L A RE HA SO
2 0 2 1 s e l e c t e d
w o r k s
U N N N
Hello!
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I am an avid traveler, skier, dog-lover, and cheese enthusiast from the Midwest. When I’m not designing, I’m behind a camera snapping pictures of friends, family, and anything outdoors. Having graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor in Environmental Design, the environment has become an important aspect in my life.
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Nature has always held a great importance in the way we live. It influences the food we eat, the way we feel, and the way we design. The abundant influence nature holds in architecture is drastically different in comparison to how we design for the environment. More than ever, we are facing a global need to design for and with our earth rather than simply draw inspiration from it. We are provided a multitude of landscapes and natural elements that we can use to establish a beneficial life cycle between us and our environment.
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I’m Lauren.
A common theme through my portfolio is abstracted nature. Throughout each project, I am inspired by some influence of nature, and have applied it in nuanced ways through form, program, or material and texture. I aspire to continue to be influenced through various landscapes throughout my future. The result not only establishes a stronger design aesthetic or capability, but also binds me closer to my goals of learning to work with and for the environment rather than simply creating beautiful designs.
24 28 34 38 42
alt.lab
graduate architecture
curious cabinet design build installation
re:cluster
graduate architecture
pastificio
design build installation
industry
undergraduate architecture
branch installation
alvarez morris work experience
inter-stoop
graduate architecture
alt.lab future of markets
Graduate // University of Pennsylvania Spolia Agency Studio // Brian DeLuna Gentrification has a large footprint on the environment both positive and negative. A gentrified area means an increase in population and prices, creating an urban food desert. As cities are growing, we are striving to find ways to manage our resources more reliably to accommodate the growing number of consumers. Additionally, with the current pandemic, human interaction with products is being questioned challenging the way our food is produced and how we shop for it. As a result, alt.lab was generated. The proposed market faces these two challenges head on with a machine-based production of food. Food created in alt.lab is produced through stem cell growth and crafted by 3D printers - all controlled by machines. No human intervention is required to run the plant, negating any possibility of disease. The proposed market dissects the organization of a traditional market -- with different spaces/stalls for different programs/vendors -- by making each “stall” or program its own operable piece within this greater network. The facades that would be internal when the project is condensed are translucent or open air - creating a drastic difference between organizations. The proposed market programs a new relationship between artificial intelligence, humans, and food. The lab is run entirely by AI - from stem cell research to 3d printing food production to reaching the consumer. Inspired by the current pandemic, this concept of mechanically produced food is heightened through human’s lack of ability to roam free through the building. The trusses extend into the buildings allowing humans to get a glimpse into the future of what food production could look like, but far enough away that the process is not contaminated. The goal is that the building serves as a public extension to the rail park and its neighbors, functioning as a folly with a positive product enabling the neighborhood to benefit.
graduate architecture // 02
site map building vacancy decrease
gentrification zones
income increased, but area not gentrifying rent increase 10-15%
rent decrease 5-10%
building vacancy decrease gentrification zones income increased, area not gentrifying rent increase 10-15% rent decrease 5-10%
03 // alt.lab
hybrid artist-inspired and site study The goal of this map was to juxtapose the difference between gentrifying and “forgotten” zones, while representing the fluidity and non-binary answer to how gentrification occurs and spreads.
site plan and strategy The market is nested into the viaduct to sit itself within the city and create a multi-level ground interaction. The trusses are the primary circulation path between and within the market. Trusses extrude from different segments of the market establishing connections to the city grid and truly grounding and integrating itself as part of the landscape. The trusses extend to neighboring rooftops creating extensions to the Rail Park. graduate architecture // 04
moving to its needs The building fully engages the idea of movement by having each building piece be capable of moving along the tracks to another position that can be more advantageous to its internal program or external forces of the city, allowing the market to adjust to its needs as well as the city’s needs.
