Selected Works Portfolio
KATHERINE KNUTSON 2016
KATHERINE KNUTSON Selected Works Portfolio
katherine.a.knutson@gmail.com 253.651.3226
TABLE OF CONTENTS PART 1 Academic Works
PART 2 Professional Works
PART 3 Personal Works
RESUME
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10
18
26
REFLECTION AND REFRACTION
EMBODYING THE URBAN IMAGE
GUIDED BY LINES
Pullman, WA Higher education 2014
Seattle, WA Museum 2015
K-12 education 2013
30
46
38
LOOKING OUTWARD
BREAKING BARRIERS
Vancouver, WA Multi-family housing 2015
Pullman, WA Mixed-use commercial 2014
48
56
SEATTLE APARTMENT
TILLAMOOK VISITOR CENTER
MARKETING DRAWINGS
Seattle, WA Apartment - Interiors 2016
Tillamook, OR Visitor Center 2016
Collection of marketing drawings for Olson Kundig 2016
66 A STUDY ON CULTURAL ARTIFACTS Sketch documentation of my travels in Germany.
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PART 1
Academic Works
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01
REFLECTION AND REFRACTION LOCATION: Pullman, WA PROGRAM TYPE: Higher education INSTRUCTOR: Greg Kessler YEAR: 2014 Group project with K. Jancola
This design for an educatorium focuses on the sensory experience of water. It is intended to create an environment that further connects its campus through education as well as containing areas of public research and exhibition space. The design incorporates a variety of program functions including an auditorium space, scholar residences, offices, classrooms, and open research and exhibition spaces. The building is sunk into the existing topography to emphasize a connection to the natural landscape as well as draw students into the building from all sides.
To emphasize the use of the plaza element, the auditorium space is underground with a large skylight supporting a pool of water overhead. This allows for natural light to penetrate into the space, and communicates the inherent blending of the floor and ceiling elements. The sensory experiences are connected throughout the building through the use of this overhead pool as well as water walls, a rain tunnel, and misting benches. Overall, the element of water can be clearly seen throughout the site and continues to be an integral part of the design.
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MASSING: The building utilizes the natural slope to activate a second floor plaza.
SITE CONTEXT: Located in the heart of the WSU Pullman campus, this site would act as a gateway for students traveling to and from classes. Students would be encouraged to stop and rest during their day and take in the natural and historic scenery of the palouse.
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East elevation
North elevation
North section
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The Reflection Pool serves as a roof to the auditorium below, gently diffusing natural light into the learning environment.
North east axon
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Third floor plan
Second floor plan
First floor plan
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1 3
5 4
6
2
7 7
REFLECTION POOL WALL SECTION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
4” concrete topping 3” rigid insulation vapor barrier 8” concrete slab 3/4” water 1” glass water wall 1’ concrete column return piping (in column) glass backrest 2“ finished wood seat 2” finished concrete backrest
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.
8 9
1” plywood cover 4” wood support framing 2x4 wood bracing stainless steel grating drainage piping 1’ concrete drainage base wall gravel 2” concrete slab 8” hollow core slab water storage tank 1’x3’ footing 6” concrete slab
10 11
16
12 14
13
11 15
16 1
17 18 21
20
2
19 22
17
9 24 19
2
23
Auditorium exploded axon
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3
The main attraction of this design is its reflection pool. Suspended above the first floor auditorium and accessible from the second floor plaza, a thin sheet of water would create a gentle diffusion of light. This room is designed to inspire relaxation and reflection among occupants.
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02
EMBODYING THE URBAN IMAGE LOCATION: Seattle, WA PROGRAM TYPE: Museum INSTRUCTOR: Greg Kessler YEAR: 2015 Group project with K. Jancola
This mixed-use museum was produced through the 2015 Washington State University Senior Capstone Design Competition. The competition placed emphasis on the cross-disciplinary integration of students, specifically between architecture and construction management students, and this project was chosen as its winner. The proposed design is located in the South Lake Union neighborhood in Seattle, WA and features a series of exhibition spaces spread between two buildings which are linked by a skybridge. As the major design
component, a series of curtain walls which encircle the two buildings proudly display an intricate set of perforated metal panels which project images of Seattle. Each abstracted image was chosen for its iconic representation of what makes Seattle notable, whether that be its soaring Space Needle or iconic mountain range. The design also features a cafe and public rooftop plaza, intended to allow occupants to gaze both down on the city around them and up at its architectural representation.
