ETHAN THOMAS . ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO 2022 3
. SELECTED WORKS: 2021-2023
CONTENTS 1. TEXAS A&M VISITORS CENTER 2. STUDY AWAY - INTERNSHIP 3. SALVATION ARMY COMPLEX 4. STUDENT TEACHER HOUSING 5. THIRD WARD COMMUNITY CENTER 6. A CITY ABOVE A CITY 7. PERSONAL DRAWINGS
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY VISITORS CENTER
THE DESIGN OF PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES IS A LARGE MARKET SECTOR WITHIN THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE. FOR THIS STUDIO PROJECT WE DESIGNED AN ALL NEW FACILITY TO HOUSE THE APPELT AGGIELAND VISITORS CENTER. CURRENTLY, IT OPERATES FROM THE BASE OF RUDDER TOWER WITH OFFICES SPREAD ACROSS SEVERAL FLOORS OF THAT FACILITY. YET THE MOST PUBLIC FACE OF THE CENTER IS ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF RUDDER. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CREATE A FACILITY THAT SHOWCASES THE UNIVERSITY AND THE MISSION DESCRIBED BELOW. THE PUBLIC NATURE OF THE FACILITY REQUIRES A CERTAIN LEVEL OF DURABILITY IN COMBINATION WITH FLEXIBILITY FOR THE FUTURE. THE CENTER’S CORE MOTIVATION IS THE RECRUITMENT OF STUDENTS, PROVIDING AN EXPERIENCE THROUGH WHICH PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CAN SEE THEMSELVES AS AGGIES. THESE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS ARE THE WAY TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY GAINS AN EVER-EXPANDING COMMUNITY OF LEADERS AND INNOVATORS WHO BRING A DIVERSE SET OF EXPERIENCES AND POINTS OF VIEW, ENRICHING THE CAMPUS AS A WHOLE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, OUR COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD. THE CENTER ACCOMPLISHES THIS BY EMPHASIZING A PERSONAL APPROACH TO THE VISITOR CENTER EXPERIENCE. OUR GOAL IS EXTREME REDUCTION OF POSSIBLE FRUSTRATIONS FROM “WHERE DO I PARK?” “WHERE IS SOME SHADED SEATING?” “HOW DO I FIND WHERE I’M SUPPOSED TO GO?” “WHERE ARE THE RESTROOMS?” “WHICH WAY TO KYLE FIELD” TO “WHERE IS THE BOOKSTORE AT THE MEMORIAL STUDENT CENTER?” EMPATHY, PUTTING YOURSELF IN THE POSITION OF THE USER, “WHAT DO THEY WANT?” “WHAT WOULD IMPRESS THEM AS A NICE GESTURE?” “WHAT DO THEY NEED?” IS THE KEY. AFTER A LONG HOT DRIVE, FINDING PARKING, BEING ABLE TO ORIENT YOURSELF ON WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND FINDING YOUR WAY IN AND THROUGH THE BUILDING ARE STEP ONE. THINKING THROUGH WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OUR EYES HAVE TO TRANSITION FROM THE BRIGHT SUNSHINE OUTSIDE TO THE DARKER INTERIOR LIGHT LEVELS, COULD THERE BE A TRANSITION ZONE FOR LIGHT LEVELS BETWEEN OUTSIDE AND INSIDE? WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FAMILY MEMBER WHO DOESN’T GO ON THE TOUR? CAN THE GRANDPARENTS COME ALONG AND BE COMFORTABLE?