choisy // building in condensed state
graduate architecture // 06
east elevation // building in expanded configuration
07 // alt.lab
graduate architecture // 08
isometric overview // demonstrates internal and external programs as a complex system (in expanded state)
graduate architecture // 10
curious cabinet
design build installation at penn museum Graduate // University of Pennsylvania Foundations Studio // Danielle Willems team: meera toolsidas, shan li, eric fries, and lauren hanson Given four cultural artifacts from the Penn Museum’s collection, the project explores strategies for viewing the objects. The final design derives its original form from an abstracted version of the site boundary, and several subtractive actions are performed based on views of the cabinet & the artifacts. First, A planar void is created based on the sight line from the primary approach; next, a designed pattern is projected from the center to the exterior of a form, and sections of the mass are removed based on this projection. My responsibilities included collaborating with team members throughout the entire design process and construction of the cabinet (including creating formwork, handling and spooling carbon fiber, using resin to cure carbon fiber, and finishing touches such as taking out the formwork).
graduate architecture // 12
13 // curious cabinet
axon
derive form from abst racted si te bounda ry; derivedivide form massing from abstracted site boundary; basedhtonline sig rom fprimary app roach divide massing based on sight line from primary approach
apply desi gned p attern to sphe re su rface and roje p ct rom f centerto exterior f of orm; w eaving at ptern for nt ierior/ exterior apply designed pattern to sphere surface and develop weavingdevelop pattern for interior/exterior subt ract mass basednton ended i vie w sto a rtifa cts project from center to exterior of form; surfaces; substract mass based on intended views to incorporate layering of carbon fiber/projected artifacts lines
rsu faces;
graduate architecture // 14
re:cluster museum addition
Graduate // University of Pennsylvania Foundations Studio // Danielle Willems This proposed addition to the Penn Museum encompasses a new era of museums. It challenges the museum’s existing stereotypical museum floor plan by establishing a flowing, one-path circulation changing the process in which users are typically guided through museums. It deconstructs a traditional museum layout by providing one path through the building. Drawing inspiration from the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the museum itself becomes a wandering ADAcompliant ramp filled with various discoveries currently hidden within the existing Penn Museum’s archives. It provides the opportunity to create a story through the displayed artifacts and demonstrate the importance of understanding our world’s history while traveling along the ramped path.
graduate architecture // 16
facade tectonic process The form was originally established through the created aggregation of a honeycomb pattern. Through this process, being careful to adhere to ADA requirements to ensure access to all was the most important aspect to developing the form. It established the final configuration of the floor plans. Focusing on a facade tectonic that was strikingly different from the existing museum and its surroundings, the form was using points created from the honeycomb massing, the tectonic began to shape itself into a pattern that complied with the ideology of challenging the existing. The tectonic developed depth creating areas that can be inhabited or hiding the shown facade, making the interior just as striking as the exterior. Glass is added in strategic places where they are hidden as you follow the path, but once off the path and discovering the addition’s inhabitants; the glass is revealed providing framed views of the museum’s surroundings.
exploded axometric // facade tectonic generation process
00 01 solid facade tectonic window facade tectonic roof + floor plates
17 // re:cluster
00 // massing 01 // subject massing 02 // tectonic operation 01 03 // tectonic operation 02 04 // tectonic operation 03 05 // tectonic operation 04
exploded axometric // systems of building
03 // called-out tectonic
02 // total facade system
01 // floor massing
00 // building in site
02 03 04 05
graduate architecture // 18
01 // entrance 02 // archives 03 // galleries 04 // reading rooms
diagrammatic plan // programs
front elevation // form and facade
roof balcony balcony roof 42’-0” 42’-0”
roof roof
36’-0” 36’-0”
second second floor floor 24’-0” 34’-0”
top floor top of of first floor 12’-0” 12’-0”
ground level ground level 0’-0” 0’-0”
basement level basement level -12’-0” -12’-0”
section // circulation complexity of ramp and stairs
19 // re:cluster
clusters of program The various programs of a museum are broken up within clusters throughout the building, allowing visitors to discover the entire process of a museum. By having one circulation path, visitors are introduced to the full story of a museum, seeing beyond the carefully curated museum displays and gaining access to the archives. Only one-percent of artifacts in a museum, which creates a very slim glimpse into the rich histories and cultures museums contain. By making the archives accessible to visitors, it creates an educational experience to understanding how important preservation and the work of museums are to our culture and society.
