Works by Elissa Masin

02 03 04 05

culture+ education cente urban housing complex

montessori school suspended museum

silkscreening

web design

computer graphics

prototyping

additional design work design build furniture

parachute pavillion competion

clifton public library

design build office

undergraduate work mixed use tower

st. xavier library competition

poplar creek public library

professional work pearl city pavillion competition

retail education + sports facility

graduate work

elissa masin

massing diagram

retail educational + sports facility location: boston, ma spring studio 2010 professor: alex barker

This comprehensive design studio focus was placed on the integration and intersitial space between concept andactual built environments. The shift that occurs beyond form within architecture, to its systems that then foster and add to the design intent. Located on an existing dry dock in Boston, the program and location allowed for a building that bridged over the water, creating both indoor and outdoor paths and recreational areas. An educational, rental and public bicycle destination allowed for a building that changes in elevation and brings the public in, under and around the entire dry dock. Using the concept derived from tidal pools, the building reaches around and englufes each half. Sectionally, fluid movements between floors allows for an indoor bicycle tracks and continouse conversion of spaces and its integrated programs.

tidal pool concept diagram

sectional diagrams

envelope

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n

second floor

entry persepctive

first floor

ground floor

bike track + testing restaurant showroom boat retail boat rental bike retail bike rental cafe librrary presentation center educational classroom locker room boat house mechanical/crawl space

g f

south elevation

ground manipulation tidal pool

cut dock

west elevation dock shaved connection to water

parking garage

east elevation

cut dock boat throughway existing dock

north elevation

3d print massing model

tidal pool, model

NORTH

ground floor plan ETFE envelope pattern, model

NORTH

first floor plan

architecture culture complex + education center location: istanbul, turkey fall studio 2010 professor: audrey matlock

Due to its unique location geographically and historically on the map, this project allowed for the building to extend in many directions, to the mountains, to the water and to open up to the existing campus to its north, its several layers representating the rich cultural fabric. The program includes an open gallery that occupies the space extending over the water, into the horizon. Many design inspirations come from the affinity of instilling the horizontal notion. The main interior atrium allows for circulation in many directions, whie still providing public gathering and exhibition zones. The perforated copper screen pays homage to its history in Turkey, but also screens the more private spaces from the public, while still allowing the penetration of sunlight. Glass with a horizontal frit design instills this horizontal nature of the site and the building.

business incubators

library

perforated copper facade denotes private areas. main circulation runs on exterior to bring the worker out into the public realm and to also privatize business spaces.

semi public space with frit glass facade to utilize natural potential.

gallery

second floor plan

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;floatingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gallery meant to propel the user out into the horizon. structural entity with exterior circulation expressed through a series of bounding half height walls.

ferry waiting area

courtyard

sloping courtyard to maximize horizontal site lines. enter @ 3m below 0.

cafe

cafe overlooks the golden horn waterway and encompasses outdoor seating underneath the cantilever above.

multipurpse / lecture hall

accesible from courtyard entrance through glass fin facade or through the atrium of the main building.

business incubators

additional start up business offices and dispay areas

atrium

grand sweeping stairs engulfing around the different programs and lounge / meeting / performance stairs

first floor plan

third floor plan

landscaped entry & circulation

brick h

seating

reflecti

sloped

-2m am

w ate r v i e w

perforated copper screen frit glass

atrium

cess

ds mountain nd shrubs w ing

gallery

GALLERY

INCUBATOR BUSINESS OFFICES ADMINISTRATION

WORKSHOP

FABRICATION SHOP

section a

LIBRARY OPEN CAFE / LOUNGE

program with facade

layering of projections

atrium / public seating / conversation / exhibition space

private screened spaces

vertex at atrium

exterior rendering from water

80 dwelling | urban housing complex location: brooklyn, ny fall studio 2009 professor: richard scherr b

