design portfolio John E. Brown University of Florida
contact John E. Brown 407.461.7323 1590 Rebecca Place jebrown388@gmail.com Longwood, FL 32779
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contents yr 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 4
matrix 6 door, window, stair 10 copenhagen
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buildingscape
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desert
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florida landscape
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bay street library
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hudson rail yards
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newnan street townhomes
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matrix Design 1 Fall 2005
Critic | Martin Gundersen Project Length | 5 weeks
Matrix (noun): “Something that constitutes the place or point from which something else originates, takes form, or develops.� This project consists of two components: 1) an infrastructure of linear elements that constructs a threedimensional field of spatial possibilities, and 2) a planar system of three paper constructions (composed from a set of two dimensional collages) that articulate three moments within this field. Given the ambiguity inherent in identifying the matrix in such a project, a new possibility is proposed in which the two components enter an interdependent dialogue in which each could not exist without the other. In this situation, the planar constructions exist within a field of spatial possibilities defined by the infrastructure; without this field they could not exist. In turn, the infrastructure relies on the spatial solidity of the planar constructions, thereby allowing for the ambiguity in the field that exists beyond the bounds of the planar constructions. Emphasis is placed on the interdependence of these two systems by blurring the conceptual boundary between them, allowing the planar system to operate as infrastructure, and vice versa. One manifestation of this is the spatial relationship between the two systems. While two of the planar constructions sit below the infrastructure, the infrastructure folds underneath the third construction, elevating it above the others. In this way, the infrastructure transforms into a unified folded construction similar to the planar system.
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Collages 8
Plan
matrix 9
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door, window, stair Design 3 Fall 2006
Critic | Levent Kara Project Length | 5 weeks
Speculate (verb): “To think about the various aspects of a given subject. Implies a reasoning on the basis of incomplete or uncertain evidence and therefore stresses conjectural character of the opinions formed.” The aim of this exercise was to translate a two-dimensional filmic construction into a three-dimensional tectonic construction. Analysis of the film “Reconstruction,” a chronicle of a Danish man’s life which questions the concepts of space and time as fixed notions, focused on treating it as a construction in itself. Thus, critical to this analysis are those elements that weave together the narrative beyond the literalness of the spoken word, including the use of camera angles to create layering of characters, recurring symbols, and episodic place-events. These filmic elements provided a conceptual framework from which to deconstruct/disassemble the film, then reconstruct it into an architectural narrative that speculates on the possibilities for creating space that recalls a sense of the film’s construction, but also considers the identity and function of a ‘door,’ a ‘window,’ and a ‘stair’ beyond the typical conventions. The notion of speculation throughout the project is critical, as the translation between the film and model was not a 1:1 reproduction of the film’s events into three dimensions, but rather an exercise in questioning the architectural possibilities inherent in the construction of a filmic event.
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Filmic construction 12
door, window, stair 13
Montage of ‘Reconstruction’
Study model
Plan
Section
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Section perspective door, window, stair 15
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door, window, stair 17
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copenhagen Design 3 Fall 2006
Critic | Levent Kara Project Length | 8 weeks
Reconstruction (noun): “An interpretation formed by piecing together known information.” Using the findings from the Door, Window, Stair project as a catalyst, this exercise further explored the film ‘Reconstruction’ and its Copenhagen, Denmark context. Through the lens of the narrative, the urban condition was analyzed as a means to create a new imagined reality existing between the film and the city. Critical to this analysis was identifying common syntactical elements between the narrative and the city, such as edge, threshold, rhythm, sequence, repetition, and time. These elements provided a structural basis to compose a layered reconstruction/mapping of the film’s events/sequences onto the city of Copenhagen. From this framework, three distinct interventions were proposed to occupy this new synthetic reality.
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Study model
Urban mapping of Copenhagen 20
Plan
Section
Interventions copenhagen 21
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buildingscape Design 4 Spring 2007
Critic | William Tilson Project Length | 2.5 weeks
Program | Exhibition Space Location | Gainesville, Florida
Tectonics (noun): “The science or art of assembling, shaping, or ornamenting materials in construction; the constructive arts in general.” Designed as a conceptual addition to the UF Architecture Building, this project provides additional exhibition, critique, and study space for 25-30 architecture students and faculty. A major design requirement was that the project not touch the ground for structural support, but rather hang or attach to the existing structure. The key to achieving this requirement and integrating the design within the existing structure was locating the proposal within one of the building’s spatial joints. The chosen location was a vertical slice through the building’s exterior, which offers a secondary scale to the otherwise flat brick facade and also affords a controlled view into the building. This provides the opportunity for the project to fold out of the vertical slice, thereby allowing the occupant to experience this transition between the new and existing space. The model explored the concepts of human occupation and building tectonics, while still operating at a certain level of conceptual design. A series of photomontages advanced these two concepts further, such as transforming a static, flat wall into a dynamic, layered wall surface for the display of drawings and other two-dimensional media.
