Reflected Sound Waves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sibling Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Blind Observation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 KGBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Urban Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Integrations Support Seminar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Urban[e] Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Reflected Sound Waves Arch 571 Fall, 2011 Prof. Chuck Draper
Reflected Sound Waves was an exercise involving both a challenging site as well as situating a theater for both aesthetic views as well as acoustic qualities that might not be found elsewhere. The site is a flooded and abandoned quarry in South Knoxville. The grade on the southwest end is level with the water, while the northeast end towers over the water by almost 140 feet.
The proposed building would maximize the amazing view of the quarry from the northeast cliff edge by creating a viewing platform that doubled as the point of entry. Stairs that flank elevators give patrons an option of methods to descend to the theatre surface, suspended on the water surface.
The stage form was generated using opposing parabolic grids that extended to equilateral contact points on the adjacent cliff faces.
Sibling Chair
Arch 525 | Spring, 2013 | Prof. Matthew Culver The sibling chair assignment was an exercise in both design and fabrication. As a class, we were given the same pieces of wood and steel to manipulate based on the proportional dimensions in the famous “Eames LCW.” Working in teams of two, we all milled hard maple to form blanks for the backs, seats, and legs. Additional material was permitted, but through a process of petition by the students. We had to justify both the material and the design elements before being allowed to proceed.
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My partner and I decided that we wanted to eschew the provided “classroom” chair back in favor of one supported by a central post, more reminiscent of the LCW’s original design. The detail at right shows the use of a single piece of 1” steel tube that was cut on 30° angles. The boxed in shape of the steel tube also helped to prevent lateral sway in the back support, a problem that became evident in many of the other designs.
Rather than try and fabricate what was a complex and overly precise steel insert from the original design (opposite, lower left), polished steel bar was used to create an offcenter metallic stripe on the seat and back to break up the otherwise completely symmetrical appearance of the chair. Visual interest was added to the side by inclusion of a deep reveal. This reveal also shows the underlying steel structure when viewed at the proper angle. All steel was ground bright and smooth, and finished with a gloss clear-coat. All hard maple was finished with 400 grit sandpaper, and coated with a mix of wipe-on polyurethane, boiled linseed oil, and tung oil, and was rubbed smooth with 0000 steel wool after each application. Steel accents are attached using epoxy resin.
Blind Observation
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Arch 586 | Spring, 2013 | Prof. Brandon Pace
While many observation towers and lookouts stand above the landscape, BLIND OBSERVATION seeks to offer the traditional elevated view above the tops of foliage, while remaining entrenched in its context. A “blind” is a term used to describe a platform or location intended for observation and surveillance that is disguised to blend into its surroundings.
GRAVEL PATH
BLIND OBSERVATION 1/8” DIA. STAINLESS STEEL CABLE RAILINGS
SPREADING BAMBOO THICKET
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ACCESS PENETRATION IN DECKING (5) CAISSONS @ 18” DIA. X 36” DEEP
#4 REBAR WELDED TO SELECTED STEEL CLUSTERS TO FORM “ACCESS LADDER”
130 S.F. OBSERVATION DECK 2” THICK NON-SLIP STEEL LATTICE PLATE SUPPORTED AT PERIMETER BY STEEL CLUSTERS (5) STEEL CLUSTERS 2” X 2” X 1/4” STEEL TUBE MANDREL FORMED NOTCHED AT 18’ ABOVE GRADE FIELD WELDED TO PLATFORM
BLIND OBSERVATION eschews traditional heavier framing elements by using multiple smaller steel supports sized to be the same approximate size as the mature bamboo, and mandrel bent to mimic the flexibility found in natural bamboo. The observation deck is made from steel lattice plate to eliminate as much static and dynamic loading as possible, while retaining structural stability, and to allow the bamboo to naturally grow up through the structure, further camouflaging it from view outside the thicket. As natural
bamboo reaches its full height within a year of growth, the elevation of the observation platform is carefully located so as to not be seen from outside the thicket of bamboo, and might only be noticed from outside the thicket should another patron be using the tower, as they would be visible from a distance, seeming to float within the gently windswept tops of the leafy thicket while taking in the unique views of Mt. Leconte and the Great Smoky Mountains.