-FOURTH YEAR INTEGRATED STUDIO -PROFESSOR ANDREW HAWKINS - FALL 2023 - COLLABORATION WITH: ERICK SOLIS
1
THE CENTER IS UNIQUE TO THE TAMU CAMPUS, IT HAS TO HAVE ONE FOOT PLANTED IN THE VALUES AND TRADITIONS OF THE PAST, BUT HAS TO OPTIMISTICALLY LEAN INTO THE FUTURE. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE? HOW IS THE FUTURE PROJECTED ON THE 4 “FRONTS” OF THE SITE? HOW SOPHISTICATED DOES A FUTURE BUILDING HAVE TO BE? HOW MUCH POWER WILL IT MAKE AND USE, HOW MUCH WATER WILL IT COLLECT AND STORE? HOW WILL IT BE FRIENDLY TO MULTIPLE LANGUAGES? THE VISITOR CENTER AT TEXAS A&M GREETS OVER 70,000 VISITORS EACH YEAR AND ITS VISITOR COUNT GROWS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE 2012. ITS PURPOSE IS TO PREPARE FAMILIES AND PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS FOR THEIR ENTRY INTO THE 147 YEARS OF A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE, DISCOVERY, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE. THE CENTER HIGHLY VALUES THE STAFF OF 8-12, ITS 150 STUDENT WORKERS (35 TO 40 PER 7:45 TO 5:00 P.M. SHIFT) AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE TO SUSTAIN THE EXCITEMENT OF ARRIVING, ORIENTING, AND TOURING THE 5,000 ACRE MAIN CAMPUS. LASTLY, GIVEN THAT THIS IS AN INTEGRATED STUDIO, WE NOT ONLY DESIGNED OUR PROPOSAL FOR THE AGGIRLAND VISITORS CENTER, BUT WE DESIGNED AND INTEGRATED THE STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS FOR IT AS WELL.
Site Plan Site Plan 1’1’ == 1/16” 1/16”
TAMU VISITOR CENTER
ETHAN THOMAS + ERICK SOLIS
SITE VICINITY
A
5
2
5
7
6
B
C
D
9
3 E
F
8 10
1
G
H
1 - Auditorium 2 - Mechanical Room 3 - Storage 4 - Prep Room 5 - Restrooms 6 - Corp Dorm 7 - Standard Dorm 8 - Cafe 9 - Interactive Screens 10 - Audio Visual Room (AV)
2
I
J
2
4
3
K
1
FLOOR PLAN - LEVEL 01 1’ - 1/8”
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
A
2
5
5
12 B
11
11
C
14
13
D
13 E
13 F
13 1
G
13
13
H
1 - Auditorium 2 - Mechanical Room 5 - Restrooms 11 - Multipurpose Rooms 12 - Worker Break Room 13 - Offices 14 - Cubicles
I
J
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
ETHAN THOMAS + ERICK SOLIS
FLOOR PLAN - LEVEL 02 1’ - 1/8”
11
12
13
14
15
A
2” AIR GAP
INSULATION
WIRE TIE B
CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB C
WEATHER BOARD
D
STEEL RELIEF ANGLE E
F
SHEATHING
G
BRICK VENEER
RIGID INSULATION H
I
CONCAVE TOOLED JOINT
J
FLAT HOWE TRUSS BEAM WIDE FLANGE TOP CHORD K
1
2
4
3
5
7
6
8
9
10
STRUCTURAL PLAN - LEVEL 01
11
12
13
14
15
STRUCTURAL PLAN - LEVEL 02 2” AIR GAP
RIGID INSULATION
A
BRICK VENEER
WIRE TIE
INSULATION
B
C
WEATHER BOARD D
SHEATHING E
F
G
SEALANT AND CLOSED CELL BACKER ROD WITH WEEP HOLES FOR HEAD FLASHING DRAINAGE
H
INTERIOR AIR SEAL
TRIM COVER
I
PRESSURE BAR J
CURTAIN WALL HEAD EXTRUSION
K
GLAZING GASKETS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
INSULATING GLASS UNIT
Supply Return Exhaust
HVAC PLAN - LEVEL 01
HVAC PLAN - LEVEL 02
02
01
03
05
04
06
07
08
10
09
11
12
13
14
15
Level 3 39' - 0"
Level 2 22' - 0"
Level 1 0' - 0"
SECTION AA 1’ - 1/8” 15
14
13
12
11
10
09
08
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
Level 3 39' - 0"
Level 2 22' - 0"
Level 1 0' - 0"
SECTION AB 1’ - 1/8”
STUDY AWAY INTERNSHIP - MARMON MOK ARCHITECTURE
