MATT ARSENAULT
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
INDEX
01
Urban Sanctuary Shipbuilding Center Symbiosis
01. 07. 17.
02
Waveform Lamp Flex Lounge Chair Silhouette Chair Waterfront Intervention
27. 33. 41. 47.
Fluidity Desk Un.Hinged
53. 59.
URBAN SCALE
HUMAN SCALE
03
COMPETITION
ALL IMAGES © MATT ARSENAULT 2011-2015
Design Philosophy I believe that design is something that we encounter everyday of our lives in everything that we do. It’s something that has the ability to change how we think, interact, and move forward. For me architecture isn’t simply designing space but designing every aspect of it. The total work of art is something our predecessors were after, and something that modern society has seemed to forget. Through modern technology, processes of making, analyzation, and sustainable and economic effort, design can change lives progressively.
URBAN SANCTUARY DSGN 345 | Spring 2013 | Prof. Ingrid Strong
South End Burial Ground: Boston, MA. USA Using light to introduce the ideas of openness and reflection in tight spaces are the conceptual drivers for this project. The use of openings in the roof of the sanctuary allows light to diffuse down the walls, which opens the space vertically. A reflecting pool placed at the base introduced a reflection onto the stone material that was used in the sanctuary. The project utilizes a series of thresholds based off of lighting techniques that bring tranquility into the sanctuary, reflection into the mausoleum, and a joining of the two into the outdoor sanctuary. Within the outdoor sanctuary, is a tree representing life and existence, as seen in the adjacent cemetery on the site. The circulation acts with the idea of a journey, with the sanctuary being at the center.
p. 2
Site Plan
Basement Plan Ground Level Plan Second Level Plan
p. 4
South Elevation
Transverse Sections p. 6
SHIPBUILDING CENTER DSGN 456 | Fall 2013 | Prof. Ryan Salvas
Piers Park: East Boston, MA. USA With the design of Shipbuilding Center, I primarily focused on the use of site lines to derive the form and the spatial arrangement of the building. The form of the building is separated into two sections based off program: Shipbuilding and Public spaces. To achieve this, I used the site context of existing industrial warehouses along one side of the site and a public park adjacent to the opposite side of the site. I then took parallel lines from the context to create two intersecting forms that corresponded to each programmatic use. I then used those lines to create a circulation path that creates a separation between the two spaces. This circulation path on the bottom floor then carries as a void space throughout each floor, to create visual connections to different spaces following the site lines. The two forms of the building join together inside of a central atrium space through a bridge that acts as on observation deck into the shipbuilding center, as well as a visual joint for the forms. Programmatically the building is arranged through a progression of gallery spaces, that ultimately lead to a community space that overhangs the water acting as the peak of the design.
p. 8
Basement Level Plan Ground Level Plan Second Level Plan Third Level Plan
p. 10
6 6 6 6
5
3 3
4 3
2
5
2
1
C
C
C
C
1
2 4
D
1
D
D
D
1
A
A
BASEMENT PLAN
A
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/8”=1’-0”
B
SCALE: 1/8”=1’-0”
1 - SHIP BUILDING 2 - WOOD SHOP 3 - DIGITAL FABRICATION 4 - GALLERY 5 - ATRIUM
1 - DRYDOCK 2 - CAFE 3 - GIFT SHOP 4 - LOBBY 5 - COATS/TICKETS 6 - OFFICE
A
SECOND FLOOR PLAN B
SCALE: 1/8”=1’-0”
1 - GALLERY 2 - OBSERVATION DECK 3 - CLASSROOM
MEZZANINE LEVEL PLAN B
SCALE: 1/8”=1’-0”
B
1 - COMMUNITY ROOM/GALLERY
N 0
SITE PLAN
N
10’
20’
30’
40’
80’
p. 12
p. 14
SECTION C SCALE: 1/8”=1’-0”
p. 16 roof
ROOF
column/ beam
COLUMNS / BEAMS
truss EXTERIOR TRUSS
mullions MULLIONS
walls WALLS
floors FLOOR PLATES
SYMBIOSIS:
INTERLACING ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE DSGN 556 | Spring 2015 | Prof. Mark Klopfer
Squantum Point Park: Quincy, MA. USA The Squantum Point Lodge is designed with the site in mind. Formally the building is based off the existing marshlands locoated on the site. The form creates a slender profile that utilizes waterfront views across multiple directions around the site. The mass of the building is then elevated to create a public central level which not only provides more private space for upper level lodge, but also allows landscape to pass through the main level, creating transparency though the building across the ground floor. The design of the surrounding landscape builds topography for flood resiliency, along with allowing landscape to pass under + through building, as well as creating private pockets of spaces with vernacular vegetation.
