JIMMY OTIENO OWINO
Designer’s Statement My name is Jimmy Otieno Owino and this is [some of] my academic work at Andrews University School of Architecture & Interior Design. As an aspiring architect, I am interested in designing buildings and places that respond to the human aspect and how it shapes their experience. As a keen observer, I take delight in learning and enhancing my skills in the entire spectrum of building design, including the structure, building envelope, aesthetic value, and placement in the town fabric.
JIMMY OTIENO OWINO tel: 269.815.2002 email: owinojimmyo@gmail.com web: www.issuu.com/jimmyowino
Content 01
Twin Cities Harbor
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Mila Cultural Center
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Rejuvenating Niles
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Intern Experience
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East Hill Residence
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A Place Within
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Analytical Sketches
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Wood Models
TWIN CITIES HARBOR
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THE STUDY
The Inn at Harbor Shores LaFarge Lake Michigan
This study was commissioned by the City of Benton Harbor and prepared by the 2015 Urban Design Studio, at Andrews University School of Architecture & Interior Design for the benefit of the Twin Cities community, and for God’s glory. To help initiate action, the City of Benton Harbor led a stakeholder steering committee of diverse private and public leaders representing both cities. They commissioned this study via a four-month process led by Andrews University in collaboration with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. Its purpose was to inform public debate with facts and illustrative concepts - more like a “menu� of useful strategies rather than a master plan.
Central Dock
Inner Harbor
Outer Harbor
Wh Cor
St.
Court House
l
ne
n ha nC
o rris
Mo
Dock 63
Downtown St. Joseph
The
Marina Island
600 acre study area focuses on the harbor and
adjacent strategic and underutilized properties. It crosses both cities, but not all of the more than 500 acres of land within it were studied equally. The irregular boundary reflects a turbine-like shape of the place and the natural, economic, and community assets that are tied to it.
In September 2015, the team worked with nationally
Throughout October 2015, while refining design concepts,
In November 2015, the in-process work was presented
renown professional experts in the fields of retail development, transportation, and storm water management to prepare preliminary and realistic design concepts.
the team also met with various focus groups on site to discuss special interests - as shown here with concerned residents of the Old Edgewater neighborhood.
during a well-attended public open house at The Harbor Shores Inn. The study was completed in December of the same year.
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Jos
ep h
Benton Harbor Arts District al g Can ippin
Old Sh
hirlpool rporation
Conceptual view of Twin Cities Harbor looking West. Rendering done by Stevene Davidovas. Riv er
Riverview Drive
Yarbrough Park
Conceptual view of Marina Island redevelopment and Dock 63 commercial port. Rendering done by Gian Penaredondo.
The study suggested that the Twin Cities harbor area is on the cusp of great transformations. Recent private investment in both cities, generational and demographic changes, market trends, shipping activity, lifestyle preferences, tourism, the arts, political cooperation, the funding climate - all of this points to new opportunities to uplift both cities as one prosperous, healthy, whole community.
Conceptual view of Main Street and Riverview Drive mixed-use redevelopment. Rendering done by Youngeun Joung.
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URBAN PRODUCTIVITY URBAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL
TAX BASE PER ACRE
$2.8 MILLION $1,000,000+
Average Tax Base per Acre
501 Pleasant Street, St. Joseph $501,000 - $1,000,000
Minimal setbacks, on-street parking, 100 percent lot coverage, and multi-story uses above
$201,000 - $500,000
Benton Harbor Arts District
$120,000
SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL $51,000 - $200,000
Tax Base per Acre
make this parcel a very productive
$76,000
Average Tax Base per Acre $0 - $50,000
Downtown St. Joseph
$540,000 Tax Base Average per Acre
Marina Island
645 Riverview Drive Benton Harbor Large setbacks, off-street
$40,000
$0 / No Data Available
Tax Base Average per Acre
parking lots, low lot coverage, and single-story uses make this parcel less productive in comparison. Yet, it is covered
Productivity per Acre
by a similar amount of infrastructure.
The productivity of land can be measured by looking at public tax records and calculating the Tax Base per acre. Cities have a finite amount of land, so promoting productive development types helps to grow tax base. The diagram above clearly illustrates that urban, walkable, compact, mixed-use places are consistently more productive than low-density, suburban, automobile-oriented development models.