DURING YOUR THIRD YEAR OF ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN A “STUDY AWAY” SEMESTER. DURING THIS SEMESTER, WHETHER IT BE FALL OR SPRING, YOU ARE GIVEN THE OPTION OF AN INTERNSHIP, OR STUDY ABROAD. WITH THESE OPTIONS AT HAND, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGHT TO SECURE AN INTERNSHIP AT MARMON MOK ARCHITECTS IN SAN ANTONIO FROM JANUARY 2023 - AUGUST 2023. DURING MY EIGHT MONTHS THERE, I WAS GIVEN MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND PROJECTS TO BE A PART OF, FROM GRAPHICS FOR AN AIA AWARD SUBMITTAL, TO GRAPHICS FOR AN NIL BID, TO A HOSPITAL REBUILD, TO A $700 MILLION HOSPITAL, AND MANY MORE. THE LARGEST OF ALL MY TASKS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO SHARE, AND WHAT I WILL BE SHOWCASING HERE TODAY WITHIN THIS PORTFOLIO, IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE $700 MILLION METHODIST WOMENS AND CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. FOR THIS PROJECT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND AND ANALYZE ADA COMPLIANCE, PARTICIPATE IN PUNCH WALKS FOR STRUCTURE AND FOR FINISHES, MEET WITH ENGINEERS, AND RESPOND TO CODE COMPLIANCE CHECKS. THESE EIGHT MONTHS OF REAL-WORLD EXPIRENCE ALLOWED ME TO GAIN AXP HOURS, AND UNDERSTAND HOW AN ARCHITECTURE FIRM OPERATES. FROM DAY TO DAY REVIT MODEL SETUP, COLLABORATION MEETINGS WITH ENGINEERS AND CONSTRUCTION, CLIENT MEETINGS, INTERNAL OFFICE COLLABORATION, GRAPHICS, DESIGN PROCESSES, AND MORE. ALL OF WHICH ALLOWED ME TO GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE AND OUTLOOK ON MY STUDIO DESIGN PROCESSESS AND A NEW WAY TO APPROACH DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
-THIRD YEAR STUDY AWAY -INTERNSHIP - SPRING-SUMMER 2023 - MARMON MOK ARCHITECTURE - SAN ANTONIO
2
BACK IN LATE 2017, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL SYSTEM PLACED A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITION TO THEIR DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO CAMPUS LOCATION, A NEW BUILDING FOR WOMENS AND CHILDRENS CARE. BY EARLY 2018, MARMON MOK, IN CONJUNCTION WITH ZGF AND OTHERS, WON THE BID FOR THE NEW ADDITION. THE GOALS AND VISION FOR THIS NEW ADDITION WAS TO CREATE NEW BRANDING AND IDENTITY FOR WOMENS AND CHILDRENS SERVICES, PROVIDE FUTURE GROWTH FOR THE HOSPITAL; AND TO ACHIEVE A CULTURALLY RELEVANT, WELCOMING, COMFORTABLE AND EVIDENCE-BASED HEALING ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL BE THE PRIDE OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEYOND. WITH THE REQUIREMENTS BEING THAT THE DESIGN MUST CONSIST OF AT LEAST 546,000 SQ.FT. OF CLINICAL BED TOWER SPACE AND A NEW SHELL SPACE FOR FUTURE EXPANSION, AS WELL AS A PARKING GARAGE CONSISTING OF AT LEAST 750 PARKING SPACES. LASTLY, IN GENERAL TERMS, THE DESIGN MUST ACHIEVE A LEED SILVER CERTIFICATION OR HIGHER. FOR THIS PROJECT, THE ALLOCABLE BUDGET IS APPROXIMATELY $760,000,000. HAVING THESE REQUIREMENTS NOW CONTRACTUALLY BOUND, MARMON MOK SET OUT TO CREATE A BUILDING THAT INCORPORATED LARGE AMOUNTS OF NATURAL LIGHT WHILE STILL REMAINING ENERGY EFFICIENT, CREATE PUBLIC AREAS BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, INCORPORATE GREENERY WITH A ROOFTOP GARDEN AND GREEN WALKWAYS FOR INCREASED HEALTH, ENHANCE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WITH A SUITABLE DROP OFF AND PICKUP LOCATION WITH FLOW-THROUGH DESIGN, AND CREATE A STATE-OF-THE-ART SYSTEM OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY WITH ITS SHADING SYSTEM, HVAC SYSTEM, AND MORE.
