ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
gianfranco j pietrantoni
Intro What is motivation? Some say it is the willingness and ability to achieve a goal or dream, based on ones wants or needs. Motivation, however, is not solely based on wants and needs. I have realized that hard work and dedication can not only allow you to achieve your goals and needs, but also influence the lives of those around you. Motivation is not a selfish act but is dependent on those around you and how one can better the lives of a society as a whole. Since I was young, I always had a great passion for the arts and for design. My parents taught me to take every opportunity to learn and better myself, always encouraging me to set a goal and to endlessly reach for it. As I grew older, I began to appreciate the beauty of buildings, and soon realized that architecture is not just a physical structure, but is a buildable form of artwork. From that point on all I have ever wanted is to become an architect and to help contribute to the visual landscapes that are seen throughout daily life. This is the goal I have set for myself.
Selected Projects
1. Penn Yan Boating Museum 2. Department of Architecture and Design 3. Sorrento Living and Learning Center 4. International Design Competition 5. Work Experience
gianfranco j. pietrantoni
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Penn Yan Boating Museum | Spring 2015 | Professor Rick Carlo
Project Description The project consisted of designing a building for the Penn Yan boating musuem on the lakeside front of a given site. After receiving the project one of the first memories I have of the process of the design was our initial site visit. I have strong memory of coming to the realization of the importance of the site throughout history. The fertile lands and proximity to the lake provided for the indigenous people who once lived there, and it was from that moment on that I realized the design should be honouring the history of the site, but in any traditional way.
15 Weeks | Revit | Autocad | Photoshop | 3D Studio Max
Site Analysis
Form Generation After determining the building positioning subtractive form was used to increase the amount of surface areas that would be receiving sunlight throughout the day. This was one of the determining factors in creating the form of the structure.
Penn Yan Boating Museum | Spring 2015 | Professor Rick Carlo
UNDERLYING THEME
After researching the Pen Yann boating company’s history, the one thing that stood out the most was the founder, Charles A. Herrman’s, German decent. The idea was to honour his memory by utilizing modernist German principle founded by the Bauhaus which include, simplicity, angularity, organization, and sharpness.
15 Weeks | Revit | Autocad | Photoshop | 3D Studio Max
“Space has always been the spiritual dimension of architecture. It is not the physical statement of the structure so much as what it contains that moves us.�
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-Arthur Erickson
LIGHT CONTROL
The second phase was exploring the idea of solid voids to help control the light flow. This approach was still functional and also created a rhythm along the building facade. The idea of piercing this shape to control how light fall was given, and multiple options were explored.
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Penn Yan Boating Museum | Spring 2015 | Professor Rick Carlo
THRESHOLDS
Without an appropriate threshold there would be no transitions of spaces, which would result in a continuous space. The threshold must satisfy the dual function of separating as well as linking two parts of the same building . Personal theory dictates a threshold should come with an emotional response to a building.
15 Weeks | Revit | Autocad | Photoshop | 3D Studio Max
Structural Considertations
The main structural issue that arose through the design phase of the project was finding a practical way to structure the cantilever. The first reaction was to support it with vertical columns, but upon further research and minor modification the building the solution was to diagonally cross brace the two horizontal beams which were calculated to be three feet deep each. This allowed for a free spaning cantilever, without detracting from the original design intent
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Penn Yan Boating Museum | Spring 2015 | Professor Rick Carlo
Spacial Organization The idea was to create a building with three distinct zones that were separated by fire rated walls. This not only creates a distinct hierarchy between public and private spaces, but also allows for a more cohesive code compliant structure
15 Weeks | Revit | Autocad | Photoshop | 3D Studio Max
PURPOSE The canteliever is not only a monumental statement of architecture, but also is an area of refuge along a given path made to shelter pedestrians and draw focus toward the building
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Department of Architecture and Design | Fall 2013 | Professor Mary Golden
Project Description A site was given in Alfred New York to develop a new school of architecture and design. The design focused on sculptural abstracted forms from the surrounding landscapes, to allow for students to be drawn into the structure while also creating a compelling landscape.
15 Weeks | Revit | Photoshop
Components of Realness:
PRESENCE: All lines of site and visual landscape lead eyes to the building. Low profile vegetation evoke feelings within users and define pathways .
