Michael T r e n ta c o s t i Design Portfolio
M T
I am a self-motivated, hardworking individual who translates these ideals into my work through my eye for detail, my passion for precision, and my love for the environment. As a designer I am detail oriented, organized, and professional in the way that I approach each project. I am a focused individual who brings great qualities and a high level of professionalism to the work environment every day. I am goal driven and am never afraid to take the extra step to learn and achieve the task set out to be completed.
M i c h a e l T r e n ta c o s t i UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER B.A. ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN 845-705-1066 m_trentacosti@outlook. Astoria, New York
W O R K E X P ERIENCE
COMP U TER SK IL L S
BOULDER ASSOciATE ARCHITECTS- DEC. 2015-JULY 2016
Adobe Creative Suite
At Boulder Associates I developed the skill sets necessary to excel in a professional environment. While working at Boulder Associates I helped integrate model making into the design process by collaborating with design teams to develop models throughout the designs of multiple projects. Additionally, I created grasshopper definitions that were utilized in several projects on various different elements.
FreeLance Revit Modeling/Rendering- SPRING 2016
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CREATIVE LABS- FALL 2015
V-Ray
In the fall of 2015 I sat on the Committee for the Creative Labs as the only student representative. As the student body representative, I helped integrate underclassman curriculum into the creative labs, which included two CNC routers, three laser cutters, as well as a full metal and wood workshop.
P ERSONAL SK IL L S
DESIGN BUILD-SUMMER 2015
Ping Xu-Professor Phone: 303-492-7701 (EXT: 148) Email: XUP@colorado.edu
Jake Schneck-Architect Phone: 303-499-7795 (EXT: 4164) Email: jschneck@boulderassociates.com
SketchUp
DETAILED
In the summer of 2015, I worked on a 109sqft Design Build where I was in lead designer in charge of fabrication of multiple items including the bed and the entrance trellis. From this project I learned about, budgeting project management, teamwork, and the construction process.
ORGANIZED
E D U C A T ION
GOAL DRIVEN
At the University of Colorado I studied environmental design, where I developed my detail-oriented, goal-driven design, process. In addition to my time at the University of Colorado, I developed certain design ideals and qualities that translate into my projects, such as the relationship between the project and its surroundings.
Phone: 303-247-0603 Email: Jade.Polizzi@colorado.edu
Rhinoceros 5.0 Grasshopper
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
Jade Polizzi-Professor
AutoCAD
During the spring of 2016 I worked part-time as a freelance designer on a residential project for a local Boulder architect. During the project I developed a Revit model from a set of AutoCAD drawings, which was then imported into Rhino and rendered in V-ray with post-processing in Photoshop.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER- 2011-2015
References:
Revit
A WA R D S BEST RENDERING NOMINEE-GALA AWARDS- SPRING 2015 -LAMA KAMAGUNA HUT
OUtstanding Graduate Award- FALL 2015 -DEANS LIST CUMULATIVE GPA 3.6 ENVD GPA 3.8
EXHIBIT WORK- STUDENT WORK DISPLAY- SPRING 2015 -RORQUAL WALL -LAMA KAMAGUNA HUT
CREATIVE
TEAMWORK PROFESSIONALISM COMMUNICATION
P ERSONAL INTEREST S PHOTOGRAPHY - I enjoy taking pictures because it gives me the ability to express creativity through what I see and how to interpret the object through the lens. HOCKEY - I honed qualities like teamwork and commitment through 10 years of competitive travel hockey CAMPING - Camping provides the ability to travel and see new things while interacting with the natural environment.
Chapters Architectural designs
pages: 4-18
Design Build
pages: 19-23
digital Fabrication Designs
pages: 24-31
architecture Contents As an environmental designer my design process stems from four ideals that influence and carry through my creative process. These four ideals are: program, function, efficiency, and sustainability. With these deeply influencing my design process, my work is site & client driven, utilizes function to generate form, and incorporates efficient and intelligent sustainable building methods and solutions.