choisy // connection to site graduate architecture // 20
pastificio boulder mobile pasta cart
Undergraduate // University of Colorado Boulder Advanced Architecture Studio I // Jade Polizzi clients: Pastificio Boulder (owned by Claudia Bouvier and Ted Steen) team: Joey Bradford, Kyle Burds, Lauren Hanson, Eric Kern, Brianna Lamb, Maddie Liedtke, Josh Mazar, Josie Phillips, Scott Rathbone, Ethan Reichel, Christine Scoufis, Katelyn Sector, Trevor Shelden, Jason Sisneros, Nico van der Meulen The Pastificio Boulder’s mobile pasta cart was a 6-week, mid-semester, design build project. We held a client introduction meeting where, after we split into teams of three to develop our own design proposals. During this process, each team focused on objectives such as durability and affordability, but also the inclusion of kinetic elements — features that could be moved around and folded away or rotated so that the final design was as efficient and multi-purpose as possible. The design also needed to include storage, plenty of countertop space and operate as a marketing tool, so incorporating Pastificio’s brand aesthetics and needs was an important part of the equation. Finally, all of this had to happen within the constraints of a $2,000 budget. The final design was chosen due to its conceivability and simple aesthetics providing the most practical function to be built. Due to the budget and design, up to threequarters of the materials had to be diverted from landfills or salvaged. The frame was constructed in 8020 aluminum (totaling around 350 lbs. The cart unfolds into a spacious cooking station. It has a swinging peninsula that can be used for seating or serving, a folding sign for displaying the logo and menus, and a sun shade. It can easily be wheeled around and fits in their Ford van. We constructed the cart in less than four weeks and it has been a staple in Pastificio’s business ever since. My responsibilities included becoming one of the lead construction managers, in charge of the facade and signage components. In addition, I designed new menu templates and was the photographer and videographer for the project.
undergraduate architecture // 24
25 // curious cabinet
graduate architecture // 26
industry
food market for a new RiNo Undergraduate // University of Colorado Boulder Advanced Architecture Studio I // Jade Polizzi A glass box. Simple, yet impactful. A normal rock on the outside, but a geode on the inside — Industry is formed. Centralized and surrounded by the building, the glass box becomes the pearl of the space. The cooking school will cultivate market-goers’ curiosity due to its transparency, yet feel unreachable with very little access points. The glass boxes’ central location in the building makes it an important piece as all of the ingredients needed to cook are just steps away. The cooking school becomes the heart of the market, just as a kitchen is the heart of a home. As a continuation of the Pastificio pasta cart, this project looks at developing a market hall for up and coming restaurants and food providers. River North, or RiNo, is formerly the most industrial area in Denver, which has been developing into an arts and brewery district. Due to its industrial past, a food desert has been created. Industry pays homage to the area’s history by creating an addition to the existing building, providing the neighborhood with fresh food, and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs to develop their culinary skills and give their businesses a place to take off.
undergraduate architecture // 28
cooking school // within glass box
29 // industry
section 01 // through lobby and main food hall
section 03 // through glass box and existing building undergraduate architecture // 30
branch
pop-up rock climbing wall Graduate // University of Pennsylvania DigiBlast Studio // Danielle Willems and Ezio Blasetti Inspired by rock climbing on natural faces, Branch takes a mountainous approach to an urban setting. Using the shape, curves, contours, and textures of antlers; branch provides various levels of climbing routes for all skill levels on a natural face - almost as if you are climbing one of nature’s most impressive rock walls - yet you’re in the middle of Philadelphia. The form arose from a process of photogrammetry and 3D scanning a rack of antlers.
graduate architecture // 34
35 // branch
form finding // antler photogrammetry
left elevation
north elevation
front elevation
west elevation
graduate architecture // 36
alvarez morris work experience
Alvarez Morris Architectural Studio // Denver, CO Architectural Intern // for Carlos Alvarez Worked as an architectural intern for a boutique architecture firm that specializes in luxury residential homes in the Denver metro area and ski country. My responsibilities included creating renderings, drafting floor plans, sections and elevations, compiling sheet sets, updating red-lined projects, and minor furniture design. Assisted in creating document sets for schematic design and construction packages. Featured are projects located in Denver and Steamboat Springs. My direct responsibilities for these projects included red-lines and creating a set of exterior and interior rendering package for the clients.