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Arch 586 | Spring, 2013 Prof. Brandon Pace
My vertical studio project could easily be considered the actual beginnings of my thesis project. Sited on the grounds of the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum, the project offered a complex inventory of heavily varied terrain and multitude of disused buildings that were embedded with significant cultural history. I specifically selected this studio with the intent of approaching the design problem by applying historic conservation principles. The actual product not only maintained the historic implication, but also took on the context of the under-served surrounding neighborhoods in East Knoxville, and addressed underlying food security issues as well. With most of the buildings in a state of disrepair, the premise of the intervention was to maintain the historic footprint of the original nursery structures and the general sense of scale, while adding necessary services and facilities to promote the mission of the Botanical Garden.
Plan View
Plan View
Urban Brewery
Arch 572 [NAAB] | Fall, 2013 Prof. Gregory Spaw The Urban Brewery Project represents a unique opportunity to begin revitalizing an under utilized area of Knoxville, directly adjacent to the Central Business District. While an industrial development usually would not fit cohesively in a dense urban setting, the nature of the brewery, along with its implied public components yielded potential opportunities to integrate into the neighborhood setting. Adding public use components such as a traditional beer garden that doubles as recreational space and a public plaza, as well as a cafe and brewing supply retail store on the ground floor, and a small destination farm to table restaurant in the top floor, the investors are taking care to ensure that their business is not only located in an urban setting, but is part of what makes up the activated urban fabric. Tasting Room
100 BBL Brewhouse 200 BBL Fermenters (12) 200 BBL Brite Tanks (4)
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35 BBL Pilot House
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QAQC and Laboratory UP
Dry Storage
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Cold Storage
Cold Storage
Telecommunications
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Cold Storage
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Switchgear
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Biergarten
Cafe & Retail
Depot Street Floor Plan - Cellar 1/16” = 1’-0”
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Floor Plan - First Floor 1/16” = 1’-0”
Ogden Ave.
Cold Storage
6300 SF Biergarten
4000 SF Offices
3500 SF Cafe & Gift
4000 SF Restaurant
23000 SF Production, Packaging, and Storage
2500SF - QAQC | R&D
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Canning Storage
Canning [to ship]
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Can Filling
Can Packaging Seated Garden Boilers Reception DN
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Lounge
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Kitchen See Detail C Conference
Restaurant Office Area
Floor Plan - Second Floor 1/16” = 1’-0”
Floor Plan - Third Floor 1/16” = 1’-0”
1200SF Roof Garden
Components of the AIA-COTE categories: 1. Design and Innovation - Heavy use of exterior glazing is applied to maximize daylighting opportunities. To help offset the effects of unwanted solar gain in the warmer months, a louvre system is designed to reduce unwanted solar gain. Made from locally sourced white oak, the material is durable, attractive, and sustainable. 2. Regional & Community Design - The Industrial spaces are separated from the public spaces programmatically, but share the same site. Maximum space is rededicated to public use through creation of a plaza, enabled by locating most of the brewing process below grade. This also helps with passive methods of heating and cooling. 3. Land Use and Site Ecology - The green roofing systems, as well as the biergarten serve to mitigate stormwater runoff, and to help protect the First Creek Watershed, in which the site is located. Further, condensation of the industrial program uses far less raw square footage than traditional industrial applications.
Section - North West NTS
4. Bioclimatic Design - The heavy concrete mass serves to regulate temperature shifts naturally, minimizing active conditioning systems. Conversely, the horizontal surfaces that are covered in living systems prevent direct solar gain, reducing the heat island effect that such massing structures sometimes present. 5. Light and Air - Maximized glazing allows for superb daylighting, and operable glazing systems allow for natural ventilation and air changes in the industrial section of the site. 6. Water Cycle - Water runoff is reduced through living systems and the permeable biergarten. 7. Energy Flows and Energy Futures - Brewing beer can be an extremely wasteful process for both water and energy. The brewery uses a heat reclamation system to pre-heat the water used for the next batch of beer by siphoning off the heat during the cooling process after brewing the previous batch.
