2019 Full Portfolio by Megan Alyssa

MEGAN ALYSSA BAKER architecture portfolio syracuse university undergraduate

ABOUT ME

Greetings and thank you for taking the time to view my portfolio! I am currently a fifth-year undergraduate student in the School of Architecture at Syracuse University, New York and will be graduating in May 2019. I grew up in a small village near Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, right in the middle of Amish County. My relationship with my family is extremely important to me. Besides design, another passion of mine is baking. I enjoy both making and decorating cookies, cakes, and other pastries to give to my friends and family. In my spare time, I read historic and fantasy novels. My selection of architecture as a career path derived from my interest in art as well as my math and science classes in high school. This complimented the DIY atmosphere that was always present at my home by growing up in an old farm house. I believe architecture fulfills both of these passions by requiring the perfect blend of creativity and problem solving skills. Included in the portfolio is a range of my student work in studio and beyond, as well as professional work at the architecture firm Strosser / Baer Architects and Cunningham | Quill Architects. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. Thank you,

DESIGN PASSIONS

Megan A. Baker

Architecture is an extensive field which caters to so many aspects of daily living and holds a large influence over many aspects of human life. It is important to know what type of architecture you find passion in because in such a creative career, it is these interests which shape our designs and philosophies. Below is a list of where my architectural passions ultimately lie:

adaptive reuse

The process of retrofitting old buildings for new uses allows many structures to retain their historic integrity while providing for occupantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; modern needs. Not only do the communities gain from the reuse of buildings, but there are large benefits for the pursuit of sustainable development.

interior architecture Melding together interior design, architecture, and structural design, it provides the best internal shaping and scaling to fir the intended use of the space. Interior architecture goes beyond any one aspect of the building to create a cohesive environment for pleasant everyday use. residential 2

The domestic aspect of the career is often overlooked yet is in some ways the most important. From multiunit buildings, single-family homes, renovations, and remodels, residential architecture caters directly to people. Creating spaces for living and growing through daily life, this specialization brings the heart back into a mechanical process.

RESUME

4-5

ARCHITECTURAL SCHOOL DESIGN

6-31

Urban Analysis

8-11

Ground to Building

12-15

Object in the City

16-19

Introducing an Innovation District

20-23

Inhabiting the Artifact

24-27

New York City Urban Planning

28-31

High Rise Timber

32-35

ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITIONS

36-41

Trunk Show

38-39

Bruce Abbey Exhibition

40-41

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

42-55

Country Cupboard Cafe Renovation

44-47

“The Barn” at Frosty Valley

48-51

St. James Plaza

52-55

Finishing Well

56-59

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDUCATION

Syracuse University 159 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13210 (2014 - present) | expected graduation: May 2019 | Bachelor of Architecture | GPA: 3.7 | Dean’s List 2014-18 Mifflinburg Area High School 75 Market Street, Mifflinburg, PA 17844 (2010 - 2014) | GPA: 4.01

WORK EXPERIENCE

Cunningham-Quill Architects | Architecture Intern | Washington, DC (May 2018 - August 2018) Practiced under the direction of licensed architects. Learned collaborative methods of design, produced design development and construction documents for review, and accompanied co-workers on site visits and photo shoots. Strosser-Baer Architects | Architecture Intern | Danville, PA (May 2016 - August 2017) Learned under the direction of a licensed architect how to design, meet with clients, measure sites, produce construction documents and other architectural practices. Assisted in the design and production of commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, and historical preservation projects. Designed new website for the firm (www.strosserarchitecture.com). Syracuse University Exhibition Team | Fabrication | Syracuse, NY (January 2016 - May 2016) Worked with team to manufacture, assemble, sand, spackle and paint media machine for display of professor’s works for the Bruce Abbey Exhibition. Coordinated with team to manufacture, assemble, sand, spackle and paint boxes for display of graduating thesis student’s work.

PARTICIPATION

American Institute of Architecture Students (2014 - present) Student-run organization dedicated to providing programs and information on issues critical to architecture. Architecture Student Organization (2014 - present) Student government which oversees affairs and communication between students and faculty. The National Society of Collegiate Scholars | President (2014 - present) Honor organization of high academic achievers, as well as completes community service projects. The National Society of Leadership and Success | Sigma Alpha Pi (2017 - present) Honor organization that recognizes high academic standing and leadership potential.

