Resume
Tanyard Park Pensacola, Florida
Interlock the Block Atlanta, GA
Dream Community Center Calhoun Falls, SC
Collages/Past Work Clemson, SC
Pensacola, Florida
Fall 2021, Graduate
Group Members and Responsibilities:
Myself: Concept, Section, Site Plan, Renderings, Diagrams, Axonometric Floor Plans, Collages, Collaged Section, Research
Katherine Price: Revit Model, Research, Floor Plans
The goal of Tanyard Park is to reclaim the historic African American residential area, restore the postindustrial site in a clean and environmentally responsive way, and revive the disproportionately impoverished African American community in Pensacola, Florida. Tanyard Park will house 120 residents in the current facility, but it is built to grow capacity by 25%. The entire park is elevated to allow for seasonal flooding and to create a gathering space on the ground level for the community. Shaded fields produce cauliflower, bell peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli for consumption and these will be sold weekly at the market on the ground floor. The newly paved sidewalks create a walkable connection between Corinne Jones Park and the newly opened Bruce Beach.The park itself will be entirely self-sustaining, incorporating both active and passive strategies, including both solar and wind energy conversion and produce cultivation onsite.
Tanyard Park provides an opportunity for equitable community by creating a home for those who are displaced and the descendants of those who were displaced from the Tanyard neighborhood by the Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Atlanta, Georgia
Spring 2023, Graduate
Group Members and Responsibilities:
Myself: Diagrams, Revit modeling, Graphic Representation, Sections, Floor Plans, Exterior Renders, Sustainable Section, Structural Diagrams
Michael Urueta: Revit Modeling, Physical Modeling, Masterplan, Site Plan, Interior Renders, Research, Precedent Diagram, Detailed Sections
Atlanta has a very distinct culture with heavy influences from the African American community. Although this is the case , many of our brothers and sisters are still living in conditions that are not conducive to personal and economic growth. This resorts to hustle..and the idea that everything is fair in survival. The fruit of this process has influenced much of mainstream culture while communities remain underinvested. Interlock the Block appeals to the humanity of these individuals. There is a strong desire to grow, we see it through their “go get it” attitude. But we must provide a safe space to do so.
Our site sits within the Murphy Crossing area of SW Atlanta. Interlock the Block intends on serving the adjacent communities of The West End, Adairs Park, Oakland City and Capitol View. We decided to extend our outreach to neighboring communities, Bankhead, Mechanicsville and Vine City. Our primary users are detained youth with our secondary users being the Waterboys, which is a group of street vendors that sell water at intersection in the city.
Interlock the Block will serve as a pre-release rehabilitation center, challenging the current model of detention centers with a more trusted program, rehabilitating the residents through entrepreneurship, career and education readiness.
Precedent Study Diagrams
To better integrate our design within the Murphy Crossing Masterplan, we wanted to emphasize the path that connects our site to adjacent public programming. The site is mostly treated with hardscape that gradually peels into larger spots of vegetation that directs visitors through our site. The zones between our two structures serve as outdoor programming where the detained youth are able to set up vendor booths.
We reorganized an existing Masterplan for Murphy Crossing to better fit our use. We wanted to ensure community accessibility and pedestrain only pathways for a more convenient layout. Also, we saw it necessary to better integrate affordable housing within the entire development.
