Katherine Andrekovich Graduate Portfolio

Graduate Portfolio

Celebrating Miami

Creating and Promoting Miami’s Art and Culture

Location: Miami, Florida

Program: Art and Cultural Center

The Miami Art and Cultural Center in Overtown, Miami is located at the entry to the Historic neighborhood, surrounded by multiple pedestrian heavy programs such as the theatre, garages and multiple train stations. These assets translate into architecture at the pedestrian level in a way that invites people in and through, creating interlocking spaces, intersections, and connections in the site for people to walk through rather than around. By identifying the relationships between interior and exterior spaces informed by the site, masses and paths are made. This becomes a space for community to gather and walk through, breaking the barrier between the street and the complex, therefore creating permeability and establishing links. Designing a permeable space that places pedestrians within the art will create and promote opportunities for Miami, allowing it to continue to grow as a design exhibition and event destination for designers and artists while fostering local work. A space is created that caters to and places a spotlight on Miami’s unique art and cultural scene by providing studio space as well as shops for local artist to work and sell their crafts, rotating spotlight exhibitions, and event space.

Program Relationships/Strategies

The form studies analyze how the surrounding programs translate into the site plan in a way that invites pedestrians and creates connections through the site. Contemporary museums need to establish a relationship with the communities, open up and break from the typology of sheltered vessels. This can be done by softening the barrier between the museum and the street, allowing the public to extend as far into the space as possible. Guiding the street into the site creates natural meeting spaces and allows the structure to open in all directions and angles into Overtown, creating connections and views.

Aerial View

Due to the proximity of the Historic Lyric Theatre, the brightline station, brightline garage, and metrorail station, the ground floor is designed for pedestrians and the community. It is meant for people to walk through from multiple points of entry and experience these spaces, either as a guest or as a pedestrian crossing through the site rather than around. To the West facing Overtown is the promenade, which acts as an exhibition area as well as public green space. Art markets, pop-ups, and more can occur in this main plot. There are various secondary exhibition spaces throughout the site, both green space and water features.

Third Floor Plan

South Entry

ENTRY - 5,000 sq ft

Lobby/Reception

Gift Shop

GALLERY - 44,000 sq ft

Rotating+Spotlight

Photography

Lecture Hall

Permanent

Loading Dock/Display Prep

Mural Walls

STUDIOS - 20,000 sq ft

Art Studio

Sculpture/Pottery Studios

The first floor is the most public portion of the site, with the rotating exhibits, spotlight gallery, lecture hall and mural walls. To the North are the artist studios, as well as the café and reception to the South. A display preparation area, loading dock, and freight elevator are included in the southern tip of the gallery and are continuous spaces throughout each floor to transport and prepare exhibits. The second floor includes pedestrian pathways, bridging the gap between the

buildings that the pedestrian paths on the first floor created, connecting the various shards. This floor includes more studio space as well as administrative offices. With private entries as well as access to the gallery. The third floor is only gallery and administrative space. This floor includes a path to the rooftop, which is enclosed by the canopy and can be utilized as event spaces or further exhibition space, offering flexibility in program.

CAFE - 5,000 sq ft

Coffee Shop

Outdoor pavilion

Kitchen

Staff Area

ADMINISTRATION - 5,000 sq ft

Curator Office Storage

Meeting Rooms

Security

Staff Area

Promenade - 14,000 sq ft

Public Green space

Exhibition

Second Floor Gallery

Walkway

Canopy Structure

With a hot climate like Miami, measures must be taken when designing paths through the site that will have pedestrian traffic and exhibits on display, as well as interior spaces that are temperamental to temperature and light. Carefully placed apertures can contribute to this, as well as an exterior canopy that protects interior, open air paths through the site.

The canopy drapes over the building mass, enclosing exterior spaces and creating shelter from the sun and the rain. It is a mix of ACM aluminum paneling with fire resistant, non-combustible core and a glass canopy with insulated glass with aluminum mullions and gutters wth drainage throughout the structure.