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Transition space between existing building and exhibit space
Exhibition and critique space buildingscape 25
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desert Design 4 Spring 2007
Critic | William Tilson Project Length | 6 weeks
Program | Design and Research Center Location | Black Rock Desert, Nevada
Playa (noun): “A nearly level, generally dry surface in the lowest part of a desert basin.” The Land Arts of the American Southwest is an interdisciplinary, studio-based, fieldy study program dedicated to expressing the interpretation and understanding of the landscape through the design and construction of large-scale land arts projects. To create a facility suitable for these needs, the project sought to create a variety of spaces to study the desert playa. Each study space portrays the landscape at a different scale, allowing for a greater understanding of the natural environment. The central tower, which marks the location of the facility’s water well, permits viewing from an elevated position, thereby emphasizing the vastness of the landscape and the individuality of the observer. In contrast, the two study spaces that flank the project allow larger groups of students to examine the desert surface. A central open-air courtyard provides a place for gathering and the sharing of knowledge among the facility’s inhabitants. Also key to the design was protection from the harsh elements of the desert playa. Controlling the passage of sunlight into the facility, as well as partially embedding the project in the desert surface, provided the necessary shelter.
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Study model
Plan diagram 28
Plan diagrams
Section diagrams
Transverse section desert 29
Longitudinal section 30
Plan desert 31
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florida landscape Design 5 Fall 2007
Critic | Pablo Herenu Project Length | 10 weeks
Program | Water Institute Location | Gainesville, Florida
Filter (noun): “A medium through which objects, information, or ideas are passed.” One of the defining elements of the ‘Florida Landscape’ is the presence of water. The notion of ‘filter’, a concept/property often associated with water, provided a design vehicle to conceptually fuse the multiple programmatic elements of this 20,000 square foot facility dedicated to the scientfic advancement of and public education about water. To achieve this fusion, the research and exhibition facilities are positioned over the water of Newnans Lake, symbolic of scientific discoveries and ‘reaching out’ for new ideas. This location also satisfies a pragmatic requirement of providing the researchers access to the water to conduct experiments. In contrast, the classrooms, library, and housing facilities placement on terra firma reflects the solidity of the established knowledge found in such facilities. An elevated pedestrian walkway bridges the conceptual and physical gap between these extremes. This bridge passes through the existing tree line, thereby transforming into a ‘permeable edge’ whereby people traversing the bridge are symbolic carriers of information and ideas as they filter between the realms of scientific inquiry and accepted knowledge. .
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Study model
Newnans Lake 34
Site manipulation model
2nd floor plan
1st floor plan
View through ‘permeable’ tree line
Site map North ↑ florida landscape 35
Transverse section 36
florida landscape 37
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florida landscape 39
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bay street library Design 6 Spring 2008
Critic | Rocke Hill Project Length | 9 weeks
Program | Library Location | Charleston, South Carolina
Situated adjacent to the historic Exchange Building on East Bay Street, the design faced several unique contextual and programmatic constraints. In recognition of the 100 year flood line of Charleston, the main level of the 20,000 sq. ft. library is elevated a minimum of ten feet above grade. Programmatically, 30% of the site was required to be open to the sky, thereby encouraging the design of integrated and programmed outdoor spaces, including seating for the ground level restaurant, an exterior entry plaza, and a small reading area between the library and Exchange Building. In respect of the historical and physical presence of the Exchange Building, the library is pulled back from East Bay Street, thereby creating a subdued street appearance. Also intrinsic to the design was an adjacent garden/landscape site to the west, designed as a visual and physical extension of the programmed outdoor spaces. Thus, the library was not proposed as a terminus in the pedestrian experience of Charleston, but rather as an urban joint in one’s travels between East Bay Street and the riverfront.
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Site analysis 42
Gillon St.
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Prioleau St.
Exchange B
uilding
East Bay S t.
