kuan butts|portfolio 1
This portfolio contains work by Kuan Butts from Fall 2007 to Spring 2011.
2
kuan butts|portfolio
3
06 4|
6|
00
O
10 20 30
g
nin
lan
nP ba
Ur
t jec ro
P re
ltu
u ac
qu ,M
n to ge
id Br
rA ve
u co
n Va
urban planning
05 4
40
004
let
Po o
en t
ct
pm
ro je
lP
ev elo
te au Re d
ou
ar on do
Ch
|C
03 6|
architecture index
50 60 70
08
isc
ell Lo c
us an eo
sin g
er ga rte n tis tH ou Ar
Kin d t.
ill tS
us
Be vo M
|M 8| 4|
09
116
architecture
s
k r Pa re u pt ul Sc
t jec ro
rP
r eie um La
no Mi
urban planning
2| 14
4| 10
005
150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80
vancouver aquaculture
006
007
008
A46 ARCH 411 01 architectural design III professor derek hoeferlin fall semester 2010 richmond, bc, canada I began this studio by studying a series of major world watersheds and the composition of a book (with the rest of the studio) that documented range of issues present throughout them. Specifically, we determined how water influenced the mechanics of the assosciated cities along its riverbanks. I then travelled with the studio to New Orleans. There, we observed first hand the tenuous balance between land and water in an urban setting. Finally, I selected the Fraser watershed and developed an intervention that deal with fishing economy, one of the few remaining dangerous sources of pollution. left Interior view of proposed aquaculture project. previous page Exterior view of same.
009
010
above Full Gutter to Gulf Exhibition spread. Group project with the following members: Kuan Butts, Bennett Gale, Meghan Lewis, Joe Moriarity, Kevin Murray, Jeff Rauch, Evan Wiskup. Highlighted portions are my work.
011
shown Selected exhibition spread.
1
2 34 5 6
rhine
affected
tidal velocities 1 2 3 4 5 6
brouwersdam grevelingendam biesboch waterkering hollandsche ilssel
7 8 9 10 11
westerschedle oosterscheldekering/veerse gatdam zeelandbrug/zandkreedam haringvlietdam/maeslantkering oesterdam
7 8 9 1011
0-20% reducton 20-40% reducton 40-60% reducton 60-80% reducton 012 80-100% reducton
china:
hydroelectricity
gongguoqiao xiaowan manwan dachaogshan nuozhadu jinghong ganlanba mengsong nam ngum (w), nam leuk (e) theun hinboun chulabhorn (w), ubolratana (e) xeset (n), houay ho (s) pak mun (n), sirindhorn (s) yaly dray ling
china (mw)
013
m.song
ganlanba
jinghong
nuozhadu
dachaogshan
manwan
xiaowan
the megawatts produced by China alone compared with all ten other dams along the Mekong River, if they complete their proposed eight-dam cascading hydroelectric network. (12,450MW vs. 1,410MW)
gongguoqiao
900%
014
forested
lowlands
plateau
delta
highlands
shown Selected exhibition spread.
015
DELTA URBANISMS
28
stl to nola Mapped.
016
placing values
draining nature
INTERSTATE HIGHAY SYSTEM: 35 YEARS AND $450 BILLION AS OF 1992
CITY BUILT UPON A TEPID LANDSCAPE NATURAL PHENOMENA UPENDED MECHANICAL INFASTRUCTURE DOMINATES
NEW ORLEANS ENTIRE DAM SYSTEM $3.5 BILLION PROPOSED, 7 YEARS AGO FRUITION: MINUTE FRACTION OF REQUESTED
cost of safety PLACEMENT BY POLITICS DEFENSE EX POST FACTO INHABITANT SAFETY TRITE
shown Selected spreads from New Orleans trip.
017
opposite As I researched the Fraser River watershed, I compiled reasearched information in a book. This document became a narrative that showed how I came about my final designn intervention along the river. To the left are shown selected spreads from this book. following page Our studio was asked to also submit spreads of our personal research from our individual watersheds to accomodate the work on Gutter to Gulf spreads in our exhibition. Shown is my submitted spread.