AVAILABLE LAND IN STUDY AREA
EXISTING LAND USE
Industrial
Recreation/ Open Space
125ACRES
Port/ Marinas
Vacant or underdeveloped land
2.3MILES
Retail/ Mixed Use
50%
Private Waterfront
Over
89.9%
Vacant & Underutilized Industrial and Water Recreation District.
Institutional
Office only
Residential
Privately owned Lots
Vacant
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Parking
Liner Building
Whirlpool Corporation
Both mid-block and on-street parking is critical for retailers’ success and maintaining a
25-30 foot building that conceals
Has about 1000 employees in the
flourishing commercial economy in general. This is because it creates the steady turnover
parking in the rear and preserves the
building and has 4000+ employees
of shoppers needed , especially stop-and-go retailers like coffee shops, dry cleaners,
pedestrian experience on the street.
in the Benton Harbor area.
and specialty food stores.
Loft Building with grocery
Art: “La Diva”
Canal Walk to Arts District
Previous concept by Whirlpool Corporation
Riverview Drive
Dry dock
On-Street Parking
Existing mixed use
Residential Units
100 Percent Corner
Residential development creates a customer base for neighborhood-serving
High traffic corridor, made possible by factors such as, Main Street being a major
retail, especially grocery store and other retail anchors, which in turn have
arterial connection between Benton Harbor Arts District and Downtown St.
to conform to the urban character of the community in order to thrive. In
Joseph. This creates favorable conditions for retailers’ success due to the high
addition, jobs within a walking distance, coupled with highly walkable
volume of traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular.
streets, make of a rich residential area.
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ENVIRONMENT
RIVER VIEW DRIVE & PLAZA Riverview Drive has a great potential of being a key inland connection to the greater Benton Harbor area. It also presents itself as a suitable avenue for environmental rehabilitation strategies such as shoreline restoration and storm water management. In additions, areas such as the current Chase Bank building site, can conceivably be used for a waterfront plaza that has mixed use development. Riverview drive
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SHORELINE RESTORATION
WETLAND RESTORATION
The recreational value of waterways often leads to the proliferation of turf lawns down to the water’s edge. This high maintenance, shallow-rooted turf contributes to shoreline erosion problems, the delivery of fertilizers and pesticides to lake water and the loss of habitat. Parts of the study area are very suitable to be returned to a more natural state.
Wetlands help to alleviate storm water issues, improve water quality, and provide species habitat. The City should look to protect and restore habitat areas within the community. Wooded areas, wetlands, ravines, and waterways are examples of areas that should be protected and natured.
Riverview Plaza Redevelopment
Seasonal Structures
The site of the existing Chase building is a good candidate for mixed-use redevelopment
If transient boat slips were provided, existing businesses on South
due to its waterfront and proximity to activity centers further north. Quality public spaces
Riverview Drive could benefit from seasonal structures for dining,
on the waterfront can include stepped embankments, a plaza, and waterfront dining.
entertainment, vendors, and fishing related activity.
Transient Boat Slips
Shoreline Restoration
Riverview Boardwalk
South Riverview Drive businesses could benefit
Restored species habitat can help to
Boardwalks are a good alternative to hard-edge seawall waterfronts
from easier access by visiting boaters.
improve fishing opportunities along
when densities are lower, as on South Riverview Drive. This can help
an expanded public boardwalk
to give the Benton Harbor waterfront distinction and can promote
system in Benton Harbor.
shoreline restoration efforts.
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RIVER VIEW PLAZA The site of the existing Chase Bank building is a good candidate for mixed-use redevelopment due to its waterfront, and proximity to activity centers further north. Quality public spaces on the waterfront can include stepped embankments, a plaza, and waterfront dining, as shown in this conceptual render.
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MILA CULTURAL CENTER
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PREMISE Nothing, save the omnipresence of our Creator, and His wondrous creation that is nature, is more all-embracing than the definition of Culture. The totality of beliefs, behavior and values. Based on this perspective, we should expect the influence of culture to dominate fundamental reasoning, the creative process and the final shape and form of national identity. In this regard, a proposal was put forth that the city of Chicago put up a Folk Cultural Center with the sole purpose of preserving, protecting and promoting all forms of folk art and folk culture as intangible elements of cultural heritage. The center had to have a cultural school, residential component to it, and in addition, retail opportunities on the first floor.