SITE ANALYSIS
STRUCTURE
MECHANICAL ROOMS
BIRDS EYE
SALVATION ARMY COMPLEX THE SALVATION ARMY IS AN INTERNATIONAL NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A MISSION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO MEET HUMAN NEEDS IN HIS NAME WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION. THEY ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS THROUGH SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND MEETING A VARIETY OF THEIR NEEDS SUCH AS SHELTER, FOOD, AND CLOTHING. PATHWAY OF HOPE, A PROGRAM THAT ASSISTS PEOPLE IN THE NEED TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY BEING NEAR THOSE WHO ALLOW THE PROGRAM TO EXIST, IS THE KEY ELEMENT OF THE SALVATION ARMY ACROSS THE U.S. , AND PARTICULARLY; IN BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION. WITH THE EXTREME GROWTH OF BRAZOS COUNTY, BRYAN AND COLLEGE STATION HAVE GONE FROM TWO SEPARATE TOWNS, ALMOST BECOMING ONE. HOWEVER, KEEPING IN MIND THE CONTEXT OF BRYAN AS THE MORE HISTORICAL ELEMENT OF THE TWO, WE HAVE TAKEN INTO HEAVY CONSIDERATION THE TRADITIONS AND SURROUNDINGS OF OUR SITE. WITH OUR FIRST CONSIDERATION BEING THE NEWLY BUILT AGGIE SHACKS NEIGHBORING IT, WE HAVE TAKEN EXTREME DELIBERATION WITH HOW OUR NEW DESIGN RESPONDS TO THAT HOUSING CONDITION, SO THAT IT IS NOT TOO OVERBEARING TO THE HUMAN SCALE AND ENSURES NOT TO LESSEN ITS SURROUNDINGS WHEN PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGN A NEW COMPLEX FOR THE SALVATION ARMY OF BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR PROGRAM PATHWAY OF HOPE, WE TOOK IN ALL CONSIDERATIONS AND ASPECTS FOR THE DESIGN OF THIS PROJECT. FOR OUR PROPOSAL, WE TOOK ON A SIMILAR LINEAR DESIGN OF THE SITE AS WE FOUND THAT IT WORKS EXACTLY AS NEEDED TO PRESENT OUR NEW ADDITIONS, AS WELL AS MAINTAIN THE REQUESTS FROM SALVATION ARMY, SUCH AS A SENSE OF CONTAINMENT AND INTERNAL COMMUNITY, WHILE STILL BRINGING FORTH NEW SPACE IN THE FORM OF COURTYARDS, SEATING AREAS, AND MORE.
-THIRD YEAR STUDIO -PROFESSOR TYRENE CALVSBERT - FALL 2022 - COLLABORATION WITH: AARON KELLER AND MARTIN CHO
3
WITH MORE ELEMENTS ADDING UP TOWARDS THE SALVATION ARMY’S GOAL, ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES WAS TO MAINTAIN A REALISTIC APPROACH TO THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT, TAKING MEASURES IN THE FORM OF MATERIALITY AND SIMPLISTIC CONSTRUCTION METHODS TO HELP OBTAIN A FUNCTIONAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN WHILST WORKING WITHIN THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS. THE ORGANIZATION OF OUR DESIGN ALLOWS FOR ACCESS TO THE SITE BASED ON AN HOURLY STRATEGY. HAVING THE DESIGNATED BUILDINGS OPEN FOR THE TIME REQUIRED, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO LOCK UP SECTIONS OF THE SITE AT A TIME WITHOUT AFFECTING THE OPERATION OF OTHER LOGISTICS WITHIN. OUR STRATEGY CAN BE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE MATERIALITY OF THE PROJECT; WE WERE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE CHAPEL SPECIFFICALLY, CONTAINING ITS BRICK WALLS AND GLASS STAINED WINDOWS, ALLOWING US TO EXPAND ON AND CREATE A NEW FACE TO THE CHAPEL’S SOUTHERN-FACING EDGE. USING A COMBINATION OF BRICK SAMPLES FROM THE EXISTING BUILDING, AND THE ADDITION OF METAL BANDS WRAPPING AROUND THE NEW FACADE, WE WERE ABLE TO COMBINE THE OLD WITH THE NEW, CREATING A SEAMLESS, FUNCTIONAL ADDITION TO THE CHAPEL. THIS WRAPPING BAND OF GLASS AND METAL CARRIES THROUGHOUT THE SITE ENTRY LEADING THE USER INTO THE RECEPTION AREA TO BE RECEIVED. FURTHER PAST THAT AND INTO THE INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE, WE CHOSE TO PROVIDE A WOODEN FRAMED STRUCTURE WITH A BRICK VENEER CARRYING ALONG THE STREETS EDGE PLACED ON A CONCRETE BASE, SIMILAR TO THE CHAPEL’S CONFIGURATION TO PREVENT ONE OF THE SALVATION ARMY’S REQUIREMENTS OF WATER DAMAGE ON THEIR EXISTING STRUCTURES, NOT ONLY SAVING ON COST WHILE PROVIDING A COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION. ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SITE, OUR HOUSING CONDITION CALLS FOR A STACKED ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITS, OFFERING A METAL FRAME AND SIMPLE CONCRETE FOUNDATION. THROUGHOUT THE UNITS ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES WAS ALIGNING ANY WET-WALLS FOR PLUMBING CONSTRUCTION TO BE LOWER IN COST. WE BELIEVE THAT THROUGH THESE CONSTRUCTION METHODS WE ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE A REALISTIC AND FUNCTIONAL DESIGN USING THE PROVIDED BUDGET.