Kamaguna hut Boulder Creek bridge Trailhaus hostel Craftsman residence
Kamaguna Hut Lama Foundation Toas, NM Kamaguna :(Kama-gu-na)
Scale 1/4”=1’-0” n
18’-0” B
Section a a
14’-0”
Kamaguna originates from the dhamma found in Buddhism, and means the finding of ones physical pleasure through the stimulation of all senses. The Kamaguna Hut embraces this idea fully, through multiple design elements that aim to engage users with the surrounding site. With a view to the southwest and constant sun exposure the site offered great conditions that were carried over and accented in the design of the hut. Some of the features aim to draw in the surrounding beauty of the site into the space while other aspects allow users the ability to engage as well as decompress when needed. With a southern facing entrances the hut creates a semi-private entrance space which allows residents that ability to have their own privacy while still accenting the views to the southwest. These values were also carried over into the interior through strategically placed windows that help create framed views. As well as multi-functional spaces that give users space to meditate, while being drawn into the surrounding nature. To further connect the Kamaguna hut to the site materiality was heavily designed to accent surrounding natural colors that are visible during all seasons. In addition a large rammed earth wall on the north side of the site helps solidify site and structure while creating both a physical and phenomenal connection to the surrounding sites “Lama” or soil. This helps to ease the eye over the structure and onto the site maintaining the view from the path.
Floor Plan
Section B
Establishing Elements of Kamaguna
Spatial Analysis & Development Final Floor layout Entrance Space
Bed Space
Living Space
Deck Space
E.S.
Deck Space
From the beginning of the design process the idea was to extend the space onto the surrounding site. Through multiple iterations the final layout was achieved. Through the iterations several things were adapted , adjusted, moved, scaled, and rotated to achieve the best possible layout. The spaces that were predominantly focused on in this hut design were the bed space, the deck, an informal/formal entrance space and a small living space. One of the key areas of development through the iterations was the scaling of certain spaces to give them more or less importance. In the end layout the most important dominating spaces became the deck, living, and bed spaces.
6 Bed Space
4
Formal Entrance Layout
4
2
Opening to the south The space opens on the interior to the south allowing for maximum sun gain as well as establishing a view. By establishing this view the opening gives users a full panorama of the surrounding area.
3
Strategic Windows By strategically placing windows; views were created that are accented by the sun which penetrates through these windows and into the space. This gives these windows a glow in the afternoon that helps to accentuate the beauty of the site, creating a mood that carries through the space.
Meditation Space The built-in bed was designed to be multi-functional, through the incorporating a sloped head board for sitting against as well as a meditation space at the end of the bed that draws nature in as users meditate while simultaneously drawing users out into the surrounding space. 6 Thermal Mass This hut features a rammed earth wall which uses materiality to form both structure in addition to creating a connection to the surrounding sites nature and biota. The mass also works as a heating and cooling unit. This is possible through its placement on the north face of the structure which gets it sun gain during the morning, heating the unit. This heat is than given off during the course of the day keeping the space comfy. By mid-afternoon when sunlight is at its peak the thermal mass has lost most of its heat and acts as a cooling mass.
4
L.S. Bed Space
5
E.S.
Formal Floor Layout Deck Space L.S.
3
3
2 E.S.
Extended Floor Layout
East Elevation
Framed Views Entering the space the user walks into a framed view of the valley to the south. This view is created through the slope of roof giving it a framed perspective that opens up to the south as you enter.
1
Living Space
Bed Space
South Elevation
1
West Elevation
5
North Elevation
Cross Ventilation Through smart window placement, cross ventilation was gained to help ventilate the space during the summer keeping it cool and clean. In addition this feature keeps the air inside clean and crisp making the space healthier.
S.I.P. Wall Detail
Rammed eArth Detail
Scale 1/8”=1’-0”
Cross Ventilation Diagram
Scale 1/8”=1’-0”
Corrugated roofing Corrugated roofing
Top Plate
Pine Soffit A. Top Sill B. Window Sill C. Glazing D. Bottom Sill Fiber Board Siding
Pine Soffit
O.S.B. Sheathing & Tyvek
Rigid Foam Insulation
1’ Rammed Earth Wall
Sole Plate A. Finish Flooring B. SubFloor Sheathing C. Foam Insulation & Thermal Barrier 2 x 12 Floor Joists 18" Foundation with Footing
2x12 Floor Joists 16” O.C.
#6 Anchor Bolt Thermal Barrier
Sun Solstice Analysis Winter Solstice
Built In Furniture Details Fall Solstice
Summer Solstice
The way that the sun hits the Kamaguna Hut was an important design element during the design process. In order to achieve maximum natural light while maintaining privacy a sun screen was added on the southern facade. This helps keep the space private but also allows sun to penetrate inward into the space. Through the use of sun analysis, the sun path was identified, which allowed for the further development of sun screening and natural lighting.