Mural Wall

Establishing Community in Vertical & Urban Spaces

Incorporating the Elements of Well-Being Through Thoughtful Housing Density

Graduate Thesis at the University of Florida

Location: Orlando, Florida

Program: Vertical Community

People are moving at an increasingly higher rate from rural to urban centers, resulting in larger cities with a high population density. Unicef predicts that by 2050, 75% of the world’s population will live in metropolitan areas, up from 54% today. The United Nations and the International Organization for Migration estimate that roughly 3 million people move to cities on a weekly basis.

As cities continue to grow, the form of low-density urban sprawl is becoming less and less of an option. Sprawl causes issues such as long commutes, vehicle dependency, habitat destruction, decreased social capital, pollution and congestion, creating a space that is not sustainable. However, much of community planning has been done in the horizontal orientation. Recently, economists, psychologists, and other scientists have been analyzing common elements of well-being throughout all countries and cultures. Five distinct factors were identified during the analysis, deemed the “universal elements of well-being” that identify a successful and enjoyable life. These elements include career, social, financial, physical, and community. Researchers note the significance of the fifth element, as many people do not realize how community wellbeing has the potential to enhance and impact our lives through diversity, culture, social programs, and the built environment. Members of communities that do not make a conscious effort to be involved or interact with other members will have less of a sense of community, an experience that is most commonly associated with residents of large cities. Theoretically, a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle requires proficiency in these 5 categories of wellbeing. These are all elements that are taken into account when designing the standard horizontal community. If sprawl is something to be avoided, how can these 5 elements be condensed while still being addressed?

A city is meant to bring people together and with exponential urban growth, the way to design communities in urban environments is in a vertical orientation, redistributing horizontal community elements into a mixed-use structure. Making the smallest footprints, conserving land and resources, and redefining what a neighborhood can be.

Due to the influx of people moving to urban hubs, a housing crisis has become a problem in many cities as development attempts to keep up with the exponential growth. Residential spaces are needed that are dense enough to accommodate the high numbers of people that are currently arriving, will move in the future, and already live in the area.

Starting in the 70s, Orlando experienced a period of high development that led to an abundance of single-family homes in planned communities and tract housing. This created a sprawled-out city with suburbs spiraling around the downtown area and along Interstate 4. Currently, Orlando is experiencing another spike in development and has the second fastest city growth rate in the U.S. as it attracts over 1,500 new residents a week. This is an opportunity to create more density in concentrated areas such as downtown Orlando. Orlando is a quickly growing city in need of not just housing but more high-density housing, and in a region that is used to community in a horizontal orientation it must be presented in a way that still upholds those ideals.

Orlando Growth Prediction

As growth in Orlando has increased, most high-rise developments have been established east of I-4 in the downtown Central Business District. To the west of I-4 is Parramore, which lacks residential structures along I-4 in the portion of the neighborhood that is closest to downtown. The area houses facilities such as the UCF downtown campus, Bob Carr theatre, the Amway Center, Orlando City soccer stadium, the under I-4 development and family-owned businesses.

This forces the majority of low-income residents even further west in Parramore on the other side of a major highway that clearly and intentionally separates the neighborhood from downtown. In this area with minimal high-rise development when compared to downtown Orlando to the other side of I-4, it would be an ideal place for vertical residential development, providing much needed residential space in the heavily commercial area for Parramore residents while also being near downtown.

Amway Center

Future Orlando Magic entertainment district Site

Downtown Orlando

Parramore & the Central Business District

Under-I

Establishing spaces addressing different occupants and functions throughout the tower provides experiences on multiple levels for tower residents and surrounding citizens. Distributing public and residential spaces aimed at elements of well-being throughout the tower creates active spaces and aims to blur the usual harsh lines between the ground or public areas and the rest of the tower. The form studies explore high density and high-rise development prioritizing terracing, green space, sunlight, grouping, and circulation.

By providing a variety of green spaces throughout the tower, different experiences are created within the tower. Green terraces and tower courtyards are within view from every facade, offering a refuge from the surrounding urban environment.

