIVE TITLE
5th Yr. Studio | Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Looma, Australia
Located in the rural Northwest region of the Australian Outback, this courthouse intends to address part of Australia’s complex and often contentious history of settlement among residents in the region. Placed in between the towns of Looma and New Looma, the program serves to settle land disputes, while also providing the nearby communities with a shaded, exterior gathering space for their active Aboriginal populations.
Given the program’s nature and the region’s hot climate, the courthouse is designed to operate off-grid, incorporating a range of active and passive design strategies. Active strategies include solar panels for energy generation, rainwater collection systems for water supply, and septic systems for waste management.
Analyzing prevailing wind patterns and sun shading is essential to create a comfortable internal and external environment. Consequently, the roof structure draws inspiration from the surrounding bluffs, while integrating passive cooling and sun shading techniques. These design elements are intended to enhance thermal comfort and energy efficiency, reflecting a sophisticated response to the climatic challenges of the region.
Hermsmeier, K. (2023). Native Title Timeline. College of Architecture, Planning and Design at Kansas State University. Alvarez-Romero, Jorge G. “A Timeline of the Fitzroy River Catchment(Report)” n. d., 117.
“National Museum of Australia - Mabo Decision.” National Museum of Australia; Commonwealth of Australia; Accessed April 13, 2023.
SITE
LOOMA
NEW LOOMA
GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY
RED ALUMINUM PANELING
The red aluminum paneling mimics the iconic bluffs of the Australian Outback. The material not only captures the earthy hues that characterize the landscape, but also offers practical benefits such as durability, lightweight properties, and resistance to harsh weather conditions.
WOOD FRAMING
Having exposed wood framing for the underside of the roof structure enhances the building’s rustic appeal but also promotes sustainability by using locally sourced timber.
STEEL GIRDERS
Steel’s high tensile strength and durability ensure structural stability and longevity, crucial for the remote and rugged nature of the Australian outback.
LIGHT GAUGE STEEL WALLS + STEEL COLUMNS
Light gauge steel walls provide a lightweight yet robust solution, facilitating quick assembly and reducing overall construction time. These walls, coupled with steel columns, form a resilient framework capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions.
COURTROOM SECTION
The courtroom’s sectional design is meticulously crafted to harness natural ventilation and provide sun shading, ensuring a comfortable environment. The extended roof structure offers substantial shade, protecting the interior from the intense sun, while strategically placed openings capture prevailing winds, promoting cross-ventilation that naturally cools the space. The courtroom benefits from high ceilings and natural light streaming, creating an open, airy environment.
Elevated from the ground, the building design ensures protection from flooding during the monsoon season and enhances airflow to mitigate heat accumulation. Additionally, the roof’s slope directs rainwater to a gutter system positioned at its lowest point, facilitating efficient water collection.
This integrated approach to ventilation, shading, and water management exemplifies a harmonious blend of form and function, enhancing the courtroom’s environmental responsiveness and energy efficiency.
GUTTER DETAIL
The design intent of the integrated gutter is to maintain a seamless effect, where the roof edge merges with the fascia to create the appearance of a continuous surface. This approach not only preserves the roof’s sleek design but also effectively facilitates rainwater collection.
3D-PRINTED MODEL ON SITE
02 CO-HOUSING SHELTER
4th
Located at the intersection of SW 6th Ave. and Watson Avenue in Topeka, Kansas, just east of the Topeka Zoo, the Co-Housing Shelter provides long-term housing for women and children impacted by domestic violence. The design prioritizes both visual and spatial connections to ensure necessary security precautions, as diagrammed on the right.
The 16,500 sq. ft. facility includes a Job Center, a Daycare, and separate wings for administration and residential purposes. Because the Daycare and the Job Center are intended for both residential and
general public use, these programs are aligned regularly with the street. In contrast, the more private spaces employ a slightly rotated grid orientation to discourage public entry.
