Table of Contents Community Center-Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy Visual Communications-Italy Student Center-St. Edwards’s University, Austin, Texas Woodjoint Yoga Studio-Austin, Texas Visual Communications Fueling Station-Austin, Texas Density_Dallas-Dallas, Texas Mixed-Use Residential-Tech Comm-Austin, Texas
Fall 2010 Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2007 Fall 2008 Spring 2008 Fall 2009 Spring 2009 Spring 2011
COMMUNITY CENTER CASTIGLION FIORENTINO ITALY//FALL 2010 PARTNERED PROJECT SMILJA MILOVANOVIC-BERTRAM DAVID HEYMANN PROFESSOR
“As you walk down the the Tuscan hill-town, you are led to wander along walls that follow parallel to the ancient streets. You catch glimpses of courtyards and pockets of what’s to come.”
Design Project: The goal of this semester project was to design a community center as well as a connection between the hilltop and old town with the suburban sprawl and the train station. The Etruscan gate, Cassero tower and Etruscan museum at the top of the hill represent the historic, civic and cultural center of the town. However, the economic and active center of the town has shifted towards the lower valley, where land is more plentiful and the train station is located. The center includes a gallery, lecture hall, cafe, and multi-purpose gathering rooms.
Perspective Sketch
Perspective Sketch
Photograph of the Cassero from the Train Station Opposite: Site Plan Aerial Montage
Axonometric Sketch
Rendering
Design Approach: Understanding the historic, economic, topographical and cultural context of the site was critical to the development of the project. The town of Castiglion Fiorentino, just an hour south of Florence by train, aims to increase tourism and bolster economic activity in the area by promoting the recently discovered Etruscan archeological site unearthed in the Cassero hilltop, as well as
hosting annual Palio dei Rioni horse races and many other cultural festivals. Buses, cars, and motorbikes speed around the narrow and winding streets of the town; a safe pedestrian route from the train station to the Cassero was a key factor in designing this project. As you walk down the Tuscan hill-town, you are led to wander along walls that follow parallel to the ancient streets. You catch glimpses of
courtyards and pockets of what’s to come. The project provides a plentitude of outdoor public spaces for community activities and for vendors to display their wares for the weekly street markets. Reopening the buried Etruscan gate was also a major design driver for our project. The Etruscan gate represents a portal to the cultural and historic past, in addition to being a threshold connecting the east and west.
Top: Masterplan, Parti Render of Etruscan Gate; Bottom: Model Photographs
Left: Plan, Section, Elevation Right: Pastel Parti Drawing, Photo Render
Opposite: Sectional Sketch
VisComm//Italy:
Cassero Tower-Conte Crayon; Detail-Watercolor; Chiusi Terme-Pencil
Assisi Garden-Pencil; Building FormsWatercolor; Arcade-Watercolor
Maps-Watercolor; Siena-Pastel; Perugia-Ink Pen
STUDENT CENTER ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY AUSTIN//FALL 2011 WILLIAM STERN DAVID BUCEK PROFESSOR
Design Project: The goal of this semester project was to design a student center for Saint Edward’s University located in Austin, Texas. The particular focus of this project was an adaptive reuse, rehabilitation, and preservation of a 1960s building located at the southwest corner of campus. The challenge was to reimagine a midcentury modern structure for new use, while maintaining the original architectural integrity of the structure. Originally designed as a physical plant, the building is of concrete construction with brick infill and exposed, prefabricated concrete T system for the roof. The site is immediately
Existing Facade
Parti Plan - Pastel
accesible from the student recreation center, dining hall, and dormitories. Adjacent to the site is also a constructed Wet Pond, designed to detain stormwater run-off and reduce flooding and erosion
downstream of East Baldwin Creek. The pond is always wet, even in dry climates and provides a habitat for wildlife filtration for pollutants and a natural relief for both the urban and campus context.
