MARY ALLEN 2020 Portfolio
ReciproCITY Spring 2020 | GSAPP MSAUD In Collaboration: Anai Perez, Moneerah AlAjaji, Nikita K.
Water Urbanism studio analyzing the city of Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The relationship between the city and its rivers is rapidly developing a large scale beautification project that would disrupt existing ecosystems and cause mass displacement. As a studio we focused on contrasting the Beautifying Shegar project through a series of design transects across the city, utilizing the concepts of stewardship and cooperatives as an alternative to their proposed plans. This project is located in Peacock Park, a large scale urban agriculture co- op that has been on this site for over 50 years. The citys current plans would dismantle this productive landscape and community in favor of making leisure landscape parks. This project aims to show that through a smaller more localized system, Addis has the potential to achieve its goal of becoming a “world class city� and structures like this cooperative are a legacy worth preserving. By using cooperatives as a unit of change, a variety of co beneficial relationships can be formed between the government, the residents, the land, and its rivers, overall engaging a symbiotic relationship of reciprocity.
Design Strategy: Opening Thresholds to the Community
Design Intervention: Ecological Services
Design Intervention: Social Services
Design Intervention : Income Generation
Design Intervention : Funding Opportunities
Existing Site : Hard Boundaries
Phase 1 : Softening Boundaries
Phase 2 : Gradient Productive Canopy
Design Intervention : Working Landscapes as Public Spaces
Growing Habitation :Cooperative Housing Parti
Growing Habitation : Expansion and Actors
Growing Habitation : A Vision for Housing Development
Social Carbon FALL 2019 | GSAPP MSAUD In Collaboration: Candelaria Mas Pohmajevic, You-Chiao Wu, Minjung Lee
Urban Design studio focused on applying the Green New Deal in the Hudson Valley Region. This project drew on the ecological strength of the region for carbon sequestration and recognized the political boundaries that hindered the region from current success. By combining the ecological strengths with the social issues, and visualizing the region in transect to emphasize these relationships, Social Carbon imagines a new method in which collaboration can occur across boundaries. In addressing the Green New Deal this project recognized that there is not a lack of innovative solutions to the climate crisis, but the challenge lies is understanding how these solutions hit the ground. Social Carbon proposes design solutions, but also a framework for a Carbon District Initiative - a hybrid top down and bottom up approach working towards net zero districts. A funding strategy that generates community specific projects that addresses carbon on a larger scale. A program that scales to fit the needs of many different places in the Hudson Valley and beyond, crossing the boundaries, and generating partnership as needed.
Understanding Complex Political and Ecological Systems. Stakeholder Interaction. Regional Thinking.
Biodiversity Connection Recreation
Jobs
Needs
Connection
Communities
Education Economy
Biodiversity
Cultural Heritage
Recreation
Design Intervention - Low Carbon Regeneration Neighborhoods
Design Intervantion : Transportation Hub
Framework Sunset Park SUMMER 2019 | GSAPP MSAUD In Collaboration: Antonia Medina, You-Chiao Wu
Introductory Urban Design studio using New York City as a laboratory. Three ambitions guide the studio research: Nurturing a design process specific to existing urban environments, Critically considering site and program, and the integration of the role of Urban Design as a service to the public as a client. The resurgence of the industrial waterfront in Sunset Park created a disconnect across the neighborhood. “Framework� offers new tactics to make Sunset Park residents a vital part of the growing development. Using streetscape intervention and underused educational and community space, Framework offers programs that give residents new tools and skills to thrive in these growing industries. Giving the community new and changing open spaces in the neighborhood and minimizing barriers to educational programs. The overall goal is to create a woven network of public spaces across the neighborhood, drawing residents closer to their waterfront.
Understanding Neighborhood Relationships. Mapping. Utilizing Community Assets.
Partnership & Education
Sponsored by local partners and industries
Streetscape Intervention Hard framework for engagement
Synergy
Future flexible activities
Rent to Household Income Ratio 0
22.5%
Live Below Poverty Line Brooklyn 19.8%
89%
Rents Increase
1
Rent Price Income
51.5%
Have less than a High School Degree.