Bed Frame & Meditation Flex
Interior Bench
Outdoor Sitting Bench
Interior Lattice Shelving
Cross Ventilation Diagram
S.I.P. Wall Detail 1. Fiber Board Siding
2. O.S.B. Sheathing
Scale 1/2”=1’-0” 3. Rigid Foam
4. O.S.B. Sheathing
5. Timber Frame
S.I.P. Vs Timber Framing The reason for choosing S.I.P. panel construction rather than traditional timber framing was to make the building envelope more efficient as well as make the construction process much more efficient as well. Being this structure was intended to be built by a design build class, S.I.P. panel construction would allow the class the ability to build the exterior frame of the building quickly and with ease.
6. Plywood Sheathing
7. Tyvek Barrier
8. Fiber Board Siding
Complete S.i.p.
B.C. Bridge CU East Campus
Site Plan
Scale 1/32”=1’-0”
Elevations Scale 1/32”=1’-0”
n
North
East
South
West
Boulder, CO
The Boulder Creek foot bridge was designed to connect one side of the Boulder Creek path to the other while maintaining the integrity of the local landscape. Some of the design principles in place in this project were creating a structure that can be easily assembled on site without the need of large construction equipment. Additionally a goal was to connect users with the beauty of the Boulder Creek landscape . These principles were integrated into the project through the use of onsite assembly structure which utilizes as system of interlocking components that help to create a rigid structure. Additionally benching and lattice work were added into key bays to draw users into the surrounding landscape.
Bridge Structure 1
Rigid developing cross bracing louvers with slanted brackets to allow for sunlight deflection and air flow.
2
Cap beams that tie together I-beam substructure.
3
Lateral bracing I-beams which help to create a rigid bridge structure.
4
I-Beams, which create a series of frames breaking the space up into 15ft bays. 5 Glass handrails and wooden benches morphing out the decking.
6
Wooden decking. Materials palette reflecting the surrounding nature.
6
Substructure, consistent of steel beams forming trusses supporting the I-beam bays at 15ft O.C. with cement footings.
Trail Haus Hostel
Site Context & Analysis
Aspects of a good site
1 Slopes_0-5%
1
Eldrado Springs Boulder, CO
The Trail Haus Hostel is a 20,000 Sqft hostel located right at the base of the flatirons in the Eldrado Springs foothills. The Trail Haus hostel is designed to be a space where traveling young adults can stay and experience all of the great attractions boulder has to offer. Only minutes from local trails the Trail Haus offers its guests a great outdoor experience while also providing state of the art amenities. In addition the Trail Haus hostel is designed to get guests to interact with one another through its large open floor plan and ample hangout spaces. Guests are encouraged to mingle with one another and ultimately form a bond with someone they meet at the Trail Haus hostel.
The Site chosen for this project features low sloping hills that open up to the landscape below offering a great opportunity for meshing of the site’s nature and the buildings form. In addition the low slope allows the building to not feel placed and thus allows it to function properly with the site. 2 SouthEast Facing Slopes
Southeast facing slopes is very important to this site. It allows the site and the orientation of the building to work as one to gain maximum solar gain through out the year. This gives the building its ability to coexist with certain site conditions in addition to allowing for the element of natural light to play into both form of the building as well as function. 3 Diverse Vegetation
A diverse grouping of vegetation suggests that the site is healthy both in its environmental quality in addition to its soil quality. Thus giving the indication that this site is ideal for building and meshing of both the building and its surrounding nature.
2
3
Floor Plans: Level_00 N
F or m Dev el opmen t
Scale 1:32� 3 2
Extrude Surface The Surface was extruded from its original shape to give the form its original shape and height.
Split & Divide The form was then split and divided to create a center atrium space and divide the function.
Push & Pull One side of the form was the pulled upwards while the other half was pushed down to allow for maximum sun exposure.
1 ENTRANCE LOBBY
0,0
Punch Through By punching through the form; the entrance took on the form of offering users both prospect and refugee.