Perspective Sketch
Opposite: Site Plan Model
Design Approach: The existing building was located in a corner of campus that is seldom travelled by students; however, the adjacency to the recreation center, dining hall, and dorms makes it an ideal location for a student center. The sectional quality of the building and site also gives both a great challenge and a great opportunity. The existing floor plate spans only a portion of the north half of the building, and
sits at an awkward height that proves difficult for accessibility. The intervention of the student center removes the existing floor and introduces a new mezzanine for lounge space and access to the auxiliary student activities and classroom building. The mezzanine has a sculptural, faceted underside that stands as a counterpoint to the rhythmic concrete T’s. The experience of the occupant is all
about the relation of the person to the surface overhead. The upper level, under the orderly T’s is dedicated to study and rest. Meanwhile, the lower level, energized by the undulating and irregular canopy, is set aside for play, gathering, and social functions. The center also spills out towards the Wet Pond, allowing for outdoor seating and access to natural relief.
Opposite Above: Plans Oppostie Below: Section
Left: Preliminary Drawings Mid: Mid-review Plan, Sections; Right: Model, Section Opposite: Preliminary Sketches
WOODJOINT
VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS FALL 2008 JOYCE ROSNER ELIZABETH DANZE PROFESSOR
VisComm//Woodjoint:
Wood joinery based on a blind contour drawing of interlocking hands. Just as hands can clasp and interlock in various configurations, so too can the woodjoint.
YOGA STUDIO AUSTIN, TEXAS FALL 2008 KEVIN ALTER PROFESSOR
Design Project: This semester’s project was to design a yoga studio in a natural site along Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The site was immediately adjacent to a rowing dock and boat launch with which the studio shares parking. The project must address how the building interacts with the site, access, and the running trail along the lake. The modest program included a studio, entry lobby, restrooms and changing rooms, and a small office.
Site Plan Aerial Montage
Model
Elevation Sketch
Opposite: Site Model Massing Model
Design Approach: This project was envisioned as a building tucked into the landscape, obscured by the dense foliage and changing terrain. The approach too, is circuitous, hiding the building and bringing you along the running trail by the lake until you arrive at the entrance of the building. The user enters the building, from beneath the studio that cantilevers over the trail. The entrance and studio space are
stacked in section so that the first and last thing experienced is the view of the water. From ground level, the water is seen but obscured by brush and trees, but as one ascends, one is first brought away from the water where he can physically and mentally prepare for the session of exercise and meditation. Then, continuing along the ascent, the user finally reaches the apex, where the studio opens to a
pristine view overlooking the water. Located along the ramp up are single changing rooms that feature a skylight and shower room. The procession to the studio allegorizes the path to peace and clarity achieved by meditation, dance, or yoga.
Opposite Above: Plan, Model Opposite Below: Sections, Massing Model
VISCOMM
VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS SPRING 2008 JUDY BIRDSONG PROFESSOR
VisComm: Left: Pen and Color Pencil on Mylar
Right: Constructed Bird Skeleton-Pencil
FUELING STATION AUSTIN, TEXAS FALL 2009 ELIZABETH ALFORD PROFESSOR
Design Project:
Preliminary Sketches
Interior Cafe Rendering
Ground Floor Plan
This semester’s project was focused around the fueling station of the future to be located in Austin, Texas. During this semester, we studied the principles of prefabrication through readings, research, and a site visit to a concrete prefabrication factory. By investigating the relationship of architecture, automobile, and refueling, we designed a fueling station that Opposite: Site Plan Aerial Montage
addressed gasoline, bio-fuel, or electric recharging. To redefine the fueling station of the future, we looked at existing programs bundled with gas stations (convenience stores, diners, rest stops, etc.) and proposed a program of our own that the future fueling station could offer.
