ABOUT: This portfolio represent my work in the foundation studios of the Master of Architecture Program at Boston Architectural College. CONTACT: Mobile: 1.973.951.6146 Email: durso.mark7@gmail.com Master of Architecture Program Boston Architectural College Segment I (2010-2011)
CONTENTS
NEWBURY STREET MUSEUM Vacant Site This project consisted of analyzing an existing site on Newbury Street for a proposed urban museum to display 2D and 3D artwork to be shown in the exhibitions. I began this urban museum project with an analysis of the site. The analysis consisted observing the site, taking field measurements of the existing conditions and photographs.
Site Plan
Flow/ Movement Concept Sketches
Concept: Flow /Movement Inspired by the constant busy movement of the public environment on Newbury Street. I wanted to create a museum that absorbed this flow and embody this concept of flow/movement in the building design. The diagram on the left is represents flow in an abstract form and the other represents flow in relation to the project site and Newbury Street environment.
1 Install Requirements: This piece consists of curved forms wrapped in mesh installed outside, meant to be experienced from below.
2
3
Install Requirements: This piece is larger than a human and is intended to be experienced from all sides.
Install Requirements: This piece is installed to visually divide two spaces.
4 Install Requirements: This piece is suspended in a space with limited ambient light.
Works to be displayed
This urban art museum will consist of six pieces each with specific installation requirements from the artist. This was a starting point for my design; I considered the viewer experience to be of the highest importance, so the artists’ descriptions are integral to my design process for this museum.
5 Install Requirements: This is This piece can be installed in multiple applications, as a wall, as a ceiling, or along the ground.
6 Install Requirements: This piece is a collection of vertical elements that hang from floor to ceiling.
These study model iterations are exploring the flow/movement concept using different materials with curvature of the floor plates and glass. The building circulation system design is a series of ramps through the interior leading from the level 1 to the roof level to represent the idea of flow from one floor level to the next with an atrium in the center to allow open visual connection when viewing the artworks.
Model Iterations
Circulation Sketch
Roof
Newbury Street Elevation Level 3
Level 2 Section A
Level 1 The circular ramp is a key element in the flow/movement concept and the central circulation area. The different sized galleries allow works of various scales and interesting viewing environments. The central atrium allow light to flow into the galleries while visually connecting the galleries to each other. Visitors can see each other moving through the space and interacting with the art as a collective experience because the building is a flowing open vessel for viewing the art and engaging with other.
Section B
The museum exterior embodies flow/ movement concept by use of curving glass panels on each level. Especially on the 2nd level with the curving frosted glass panels flow both horizontally and vertically. The each level has a different flowing shape. This represents an interesting organic flow of shapes that bring the exterior to life.
The high translucency of the building creates a warm inviting atmosphere when walking on Newbury Street to draw the public into the building or to connect the viewers in the museum to the Newbury Street environment. The viewer can get a clear view of the flowing ramps and the artworks being displayed in the museum.
LOVEJOY WHARF BOATHOUSE Lovejoy Wharf Site Lovejoy Wharf This project consisted of analyzing the proposed boathouse site and extracting certain understandings about the site that can be used in the design of the boathouse. This was done through site mappings and analytical models. Concept: Access/ Exposure The main issue present of the Lovejoy Wharf site through my observations & analysis is the very poor access and exposure to the site. I found the grade change from the Washington Street Bridge to Lovejoy Wharf as an interesting condition and wanted to try to utilize that by using that location as a new access point to the site.
Analytical Model 1
Analytical Model 2
Analysis: The on-site mappings diagram displays perspective sketches, locating site access points, and markings of boundaries or thresholds and adjacent structures. The environmental diagram displays the area of operation of Lovejoy Wharf, edge conditions, the path of the sun throughout the day, prevailing winds and higher noise levels from auto traffic on the bridges. The pedestrian and automobile traffic study pattern mappings display all the automobile and pedestrian traffic patterns on adjacent streets and walking paths.
Lovejoy Wharf
Environmental Mappings
Traffic Pattern Mappings On-site Mappings
Analysis: The site access mapping diagram displays all the possible access points to Lovejoy Wharf by automobile and on foot. These consist of Beverly Street which has automobile and walking access, from the Charlestown side of Boston Harbor through the Charles River Dam Locks which has walking access, and from the North End harbor walk. The surrounding recreational areas and access points analytical model focused on studying all the recreational areas in the area (since this site will be used to house boats) indicated by chip board to gain possible connections and the orange tape designates the access points to Lovejoy Wharf.