1
2 RECEPTION DESK 3 INTERNET CAFE 0,0
6
Project Themes
Form development
4 INTERACTION SPACE
4
5 FIRST FLOOR DORMS
8
Picnic & Scenic Area
6 ENTRANCE PLAZA
Devils Thumb Hiking trail
7 EQUIPMENT STORAGE
5 7 0,0
Wind Influence
Prospect & Refugee
Snow Trail
Look Out Trail
N 1
15
30
60
Solar Influence
Constant Daylight
The driving force behind the first floor was to have guest enter on the east facing side of the building and then enter into a large lobby space accompanied by specialty spaces such as the internet cafe and a small gallery space. From there; level_00 opens up into a atrium that spans the height of the building. This space is sunken by one step to give it more privacy and to ultimately form a hang out space for the guest to interact in. On the west side of level_00 we have the dorms where guests stay, as well a socializing deck that guests can hang out on and interact with their neighbors.
8 SOCIALIZATION DECK
Floor Plans: Level_02
Scale 1:32”
N
N
Floor Plans: Level_01
Scale 1:32” +24.0
3
0,0
2 3
1 WEST SIDE LEVEL_01 DORMS
1 GALLERY STYLE SOCIALIZING STEPS 2 SUNKEN INTERACTION SPACE 3 HANGOUT LOUNGE
1
2 CENTRAL ATRIUM 3 OPEN LOBBY ATRIUM 2
4 EQUIPMENT STORAGE 5 DORMS LOUNGE SPACE 6 THEATER ROOM
4
4 LOOK OUT LOUNGE 5 8 6
6 ATRIUM DINING
+12.0
1 5
4
+24.0
7 6
Similar to level_00; level_01 features dorms for guests, but unlike level_00 these dorms offer different accommodations. On level_01 the dorms are meant more for afternoon risers as the sun does not hit this side of the building until around mid afternoon. It also features more lounge spaces that are centralized within the dorms so guests can interact more closely than in level_00. Additional features on this level is the atrium space for both the lobby and central atrium for the building are exposed. In addition guests on this level have a theater room for their enjoyment.
5 TRAIL HAUS BAR
Unlike the first two levels this level has a completely different feel to it. The first two levels are mainly about the guests, how they interact, and where they sleep. Level-02 is all about a creating fun, playful, environment for the guest to interact with one another and ultimately make new friends while staying at the Trail Haus hostel. With four different lounges, a bar, a dance floor, and a party deck. level_02 is where you will find majority of the guests when they return from their daily adventures and tours.
SPACE 7 TRAIL HAUS DANCE FLOOR 8 PARTY DECK
Final Model
Site Plan
Scale 3:32�
N 1
15
30
60
S_02
01
S_
Section 01
Section 02
Craft Residence Boulder, CO
The Craft Residence was designed for a snowboard building craftsman who resides in Boulder, Colorado. The design of the residence reflects the values and spaces need by the individual while paying homage to the local fauna and nature through its use of materials, developed perspectives and framed views. Additionally the residence was designed to implement passive design approaches, by creating a utilizing an double insulated wall assembly with a outer rain screen as well as highly efficient glazing packages and locally sourced materials.
Building program Craft Workshop
39% of total Sqft
Spatial Analysis
Total Sqft: 5,428Sqft
Total Sqft: 2,100sqft
- Storage: 95sqft - Teaching: 543Sqft - Workspace: 1462sqft
S_03
S_01
S_02
1st Floor Living space 22% of total Sqft
Total Sqft: 1,800sqft
- fOYER: 150sqft - oFFICE: 100Sqft - kITCHEN: 310sqft - lIVING ROOM: 310sqft - DINING ROOM: 204sqft - UTILITIES: 151sqft
Site context & Plan N
SOlar siting This building is designed to harvest and maximize the solar gain by siting it facing south-east. This allows for the maximum amount of sun through out the course of the day as it moves across the sky. By doing so, the building has the ability to harvest heat through the morning hours of the day and is shielded from the harsh afternoon sun to avoid over heating spaces.
Framing Nature Through the use of perspective framing the building utilizes masses to frame nature in multiple locations while simultaneously drawing its users into the surrounding natural environment. This draws back to the concept of creating transparency between the natural & built environments.
Shielding from Winds Being this building was designed in the rocky mountains along the boulder creek, the massing, shields the main living spaces from harsh trade winds that are produced during all times of the year.
