c o n t e n t s resume experience, skills and education the music lab children’s museum fourth year integrated, architecture, systems and structures whiteread gallery art museum third year studio senior living facility historic downtown assisted living household second year studio convention center tuscan community and business center third year semester abroad desert hot springs spa passively cooled spa suite second year
JESSICA LASEAK ACCOMPLISHMENTS
3.72 GPA in 4th year of Environmental Design program at Texas A&M Texas A&M Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll – 2013 – present SEC Academic Honor Roll - 2013 - present Phi Eta Sigma member - 2013 - present National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars member - 2012 - present High school GPA of 4.21, ranked 11 out of 358 students, top 3%
HIGHLIGHTS
As an aspiring architect, I feel it is my responsibility to design meaningful spaces that are capable of inspiring and empowering others. While architecture’s primary function is to provide shelter, I believe that well designed projects can symbolize change and growth within a society. Green architecture can serve as a learning center and demonstrate that living sustainably doesn’t require radical lifestyle changes in order to protect our environment. I have always been interested in sustainable design and hope that graduate school can provide me with the tools I need to achieve my ultimate goal of designing a net zero building.
AIAS Member 2013-Present Revit Software Skills Strong Hand Drawing Skills
LEED Coursework Adobe Photoshop, Indesign Division I Track and Field Athlete (Walk On)
EXPERIENCE
HDR Architecture – Dallas, TX Sole architect on college EOC under director of S&T projects Updated plans, drew construction details, documented punch lists Toured projects during construction, gained knowledge of building practices Gained experience regarding operations of professional architecture firms Staffelbach – Dallas, TX Organized, inventoried, updated resource library Contacted vendors requesting samples, setting up meetings Assisted in administrative tasks such as archiving North Texas Burners Track Club – McKinney, TX Led high school girls through drills, workouts and competition Assisted in hurdle practice and coordination of relays
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Environmental Design, Texas A&M University, MAY 2016
the music lab discover, play, learn Music is a universal cultural element that is beautifully simple and wonderfully complex at the same time. It was imperative to explore the definition of music before any design work for this particular project could begin. The main idea for the music lab developed once it became apparent that all music is derived from nature and natural elements. This project should be a place where children can learn about how instruments were inspired by nature and evolved over time. The Music Lab has four interactive exhibits, a creative music space, a gift shop, a public cafe, a two hundred seat auditorium and an open concept office for museum administrators. Children start their journey at a large rock wall made of differing materials which teaches them about percussion and how sounds can change based on texture and density. Then, there are several stations nearby with varying acoustic insulation to help children understand why their singing may sound good in the shower, but not in the car. On the second level of exhibits a partition wall made of steel cables demonstrates how tension and cord size can create different sounds. From there, the children can access the rooftop garden with a hollow metal sculpture to show them how the movement of wind creates noise. Finally, the children can apply what they’ve learned and experiment with nontraditional instruments like those seen in performances by The Blue Man Group and Stomp in the music lab on the courtyard level of the museum. The ultimate goal is that when children leave the lab, they have a greater understanding of and appreciation for music.
the music lab discover, play, learn The Music Lab is located on the edge of downtown Houston, Texas where buildings are a mix of shapes, sizes, styles and uses. This project mimics its environment so much so that it is almost a miniature version of an urban landscape. Shapes rise up and down and the museum dips into the ground plane. The Music Lab is comprised of small volumes toward the northern end of the site, where neighboring buildings are long and low to the ground. The project steadily rises just like the skyscrapers that begin to spring up around the site to the south. The Music Lab also interacts with the site by sinking a level half underground to encourage visitors and passerby to walk through the courtyard and interact with the project. As a result, the entry level to the museum is ten feet above ground level, giving the entrance and exhibits a sense of importance. This helps give the project an interesting form, while keeping plans and interior spaces simple, coherent and easy to navigate.