United Methodist Ecumenical Campus Ministry (2016 - present) Radically inclusive Christian group guided by spiritual teaching and committed to bettering the community.

ADMINISTRATION Microsoft Office 365 WIX Website Editor

SKILLS

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AutoCAD Architecture 2018 Diva for Rhino 4.0 Grasshopper 3D Revit 2017 Rhino 5.0 SketchUp V-Ray for Rhino GRAPHICS EDITING Adobe Illustrator CC 2017 Adobe InDesign CC 2017 Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 M-Color 9.9 DAEKWON PARK Assistant Professor School of Architecture Syracuse University 315.443.2257

REFERENCES

TED STROSSER, AIA Principal Architect Strosser | Baer Architects Danville, PA 570.847.5125 NANDOR MITROCSAK, AIA Senior Associate Cunningham | Quill Architects Washington, DC 202.337.0090

ARCHITECTURAL SCHOOL DESIGN

Urban Analysis

Ground to Building Object in the City Introducing an Innovation District Inhabiting the Artifact New York City Urban Planning High Rise Timber

URBAN ANALYSIS Professor Alam | Spring 2015

WEST VILLAGE PROJECT was a combination urban analysis and urban form study. Given a site in New York City, the analysis included an intense study of the surrounding neighborhood to inform the final design of the building. Studies of the surrounding context, including facade and building orientation, influenced the final design, and abstracting existing facades created a grid structure to support the building. Taking the principle of low to high resolution upon the grid, this both informed the formal design as well as the program.

Plans 1’= 1/8”

Ground Floor

Level Four

Level Seven

1. Lobby

121 SQ FT

2. Event Storage

47.5 SQ FT

3. Bathrooms

47.5 SQ FT

4. Event Space

925 SQ FT

5. Library

278 SQ FT

2 UP

6. Studio

8 3

1199 SQ FT

7. Residence 1

DOWN

745 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

115

- Bedroom 2

78 SQ FT

- Full Bathroom

70 SQ FT

- Balcony

90 SQ FT

SQ FT

8. Residence 2

810 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

127 SQ FT

- Bedroom 2

85 SQ FT

- Bathroom

96 SQ FT

- Balcony

185 SQ FT

9. Residence 3

836 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

127 SQ FT

- Bedroom 2

99 SQ FT

- Bathroom

90 SQ FT

- Balcony

95 SQ FT

ARC 108 | Spring 2015 | Studio Alam | 02 C | Megan Baker

Scale: 1’ = 1/8” 1. Lobby

121 SQ FT

2. Event Storage

47.5 SQ FT

3. Bathrooms

47.5 SQ FT

4. Event Space

925 SQ FT

5. Gallery

301 SQ FT

6. Meeting Room

301 SQ FT

7. Offices

1292 SQ FT

8. Library

278 SQ FT

9. Studio

1199 SQ FT

10. Lounge

579 SQ FT

11. Residence 1

750 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

200 SQ FT

- Bedroom 2

156 SQ FT

- Full Bathroom

80 SQ FT

- Balcony

149 SQ FT

12. Residence 2

755 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

150 SQ FT

- Bedroom 2

96 SQ FT

- Full Bathroom - Balcony 13. Residence 3

215 SQ FT

- Bedroom 2

100 SQ FT

- Full Bathroom

60 SQ FT

10 9

745 SQ FT 115 SQ FT

- Bedroom 2

78 SQ FT

- Full Bathroom

70 SQ FT

- Balcony

90 SQ FT

6 7

836 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

127 SQ FT

- Bedroom 2

99 SQ FT

- Bathroom

90 SQ FT

- Balcony

95 SQ FT

16. Residence 6

102 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

15. Residence 5

690 SQ FT 140 SQ FT

- Balcony

Section BB

55 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

14. Residence 4

Section AA

810 SQ FT

- M. Bedroom

127 SQ FT

- Bedroom 2

85 SQ FT

- Bathroom

96 SQ FT

- Balcony

185 SQ FT

ARC 108 | Spring 2015 | Studio Alam | 02 C | Megan Baker

GROUND TO BUILDING

Professor Kim | Fall 2015

FAIRGROUND MATTERS was the culmination of the semester study of the New York State Fairgrounds, where the design of a 50,000 sq ft building with duel programs, and equine facility and botanical garden, was used to show how different temperature zones (such as tropical, temperate, and arctic) are able to co-exist to make a person hyper-aware of both comfort and discomfort. This would allow for an enjoyable experience throughout the year, despite ambient temperatures outdoors.