NYC 18%
Intervention Analysis, Understanding Place
Sites of Intervention
BioSpaces FALL 2018-SPRING 2019 Thesis BArch Alfred State
The culminating thesis project of B. Arch Degree. This thesis explores the negative impacts that spending time in urban environments has on wellbeing and proposes a new typology of public built amenity that utilizes the concepts of biophilia and third places. The study of biophilia suggests that humans as a species have an innate connection to nature. The trend of urban living is relatively small on the evolutionary timeline, and research has shown that this has created negative effects on physical and mental health. Additional research supports that spending time in biophilic environments can drastically improve wellbeing. This thesis proposes a publically accessible biophilic facility that promotes wellbeing as a necessary preventative health measure in urban areas. This project is aimed at starting a conversation and address why spaces like this are necessary inclusions in urban environments.
Well Being and Community Social Justice. Urban. Impact on Neighborhood Scale.
WHY Biophilic Design?
The research of biophilia suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life . Biophilic design is the corresponding field of design that implements elements of the natural environment into the built environment. Physical Benefits Promotes physical activity Increased social activity
Psychological Benefits
Increased Mental Behavior
Biophilic Design Principles
Wide range of relaxation and stress reducers Environmental Benefits
Better Air Quality Natural compounds boost immune system
1 2 3 4 5 6
Environmental Features Natural Patterns and Processes Natural Shapes and Forms Light and Space Human+Nature Relationships Place Based Relationships
Results All of these elements combined can result in a multitude of health benefits that have shown positive effects on ADHD, anxiety, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, migraines, musculoskeletal complaints, respiratory disease, and an overall increase in healing time.
Existing Stresses in Urban Life Rapid Increase in Urbanization Increased Mental Illness in Urban Areas Higher Reported Levels of Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease and High Blood Pressure in Urban Areas Results
= Preventative Health care Focused on Wellbeing
Spending time in these natural elements promotes many health effects, both physical and mental. The public perception of natural and biophilic elements as a luxury item rather than a fundamental need is not only scientifically disproven, but continues detrimental to the future of public health. Overall giving biophilic design the potential to serve as a relatively inexpensive intervention in public health issues that plague urban areas today.
Fifth Floor Hostel
Fourth Floor Hostel Public Rooftop Terraces
Third Floor Community Living Room Co-Working Office Public Rooftop Terraces
Second Floor Community Living Room Restorative Health Retreat Co- Working Office
Nelson
St.
First Floor Public Marketplace Public Recreation/Park Space Richm
ond S
t.
Ma
y
Jun e August
March
July
S ber
Feb
rua
ry
ept em
Silver Maple
Sugar Maple
Silver Maple
White Spruce White Pine
White Pine Dogwood
Dogwood Juniper
Holly Juniper
Observation Room
Seasonal Planting Variety
er
Sugar Maple
Sugar Maple
Dogwood
Dogwood
Black Gum
Black Gum
Black Gum
Decemb
White Pine
Balsam Fir
Juniper
Sweet Gum
Sweet Gum
Sweet Gum Sweet Gum
Boston Ivy
Juniper
White Spruce
Sugar Maple
Boxwood
er
Silver Maple
Sweet Gum Silver Maple
Red Maple
Silver Maple
Dogwood
Novemb
ry Red Maple
White Spruce
White Pine
Black Gum
Red Maple
ua
Sugar Maple
Jan
Silver Maple
White Spruce
er
Sweet Gum
tob
Black Gum
Oc
e
um
April
Red Maple Silver Maple Red Oak Sweet Gum Black Ash Winter Heather Winter Berries Juniper Holly Boxwood Boston Ivy White Spruce White Pine Balsam Fur
White Pine Black Gum
White Spruce
Dogwood
Juniper
Sweet Gum Red Maple
White Pine
White Spruce
White Spruce
Dogwood
White Pine
White Pine
White Spruce Silver Maple
Juniper
White Pine
Juniper
Dogwood
Dogwood
Juniper
Juniper
Sugar Maple
Dogwood
Black Gum
Juniper
Black Gum
Sweet G
Exterior Experience
Rural Innovation District SUMMER 2018 |SUNY Research Foundation In Collaboration: Christopher Platt, Kyle Stillwell, Preston Gilbert
This research exploration took place during my time at the SUNY Research Foundation. The main goals of the project were: Utilizing New Sustainable Technology in Industry; Rethinking the Approach to Rural Industrial Site Design; and Communicating this New Approach as a Teaching Model for Future Development. The project addressed a proposed site for a Bio-Mass Refinery located in Allegheny County, in conjunction with academic facilities linked to Alfred State College. A team of four students from various SUNY schools worked together to develop this proposal, and utilized and expanded upon existing research by team leader, Preston Gilbert, and his research titled The New Forest Economy. My main role in this project was student leader, as well as design developer, following the completion of the project my role includes assembling past and current work into a research publication summarizing the projects progress.