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
COLUMN SIZING - TYPICAL UNBRACED 20' NAME HEIGHT WIDTH DEPTH C1 20'-0" 0'-6" 0'-6" C2 40'-0" 0'-10" 0'-11" C3 60'-0" 1'-11" 1'-7" * T DENOTES TRANSFER COLUMN
CONCRETE SHEAR WALL - LATERAL BRACING CONCRETE RETAINING WALL
BEAM SIZING - CENTER LINE DEPTH NAME SPAN B1 4'-0" 0'-04" B2 6'-0" 0'-04" B3 12'-0" 0'-06" B4 16'-0" 0'-08" B5 18'-0" 0'-10" B6 24'-0" 1'-00" B7 28'-0" 1'-02" B8 36'-0" 1'-06" B9 48'-0" 2'-00" B10 60'-0" 2'-06"
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
the music lab discover, play, learn
five
The Music Lab is an extremely energy efficient building for several reasons. The roof houses 20000sqft of solar panels that provide power for the building throughout most of the year. There is also a rainwater collection system under the courtyard paving which supplies all water closets and most other plumbing fixtures. The galleries are so well lit that they do not require electrical lighting throughout the day. Taking advantage of these systems has allowed The Music Lab to achieve an EUI of 5, which is well ahead of the 2030 challenge benchmark for 2015.
whiteread gallery
life is black and white, solid and void Located in the industrial district of Dallas, Texas, the Rachel Whiteread Art Gallery houses five sculptures and five drawings by the British artist the building is named after. The nearly 13000sqft gallery includes a lecture hall, resource center, five galleries and administrative spaces. A public garden on the southern end of the site provides visitors with a view of the Dallas skyline. The gallery was designed to be simple yet elegant so that visitors can observe, study and celebrate Whiteread’s work. She has had several successful and controversial works, winning awards for being both the best and the worst British artist in 1994. Whiteread is mostly known for sculpting or casting solid objects from everyday items where there is usually a void. This concept has materialized in the design of the building by creating a central gallery that is floating or separated from surrounding galleries by circulation spaces. Each gallery is designed specifically for the piece it houses so that they are as unique as the piece inside. Natural lighting is extremely important for Whiteread’s work because her sculptures have minute textural details that wouldn’t be visible in artificial lighting. There are several skylights throughout the galleries to ensure that each piece is well lit and can be viewed the way the artist intended. Simplistic design concepts are reflected in the plan of the building, allowing visitors to casually meander through the museum while observing the artist’s world renewed work.
whiteread gallery
life is black and white, solid and void
galleries
public and private
assembled parti
final design circulation corridor
the building within
whiteread gallery
life is black and white, solid and void
whiteread gallery
life is black and white, solid and void
whiteread gallery
life is black and white, solid and void
whiteread gallery
life is black and white, solid and void
senior living facility a new solution to an age old problem With elderly populations on the rise, The United States and other industrialized nations have historically struggled to provide safe, stimulating environments for their senior citizens to reside. Unfortunately, this has resulted in such a negative stigma surrounding nursing homes that middle aged adults and young retirees can often be heard begging to not be left in such a facility when their ability to live independently begins to wane. In recent decades this had led to an increase in research which shed much needed light on the kind of spaces that the elderly not only prefer, but thrive in. Studies have shown that the more socially active a senior citizen is, the healthier they are. This has led to a shift in assisted living facility design from a typical hospital wing to a traditional household. Medical researches have also discovered that access to nature and the outdoors not only speeds up the recovery process but helps to keep people healthy. Modern assisted living facilities now incorporate greenery in every space possible and encourage residents to go outdoors whenever the weather permits. These healthy, patient oriented design moves are slowly beginning to change the public’s perception of assisted living facilities which is monumental considering a majority of the nation’s population will soon be over sixty five years of age.
senior living facility a new solution to an age old problem WELCOME TO BRYAN - Laid back country life and suburban amenities help make Bryan, Texas a perfect place to spend retirement. Located along the edge of the historic downtown district, the building site offers both privacy and easy access to shops, restaurants and a park. This encourages social activities and outings for the residents who have a desire to engage in their community. For those who are less mobile or independent, the project houses a classroom to bring locals inside to interact with the senior residents. The warm, sunny Texas weather also allows clients to enjoy the garden and outdoor patio spaces practically year round.
senior living facility
a new solution to an age old problem Private, modular rooms are modestly sized to allow for small, private gatherings while encouraging residents to leave their quarters and socialize with their house mates.
Rooms are nested together to create neighboring clusters which increases instances of socialization for shy residents.