work experience // 38
inter-stoop future of brownstones
Graduate // University of Pennsylvania Public Housing Studio // Ben Krone Working with the existing abandoned grain mill, this project challenges the everchanging New York apartment living, by taking us back to Brooklyn’s roots: brownstones. Brownstones have stood the test of weathering time through the continuously vibrant eras of New York culture. And one part has stood as the pinnacle of this architecture: the stoop. The stoop is described as the atomic unit of New York, holding it together by its unwritten rules and uses. Through the pandemic, many New Yorkers transformed their stoops, defining new uses as it became their sole escape to the outdoors. This project works to incorporate the history of the stoop and the brownstone and reintroducing it into the neighborhood. Red Hook is beginning to explode with development and at a spot where it could lose its character and strong community as it begins to gentrify. This housing development proposes creating space for the community through its interwoven park system and the incorporation of traditional brownstone units through the existing silos. Each brownstone is bound by this arching ribbon, thickening on its edges to create a party wall. Four different brownstone types exemplify the ways brownstones have transformed throughout history: single family, two units, and one unit per floor. Red Hook’s vibrant culture is incorporated through the concept of play. Creating a vibrant space through color, but also through activity. Interactions between neighbors is encouraged through the strategic placement and distances between their stoops or patios, but the brownstone’s ribbon also provides great privacy. The stoops are all placed in public spaces so a traditional stoop experience occurs, blending the private and public spaces.
graduate architecture // 42
section b
brownstone type a
section a
ground level plan
brownstone type b
brownstone type a
brownstone type d
brownstone type a
brownstone type c
graduate architecture // 44
the new brownstone Deriving from the traditional floor plan of a brownstone, these units work to provide a harmonious balance between new and old. Each unit spans the depth of the building (three silos), and each features a “light well” silo in the middle of the unit that spans from roof to underground park. Each unit type is unique, providing space for any New Yorkers needs. Typically, a brownstone can be converted and adapted to fit the needs of the owner — and the same applies here. Each brownstone was designed with a predicted use, but has enough flexibility to have any inhabitant make it their own. A wide range of residents will help continue to keep the Red Hook community pride alive. Twentyfive percent of the units will be made affordable in order to help keep longtime residents and low-income families the ability to stay in the neighborhood.
brownstone type b 2 units 4 bed / 4 bath . . . 4 bed / 3 bath
45 // inter-stoop
brownstone type a 1 unit 5 bed / 4 bath
brownstone type c 4 units 2 bed / 2 bath . . . 3 bed / 3 bath . . . 3 bed / 3 bath . . . 3 bed / 3 bath
brownstone type d 2 units 4 bed / 4 bath . . . 4 bed / 2 bath graduate architecture // 46
view from pier
47 // inter-stoop
interior view
interior vertical park view graduate architecture // 48
urban park network The parks system is worked through all levels of the building. The existing open air ground level is excavated to create an underground park simulating the LowLine park project proposed in Lower East Side, New York. Throughout the building is a vertical park shaped by the silos and units. The silos create “pods” where various activities can occur (depicted in the rendering on the bottom left). On the roof is a continuation of the vertical park that blends over the unit’s roof and transforms into a large field. The interior of the units and the park are filled with personality, as a continuous reminder to embrace the spunk of Red Hook. isometric chonk model // highlighting park system
graduate architecture // 50
separate, yet connected The idea of connection and privacy is demonstrated through the alteration of the existing silos and incorporation of the brownstone units. Each unit and silo create a connection to each other, creating moments of interaction. The stoops for the units open into the public vertical park, strengthening the idea of wandering and discovery.
roof
104’-0”
level 8 92’-0”
level 7 86’-0”
level 6 74’-0”
level 5 68’-0”
level 4 38’-0”
level 3 20’-0”
new ground level 8’-0”
existing ground level 0’-0”
underground park level -20’-0”
long section // a look into interior activities and architectural complexity
graduate architecture // 52
facade close up // engagement and vibrancy within and between units
L A RE HA SO s e l e c t e d
U N N N
w o r k s 2021