018
0-250M
why richmond
200-700M
SIMILARITIES WITH HOMETOWN OF SAN DIEGO CAN APPROACH WITH AN UNDERSTANDING AND RELATION INTEREST IN SUBURBIA
selected location
ARTIFICIAL LANDFILL MUD
existing amenities
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF RIVER ROAD, SKYTRAIN BRIDGE VIEWS CONTINUING RIVERFRONT PARK FROM WESTERN PORTION OF RICHMOND CONNECTING PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY ON BRIDGE TO RIVER ROAD ACTIVATING RIVERFRONT PREVIOUSLY USED TO STORE BUSSES
MODERN SEDIMENTS
ICE AGE SEDIMENTS
proposed focus areas
BEDROCK
goals BRING ATTENTION TO WATERFRONT LEVEES WETLANDS RIVER INDUSTRY
OLDEST BEDROCK
ENHANCE RIVER ROAD WALKING ELEMENT MITIGATE EYESORES
location
BRING RESIDENTS TO THE RIVER AWARENESS
400-700 FEET OF SEDIMENT DEPOSIT MAKE UP THE TOTALITY OF LULU ISLAND UPON WHICH RICHMOND SITS
1
dwelling densities
2
golden village
0-2 UNITS/ACRE 2-10 UNITS/ACRE
INTROVERTED LAYOUT GREATEST DENSITY FOCUSED ABOUT GOLDEN VILLAGE
30-50 UNITS/ACRE 50-170 UNITS/ACRE
RIVERFRONT PARK
intention for site
PROPOSED SITE LOCATED AT NORTH TIP EXTENDS CENTRAL CORRIDOR ALONG NO 3 RD BRINGS THIS “SPINE” DIRECTLY TO RIVERFRONT A “BOOKEND” DEVELOPMENT DIRECTLY ENGAGES RIVER
10-30 UNITS/ACRE
PROPOSED SITE
DRAW CONSUMERS NORTH TOWARDS THE RIVERFRONT
WETLANDS
4 1 2
3 RIVERFRONT
3
4 GOLDEN VILLAGE
asian outdoor multi-level strips
comparing mall types in richmond
POPULAR NEW SUPER STRIP MALLS POPPING UP AROUND MEGA-MALLS AND ALONG GARDEN CITY ROAD OUTDOOR AS OPPOSED TO LARGER INDOOR MALLS PARKING TENDS TO BE MORE SPREAD OUT (NO GARAGES)
THREE MAJOR TYPES EXIST: INDOOR MULTISTORY, BIG BOX, AND STRIP
PROPOSED SITE FOOTPRINT
NO 3 RD
COMPASS
disconnected
EMPIRE CENTRE RIVER
RIVER RD
WAREHOUSES
RAILROAD
COMMERCIAL FACING NO 3 RD
PARKING NO 3 RD
RIVER TRAIL
SERVICE
COMMUNAL
SERVICE PACIFIC PLAZA
COSMO PLAZA
SERVICE
COMMUNAL
WAREHOUSE LOADING
SERVICE
UNION SQUARE
SERVICE
COMMUNAL
SERVICE
COMMUNAL
public
SERVICE
service
commercial FACING AWAY
019
AMMENITIES EXIST ALONG THE FIVER FRONT, SUCH AS THE RIVERFRONT TRAIL UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE OR VISIBLE THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR ALONG NO 3 RD FACES AWAY FROM THE RIVER IT DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT NOR DOES IT MAKE IT VISIBLE
Fraser River Watershed
LOWER MAINLAND FLOOD AREAS
020
Fraser River Flooding LAST MAJOR FLOOD IN 1948, WATER LEVELS REACHED 24.7’ PROTECTIVE DIKES Due to extremely high sediment flow and nature activism, no damning has occurred along the Fraser River.
RIVER OUTPUT 13500 m^3/sec
MAX
850 m^3/sec
MIN
10,000 YEARS AGO
RIVER OUTPUT
5,000 YEARS AGO
4.35 meters MAX
annual sediment deposit
700,000
MIN 2.60 meters
deltaic sediment depth grain sizes
AVERAGE 400 FEET
1.5 PHI
safe clay : silt safe sand : mud
MAXIMUM 700 FEET 7.16 PHI
MIN 2% MIN 10:1
MAX 5% MAX 45:1
FRASER RIVER SEDIMENT DEPOSITS Voluminous sediment deposits over the past 10,000 years have created the entire landmass upon which the southern metropolitan area of Vancouver is situated including Richmond, Ladner, Delta, and New Westminster.
