Architecture Portfolio by KatherineThomas.

PORTFOLIO

Katherine Thomas

My name is Katherine Thomas. I am a Bachelor of Design graduate from the University of Melbourne with a major in Architecture and a specialisation in Design Histories. I have always appreciated good design and have a particular passion for the built environment. My enthusiasm for the field, paired with my strong work ethic and diligence has made me a high-achiever in my course, and left me with a number of completed projects I take pride in. As an aspiring architect, I dream of pursuing personal goals such as reaching a more environmentally sustainable quality of building, unifying people and building community through architecture, and working towards a unique and inspiring Australian architectural identity.

The projects featured in this portfolio show a combination of my technical skills, architectural knowledge, passions, and creative capacity.

EDUCATION SKILLS

Bachelor of Design - Architecture Major, The University of Melbourne

Diploma in Italian Studies, The University of Melbourne

VCE, Glen Waverley Secondary College

AWARDS

CONTACT

Works selected for the Melbourne School of Design

Exhibitions:

•Communal Living, Design Studio Epsilon, 2021

•Construction Model, Construction Design, 2021

•Multi-residential House, Design Studio Gamma, 2020

•Flipbook section 2D, Construction Analysis, 2020

•Dystopian Dreams, Design Studio Alpha, 2019

•Gothic-Revival Poster, Global Foundations of Design, 2019

Works selected for Super Critique (end of semester desk critique with an international panel):

•Communal Living, Design Studio Epsilon, 2021

Awards:

•Dean’s Honours List, awarded for academic excellence, 2022

•Dean’s Honours List, awarded for academic excellence, 2021

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom

Rhinoceros 3D

Grasshopper 3D

Enscape

Printing, scanning

Model making

3D printing

Lasercutting

Analogue drawing Location: Melbourne, Australia

Email: katey@kasienka.net

Mobile: 0434 706 726

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-thomas-6b480b22b/

Website: https://kathomas7.wixsite.com/design-journal

PROJECTS

4 Dystopian Dreams, 2019 05 Parametric Pavilion, 2020 09 Multi-Residential Housing, 2020 13 Construction Analysis, 2020 19 Construction Model, 2021 23 Communal Living, 2021 27 Botanical Art, 2021 33

DYSTOPIAN DREAMS

Subject: Design Studio Alpha, ARCH10003

When: Semester 2, 2019

Dystopian Dreams was my first major, speculative architectural project, and was consequently a formative project in my design education. The project brief narrated a fictional story in which a certain group of Carlton citizens required a place to gather and commune out of the eye of the general public. The allocated site was Lincoln Square, Carlton.

Urban terrain

(1) Hidden gathering space : plan

0 1 2 3m 1:100 0 1 2 3m 1:100

Recognition: Model selected for the 2019 Summer MSDx

Concept sketches

Lasercut model at 1;500

My concept was all about shadow; manipulating both the terrain and built form to conceal spaces in deep shadow, hiding them in plain sight on Lincoln Square. The assignment required a 1:500 physical site model with a lasercut terrain to express how we had manipulated the ground plane to achieve our designs.

7 0 1 2 3m 1:50 0 1 2 3m 1:501:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m

(2) Public gathering space : plan

(2)

Public gathering space : section

2 8 1 Lincoln Square site plan 1:500 0 2 5 10 20m 1:500 0 2 5 10 20m

GARDENS PAVILION

Subject: Digital Design, ARCH20004

When: Semester 1, 2020

The Queen Victoria Gardens Pavilion is a parametrically designed structure, created using an algorithmic program called Grasshopper 3D (a plug-in to Rhinoceros 3D).

The scale-like roof of my pavilion was fine-tuned to allow a dappled sunlight to permeated the space below, while concrete seating allows susers to gather and sit.

The terrain surrounding the pavilion was also manipulated using Grasshopper 3D. It dips and swells, accen

tuating the sweeping curves of the pavilion design, whilst also allowing the space to host larger events and even performances.

9 QV

Parametric Pavilion

The design process involved exploring, testing, analysing and reflecting on numerous iterations. The parametric nature of Grasshopper 3D allowed me to construct a base script, with parameters that could be repeatedly tweaked and adjusted until desired design solutions were achieved.

Once a final form was achieved and a structure consolidated, I used Enscape (a real-time rendering plug-in to Rhinoceros 3D) to bring the pavilion to life with rendered images and even a video-capture.

1.0 Curve 2.0 Geometry 17.0 18.0 Rotation of geometry 19.0 Final panel adjustments Curves interpolated through geometry centroids Rotation1: 0 Rotation1: Twisted Box Curve Variable used to create seating. Combination of shown iterations + individual tweeking in Rhino of panels that were not structurally feasible. Adjustment of the scale of the Twisted Box to create human scale seats and a series of linear axis movements to eliminate seat and panel intersections. Adjusting structure and the Graph Mapper to the rotation of the panels. desirable adjust the panels so that may cover steel pipe system that would support roof. 10

N 0 1 2 3m 1:100 0 1 2 3m 1:100 11

Structural diagram

Post processing, Photoshop

MY PLACE, YOUR PLACE

Compact and adaptable dual occupancy residence

Subject: Design Studio Gamma, ARCH20002

When: Semester 2, 2020

My Place, Your Place is an adaptable dual-occupancy residence in Carlton designed to accommodate three differeing decades of generational evolution. The house provides residence to a working couple with a young child, and the grandparents from one side of the family. The space allows for live-work arrangements, in cases where the parents work permanently from home. The house has the ability to adopt a double-unit layout, so that when the grandparents move on, a second unit can be rented to tenants or occupied by the maturing child of the core family.