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MILA AUDITORIUM This main attraction of the Mila Cultural Center, provides a platform for cultural performances from around the globe. With a generous lobby for receptions and spillage, it has a seating capacity of 1,000, distributed between the main floor and the balconies. It also has a 1,200 sf stage that extends beyond the proscenium. The back of house program also provides for shops, fly systems, green rooms, and trap room.
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GALLERY The gallery provides space for displaying art and other cultural artifacts, that are promoted as an attraction for a period of time before being placed for sale in the retail below. The 3,200 sf space also lends itself to banquets with a splendid view of downtown Chicago and The Chicago River.
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First floor plan
Second floor plan
RESIDENTIAL UNITS The residential units that occupy the sixth to the twenty fourth floor, are a mixture of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, with amenities such as a gymnasium, lounge, garden, located on the sixth floor.
EAST ELEVATION
7th-24th floor plan
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PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION The first floor consists of Mila Auditorium and some retail on the West side of the building, and the main retail space on the East side. The Cultural School is located on the East side and occupies the second to fifth floors. Residential units occupy the sixth floor to the twenty fourth floor, and a restaurant on the twenty fifth.
Third floor plan
Cultural Restaurant
Residential Units
WEST ELEVATION
Residential Entrance Gymnasium Mila Auditorium Cultural School Retail 22
01 Gallery parapet detail
02 Auditorium parapet detail
N-S 3D AUDITORIUM SECTION The 3d section shows the relationship between the large volume that is the auditorium, and other spaces such as the gallery and essential circulation. It also shows the plenum through which conditioned air enters the 3.5 story volume from the central system (Single duct, Constant Air Volume). Diagram (b), to the left, shows the distribution of air through the entire west wing of the building. Diagram (a), far left, shows the simple but effective structure, built out of voided, cast in place reinforced concrete (U-boot System by Dalform Group).
(a)
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(b)
03 Gallery floor detail 02
01
03
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PROCESS
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Bubble diagrams are a handy strategy to establish strong relationships between the different program uses. It is from this that I was able to develop the design further, taking into consideration the ties established in the bubble stage.
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TOWER LAYOUT
FACADE STUDY Pros and trade offs of different facade looks were considered in the later development stages of the design
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REJUVENATING NILES
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CONCEPT The Niles Main street office building is part of a larger block development aimed at reactivating the city of Niles, Michigan and act as a project to ignite growth of Niles Northwards. The block is located by the St. Joseph river and has other components such as u-court apartments, town houses, and mixed use building.
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Restaurant view.
PROGRAM The first floor of this Main street corner building has a restaurant that has seating both inside and spills into the outdoor under the colonnade. The first floor also has space for retail. Class-A office spaces are also available on the entire second floor.
CONSTRUCTION The construction of the building consists of open web steel joists and hollow core prefabricated slabs on steel framing, steel studs as the back-up wall, with an Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS).
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WATER BLOCK DEVELOPMENT The water block development is proposed to consist of office buildings, mixed use buildings, town homes and apartment buildings. The density is directed at creating a vibrant block that would spur more development towards the North of the City of Niles.
Existing Wonderland Cinema.
U-Court Apartments
St. Joseph River
Class- A office building
Mixed use corner building Town homes
Retail and office building City River Park
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INTERN EXPERIENCE
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Conceptual perspective view of the community center. Poplar, MT.
East Elevation
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West Elevation
POPLAR COMMUNITY CENTER The community center provides a central location for its citizens and visitors to enjoy high quality fitness, education, arts and culture, recreation, and social opportunities. The center located in the village of Poplar, MT, consists of a meeting hall, kitchen, classrooms, and living quarters in the lower level. It also provides a basketball court and a serene environment for meditation in the outdoors.
North Elevation
South Elevation
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Conceptual perspective view of the proposed police building.
Proposed new police Building
Existing storage
Existing Town hall building
Site layout
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Proposed impound lot and large evidence storage
EDWARDSBURG POLICE STATION The village of Edwardsburg, MI, required a simple building to house their law enforcement department. With a given budget, the department settled for a pole barn building with a brick facade.
FLOOR PLAN The Floor plan is a simple double loaded hallway, that lead to and from the garage. Provisions have also been made in order to accommodate other police special rooms such as the interrogation room, evidence room, and a conference room for training and other activities that would require larger spaces.