south 3rd street

kent ave

wythe ave

The building acts as a social condenser, bringing together the people of the community through visual connections and references within the urban context. The bridging and constant communication amongst occupants produces social interaction. It ties together site lines from the city, and is continously changing as these lines cause change above and below sectionally, and laterally as the flor plates shift around a central core each floor. While the shifting allows for the pentration of sunlight already, adding an additional floor on the north side maximized increased efficiency and desirabilty. Building with green efforts and humanitarian goals in mind, solutions are found to remind the community to act socially responsible and to enlighten ones mind about the impact on our planet. The apartments design promotes a public atmosphere as well, with specific floors as public and others private. Efficient systems would also be a part of this design schemes importance. single unit | 200’ L x 40’D x 70’ H 40’ = standard double wide corrdidor maintain this relationship single unit [block] doubled to develop relationships between the two volumes

shifting of base unit horizontally

south 4th street b

ground level floor plan place seam at center line stretch corner points to one point along edge [set up all points in increments of 5’]

initial stages form development

add more seams horinztonally and vertically to create more differentiation

rotate pieces of varied segment lengths to generally fit scheme

level 7

upper level 3 plan

process schemes

Site Info: 420’ x 180’ = 75,600 sq ft Max Height = 70’ FAR with inclusionary housing = 2.4 Total square footage based on FAR = 181,440 sq ft 40% open space = 30,240 sq ft open 45,360 sq ft built

level 7 level 6 level 5 level 4 level 3 level 2 level 1

longitudinal section A

cross section B

south facade elevation

s3s

ave

wood slat facade

wyth

s4s

e av

interior public courtyard

kent

south facade elevation detail public vistas

context plan

top floor level

duplex courtyard elevation 1/8” = 1’-0” sectional facade model

two bedroom duplex 1200 s.f. 1/8” = 1’-0”

three bedroom duplex 1500 s.f. 1/8” = 1’-0”

single 1000 s.f. 1/8” = 1’-0”

single 1050 s.f. 1/8” = 1’-0”

public

private

circ

private

intital sketch of public vs. private

duplex two bedroom exploded axon duplex exterior elevation 1/8” = 1’-0”

hinged concept model

montessori school location: staten island, ny spring studio 2009 professor: maria sieirra

The aim of this studio was understand the duality amongst concept and context. Located in Staten Island, the 30â&#x20AC;&#x2122; steep slope of the site overlooks the water and has spectacular views. While analyzing the program of the Montessori school along with the restrictions of the site, we also were asked to draw references from scripting and animating linework. This allowed a continuity of form that could then be expressed with the site and building, or rather a continuous flow between the two. In addition to the program we were asked to create a path that flowed from one steet through the site to the other that was ADA accesible.

scripting lines used to generate form

top level, first floor

second floor

third floor

process diagrams illustrating form within site

This circulation path became the spine of my project of which the goal was to create a contracting and expanding aesthetically unknown that wrapped you around to the next part of the building. The skin of the building itself is meant to wrap the structure, and when it sheds a new skin appears, causing the building to change character along the length of the slope. Once you are inside the building however, I wanted to achieve a place of serentity with learning experiences that can be found everywhere. The architecture is meant to act a teaching tool to the students, and create opportunities for provacative educational thought.

stair sectional 3d printed model

west elevation

east elevation

longitudinal section

transgressive museum location: manhattan, ny spring studio 2011 professor: peter macapia

The question asked in this studio, is what is the feeling of the city, and how do we transgressively approach design so that it fits within the essence of its site. The site I chose is extremely unique in that it lies under the queensboro bridge, stretching across to roosevelt island, connecting the fast paced manhattan and the desolate island and then connecting to queens. Floating over the land and water, a series of hanging galleries suspend through a web of cables supported from the understructure of the bridge. These galleries are interconnected with a exterior path system that forces the user to constantly return back to the city to experience it from a different vantage point and a different perception.

section perspective

circulation path through interior video spaces

entry and video screen outdoor environment

EXTERIOR PATHWAYS . EXHIBITION OF THE CITY CAFE KITCHEN PROJECTION SCREEN VISIBLE FROM INSIDE AND OUTSDE CAFE SEATING GALLERY THIRD FLOOR PLAN