Education: Latitudinal Section & Detail
Residential: Latitudinal Section & Detail
Solar Screens
Solar screen mesh lets natural light through but reduces heat transfer from UV rays
Each resident has their own window and sun screen for added privacy
Each unit is equipped mini-split air conditioning Operable windows ventilation and Operable Windows
Open air ground level reduces the amount of conditioned space
Vegetative Buffers
Excess water not retrieved by the concealed gutter is slowed and filtered by a vegetative buffer before returning to the aquifer
Radiant Floors
Geothermal radiant flooring circulates conditioned water through pipes in the floor to heat each room
Vegetative Buffers
Courtyard green space doubles as a vegetative buffer
Water runoff is directed towards catch basins and naturally filtered
Windows
equipped with a conditioning system
windows allow for passive natural fresh air intake
Skylight Shades
Skylights allow abundant natural light to enter the education spaces
Motorized skylights insulate the space and reduce solar heat gain
Solar Panels
11K SF surface area provides 300K kWh of solar energy, enough to power the education and admin space annually
Fuel Cell
Renewable backup energy supply using a hydrogen fuel cell thats only by-products are heat and water
60% energy efficiency
55 boreholes 400 FT deep condition pipes that connect to an indoor heat pump naturally heating and cooling the building
70% energy consumption reduced
Solar panels are south facing and optimized for summer and winter collection
Resources
The adaptive reuse of an industrial building utilizes the existing brick and steel materials reducing carbon emissions from aquiring new material Material Reuse
• Short cool season with lows at 30°
• Long hot season with highs at 90°
• Average monthly rainfall 3-4”
Calhoun Falls, South Carolina
Spring 2022, Graduate
Group Members and Responsibilities:
Myself: Concept, Sections, Renderings, Diagrams, Photos, Collaged Section, Research, Revit Model
Scurry Charles: Floor Plans, Physical Model
Located in Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, Dreams with Open Arms is a non-profit organization addressing challenges amongst young people of the community. The organization aids residents in seeking employment, education, parenting skills and financial resources. Their mission is to empower residents who were greatly affected by the closing of Calhoun Mills in the 1980’s. The mill provided great employment opportunities, attracting many businesses. Today, the community lacks necessities, from adequate schooling to grocery stores. Many of the residents are considered low-income.
Our studio worked closely with the founder of the organization, Lesean Tutt and Hanbury Architects. Tutt expressed the community’s resistance to change and their desire for the town to return to its original glory. My partner and I considered this heavily in our design and decided to design a facility that would preserve elements of the existing building while referencing how the residents circulate within their own spaces. The goal was to create a familiar space, a space that doesn’t disrupt the current identity of the town. Existing
Conceptual Diagramming
We were interested in studying the local housing typologies, more specifically, the collection of mill houses that sits adjacent to the former facility. My partner and I took a second site visit, walking the streets and interacting with residents.
Due to the projects funding, we were required to design within phases. In our specific design, we would preserve the existing brick facade and side walls. In phase two, we would design an open-air pavilion, lightly programmed. In the final iteration, our design would build atop of elements from the previous phase, enclosing a portion of the space while also providing outdoor space.
Mill House Typology Study
Longitudinal Section
Each level of the Dream Center will have its own level of use, depending on the type of occupant. The courtyard entry and enclosed portion of the entry into the facility will serve as a sitting and lobby space only, with views of the recreation space below.
The private upper level will include offices, conference rooms, work spaces, and a kitchen accessible to staff only. The basement level will house the public recreational programming, i.e. basketball court, library and classroom space.
Summer 2022-Spring 2023
Clemson, South Carolina
As seen throughout my portfolio, I begin processing my designs and ideas through digital collaging, representing potential users and speculative/ definitive spatial organization. My process involves assembling various visual elements, such as images, textures, sketches, and text, into a cohesive composition. This technique allows me to explore aesthetics and function creatively while gaining deeper insight into community needs.
Past Studio Projects
Fall 2019 (Undergrad.)-Fall, 2022
Clemson, South Carolina
Architecture is an enriching and interdisciplinary field that has deeply immersed me in various cultures during my college journey. From the captivating city of Genoa, Italy, to the vibrant communities of the Southside of Chicago, I have been fortunate to engage in diverse projects that address unique and specific community needs. These experiences have profoundly shaped my perspective as a designer, illuminating the profound responsibility I hold beyond aesthetics. As a designer and future Architect, I sincerely believe that my utmost duty lies in serving the communities I design for, creating spaces that resonate with their identities and aspirations.
Gregg Ussery
e: gussery@g.clemson.edu