WALL SECTION FOR BRICK VENEER ON WOOD STUDS
1/2” AIR GAP MOISTURE + VAPOR BARRIER
ARCHITECTURAL FINISH: SEMI-PERMEABLE PAINT
WEEP HOLE AT 24”
COPPER FLASHING 8” 4”
COPPER TERMITE SHIELD
+056+676+10#. 5'%6+10
UP
UP
WAVERLY DR
KOENIG ST GROUND PLAN )4170& 2.#0 1’ = 1/8”
WAVERLY DR
KOENIG ST FLOOR 2 PLAN (.114 691 2.#0 1’ = 1/8”
WALL SECTION FOR BRICK VENEER ON METAL STUDS
1/2” AIR GAP RIGID INSULATION MOISTURE + VAPOR BARRIER
METAL STUDS
ARCHITECTURAL FINISH: SEMI-PERMEABLE PAINT 4”
8”
*175+0) 5'%6+10
FLOOR 1
TYPICAL UNIT
FLOOR 2
FLOOR 1 AND 2 863.48 sq ft
TOTAL DIMENSIONS
SQ. FT.
KITCHEN AND LIVING
26’ 6” x 15’ 6”
343.75 sq ft
PRIMARY BEDROOM
12’ x 10’ 6”
126 sq ft
PRIMARY BATHROOM
12’ x 5’ 2”
61.2 sq ft
SECONDARY BEDROOM
14’ 2” x 10’ 2”
122.4 sq ft
SECONDARY BATHROOM
5’ x 9’ 6”
47.5 sq ft
NOOK
9’ 1” x 5’ 5”
49.5 sq ft
PATIO
6’ 3” x 18’ 2”
113.13 sq ft
ROOM
FLOOR 1
ADA UNIT
FLOOR 1
TOTAL
953.89 sq ft
ROOM
DIMENSIONS
SQ. FT.
KITCHEN AND LIVING
26’ 6” x 16’ 5”
365.12 sq ft
PRIMARY BEDROOM
13’ 2” x 11’ 10”
155.81 sq ft
PRIMARY BATHROOM
6’ 6” x 11’ 3”
73.13 sq ft
SECONDARY BEDROOM
13’ x 11’ 10”
135.74 sq ft
SECONDARY BATHROOM
7’ 2” x 7’
49.7 sq ft
NOOK
12’ 3” x 5’
61.25 sq ft
PATIO
6’ 3” x 18’ 2”
113.13 sq ft
FLOOR 1
CORNER UNIT
FLOOR 2
FLOOR 1 AND 2 867.13 sq ft
TOTAL ROOM
DIMENSIONS
SQ. FT.