PRESENT DAY
021
x106 cubic feet
022
concept Common among all Asian malls is the presence of a supermarket. The center of this is the fresh fish area. My design sought to present a loclal aquaculture system to the suburb of Richmond, where some of the highest concentration of oriental households exist. Thus, the fresh fish, which is typically farmed far north of Vancouver and shipped into the city, could be grown right where they are consumed. I identified a potential site right on a currently vacant lot near a shrinking industrial zone and also right beneath the new light rail just constructed into the island suburb and near its first stop. opposite These are sections running in a north-south manner through the site and explore potential manners in which a large structure might sit and negotiate with the dike that retains the sea and keeps the island dry during periods of high sea level. left Here, the same sections are shown in an east-west manner as well.
023
024
how it works Gates control water level within the tank, allowing it to flush at low tide, thus creating a suction that pulls waste from the fish tank out and into a remediatory wetland area, then any remaining into a tiered oyster farm, where toxic waste is converted into benign packets by the bivalves. This is shown in the following pages.
025
Tidal Stage 1: Low Tide
Tidal Stage 2: Interm
026
mediate Period
Tidal Stage 3: High Tide
shown This flushing diagram displays how, at high tide, the reservoir is filled. Then, at low tide, the main tank flushes into the catchment basin, which is then pulled ithrough a remediatory green zone and into the tiered leftmost area, an oyster farm. These bivalves capture any remaining fish waste and convert it into benign packets that fall to the ocean floor. Once the main tank has been flushed, the reservoir is then emptiied into the main tank, thus refilling it immediately. At high tide, the process repeats once again. 027
shown Flushing as reservoir refills.
028
029
shown Section of remediatory catchment. Most waste is caught here and used. The remainder is filtered through the bivalve farm.
030
031
capacity of 125,000 fish per container x 4 containers = 500,000 fish
032
oyster production averages 8-12 metric tons per hectare 1.2 hectares total area = 9.6-14.4 metric tons of oyster
033
034
opposite Master plan of Richmond aquaculture location.
035
036
chouteau masterplan + sheet metal worker’s union 037
038
A46 ARCH 312 03 architectural design II professor valerie greer spring semester 2010 2451-2599 chouteau ave st. louis, mo, usa The first portion of this course involved researching successful industrial renewal projects (in my case, the Zollverein Coal Mine in Essen, Germany). The second portion focused on replanning a local site that involving a burnt-down warehouse and the surrounding vacant land north of a major throughfare and south of St. Louis’ central rail corridor. The final portion of the class involved designing new headquarters for St. Louis’ local sheet metal workers’ union chapter offices and facilities on a portion the replanned site. opposite Elevation of model. previous page Roof detail of model.
039
040
041
042
opposite Selected image from series of collages depicting significant aspects of the international heritage site Zeche Zollverein in Essen, Germany. This particular image refers to the sites past as a mine fueling Krupp’s industrial machine, responsible for the metal sheathing Nazi U-boats and ships. It’s supposedly impenetrable metal U-boats were destroyed by American torpedoes and the site fell into disrepair after the war. Decades later the area it was situated in along the Rhine river valley became the cultural center of Germany and the mine itself was renovated. One new element introduced into the site was an extended ice rink that allowed visitors to recreationally explore the old factory on skates. previous page I was fascinated by the intersection of transportation methods that appeares throughout this site. Everything from bike paths to ice skating routes to trains intersect throughout this site. Also intriguing is how each enjoyed a period of peak use. I decided to map the times of peak usage along with their physical overlap in the model on the following page.
043
above This model maps the connection of buildings downtown of high attraction with black line to dominant residential areas south of downtown. Multiple overlays were then created for the base structure. The one show below displays traffic intensity. When placed over lines of connection between residential and dominant structures of entertainment and employment, the hotspots of traffic intensity correlate.
044
below This model then zoom in to the residential portion of the left model and creates a physical hierarchy to the different means of transportation possible within a selected neighborhood. Here, black lines are traced above at the hierarchal placement of transportation paths displaying all possible walking connections currently existing.