Site Access Mapping
Lovejoy Wharf
The site currently has (2) access points one on Beverly street from both the Boston side and Charlestown side of the river from Paul Revere Park through the Charles River Dam Locks walking path, and another along the Harbor walk from the North End which is closed off at the moment due to the unsafe conditions of the site. Overall the site has very poor access and exposure.
Adjacent Recreational Areas and Access Mapping
Analysis Summary: The LoveJoy Wharf site is currently being used as a parking lot on a portion of the site the other side is closed off due to deterioration & structural instability of the pier. The site itself is along the Boston Harbor waterfront sunken in and surrounded by an adjacent abandoned building on the South side approximately 9 stories, giving a very over powering feeling. The Zakim Bridge & TD Garden on the West side & Washington Street Bridge on the East side screen the site further because of the higher elevation of the bridges. Overall The site feels rather disconnected from the urban environment due to seclusion of the site down Beverly Street away from the main streets & the screening from adjacent structures.
Lovejoy Wharf
Washington Street Bridge Sketch
My goal is to design a boathouse with improved access that is the entrance or door to the site itself. I chose to accomplish this by designing a large ramp system (which was inspired by my central circulation ramp and public/ private program model and diagram access to the site from the Washington Street Bridge that goes through the proposed boathouse and down to the ground level of the boathouse acting as an access to the boathouse and also as a public walkway, which would branch off into smaller ramp as one enters the boathouse.
Boathouse Program Requirements: Boat Storage: - (2) 8 person shells (60’) - (4) 4 person shells (40’) - (2) 2 person shells (25’) - (10) single shells (15’) Shop / Storage: - Storage for additional oars, riggers, equipment, and mechanical room Dock: - Launching dock for shells Athlete Areas: - Showers, toilets, lockers for men and women - (4) small office for coaches and administration - Small meeting space Public Areas: - Large event room - Viewing platform - Kitchen and prep area
Access Concept Model
Access Concept Diagram
The access ramp from the Washington Street Bridge draws the attention of the public inward on to the ramp. Once on the ramp you can enter into the second floor space, walk down to the first floor space, or walk right through the whole building down to LoveJoy Wharf waterfront where the boat storage and repair shop is located. This ramp divides the building into (2) modules public and private spaces and creates a unique viewing experience as visitors walk up for down ramp since the facades are glass one can visually connect to the interior of the first of second floor and see each other moving through the building and interacting and engaging with others as well as to the Boston Harbor waterfront.
Site Plan
When walking down from the Washington Street Bridge you can first access the second floor to which you can enter into an entry to the right or left. The side facing the waterfront (public module)contains a large event room for parties with partial structural glass flooring to look down onto Lovejoy Wharf was that side of the building is cantilevered resting on columns. Connected to the event room is an outdoor patio overlooking the water and a ramp to the roof for a more dramatic view. On the opposite side adjacent to the abandoned building (private module) consisting on a kitchen, men’s and women’s restroom, double height atrium to the first floor, and ADA compliant ramp to the roof.
Second Floor Plan
Ground Floor Plan
Continuing on further down the ramp one can access the first floor space which has an entry platform and continues on down another ramp to the first floor level which is a double height atrium to the second floor. The first floor consists of entryway to the water front, reception area, conference room, coaches offices, mechanical room, and men’s and women’s athlete area consisting of locker rooms, restrooms, and showers.
Axonometric View of South
Then once one reaches the end of the ramp is the boat storage building and boat repair shop which houses all the crew shells, oars, and riggers. The translucency of the boat house facade and the (2) glass overhead doors at each side of the building allows visitors passing by to visually connect with the crew shells in the building and also look through it to know that there is an access on the other side to Beverly Street or the Charles River Basin Locks path. For the facade of the boat storage building I chose to have glass louvers with a metal mesh skin over it in order to protect the boats from damage by the sunlight and also to have the capable to open the louvers to let the boats dry after they are finished being used.
North Elevation Main Bldg. (Waterfront)
East Elevation Boat Storage Bldg.
North Elevation Boat Storage Bldg. (Waterfront)
West- East Section - A
North - South Section - B
Boat Storage Facade Detail
West Elevation Main Bldg.