KITCHEN AND LIVING
26’ 6” x 15’ 6”
343.75 sq ft
PRIMARY BEDROOM
12’ 6” x 10’ 6”
131.25 sq ft
PRIMARY BATHROOM
12’ x 5’ 3”
63 sq ft
SECONDARY BEDROOM
14’ 2” x 10’ 2”
122.4 sq ft
SECONDARRY BATHROOM
5’ x 9’
45 sq ft
NOOK
9’ x 5’ 5”
48.6 sq ft
PATIO
6’ 3” x 18’ 2”
113.13 sq ft
STUDENT TEACHER HOUSING
DEVELOPED FROM RESEARCHING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION CRISIS IN THE UNITED STATES AND TEXAS, THIS PROJECT EXPLORES THE POSSIBILITY OF MAINTAINING A GREATER TENURE OF STUDENT TEACHERS IN LOWER INCOME TEXAS TOWNS THROUGH HOUSING. WITH SOME TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS BEGINNING TO WORK WITH COMMUNITIES TO INVENT NEW WAYS TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT TEACHERS IN THE SHORT-TERM AND INTERGRATE THEM INTO THE COMMUNITY FOR THE LONG TERM, ONE IDEA BECAME CLEAR, PROVIDING HOUSING FOR STUDENT TEACHERS. THEREBY SCAFFOLDING THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY AND PERMITTING THE REALLOCATION OF OTHER FUNDING AWAY FROM RENT AND TOWARD THE POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF PROPRTY INTO THE COMMUNITY.
-SECOND YEAR STUDIO - DR. ANDREW TRIPP - SPRING 2022 - COLLABORATION WITH: ERICK SOLIS AND JORGE MARES
WITH THESE THINGS IN MIND, THIS PROJECT BECAME ABOUT NOT ONLY RETAINING STUDENT TEACHERS, BUT ALSO BEGINNING TO REVERSE CENTURIES OF SEGREGATION WITHIN THE MADISONVILLE COMMUNITY. THROUGH OUR SITE PLACEMENT, WE WERE ABLE TO BLUR THE LINE BETWEEN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AS WELL AS WHERE THE CLEAR DIVISION OF INCOME WITHIN THE COMMUNITY BEGINS. INSTEAD OF PERPETUATING THE CYCLE OF PUSHING AWAY THE LOWER INCOME COMMUNITY AWAY FROM THE HEART OF THE CITY, THE PLACEMENT OF OUR PROJECT BEGINS THE PROCESS OF REINTEGRATION INTO THE DOWNTOWN SCENE. WITH THOSE OVERREACHING GOALS IN MIND, WE DECIDED TO WORK WITH THREE MAIN DESIGN IDEAS; A CENTRAL AXIS OF CIRCULATION WHICH PROVIDES AND PRECESSION OF PRIVATION THAT IS SEEN ON BOTH FLOORS, A SYSTEM OF “BANDING” THAT IS IN RELATION TO PRIVATION (SERVICE, COMMUNAL, PRIVATE) ON THE FIRST FLOOR, AND A PINWHEEL OF SPACES, POROSITY, AND INTERIOR ORGANIZATION ON THE SECOND FLOOR.
4
/#&+5108+..' 5%*11. &+564+%6
21
45
&'/1)4#2*+%5
Ä 9*+6' Ä *+52#0+% Ä #(4+%#0 #/'4+%#0 Ä #5+#0 Ä /7.6+Ä4#%+#.
21
218'46; +0 218'46; +0 218'46; +0 218'46; +0 218'46; +0 218'46;
45 /#&+5108+..'
21
' .1%# 5+6 6+1
8+ ..
0
*
1.
+ 51
08+..' 5% * + ) *
1
* ' / + & . ' 5 % &
5+6' 61 5%*11. 4'.#6+105*+2
11
.
/#&
/#
51
'06# 4; .'/ '
&+
/
0
+5108+..' & #
9 /CIPQNKC 5V
0 4CPFQNRJ 5V
0 /CFKUQP 5V
0 'NO 5V
0 /ENXGT 5V
0 6GZCU 5V
5 /CFKUQP 5V
S Elm St.
5 4CPFQNRJ 5V
5 /ENXGT 5V
537#4' 5+6' 2.#0
21 21 21
W Trinity St. 9 6TKPKV[ 5V 9 6TKPKV[ 5V
9 %QVVQPYQQF 5V
(.114 10'
(.114 691
'.'8#6+105
5'%6+105
KITCHEN
QUANTITY
DIMENSIONS
SQ FT
TOTAL SQ FT
NOTES
1
13’0” x 18’6”
241 SQ FT
241 SQ FT Double stove, oven, fridge, sink, & microwave.
WORK SPACE
1
17’9” x 18’6”
241 SQ FT
241 SQ FT Includes multiple
LIVING
1
21’9” x 18’6”
402 SQ FT
402 SQ FT
Includes two couches and 4 chairs.