Green Space Visibility

3 key zones are identified in the tower: Residential, Public, and Community. The public portion includes the café, convenience store, pharmacy, and playground. The residential amenities include the fitness center, clubhouse, pool, day care, co-work space, computer center, event space, terraces and courtyards. Each community includes residences and shared targeted amenities such as common areas, lounges, green space, co-work spaces, and entertainment spaces.

There are varying types of Green Space throughout the structure to fit Residential, Community and public needs. Along with the standard balcony seen in residential towers, there are also select units with wraparound 5’-0” green balconies and 20’-0” terrace “backyards” providing private residential green space. Each community has shared terrace space accessed through community common areas. There are also tower-wide and public green spaces, such as courtyards and rooftop gardens.

Occupant Diagram

Floor 24

Units with Terrace “Backyard”

Floor 23

Units with Inset Balcony & Terrace “Backyard”

Floor 22

Units with Inset Balcony

The terrace perspective axonometric represent a portion of communities 2 and 8 in Towers 1 and 3. These graphics show the diversity of units, ranging from studio to 4 bedrooms, as well as the varying balcony typology. Some units, such as those on floors 21-23, contain a 4’-0” inset balcony. While these residents don’t have private green space, they have quick and easy access to the shared community terrace. Wraparound 5’-0” green balconies are offered on floor 20, providing private residential green space. On floor 24, units open to a 20’-0” terrace “backyards”. These units are primarily larger, 2-4 bedroom units, allowing family focused residents to play outside with their children or pets. Circulation within the communities and tower as well as communal spaces and amenities are placed in the spines connecting the tower masses.

Shared targeted amenities are offered for each community such as green space in the form of terraces, common areas/lounges, co-work spaces, entertainment spaces, and meeting or study rooms. In these shared spaces there are opportunities to meet immediate neighbors in a structure that houses thousands of people and creates a sense of familiarity within a space.

Central Atrium through Entirety of Tower Invites light and creates “Front Yard” central space

Floor 24

Terrace Overlook

Floor 23

Community Terrace

Floor 22

CirculationConnection to Tower 2

Floor 21

Units with Inset Balcony

Floor 20

Units with Wraparound 5’ - 0”

Green Balcony

Communities 2 & 8

Floors 20-24 Tower structure Spine structure

Floor 21 Lounge

Floor 20

Entertainment Space, Co-work Space, Private Meeting Rooms

Figure 05.17 Terrace Perspective

The elements of well-being are addressed programmatically as well as with their distribution throughout the tower. These elements of wellbeing can be placed throughout the tower’s public, tower-wide, and community spaces rather than confining amenities to certain areas and separating residential spaces from programmatic. Financial is addressed by providing 20% affordable housing units in the tower, establishing an inclusionary housing program. Career is supported by co-work spaces, a computer center, business/event spaces, and home office space. Community is improved through providing green spaces, a day care, community framework, and common areas throughout the tower. Physical needs are addressed by a fitness center, pool, playground, and a convenience store with pharmacy/clinic. Social spaces are created by cafes, recreation rooms/clubhouses, and entertainment spaces.

• Financial: 20% Affordable Housing Units

• Career: Co-work space, Computer Center, Business/Event space, Home Office Space

• Community: Residences, Common areas

• Physical: Fitness center, Green space, Pool, Playground, Convenience Store, Pharmacy

• Social: Cafe, Rec room/Clubhouse, Lounge, Entertainment Space

Elements of Well-Being Sectional Diagrams (a) Facing East

Each tower provides parking for its communities. On the ground floor, Tower 3 offers public amenities such as the convenience store, pharmacy, and cafe as well as extra levels in the garage for public parking. These public amenities are placed in the southern facade on the intersection of W Church St and S Division Ave to create an active corner due to the Orlando Magic entertainment district being built on the plot east of S Division Ave and the Amway Center on the plot to the southeast. The first floor of Tower 2 contains the public leasing center as well as a fitness center and indoor courts.

Circulation within the communities as well as movement throughout the tower is confined to the two spines connecting the three towers. The elevators and stairs can be accessed by residents through the parking garages and courtyards to the north, creating a sense of privacy from the more public southern facade.

