MICHAEL GORHAM LEED AP
gorham.email@gmail.com 412.523.9025
content
Teacher Training Center Cultural Learning Center Museum of Modern Art America’s Second Harvest Trinity Episcopal Church River Landing Apartments Drawings
introduction
My objective is to contribute in the collaboration of holistic design, innovative thought, and quality work. Social and environmental sustainability are not an option in design but the quintessential force. The projects are presented in the following series with the most recent work first. Through the course of these studies I have refined research, analytical, technical, and communication skills.
MICHAEL GORHAM, LEED AP gorham.email@gmail.com 412.523.9025
construction. Passive design techniques reduce most needs for electricity. Water is collected from precipitation as well as an underground source, and it is stored in cisterns and towers. Buildings are designed with traditional skills and community organization in mind. Structures on the site form around courtyards to create a shaded microclimate. The campus emphasizes the communal essence of learning, where a body of knowledge aids all who have access to it.
Sisal is planted around the perimeter of the site to keep predators off of the land and livestock safely within the borders.
Teacher Training Center Arusha, Tanzania Fall 2010-Spring 2011
The paramount issue in sustainable practices is harmonizing environmental stewardship with economic development. Education plays an important role as the fulcrum of this psychological and cultural transition. Tanzania’s population relies directly on natural resources through subsistence farming and ecotourism. Located 13km south of Arusha, Tanzania, the teacher training center prepares educators to lead the nation’s primary schools towards a more prosperous future when the next generation takes stewardship over the land. The remote location of the site along a rough dirt road requires local materials and hand
administration courtyard
admin/entry athletic cafeteria scholastic residential agricultural crop fields
rich soil poor soil
environment economy
environment economy
education
environment
economy
education environment economy
education education influential contextual factors
100’
view from administration building to scholastic space/ plan overlay
>> corrugated translucent plastic roof >> welded steel rebar structure >> reinforced poured in place concrete beam system >> adobe ceiling for thermal barrier >> steel doors >> adobe load bearing walls with a continuous concrete foundation >> interior furnishings >> earth platform >> concrete edge strip
computer lab perspective and exploded library view
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3 4
5 6
The scholastic buildings comprise three classrooms and a shaded study space each.
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10
8
9 7 classroom section area for building
platform for sitting and water protection
1 _ translucent corrugated plastic roof membrane 2_gutter 3_ steel rebar roof framing 4_ adobe suspended ceiling 5_reinforced concrete ring beam 6_adobe walls
7_ reinforced concrete continuous foundation 8_concrete edge strip 9_clay and stone filling 10_compressed clay floor 11_blackboard
ramp for ease of access
flat surface for blackboard
angled curved surface reduces material
sloped roof for water drainage
2
Space between the ceiling and roof allow for heat to escape from the classrooms.
residential space
cafeteria elevation 1_solar cooking 2_preparing 3_eating
1
Residents can view Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro from the cafeteria.
cafeteria plan
2
20’
3
2
3
6 5
4
1
2
1 2
residential unit
20’
1
1_bedroom 2_porch 3_courtyard 4_water tank 5_shower 6_toilet
3 1_workshop 2_agricultural storage 3_watertower
50’
workshop group plan
watertower section 1
2 3 4
5
12 6 9
1516 1314
Fences in between buildings enclose a workspace where tools and animals can be kept safe.
7 8 10 11
1_ 1,000 gal tank_potable water 2_steel floor plate 3_W-shape beam system 4_adobe block structure 5_ 16,667 gal tank_rainwater for irrigation 6_water pump 7_edge strip_concrete 8_ adobe block perimeter seating 9_clay and stone filling 10_ adobe block permanent formwork 11_r einforced concrete foundation 12_compressed clay floor 13_ inbound pipe_water pumped from underground source 14_ outbound pipe_gravity fed to water fixtures 15_ inbound pipe_water pumped from underground tank 16_ outbound pipe_gravity fed to irrigation system
The facilities rely on trades that can be passed down generationally, the growth of edible and structural vegetation, commerce, and tourism. Education through activities, observation, and interaction is encouraged for visitors as they move through spaces that reflect various periods of time.
daylighting study of welcome center
+ community
= welcome
The embrace form is experienced in primary, secondary, and tertiary spaces.