Private residences are separated from the main, public spaces by the circulation corridor.
senior living facility a new solution to an age old problem
senior living facility a new solution to an age old problem HIGHTLIGHTING THE ENTRY - One of the client’s main requests when outlining the project was to create a modern building with a prominent entrance that would not upstage the buildings in the surrounding area. The intent was to design a welcoming, easily located main entry for the senior residents and visitors to use on a daily basis. Traditional finishing materials including brick, wood and limestone were used on the exterior of the building to compliment its surroundings while gently sloping roof lines added a modern touch that didn’t distract visitors from the historic downtown district’s charm.
senior living facility a new solution to an age old problem OUTDOOR SPACES - Studies have shown that access to nature can be extremely beneficial to the elderly. Hospitals and assisted living centers that have easy access to nature have happier, healthier clients. Well designed outdoor spaces promote activity which help seniors stay strong and physically fit. This project provides both exposed and sheltered outdoor spaces to allow every resident the opportunity to go outside, regardless of their physical abilities or limitations. The patio has several seating clusters and the garden has paths that lead to amenities off site. This encourages social interaction within the community.
senior living facility a new solution to an age old problem
senior living facility a new solution to an age old problem SOCIAL INTERACTION - Senior citizens that engage in a social lifestyle tend to be in better physical health than those who keep to themselves in retirement. This project has a varying gradient of public spaces. Bedrooms offer the most privacy and are large enough for small, familiar gatherings. The reading nook provides a quiet place to enjoy the presence of others. The kitchen is one of the most social places in the project, enabling residents to mingle amongst themselves while prepping for meals.
convention center
work and play in the tuscan landscape Castiglion Fiorentino is a typical small, medieval town nestled among the rolling hills of the charming Chianti Valley. The town is home to a plethora of traditional shops and restaurants that have yet to be spoiled by commercialism and endless droves of tourists on holiday and serves as a quiet academic retreat for American students spending a semester abroad. Even though Castiglion Fiorentino has lots to offer and recently topped a list of fairytale European towns, it is lacking a large communal gathering space. Most indoor meetings and events only accommodate seating for 50 people and outdoor performance dates are often shuffled around due to unfavorable weather conditions. An abandoned lot conveniently located across the street from the Florence-Rome train line provides the perfect location for a convention center to address all of the town’s needs. Half of the project is designed to take care of the town’s business needs so it houses a 125 seat auditorium, 8 breakout rooms and 4 conference rooms. The other half of the project has a full service restaurant, breakfast lounge and 78 hotel suites of varying sizes and rates to allow weary travelers to enjoy the comforts of Castiglion Fiorentino for an extended period of time.
convention center
work and play in the tuscan landscape
convention center
work and play in the tuscan landscape
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES Regardless of where your Italian adventures may take you, its safe to bet that you won’t be able to complete the journey using a single mode of transportation due to varying terrain, urban landscape and generally relaxed public transportation schedules. Thankfully, Castiglion Fiorentino’s new convention center can be easily accessed by train, car and even on foot. The site is located across the street from the train station so travelers anywhere along the Florence-Rome line can reach their destination virtually hassle free. Those who choose to travel by car are also in luck because the site is located in the relatively level and modern part of the valley with roads wide enough to accommodate cars. Locals tend to walk more often than drive and the large, street level colonnade invites passerby to visit the public courtyard.
convention center
work and play in the tuscan landscape
convention center
work and play in the tuscan landscape
convention center
work and play in the tuscan landscape
desert hot springs spa better design, better planet, better you While working with a project in a tough environment, its important to design a building that won’t be under stress when fully operational. This private spa suite is designed to take advantage of Desert Hot Spring’s daily temperature fluctuation to keep the room cool during the day and warm at night. Instead of relying on mechanical ventilation, the spa suite uses a building envelope similar to a trombe wall to keep the space comfortable. Thin, metal panels are welded to a rib system that is mounted to a two foot thick, rammed earth wall. The metal panels absorb heat during the day which is stored in the air pocket between the panels and rammed earth wall. The wall slowly releases the heat into the spa at night, when temperatures in the desert plummet.
desert hot springs spa better design, better planet, better you
desert hot springs spa better design, better planet, better you
desert hot springs spa better design, better planet, better you