2nd Floor Living Space 39% of total Sqft
Total Sqft: 2,103sqft
- fAMILY rOOM/pORCH: 885sqft - bRIDGE: 378Sqft
- bEDROOMS: 840sqft
4
5 4
5
3
3
2
6 7
8
9 9
N
Scale 1:32”
Floor Plans: Level_02 N
eLEVATION: EAST N
Floor Plans: Level_01
8
Scale 1:32”
Scale 1:32”
1 FAMILY ROOM
2 TEACHING SPACE
2 OUTDOOR PORCH
3 MATERIALS STORAGE
3 SKY BRIDGE
4 FOYER
4 GUEST BEDROOM_01
5 OFFICE
5 GUEST BEDROOM_02
6 KITCHEN
6 GUEST WATER CLOSET
7 WATER CLOSET
7 MASTER BATHROOM
elevation: WEST
8 DINING ROOM
8 MASTER BEDROOM
Scale 1:32”
9 LIVING ROOM
9 GREEN ROOF
N
1 CRAFT WORKSHOP
eLEVATION: NORTH Scale 1:32”
eLEVATION: SOUTH N
2
7
N
1
1
6
Scale 1:32”
wALL sECTION_01 rOOF aSSEMBLY - STANDING SEAM METAL ROOF - mINERAL wOOL rIGID iNSULATION - pLYWOOD sHEATHING WITH INTEGRAL wrb - 2 X 8 wOOD rAFTER WITH DENSE PACK INSULATION - PLYWOOD sHEATHING - CEDAR Tongue AND GROOVE FINISH ROOFING - hARDIE bOARD fASCIA
eXTERIOR WALL aSSEMBLY - dOUGLAS fIR sIDING (VERTICAL) - 2-WAY rAIN sCREEN fURRING - 3” mINERAL wOOL - PLYWOOD sHEATHING WITH iNTEGRAL wrb - 2 X 6 wOOD sTUDS wITH dENSE pACK iNSULATION - dRYWALL - 2 X 6 wOOD cAP pLATES - WINDOW FLASHING - 2 X 6 rOUGH sILL
fLOOR sYSTEM - fINISH oAK fLOORING - pLYWOOD sHEATHING -16” wOOD WEB FLOOR JOISTS - wOOD CROSS BRACING - dENSE pACK iNSULATION - dRYWALL
iNTERIOR WALL aSSEMBLY - dRYWALL - pLYWOOD sHEATHING - 2 X 4 sTUDS 16” O.C. - dENIM iNSULATION - dRYWALL
fIRST fLOOR aSSEMBLY & CRAWL sPACE - lIGHT wEIGHT cONCRETE fINISHED fLOORING - pLYWOOD sHEATHING - 3” rIGID iNSULATION - 16” WOOD tji fLOOR jOISTS - MEDIUM dENSITY iNSULATION - 2” cONCRETE sLAB - 2” rIGID iNSULATION - 12 mIL sOIL barrier WRAPpING CAVITY - vAPOR bARRIER
gREEN rOOF SECTION_02 pARAPET rOOF aSSEMBLY - C-CLIP FLASHING
- 2 X 4 CAP PLATE - lIGHTWEIGHT eNgINEERED sOIL - fILTER fABRIC WITH rETENTION gRAVEL lAYER - SHEET BARRIER WITH METAL FLASHING AND rIGID iNSULATION - pLYWOOD sHEATHING WITH INTEGRAL wrb - 16” wOOD wEB tRUSS rAFTER WITH DENSE PACK INSULATION - PLYWOOD sHEATHING - DRYWALL
eXTERIOR WALL aSSEMBLY - dOUGLAS fIR sIDING (VERTICAL) - 2-WAY rAIN sCREEN fURRING - 3” mINERAL wOOL - PLYWOOD sHEATHING WITH iNTEGRAL wrb - 2 X 6 wOOD sTUDS wITH dENSE pACK iNSULATION - dRYWALL - 2 X 6 wOOD cAP pLATES - WINDOW FLASHING - 2 X 6 rOUGH sILL
fIRST fLOOR aSSEMBLY & CRAWL sPACE
- lIGHT wEIGHT cONCRETE fINISHED fLOORING - pLYWOOD sHEATHING - 3” rIGID iNSULATION - 2 X 6 sILL pLATE - 6” aNCHOR bOLT - 16” WOOD tji fLOOR jOISTS - MEDIUM dENSITY iNSULATION - 2” cONCRETE sLAB - 2” rIGID iNSULATION - 12 mIL sOIL baRRIER WRAPPING CAVITY - vAPOR bARRIER
bRIDGE sECTION_03
Passive Wall Assemblies
rOOF aSSEMBLY
1. 2x6 wood studs with dense packed insulation
- STANDING SEAM METAL ROOF - mINERAL wOOL rIGID iNSULATION - pLYWOOD sHEATHING WITH INTEGRAL wrb - 2 X 8 wOOD rAFTER WITH DENSE PACK INSULATION - PLYWOOD sHEATHING - CEDAR TONGUE AND GROOVE FINISH ROOFING - hARDIE bOARD fASCIA
2. Plywood Sheathing with integral WRB
3. Mineral Wool insulation
4. 2-way Rainscreen
bRIDGE aSSEMBLY - fINISH oAK fLOORING - pLYWOOD sHEATHING - 2 X 8 wOOD fLOOR jOIST - RIGID INSULATION - PLYWOOD sHEATHING WITH INTEGRAL WRB - mOISTURE AND vAPOR bARRIER - 4� aNCHOR BOLT - S 8 X 24 i-BEAM - HEX BOLT L BRACKET
fIRST fLOOR aSSEMBLY & CRAWL sPACE - dARK OAK FINISH DECKING - 2 X 10 WOOD FLOOR JOISTS (16 O.C.) - sIMPSON LU210 2 X 10 FLOOR JOIST HANGERS
Passive Wall Assemblies Efficiency is key when it comes to creating a well designed passive home. This is why a passive wall assembly approach was taken rather than using traditional framing and wall assembly methods. In order to achieve this passive wall assembly more insulation is used to create higher efficiency walls when it comes to heat gains and loses. With the use of mineral wool as an exterior insulation the wall is double insulated creating a highly functional wall assembly. Additionally all openings are sealed to ensure that no water penetrates the wall assembly and ultimately jeopardizes the buildings envelope.