ARNOLD ARBORETUM EDUCATIONAL PAVILION This project consisted of analyzing a specific site in Arnold Arboretum and use a chosen tectonic system to design an educational pavilion on a sloping site (Peter’s Hill).
Bottom of Peter’s Hill Facing South
Tectonic Concept: Interconnecting and Interweaving forms. My goal was to integrate my tectonic idea of interweaving and interconnecting structure into my pavilion design by engaging it with the existing sloping site (Peter’s Hill). I performed a site analysis on the new site in Arnold Arboretum at Peter’s Hill. I started off my analysis by visiting the site and generating spot sketches of the surrounding area of the site and photographs to get a good sense of the site and its natural environment.
Top of Peter’s Hill Facing North
Site Location Peter’s Hill
Sun & Wind Diagram
Solid /Void Diagram
Travel Path Diagram
Tree Cover Diagram
Entry / Access Diagram
Section - A
I generated a series of site diagrams focusing on the environment, adjacent structures, entry points, paths of travel, and tree density.
Section - B
After visiting the site I generated a series of site sections exploring the degree of the sloping site.
Section - C
Section - D
Tectonic Concept (Tubing Massing Models) Iteration Process
I began generating massing models using plastic tubing relating to my interweaving and interconnecting tectonic system as the structure. I experimented with tubing models iterations stapling, gluing, and weaving the tubing models together. Generating different dynamic forms from the models. I wanted to develop a structure which uses the tubing its full potential by resting elegantly on the hill almost weightless rather than digging into the hill. So I went through a series of tubing model iterations testing them on the site until a developed one which appropriately addressed the sloping site. Once I found the tubing model I wanted to move forward with, I began diagraming occupiable spaces within it in order to develop my pavilion design.
Open Space Visual Connection to Nature
Screened Space
Form Bending W/ Site Slope & Nature
I wanted to integrate processional paths the would lead visitors through Arnold Arboretums natural beauty to the pavilion creating suspense and following my tectonic form.
Site Plan Viewing platform
Structure
Processional Path Model
Roof Plan
Structure
Program Diagram Ground Floor Plan
Ramp Info. Ctr.
The flexibility of the plastic tubing materiality in my study models allows the structure to engage the site freely and blend into the landscape as part of nature rather than embedding the structure into the hill.
Pavilion
Path
Site Section - A Pavilion Path Path
Site Section - B
Viewing platform
Interior Facing Ramp
Structure
Facade
Interior Side Ramp
Section - A
Viewing platform Structure
Facade
Viewing Platform
Section - B
Facade Detail Precedent Materiality Collage
Section Detail Tectonic Facade Detail The interlaced tectonic wood material on the exterior, which was inspired from the Beijing Olympic Stadium (Bird’s Nest). The use of the wood exterior blends the pavilion with surrounding natural environment of the arboretum.
CHINATOWN CULTURAL CENTER View of Vacant Site From Surface Rd.
Site Facing North
This project consisted of analyzing a site in Chinatown to design an urban cultural center and integrate my tectonic system into the design. Tectonic Concept: Interconnecting and Interweaving forms. The design was inspired by the interlaced active flow of the Chinatown pedestrians in various directions surrounding the site, which relates directly to my tectonic system of interconnecting and interlaced forms.