Each tower contains 3 communities, resulting in 9 communities total. There are 7 unit mixes throughout the communities, offering a different experience depending on the resident’s lifestyle and needs.

Studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom units are offered, as well as loft options to provide space for home office or other ventures.

The unit mix varies from a standard residential building, with higher percentages for larger units such as the 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms to cater to families.

Throughout the 3 towers on site there are a total of 9 communities, 3 per tower.

Towers 1 and 3 are mirrored and are 42 stories tall. They contain the same communities and unit mix for communities 2/8 and 3/9, while communities 1 and 7 are slightly different. This is due to Tower 3 offering public amenities such as the convenience store, pharmacy, and cafe on the ground floor as well as containing more levels in the parking garage to provide public parking.

Tower 2 is 52 stories tall and contains a different community framework from that of Towers 1 and 3.

In order to optimize the Florida sun and climate, green spaces coincide with the sun path from the east to west. Openings in atrium spaces create well-lit communal and circulatory spaces facing the east and west within communities 3 and 9.

The idea of community from the elements of well-being is presented by establishing a community framework throughout the towers, where certain floors in each tower are grouped into communities with varying residences, unit mixes, and shared targeted amenities. Outside of the tower and public amenities, the community includes private green spaces, common areas/lounges, co-work space, and entertainment spaces. In each community, there are a variation of units ranging from studios to 4 bedrooms. With 7 unit mixes throughout the 9 communities, different experiences are offered depending on the residents lifestyle and needs. By redistributing the same elements of community that people value in suburban areas and their well-being, the communities and tower aim to be diverse experientially, programmatically, and residentially.

The Apex at Edgewater

Location: Lockhart, Florida

Program: Housing, Shops, and Plaza

This site resides in the center of the Lockhart overlay district, serving as the heart of Lockhart. The site is characterized by low-density single family housing and heavy industrial use as it is currently home to several warehouses and a steel mill. Once home to a thriving lumber, steel and crate production industry the heart will revive itself to once again serve as a central location for entrepreneurs and young apprentices to hone their skills and showcase up and coming businesses to their neighbors through avenues such as a food hall, a brewery, food trucks, shops, event spaces, a community center, and a community garden. The existing parcels are revitilized by community and commercial driven connections to encourage activity in the central point of Lockhart. Over 120 families have a home in the affordable housing apartment complex, densifying and raising housing on site and creating space for residents and the surrounding community to spend time and be active.

Edgewater Corridor Zoning Map

The Heart Zoning Map

At the Apex on Edgewater design drivers such as diverse housing, housing density, wellness and active living, and community empowerment are prioritized throughout the complex. In a site with low-density, single family housing, a multi-family complex now resides on half of the footprint and provides housing for four times as many families, allowing additional space for amenities, programs, and the community to gather. Outside the apartments is a complex with a food hall, brewery, food trucks, courtyard, shops, and a dog bar and park. These are situated so that visitors are encouraged to walk around the complex and enjoy all there is to offer.

West Elevation

Food trucks gather around the courtyard where visitors can eat and peruse, with a permanent structure offered for indoor space, restroooms, and rotating vendors.

At the food hall, visitors are encouraged to visit each building and experience a new cuisine within its walls.

Section Cut

Entry

The community can enter the complex from the sidewalk, leading them straight into the shops and food hall, with the brewery and dog park close behind.

Studs

Corrugated Metal Tie

Gypsum Board

Insulation

Sheathing

Weather Resistant Membrane

Air Space

Brick

Wall Axonometric

The Edgewater Initiative

Location: Lockart, Florida

Program: Affordable Housing and Community Center designed in collaboration with Daniel Trent

This project is a community located in Lockhart, Florida adjacent to Lockhart Elementary school. Lockhart has an average of 3 people per home and 49% of families have children under the age of 18, therefore living at home and in the school system. Due to these statistics and the proximity of the site to Lockhart Elementary, this community is aimed towards providing housing that accommodates families with multiple children that attend school in the area. A centralized community design was utilized with all 12 units revolving around a private, common green space for residents. Also on site is a Student Outreach and Development Center offering after school activities for residents as well as all the children of Lockhart.

