ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO HARRY FITZSIMMONS
HARRY FITZSIMMONS April 2019 07481878277 harry.fitzsimmons@hotmail.com
2 Haglane Copse Lymington Hampshire SO41 8DT
ABOUT I am currently in my second year at Cardiff University, studying at the Welsh School of Architecture. I am a passionate, creative and driven individual, who doesn’t shy from pressure. My experience as a sailor drove me to develop proficient team working and communicative skills, whilst a more recent role as SAWSA Marketing and Communication secretary has homed in my technical and imaginative talent alongside my academic work. EDUCATION Priestlands Secondary School 2010 – 2015 3 A*’s, 6 A’s, 1 B and 1 C at GCSE level. Highcliffe Sixth Form 2016 – 2018 A-Level’s: Maths – A* Art - A Physics – B EPQ - A
CURRICULUM VITAE
EXPERIENCE Simpson Hilder Associates Summer 2014 and 2016 I spent time here on two occasions shadowing associates at the firm, attending site surveys, and introducing myself to various computer software. This intimate firm provided me with my initial insight into Architecture, and it was from this experience that I knew I wished to pursue this career. EMPLOYMENT Sales Assistant – Nick Cox Chandlery 2013 – 2015 Leisure Attendant – Lymington Recreation Centre 2015 – 2017 Leisure Attendant – Lymington Sea Water Baths 2015 – 2018 Bar Staff and Front of House – Haven Bar and Restaurant 2018 – present SKILLS AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Sketchup, Physical Modelling, Sketching ADDITIONAL ACHEIVEMENTS Piano grades 1-5 Drums grade 1-8 7th in the Cadet Dinghy World championships 2013 in Belgium 9th in the Cadet Dinghy World championships 2012 in Tasmania Multiple years in the GBR National RYA sailing squad Salterns Sailing Club Junior Committee Bronze DofE
SUMMER PROJECT HOMELESS HOUSING
CONTENTS
4- 7 8 - 12
PUBLIC LIBRARY
13 - 17
VERTICAL STUDIO: RURAL WORKS
18 - 20
VERTIACL STUDIO: MOBILE SHELTER
21 - 23
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION
24 - 27
3
SUMMER PROJECT
4
5
6
As a short primer project for my second year at the WSA, I explored the design considerations of a personal domestic environment. This exercise enabled a critical reflection of precedent to install a greater sense of place within my design. The proposal was influenced heavily by its locational context, expressed through the dimensional ratios of nearby beach huts used in framework. I also explored the idea of a progression of spaces and thresholds, and how their design can impact the journey through the dwelling.
7
HOUSING THE HOMELESS
8
9
5m
DINING
ENTRANCE / KITCHEN
LIVING
BATHROOM / SLEEPING (ABOVE)
5m
DWELLING MASSING DEVELOPMENT
DWELLING BLOCK MASSING DEVELOPMENT ROTATION RELATIVE TO VIEW
DWELLING LAYOUT DEVELOPMENT
90°
80°
70°
60°
50°
40°
30°
20°
10°
0°
CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT
COURTYARD DEVELOPMENT
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
EAST DWELLING GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:50
EAST DWELLING FIRST FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:50
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
WEST DWELLING GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:50
WEST DWELLING FIRST FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:50
XSIZE
EAST DWELLING SECTION AA SCALE 1:50
EAST DWELLING SECTION BB SCALE 1:50
WEST DWELLING SECTION AA SCALE 1:50
WEST DWELLING SECTION BB SCALE 1:50
1 0
GROUND FLOOR SCALE 1:100
FIRST FLOOR SCALE 1:100
SECOND FLOOR SCALE 1:100
XSIZE
11
Context and integration have played a driving role throughout my design process over my second year at the WSA. My first term project challenged me to explore and interrogate how one can draw inspiration from, and design to a specific client and context; in this case, addressing Cardiff’s growing homeless population. More specifically I researched into the not only the needs of the homeless, but the psychological barriers they face on the street. This lead me to find that a small percentage of our homeless population suffer from claustrophobia and PTSD, especially in veterans. I aimed to directly address this niche group by creating dwellings that minimises the threshold between inside and out, and minimise the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped between four walls. I attempted to strike the balance between this, and a private, secure and comfortable dwelling by proposing two angled rows of terraced houses, tied together by a continuous, undulating skin of hollow terracotta cubes. These cubes can be placed at specific angles, allowing for variations in transparency across the whole façade, tailored to each dwelling. The dwellings face onto a shared internal, semi-private courtyard that promotes a sense of community and integration back into society. This proposal allowed me to explore how materiality, form and layout can be influenced by, and influence the user. Moreover, I learnt that the integration of this proposal into the greater context of the area is just as vital.