p. 18
Formal Strategy p. 20
SITE RESPONSIVE SHIFTING
SITELINE ACTIVATION
TOPOGRAPHIC MANIPULATION
Section Axonometrics
Section Details p. 22
ROO SIXTH + 83
F LE VEL + 95 ’-0”
SIXTH
LEV
EL
+ 83
’-0”
SIXTH + 83
FIFT
H LE VEL + 71’-0 ”
LEV EL ’-0”
LEV EL ’-0”
1
FIFT
H LE VEL + 71’-0 ”
RTH LEV EL + 59 ’-0”
2
H LE VEL + 71’-0 ”
RTH LEV EL + 59 ’-0”
3
THIR D
4
THIR D
5
LEV EL + 47 ’-0”
3
4 5
3 LEV EL + 47 ’-0”
LEV EL + 47 ’-0”
SEC OND LEV EL + 35 ’-0”
3
FOU
RTH LEV EL + 59 ’-0”
SEC OND LEV EL + 35 ’-0”
4
4
5
5
6
6
+ 15’-0
LEV
”
UND
+ 15’-0
”
GRO
UND
+ 15’-0
LEV
”
BASE M
ENT LE
+ 0’-0
”
7 7
GRO EL
LEV
EL
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
1 2
6
7 UND
1
6
SEC OND LEV EL + 35 ’-0”
GRO
1
2 2
FOU THIR D
1 2
FIFT FOU
1
1
7
8
7
7
8
8
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7 8 8
9
9
9
9
EL
1 2
10
10 10
VEL
BASE M
ENT LE
+ 0’-0
”
VEL
1. ALUMINUM COPING 2. 3/4” PLYWOOD SHEATHING 3. CAVITY INSULATION 4. ROOFING BRACE
5. FINISH CONCRETE 6. REINFORCED CONCRETE 7. GYPSUM CEILING ON METAL STUD
1. METAL STUD 2. GYPSUM WALL BOARD 3. RIGID INSULATION 4. CAVITY INSULATION 5. PLYWOOD SHEATHING 6. EXTERIOR COMPOSITE WOOD PANELING
7. GYPSUM CEILING ON METAL STUD 8. ALUMINUM WINDOW FRAME 9. ALUMINUM WINDOW MULLION 10. THERMAL GLAZING
1. METAL DECKING 2. STEEL BEAM 3. CONNECTION PLATE 4. STEEL BEAM 5. NOMINAL LUMBER
6. METAL CEILING TIE 7. COMPOSITE WOOD PANELING 8. PLYWOOD SHEATHING 9. EXTERIOR COMPOSITE WOOD PANELING
9
p. 24
p. 26
WAVEFORM LAMP
ARCH 590 | Fall 2014 | Prof. Jared Ramsdell
The Waveform3 lamp is a parametrically designed acrylic lamp that uses the manipulation of multiple sine waves for form derivation. The form originally started as a sphere contoured across thirteen curves. These curves were then manipulated with Grasshopper 3D to turn each into a sine wave that can be manipulated by its amplitude and frequency. The Waveform3 utilizes a constant amplitude and frequency of three. Each wave is then alternately rotated around its center point .5 degrees and -.5 degrees to generate overlapping folds in the form. With the design being parametric, the lamp has infinite possibilities for constant amplitude and frequency combinations, which are continuing to be studied to produce multiple lamps that each have distinct and beautiful form. Each lamp is made from frosted .125� acrylic to generate a soft glow that emphasizes the form in the space being lit.