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Curtian Wall Connection Detail
Wall Section - main entrance
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B
C
Bathroom Bathroom
213
214 DN UP
Cafe
Egress 3
251
Gallery
Gallery
205
204
Gallery
203
Egress 4
Bathroom Bathroom
DN
211
Accessible Rooftop
Elevator
212
Storage
Circulation
UP
200
221 DN
Elevator
A
Gallery
201
Egress 2
Gallery
Egress 1
UP
202
DN
Mechanical
231
Second Floor Plan
B
C Box 25Box 24 Box 23Box 22Box 21 Box 20
Box 19Box 18Box 17 Box 16Box 15 Box 14Box 13Box 12Box 11Box 10Box 9 Box 8Box 7 Box 6Box 5 Box 4 Box 3 Box 2Box 1
175 174 173 172 171 170
169 168 167 166 165 164 163 162 161 160 159 158 157 156 155 154 153 152 151
Mechanical
132 Bathroom
Bathroom
113
114
UP
Opposition Store (Analog)
Opposition Store (Digital)
104
103
Opposition Storage
Amazon Lounge
122
102
122.1 Bathroom Tenant Space Elevator Public Lobby
UP
Opposition Store Office
105
106
111
Bathroom
141
112
Egress 4 Mechanical
131 UP Egress 2
A
Egress 1
First Floor Plan
B
C
Green Roof
Membrane Roof Slope: 2" / 1'0"
A Finish Floor Level: 62' 0"
Site Plan
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UP
East Elevation
Accessible Rooftop
Section A
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Accessible Rooftop
2
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2
Shading Trellis
Bathroom
Cafe
213
251
Shading Trellis
Mechanical
132
Bathroom
Public Lobby
Tenant Space
106
105
Section B and Corresponding Connection Detail
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Exterior Balcony
Circulation
Perforated Metal Panneling
400
CW25
Shading Trellis
Circulation
CW25
300
Exterior Balcony
Shading Trellis
Gallery
Circulation
204
200
Shading Trellis
Opposition Store (Digital)
Opposition Store Office
103
141
Egress 1
Museum Lobby
101
Section C and Corresponding Connection Detail
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03
GUIDED BY LINES PROGRAM TYPE: K-12 Education INSTRUCTOR: Tom Hille YEAR: 2013
This design for an elementary school began with a study on the possible manipulation and aggregation of a single complex classroom unit form. Through investigation of the individual unit, each classroom is intended to be highly adaptable to the various needs of students and teachers alike and maintains a strong connection to the outside environment through both implied and physical outreach. After the form was identified, it was then repeated, interlocked, and manipulated to allow for a corresponding glulam
structural overlay, consistent throughout the series. Once the aggregation was created and finalized, the structural system was extended to create a total of fourteen classrooms, organized through the use of age-based hierarchy, and several scales of common spaces. Finally, the selective usage of the structural overlay was designed to accentuate the hierarchy of public, private, and mixed-use spaces and circulation zones.
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Structural system interlocks adjacent classroom units.
Structural Connectivity
Typical Classroom Unit
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17 14
14 15
12
13
16 N
Second Floor Plan
11
5
6
9
4
17
10
16
16 7
8
3 N
2
First Floor Plan
1
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04
LOOKING OUTWARD LOCATION: Vancouver, WA PROGRAM TYPE: Multi-family housing INSTRUCTOR: Brent Young & LSW Architects YEAR: 2015
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, this mixed-use housing aims to facilitate community connection. It features retail space, bike parking, and dwelling units as well as an exterior plaza split between the first and second floors. The massing of the building was split into five separate towers to allow for access to the plaza space, recessed within the property line and placed adjacent to the preexisting neighboring building. Pedestrians are able to climb a feature stair and access the rooftop plaza, weaving their way through public community spaces and amenities.