DINING
1
17’9” x 18’6”
328 SQ FT
328 SQ FT
Includes multiple seating and two tables that can be arranged
STORAGE
1
6’6” x 7’6”
49 SQ FT
49 SQ FT
Adequate space to store any larger items or boxes that may need to be accessed later.
BED/BATH (FULL)
6
14’9” x 18’6”
273 SQ FT
1638 SQ FT Includes one bed, full
LAUNDRY
2
2’11-Ǭ” x 8’0”
24 SQ FT
48 SQ FT
Includes two washers and dryers with washers separated from dryers.
MECHANICAL 1
4’9” x 7’6”
36 SQ FT
36 SQ FT
Includes mechanical appliances such as water heaters, A/C, etc.
TERRACE
2
VARIES
601 (1) & 357 (2) SQ FT
958 SQ FT
Provide nice outdoor space at an elevation.
NOOK
1
10’3” x 8’6”
87 SQ FT
87 SQ FT
Includes two chairs and an entertainment center.
MUD ROOM
1
11’9” x 7’6”
88 SQ FT
88 SQ FT
Includes storage and has direct access from outdoors.
seating and tables for residents to do work.
bath, and storage in both.
4,116 SQ FT NASF 5,928 SQ FT GSF(0.75 EFFICIENCY FACTOR)
5,346 SQ FT
OUTDOOR SPACES DRIVEWAY
241)4#/
NO ASSIGNED SPACES
2,360 SQ FT
Spread out across site and includes a gazebo with a fire pit and seating. No designated parking zones, fits a minimum of 6 vehicles and is located on the southern front.
2*;5+%#. /1&'.5
THIRD WARD COMMUNITY CENTER
UNLIKE OUR PRECEDENTS; HOUSE OF THE WOODLANDS BY WOJ AND SUMMERHOUSE SÖDERÖRA BY THAM & VIDEGÅRD ARKITEKTER; WHICH ARE PRIVATE RESIDENCES SITUATED IN A MORE NATRUALISTIC ENVIRONMENT AND LARGELY REMOVED FROM THE URBAN CONTEXT, THIS COMMUNITY CENTER IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF HOUSTON’S THIRD WARD; AN AREA OF THE CITY THAT IS UNDER A NEW ACTION PLAN BY MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REVITALIZE THE COMMUNITY. IN RESPONSE TO THIS ACTION PLAN, THIS COMMUNITY CENTER FOCUSES HEAVILY ON TWO MAIN GOALS OF THE ACTION PLAN; CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER. THROUGH THE USE OF COMMUNAL SPACES SUCH AS ART GALLERIES, STUDIO SPACES, COVERED OUTDOOR SEATING, AND A GREEN SPACE; THIS COMMUNITY CENTER HELPS PROMOTE A BETTER WELL BEING, MORE CONNECTIVITY OF THE THIRD WARD COMMUNITY, AND A REVITALIZATION OF THE ENEGAGEMENT WITH THE AREA.
-SECOND YEAR STUDIO - PROFESSOR SHAWN LUTZ - FALL 2021 - COLLABORATION WITH: ERICK SOLIS
EACH OF THE BUILDINGS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY CENTER AS WELL AS THE GREEN SPACE ARE ORGANIZED THROUGH A PINWHEEL CONDITION. THIS PINWHEEL CONDITION ALLOWED FOR US TO DICTATE THE CIRCULATION OF EACH BUILDING, AND HOW THE USER WOULD INTERACT WITHIN AND BETWEEN EACH AND EVERY ROOM. ON THE EXTERIOR HOWEVER, THIS CENTER FOCUSED HEAVILY ON FRONTALITY, AS OUR ROOF FORMS AS WELL AS THE BANDED SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY GIVE THE PROJECT A SENSE TO A LARGER WHOLE, WHILE STILL MAINTAINING SEPERATION OF BUILDINGS. THIS IDEA OF FRONTALITY SHAPED THE PLACEMENT OF THE GREEN SPACE, WHICH IS PLACED BEHIND OUR BUILDINGS AND AWAY FROM STREET SIDE. THIS WAS DONE NOT ONLY FOR SAFETY REASONS BUT ALSO TO UTILIZE THE BUILDINGS TO ACT AS A BUFFER FOR ROAD NOISE ALLOWING FOR A QUIETER AND MORE ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT, ALL WHILE CONTINUING TO UTILIZE PINWHEEL AS OUR “RULE” FOR ORGANIZATION.
