portfolio
keren jacob
contents /kerenjacob keren0226@gmail.com https://kerenjacob.com
1st Year
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2nd Year
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3rd Year
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Foundations Studio: Study of Geometry
Foundations Studio: Study of Materials
Professional Elective: Watercolor
Giovanni Museum of Contemporary Art: Renovation
District Collective: Co-working office
Carmel Haven: Contemporary Synagogue
The Stretch: McComas Gym Renovation
Foundations Studio Study of Geometry Iterations of a simple model were finalized into a module. The module was repeated to create a system, in which a form naturally develops. Illustrations to the right help the mind to imagine a change in materiality. The grey image can be seen as concrete and the pink, as felt. The images also depict changes in light throughout the form. Final Model Endless system made from units
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iterations
One slit
Three folds
One unit
Two units linked
Small slit to tuck a corner into
Corners slide into opposite slits
Diagram
Depicts how two units connect
Final unit
Clean end to the module
Four areas for connections are created in the final unit. The links (areas for connections) can vary in angles depending on the size of the cut and change the movement of the system. Dowels are added for structural support.
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Foundations studio Study of Materials A basic foam model of a pyramid was developed through subtraction, repetition, and inversion. Construction methods and material choice were researched. After reading about Japanese joinery, mortise and tenon joints were used to connect the wooden models. The final model was constructed from plaster and wood, then sanded down for a clean finish.
Final Model Wood and Plaster
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Duplicated Model Foam Model A form was subtracted from a foam cube with a detail knife.
The model was duplicated and joined together to form another unit.
Wood Model A simplified model was made from wood to test mortis and tenon joints as well as the new form.
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Professional elective Watercolor
A series of watercolor assignments were tasked to us. The first informed us on tonal changes through watercolor techniques. As we progressed, complementary color schemes were an added challenge along with composition and texture. (Texture could be added with salt and wax.) The analytic (right), uses all the techniques taught to us, including line-work with a watercolor pen.
Final Analytic Giovanni Museum of Contemporary Art
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Hagia Sophia
Color Study 6
Giovanni museum of contemporary Art Renovation The present is a point of interaction between a linear past and diverging future. Similarly, direct light splits at a point inside a prism to reveal various paths of color. Prisms are used to reflect color onto the ceiling (away from the artwork), while adding light to the space. The history of Blacksburg is remembered in the name “Giovanni,� and the future, embraced in contemporary art.
View from Mezzanine Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe [ Id, Ps ]
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Floor Plan
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Mezzanine
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1. Lobby 2. Office 3. Lecture 4. Storage 5. Installations Installation art
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6. Bathrooms 7. Multipurpose 8. Storage 9. Studio
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prism studies
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To incorporate the trusses into the museum, they were extruded to discover a prism form. Panels were constructed that fit to the prism form which absorb sound and reflect colored light.
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View from Lounge to Kitchen
District Collective Co-working office This partner project for Haworth, focused on creating a coffee shop feel in a working environment. Washington D.C. parks inspired our design in its use of copper, wayfinding signs, brick walls and coffered ceilings. The cork panels on the ceiling have an indented design representative of coffering. This design was incorporated into the custom feature wall and booth seating. 9
Revit, Adobe [ Ai, Id, Ps ] Partner: Kirsten Montalbano
Custom Pieces
Floor Plan
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Reception Desk
Booth Seats
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Feature Wall and Kitchen
Signage
Sections
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1. Wellness 2. Conference 3. Collab. 4. Phone Booths 5. Offices
6. Benching 7. Lounge 8. Reception 9. Kitchen
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Carmel Haven "Garden of god" Contemporary Synagogue Adapting the space to symbols in Judaism, such as the Star of David and the Garden of Eden, forges channels between an enlightened realm and grounded ideologies. The meeting space is designed to be inviting and quiet (cork panels). Spirituality is encouraged as guests drift their eyes to the grand ceiling while walking up to touch the Torah. View into Synagogue Entrance Revit, Adobe [ Ai, Id, Ps ]
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Experiential Research
Findings:
St. Andrew’s Catholic Church | Hillel | The Hotel Roanoke
Timing can be essential to the atmosphere of a place. Alone in a dim lit cathedral with only the sound of running water echoing, is competely different, than a crowded and lively Sunday mass. I learned that the effect the cathedral had on people was due to the shear size of it and lighting. To mimic this effect I created an encompassing, low entrance which opens to a grand, dimly lit space. The idea of the intimate threshold was taken from viewing various thresholds within the city of Roaoke and from the model.
