Mathew Conrad Undergraduate Portfolio
Mathew Conrad
Philadelphia University Class of 2020 Tel: 717.524.6629 conrad9953@mail.philau.edu
Mathew is a second year architecture student who believes that sustainability and social responsibility are important aspects to incorporate in all stages of the building process from design to construction; by applying these principles in architecture, the world can be made a better place to live for everyone, not only at the present but also for future generations. When not completing design projects, he enjoys reading, exploring both the natural world and the city, and occasionally sleeping.
International Cultural Center
1217 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - December 2016
Cabin Competition
Pennsylvania State Game Land #100 - November 2016
Villa Mairea Visitor Center Villa Mairea, Noormarkku, Finland - May 2016
Interlocking Row Homes
243 West George Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - October 2016
Playscape : Labyrinth
Blue Bell Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - March 2017
E
A A: Callowhill Street B: Carlton Street C: North 12th Street D: North 13th Street D
B
C
E: Viaduct
0
64
128
256’
International Cultural Center 1217 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - December 2016 While intended as a possible international cultural center in the future, the primary focus of this design was a housing and civic center for Syrian refugees. Located on Callowhill Street, just across from the future Viaduct Rail Park, the intention of this design was to create something that not only brought war torn communities back together but also wove these communities into the existing urban framework. Design began with the general shape of the building, allowing both influence from traditional Arab design, and the conditions of the site to influence its shape. The interlocked L is common in Arab plan layout, and allows an interior private courtyard to be created. Public and private space was layed out based on its relation to
the street and access: public areas are located closer to the ground and toward the front entrance, and private areas are pushed up and away from the street. The eastern wing of the building was tilted for three reasons: it allows more southeastern natural light to enter the apartments located on that side, it also allows the apartments a view of center city Philadelphia to the south, and it acts as a qibla wall, facing Mecca for Muslim prayer. By closing the walls on either side of the interior courtyard, it intentionally created a more private space, while simultaneously removing the upper levels of the walls allowed more natural light to enter the courtyard and its eastern wall. Finally, specific program was added and the shape adapted to better fit its needs.
A: Front Lobby
J: Main Office
B: Public Restroom
K: Private Office
C: Market/Exhibition
L: Conference Room
D: Auditorium/Town Hall
M: Prayer Space
E: Inner Courtyard
N: Congregational Space
F: Private Entrance
O: Roof Terrace
G: Maintenance
P: Apt. Living Room
H: Mezzanine Balcony
Q: Apt. Bedroom
I: Classroom 0
32
Prayer Space
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B
128’
B I
C
D
E
I K
G
R: Private Lobby 64
H
First Floor
R
G
J L
F Second Floor
K
N
P
O M P
Q Q
P
Q Q P
N Third Floor
Market/Exhibition
Q Fourth/Sixth/Eighth Floor
Fifth/Seventh Floor
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Q Q
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8
16
32’
Cabin Competition
Pennsylvania State Game Land #100 - November 2016 The purpose of this competition was to take a preexisting cabin that was less than 250 sq. ft. and place it within the confines of a Pennsylvania state park or game land. The cabin chosen for this project was Permanent Camping, designed by Australian architecture firm Casey Brown Architecture, and was originally located in the middle of the Australian outback with visibility being for miles around. There are two main parts to it: the exterior flap system, composed of corrugated metal, and the internal framing system, mostly made out of recycled wood. The design was intended
to mimic the form of a tent in both shape and functionality; the flaps can be lowered for privacy, security, and weather protection, but can also be opened to provide a view of landscape. Isolated from the outside world, the cabin is intended to be a retreat from civilization. Keeping all this in mind, the cabin was placed in a decidedly similar location to its original context: a meadow in Pennsylvania State Game Land #100. In its new location, it continues to enjoy large panoramic views of the exterior, and remains an isolated human-made landmark in an otherwise natural wilderness.
