id by John Roché by John Roché

id John Matthew RochĂŠ

id - \’id\ noun the reservoir of the libido or “instinctive drive to create.” -Freud (abbreviation) document of identification or of one’s identity John Matthew Roché B S 2005 University of Michigan MA 2009 University of Illinois at Chicago

experimental 7 21 37 44 55 65 69

Calumet Research Double Decker Boundary Wrecker StimCity LightSpace HyperModule Facade Chicago Skate Park

Architectural + Urban Evolutions: Combinations of Territory Architecture, Urbanism and Landscape have become more and more interconnected, and more influenced than ever by many disciplines and many new forms of research. Within this publication are conceptions that establish sets of priorities and principles in the projection of contemporary urban configurations; and subsequent work (not included here), meant as architectural “tests,” or “samples” that gage the possibilities of the proposed urbanism. Rather than developing a traditional master plan, students designed (in groups) possible urbanisms according to aggressively interpretative, opportunistic, even idiosyncratic readings of historical ‘fact,’ current city planning schemes, zoning and building codes, real estate and developer practices and general concepts of organization. Also included are numerous non-traditional models of organization and techniques. The stance of this studio is that new urban configurations can not be conceived without architectural speculation. This does not mean isolated, separated or otherwise disconnected projects, but rather arrangements, even landscapes of forms, spaces, interior and exterior, along with diverse sets and combinations of program.

While not excluding their influence, the design studio did not focus on preservation, infrastructural rebuilding, etc., but bold ideas and their possible consequences. Students considered how urbanism may be increasingly influenced by many emerging research categories, not “strictly” architectural. Architecture, Urbanism and Landscape are certainly more and more interconnected, often referred to as “landscape urbanism.” But equally important is how such change is begun and grown over time, as the four urban schemes proposed here will show. These configurations that play with more contemporary ideas of form and program begin by focusing on the Lake Calumet area at the southern border of the city, a richly diverse site that is both problematic and that has past, current and future development schemes, many competing with one another. Historical data, site and program analysis, past, current and future plans and agendas were studied, as well as techniques developed to arrive at proposals for these new configurations The Lake Calumet area is an example of a post “rust-belt” context, emerging originally as a primary center of manufacturing and industry, in part due to access to resources in combination with proximity to navigable waterways and railways. Such

regions were the first to build and expand railroad services, particularly true in Chicago, which emerged as a major port on Lake Michigan and served as a transportation hub for the region with its proximity to transportation. It is now a much less active manufacturing zone, with some unrealized residential and planned development areas, numerous special and TIF districts, parks and open space designations. There is also effort to restore portions of this region to its original mix of prairie and wetland ecosystems, dunes, beaches, etc., by the Sierra club and others. Besides sanctioned zoning designations, students looked at certain characteristics, such as various ethnic neighborhoods, the historic Pullman area, toxic waste areas, an official links golf course, the proposed city environmental center, and many more. In addition, students were asked to consider the conceptual possibilities of both existing and possibly new concepts: social networks and program combinations; form, such as repetition, variation, flow, and hybrid fields as organizing strategies; transmission and communicative structures; flexible collaborations of previously distinct entities; growth and replication capacities of various configuration options; and, in general, the importance of creative Interpretations of research, “play.” 9

I am interested in the overlap, adjacency and juxtapositions that exist in Calumet. These conditions create areas of concentration and those of difference. Both types of areas are opportunities for program that serve in response toward synergy and emerging life. The river is the edge that divides this place. While there are many boundaries that define Calumet, the lake and its river is the one that defines it most spacially, and as such, should be thought of equally as infrastructure, if not moreso, than the other existing paths such as the highway and rail system. The intent is to use the river and spaces surrounding the river in order stitch together this area which in many instances shows disconnect. As much as the Chicago River once was a gateway for industry, the Calumet, while still serving as the means of industrial transportation, should also be open to pedestrian traffic.

The site is chosen for its infrastructural barriers. The river and the industry around the river act as barriers. The site contains multiple programs such as housing, industrial types, marshes and the river traffic.