Process Model Render
Preliminary Sketch
Design Approach: The fueling station must be adaptable to any of three sites near Austin, Texas; however, still respond to the specific conditions of the chosen site. This project was located in downtown Austin, just off of Interstate 35, was designed for recharging electric cars. Recharging an electric car to full capacity can take 8-10 hours; therefore, the station was designed as a commuter park-and-charge station. Inspired by the economy of space
and prefabrication of vertical parking lifts, I designed the project to utilize the pneumatic parking lifts as a means of saving space as well as signage, in which a wall of charging cars can promote the future promise of gasoline-less, electric cars. The structure becomes a billboard along a major artery of Austin that is I-35. The fueling and commuter station has a small cafe and indoor seating area that is tucked in a concrete building nestled in the ground. The
grounded cafe is a foil to the skeletal lift structure that reaches into the sky. People commuting in and out of downtown for work can park and catch a bus either in or out of town. While they are at work, their cars will be stored and charging within the structure.
Top: Cafe Rendering, Model; Bottom: Section, Site Plan; Opposite: Elevation Montage
DENSITY DALLAS DALLAS, TEXAS SPRING 2009 CHARLTON LEWIS PROFESSOR
Design Project: Density Dallas Studio was our first semester looking at architecture and planning at the urban scale. Our project was located in the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, just across Interstate 30 from City Hall and downtown heart of Dallas. This area, once a thriving warehouse district, fell into neglect for many years as the companies moved away. Recent trends have indicated interest in densifying the area by transforming old warehouse buildings into residential lofts. This project began with a visit to the area and an investigation of the street conditions. The challenge was to create an urban plan that makes pedestrian activity feasible and the use of the Dart light rail system. Opposite: Model
Sketch-up Model
Site Plan Living Unit Models
Section
Living Unit Model
Design Approach: My approach towards this program was to begin with the living unit and examine how the contemporary resident utilizes living space. Asking, “What is the minimal area for an apartment to live comfortably,� I began to cluster underutilized functions into communal spaces. I realized that most young professionals that work in downtown Dallas that are moving into the area do not require a full kitchen to cook everyday. Therefore, clusters of units share kitchen, laundry, and mail facilities to reduce redundancy and increase efficiency.
Opposite Above: Elevation; Opposite Below: Models, Sketches
MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS AUSTIN//SPRING 2011 PARTNERED PROJECT BURTON BALDRIDGE PROFESSOR
Design Project: For this studio, we were to design a mixed-use residential building that also took into consideration the residential neighborhood of West Campus to Peace Park and Shoal Creek, a major connection in Austin that runs north and south. Examining the demographics of the nearby neighborhoods, we determined that the commercial components of a fitness center and grocery store made excellent additions to the area. We were required to clear the 100 year flood-plain as well as create a connection for pedestrians to cross the busy Lamar Boulevard.
Model
Sectional Model
Opposite: Site Plan
Perspective Rendering
Design Approach: The Arc is a residential community integrated within a public boardwalk. The residential portion is a gated community consisting of 17 one and twobedroom units that are nested between the public portion. The residential clusters have a cmu facade facing the public side and a spacious shard courtyard facing the green hillside to the east. The three northern residential blocks are composed of two twobedroom units and two onebedroom efficiency units. The
remaining three blocks contain four 1-bedroom units arranged around shared courtyards. The residential amenities include a shared pool, ADA accessibility, on-site administrative offices, and a private lounge area. The public portion is mostly raised and accessed via boardwalk that runs along the natural arc of the site. An axis that runs east-west connects the neighborhoods of West Campus by the university to Peace Park and Shoal Creek. The fitness center and grocery store anchor the two ends of the
boardwalk with access from both the street level where parking is located and the raised pedestrian walk. Raising this boardwalk above grade allowed us to get out of the 100 year flood-plain, giving more outdoor space for the residents while providing adequate requirements for parking, and provide relief from the busy vehicular traffic along Lamar Blvd. Along the boardwalk is space for retail, outdoor seating, and access between West Campus and the neighborhoods west of Lamar Blvd.
Top: Preliminary Residential Unit Sketches; Bottom: Preliminary Model, Sketch and Unit Model
Left: Sketches; Right: Mid-review Model, Residential Section, Final Sectional Model
Opposite: Lower Floor Plan
Final Sections
Left: Residential Plans, Model; Right: Larger Section Details of Residential
Hand-Drawn Long Section 24” x 60”
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