ANNALIESE SOMMER The University of Oklahoma College of Architecture Second Year Studio Portfolio
EDUCATION -
Completing 2nd year - University of Oklahoma Bachelor of Architectural Studies/Master of Architecture OU Honors College/Dean’s Honor Roll
EXPERIENCE
Annaliese Sommer Yukon, OK
(918) 704-1317 liesesommerzone@gmail.com annaliese.j.sommer@ou.edu
Contemporary Services Corporation, Moore, OK — Screener August 2019 - PRESENT Currently work as a bag checker and security screener at events such as football and basketball games at the University of Oklahoma. Provides general support for events including ticket taking, ushering, guest services, and parking services. Job requires good judgment, flexibility, strong attention to observation skills and vigilance. Primo’s Italian, Yukon, OK — Team Leader/Server/Hostess June 2018 - August 2019 Ensured the restaurant was closed and cleaned properly each night while keeping track of tables and ensuring the front of house was running smoothly. Food server responsibilities included ensuring tables were clean for guests, presented menus, and served food and beverages. Took and delivered orders. Handled cash accurately and processed credit cards. Triple T Construction, Edmond, OK — Receptionist/Admin May 2017 - July 2017 Provided personalized secretarial and administrative support in a well-organized and timely manner to a road construction company. Responsibilities included answering phones, tracking invoices, and kept employee clock sheets.
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you anywhere. - Albert Einstein
LEADERSHIP Percussion Section Leader in Yukon High School Band Responsible my Junior and Senior years to enforce and maintain order for the percussion section. Kept daily record of attendance, issued uniforms and guided sectional rehearsals. Wesley Ministry Leadership Team On Campus Currently serving on the Wesley Leadership team and guiding small groups during bible studies. This means reaching out to girls and leading them in discipleship as well as making time for them one on one during the school year.
community service each year Solo and Ensemble - Received straight superior ratings at band contests for all four years of high school Psychology Award - Recipient of Academic Excellence Award in High School
Studio 1 Invisible Cities Emotion Exploration
02
National Honor Society - 3 year member including
01
GPA 4.99
SELECTED WORKS 2019-PRESENT
Valedictorian - Graduated in the top 3 in my class of 900 -
CONTENTS
AWARDS
Studio 2 Compositions Jigsaw Labyrinth Legacy Park
SCHOLARSHIPS Award of Excellence - Received OU scholarship for Academic Excellence
FAS-Paul and Ruth Jonas Scholarship
04
years old
03
Optimist Club - Received award for essay contest at 12
OAR-Loy and Marian Morrison Scholarship Christopher C. Gibbs Architecture Scholarship
SKILLS Rhinoceros 7, Adobe Suite, Lumion, Microsoft Office, Hand drafting/modelling, Sketching, and Client Interaction
Studio 3 Equestrian Center Experiential Canopy
Studio 4 Urban Farming Center for Downtown Norman, OK
Octavia: the spider city This assignment was an exploration of the Invisible Cities created by Calvino. These images display an exploration of Octavia, the spider city. In Octavia, the inhabitants swing around on ropes. Their world literally hangs by a thread. Through this assignment, shape, sizes, color, texture, position, orientation, and inertia were explored to create a new world.
Through this process, it was found that many of these objects truly did have movement, even though they were still. The spaces between the objects were ones with little stagnation. It was also discovered that things won't always turn out the way one expects them to. Many a time does work have to be redone and projects remolded. Whether it’s through creating and destroying several paper mache volcano models or trying to push chains through a cotton ball, lots of work and iteration goes into architecture and the project is never really complete. Things are constantly growing, moving, changing in inertia, position, orientation, and color until the inhabitants are pleased with where they live.
In Octavia, everything is suspended from the sides of the mass. This feeling of suspension throughout the city creates a simulation of codependency; if one piece falls, they all do. All the pieces are supported by the weaving happening above the structure. This weaving creates the illusion of strength because the wires are only digging into the gritty, faceting landscape.
Emotional Exploration Through Color and Texture: Joy
Through this project, we explored how to create emotional responses using only texture and color. The chosen emotion, Joy, progresses as one looks across the boxes. In the images above, one can see the uses of yellow, pink, and red. These colors create feelings of happiness as one experiences them. In the images to the right, the use of texture is experienced. This begins with sterile walls and floor; these are less welcoming. As one continues, the walls begin to puff out at us and became softer. The boxes welcome the inhabitant into a space of joy and happiness.