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decker wrecker

John RochĂŠ

CeCe Webb

Rafal Wilk

Our research and analysis of the Calumet area leads us to Our research and analysis of the the Calumet the conclusion that by very area leads the conclusion nature of us thetosite, there is athat by the very nature of the site, there is a disdisconnect caused byboundary variousand connect caused by various boundary andparticularly edge conditions, edge conditions, vertical edges of infrastructure that block integration, particularly vertical edges of such as the Calumet andintegraits indusinfrastructure thatRiver block trial corridor. tion, suchtogether as thetoCalumet We came create a River system and its industrial of infrastructure that corridor. seeks to integrate the site to varying degrees, and provide We came together to create a separation where needed. The system system of infrastructure that combines the use of surface, contextual seeks to pattern to andintegrate extrusion. the This site combination varying and provide produces degrees, an infrastructural urban form, capable of sustaining varied use, while separation where needed. The promoting east-west movement across system combines the use of the site. surface, contextual The end result is a new pattern ground ofand infrastructure withThis the ability to facilitate variextrusion. combination ous complexities of program, movement, produces an infrastructural and overall fluidity. urban form, capable of sustaining varied use, while promoting east-west movement across the site. The end result is a new ground of infrastructure with the ability to facilitate various complexities of program, movement, and overall fluidity.

3D PATTERN EXTRACTION Surface patterns are recorded from the existing ground of a site map. These patterns, varying in density, are then translated into infrastructural corridors.

The resultant distribution of corridors is a direct reflection of the surface conditions. The end result is two types of extrusions: one continuous and one discontinuous. One talks about the density of infrastructure while the other recognizes infrastructure connections.

2D PATTERN EXTRACTION

Site Edge Conditions Existing infrastructural edges are multiplied to create patterns. These patterns of infrastructure are then used to break the boundaries the original edges created. 2.8

PATTERN STRIPS

Park

Marsh

Industrial

Residential

DENSITY OVERLAPS + COMBINATIONS

The patterns are overlapped and used in density studies as well as applied to the systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface. These studies are intended to create possibilities for an

increase of infrastructural density and variation wherever necessary within the system. The various combinations imply a pattern diversity and homogeneity.

MARSH PATTERN APPLICATION MARSH PATTERN APPLICATION The marsh pattern is applied to a surface The marsh pattern is applied which folds with greater intensity towards to a surface which its center. The folds surface with responds to the which istowards divided by its a major boundgreater site intensity ary of the river in the middle. Of the four center. patterns The surface responds it is the least directional and the mostwhich dense, is which is whyby it has been to the site divided for this site. a majorchosen boundary of the river in the middle. Of the four patterns, it is the least directional and the most dense, which is why it has been chosen for this site.

INDUSTRY PATTERN APPLICATION INDUSTRY PATTERN APPLICATION

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INDUSTRY PATTERN APPLICATION

This trial of pattern taken from the site is applied. The linear This trial of pattern taken fromdoes the sitenot is pattern however, applied.This The trial linear does ofpattern patternhowever, taken from the site is integrate the site buthowever, separates not integrate but separates it does applied.the Thesite linear pattern even more because itsthe lines extend integrate site but north separates itnot even more because its lines it to southeven therefore breaking its thelines eastextend and north more because extend north tobreaking south therefore west connection. Of the four patterns theeast and to south therefore the breaking east and west industrial pattern isthe the third densest and west connection. Of the four patterns the the most directional. industrial pattern densest and connection. Ofis the thethird four patterns the most directional. the industrial pattern is the third densest and the most directional.

HOUSING PATTERN HOUSING PATTERN APPLICATION APPLICATION The housing pattern separates the

east and west axis just as much as the industrial pattern; however, it still has lines that The housing pattern separates run east west. This pattern is number two the east andscale, west just on the density butaxis its lines areas too directional theindustrial integration of the site. much as for the pattern;

however, it still has lines that run east west. This pattern is number two on the density scale, but its lines are too directional for the integration of the site.

PARK PATTERN APPLICATION

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PARK PATTERN APPLICATION This pattern is theis least of all. It im- of This pattern thedense least dense plies a to the site. The all. It minimum impliesdensity a minimum density pattern is also very directional and does to The pattern also not the fit forsite. the improvement of theis site. very directional and does not fit for the improvement of the site.

Each of the site analysis systems are integrated into one patch which is applied to the chosen site. The integrated system creates a new ground of infrastructure, which modifies the site for its future redevelopment.

A sample of the new infrastructure is taken in order to explain the placement and application of each layer of infrastructure. The surface is perforated with the pattern selected for the site creating variation in the surface. The continuous and discontinuous extrusions are placed in between the ground and the top surface; however, they also exist above the surface and below the ground. Also, the ground is manipulated to increase the eastwest movement of the patch.

This discontinuous infrastructure implies a density to the amount of built environment which can exist at the particular place. It also runs above the surface and below the ground.

The connection infrastructure runs along these continuous extrusions, which can run below the ground where necessary. Some of these infrastructures can consist of but are not limited to road, rail, waterways, airways. 28

The surface plus pattern creates a constant variation in the infrastructure patch. The pattern varies the built environment across the site while the surface constantly evolves as one travels closer to the river edge.