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MATERIALITY: All material selections derive from surrounding colour palates consisting of natural materials. Interplay of hard surfaces, soft grass, and still water
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SIGNIFICANCE: Extrapolated form from surrounding landscapes in Alfred by utilizing curvilinear forms while highly contrasting water features allow the building to signify a highly sacred area
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East Elevation
North Elevation
Department of Architecture and Design | Fall 2013 | Professor Mary Golden
Psychology in Architecture “Architecture has profound implications for human health and behaviour� Places of inhabitants affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviour by utilizing components of lighting, circulation, and creating public and private space while utilizing techniques such as compression and release First Floor
Second Floor
15 Weeks | Revit | Photoshop
LINE OF SITE
Pathways accentuated by vegetation lead users to the building entrance regardless of approach. Not only does this accentuate building features but allows for user to become apprehensive to enter upon winding pathway
CONCEPT STATEMENT Inspiring students with visual landscaping through the use and manipulation of organic forms of
and from the surrounding landscape. To create experiential moments generated from topographic imprints and extrapolation of the surrounding landscape Inspirations through the use of light, circulation, and compression to help to evoke feeling that none of the surrounding building are able to provide.
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Department of Architecture and Design | Fall 2013 | Professor Mary Golden
INTERIOR LANDSCAPE
EACH THRESHOLD HAS SMALL TRANSITIONAL SPACES THAT ALLOW FOR THE USER TO EXPERIENCE THE BUILDING. THIS IS ENHANCES BY VARYING MATERIALS AND USES OF SPACES THROUGHOUT THE STRUCTURE. THIS ALSO ALLOWS FOR A VARYING USE OF PROGRAMMED SPACES TO VARY EACH EXPERIENCE
15 Weeks | Revit | Photoshop
Public vs. Private Circulation defines spaces of public vs. private. All public spaces are push toward open atrium to allow for a less person experience while more personal spaces such as class rooms and studios are based away from the atrium
Hierarchy By creating a sense of hierarchy in the landscaping and ceiling heights, the space becomes the central focal point of attention. It is clearly able to be seen across campus and is meant to intrigue and spark curiosity among viewers. Third Floor
Fourth Floor
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Sorrento Living and Learning Center | Spring 2013 | Professor Richard Carlo
Project Description
A Cliff side site in Sorrento, Italy was given to develop a living and learning complex for faculty and students studying abroad. The program was not to exceed 22,000 square feet, and had to include student housing, faculty housing, and studio areas. At completion of the project construction documents and code reviews were produced.
5 Weeks | Revit | Photoshop
MAIN CONCEPT
Bringing a modern style of architecture to the small hillside town in Sorrento, Italy without disturbing the surrounding towns visual character. The space should be inviting to students and faculty and also provide enough space for all student to live comfortably.
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Sorrento Living and Learning Center | Spring 2013 | Professor Richard Carlo
5 Weeks | Revit | Photoshop
Construction Documentation In the second phase of the design project student were given three weeks to create a construction document set. A code review was required and although this project was also done in groups of two, each member had to draw and construct a separate building drawings, full sets can be provided upon request
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International Design Competition| Summer 2014 | Personal Design Competition
Project Description The criteria for the projected included designing a sustainable high rise building for residential use that could symbolize a tropical environment. Our group decided to pursue more social causes that surround Cairo, Egypt while also using many sustainable elements with a mixed used space.
5 Weeks | Revit | Photoshop
SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE Module Design Although it is one united building it is made up of two module designs repeated and flipped ever floor. The two modules are separated with some fire separation wall and allow for simple floor design with a somewhat complex shape.
CONCEPT SKETCHES Initial sketches attempted to create a modern form that could fully embody the great pyramids. The problem was creating something that would be symbolic yet functional.
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International Design Competition| Summer 2014 | Personal Design Competition
Concept The underlying concept is to bring a sustainable living environment into the city of Cairo, Egypt through the use of sustainable materials while also addressing key cultural issues that exist on a global scale in our world together.The parti diagram shows how the three pyramids at giza helped to influence the design, and how it was reflected withing the site plan. Hierarchy was used in order to help strengthen the parti, as each tower also represents one of the great pyramids.
5 Weeks | Revit | Photoshop
Cultural Significance The structure is meant to symbolize the three great pyramids, each level represents one of the pyramids it is seen not only in the structure but also within the site plan layout. Veiwed from above the site plan resemble The Great Pyramids. This was accomplished by placing the solar panel in such a way that mimics shadows cast on The Great Pyramids