Questions:
How can a relationship with God and self be established within a Jewish culture’s context? What kind of threshold can strengthen that relationship and have people return to the site?
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materials
ISOmetric
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FLOOR PLAN
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1. Rabbi’s Office 2. Storage 3. Admin. Office 4. Reception 5. Library 6. Meeting Room 7. Courtyard
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PROGRAMMING Religious Meeting Space
Many religious meeting spaces have changed to include large amounts of people such as mega-churches. This distances people from the speaker and thus creates a personal disconnect with God. To avoid this issue the space is small. Associating a place with spirituality is another way to increase religious relationships. An example of this used in the space is through the custom seating in the room designed to mimic pews. Rabbi’s office
People don’t typically convert to Judaism as the religion is specific to race, however, a room for the Rabbi is included for private conversations such as conversion meetings or counseling. Various types of counseling are typical of synagogues.
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Thresholds study
Enclosures (including thresholds) act analogous to light by creating a focus on the individual, if sheltered, or a community, if open. The series of sketches to the left show a study of thresholds. Scale and length of material are the most influential aspects in creating diverse experiences.
diagrams
Case Study National Holocaust Memorial, Canada
The figures to the right show how the concept of Jewish symbolism is used to form the space with volume. Inspiration was taken from the Star of David.
David Libeskind creates atmosphere through the use of volume and distortion. Thus, forming intense lighting effects with dark corners and grand openings. He perfectly captures the emotions of a memorial. 14
The Stretch McComas Gym Corridor Renovation My partner, Kelsey Muir, and I chose to express the dynamism of body movement in the main feature piece. The feature allows for a variety of temporary interactions typically done in a corridor, while stressing directionality and movement. Energetic vibes add character to a overlooked area, by extracting a compound color scheme from Virginia Tech’s school colors.
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View from Hallway Entrance Revit, Rhino, Sketchup, Adobe [ Ai, Id, Ps ] Partner: Kelsey Muir
stroboscopic studies
elevations
In our effort to incorporate fitness into the gym design, we chose to study body motion through three common activities in a gym: running, walking, and stretching. The running motion is integrated into the active zone of the floor plan, walking in the transition zone, and yoga in the idle or still zone. The feature piece captures the clients company values by representing their “live well� components.
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Informational screens allow students to learn more about the resources available to them.
Storage lockers account for larger items such as winter coats or smaller items like phones. 16
materials Fabrics were selected according to properties associated with acoustics, color, and durability.
User interaction diagrams The bungee cord feature piece is easy to manipulate for one’s needs. It ranges in heights and forms to accommodate for temporary activities like stretching, leaning, sitting, and storing. 17
Stretching
Leaning
Sitting | Storing
SPatial diagrams 1
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construction diagrams High density areas of circulation (near stairs and entrances)
Circles: Stationary points where people are likely to spend most of their time
Orange - Active Purple - Lounge Green - Idle
Each bungee cord will be wrapped around metal poles to keep the cord taut enough to support body weight. The cords allow flexibility and form to the body for more comfort.
The bungee cords will attach to the ceiling with suspension ceiling hooks. These are typically used with hammock swings and has a large weight capacity. Bungee cords can be tied directly or finished with a hook.
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Entire length of bungee feature and its interations with users 18
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