GALLERY

OUTDOOR EXHIBITION OF THE CITY GIFT SHOP

artwork installed with colored glass

‘web’ of cables exterior circulation path inbetween gallery spaces

GLASS STAIR OUTDOOR SEATING GALLERY GALLERY - CONNECTION TO NEXT BLOCK AND BRIDGE SECOND FLOOR PLAN OPEN TO BELOW DISPLAY STORAGE

FLOATING DISPLAY GALLERY FIRST HALF FLOOR PLAN

INFORMATION CENTER OPEN TO ABOVE ENTRY

SERVICE ENTRANCE PLAZA FIRST FLOOR PLAN

section perspective

art installations

pearl city pavillion design competition location: muscatine, ia frye gillan molinaro architects architectural designer

The Pearl City Pavilion is meant to celebrate the Mississippi River, upon which it lies, creating a cultural center for Muscatine, Iowa. The goal was to establish a singular facility that housed both the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social and cultural events. The structure visually and physically connects the user to the riverfront simultaneously. The design focuses on providing opportunistic vistas of the river, the warmth of a library, the excitement of a museum and the escapism of a theater.

1. existing buildings 2. garage 3. mechanical 4. public lobby space 5. theatre support 6. theatre 7. museum

4 8 4

first floor plan

second floor plan

4 8

2 basement plan

third floor plan

As a whole, the Pearl City Pavilion will have a presence that allows each function to have a distinct architectural identity from Mississippi Drive and from the river. It will establish a new benchmark in urban design that will promote cultural and economic growth. The Pavilion will enhance the reputation of Muscatine as a progressive city with civic minded and forward thinking goals. Working as a team with two of my peers and amidst our other work, we were able to take the project, which lacked a program, and develop the needs of the client and a cohesive design in a short period of time. The competition was won but was not put into reality. section looking south

section looking west

sycamore street elevation

cedar street elevation

mississippi drive elevation

2nd street elevation

poplar creek public library location: streamwood, il fry gillan molinaro architects architecrual designer

existing concrete entry

first floor site plan

second floor

While working at Frye Gillan Molinaro Architects, over the course of a year, I had the opportunity to see Poplar Creek Public Library develop from schematic design through construction documents. Besides the main principal, I was assigned to the project and intricately contributed to the design, drawing and detailing process through its entirety. In charge of all floors plans, sections and elations for this 80,000 s.f. addition and renovation I began to grasp the amount of coordination that is involved with architecture. The existing concrete mass was gutted and readorned with an educational enriching design, clad with sophisticated layouts and systems. -

existing concrete facade

model of addition + building

front elevation

mezzanine

side elevation

sectional model of floating â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ameobaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

model of new entry conditions

built photo of computer information hallway

built photo of ameoba

photo of new exterior facade

photo of new entry

st. xavier design competition location: chicago, il frye gillan molinaro architects architectural designer

The design competition for the St. Xavierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new campus library provided an opportunity for an extended charette study involving a working collaboration with two peers to create a new and attractive environment. As we analyzed the program and the site opportunities, our solution for the library evolved into two building elements, one solid and one transparent. The solid element contains functions on the first level requiring enclosure, such as the mechanical room, auditorium, classrooms, and toilets. Above these are located the collections, staff offices, study rooms, lounges and computer labs. These are quieter floors for serious study and reflection, hence the solidity.

first floor plan

The first level transparent element, houses more expressive functions, such as the 24/5 areas for vending, casual study and communication. The two levels above, house more study rooms and lounges. This is the part of the library that visually interacts with the rest of the campus, allowing students approaching the library to observe their peers. Tying these two elements together creates an open space for information, circulation, temporary exhibitions and special events. Walkways and a stairway connect the three levels. Users need not walk through another space to access their own.

second floor plan

third floor plan

1. campus center 2. shannon center 1 3. heritage walk 4. new library 5. walking garden 6. promenade 7. loading dock 8. art gallery (future) 9. warde academic bldg 10. historic bell

2 5 10

6 8

7 3

site plan

transition from corten steel facade to transparent glass facade

Corten steel facade

model of site

mixed use tower location: new york, ny fall studio 2005 professor: beyer blender belle architects