Navigating Public Projects. Leadership. Organization. Communication. Research Publication.
Research and Education Building Site Amentiy: Farm Brewery
Welcome Center and Administration Bio-Refinery Greenhouse
Master Plan
Level 1 Elevation 0’ Research and Education Building
Level 2 Elevation 9’-6”
Level 3 Elevation 16’
The Network Spring 2018 | BArch Alfred State
This project analyzes the Eastern Hills Mall in Clarence, New York. The once successful mall is now considered a dead mall, a growing problem across the United States. The task was to turn the mall and its surrounding site into a lifestyle center in an attempt to create a livable community that respects the demographic, economic, and social context of Clarence. Throughout the project the students developed close contact with the planing board of Clarence, NY, and the final presentation took place in a public town meeting. By creating a campus shaped around Universal Design, and Technology, with a Focus on Sustainability, we developed a community, fully accessible to people of all abilities that will be the first of its kind. The studio worked as a collaborative team of 13 members. My roles included design collaborator, project management, graphics, and book production. The studio developed a book summarizing the findings of this studio. It can be found at https://issuu.com/maryallenstudentportfolio/docs/network_book
Public Forum Presentation and Workshopping. Collaboration. Team Leadership. Research Publication.
Design Development
Master Plan
Main Street
Streetscape Design
Shared Streets
Townhouse Streets
Pedestrian Spine
The Hub The Hub is designed as a community resource center for the site. The hub houses spaces that engage community involvement. This includes public gathering spaces, learning spaces, a small auditorium, and a botanical garden. The news station formerly located in interstitial space of the mall has been relocated here, and acts as a anchor. The structure includes the adaptive reuse of the former Macy’s of the mall, as well as new additions.
Recreation Center
Building Design
The recreational center is an important amenity of the site. It is designed to be accessible to all. It houses a double gymnasium space with indoor track above. It also includes a large pool facility with inclusive lifts and ramps. Adjacent to a generously sized work out room is a lift assisted rock wall, and a variety of indoor courts.
Exterior Re
Research Incubator SPRING 2017 |BArch Alfred State
This project is compleated for Comprehensive Design Studio. This studios focus is on completing a comprehensive building that addresses all aspects of design including conceptual, structural, mechanical, sustainable and accessible aspects. The facility is a bioluminescent research building, housing a large greenhouse, and lab space. The design focuses on creating a pleasing work environment, in harmony with the greenhouse facilities. A key aspect of the design is the inclusion of a large scale water thermal mass system, that regulates the greenhouse temperature. The design also draws inspiration from the simplicity of steel and light as greenhouse construction as a central theme, unifying the building.
Comprehensive Building Design. Structural Detailing. Sustainable Techniques. Model Building.
Entry
Lobby
endering
Observation Room
Upper Floor
Lower Floor
Greenhouse
1. Isolated Gain 2. Thermal Mass 3. Air Quality 4. Daylighting
Sustainable Features
Conventional Greenhouse Uninsulated Glass Excess Heat Vented and Lost Heated at Night + Winter
Sustainable Design Development
Passive Solar Greenhouse Thermal Mass absorbs Excess Heat No Additional Heat at Night + Winter Optimal Sun Angle
Structural Axonometric
A
B
Building Section 1
C
Detail A
Detail B Final Model
Detail C
Structural Model
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