p. 28
p. 30
Formal Approach
Assembly Methodology p. 32
script SCRIPT
form FORM
plan PLAN
section SECTION
FLEX LOUNGE CHAIR ARCH 590 | Fall 2014 | Prof. Jared Ramsdell
The Flex Chair is a lounge chair made from a single 4�x8’ sheet of baltic birch plywood. The lounge chair uses a gracious curve for optimal lounging posture, along with flex from the frame that creates a bouncing motion to optimize comfort. The design uses CNC milling technology to create the frame, and the seat surface is kerf cut 588 times across the two faces to create a flexible wood fabric. The chair uses no fasteners and is solely glued together with the slip joints milled into the frame by the CNC. The fabric allows the plywood to flex and bend in multiple directions to create a continuous surface, which challenges the generic method of kerf bending.
p. 34
p. 36
Material Efficiency
Component Construction p. 38
93% material efficiency 1:22:00 mill time
9312500 % material efficiency rpm, 240 ipm .25” downcut endmill 1:22:00 mill time
.25” step-over .25” stepover 4:55:00 cutcut time 4:55:00 time 576 total cuts 476 total cuts
Matt Arsenault Flex Lounge Chair Soft Fabrication Prof. Jared Ramsdell
Matt Arsenault Flex Lounge Chair Soft Fabrication Prof. Jared Ramsdell
p. 40
SILHOUETTE CHAIR ARCH 590 | Fall 2013 | Prof. Jared Steinmark
The Silhouette chair is based off of the concept of layering, which was interpreted into the physical construction of the chair, as well as the formal strategy. The chair is constructed out of laminated sheets of 1/8� Baltic Birch plywood, that were bent around a form-work, which was cut on a CNC milling machine and then assembled. The seat was created using ideal angles of repose for a lounge chair, and the base is a representation of the form-work the seat was bent around. The two pieces are connected by four 5/8� rubber washers that create a gap between the seat and base, to give the seat the effect that it is floating.
p. 42
p. 44
Formwork Assembly
Material Cut Sheets p. 46
BASE FORM ASSEMBLY
WATERFRONT INTERVENTION DSGN 456 | Fall 2013 | Prof. Ryan Salvas
Piers Park, East Boston, MA. USA With the design of the Waterfront Intervention, I was asked to design an intervention that could be used as a way to embrace the site and its context, to create a place that could enrich the population of East Boston. I designed a piece that would act as a tool for the population to understand tidal change. With this, I wanted to use the intervention to mimic the experience of the tidal change over the earth beneath it. Each component of the intervention is a representation of the tide based off of the lunar cycle, using the tide altitude and the length from the seawall to the tide edge during low-tide, as drivers for each component. With this, as the tide changes throughout each day the visual experience of the intervention, as well as the ability to access certain parts of the intervention, are determined by the tide. In total, the tide becomes the driver for the form as well as the experience of the entire piece.
p. 48
Form Derivation
Components p. 50
12.2’ 12.1’ -1.9’
LENG
TH F
ROM
SEAW ALL
12.0’ HIGH TIDE AM
TO L
OW
TIDE
11.5’ HIGH TIDE PM
EDG
E
-0.9’
-1.0’ LOW TIDE AM
-0.6’ LOW TIDE PM
TIDE CONNE
CT TIDE HEIGHT
10.3’
10.6’
-0.1’
-0.3’
HEIG
HT
10.1’
10.9’
0.3’
-0.5’
0.9’
1.3’
10.6’
9.7’
0.1’
0.4’
8.7’ 2.0’
11.1’
-0.4’
WID TH
9.7’
9.1’
TO BASE POINT
8.4’ 1.5’
9.3’ 0.1’
11.6’
BASE
D OF
10.7’
F OF
LENG
TH
-1.0’ -2.0’
Section A
Section B p. 52
FLUIDITY DESK SPRING 2014
COMPETITION: Wentworth Design Community RESULT: 2nd Place The concept of fluidity represents a continuous, system that moves freely and assumes the shape of its container; in this case being the frontispiece for Wentworth Architecture. The idea of fluidity resulted in the joinery of individual components formed through the use of digital fabrication and fine woodworking techniques. The assembly of the components results in a continuous thread forming the structure and programmatic use of the frontispiece. The main feature is derived from the literal translation of human perception and a digital medium, to produce a rippled panel that becomes the “frontispiece� of the design.
