Laura Butera
(610) 731 1014 420 Howard Rd. Gladwyne, PA, 19035 LFButera@gmail.com
photography
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an active destination +
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Wayfinding Problem: Lost neighborhood identity in Geneva, NY
Solution: Rebrand neighborhoods with logos to create a more defined sense of community and enhance pride of place.
Castle Heights
Hildreth Hill
Wayfinding: The communication of our dynamic relationship to space and the environment
i. work related - Geneva Neighborhood Resource Center
Survey of Existing Signage
c Concepts and Neighborhood Engagement
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Final Logos
I designed dozens of logos, narrowed it down to together to select the one that resonated best for started to get neighbors interacting more with e
Recomendations: For Geneva
Renderings - Structural Concept Explorations Banner
Identification Sign
Gateway Sign
o three and then had residents come r them. Even just the process of doing this each other. Wayfinding, as defined by Kevin A. Lynch, is “a consistent use and organization of definite sensory cues from the external environment�. With the logos designed, we began to think of ways to incorporate them into the neighborhoods with various wayfinding options for the city.
Sign Toppers
A colleague and I proposed our project to the City Manager and the Director of the Department of Public Works. Since we were doing an inventory of all the street signs in Geneva the optimal option was what is referred to as a sign topper, a small sign that sits on top of street signs. Our proposal was accepted and received funding to implement our wayfinding concept in both neighborhoods.
Today, the logo signs that we designed are permanently installed on every street sign in those Geneva neighborhoods.
Actual Installed Signage - Geneva, NY
viii. academic studio work, 2012
Topographic Studies
Knight
ii. academic, GSD, Calljas, Hansen, Fredrickson
Bordeaux Botanical Garden: Study of urban context and a site’s greater effect
Franklin Park:
Understanding the multiple layers of history, topography, and planting’s in one of Olmstead’s final projects
Redefining the Edge The Boston Seaport, a rapidly developing area, has a daily tidal change of about 3 meters. How can we better design with nature? With tidal shifts like this there is no definitive line or edge between land and water. Let’s break down the ‘edge’ and bring these elements together.
Rook
Process
URBAN CONTEXT Beraking The Grid 1:12000
iii. academic, GSD, Hutton
Urban Context
The plaza’s form is inspired by extending lines that break the surrounding city gird. These lines formed triangluated spaces. I am interested in the opportunities theses in-between spaces hold.
Knight
Rook
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EXPERIENCE
Human interaction across the plaza. Interaction of land, water, and people
DETAIL STUDIES
Knight
Rook
Deconstruction of block set to chess set
Art & Design
Watercolor Woodblock Print
iii. personal and academic
Watercolor and Ink
Ink Sketch
ii. studio work, - personal and academic, 2011-2012
Via del Governo Vecchio, Roma
Ne stru stru Ma cre
Sketchbook Charcoal
Woodblock Print
Charcoal
ext these images were interpreted and translated into three-dimensional uctures. The orthogonal lines used were turned into sticks and planes. Three uctures were created with a different focus: space, line, and movement. aintaining a “rule� of connection, these three structures were combined to eate one structure.
Pallet Forms
space
* line
space + line + movement
The simplicity and functionality of the wood pallet is the inspiration behind this project. I began by diagraming the wood pallets and then converted these drawings into three dimensional structures.
movement
The space, line and movement structures were combined to create one large cohesive piece.
v. studio work, HWS, Makker
Zoom In A detail emphasizing the connection of sticks and planes inspired the Connection Study.
Connection Study
Multiplying the scale by 3, I studied how these pieces would work and fit together.
Size: 18’’ x 18” x 103/4” Oak, wheat board, pine
Discovering Inhabitable Space Figuring out how to build the Connection Study pushed me to think of this model at an even larger scale. I began to think of how I could turn it into an inhabitable space.
System of Construction Thin planes held by thick blocks meet in a finger joint at the corner where the method of construction is reversed.