First Floor
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1
2m
Second Floor
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1
2m
Circulation
Deflection
Site Plan
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32
64
128’
Villa Mairea Visitor Center Villa Mairea, Noormarkku, Finland - May 2016 This project is composed of two parts: the first part is a case study of the house Villa Mairea by Alvar Aalto, and the second involves the design of a visitor center on the existing site and based on inspiration from the house itself. The case study was not only an exploration of the physical aspects of Villa Mairea, but also a closer look at the ideas and themes that Aalto attempted to convey through it. Through careful study of the house, several key themes were extracted: verticality, its relationship to the surrounding forest, and the idea of gently guiding people through the space by using natural light and deflection. These motifs were taken and applied in a new way in the design of the visitor center, while still
trying to capture the feeling of Villa Mairea. There’s an intended circulation through the visitor center, guided through qualities of light and space that ends at the top of the staircase, where guests are greeted with their first true view of the house on top of the hill. However, this is the only way in which the visitor center truly interacts with the house itself; most aspects of the procession to Villa Mairea were left intact so as not to disrupt Aalto’s intentions. The building is intended to be a reflection of Aalto’s masterpiece through a new lens without carbon copying or taking away from his intentions. All drawings done for this project were hand drafted, using ink on mylar, and then digitally scanned.
View
Solar Arc
South Elevation
Section Facing North
East Elevation
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8
16
32’
Section Facing West
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Site Section Facing North
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16
32
64’
16
32
64’
Second Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
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8
16
32’
Exploded Axon
N 3rd St
N Bodine St
W George St
Site Plan
Interlocking Row Homes 0
16
32
64’
243 West George Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - October 2016 Located in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia, the goal of this project was to take two adjacent plots, combined 32’ wide by 50’ long, and create two row homes that interweave and interlock rather than having a tradtional relationship. The two houses, instead of being symmetrical as in a typical row home setting, cross over the boundaries of the lots and instead balance with one another spatially. Each home additionally has a client in mind for its design. The easternmost house with office space on the first floor is intended to be for more career oriented clients. As one progresses up in this house, it gradually becomes more private.
The western house is intended for clients who will be entertaining guests more often with more living space throughout the building. While for the most part the houses are separte from each other and are designed with very different clients in mind, the third floor balcony and roof terrace act as shared space between the two, and allowing greater interaction between the different sets of residents. Overall, the two houses act as an allegory for the surrounding community where recent development intermixes with older constructions; two seemingly contradictory elements can coexist and even compliment one another when in balance.
Layout of Lower Floors
A: West George Street
K: Walk-In Closet
B: Backyard
L: Bedroom
C: Living Room
M: Closet
D: Dining Room
N: Private Balcony
E: Kitchen
O: Shared Balcony
F: Pantry
P: Shared Stair
G: Bathroom
I: Master Bedroom
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Section Facing East
E G
16
32’
F
H C
G
House B
J: Master Bathroom
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D
House A
H: Office
B
First Floor Plan
Section Facing South
A
E
D
F
L
L M
G
M
G
G
K
J
C
I
C
I
K
P N
O
N
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
North Elevation
South Elevation
Playscape - Labyrinth Blue Bell Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - March 2017 This playscape is part of a larger path designed within Blue Bell Park in north Philadelphia. There was a large emphasis placed on the idea of universal accessibility and allowing people, especially children, of all abilities to enjoy the path. This project encourages exploration and curiosity by using qualities of light and visual deprivation to draw people further into the space. In the beginning, the path was split into two different paths as it went through this site, creating two very different experiences for those walking through it. the two paths converge. The form takes the shape of a spiral in order to create this central congregational space, and the spiral itself was created based on a series of concentric circles with pockets around
existing trees; the trees erupt out of the existing path creating opportunities for climbing and allowing dappled light to enter the space. As the user moves through the space, there are different spatial experiences as well. In the path parts of the playscape, the side walls lean inward furthering the sense of claustrophobia. The walls surrounding the pockets of space lean outward opening the area to the sky. In terms of materials, the walls are made of corten steel to mirror what already exists on the path. Likewise, the material of the path, a form of metal grating, continues into the playscape itself creating a sense of continuity. It also allows light, vision, and water to pass through it, and creates handholds for climbing.
Unraveled Walls Wall 1
Wall 2
Concentric
Diverging Paths
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8
16
32’
North Facing Section
East Facing Section
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8
16
32’
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8
16
32’