SELECTED WORKS
// CONTENTS
Grace Alice Dixon Candidate for Master of Architecture University of Texas at Austin
1/
1-8
4/
23-26
7/
35-38
[pod]agogy
solid +/- void
digital.fabric
2/
9-16
5/
27-30
8/
39-42
east austin social club
101 years of interior design
models made
3/
17-22
6/
31-34
9/
43-44
reclaiming communit y
uncorked
resumĂŠ
[POD]AGOGY FALL 2013
A consistent problem in today’s educational system is not only how children are being taught but also the environment they are being taught in. Portables were meant to be a temporary solution to the issue of space and overcrowding, but instead have become permanent and dated structures. This project proposes an efficient and retrofitted modular solution for an adaptable learning environment. Utilizing the core between exterior and interior conditions allows for the flexibility and innovation that are lacking in today’s portables. Individual modules can be rearranged based on the special and educational requirements of the class. This [pod]agogical method would encourage a system where students advance based on their learning and performance instead of seat time, creating a “no child forced to move ahead” philosophy.
standard classroom
//orthogonal layout with fixed furniture and limited program flexibility
CAN WE TEACH COURSES THAT FIT ALL LEARNING TYPES? TOUCH
MOVEMENT
FIRST SEMESTER
1 er
clus t
History Math English ESL POTENTIAL CURRICULUM
2 er
Health
clus t
NEED TO BLUR DISTINCTION BETWEEN PROGRESS LEVELS
HISTORY ART ENGLISH
Special Education
Science
MATH SCIENCE MUSIC
NATURE
1 er
MATH ART HEALTH
2 er
HISTORY MUSIC THEATRE
MORAL
1 er
SCIENCE HISTORY DANCE
2 er
MATH THEATRE ENGLISH
SPIRITUAL
1 er
clus t
SOLITARY
ENGLISH THEATRE ART
2 er
clus t
SOCIAL
clus t
TONAL
clus t
VISUAL
clus t
LOGICAL
clus t
VERBAL
MUSIC HISTORY DANCE
Art
FIRST SEMESTER
Theatre
NEXT SEMESTER
Computer Technology
* If there were enough courses with a minimum of at least three subjects per course, one student could repeat any subject needed without judgement by his peers.
NEXT SEMESTER
multi-subject learning
3
+
prefabricated + modular
+
flexible + adaptable
3 er
ENGLISH COMP.TECH DANCE
3 er
HISTORY ENGLISH ART
3 er
clus t
THEATRE COMP.TECH HEALTH
clus t
clus t
Dance
clus t
3 er
Music
STRUGGLING STUDENT
SCIENCE HEALTH MATH
Fall 2013 | Advanced Studio | Clay Odom
4
FORM DEVELOPMENT [STANDARD TO MODULES]
INTERIOR DEVELOPMENT [STANDARD TO INTERACTIVE]
1 standard classroom
1 standard classroom
5 activity corner [reading/writing]
2 all components moved to perimeter for open plan
2 entrance
6 subject pod placement
3 walls adjusted for light and entrance
3 personal storage
7 pod + entrance enclosure
4 modular componentization for aggregation
4 furniture storage
8 shelter
5 Fall 2013 | Advanced Studio | Clay Odom
Fall 2013 | Advanced Studio | Clay Odom
6
B
A
C
D
7 Fall 2013 | Advanced Studio | Clay Odom
Section A 1/8” = 1’
Section B 1/8” = 1’
Section C 1/8” = 1’
Section D 1/8” = 1’
Fall 2013 | Advanced Studio | Clay Odom
8
EAST AUSTIN SOCIAL CLUB SPRING 2013
This exciting and challenging design process began with exploring hundreds of different Boolean operations in order to develop a general architectural form. From there I took a unique approach and re-applied the Boolean technique to the form based on restrictions and influences from the site. Once the form was developed, I arranged the programs within it based on organizational and space requirements. This outward-in approach was unique and challenging compared to my normal design process, especially with the added stress of learning an entirely new computer program. The final product was an extravagant, urban social club, fitting for the changing downtown Austin economy.
*chief executive officer
*young professional
racquetball with CFO shower pedicure dinner with wife + family
Public
grab coffee meeting with potential client attend lecture series on growing your own business cocktails with old college friends
*EASC employee
*stay-at-home mother
bike to work along waller creek trail shower monthly staff meeting supervise evening wedding
buy groceries at on-site market swim laps shower host art gallery opening as fund raiser for local charity
staff locker rooms
offices event scheduling
office+client meeting space
event scheduling
event space
concert hall
banquet hall
outdoor market
lecture hall gallery
lecture hall gallery
concierge
host/reservations/ticket office/receptionist
lecture hall
host
member+client meeting space restrooms reservations
ticket office
locker rooms racquetball
receptionist
member+member meeting space management restaurant
river front pabilion urban beach
bar cafe
security equipment storage
spa
lap poop outdoor movie theatre
outdoor movie theatre
kitchen cafe
salon
Exclusive External
Internal
11 Fall 2013 | Vertical Studio | Kory Beig
6a-12p
12a-6a
6p-12a
Primary
12p-6p
Time in use
Secondary
Programmatic Connectivity
Tertiary
Spacial Connectivity
Sound
Views
Fall 2013 | Vertical Studio | Kory Beig
12
13
Fall 2013 | Vertical Studio | Kory Beig
Fall 2013 | Vertical Studio | Kory Beig
14
UP
UP
First Floor Plan
15 Fall 2013 | Vertical Studio | Kory Beig
Third Floor Plan
Fall 2013 | Vertical Studio | Kory Beig
16
RECLAIMMING COMMUNITY FALL 2012
This design for a vacant lot in East Austin proposes an economically and socially sustainable small-business incubator. The program called for a live-work community and with appropriately sized living units above, this allowed for a large open work environment below. This adaptable workspace would promote community involvement through shared brainstorming and collaboration. When starting a new business it is extremely important to be surrounded by those who are either going through similar struggles or can provide useful information based on recent experience. The studio itself helped improve my construction knowledge and Revit capabilities while also exploring new representation techniques.