045
left These are existing section cuts drawn through the site. Interspersed are photos taken from the site circa February 2011. opposite This was the final master plan proposed for the land north of Chouteau. It called for the removal of much of the now unused rail that defines the southern border of downtown. Other major changes include the changed path of the road to include a bend, thus forcing high-speed through traffic north to the I-64, and making such speeds impossible along this stretch of road. Furthermore, the connection to South 21st Street enables this “dead” area between South Jefferson and 18th Street to become reactivated, as well as creating a convenient method for pedestrians to reach Union Station and downtown other than the car-centric main thoroughfares. Finally, outlined in red is my proposed design for the Sheet Metal Worker’s Union’s new headquarters in plan. 1. Union Station 2. 21st Street proposed connection 3. UPS distrubution center 4. I-64/40 freeway 5. South Jefferson 6. Reclaimed land (from railyards, future future expansion) 7. Ameren UE Headquarters 8. Proposed Metro Light Rail, Chouteau stop 9. South 18th Street 10. Replanned Chouteau Avenue
046
1 2
3 4
5 6
8
7
10 9
047
r
048
1
2
049
a
b
050
facing and below Sections and elevations of Sheet Metal Worker’s Union. previous page Roof and floor plans of Sheet Metal Worker’s Union.
a
b
051
052
053
054
carondolet pool
055
056
A46 ARCH 311 03 architectural design i professor iain fraser fall semester 2009 carondolet park carondolet, mo, usa The design problem presented was to produce a pool within 100 meters of a large man-made lake in an urban park in southern St. Louis. I originally began by visiting the site and creating a montage that identified a phenomena I saw as defining the site. In my case, I found it bizarre that the lake was totally artificial, fed by exposed, above ground plumbing and featuring a fish population, sustained by municipal employees who transported them to the park. I decided to place the pool in a similar manner, where the water was not supposed to be, with humans rather than fish being transported into a highly visible urban location for the entertainment of the city’s denizens. opposite Montage of site phenomena.
057
058
clockwise from opposite Roof plan in site, floor one, floor two. 059
060
left to right isometric with exposed interior, section perspective
061
062
063
contextualizing walmart planning bridgeton, mo 064
065
066
A46 ARCH 412 04 architectural design iv professor patty heyda spring semester 2011 bridgeton, mo, usa Here, I first identified key zoning issues present in the suburban city of Bridgeton, Missouri, whose population has been substantially reduced due to a new runway west of St. Louis’ Lambert Airport. I then developed a long term zoning plan for the city. From that point I found key points within that scale and zoomed in to both an architectural scale and an urban design scale;a new bridge and a new Walmart superblock, respectively. opposite Mapping model of lot relations versus roads. previous page Portion of existing zoning map of Bridgeton, Missouri.
067
1
2
3
4
5
068
6
7
8
9
10
11 below proposed Bridgeton zoning plan opposite proposed connector to Earth City (circled on zoning map)
opposite This revised Bridgeton city masterplan was the product of the first portion of the studio. My goal was to cease further sprawl, especially into the Missouri river floodplains. Furthermore, the mix of industrial and residential was hurting land values so I took advanatage of the exisinting north-south boundary of I-270 to create a divider, one side of which industrial would be allowed to continue development and east of which a commercial-residential nieghborhood could be strengthened along the St. Charles Rock Road commercial corridor. 1. Inhibit further industrial encroachment onto the Missouri River floodplains. 2. Connect fragmented existing trail network existing along portions of the floodplains. 3. Earth City 4. Eath City connector (extending existing Old Charles Rock Road into Earth City Expressway 5. Allowing industrial area to fill in existing land east of floodplain up to western edge of I-270 6. I-270 7. Sam De Paul Health Center 8. Condensing existing commercial corridor (along St. Charles Rock Road) and inhibiting spread further east of I-270 than it already has 9. LImiting suburban housing growth to its existing extent, encouraging further growth to centralize around commercial corridor (show in red) 10. Cavity created be construction of new airport runway 11. I-70
069
15’ 14’ 12’ 4’ 0’
070
s
W ar eh
Offi
ce
ion 071
all m
Big
Bo x
to S um Me di
La
rg eS
ca
Mi
ds
le D
ist
ize
rib
Offi
ut
ce
s
ou rg eW ar eh La
Pr op
os
ed
Co
nn
ec
sin
g
to r
ou
se
s
opposite and below The proposed connector would run through an existing office park and provide a far more convenient and direct path between Earth City, an 1,891 acre dsictrict home to over 450 companies which employ upwards of 22,800 employees in 18,000,000 square feet of office space valued at $1.2 Billion. This new connection could be ornamented or designed in a manner that would only allow civilian traffic and vehicles under 12’ in height. This would force shipping trucks to take more industrial routes to the west to reach major freeways to the north and south of Earth City. This convenience would encourage Earth City workers to remain nearby during lunch hours.
research prior to final development proposal In order to understand how big box scores disrupted the existing fabric of the rest of Bridgeton (or, for that matter, any city footprint), I initiated a study of the relationship between the size of buildings in both plan and section and the resulting balance between space dedicated to cars in relation. Below are selected examples of areas throughout St. Louis I deemed “city centeres.” Essentially these were areas where people commonly met and socialized; areas where public and private intersected. from left to right In order of appearance, city centers show are: Bridgeton Terrace shopping developments along St. Charles Rock Road, downtown Clayton’s Carondolet Plaza, South Broadway, and the Loop on Delmar in University City.