SITE
agram
Pedestrian Traffic Flow Section Diagram JFK Surface Street Facing East DOWNTOWN CROSSING STATION
CHINATOWN STATION
SOUTH STATION
Solid/Void Diagram Solid and Voids of Adjacent Structures Diagram
m
Volume ofPaths Pedestrian Volume of Pedestrian Traveled Diagram Paths Traveled Diagram - Pedestrian Travel Path - Site
The site is situated at the convergence of Boston’s Chinatown, Leather District, Downtown and the Central Artery. This site is located within the city’s urban fabric. It is both intimate (small in area and situated within a dynamic part of Boston) as well as expansive. Its borders comprise many different conditions: a party wall with Ginza Restaurant on one side, a pocket park with a highway vent stack on another side, a new urban plaza construction, an intimate neighborhood street with a Siteunder Location variety commercial and residential uses, and a sidewalk Peter’s Hillof Pedestrian Traffic Patterns Diagram exposed to fast moving traffic on a five lane boulevard that feeds into the Interstate Freeway. - Primary Volume - Secondary Volume
One element about the site that was striking is the pedestrian traffic patterns. I conducted a study using video, photographs Pedestrian Traffic Flow Section Diagram JFK in Surface Street Facing and viewing person to East generate diagrams pedestrian traffic patterns. I found that the primary pedestrian traffic moves through the Chinatown gateway in varied directions and secondary traffic moves along JFK Surface Street and Hudson Street. SITE
SITE
DOWNTOWN CROSSING STATION
Pedestrian Traffic Flow Section Diagram CHINATOWN Hudson Street Facing East STATION
SOUTH STATION
DOWNTOWN CROSSING STATION
OWN ON
Volume of Pedestrian Paths Traveled Diagram - Pedestrian Travel Path - Site SOUTH STATION
Zoning Use Diagram
Pedestrian Traffic Patterns Diagram - Primary Volume - Secondary Volume
Solid and Voids of Adjacent Structures Diagram
- Apartment/Condos - Mixed Use (Res. Com.) - Commercial - Institutional - Industrial - Open Space
Volume of Pedestrian Paths Traveled Diagram SOUTH STATION
SITE
Pedestrian Traffic Flow Section Diagram Pedestrian Traffic Flow Pedestrian Traffic Patterns Diagram Hudson Street Facing EastSection Diagram Hudson Street - Primary Volume - Secondary Volume
- Pedestrian Travel Path - Site
eled Diagram
SITE
Pedestrian Traffic Patterns Diagram
SITE
Pedestrian Traffic Flow Section Diagram JFK Surface Street Facing East
SITE
- Primary Volume - Secondary Volume
Pedestrian Traffic Patterns Diagram
Pedestrian Traffic Flow Section Diagram Hudson Street Facing East
Diagram ast
SITE
Pedestrian Traffic Flow Section Diagram JFK Surface Street Facing East
Pedestrian Traffic Flow Section Diagram Pedestrian Traffic Flow JFK Surface Street Facing EastSection Diagram JFK Surface Street
Site from Hudson St. Facing East
SITE ANALYSIS
Site Plan Diagram
I developed a master site plan diagram that neatly represents the summary of my diagrams and clearly communicate all my ideas essentially stating my architectural goals of the interlaced active flow of the Chinatown pedestrians in various directions surrounding the site. I created two analytical collages one representing the speed and movement of pedestrian and auto traffic and the other collage focusing on materiality.
Movement Collage AERIAL SPEED COLLAGE OF SITE
Materiality Collage
MATERIALITY COLLAGE OF SITE
Tectonic Concept (Tubing Massing Models) Iteration Process
Occupiable Interior & Exterior Spaces
Form Joint Interaction Diagram
Movement/Interconnection of Forms Diagram
After developing the concept about the site, I began generating iterations of my tectonic concept with the use of different plastic tubing as I did in the Arboretum project. I started out with my initial tube concept then thought about isolating one individual point in the tubing and zooming in on it while also thinking about my pedestrian traffic concept of interweaving which allowed me to develop the smaller tubing penetrating the larger tube.
Levels Diagram
Once I found the tubing model I wanted to move forward with, I began diagraming occupiable spaces on the exterior and interior, movement interactions, levels, and most important the joint interactions in order to further develop my urban cultural center design.
Building Program:
Volumetric Study Model Facing North
Volumetric Study Model Facing South
2nd Floor - Educational Space Classroom 1 ------------------------ 400 s.f. Classroom 2 ----------------------- 500 s.f. Viewing platform/ lounge --- 350 s.f. Storage closet ------------------- 120 s.f. Men’s restroom ------------------- 100 s.f. Women’s restroom -------------- 100 s.f.
3rd Floor - Staff & Administration Directors office ----------------- 180 s.f. Office 1 ------------------------------ 150 s.f. Office 2 ------------------------------ 180 s.f. Office 3 ------------------------------ 150 s.f. Conference room --------------- 285 s.f. Kitchenette ------------------------- 150 s.f. Men’s restroom -------------------- 75 s.f. Women’s restroom --------------- 75 s.f. Outdoor gathering space - 1,200 s.f.
Volumetric Study Model Facing East
Volumetric Study Model Facing West
Program Narrative: My building will be used as an urban cultural center that showcases the unique history of Chinatown and Boston. The building will act as a place of education, and social interaction where the people of Chinatown and tourists can come together. There is a large amount of pedestrian flow surrounding the site though the Chinatown gateway and plaza in various directions. My intent is to draw that pedestrian flow into the building and represented it in the building design.