The overall system is a patch of infrastructure that connects a site in a direction in which it is disconnected and densifies a site which is desolate. It forms a new infrastructural ground for future redevelopment. 29

The discontinuous strands of infrastructure are arranged in a greater density emphasizing and increasing the amount of program that can be employed in each particular area.

The continuous infrastructure strands are emphasized in order to develop program which uses the infrastructure to its greatest advantage.

The surface is pixilated increasingly densifying the surface, which allows for a smaller scale of program to grow on the surface patch.

Both the continuous and discontinuous infrastructure strands are emphasized while the surface pattern is de-emphasized.

Stimcity is new ground on the vast drosscape of Calumet. It is a way of re-thinking the metropolis in terms of efficiency and re-programming the existing urban condition. Layering surface-ground creates opportunity for integrating infrastructure with program, while allowing for free movement and circulation, as each surface layer suggests a directional movement. This arrangement of surface grounds provides a canopy for the space below, enveloping different ecologies and metabolisms. New programs make use of old â&#x20AC;&#x153;stuff.â&#x20AC;? Worthless bi-products and dross of industry are made into useful urban compost. Stims act as navigation landmarks in a fluid, decentralized, visceral space.

1 1. Study of program in three dimensional space. Programs are placed in proximity to others according to optimal efficiency and organized in layers of different metabolisms and ecologies in mind. 2. Space is recon gured into efficient, habitable space according to density of shapes. Left: Laser-cut study model of program in three-dimensional space.

3 3. Megashape evolves and expands. 4

Buried in architecture.

How many post cards have you

PLACE STAMP HERE

poblenou neighborhood barcelona, spain

Lightspace urban living in poble nou barcelona, spain

John RochĂŠ and Don Venticinque 2009 Selection for NAAB Accredidation Fall 2008 Professors Josep Ferrando and Sergi Serrat

LightSpace utilizes the post-industrial seafront as an opportunity to reflect Barcelona’s contemporary identity. The tower is supported by large vertical cores that loft the tower up off the groundplane, with cracks in the form that allow light to penetrate the floorplate. The graphic of shattered glass is applied to the exterior as a steel brise soleil. The graphic breaks up the rigid repetition of both the tower’s exterior and the surrounding residential towers, creating a dialog with the neighborhood’s monotony of traditional architecture.

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East 1:1000

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SharedSpace Housing Studio 2009 Selection for NAAB Accredidation Presentation Spring 2008 Professor Judith Dejong Research with Ryan Johnson and Stacey Bollinger

Amenities. Overlap. Shared Spaces. Amenity Overlap The grid is a product of the overlap. It is driven by the desire to live in a diversity of people in all stages of life, each with their own needs for specific urban amenities. The result is a high density of life at the apex of amenity with a gradient of density over the site. The grid is a tool for organization as well as a module for living space. The 29 story tower has a unique internalized shared space at each level, suitable for various activities. Everything you need is just outside your door.

Amenity Zoom

04 1/32” = 1’-0”

03 1/32” = 1’-0”

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03 1/32” = 1’-0”

02 1/32” = 1’-0”

03 1/32” = 1’-0” 13

02 1/32” = 1’-0”

Unit Distribution

Units

Structure

Units

Structure

Skin

Structure

Units

Skin

4QBDF

shared space

4IBSFE 4QBDF

shared space

Facade Spring 2007 Professors Xavier Vendrell, Sidney Robinson

This facade was a concept for an infill project on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I chose to use This facade was as a concept layers andwas depth a toolfor to for exThis facade a concept an infill project on Michigan press cohesion and transition an infill project on Michigan Avenue in and Chicago. I chose on theinsite, to reinforce Avenue Chicago. I chose this to use layers and depth as a existing proportion to by useusing layers and depth as a and tool to express cohesion materiality theand two toolabstracting to express cohesionof and transitionfacades. on the The site,composiand to adjacent transition on the site, and to reinforce this by using proporexisttion is the result of these reinforce this by using existtions: 2 grids expressed in three ing proportion and abstracting ing proportion and abstracting layers with an overlap materiality of occupiable the two adjacent materiality of the two adjacent zone, expressed with terra cotta facades. The composition is facades. The composition is louvers. Steelofbands wrapped in the result these proportheterra result of theselines proporcotta express from one tions: 2 grids expressed in tions: 2 grids expressed adjacent building while a in metal three layers with an occupiable three layers with an occupiable grid expresses the other. overlap zone, expressed overlap zone, expressed withwith terra cotta louvers. Steel bands terra cotta louvers. Steel bands wrapped in terra cotta express wrapped in terra cotta express lines from adjacent buildlines from oneone adjacent building while a metal grid expressing while a metal grid expressother. es es thethe other.