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EAST HILL RESIDENCE
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THE RESIDENCE Located in East Hill, a Historic Neighborhood in the city of Grand Rapids, Mi, this residence had to meet and surpass all the thresholds set by the city ordinances, and at the same time demonstrate timelessness by incorporating aspects of modern architecture in both design and choice of materials.
Roof Plan.
Second floor Plan.
First floor Plan.
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EAST ELEVATION The East elevation, is fronted by Baldwin Street Park. By carefully transitioning from private to semi public to public space, the residents are able to take full advantage of the park and beyond.
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WEST ELEVATIONS The West elevation shows the secondary entrance to the house, but at the same time attention to detail remains critical in order to maintain the character of the house.
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CONSTRUCTION East Hill Residence, commissioned by Robb Cumming, a developer in the area, is a timber frame house designed to be built using Structural Insulated Panels and lap siding as the building envelope, cedar shake shingles as the main roofing material, and standing seam metal for the low slope porch roofs.
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SITE LOCATION The site is a triangular shape lot that is fronted by Baldwin Street Park to the West, Fulton Street to the North and Lake Drive SE Street to the South. Fulton Street
(b) Baldwin Street Park
(a)
SITE DEVELOPMENT The site was to include a two house ensemble, both with a detached garage/carriage house. The Northern house (b), was designed by Ryan Jacobson.
Lake
Driv e SE
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A PLACE WITHIN
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KRASL ENTRANCE GARDEN A key component of the Krasl Art Center’s Master plan is to redesign it’s grounds to improve visitor engagement through a park-like setting. In addition, make a connection to the pedestrians passing on both sides of the street and give them a reason to want to go and experience the entrance garden first hand, and eventually go into the gallery, and view various art masterpieces displayed.
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Plan layout of the entrance garden.
Pedestrian approach from the parking Lot
Pedestrian experience from sidewalk on opposite side of Lake Boulevard
View from the garden to the main entrance.
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Pedestrian experience from the opposite side of
THE GARDEN The entrance garden leans more towards a formal approach while maintaining important axial connections in order to orient and direct the pedestrians approaching both from the street, and the parking lot. The lower garden, adjacent to Lake Boulevard, slopes towards the street, and has a SW-NE axis which enables even vehicular traffic to experience the connection.
Bird’s eye view of the whole complex.
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f Lake Boulevard.
Vehicular traffic experience from the south, heading North.
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ANALYTICAL SKETCHES
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(Left) A perspective view of stairs with fountains in every step and (Above), a cross-section of the garden to demonstrate the cascading effect of the landscape. Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Italy.
(Below) Clustered columns sketch at Saint Chapelle, and a view of the post office dome from Palais de Justice courtyard, Paris France. (Right) Monument at Chanforan, Waldenses, Italy.
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Arco di Augusto, Susa Italy.
The Moses, San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, Italy. Michelangelo.
Partial elevation study. Double storey columns. Michelangelo’s Capitoline Museum, Rome, Italy.
(Right) A sketch exploring the axial conditions and the organic nature of Woodland Cemetery in Stockholm, Sweden. (Left), Church at Forte Fenestrelle, Italy.
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TEMPIETTO This is a water color impression of Bramante Tempietto of San Pietro in Montorio, Rome, Italy, which is widely believed to be the site of the martyrdom of St. Peter. Built in 1502.
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Water color impression of a street and its relationship to housing in Vaxholm, Sweden (above). A bridge at Prior Park in Bath, England (below).
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WOOD MODELS
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EAVE DETAIL This eave detail of the East Hill Residence, page 39, shows the different materials used in the timber house design. The inlet shows, a) Tongue and grove ceiling boards, b) Cedar shake shingles, and c) Lap siding.
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(b)
(c)
CARRIAGE HOUSE A simple study of how to frame a simple stick house and how the pieces come together. In this case, platform framing was used.
SHIPPING CONTAINER GALLERY This study model shows the placement and design of two 20 ft shipping containers that were turned into a multipurpose space. The initial purpose was a gallery and eventually will be used as office space. The project was commissioned by Prairie Real Estate Group of Benton Harbor, Michigan. It was set to be fully built and installed by Andrews University Design-Build Studio students by 4/28/2016.
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JIMMY OTIENO OWINO tel: 269.815.2002 email: owinojimmyo@gmail.com web: www.issuu.com/jimmyowino
“As an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.” – Norman Foster