The plaza and circulation offsets are extruded the entirety of the building height to facilitate views both out to the surrounding city and in towards the courtyard itself. Views are also encouraged by means of two circulation tunnels, acting as connectors between the five housing tower segments and designed as two-story lofted spaces with a large tilted curtain wall. They are placed based on direction and height and focus on specific points within the city. Occupants are encouraged to wander these tunnels and look down at their surroundings as they explore the city around them.
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MASSING PROGRESSION:
01
Intial Massing
02
Community offset
03
View creation
04
Circulation connection
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Section B | highlighting circulation
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Units are able to interlock around the circulation cores found within each of the five towers in studio, onebedroom, or two-bedroom variations.
Due to their compatible interlocking nature, there is a wide variety of possible unit shapes, shown here.
Typical studio unit
Typical one-bedroom unit
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Typical two-bedroom unit
Section A | highlighting units
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PROGRAM ZONING:
Circulation
With the successful creation of five separate towers, a ground-level plaza, and a series of interlocking units, the inserted circulation tunnels are able to reach out into the surrounding community. They are positioned based on both relative height compared to the surrounding elements of the city and based on strategic amenities and viewpoints. The tunnel occupying the third and fourth floors is intended to focus occupants views on the Columbia River and on the nearby freeway movement through its South and East faces respectively. The fifth and sixth floor tunnel directs viewers to the adjacent Esther Short park and to the I-5 bridge which connects the cities of Vancouver and Portland through its North and West faces respectively.
Housing
Community
Retail
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A
B
12 11
OPEN TO BELOW
OPEN TO BELOW
Third floor plan A
A
B
B
2
DOWN
3
5
UP
4
1 6
7
First floor plan A
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B
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05
BREAKING BARRIERS LOCATION: Pullman, WA PROGRAM TYPE: Mixed-use commercial INSTRUCTOR: Bashir Kazimee YEAR: 2014
Located in the heart of downtown Pullman, this community center features a series of both public and private spaces, including a zones for community classes, a Washington State University campus study extension, shared gardens, and an extensive plaza. The programs are carefully and intentionally oriented to encourage community living and also to quite literally bridge the connection between nature and the city through the use of an extended
platform. The north side of the building features a triangular deck which extends over the river and, in combination with the plaza design, encourages direct interaction with the surrounding landscape. The plaza features angled vegetation strips which reflect the irregular spacial organization of the internal programs and further serves to highlight the fundamental and inherent connection to the natural world.
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Site Plan
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East Elevation
Section A
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Second Floor Plan
Bi-fold walls allow for a blending of indoor and outdoor zone distinctions.
First Floor Plan
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Bi-Fold Wall Section
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PART 2
Professional Works
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01
SEATTLE APARTMENT LOCATION: Seattle, WA PROGRAM TYPE: Multi-family housing, focusing on interiors YEAR: 2016
Between June and December of 2016, I participated in and completed an internship position with Olson Kundig in Seattle, WA. Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to work on many different tasks and project types, through different phases of the design process. This portion of my portfolio aims to display a few projects i participated in during my internship and to demonstrate my graphic and organizational capabilities.
During my time with Olson Kundig, I helped with the graphic representation of a Seattle apartment building, looking at the design of the interiors. This render shows a conceptual portrayal of a custom desk installation in the lobby, designed to entice and draw in passersby.
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02
TILLAMOOK VISITOR CENTER LOCATION: Tillamook, OR PROGRAM TYPE: Visitor center YEAR: 2016
At several points during my internship, I was tasked with helping the Tillamook design team with graphic representation of their ideas as they propose a new visitor center for the famous cheese tasting factory. For several weeks, I assisted in the representation and modeling of the center’s architecture, and then later helped with the presentation of its surrounding
landscape design. During my time working with both the architecture and landscape departments, my aim was to make each set of imagery reflect the intended focus of each group of peoples and to provide a clear message and focus on their ideas. The following pages show a sample of the renderings I prepared.
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Rendering focusing on architectural design.
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Rendering focusing on architectural design.
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Renderings focusing on landscape design.
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03
MARKETING DRAWINGS A collection of marketing drawings for Olson Kundig 2016
For several weeks of my internship, I assisted the Olson Kundig marketing department in the documentation and graphic representation of several built designs by Jim Olson. The intent of these drawings is to communicate each design’s relation to its respective surroundings and to display
their regional contexts. During the creation of these images, I investigated several graphic styles of representation and provided the firm with different options. The following drawings show a selected sample of my marketing works.