Lockhart Site Analysis

Lockhart Boundaries

Site Selection

Of the 12 units, 6 are 3 bedroom/2 bath and 6 and 4 bedroom/2 bath. Units are arranged in duplexes, creating 6 buildings total with a passage in between each unit leading to the central green space. There is a standard first floor with the kitchen and common areas as well as the master bedroom.

Lockhart Elementary has reported its testing proficiency scores as lower than the national average, leading it to be in the bottom 50% of schools in Florida. Because of these low ratings, Florida Statutes require the school board to implement School wide improvement plans, or SIPs, and enable progress. These initiatives include culturally responsive education, social and emotional interaction, and increased proficiency in math, science, and reading.

This site, which is across the street from Lockhart Elementary, includes the abandoned Lions Club Fire Station. This building presents the opportunity to be repurposed and revitalize the site for not only the residents on site but all children of Lockhart. With a student population of 450, 65% of students attending Lockhart Elementary are economically disadvantaged. This building has been repurposed into a Student Outreach and Development Center offering after school activities due to its proximity to Lockhart Elementary. This program would offer tutoring, physical activities, and artistic expression in order to satisfy the SIPs initiative and to serve the school.

The duplexes revolve around a private, common green space for residents establshing a centralized community design. With structures facing inwards, a shared backyard and sense of community is established. Here, children can play with others from the neighborhood while families keep an eye from their homes.

Due to the presence of children in this family community the road is along the perimeter of the site, allowing the inner, central greenery to be a safe space for children and play. Pedestrian paths become the primary system of circulation in the area. These paths lead residents from their doors to communal spaces and greens, such as the central greenery, the green space for the renovated lions club, and the mural walls to the West.

Central Green space

The mural walls at the student outreach center create a boundary between the forestry and the built environment while also functioning as an interactive installation for Lockhart. The art panels can be removed to be exhibited elsewhere, such as Lockhart Elementary, and replaced with new surfaces for other students to contribute to.

Children’s Center Murlal Wall Assembly

OASIS - The Retreat

Location: Joshua Tree, California

Program: Artist’s Retreat and Performance Center

OASIS at Joshua Tree serves as an introspective space for artists to escape from the city, reflect and create. Hours from Los Angeles, the site provides accommodation for artists and their teams, performance and studio spaces, common areas, and moments for relaxation. The two main programs are chapel - spaces for contemplation and studio - spaces for creation.

Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park, a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. The area is home to sand dunes, dry lakes, flat valleys, mountains, granitic monoliths, and oases. The site is in a Basin and Range Province, a landscape of alternating mountain ranges and their adjacent basins. The collision of plates forming the rugged terrain inspired the planes and shifting levels of the OASIS, inviting the outside in. Located on top of the Morongo groundwater basin, water is drawn to the surface creating spas for guests.

Los Angeles

The

Baths

A retreat within the isolation of 800,000 acres of land to foster artists and accommodate various installations: musical and artistic. Joshua Tree’sclose proximity to Los Angeles, an artistic hub, allows it be to be accessible to artists. Although only 130 miles away, roughly a three hour trip, Joshua Tree seems like a different world. The urban context of LA contrasts heavily with the desert oasis. Minimal visual invasion to surrounding environment allows visitors to respond to the landscape and nature. A programmatic journey is evident in the form, beginning with ones stay in the chapel-contemplation portion of the structure before leading to the spaces for creation and display.

Spa Spatial Analysis

Chapel - Contemplation

Spaces for comfort, mental health, and artistic growth. A home, although temporary, to retreat and reconnect with art and ones team. Allows one to focus on things that we often do not prioritize in our normal lives or simply do not have, or make, the time for.

-Baths/Spa -Workshop areas -Meditation room

-Outdoor nature path and garden -Personal rooms

Studio - Creation

Spaces for artistic growth, creation and presentation symbolizing the accumulation of the retreat.

-Recording studio -Backstage

-Performance/Installation Pavilion

Aerial