072
073
research [continued] Selected images from studies regarding the balance parking versus structure of all medium to large St. Louis shopping centers.
074
075
Walmart
Delmar Loop
Kmart
Walmart
South Broadway
Big Box 076
Walmart Overlay
Walmart
opposite top These are selected images from a study in which I broke up bg box stores by departments and then. in the black and white portions, contrasted retail space to areas completely dedicated to circulation. What happens in these big box stores, as you can see in the two shown on the left (Walmart, and then Kmart to its right), is that there is a very high degree of efficiency within the store regarding the ratio of retail space to circulation. If you look at the previous studies, what you discover is that all the circulation space that was “shaved off� within these seemingly efficient buildings has been externalized into the unprogrammed swaths of land that comprise the problem parking lots bog box stores are notorious for. opposite bottom Here I spell out what I discovered above by compiling each department as though they were separate structures and splayed them along both sides of a street. As you you can see, the contents of a Walmart can easily equate to either of the existing streetscapes shown. left My proposition is a compromise between the efficiencies of the big box store and the positive civic aspects of a successful streetscape. Essentially, a core Walmart is constructed on a superblock, surrounded by which are storefronts. As Walmart business increases or decreases (from a regular Walmart to a Super Walmart), the store footprint can expand or contract into the surrounding shops. As the Walmart contracts, storefronts open up allowing for potential external development to infill without the development of large vacant cavities to develop within the city.
077
shown Proposed masterplan of Walmart redesign. Core center of Walmart is shown beneath canvas roof structure.
078
079
080
shown Elevation along St. Charles Rock Road and perspective montage from east end looking west.
081
082
shown Section running east-west and perspective montage from north end looking south.
083
LIVE/WORK/SHOW
084
085
086
A46 ARCH 311 03 architectural design I professor iain fraser fall semester 2009 3124 locust street st. louis, mo, usa In this studio I developed a vacant urban lot west of downtown St. Louis in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Locust. The struggle in this studio was to fit all the programming neatly on the small lot size while maintaining an element of separation between the highly public gallery and cafe areas and the six private living quarters and two studio spaces. opposite Perspective drawing of apartment stairwell. previous page Rendered street view of front facade of building.
087
y: cafe g: exhibition b: studio p: artist
088
1
Required area arranged in linear fashion.
2
Area is split into specific programs (heavy and light studio and gallery spaces, six housing units).
3
Area is then stacked.
4
Stacked area is then sorted (public in front, private in back).
left Diagram revealing organizational logic. below Exploded view of 4 quadrants that compose building. Leftmost portion contains both galleries and cafe. Central portion contains 4 multilevel housing units. Rightmost portion contains basement (which has access to central housing apartments) for heavy studio space, light studio space on th first floor, and single level housing units on the top floor.
089
090
091
092
opposite Central courtyard render. clockwise from top Front gallery cafe space, apartment stairwell, and rear building stairs.
093
094
2
1
095
b
096
097
bevo mill kindergarten
098
099
100
A46 ARCH 212 02 introduction to design process iv professor liane hancock spring semester 2009 5217 gravois avenue st. louis, mo, usa In this studio, I mapped how a kindergarten child moves through his environment while in the classroom. The initial result of this was a piece of furniture, which later was boiled down into its fundamental quality. This element was then used to inform the design of a new building. opposite Study model of child’s furniture. previous page Modified image of kindergarten model in elevation.
101
opposite Modified photograph of model from west end looking up. previous page Enhanced scans of building roofplan (above) and section (below). 102
103
laumeier sculpture park structures
104
105
106
A46 ARCH 211 03 introduction to design processes iii proffessor kevin le fall semester 2008 laumeier sculpture park sunset hills, mo, usa This studio focused on developing an understanding of “phenomena� and then translating oberved phenomena into an informed structure. Initially we chose on the the sculptures in the park and did a series of models and drawings describing it (opposite, selected). We then developed a new scupture in reaction to our own observed phenomena and then finished off the studio with a full sized classroom to be built on the preserve.