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Site Plans of home in Oregon, rendered both with and without color.
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Residential site plan (above) and corresponding main level plan (right).
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1 2 3 4
Terrace Entry Living Area Guest Bathroom
Main Level Plan - 61 -
10’
Site Plan
Residential site plan (above) and detail section showing door opening mechanism (right).
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30’
5’
Gizmo Door Section - 63 -
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PART 3
Personal Works
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01
A STUDY ON CULTURAL ARTIFACTS Sketch documentation of my travels in Germany. 2016
In March of 2016, I was fortunate enough to participate in an independent study program as a part of my school’s graduate program. I spent a week in Berlin and Koln, Germany, where my studies focused primarily on examining the methods used for the restoration and preservation of historical artifacts with respect to the built environment. I was interested in how these two cities, with such vast and extensive cultural histories, approached
the issues surrounding historic building sites and the balance each was able to find between the celebration of existing cultural artifacts and the creation of new ones. While traveling, I completed a series of quick sketches to document my attempts to analyze and understand the appreciation each city shows for its culture and how that appreciation is manifested in design.
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Through my investigations, I discovered one way that Berlin is able to show an appreciation of its built history is through the use of classical, traditional building elements (such as domes and columns), but approached with a more modern treatment and design language. This created works which blend into the overall design typology of the city, while still looking towards the future.
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Another issue I investigated while traveling was the approach to building entrances in Berlin and Koln, specifically their tendency to use dramatic, traditional architectural techniques and elements to emphasize procession.
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As an extension of other studies I was engaged in during my spring semester, I also analyzed a series of museums in Berlin and Koln. I noticed that many seemed to have unique approaches to the balance of traditional versus modern stylings, but both used their architecture to openly celebrate each their regional history.
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KATHERINE KNUTSON 1821 S. Winnifred Street Tacoma WA, 98465 253.651.3226 katherine.a.knutson@gmail.com
Through my academic career, I have successfully completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies and a Master of Architecture degree, both from Washington State University. This portfolio has been designed to display my academic achievements to date, my professional capabilities, and my personal aesthetic styles and convictions to innovation and authenticity in architecture. I hope it gives you insight into my personality and who I am as a designer. Thank you for your time and interest. Thank you.
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EDUCATION
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE Washington State University GPA: 3.76 Pullman, WA | May 2015 - May 2016 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES (with honors) Washington State University GPA: 3.68, Cum Laude Pullman, WA | August 2011 - May 2015
WORK EXPERIENCE
OLSON KUNDIG June 2016 - December 2016 Position: Architectural Intern WSU SCHOOL OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION August 2015 - May 2016 Position: Graduate Teaching Assistant WSU DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE August 2012 - May 2013 Position: Paraprofessional / Resident Adviser
ACHIEVEMENTS
HONORS Graduated from Washington State University with Honors and Cum Laude. Received a ‘Pass with Distinction’ on graduating thesis project. Accepted to WSU’s School of Design and Construction accelerated graduate program. Maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.68 during undergraduate studies and 3.76 during graduate. Graduated high school through International Baccalaureate program. AWARDS 2015 Senior Capstone competition winner. Awarded President’s Honor Roll: Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, and Spring 2015.
SKILLS
COMPUTER PROFICIENCY Rhino | Revit | Sketchup | Maxwell | AutoCad | Photoshop | Illustrator | InDesign | Word | PowerPoint | Excel
REFERENCES
BLAIR PAYSON | Principal | (206)438.1450 | blair@olsonkundig.com MING YUAN | Associate | (206)438.1419 | ming@olsonkundig.com PAUL HIRZEL | Professor | (509)335.1373 | hrzl@sdc.wsu.edu GREG KESSLER | Professor | (509)335.1229 | gkessler@sdc.wsu.edu PHIL GRUEN | Director | (509)335.2309 | jpgruen@sdc.wsu.edu
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Thank you.
KATHERINE KNUTSON katherine.a.knutson@gmail.com 253.651.3226 1821 S. Winnifred Street Tacoma, WA 98465 Washington State University [Bachelor in Architectural Studies + Master of Architecture]