5
O'
10'
5+6' 2.#0
(14/ )'0'4#6+10 Ä 27.. #2#46
(+456 (.114
5'%10& (.114
13
14
10
18
BB
BB 9
11 15 12
0’
10’
30’
16
17
19
0146*'#56 '.'8#6+10
5176*9'56 '.'8#6+10 O'
0'
10'
10'
30 '
30’
2*;5+%#. /1&'.
THE CITY ABOVE A CITY
THIS PROJECT REPRESENTED THE SPECULATION OF HOUSING DENSITY IN AN URBAN CONTEXT WHERE THE GROUND IS THE FOCUS AND THE BEGINNING OF ALL THE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CITY. THE NEGATIVE SPACE IS USUALLY UNDERSTOOD AS AN EMPTY AREA; HOWEVER, THE NEGATIVE WAS THE SITE IN THIS PROJECT. THE ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS WERE; IF EXISTENT DENSITY AND CONTEXT ARE THE HARD EDGES OF THIS CURRENT URBAN SCENARIO, HOW IS THE INFILL APPROPRIATED TOWARDS A HEALTHY FUTURE FOR THE CITY? IF THE SKY IS THE LIMIT, HOW IS THIS NEW DENSITY OCCUPATION DEFINED? HOW CAN CITIES GROW ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT NEGLECTING EACHOTHER OR ITS INHABITANTS? TO INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES, I EXPLORED FOUNDATION CONCEPTS SUCH AS ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES AND OPERATIVE DESIGN ALLIED WITH CONTEMPORARY HOUSING THEORIES. THESE ELEMENTS ESTABLISHED THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROPOSAL. THIS PROJECT ALSO ALLOWED FOR THE INITIAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE RIGHT TO THE CITY, DENSITY AND LIVABILITY, SEGREGATION AND EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENTS, AND HOUSING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
-FIRST YEAR STUDIO - PROF. DAVI XAVIER - SPRING 2021 - INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
6
PERSONAL DRAWINGS
MY PERSONAL ARTWORK STEMS FROM THE DESIRE TO STUDY NATURE IN ORDER TO TRULY UNDERSTAND HOW IT IMPACTS DESIGN, AND TO TRULY UNDERSTAND ITS PROPORTIONS . WHILE CERTAIN THINGS SUCH AS ANIMALS OR TREES HAVE DEFINITIVE PORPORTIONS ANS SIZE THAT MUST BE ADHERED TO, I NEVER BEGIN A DRAWING WITH A SPECIFIC IDEA IN MIND. RATHER, I SIMPLY LET THE MIND AND THE PEN BECOME ONE, AND DRAW WITHOUT THINKING. THESE DRAWINGS ALLOW ME TO, IN A SENSE, EXPLORE MYSELF; AS I LET MY SUBCONCIOUS CREATE THE THINGS IN FRONT OF ME. SOMETIMES, HOWEVER, I DO LET MYSELF COMBINE THE WORLD OF ARCHITECTURE INTO THE UNTOUCHED NATURE OF WHICH I NORMALLY DRAW. BY DOING THIS, I NOT ONLY COMBINE TWO PASSIONS, ARCHITECTURE AND THE OUTDOORS, BUT IT ALSO HELPS ME TO BECOME MORE CREATIVE IN MY STUDIO PROJECTS. BECAUSE IN CONTRAST TO STUDIO PROJECTS, WHERE CERTAIN RULES AND METHODS HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED, THESE DRAWINGS ABIDE BY NO RULES OR CODE, INSTEAD THEY DERIVE THEIR FORMS FROM PURE IMAGINATION. MEANING WHEN IT COMES TIME TO CREATE FOR STUDIO PROJECTS, I DONT GET SO BOGGED DOWN IN THE STANDARD, BORING, REPETITIVE WAY OF THINKING. I CAN INSTEAD, ALLOW THIS CREATIVITY, TO HAVE A VOICE. SO WHILE THESE FREEHAND DRAWINGS NOT ONLY MEANINGFUL IN THE SENSE OF EXPLORING MY PERSONAL DREAMS AND PASSIONS, IT ALSO BECOMES MEANINGFUL IN AN ARCHITECTURAL TRANSLATION
-
7
6*#0- ;17