8. Materials and Construction - Board formed concrete creates a heavy thermal mass that naturally resists temperature shifts. With Knoxville’s average temperatures fluctuating at least 20 degrees F daily, the building resists transmitting heat to and from the occupied spaces. 9. Long Life | Loose Fit - Separating the industrial component from the public component generates the opportunity to meter the spaces separately, as well as lease spaces to various customers should the needs of the existing operation shift dramatically. 10. Collective Wisdom and Feedback Loops - Efforts to include passive conditioning systems generated programmatic separations, as well as material choices. Concrete will provide a durable working environment in the wet conditions that brewing beer generates, and the absence surfaces that normally occurr on beams and girders will prevent places for dust and vermin to collect, creating a cleaner environment.
Section - North East NTS
HVAC Parapet 49' - 0" Tower Parapet 46' - 0"
Tower Roof (TOP) 42' - 0"
HVAC Parapet
Green Roof Parapet Extensive Roofing System 4.5” Seedum Engineered Soil on Moisture Retention Membrane on Aeration Membrane on Drainage Membrane on Root Barrier on 7-12” of rigid insulation on Protection Course on Thermoplastic Membrane Louvre System: 3” x 1/2” White Oak Louvre Blades 12” x 3” Vertical Aluminum Louvre Struts 3’ x 12” Aluminum Angle Connections Chemical Anchors
3rd Floor 29' - 6"
Radiant In-Floor Heat: 1/2” PEX Tubing @ 18” O.C. in 1” Rigid Insulation under 3/4” OSB Decking under 3/4” White Oak Flooring
Suspended Ceiling Systems: White Oak Ceiling system with Perpendicular acoustic baffles Suspended from LGMF system Recessed Lighting and HVAC diffusers
2nd Floor 13' - 6"
Exterior Soffit: 8” Recessed Downlighting in 4” Cedar Plank Soffit
1st Floor 0' - 0"
Integrations Support Seminar Arch 509 | Fall 2013 [Process] Prof. Jennifer Akerman
The Integrations Support Seminar consisted of a series of readings and charrettes that challenge the sometimes overly sterile approach we take to energy and building systems. Three assignments are highlighted here. The first, at right, is an assignment that asked us to take into account energy and resources that are embodied in the simple existence of a site without a building. My approach was to create an installation in a pocket park that served as a dual harvest. Whimsical PV panels would harvest solar energy when the weather is nice, but when it rains, the shape collects water and channels it down into a cistern for later irrigation.
The second exercise was one of soil and water management. The challenge was to take a heavily sloped site and to re-envision it as an outdoor classroom and activity area. No soil should be removed, so total mass should be constant, and we had to manage 100% of the water on site. Model at upper left.
The third highlighted exercise was one of light and shadow. We created boxes that obscured views, and created some form of transitional lighting condition. Mine showed the moire effect by opposing two identical screens, and moving one screen. The changing aspect created a visual effect that many often observe, but rarely know how to create.
Urban[e] Agriculture
Arch 500 [Thesis] | Spring 2014 [Process] Dr. Avigail Sachs Prof. Jennifer Akerman Prof. Ted Shelton Issues of food access and food security plague the modern urban community. Simply examining the disparity in numbers of people that call themselves farmers exposes the loss of connection that we have to the land and to that which it supplies us with. With the number of farmers being reduced by 96% over the last fifty years, yet the general population level increasing, it becomes alarmingly obvious that we, as a society, are putting too
many of our proverbial eggs into a single basket. How did we get to such a state, in a nation of plenty, where parents cannot buy fresh or nutritious real foods due to simple lack of availability? There are claims that a freemarket economy should drive how people live and work, and which businesses live and die, but those positions make no allowance for those that lack the means to access that economy. Those of limited economic means find it difficult, if not downright impossible to navigate a shifting nutritional landscape that all too often demands a personal automobile.
Architecture will form the physical framework that supports a reconnection to the time honored process of growing food in an urban environment. The architecture will establish an energetic community locus that generates adjacent redevelopment of underutilized and abandoned industrial buildings into a desirable mixed income community, supported primarily by the efforts of the existing community, through the development of a system of citizen operated hyper-local agriculture. This new system of agriculture is a distributed network of urban farms that re-appropriate blighted properties, converting
them from negative tax revenues into productive economic opportunities for neighborhoods. Sited on first creek, the architecture fulfills its third task by becoming a hub of activity and education through connection to greenways and the public transit system. The architecture encourages improved nutrition and self-reliance through education, better physical health and welfare through activity and enhanced nutrition, and forms a community through the myriad opportunity that it presents.