Cultural Learning Center Sapelo Island, Georgia Winter-Spring 2010
The Cultural Learning Center forms a place to preserve the cultural and ecological beauty of the island while fostering economic and educational growth for participants. As archeologists learn through the process of peeling back the layers of history and soil, the project shows the strength and charm of the Geechee culture as it both physically and metaphorically peels back the layers of the earth. The Cultural Learning Center embodies the idea of a welcoming community through its form, collaborative activities and embracing approach. Tabby, a historic building material mixed on the island, is used for the curvilinear structures on the site.
embrace
At the welcome center visitors can gather for large events or just get their bearings.
The service paradigm of interaction is replaced with an egalitarian model.
The primary structure is located near the road in the least dense area of trees in order to reduce the physical impact on the site.
6 2 6 5
1
4
5 1_welcome center 2_museum 3_bicycle shop 4_kitchen 5_restrooms 6_storage
3
6
100’
museum bicycle shop
kitchen
welcome center
primary spaces
west wall section of welcome center
Design work, sections, and plans completed in collaboration with Karly Wormworth and Jihye Park.
section of bicycle shop
Bamboo bicycles are built, repaired, sold and rented in the bicycle shop. The space opens out to the nature trails that traverse the site.
Sloped green roofs form around a courtyard in which activities take place throughout the day and night.
The Geechee history and art museum benefits from diffused natural light through the north facing windows.
residential
commercial
the museum’s body. Overlooking the museum and pedestrian path are collaborative studio spaces in which people and ideas can continue to converge. The building is in constant use with a residential community on the top floors. The cultural corridor is accessible to both the east and west sides of town and stimulates growth along the core of the city.
museum
museum sketch design Outdoor seating breathes life into the corridor.
Museum of Modern Art Jacksonville, Florida Fall 2009
The Museum of Modern Art acts as a keystone to the reconstruction of Jacksonville’s city center. The existing premise is focused around a commuter culture that reserves half of the real estate for vehicles and drains the city of life after business hours. The proposed cultural district increases density, public space, and mixed use. A pedestrian walkway permeated by local businesses leads up to the activity-infused museum. Performance spaces, classes, galleries, and restaurants meet the public at the base of the building. Stairs leading up the south face of the museum act as outdoor seating and louvers for the cafÊ within
Archways with lights mark the roads crossing the pedestrian walkway. Vegetation reduces the heat island effect and allows people to gather outdoors. The increased time people spend on Main Street improves local business.
A stage opens towards the museum’s stairway.
parking building
Existing parking lots cover valuable urban land and present an opportunity to increase the city density.
Above and left are existing examples of successful streetscapes in Jacksonville. They include ample sidewalk space with shade, rhythm, and protective barriers between vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Material variation occurs where different modes of transportation cross.
west district
riverfront district
proposed urban districts
The model construction and urban analysis were completed with Dan Nowak and Brian Ziff.