TECHNICAL SECTION SCALE 1:20
12
PUBLIC LIBRARY
13
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH
SURROUNDING BUILDING TYPES PUBLIC
GRAIN OF THE SURROUNDINGS
COMMERICIAL
WINTER SOLSTICE AND SUN PATH
SURROUNDING ROAD TYPES RESIDENTIAL
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
RESIDENTIAL
SUMMER SOLSTICE AND WIND DIRECTION
14
4
3 1
2
2000 mm
2000 mm
2000 mm
2000 mm
600 mm 1400 mm
PRIMARY CIRCULATION SPACE
SECONDARY CIRCULATION SPACE
BOOK SHELF
SECONDARY CIRCULATION SPACE
BOOK SHELF
PARTITION
STUDY SPACE
PARTITION
2900 mm
4
2
STUDY SPACE 1000 mm 4000 mm
3000 mm
3 3000 mm
2400 mm 1600 mm
1
100 mm 0 mm 8000 mm
15
A
A
B
B
GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:100 FABRIC KEY: 600 mm 1400 mm 2900 mm
B
B
A
GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:100 FABRIC KEY: 600 mm 1400 mm 2900 mm
A
16
ROOF CONSTRUCTION: 320 mm Plastic sheet sealing layer 80 mm Insulation finished to falls Waterproof membrane 20 mm orientated-strand board Vapour barrier 200 mm Mineral wool thermal insulation 20 mm timber battens with exposed insulation
EXTERNAL CONSTRUCTION WALL: 320 mm 20 mm Timber cladding 30 mm counter battens and ventilation cavity Breather membrane 20 mm Particle board 230 mm Mineral wool thermal insulation Douglas Fir timber frame Polyethylene vapour barrier 20 mm Plasterboard White paint coating
FLOORING CONSTRUCTION: 900 mm 20 mm Oak floor boards 30 mm Impact sound insulation 50 mm Ridgid thermal insultation Polyethylene vapour barrier 30 mm Protective layer 470 mm Cast in situ concrete foundation 300 mm Crushed Hardcore
Canton is an incredibly diverse area located west of Cardiff’s city centre. It is home to a strong community of serval different ages and cultures. Public libraries are seen as the last community spaces free from commercial activity. A library in an area such as Canton, can serve as a mixing pot of information and culture, providing a environment with a freedom of use unfound in most deliberate structures.
Timber frame joint fixings Timber frame joint seams
TECHNICAL WALL SECTION SCALE 1:20
TECHNICAL WALL PLAN SCALE 1:20
In an increasingly tech-centric age, I find myself learning and exploring through the blue-tinted glow of a screen. Reading has been limited to being singular sensory, lacking tactility, smell and sound. This lack of multisensory feeling when not only reading, but experiencing architecture was a driving concept throughout this design. I hoped to achieve this through proposing an open plan timber frame structure, where internal and external space was divided, provided and punctuated by hanging fabric sheets. This both reflected the original paper making process, as well as giving a subtle nod to Robert Venturi’s “duck versus decorated shed” analogy, by abstractly representing the library’s function. The fabric allowed me to discover the many ways in which transparency, sound and movement can be effected by material, as well as affect the material itself. Providing for both the inside fabric and outside skin was a timber framed structure, largely inspired by the works of Kengo Kuma. I was greatly interested in minimising gawky features and being true to material, leading to research into Japanese joinery and trusses. An open plan interior allowed for complete internal flexibility, adapting to the multiple purposes of a modern library. This textile theme also followed into attempts at furniture design, and explorations into how concepts can penetrate further than just a built intervention.
17
RURAL WORKS VERTICAL STUDIO
18
laborative Site Plan
19
Focusing on material, making and sketching, “Rural Works� was a three-week project far from the typical studio, office or computer. Imbedded in a small town in the Lake District, we sketched as a form of live research, as well as means of communicating ideas. Through the perspective of a maker, we produced an installation in response to a specific view found in the forest. Four quarters of a frame made from site-found materials formed an aperture that captured this view. The frames were fixed to different trees, able to swing and move so that only at specific locations and times would the installation become a whole.
20
MOBILE SHELTER VERTICAL STUDIO
21
3D of Construction
Isometric 1.20
CNC Cutting at FabLab
Frame Construction
Creating the ‘Door’
Plan 1.20
Elevation 1.20
Isometric
22
Developing on from the Homeless Housing project, this Finsa sponsored competition allowed myself and a small group of students to engage with a more immediate solution to homelessness during times of emergency. We developed and later built a design prototype as a group, guided by discussions with a local homelessness charity. The design was easily and quickly deployable, whilst providing a flexible, safe and comfortable environment for the user. Both “Vertical Studio� projects broadened my perspective of architecture as well as the design process. The hands-on, construction based nature of the tasks enabled me to further develop my observational techniques, and knowledge into the making of various interventions.
23
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF THE WELSH SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
24
CAFFEINE, CHATS AND BITES 13:00 FRIDAY 18TH OCTOBER 0.43 SECOND YEAR STUDIO
25
MORE STRETCHING LESS STRESSING WITH
SAWSA YOGA
13/11/2018 - 18:00-19:00 EXHIBITION ROOM FREE FOR SAWSA MEMBERS £3 FOR NON-MEMBERS
26
Alongside my work as an architecture student, I have been part of the Student Association of the Welsh School of Architecture (SAWSA). Being part of the Marketing and Communications team allowed me to further pursue my interests in graphic design and marketing, through redesigning the society logo, creating several posters and merchandise designs, as well as the sales, printing and delivery of said merchandise. I worked with the different members of the SAWSA team to promote the wide variety of events that the society hosted, then extended this onto our various social media accounts. This role developed my team working skills and technical knowhow whilst being enjoyable and purposeful.
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