UPPER PLAN

GROUND PLAN 1/16” = 1’ Megan Baker | 8 December 2015 | Studio Kim | Fall 2015

OBJECT IN THE CITY

Professor Farnsworth | Spring 2016

FOUR STORIES IN THE CITY imagines the library as an experience and an enjoyable place for children to come to read. This is articulated through four â&#x20AC;&#x153;storiesâ&#x20AC;? which snake throughout the building. Each has its own formal, aesthetic, and intrinsic logic which influence the understanding of the library. The areas where two or more of the stories intersect become moments in which the previous logics melt away and give way to a new system. The stories are read by moving through the library, as well as on the exterior of the building and how it sits within the site.

This library is great! I can bring my children here to read and have fun!

Yellow Path

Red Path

14 - 18 yr olds Library

Portal Path

Computer Cluster 5 - 8 yr olds Library

Green Path

MATERIALITY

Built-in Bookshelves

Regular Brick 14 - 18 yr olds Library

Blue Path Brick

Yellow Path Grass

Library Offices

Red Path Brick

Green Path Stone

Blue Path

Tile

Wood Floor

Compter Cluster

Grass

Wood Floor

Neighboring Building Flooring 14 - 18 yr olds Library Checkout

5 - 8 yr olds Library

Portal Extensions

Building Masonry

Grass Lawn

Vegetation

Brick Pathway

Object in the City

FIRST FLOOR PLAN Megan Baker

1/8” = 1’

0 - 4 yr olds Library

Sitting + Compter Cluster

0 - 4 yr olds Library

Library Offices

9 - 13 yr olds Library

0 - 4 yr olds Library

9 - 13 yr olds Library

Object in the City

SECOND FLOOR PLAN Megan Baker

1/8” = 1’

INTRODUCING AN INNOVATION DISTRICT Professor Rakha | Fall 2016

THE SUNSHINE KITCHEN is a complex which promotes the skills of the food industry both for the public and young entrepreneurs. With half of the building serving as a food incubator for startup companies and the other half as everything from a restaurant to food tasting, this institution promotes the development of food all under a model of sustainable architecture, specifically related to daylight. With the challenges of the site, the design responds in a way which not only allows for maximized daylight to penetrate the space, but keeps the work environments shaded from unwanted glare throughout the year. The Sunshine Kitchen is both a model of food incubation technology and daylight performance maximization.

INHABITING THE ARTIFACT

Professor Sacconi | Spring 2017

THE RIGHT TO THE CITY is a cumulative commentary on the condition of housing (particularly as it relates to London as a whole). The following exploration questions the typical archetype of inhabiting an object, as well as ideas about preservation and public accessibility. We argue that preserving the public interaction with the Thames, which has such a rich history within the city of London, should be the primary focus of maintaining British heritage. Our radical solution to this problem of privatization, emphasizes the aspects of building which we see as the most important.

Partners: Carolina Hasbun Elias and Tala Ayoubi

NEW YORK CITY URBAN PLANNING Professor Vasini | Fall 2017

THE BROOKLYN / QUEENS CONNECTOR (BQX) is a proposal to be New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first new rail system since the subway was introduced. While the current iteration is focused on transit, there is an opportunity to integrate with the existing park systems and extend along certain avenues to create more green space. Once introduced, it will create a connection vertically with the opportunity to add foliage, bike paths, and larger pedestrian walkways which, once extended outwards horizontally, will produce green corridors integrated into existing parkscapes.