107
left to right organic phenomena illustration, wetlands plan and section 108
109
110
opposite visual phenomena structure left plan and elevation of the structure above twist structure rendered into site
111
112
113
114
115
miscellaneous
116
117
118
A46 ARCH 241 01 community dynamics proffessor wayne mortensen spring semester 2009 old north st. louis st. louis, mo, usa This urban planning course specialized in understanding how revitilization of decayed urban environments occurs, specifically looking at the case study of Old North St. Louis. Opposite is a selected portion of our mapping of the individual homes of the Old North neighborhood. Focusing on the Crown Square Redevelopment along 14th Street, my group assembled a report for the Old North Restoration Group. To the right is an excerpt of our spreadsheet compiling data about each individual building in Old North and the following page contains and excerpt from my portion of the report.
119
excerpt from old north final report
photograph of the property along with some specifications on the parcel, including its identification number, address, neighborhood number, ward, physical description, use, front and side dimensions, and total square footage of the lot. In the case of this home, it has been priced at $32,500.00. If one were interested in purchasing, a series of appointments to view the properties can be set up for nominal fees. The SLDC seems to have the intent of selling otherwise unattractive properties at sub-market value prices with the hope that the purchasers will use the savings to invest in redevelopment on the properties. Then, the increased value of the property will eventually become an asset to the city and bring in more revenue in the form of property taxes (CIN). Section Break
The Community Information Network encompasses a number of different focuses, including government, neighborhoods, housing, development, community resources, historical preservation, heritage documentation, arts and entertainment, and internet information provision. According to Missouri’s government website, the Community Information Network (CIN) is responsible for the City of St. Louis official web site. CIN staff and many devoted web developers regulary [sic] contribute information for their neighborhoods, organizations, and departments.” Further reading reveals the CIN mission, which states the following: “provide relevant, useful and accurate web-based information and services for City agencies and the St. Louis community. To serve as a communication technology catalyst for information sharing, economic development, and community building within the City of St. Louis. To enhance community relevant content by enabling organizations to do it on their own (CIN).”
An interview with Marx Hardware and Paint Co. revealed a different perspective on the situation. To preface, as far as location and history is concerned, Marx is a small hardware store located at 2501 North 14th St. and has been a permanent fixture in the neighborhood since it first opened its doors way back in 1875 (Marx). Its position acts, debatably, as a southern anchor to the new 14th Street Crown Square Redevelopment that is being planned. On the north end of this two-block stretch is the economically-solidly entrenched Crown Candy Kitchen at 1401 Saint Louis Avenue. Described by customers, such as Ellen M. from Oak Park, Illinois, as an “absolutely gorgeous, 95-year old diner and soda fountain in the middle of the ‘hood (M.),” Crown Candy Kitchen has drawn crowds into the middle of an area that visitor Auralynn N. from Walnut, California described as “a little too skid row” for nearly one hundred years (N.). The owner of Marx Hardware and Paint Co., who preferred to be referred to,
Returning back to the original focus, the LRA, one can find a Real Estate subdivision to the LRA’s portion of the CIN. Here, featured properties and listings are made available. These are actually sold not by the LRA, but instead through the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). The SLDC Real Estate Department has essentially become another realtor. Viewing the site of the SLDC (http://stlouis.missouri.org/development/realestate/ feature.html), brings up listings such as this for 5101 Wicklow Avenue: “Adorable 1 bedroom, 1 bath with lots of yard and privacy. Dutchtown Neighborhood.” Typical vernacular for a Real Estate Company can be seen here and clicking on the link brings up a
120
quite simply, as Mr. Marx, has a very harsh and opposing opinion on the current situation with the Crown Square Redevelopment and the operations of Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin and the St. Louis economic policy as a whole. Before Mr. Marx’s argument can be presented, though, it is important to understand the position and history of the subjects he has spoken so brashly about, specifically the current Crown Square Redevelopment and the actions of Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin (Marx).
The redevelopment in this area has acquired funding from various sources. For example, back in Mid-March of 2008, St. Louis Business Journal reported that “Enterprise Community Investment Inc., US Bank, McCormack Baron Salazar, and the Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance announced … a $17.5 million federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) investment in the 14th Street Mall renovation project now called Crown Square.” The report continued, explaining “The financing for Crown Square will leverage $17.5 million in total NMTC allocation provided by Enterprise ($12.5 million) and McCormack Baron Salazar ($5 million). More than $11.4 million in financing comes from a combination of federal historic tax credit equity, state historic tax credit equity and NMTC equity from U.S. Bank. In addition, Enterprise’s Community Loan Fund made a $1 million loan to an RHCDA affiliate for the Crown Square development (STLBJ).”