This studio focused on the realistic side of architecture: the codes, zoning, financial and market demographics that many undergraduate students too often dismiss. Based in the South Street Seaport of New York City, the development studio offers an education not just based on creativity. Following a site visit with alumni associated with Beyer Blinder Belle and Vornado Reality Trust, we applied pro forma and market analysis, research and a need assessment. The project included in-depth analysis of the surrounding area and a review of other successful developments. It became obvious how necessary site visits are and the impact of the unexpected. After analyzing the guiding principles and the site, it was clear that the main and second level were sculpted for big box retail to help generate a larger income for the building, as well as site restrictions at that level of the site. As you move towards the residential tower, the third floor consists of mainly studio and one bedroom, lower rent spaces. Two bedrooms and luxury spaces begin to appear towards the upper most levels of the tower, till the penthouse is reached.

ground level

2nd level

3rd level

4th - 9th levels

10th level

retail & residential entrance

retail space continued

studio apartments & amenities

studio, one & two bedroom apartments

penthouse suites

one bedroom typical studio

typical one bedroom

corner two bedroom

two bedroom

Over The Rhine Design Build - Office Space location: Over the Rhine Cincinnati, OH fall studio 2005 professor: thomas dutton

Over-the-Rhine, an inner city neighborhood of Cincinnatti, OH is home of one of Miamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most coveted studios. While the course curriculum focused on the renovation of a 19th century building, it also addressed the current social, economic, and political situations the residents are facing. Amidst crime, poverty, and unhealthy living conditions, the course attempted to aid in the renovation of the area, while providing students with an education that could not be found in the classroom. The renovation was co-sponsored by ReSTOC, a local non-profit housing network, and aimed to curb gentrification. The space Miami chose was to be converted into office space for the Catholic sisters that ran PIP, Power in Progress, an organization that provided ex-convicts with employment and job training. An important part of the studio course was the Freedom Summer 2004: Design for Social Justice, a three day charrette sponsored by Miami University and Architecture for Humanity that addressed many of the issues the residents are facing and offered potential solutions.

Clifton Public Library location: Clifton, OH spring studio 2004 professor: jay elliot

While maintaining the focus on the site evaluation, the studio program began to include strict building requirements. In the library exercise, students were given a small site, located in Cincinnati, OH, and required to provide ample space for staff, stacks, restrooms, reception, reading space and multimedia facilities. In addition to space requirements, safety and handicap measures were to be addressed in the design. Safety measures included two means of egress, sealed stairwells, and separation from adjacent building. Though this all seems common sense now, the project was very much the beginning of a foundation of thought about pertinent issues and most often driving forces in design.

north elevation

west elevation

roof plan

The Profile Chair Design Build Project

The intention was to create a forward thinking chair that defied gravity, utilizing a non standard silhouette, and one that was aethetically pleasing. Cut using a cn machine, each section is two pieces of 3/4â&#x20AC;? plywood glued together, sanded and painted a gradient of blue. Copper pipe was used to cover up the rod that assembles all the pieces together. The second generation of this chair is in process, and will incorporate rocking chair movement.

40"

17"

Prototyping: Makeup Box + Brush Project 13

2-1/4

1-3/4

drawer inserts

side view

front view

side view

cad cut vinyl decal

- drawers on inside

perspective view

exploded view of drawers with inserts

NTS Scale

top view Date 07.01.11 Page1#of 3

Ref #

8-1/2

NTS Scale

bottom view Project Name Jewelry Box Prototype Title

07.01.11 Date 2 of 3 Page #

Ref #

13”

8-3/4

8 Jewelry Box Prototype Project Name Title

3/8” Clear Plexi drawer insert 1

drawer insert 2

Mitered Seam Connection

drawer insert 3

8-3/4 1/4

Scored Pattern on Plexi

1/4

8-1/4

9-1/2

1/4

1/2

8-3/4

1/4

1/2

3/4

plan view of drawer

side view of drawer

plan view of drawer with insert

persepctive view of plexi covering

graphics

web design layouts

silkscreen design and production