Studio I
“I believe that the way people live can be directed a little by architecture. “ – Tadao Ando
Compositions
We began studio II by exploring compositional qualities and principles such as rhythm, balance, hierarchy, depth, axis, symmetry, and datum. In these six compositions, we explored how these principles could guide us in creating facades, ceilings, office parks, or city layouts. These explorations helped us to understand the eye and how to draw and direct where people look. We learned the control we could have of other people’s experiences and how to make these experiences beautiful and thoughtful.
Studio II
Jigsaw: Additive Tower
Studio II
This project took the studio to the workshop for a true craftsmanship experience. We explored building a 3 foot tower through additive forms. It was also supposed to be able to stand without glue. Jigsaw Tower used a spiraling helix form with an empty center. This meant cutting numerous tiny jenga size pieces in order to create the experience of looking down the middle of the tube to see curving forms.
Labyrinth: Subtractive Tower
The subtractive tower was an introduction to the use of concrete in modelling as well us an exploration at cutting away to define space. This project was the first one since Covid-19 rocked the world. The class was sent home to complete this concrete tower. At our in home studios, we made forms using wood and foam board. We then constructed a wooden base to hold the tower. Labyrinth tower was maze as well an attempt to create balance on each elevation. The base continue the maze with wood pathways running along it.
Observation Tower for Legacy Park
This tower was designed for the Legacy Park Amphitheater in Norman Oklahoma. The tower was designed to give new experiences and views as the visitor moves up the staircase. It is made of deconstructed shipping containers, steel beams, and glazed glass. Each level of the tower brings something new to the eye the visitor is led to the top observation deck, giving views of the landscape of Norman.
Drawing Assignments
Throughout the first semester, there were many drawing and sketching assignments that helped us grow in the way we experience the world and turn what is hand drawn into reality. This is a collection of a few pages of my sketchbook.
"Drawing is vision on paper." -Andrew Loomis
Some were class assignments while others were inspired from architecture from around the world. I often find time a few days a week to go find a building or scene and sketch it. This helps me to get more experience drawing different types of buildings and put ideas down on paper quickly.
When designing the canopy, the first focus was the seating. The precedent studies that brought inspiration were those with tessellating triangular canopies. These tessellations gave gradient and movement to the site, rather than stagnation. Attachments were then created to connect the canopy to the ground. Inspired by the trees around the site, branching arches were created going from the ground to the top of the canopy.
These arches grow out from the tree branch centers and arc to the middle. When experimenting with this arc, there was focus on making the tessellating piece connect at a curve, making the ends more rounded. Shading pieces were angled downward on all sides to block the intense sun in the mornings and evenings.
Experiential Canopy
Kringlen Park Equestrian Center
Kringlen Park Equestrian Center
Spencer, Oklahoma is a horse loving town in need of a year round arena and horse care facility. As one approaches the site, there is a massive wall. This wall is intended to be used as a wall of fame; it is meant to hold images encompassing the horse history of Spencer. The arena is an ellipse shape in order to create a connection between it and the curved stalls and offices. The twelve stalls and work spaces are placed in a bent formation on the back of the site, allowing space for turnaround of trailers and the care of horses. The horse stalls are also placed on the back of the site to protect the horses from large crowds. The goal of this space is to connect the community and grow the town of Spencer into a memorable attraction that impacts the lives of all who visit.
Exo-Lumine: Urban Farming Center "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." -Masanobu Fukuoka
Here, one can see the different ways in which the buildings meet the sky and how this shapes the spaces within the form. One can also see the staircase and how it would appear to float along the channel glass as people move along it. As users circulate through these spaces, they begin to learn more about how to garden in their own homes as well as become a part of this farming community in downtown Norman.
Cafe/Kitchen Entrance
Inner Courtyard
Gallery/Event Space
Greenhouse
Reflection: Over the process of putting together this portfolio, I have found that I have grown more than I ever imagined. Yes, I am far from perfect, but I have improved immensely since that first day of Architecture courses. Looking back, I timidly displayed my first sketches and line practices in front of the class. Over time, I have learned to love the good, bad, and the ugly and use it to inspire me. At first, I was afraid to open up old project files and dig up the dirty work. Now, I look forward to hearing feedback, taking constructive criticism, and moving forward. I am excited to see what beautiful learning opportunities are in my future and how they will change the way I grow.
Annaliese Sommer (918) 704-1317 liesesommerzone@gmail.com