O'brien Portfolio

Kate O'Brien ARCHITECTURE & ECOLOGICAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

architecture

construction

S us tainable Des ign ecology

Kate O'Brien obrien15@csld.edu (860) 510 9531 18 christina court, clinton, ct

My education in architecture, construction and ecological design has influenced me to be a creative but practical designer. As an architecture student at Norwich University, I developed several theoretical buildings from a health center to modular dormitories as well as partaking in a design-build project. I acquired knowledge in structural composition, construction details, form and creativity.

However, when siting buildings and designing the site plan, I always wanted to know more about the landscape. What story did the land offer? Were there areas of unique vegetation, views, wildlife, where and how did water collect.

The Conway School of Landscape Design was a logical next step as it offered real-life projects at various scales with a broader contextual, and ecological approach. I learned the importance of grounding designs by site analyses including soils, vegetation, drainage, the history of the site, and its context. The school encouraged me to ask why and think beyond the given site.

I have gained experience in intense designing and have become an efficient problemsolver. I have acquired a whole-systems approach, which is supported by my knowledge of designing both sustainable buildings and landscapes.

I aspire to use my education to promote sustainable design and encourage communities to appreciate, integrate and educate citizens about our natural environment.

Kate O'Brien

architecture

r e n d e ring

trail assessment

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hand

drawing

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experience

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health center MANCHESTER, NH

A multi-use Health Center was designed in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. The concept was to design a structure that encouraged use for both the mentally ill as well as the greater public, creating a community bond and eliminating any sense of shame or embarrassment.

The design Parti (page three) depicts the Health Center divided into three functions. There will be three distinct spaces for each function; the body, mind and spirit. Patients are encouraged to engage in each of these areas for physical and mental transformation.

The first two floors and the green roof are open to the public. The upper floors become increasingly private. From the street, a large glass facade allows view of the gymnasium, physical therapy and yoga rooms, which represent movement and the body. An arched structure draped in grass meets the sidewalk drawing attention to the green roof with opportunity for recreation and view of the city. The western wing of the building assists one's mental health with an AAA meeting room, offices, exam and therapy rooms and private dwellings. A sacred space expands the top two floors with a pair of grand staircases that offer seating and space to worship. (NU May 2014)

structure

seventh floor plan

egress diagram

1/8” = 1’0”

The structure has two means of egress both are enclosed staircases and provide an area of refuge.

Structure

boiler

HVAC

dn

boiler

fresh air

exhaust

30' 30’

15'

30' 30’

20'

JOISTS 2’6” O.C.

The building's structure is divided into four sections. The green and orange lines represent joists. Mechanical rooms are stacked on each floor and the bathrooms share one wet wall, which increases efficiency and reduces plumbing infrastructure.

GIRDER

An arched structure draped in grass meets the ground inviting visitors to the upper green roof. Floor to ceiling windows enable view into the gymnasium exhibiting physical activity.

Partitions increase per floor relating to the concept of sequence and transformation.

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spatial experience Spirit

Mind Body

Design Parti for mental and physical recovery.

Chipboard model of the Health Center and context.

A section of the Health Center illustrates the various functions by floor and the air distribution within the building.

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wall section

Health Center

A brick patio extends from the building entrance to the sidewalk offering a gather space for 1/16”= 1’0” passersby. Trees frame the western edge providing privacy and seasonal color. To the east, a curvilinear path meanders through a stand of trees revealing a large open space for recreation and community gardening.

To the left, the wall section depicts brick veneer and granite window sills which compliment surrounding buildings. Large Marvin tripane windows enable significant views, natural daylight

Wall section

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parklet renderings MONTPELIER, VT

Worked on a group project to design a parklet in front of the movie theater and bagel shop in Montpelier. The structure was constrained to the dimensions of a parking space and was designed to encourage visitors with opportunities for outdoor seating and gathering.

This design created various gathering spaces, a built-in bike rack that doubled as seating, and a more private seating area enclosed by tall grasses. The central portion provides open space with potential for seating or a stage for local musicians.