p. 54
Component Assembly
Front Elevation Side Elevation p. 56
p. 58
UN.HINGED:
PIVOTING THE WALL TO UNLEASH THE SITE
DSGN 516 | Spring 2014 | Prof. Elizabeth Ghiseline
Defilippo Park: North End, Boston, MA. USA COMPETITION: 2014 Wentworth Architecture Studio Competition RESULT: 1st Place: Overall TEAM: Matt Arsenault Neal DosSantos UN.HINGED unleashes the site through pivoting gestures in order to create a strong interface between site and community. The pivoting gesture invites views across the site, encouraging fluid movement from the neighborhood through the heart of the flights. The site was pushed and pulled in an effect to draw the existing street and recreational life into the new performance spaces. UN.HINGED restores the site from a hijacked state of imprisonment to a place that activates the community through positive interaction.
p. 60
Formal Strategy
Programmatic Breakdown
canteen
p. 62
bathroom pavilion covered performance
tiered green space open green space
outdoor performance
barred site
swinging open datum
connect through sequence
circulation
cut boundaries
push + pull spaces
Site Plan
Section A Section B p. 64
p. 66
Education
Master of Architecture Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA. USA Travel Studio: Rome Bachelor of Science in Architecture Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA. USA Current Cumulative GPA: 3.47 Dean’s List: Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Spring 2014
Experience
Lavallee Brensinger Architects - Charlestown, MA Design Intern - April 2014-September 2015 Regular BIM modeling through Revit along with project phasing through schematic design (SD), design development (DD), and construction documents (CD) for various projects. Also working closely with designers and project managers to produce renderings,design iterations and presentation drawings for projects in the commercial, education, healthcare and civic realm. Wentworth Institute of Technology - Boston, MA. Center for Applied Research Leader - August 2013-Present Helping undergraduate and graduate students learn machinery like the CNC milling machine, 3D printers and laser cutters, through workshops and seminars ranging from milling basics, tool path writing through RhinoCAM, and concentrated studies in milling techniques. My title carries as the lead researcher in CNC milling, focusing on complex geometries as well as material testing through wood, foam, and metal.
Skills
Expertise: AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Experience: Maxwell Render, SketchUp, and hand drafting, Excellent verbal and communication skills, high performance standards in quality of work, attention to detail, and presentation. Experience with many 3D printing, laser cutting, and computer numerical control milling interfaces. Machining experience through RhinoCAM.
Awards & Achievements
2015 The Furniture Project Showcase, 2014 Wentworth Architecture Studio Competition: North End Park - First Place, 2014, 2013 & 2012 NH Architects Foundation Scholarship Recipient, 2013 Facade Model Gallery-Model Selected for curated exhibit, 2013 Speaker at National Polytechnic Summit, 2011 AIA-NH High School Design Competition - First Place
ABOUT ME I was born in Boston and raised in the small town of Hampstead, New Hampshire. I grew up looking at everything with mindset of an engineer while maintaining the desire for creative design. Besides my love for design, I enjoy kayaking, hiking, playing golf and baseball, woodworking and digital fabrication. I also enjoy graphic design, furniture design and digital fabrication.
CONTACT ME matt.arsenault2@gmail.com www.matt-arsenault.com +1 603. 489.3038
matt.arsenault2@gmail.com www.matt-arsenault.com +1 603.489.3038