HIGH RISE TIMBER Professor Park | Spring 2018

LIVE | LEARN | GROW is a design with promotes the skills of the food industry while simultaneously housing students from Syracuse University and providing new educational space for the elements of the Food Studies program at the Falk School. With half of the building serving as residential apartment units for the students, and the other half as everything from kitchens, to classrooms, to full academic services for the University program, this institution allows both to mix in the intermediate growing spaces. These grow areas provide a market, greenhouse, and community indoor gardening while formally connecting both the apartment units and university sides. All of this acts under a model of sustainability and timber construction, which compliments the natural desire of growth in the food studies program. The complex is both a model of high rise mass timber construction, and food incubation promotion. Partner: Juliet Domine

ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITIONS

Trunk Show

Bruce Abbey Exhibition

THE TRUNK SHOW Professor Louie | Spring 2016

THE TRUNK SHOW was inspired by 20th century Steamer Trunks and is a serial structure of unique boxes set to 6â&#x20AC;? increments that preference the collection of things by size and qualities over subject or theme. Each box is a visual link to a site or project that is both located elsewhere in the school, and in the mind of the designer. Housing a collection of architectural artifacts, media, and curiosities both found and made by 15 Thesis Students. Exhibition Design: Jonathan Louie Design Team: Apoorva Rao Megan Baker Graphic Design: Common Name Fabrication Team: John Bryant Frank Fuentes Sarah Beaudoin Jose Sanchez Jr Rose Maalouf Megan Baker

BRUCE ABBEY EXHIBITION

Professor Louie + Alam | Spring 2016

COMPOSITIONS was an exhibition to honor a retiring professor. Someone who was deeply artistic, Bruce Abbey worked with us to design this media machine which houses various projects he has completed over the years. The center piece acted as an interactive sculpture in which to narrate the history of this man through his art. Exhibition Design: Jonathan Louie Maya Alam Bruce Abbey Design Team: Maya Alam Bruce Abbey Graphic Design: Common Name Fabrication Team: John Bryant Frank Fuentes Sarah Beaudoin Apoorva Rao Megan Baker

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Country Cupboard Cafe Renovation “The Barn” at Frosty Valley St. James Plaza Finishing Well

COUNTRY CUPBOARD CAFE RENOVATION Strosser Baer Architects Commercial | Lewisburg, PA

THE COUNTRY CUPBOARD CAFE RENOVATION is a commercial project in a set of larger schemes to re-imagine and update the entire complex. The aim of the cafe and hall renovation was to continue the design elements which had been introduced throughout the already redesigned areas of the building. From adding bulkheads, to taking out a wall, to expanding the seating area of the cafe, the overall scheme was to create a look of a street cafe, as opposed to the diner look it currently had. This option not only updated the cafe aesthetically, but almost doubled the amount of seating and room for customers.

“THE BARN” AT FROSTY VALLEY Strosser Baer Architects Commercial | Danville, PA

“THE BARN” AT FROSTY VALLEY was part of a complete re-branding of the Frosty Valley County Club in Danville. PA. This was the first phase of the project, which focused on converting the old storage structure on the edge of the course into a usable space for weddings and other large events throughout the entire year. The scope of the project creates a second story loft space, and seating for 300 occupants at a time. With the addition of new HVAC systems, and a large outdoor deck to overlook the golf course, “The Barn” will be a great addition to the course for added revenue and future events.

ST. JAMES PLAZA

Cunningham Quill Architects Commercial | Alexandria, VA

ST. JAMES PLAZA is an affordable housing project in the center of Alexandria. The building is surrounded by interesting and integrated landscaping which helps to enhance the overall feel of the connection to the green environment. The crenelations on the building elevations lead to an interplay to light and shadow, and create spaces of opportunity both on the interior and exterior for either plants or people respectively. Overall, the aim of the project was to situate within this beautiful existing green jungle in Alexandria, and create beautiful apartments of all incomes.

FINISHING WELL

Strosser Baer Architects Residential | West Milton, PA

FINISHING WELL focuses on the client’s desire to build a home of distinct character that is both architecturally interesting and rooted to the agricultural heritage of the region. The design is comprised of individual “compartments” separating the public and private areas of the home and linked by flat roofed connectors. The rear opens up to expansive views of the area. The exterior materials and colors of the home respond to neighboring farmsteads emphasizing longevity, durability, and ease of maintenance versus initial costs.

THANK YOU CONTACT mabake01@syr.edu

570.412.9992

phone