The design focuses on two types of activation. Community activation, and ecological activation. In My Place, Your Place, the street facade uses form, materiality and window placement to allow residents to connect to the wider Carlton neighbourhood.

Ecologically, the design aims to support the ecology of native bees in the area. Dedicated green spaces, selected plant species, hives, planter boxes and insect houses hanging from exterior walls, are all part of the strategy to promote and nurture local bee life.

Recognition: Selected for the 2020 Summer MSDx

MacArthur Place North Canning Street 1 2 3 4 5m C B C B D D A C A A E E B C E 15

Roof 0 1 2 5m 1:250

Ground floor First floor

16 Section A East elevation 0 1 2 5m 1:250

Perspective images

Physical model at 1:100

CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS

Flip-book sections 2D and 3D

Subject: Construction Analysis, ABPL20033

When: Semester 2, 2020

Construction Analysis is a second year construction subject at the University of Melbourne. The subject teaches architectural construction following the building process, linking structural principles to building elements, systems, materials, and techniques along stages of architectural realisation.

In a flipbook format, students were required to draw and annotate an allocated zone of the Lake Wendouree Residence (John Wardle Architects). Eight plans and sections sequentially represent eight stages of con

struction, from site-preparation and footings, to finishing trades, joinery and appliances.

D B

1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 19

Stage 8: finishing trades, joinery and appliances.

Recognition: Selected for the 2020 Summer MSDx

Alongside teaching students construction principles, this subject accelerated the development of my skills in reading architectural and construction documents, as well as my skills in drawing architectural plans, sections and details.

The independent navigation of the Lake Wendouree Residence construction documents, data sheets, and company construction manuals, followed by the re-drawing of a zone of the house, were tasks that ensured and enforced an understanding and appreciation of residential construction.

D B A

1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 20

Stage 7: Internal partitions, ceiling structure, rough-in services, wall lining

1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 21 Internal (non-load-bearing) partitions

Water resistant plasterboard: 13mm plasterboard, water resistant to wet areas is used in the bathroom, laundry, and kitchen areas where timber studs are at a higher risk of being damaged by water over time.

Insulative batts:

Bradford soundscreen batts are both acoustically and thermally insulative, allowing walls to be acoustic and thermal barriers.

Villaboard:

3. 6mm Villaboard fully taped and scrimmed clad with Krause Bricks in stretcher bond.

Non-load-bearing timber stud wall: Timber stud walls are lightweight, fixed partitions that are easily constructed and are able to accommodate insulation, hidden services and finished, making them highly valuable in residential construction.

Load-bearing timber stud wall

1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 1:50 0 0.2 0.5 1 2m 22

Sectional perspective

CONSTRUCTION MODEL

Material, failure, strategy, process

Subject: Construction Design, ABPL30041

When: Semester 1, 2021

Construction Design is a third year construction subject, in which students undertake the task of modelling a segment of the new McKinnon Senior School Centre in incredible detail. Demonstrating my own research and understanding developed during the subject, the final model shows not only materiality, but construction joints, potential failures and their causes, possible solutions to failures, and other details that relate to the building, environment or construction process.

Construction knowledge has influenced the way I think about architecture. It has informed even my more speculative, studio projects, from the materials I choose, to form and layout, to how the thickness of elements and their connections to each other affect the experience of space.

Recognition: Selected for the 2021 Winter MSDx

Notably, university construction subjects have accelerated my acquisition of CAD and rendering skills. The modelling and rendering of this construction project was completed on Rhinoceros3D, I continue to use the expertise I have developed across other studio projects, at various stages of the design process.

1. Brick veneer 2. Glasswool thermal insulation 3. Broken agricultural pipe

1 3 2

4. Slab on ground

26 4

BACK TO LAND

Back to Land, the capstone project to my Architecture major, is the most current rendition of where my passions and aspirations lie in architecture. The project involved designing a collective housing complex on a 125x125m site in Brunswick West. Specifically, my project aimed to rebuild connection between people and the Land on which they dwell.

My proposal begins by re-introducing the pre-colonial Victorian Grassland onto the site. The architecture, beginning with its elevation off the ground, learns from Australian vernacular and critically regional predecessors, to respect and respond to its local environment, whilst providing comfort to its occupants.

When: Semester 2, 2021 Subject: Design Studio Epsilon, ARCH30002 (Capstone subject)

Communal Living Complex

Recognition: Selected for Epsilon Super Critique; Selected for the 2021 Summer

1:100

The modular room system is a highly flexible space-making system I developed to increase connection between the individual, the community and the Land. Dwellings are constructed by stringing together any number of modular rooms across the complex in any arrangement. Each room on the site is visually and physically connected to the land and community, and façades are customisable to allow for personalised micro-climates and differing levels of privacy. The model not only allows for heightened adaptability, it also creates an ease of collaboration and space-sharing which help to build community.