1st Floor - Exhibition Space Green space entryway ---------- 600 s.f. Lobby --------------------------------- 700 s.f. Visitor’s ctr./ reception ------ 100 s.f. Exhibition space ---------------- 2,400 s.f. Art studio -------------------------- 900 s.f. Outdoor gathering space - 3,000 s.f.
3rd Floor Staff & Admin. 2nd Floor Educational Space 1st Floor Exhibition Space
Levels Program Model
Section - A Diagram
First Floor Plan Diagram
Section - B Diagram
Second Floor Plan Diagram Section - C Diagram
Third Floor Plan Diagram
Sketches
Art Studio
Outdoor Space
Big-Dig Vent
Exhibition Space
Entryway Green space
Lobby Stair
First Floor Plan
Restrooms
Classroom Art Studio
Big-Dig Vent
Stair
Second Floor Plan
Lounge
Open Below
Outdoor Space Offices Big-Dig Vent
Restrooms
Kitchenette Conf. Rm.
Stair Open Below
Third Floor Plan
Building Skin
Stair
Art Studio
Classroom
Section - A
Exhibition Space Exhibition Space
Entryway Green Space
Lobby
Section - C
Offices
Section - B
Outdoor Space
Building Skin
Glass
Big-Dig Vent Chinatown gateway
JFK Surface Street Elevation Big-Dig Vent Chinatown gateway
Building Skin Glass
Hudson Street Elevation
Exhibition Space
Art Studio
Building Skin
Building Main Entryway Wall Section Building Skin
Building Skin Elevation Detail Plan Detail Building Facing North
Building Skin Logic of Interconnecting Tectonic System
Building Facing South
Building Facing West
Building Site Collage
Chinatown Cultural Center
Chinatown Cultural Center
Chinatown Cultural Center
Chinatown Cultural Center Site Model W/ Building Skin Chinatown Cultural Center
Big-Dig Vent
Chinatown Cultural Center Site Model W/O Building Skin Chinatown Cultural Center Big-Dig Vent
Chinatown Cultural Center Facing West
Chinatown Cultural Center Section Model
Chinatown Cultural Center
Big-Dig Vent
Chinatown Cultural Center
Big-Dig Vent
Entryway
Entryway
Chinatown Cultural Center From JFK Surface St.
Big-Dig Vent
Chinatown Cultural Center Entryway
Chinatown Cultural Center
Chinatown Cultural Center
Big-Dig Vent
Chinatown Cultural Center From Hudson St.
Chinatown Cultural Center Aerial View Facing East
Supplemental Coursework
Perspective Drawings & 3D Renders
Supplemental Coursework
Design Charrette
Site Section Diagram
Existing Site Plan
Site Plan Diagram
Site Plan
Objective: Design a place for overnight rest for a group of travelers which responds through its form to the natural elements in a way that reduces the need for burned or otherwise generated energy to maintain thermal comfort. Pay close attention to the site layout, the internal layout, and the composition of the building edges. My design objective was to provide a comfortable and functional building design environment for occupants which employ natural sustainable elements such as green area, sun screening, and sounds and wind barriers.
Free-Standing Hostel Program: - Sleeping chambers for a group of like minded travelers to spend the night (12 singles beds). - Gathering room for 15 people to prepare a meal, gather and eat. - Day trip room to plan day trips with reduced glare yet well lit and internet library room. - Outdoor gathering space which thermal comfort is considered. - 15’ x 24’ core which contains bathrooms and mechanical room.
Axon of North
Floor Plan Diagram
Section - A
Floor Plan
Section - B
Section Diagram
Supplemental Coursework
Cable Stay Bridge This project consisted of designing a pedestrian bridge spanning 130 feet in length and be designed to have a live load of 100 pounds per square foot. The chosen structural system is a harp designed cable stayed bridge, with cables parallel to the tower to handle the main load-bearing structure. All static horizontal forces are balanced so that the supporting tower does not move, needing only to resist live load forces.
Plan
Framing Plan
The structural system and materials consist of a tower made of steel and concrete, cable stays in a harp configuration on an angle of 22 degrees that are connected to the tower on one end and metal deck with concrete slab surface of the bridge on the end with steel beams below supporting the deck.
Section
Side Elevation
Detail - 1
Form Diagram
Detail - 2
Load Path Diagram
Force Polygon