a variety of unit types support different family sizes allowing for a mixed-income community
small, continual, modular design allows for a mixture of on- and off-site fabrication second level of residential contains [8] studio apartments + the second floors of [4] two bedroom units + [4] three bedroom units
semi-private patios supply more intimate spaces contrary to the office spaces. facing the main walkways they still advocate community interaction
PROGRAM first floor contains [8] one bedroom units (ADA accessible) + the entrances to [4] two bedroom units + [4] three bedroom units
elevated and seperate living spaces encourage residents to interact with their neighbors and positively influence fellow small-business owners
TALIZE
+ REVI T A E R T E R
enclosed spaces fulfill the need for both intimate gatherings or larger conference meetings
columns inform organization and adaptable division of work space based on varying needs
19 Fall 2012 | Vertical Studio | Ulrich Dangel
FLEXIBI
RATION O B A L L O LITY + C
Fall 2012 | Vertical Studio | Ulrich Dangel
20
Office Floor Plan
21 Fall 2012 | Vertical Studio | Ulrich Dangel
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Fall 2012 | Vertical Studio | Ulrich Dangel
22
SOLID +/- VOID SPRING 2013
Beginning with Cooper Union as precedent, this project first explored how Morphosis utilized a Boolean strategy to generate form and engage in site and context. Focusing on irregular cuts, projected forms, and folding of exterior structure, I created an explorative rule system diagram which provided a method for generating new organizational patters, with extreme potential for adaptive space making. The next step was to build a physical model based on our most successful iteration. I explored the folding technique with only one solid, finding it lost its original appeal after too many applications. As a solution, I took one angular solid, divided and merged the results, and then folded its edges within itself. This created an outer shell, which provoked the user to search within the object. The final step of this process was to morph this abstract shape into a habitable pavilion. I created a pedestrian walkway that encouraged both movement and interaction throughout the space, with an upper pavilion for moments of reflection and relaxation.
FRAME
GRID
BOOLEAN/FOLD
TRANSFORM
REGION
MERGE
25 Spring 2013 | Vertical Studio | Kory Bieg
Spring 2013 | Vertical Studio | Kory Bieg
26
WEAVING THE PAST+ PRESENT FALL 2013
The Interior Design Program at The University of Texas at Austin was fortunate enough to celebrate their 101st anniversary this past year. As part of a three-day symposium celebrating the rich history of the program, I was hired as assistant curator for a month-long exhibit at The School of Architecture. I was given an exciting and challenging opportunity to not only help with the overall organization of the show but also compile a vast amount of information into a cohesive timeline that was displayed throughout the exhibit. This provided a unique experience that required me to consider how visitors would interact with the graphic design and its effect on the space. This timeline honored the influence of more than 1,000 interior design alumni that have left their mark on the program. *In collaboration with Dr. Nancy Kwallek, Elise Wasser-King, + Austin Art Services
29 Fall 2013 | Assistant Curator | Nancy Kwallek
Fall 2013 | Assistant Curator | Nancy Kwallek
30
[UN]CORKED FALL 2012
Utilizing items that are thrown away daily, my partner and I created an innovative wall system that provides soundproofing, fire resistance, and weatherproofing. Cotton t-shirts and plastic bags, both commonly found items that are constantly thrown away, offer insulation and protection from outdoor conditions. Smooth aluminum flashing on the exterior contradicts and distinguishes itself from the recycled wine corks on the interior surface. The texture, color, and height variation from the corks provide a unique surface that encourages user interaction. *In collaboration with Ellen Sampson
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Recycled Plastic Bags
33 Fall 2012 | Vertical Studio | Ulrich Dangel
+
+ Excess T-shirts
wine
Unused Corks
Fall 2012 | Vertical Studio | Ulrich Dangel
34
DIGITAL.FABRIC SPRING 2011
We began this design with a simple fabric swatch, using the undulating curves of the piece to create a three dimensional, digital object. Using grasshopper and rhinoceros we were able to explode this form into multiple slices combined by two singular rods. A physical model was then constructed of thirty painted INSULFOAM profiles, each CNC routed, and polyvinyl chloride pipes. Ten different shades of paint initiated movement through the space and metal wire was used to suspend the installation from the ceiling, creating a floating effect. The recycled, lightweight materials created a sculpture that is easy to install and proposes zero physical harm to anyone below. The final result was a visually stimulating installation that does not affect the structural stability of the ceiling. *In collaboration with John Gackstetter and Rob Jones
37 Spring 2011 | Digital Fabrication + Production | Marcel De Lange
Spring 2011 | Digital Fabrication + Production | Marcel De Lange
38
MODELS MADE 2008-2013
I have decided to feature my models not as an aid in explaining projects but as an exhibition of my attention to detail. It is hard to experience an image of a model in this same way you can experience the physical object. The true purpose of a physical model is to understand the exterior and interior special relationships. I believe handcrafted models are a beautiful part of architecture and unfortunately are becoming a dying art. My hope in showing these models is to display my appreciation for accuracy, creativity, and craft.
41 Spring 2011 | Digital Fabrication + Production | Marcel De Lange
Spring 2011 | Digital Fabrication + Production | Marcel De Lange
42
THANK YOU