Human Experience The language used throughout maintains a simplicity and a rhythmic balance. This simplicity makes the Inhabitable Space welcoming and inviting and also speaks to the adaptability and user-friendliness of the model.
User Friendy: Users can alter their experience in the Inhabitable Space by physically sliding the blocks or benches to their liking. Moving these pieces can change the amount of sunlight or privacy desired.
My strategized location will become a connective element between a wider range of instititions, community, and time by promoting healthy active lifestyles for people - not cars.
Site Qualities considered with a specific site in mind were: view, feeling of enclosure, and reasons for use.
Community Garden
Working with residents of Geneva, NY I designed and built 5 raised garden beds for the community garden.
iv. personal and work as Americorps member, 2011
We taught middle school students how to plant and care for the garden. At harvest time we taught them how to cook what we grew.
Before
After
Layers of city leads to layers of book
Fenway -An Active Destination TEMPORAL: Major institutions used at different times of the year
COMPLIMENT: Space used all year round
The Fenway neighborhood of Boston has two distinct areas adjacent to one another, both heavily trafficked by pedestrians, yet each acts very independently from the other. As illustrated in the time lines, Boston University and Fenway Park are used at opposite times of the year.
Strategized Location What if we could bridge the gaps of time and space? I chose an area in between these temporal locations that would bring BU students, Red Sox fans, and community members together all year long.
Strategized programing and unique architecture encourages social interaction. This active destination becomes a connective element for people, space, and time.
SIP & KICK Roof soccer fields Indoor playing fields Retail Food/drink
-Class Space -Pedestrian & bike path
Our environment shapes the way we live. Through it’s architecture and programming this area creates a healthy, active and interactive community.
Multi-use - All Day, All Year
FEBRUARY 7:00 AM
APRIL 9:00 AM
JUNE 1:00 PM
AUGUST 5:30 PM
NOVEMBER 9:30 PM
Photography
I believe photography should make the viewer notice something exciting about an ordinary scene.
vi. personal, viii.2010-2013 personal
Conceptual Design - Industrial Flex Building Existing
Concept - Conversion of Warehouse to Office Space
Problem: Warehouse space needs to be converted to office space Solution: Define entrance way, add foundation planting and window line, screen utilities
ix. work related, Laura Butera Design
Conceptual Design - Industrial Flex Building Existing
Concept - Excavation & Expansion of Loading Area
Problem: Owner needs a third loading dock
Solution: I studied the terrain
and elevation to create a plan to excavate, add retaining wall, and provide 3rd loading dock
system of construction: “CRATE�
Conceptual Design - Residential Historic Existing
Concept - Modification of Historic Home
Problem: Home owner wanted to modify 100 year old home while maintaining historic character Solution: Conducted historical research, update roof and dormers, and enhance outdoor living space
name possibilities: adaptable space
Understanding Systems
Osaka subway system
A subway map is a system made up of smaller systems. Through 2D diagramming I stripped the Osaka subway system to it’s essence to better understand it’s systems. My own 3D system evolved based off of this study.
viii. academic, HWS, Makker, Blankenship
Frobel Chess Set Block set that also functions as a chess set. A group of blocks adds up to create each chess piece. The more important the piece, the more blocks used to create it.
Each chess piece in the set is a simplified depiction of its traditional chess piece. Ex. Bishop appears to be wearing a miter Knight looks like a person riding a horse.
Knight
Rook
ix. woodshop
Deconstruction of block set to chess set
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Passage & Place Passage & Place
Boston City Hall Plaza is a threshold for the greater city, connecting public urban places like the Boston Common, Faniel Hall and the Greenway. A
Goal: Create a more effecient threshold
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x. academic, Frederickson viii. academicGSD, studio work, 2012
Shift & Pull
Subtle manipulations of the ground plane create a variety of expereinces of passage and place
Laura Butera
(610) 731 1014 420 Howard Rd. Gladwyne, PA, 19035 LFButera@gmail.com