S U R F A C E S, M O T I O N S,

S U R F A C E S, M O T I O N S, S E N S E S. CHICAGO SKATE PARK

Fall, 2006 Professor Doug Garofalo

This is a skate park with continuity, as well as variation in This is a skate park with consurface. It is but in its tinuity, as wellgridded, as variation composition is not entirely desurface. It is gridded, but its pendent on this grid. It is delike composition is not entirely a game board, notgrid. onlyIt inis how pendent on this like a game board, not in how it is composed, butonly also how is composed, but also (skathow its ittwo types of visitors, its two types of visitors, (skating and non-skating public,) ing and non-skating public,) might interract. It is primarily a might interract. It is primarily a surface surfacetotoskate skateon. on. However, However, non-skaters can experience the non-skaters can experience the activity of the park through viactivity of the park through vision the sionand andsound. sound. Below Below the surfaceis isa aseries series of of platforms platforms surface suspendedbetween between aa structurstructursuspended al column grid. On these al column grid. On these platplatforms, skaters and non-skaters forms, skaters and non-skaters can interract while observing cantheinterract while below, observing skaters above, and thebeyond. skatersA above, below, and series of transparent beyond. A series of transparent concrete pavers brings in light concrete paversfrom brings in light and imagery the activity above by day. Acoustics from and imagery from the activity abovebyareday. also brought intofrom this above Acoustics space from the ceiling as well as above are also brought into this the echo from the subterranean space from the ceiling as well as skating area. The pavers also thebring echolight from the subterranean to the above ground skating area. TheThis pavers surface at night. systemalso of bring light to the above ground light can be self-sustaining and surface at night. system bring more than This adequate light-of ingcan throughout the park. light be self-sustaining and bring more than adequate lighting throughout the park.

MOTION VELOCITY

VELOCITY

C I RMCOU TL IAOTNI O N CIRCULATION

digital fabrication 78 84 90 94

3 Tubes LightSpace Model SharedSpace Model A Surface for Water

3 Tubes The purpose of this exercise was to utilize the laser cutter to produce an “egg crate” modeled component, which would then be combined with others to produce a whole. Each end of the components were to remain the same dimensions, while the rest of the form was free to our discretion. My concept involved the splitting of the “worm” into three tubes. The challenge was creating a single piece, while maintaining the desired split form. Barcelona, Spain Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (iaaC)

Elevations

Model for â&#x20AC;&#x153;LightSpaceâ&#x20AC;? Barcelona, Spain Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (iaaC) laser-cut chipboard, produced with partner, Don Venticinque Fall, 2008

Model for HyperModule Chicago, IL 2009 Selection for NAAB Accreditation Presentation laser-cut chip board

A Surface for Water University of Michigan Fall 2004 with Dustin Infante Initially, working with a partner, two different approaches were taken to create a surface for water to flow from top to bottom. My approach used more organic forms while my partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designs were more hard-edged. The final product is the union of both concepts. The surface was designed in Rhino and the mold was created using a CNC router. After the tool paths were sanded smooth, the mold was cast into a 2 x 3 foot concrete section.

Photograph Casa Batllo by Antoni Gaudi Barcelona, Spain Fall, 2008

Photograph Grafitti Barcelona, Spain Fall, 2008

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Community Center for Yale, MI University of Michigan

Wood Sill Detail pencil 11” x 17”

Wood Roof Detail pencil 11” x 17”

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professional 108 116 121

Sails From the Ruins.. Valerio Dewalt Train

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Sails This was one component of a $35 million expansion to the Ritz-Carlton Resort in St.Thomas, USVI. Situated on Great Bay, The old Iguana Bar was demolished and a new restaurant designed by myself and two others, was put into place. My responsibilites also included 3D modeling and presentation drawings, as well as construction documents and coordination with engineers and the client, J.W. Mariott. The concept here was â&#x20AC;&#x153;sails.â&#x20AC;?

St. Thomas, USVI William M. Karr & Associates

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From the Ruins.. Located on 4.5 acres with an existing hurricane ruin, this 10,000 sq. foot home, completely glazed with rolling storm shutters, provides 360 degree views at the highest point of the island of St.Croix. The client wished to have the least amount of view obstruction possible and to have a clear view from anywhere in the house. The five million dollar budget included room for a movie theatre, office, workout room and five guest suites. The steel structure would replace the existing concrete ruin.

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Preliminary Design Presentation July, 2008 Presidential Towers Chicago, IL Valerio Dewalt Train & Associates

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Presentation Rendering Local 399 Chicago, IL August, 2008 Valerio Dewalt Train & Associates

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