Section Two: The Crown Square Redevelopment The Crown Square Redevelopment’s main page, CrownVillageSTL.com, describes the 14th Street renovation as “the center of the Crown Village revitalization, recreating the ‘town center’ of the community with the historic rehab of 27 buildings into 80 historic loft, apartment and ‘live/work’ units, and 34,000 square feet of commercial space on the former pedestrian mall and adjacent streets. The $32 million comprehensive revitalization includes the re-opening of 14th Street from Warren to St. Louis Avenue, reconnecting this local commercial district with the surrounding neighborhood. The development will also include the installation of new street and pedestrian lighting, public green spaces and landscaping, and a ‘transit plaza’ that will facilitate ease of use and transfer of vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, and public bus transportation. The development will enhance the ‘walkability’ of the neighborhood and solidify the goal of maintaining economic diversity in the community (Crown Village Development).”
The project is costing around $35 million dollars to complete and has been the focal point of the Old North Redevelopment Group for the past few years. The cost of the project has gone up over the past few years, having hovered at around $29 million back in April of 2007, now nearly two years ago. An interview with freelance journalist Frank Fuerst back then revealed the reasoning behind the 14th Street redevelopment: “It will be the geographic center of the neighborhood, but it’s also the highest-profile area because of traffic on St. Louis Avenue,” said Sean Thomas, the executive director of ONSLRG (STLBJ). “Now they (visitors to nearby Crown Candy Kitchen) see the mall as abandoned; they don’t see the revitalization (throughout Old North St. Louis). ...They’ll see that it is an attractive space.”
121
122
A46 ARCH 311 03 architectural design I professor iain fraser fall semester 2009 case studies global Prior to the development of the artist housing project on Locust and the Carondolet pool project, our studio conducted a series of case studies. Selected works from this series are presented here. To the left is a hand-drawn collage of Mario Botta’s Ticino Tower House and, to it’s rght, a digital, color version of the same. The following pages include the German Postal Museum and Renzo Piano’s Beyeler Museum, as well.
123
124
opposite Ticino Tower House section plans. right Ticino Tower House isometric cutaway.
125
126
above Beyeler Museum sectional case study model opposite German Postal Museum composition case study
127
128
A46 ARCH 111-112 03 introduction to design processes I-II professor igor marianovich fall 2007 and spring 2008 semesters various locations st. louis, mo, usa This is work from some of the earliest studio work I produced. Much of it demostrates simply the development to identify patterns and create space and volumed shapes through manipulation of repeated forms. left Finding a pattern in the urban environment, mapping it, then creating a form in three-dimensions informed by the mapped patterning.
129
left to right Wire frame model perspective, wire frame model in elevation. following page left to right Readapted scrap pieces creating a found pattern, plans and sections of model overlaid, painting of Kemper Art Museum using only materials found on site.
130
131
132
133
134
A46 ARCH 405A 01 furniture design for the architect professor lindsey stouffer spring semester 2011 sam fox woodshop st. louis, mo, usa During this studio course I honed by woodworking abilities and then chose to design a chair in a medium I had not had prior experience in - metal. I learned everything from arc welding to plasma cutting and employed all these skills in the production of this piece, comedically referred to by my friends as “Batman’s beach chair.�
135
left Leaflette to accompany chair for display purposes. right Photos of chair open and closed.
Front
OPEN Width: 20” Height: 15” Depth 34” CLOSED Width: 20” Height: 5.25” Depth: 34” Above
136
137
138
internship with lim design architct paul lim summer 2009 poway, san diego county san diego, ca, usa This unique internship offered me the opportunity to work on both real projects the firm had and to produce speculative pieces, much as in an academic setting, but with the guidance of an architect with a more technical background than Washingtin University. For example, the project to the left was one in which Paul Lim instructed me to draw a line down the center of my home and completely redesign that half to take full advantage of the views of Rose Canyon to Soledad Mountain. Other work included technical drawings for a covered walkway and roof fence on a local COX Cable mechanical building in San Diego County.
139
140
141
142
minor projects
143
0%
50%
20%
10%
35%
10% 144
25%
90%
left Light study of each floor in SANAA’s New Museum. below Building skin study. right Light study (top) and study model (bottom).