5. Douglas Fir Siding
design Build design Praxis Studio
Design Build Contents Lama design Build sky hut Design build is one of the most powerful tools that can be taught both in design school in real world building environments. It teaches individuals the proper building methods and gives an individual a hands on experience on how components, buildings, and assemblies go together. Offering a comprehensive approach to design that can not be taught in most situations.
entrance trellis sky hut built-in Bed sky hut
Lama Design Build
the Sky hut
Lama Foundation
Lama Foundation
Toas, NM
During the University of Colorado’s junior praxis studio a team of 13 students including myself built a small retreat cabin for the Lama Foundation. The cabin was designed by a fellow classmate, with each team member integrating a key idea or component into the design. The project was built over the course of two trips to New Mexico, one where the foundation was poured and the second to build the cabin. Through out the process the class was taught the complete design process from Schematic design, all the way through construction administration. The structure was designed to be utilized as a retreat cabin for senior level guests that were unable to camp and integrates the values set forth by the foundation.
toas, Nm
Entrance Trellis Lama Foundation Toas, NM
Each member of the team had the opportunity to contribute to the project in their own unique way. Whether that be through a design element or a key component in the design. One of my personal contributions to the project was the designing and building of the entrance trellis which aims to create a welcoming space when entering into the cabin. Some of the values incorporated into this design is the use of screening elements to create privacy, the form to create a sense of refugee while entering into the space and the use of landscaping to draw users into the entrance.
trellis Cd’s
assembly 1
2
1 Upper Lattice_1 x 2 cedar
3
2 back lattice_ 1 x 2/ 1 x 1 cedar 3 2 x 12 pressure treated studs 4 mahogany Floor boards 5 2 x 8 Pressure treated floor joists 6 board Form cement pillars
4
5
6
Lama B u i lt- i n b e d Lama foundation toas, NM
built-in bed CD’s The goal of the bed was to provide a built-in feature that allowed users to interact with the beauty of the surrounding landscape through the sky light as well as the window strategically paced at the foot of the bed. Additionally the bed was designed to be assembled inside of the finished hut therefore all of the elements needed to be strategically designed to fit these constraints and still maintain its function and beauty. Top Trim Box Interior Top Trim Box Joinery end cap Trim Box Siding Bottom of trim box Mattress trim top plate
cross structure
secondary structure headboard
Another element of the design that I contributed to the project was designing, building, and fabricating the built in bed frame. This bed frame was designed to be easily assembled in the space as well as offer users the ability to interact with the surrounding beauty of the landscape with out having to get out of bed. Additionally, storage spaces were incorporated to give the space maximum amount of necessary storage for users.
base plate rigid structure foot board
Digital Fabrication Designs
D i g i ta l fa b r i c at i o n Contents Digital Fabrication to me goes beyond utlizing grasshopper to create new complex forms quickly. Digital Fabrication to me is all about how we, as designers, can utilize grasshopper as a tool to unlock new methods of analyzing, creating, and physically building, new buildings and projects that help to reduce the buidlings overall carbon footprint while increasing the quality of life of its users. By utlizing grasshopper and digital fabrication as tools for design; designers can create more efficient building envelops, reduce material wastes associated with typical building methods and capture new alternative forms of design.