Intermediary vestibule spaces connect private and public program spaces, extending outward onto the site. These transitions are marked by elongated stone walls, changes in materiality, and varying ceiling plane extensions and heights, creating clear points of entry and distinguishing between different zones within the facility.
SITE RELATIONSHIP
01 ALIGNMENT ON A REGULAR GRID
The building program was placed on the site according to a regular grid determined with the site and road relationship. The L shape was created as a result of the preexisting trees.
02 RESIDENTIAL UNITS ANGLED COUNTERCLOCKWISE
The L-shaped program the consists of the residential units is reoriented on a secondary grid in order to detract from the public program which hopes to conceal the residential spaces.
03 COMMUNAL EXTENSION
The communal space is pushed outwards onto the green space to form the kitchen and garden spaces. PVC cladding is also used in alcoves and spaces to add a playful touch.
04 INTERMEDIARY SPACES
Intermediary vestibule spaces connect the private and public program spaces and project outwards onto the site. These are represented by elongated stone walls and varying ceiling heights.
05 FORMAL CONCEPTION OF SPACES
The form is determined, and the finalized building form has its relationship with the road, neighborhood, and security as shown in the bubble diagram.
PVC SHEETS
PVC cladding will be used in interior spaces to provide a memorable and playful tone and distinguish spaces and alcoves.
SLATTED WOOD PANEL CLADDING
Slatted wood panels provide varying levels of permeability and provide a contrast to the heaviness of the stone siding.
STUCCO
Stucco will be employed primarily along walls with wood framing. It’s simplicity permits a balance between the exterior siding of the stone and slatted wood cladding.
STONE CLADDING
Stone cladding will be applied to exterior walls of precast concrete. The intention behind this material is to provide a distinct barrier between public and residential spaces.
03 MICRO-APARTMENTS
3rd Yr. Studio | Spring 2021
Des Moines, Iowa
With the growing population of Des Moines, there is an increasing demand for affordable housing options beyond the metropolitan area. This micro-apartment building aims to address this need. The building features four apartment types across six floors, offering a total of 84 units. These range from a 270 square foot studio to a 425 square foot two-bedroom apartment, catering to diverse housing requirements.
Research into the Des Moines population revealed that residents are active, frequently biking and walking when the weather permits, and that gym access is limited in the area. To accommodate these needs, the building includes lower-level office space and a coffee shop, as well as an upper-level gym and rooftop patio.
ROOFTOP GYM
2-BEDROOM
1-BEDROOM
COFFEE SHOP
04 MANHATTAN FARMERS’ MARKET
The Manhattan Farmers Market is designed to permanently house a market for selling local, home-grown, and homemade products. The project also includes a teaching kitchen and exterior seating area, which can be used for various outdoor events.
Before the design process began, a study using macramé was conducted to inspire the structural design of the market. The basic square knot used in each of the five weavings was visualized and extruded to create the unique form of the timber roof. Timber was chosen for its comparable qualities to the dense rope, providing both strength and aesthetic continuity.
3rd Yr. Studio | Fall 2020 Manhattan, Kansas
05 PROFESSIONAL WORK
2023 - 2024
Over the course of my year of full-time employment, I have contributed to a diverse array of projects across multiple phases, including schematic design, design development, and construction documentation and administration. During my professional experience, I have also developed diagrams to effectively communicate the firm’s work and assisted in AIA award submissions. This page includes work from a renovation of three buildings at Missouri University of Science & Technology.
These elevations and stitched photos are that of a historic private elementary school. The project required careful consideration of the local neighborhood context to gain approval for a second-story addition, addressing the needs of the expanding student population. Below is a floor plan that was also part of the schematic design phase.
06 ITALIAN STUDIES
Study Abroad | Spring 2022 Orvieto, Italy
Kansas State University has a global campus located in Orvieto, Italy, where faculty from the College of Architecture, along with Italian instructors, teach a studio, seminar, and Italian Art and History course. The curriculum includes numerous field trips, which enriched my knowledge of Italian history, culture, and language. I also enhanced my skills in sketching, photography, and watercoloring.