145
146
shown Rendered work from Rhino modelling class.
147
148
above and right selected posters OPPOSITE building systems studies 149
selected writing Much of my written work draws heavily from my architectural experience. I have selected some key pieces that demonstrate exactly that.
cubicle rock His warm baritone voice calls to you selected messages from the dead, referencing a collective memory from which you were absent.
with all his chords, even the Harry with the daytime job. Who sacrifices youth for this? This classic rewind– its curtain billows open, revealing
Nevertheless, you chronicle these moments, and organize them alphabetically; listening for the comforting reassurance that there’s
an ethereal backdrop free of perpendicular gears, whose folding and closing traps and funnels your effort away from original thought.
“always something there to remind me.” Compensation for diligence? This bobbling piano and its brother, the warbling guitar, stick in your ear.
But, those urges to explore, to understand... “Ain’t that America?” No, it consoles you and,
Their trembles sprout wings, with which you grab and soar in your Burlington suit and tie. On the wings of this cubicle rock, you peer down below at that band blowing dixie, Guitar George
“It’s gonna be a bright sun shiny day.”
150
millstone pool
presentation (excerpt)
Up, against the white mass; a delicate truss. White spindles twist, a single plane is its repetition.
Alone I stare, pondering if there will or will not be a clear direction presented for me. This is an interview. This is an examination. This is a dissection. This is a slaughter. The man in the dark suit is nearly done, his form flickers. I do not know when he will fully dissipate. My mind screams for cessation, its functioning has red lined for days. Behind my right eye, a cold spear of pain twists and turns, inching its way across my thought patterns, jabbing every node with a prick of pain.
Bracing: a ceiling suspended. Hoisted from beneath. It runs flush, then up. A pyramid of glass. Securely mounted on calculations. Force dispersion zig zags across the web of needles down into thick I-beams, which punch deep into earth; past basement grading into deep set concrete pours.
... My mind struggles to focus, the white walls of the room rebound thoughts, resisting reference and causing discombobulation. It causes me to swoon and I hiccup, then vomit. I am sick with confusion. Is the man angry? He makes sweeping gestures. They are so full I assume he is furious. He speaks, his voice a deep rumble of power, echoing through the chasms of my exhausted body, booming against my broken skull. He demands further clarity, further edit. I reel in fear as I become acutely aware that he is no longer fading but becoming more real, more present, more full than before. His form expands. can feel his mass pressing me away. I fall off my chair. As I am pushed toward the edge my body, my form spills. It smears across the floor and trails its way against the walls. I am dragged, zig-zag, vertically, sideways. My body is spread thin across the room. Soon, no wall is white. A vast array of colors, pasty whites, blues, reds, fibrous threads, fatty threads. The wall, the ceiling, the floor. They have become dynamic – their surfaces reveal a terrain and a story. A whole life in a single room.
151
resume education Washington University in St. Louis Architecture, Bachelor of Science and Creative Writing, Minor St. Augustine High School internship experience Lim Design Group AutoCAD, SketchUp, mechanical details for COX Communications walkway extension M+C Architects AutoCAD, office assistant Ergo Architecture construction of 1/4-scale model for client, office assistant extracurricular activites Senior Class Council Cabinet Member, planning team for Senior Week The Gargoyle student executive member in charge of publicity for student-run concert venue ELEVEN Music Magazine contributing writer to independent St. Louis monthly music circular KWUR student DJ for weekly radio show City Faces volunteer at the Clinton/Peabody Projects in downtown St. Louis, teaching childrens’ crafts
Fall 2007 - Spring 2011 Fall 2003 - Spring 2007 Summer 2009 Summer 2006 Summer 2004 Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 Fall 2007 - Spring 2011 Spring 2008 - Present Fall 2007 - Spring 2010 Fall 2007 - Spring 2008
employment history Washington University Sam Fox School of Architecture Lewis Center renovation, furniture fabrication/maintenance Summer 2010 ElderTech computer literacy tutor for senior citizens Summer 2010 San Diego Public Library Library Aide, children’s crafts program, assisted in Summer Reading initiatives June 2005 - March 2009 McDonald’s Restaurant cashier Summer 2008 technical proficiencies AutoCAD, Rhinoceros 3D, Google, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), Microsoft Office
152
contact Kuan Butts (858) 869-4735 kuanbutts@gmail.com 4049A Shenandoah Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110
153
kuan butts August 2011
154