Rorqual Wall Digital Fabrication
S.T.E.M. Pavilion File to Fabrication
Hexaform Digital Fabrication
Rorqual Wall Digital Fabrication
The Rorqual wall was designed and fabricated during a digital fabrication studio by myself and three other students. My role on the design team was to create the grasshopper definition that gave the wall its final form as well as over see the fabrication of the final design. This project was then placed on display by the University of Colorado’s Environemtnal Design program in the main student gallery.
COSINE CURVES- this project was based around the development of a cosine curve. This helped create its structural integrity through the curves amplitude and periods. SOUND WAVES- The incorporation of the cosine curve gave this structure a sound wave like curve. This undulation developed the wave like surface on both the front and back of CONTOURING/WHALE SKIN- By contouring the surface a complex rib design was created that steps out and in as the surface undulates. To further exemplify this feature felt was added to one side to create a pattern that resembles the skin of a rorqual whale.
Front Perspective
Elevations
Side Perspective
Sections
asSEMBLY 1 Top Structural Rib 2 Industrial Felt 3 Contoured Ribs 4
Bottom structural Rib
1
2
material Layout A major focus of this design was material efficency and creating the most efficent cut patterns to achieve maximum yeild with minimum waste. In order to achieve this parameters were built into the grasshopper definition to nest the the contoured ribs in the most efficient manner possible.
3
4
grasshopper Defintion
S .T. E . M . Pavilion File To Fabrication
Right Elevation
Right Elevation
Parabolic Timber gridShell Lunch Box Generated Timber Gridshell LadyBug Generated Sun Responsive Surface 3 Line/Point attraction Sun Responsive cells 4 Kangroo Phyiscs Generated Parabolic Form 1 2
1
Sun Responsive Cells 1 2 3 4 5 6 1
Plan-Sun Facade
Ladybug Solar ANalysis
2 2
3
3 4
4 5 6
Grasshopper Definiton
This S.T.E.M. Pavilion was designed during a File to Fabrication studio. The Pavilion was developed through the use of multiple different grasshopper plug-ins used for both form generation and solar analysis of the facade. The end result is a parabolic timber gridshell that offers students of the Lafayette elementry school the ability to interact with a structure that demonstrates the powers of parametric design when combined with physics, technology, engineering and mathmatics.
3/8” x 5 1/2” Steel Bolts Upper Timber Grideshell Cell Sun Reponsive Surface Sun Responsive Cell Lower Timber Gridshell Cell 3/8” Lug Nuts
Hexaform Digital Fabrication Hexaform was a digital fabrication project that was designed for a coffee shop as ceiling instillation. The form was generated through the use of lunchbox and grasshopper. The undulation developed in the form of the instillation was a response to the lighting scheme developed in the coffee shop as well as the way the light from the exterior interacts with the interior of the building. Additionally the form was also influenced by the idea of creating a chandelier for the space to draw users in while giving the space a more elligant feeling.
Hexaform cell Development
sITE pLAN
Lunchbox Developed Hexagonal Shells Structural Shadow Joint 3 Rigid Forming Exterior Hexagonal Shells
1 2
1
2 3
iNTERIOR sECTION
Hexaform Ceiling Structure 12’x 1/2” Steel Uni-Strut 3/16” Steel Cable 3 1/4” CrossBracing Steel Uni-Strut 1.75’
Hexaform Ceiling Structure Steel Uni-Strut Structure 3/16” Steel Cable wire Supports 3 1/4” MDF Structural Ties/supports 4 1/4” Cardboard Shadow Joint Structure 5 2 Ply Veneer Hexagonal cell Modules 1 2
1 2
14.85’
1
1 2
3
2 3 4 5
Grasshopper Defintion
iNTERIOR sECTION
M T
M i c h a e l T r e n ta c o s t i UNIVERSITY OF COLORAD0, BOULDER B.A. ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN 845-705-1066 m_trentacosti@outlook.com Astoria, New York