MSDx

Master isometric 1:800 0 2 5 10 20m 1:800 0 2 5 10 20m 29

Perspective image 30

VICTORIAN GRASSLAND of the Volcanic Basalt Plains

VICTORIA GRASSLAND of the Volcanic Basalt Plains

The City of Brunswick sits close to the boundary of what is considered the Victorian Volcanic Plains. It is bordered by Gippsland

The City of Brunswick sits close to the boundary of what is considered the Victorian Volcanic Plains. It is bordered by Gippsland Plains and the Southern Highlands.

Tree canopy: 10% Shrub: 10% Herb: 25% Graminoid: 55% FLORA FAUNA Southern Boobook Golden Sun Moth Eastern Barred Bandicoot Silver Banksia

Tree canopy: 10% Shrub: 10% Herb: 25% Graminoid: 55% FLORA Bush Stone-Curlew FAUNA Striped Legless Lizard Southern Boobook Fat Tailed Dunnart Black-Shouldered Golden Sun Moth Kookaburra Eastern Barred Bandicoot Kangaroo grass Spear grass Milky Beauty Heads Common Rice Flower Black Sheoak Yellow Box Buloak Red Gum Wallaby grass Hoary Sunray Astroloma Tussock grass Milkmaids Hedge Wattle Silver Banksia Common everlasting

1 2 3 8 4 6 5 7

BACK TO LAND Micro-communities formed based on common interests Micro-communities decide on allocation of rooms Rooms left unoccupied are allocated a temporary use for the duration of its vacancy New members integrate into the community, occupying the most preferable arrangement of available rooms 8 dwellings GFA : 536m2 gross lettable area: 457 typical level efficiency: 75% 1 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry 1 x studio (shared) 1-2 people 58m2 14m2 shared 1 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry 1-2 people 58m2 2 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry 2-3 people 72m2 1 x bedroom 1 x studio 1 x kitchen (shared) 1 x bathroom (shared) 1 x laundry (shared) 1 person 29m2 private 29m2 shared 1 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry (shared) 1-2 people 50m2 private 7m2 shared 1 6 5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry (shared) 2-3 people 64m2 7m2 shared 1 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry 1 x studio (shared) 1-2 people 72m2 1 x bedroom 1 x studio 1 x bathroom (private) 1 x kitchen (shared) 1 x bathroom (shared) 1 x laundry (shared) 1 person 36m2 private 14m2 shared STUDIO KITCHENLAUNDRYBATHROOM LAUNDRY 1:100 BACK TO LAND Micro-communities formed based on common interests Micro-communities decide on allocation of rooms Rooms left unoccupied are allocated a temporary use for the duration of its vacancy New members integrate into the community, occupying the most preferable arrangement of available rooms 8 dwellings GFA : 536m2 gross lettable area: 457 typical level efficiency: 75% 1 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry 1 x studio (shared) 1-2 people 58m2 14m2 shared 1 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry 1-2 people 58m2 2 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry 2-3 people 72m2 1 x bedroom 1 x studio 1 x kitchen (shared) 1 x bathroom (shared) 1 x laundry (shared) 1 person 29m2 private 29m2 shared 1 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry (shared) 1-2 people 50m2 private 7m2 shared 1 6 5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x living 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry (shared) 2-3 people 64m2 7m2 shared 1 x bedroom 1 x kitchen 1 x bathroom 1 x laundry 1 x studio (shared) 1-2 people 72m2 1 x bedroom 1 x studio 1 x bathroom (private) 1 x kitchen (shared) 1 x bathroom (shared) 1 x laundry (shared) 1 person 36m2 private 14m2 shared STUDIO KITCHENLAUNDRYBATHROOM LAUNDRY 1:100 Occupation diagram 32 1:200 0 1 2 5m 1:200 5m

1:100

MOMENT

Botanical drawing and watercolour

Subject: Art and the Botanical, FINA20044

When: Winter intensive, 2021

Art and the Botanical is a fine arts subject I elected to take at the University of Melbourne. Over an intensive week of classes, the subject guides students to develop skills and techniques in botanical drawing. These include mark-making with graphite, and different methods of applying watercolour. The subject insisted upon drawing from live-observation. All subjects depicted in my art are captured as they were perceived in real time.

My final folio project, Moment, explores the significance of real-time drawing. “Moment” is a reference to the transience of plant life and the power of art to capture and preserve a moment in time. Through a combination of graphite and watercolour, the final series captures five individual specimens, each at a different stage of their life.

Studying Art and the Botanical, a fine arts subject, made me aware of how similar the design process is across both the arts and design professions.

Above are examples of some of the testing, exploring, practicing and learning I undertook in my visual diary. Like in the architectural practice, it is important to constantly reflect on what is working and what can be improved as you strive towards a desired outcome.