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Site plan
Site map North ↑
Site view from East Bay St. bay street library 43
1st floor circulation
2nd floor circulation
3rd floor circulation
1st floor program
2nd floor program
3rd floor program
Outdoor restaurant seating 44
Exterior entry plaza bay street library 45
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2nd floor plan
1st floor plan
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1 Restaurant (on site plan) 4 Computer terminals 7 Administrative offices
2 Lobby 5 Study rooms 8 Reading areas
3 Auditorium 6 Meeting hall 9 Collection stacks
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3rd floor plan
4th floor plan
bay street library 47
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hudson rail yards Design 7 Critic | Mark McGlothlin Fall 2008 Project Length | 12 weeks
Program | Master Planning Location | New York, New York
The Hudson Rail Yards, a 26-acre site in New York City’s Chelsea District, was the site for this redevelopment project. The master plan drew inspiration from two interdependent ideas: the historical precedent of nearby Ellis Island and the site’s waterfront location along the Hudson River. A ferry terminal adjacent to the Rail Yards, providing pedestrian access to the site by means of a bridge across 12th avenue, evokes a similar idea of entry/approach via the water as Ellis Island. In addition, Ellis Island featured a system of internal circulation akin to a filter, in which immigrants progressed from large assembly spaces to individual inspection stations. This system provided a model for the site’s general organization, filtering from open gathering spaces at the western end adjacent to the Hudson, to smaller plazas and courtyards. The Highline, an elevated industrial railway converted into a park, borders the site and is incorporated into the design of the site’s greenspace, thereby linking the site with the surrounding neighborhoods at the pedestrian scale. To optimize the site’s waterfront location, taller buildings are located towards the eastern end, thereby maximizing office space and residential units with views of the water. The proposal, which is elevated above the rail yards beneath the site by means of a platform, includes ten residential and commercial towers, retail space, a hotel, a school, and a cultural center. All aspects of the project were a collaborative effort between myself and student Michael Holborn.
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Land use diagrams
Site map North ↑
Section A (looking south) 50
City analysis
Section B (looking north)
Site analysis
Section C (looking east) hudson rail yards 51
Street-level plan
Ellis Island 52
Concourse plan
W. 34th St.
Section C
W. 33rd St.
Section B
10th Av.
11th Av.
12th Av.
Section A
W. 30th St.
W. 29th St.
Platform-level plan hudson rail yards 53
Hudson River ferry terminal
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Residential towers and cultural center along Highline (west end)
Residential towers and school along Highline (east end)
School recreation area overlooking public plaza
hudson rail yards 55
Retail building viewed from residential towers 56
hudson rail yards 57
View from corner of Newnan St. and Duval St.
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newnan street townhomes Design 8 Critic | Michael Kuenstle Spring 2009 Project Length | 9 weeks
Program | Mixed Use Location | Jacksonville, Florida
Skin (noun): “A thin outer covering of an object.� Envisioned as a medium density live/work style development, the main objective of this project was to resolve the contrasting design issues of both residential and commercial spaces. To this end, a simple diagram of three components (two residential blocks and a folded skin) was developed to organize the project. Seven residential units, located in two modular blocks, are elevated above the street-level retail space, providing a necessary degree of separation between the two programmatic elements. The three larger units face Newnan Street, whereas the four smaller units are rotated 90° to front Monroe Street. This brings a level of dynamism to the project, while also allowing for a natural breezeway between the two residential blocks. The third component, a folded skin of perforated metal, introduces a dynamic element to the design in contrast to the more static nature of the residential blocks. This skin weaves through the project to unify the two residential blocks and to provide partial protection from the elements for a rooftop garden. Responding to the lack of greenspace in the context, this rooftop garden, accessible to the public by means of a stair at the northern edge of the site, was designed a common place of gathering for the townhouse residents, retail customers, and the general public. The skin also defines several zones of circulation, such as the stair along the northern edge.
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Market St.
Newnan St.
Duval St.
Monroe St.
Site plan
Site map North ↑ 60
Site view from corner of Newnan St. and Monroe St.
Section B
Section C
Section A
2nd floor plan
3rd floor plan
Roof terrace plan
Site section newnan street townhomes 61
Skin
Residential units
Circulation
Structure
South elevation 62
West elevation
East elevation
Four residential units facing Monroe St.
Section A (looking west)
Duval St. parking lot access, set beneath three larger residential units
Section B (looking north)
Section C (looking south) newnan street townhomes 63
North elevation 64
newnan street townhomes 65
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