My role for this project was to render the Auto CAD drawings to convey the spatial experience. Charcoal concrete provides a clean, simple form that grounds the parket and the wooden facade adds a light, rustic charm reminiscent of Vermont. Vegetation adds color and texture and serves to infiltrate water, reducing run-off. Sketched figures add to the artistic character. (NU March 2014)

renderings

The chalkboard presents a handwritten menu to drivers and passersby.

A built-in bike rack with a raised countertop doubles as seating for bikers. A row of herbs provides color and opportunity for garnish.

The central portion of the parklet offers a long countertop with copious space for dinning. Grasses embrace a built-in concrete bench establishing a private oasis.

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trail assessment manual NICOYA PENINSULA, COSTA RICA

A once in a lifetime experience, it was an honor to be selected as one of two students to spend two weeks in Costa Rica. The project involved assessing a trail within the National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was previously pasture that was donated to conservation and the trail had been developed along cattle paths traversing steep slopes and areas of severe erosion. The goals of the project included assessing the existing Refuge trail system's sustainability for increased use, recommending design improvements to increase durability, minimize environmental impact, and reduce necessary maintenance. In addition, to identify ways to improve user's physical and educational experience and to develop a conceptual design for a trail connection between the CIRENAS new campus, the trail system and the ranger station.

While walking the trail system, the team noted positive and negative conditions such as significant views and vegetation and areas of severe erosion. Slopes were measured using a laser and copious pictures were taken with reference to recorded GPS waypoints. The team also observed local trails to note aspects including drainage, materials and signs.

The next step was researching factors such as coastal restrictions, watershed and climate to better understand the landscape and portions of the Refuge that were prohibited as well as areas susceptible to flooding. Further research included reading several trail manuals to determine techniques to design a sustainable and enjoyable trail.

Several analyses including slopes, drainage, estimated flooding, views and shade were created from the team's experience and information acquired from local people. The trail assessment manual also includes a glossary that defines significant terms and provides images for visual comprehension. The trail assessment flowchart was created to help users analyze an existing trail and determine if the trail could be modified in place, needs to be rerouted or abandoned and re-vegetated. Framework for planning a new trail was summarized in six steps from establishing trail objectives to construction. The manual also defines and illustrates a sustainable trail, and includes precedents for structures such as platforms and signs, illustrations for prominent construction techniques and framework for data collection. (CSLD April-June 2015)

trail analysis & assessment

A majority of the Refugio is flooded during the wet season. A new, sustainable trail should avoid areas where significant erosion is prevalent.

The flowchart allows users to analyze existing conditions.

Areas with significant trees, views, and shade should be maintained as points of interest. Images along the bottom help to refer users to specific locations.

An illustrated glossary helps users to visualize the trail terminology. Images with more than one term help to identify relationships such as the comparison of permeable and compacted.

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hand drawing

Pen & Ink: Salt marsh

Watercolor: Visitor Center design for Shelburne, Vermont

Pen & Marker: Land conservation

Colored Pencil & Photoshop: Food Bank design for Rutland, Vermont

Pen: Quick sketch for a site plan

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experience

Scale for impressive vegetation in Costa Rica Analyzing soil composition

Measuring slopes on existing trail Canopy bridge in Monteverde

Showcasing the thin solar panels In the field construction

Members of the Solar Decathlon Team Teamwork using the table saw

I have been fortunate to engage in both an international project in Costa Rica and a design-build competition in Irvine, California. During the two weeks in Costa Rica, my teammate and I analyzed an existing trail taking particular note of slopes, drainage, views, vegetation and shade. The picture in the upper right corner displays how we used a laser to measure approximate slopes. The two pictures in the center were taken along trails within the cloud forest in Monteverde. It was important for us to experience local trails in order to observe materials, drainage techniques and infrastructure.

The lower images are from the Solar Decathlon, a competition for collegiate students to design, build and operate a 1,000 square foot solar powered structure. This was a two-year process including designing, constructing and giving tours of the house. We worked hard to design a house that maximized space, and was affordable. The building envelope was constructed at a local modular factory with the intent that more homes could be built. The images above convey my experience building in the field. It was educational for me to draw details such as the wall section and actually see the installation. The second picture from the left is of the solar panels used to power the house. The solar panels produce more than enough energy to supply all of the mechanics within the house.

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