revitalized cultural corridor
cultural corridor
east district
stairway study model
circulation
performance space
presentation space
concert space
film space
building conceptual model
south elevation
top of stairway with view of outdoor gallery and dining space
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32
11 4 30 14 28
2411 15 22
Room Legend Circulation Elevator Installation Art/ Video Room Janitorial Closet Rest Room Service Elevator Sound/ Light Booth Stair Storage Temporary Gallery/ Outdoor Space
31
Vertical Mechanical
floor 4
32
2 32
11 15 22
2411 15 22 31
23
west elevation
north elevation
east elevation
16
1
29 floor 3
Room Legend
13 32 11 15 22 13
1 29 18 28 4
20 32 2411 15 22 20 26
Back of House Circulation Coffee Shop/ Bar Elevator Gallery Janitorial Closet Lecture Hall Office Rest Room Service Elevator Shop Showers/ Changing Room
6
Sound/ Light Booth
1
29
Stage Stair
25
Vertical Mechanical
floor 2
33
9 32 11 15 22
1 18
4
17 32 12 2411 15 22 30 16
Room Legend Back of House Cafe Circulation Class Room Computer Lab Elevator Freight Room Janitorial Closet Kitchen/ Cafe Pick-Up Lab Lecture Hall Rest Room
5 5 floor 1
Service Elevator
3
Stair Storage Vertical Mechanical Workshop
third floor outdoor sculpture gallery with view down pedestrian walkway to civic building
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10
27
10 32
Room Legend Bath Room Double Residential
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Elevator
11 2411 22 22 22 22 27 27 27 27 27 21
Level Community Space Outdoor Space Service Elevator Single Residential Stair Vertical Mechanical
1_back of house 2_book store 3_café 4_circulation 5_classroom 6_coffee shop/bar 7_common office 8_common space 9_computer lab 10_double residential 11_elevator 12_freight room
13_gallery 14_installation art/video room 15_janitorial closet 16_kitchen/café pick-up 17_lab 18_lecture hall 19_meeting room 20_office 21_outdoor space 22_restroom 23_resturant 24_service elevator
floor 14 19 32
19 32
11 15 22
2411 15 22
7
Room Legend Commercial Office Elevator Janitorial Closet Meeting Room Rest Room Service Elevator Stair
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19
Vertical Mechanical
floor 7
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32
11 15 22
2411 15 22
13
Room Legend Elevator Gallery Janitorial Closet Rest Room Service Elevator Stair Vertical Mechanical
floor 6
32 11 15 22
31
Room Legend
32 2411 15 22
Elevator Janitorial Closet Rest Room Service Elevator Stair Temporary Gallery/ Outdoor Space Vertical Mechanical
floor 5
balcony over café with view through stair risers
25_shop 26_shower/changing room 27_single residential 28_sound/light booth 29_stage 30_storage 31_temporary gallery 32_vertical mechanical 33_workshop
100’
ating separate exits and entrances improves circulation by providing a clear path for products being processed through the space and for visitors of the distribution center.
The site is located in an industrial zone east of downtown Savannah.
America’s Second Harvest Savannah, Georgia Spring 2009
America’s Second Harvest is a nonprofit organization with its Savannah location in need of more space. The facilities consist of warehouse, office, and distribution areas. The design focus includes clarity through circulation and natural lighting. The warehouse typology involves large unobstructed spaces. Goods conceal the wall surface area in the storerooms, so clerestory windows become a valuable daylighting strategy. A combination of custom and prefabricated structural systems are employed to span rows of shelving. The occupancies of the spaces necessitate various levels of fire safety to comply with national codes. Cre-
street view
circulation/ datum/ ventilation/ diffused daylight
distribution center
warehouse
truss
portland cement stucco
steel girder
cmu reinforced
polycarbonate hollow core panels
rigid insulation interior wall finish
steel column concrete footer steel beam concrete slab on grade
east wall of warehouse
north wall of warehouse
3 pm daylighting study of warehouse winter solstice summer solstice equinox
north elevation
south elevation
1 1
1 1 4 1 1 1
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1 1 17
1_office 2_conference room 3_restroom 4_mech/electrical closet 5_storage closet 6_reception 7_distribution office 8_distribution center 9_delivery storage 10_staging area 11_temperature seal 12_cool storage 13_frozen storage 14_warehouse 15_warehouse office 16_industrial scale 17_parking
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1
3 5
3
6 7
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12
14
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5
section through warehouse
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16 16 10 9
16
16 16 10 16
major product circulation major visitor circulation
100’
15 section through entry 3
plants and wildlife, as well as a line of protection from the Gulf. Site circulation radiates from the tree that aided in protecting the church from the surge. The proximity of the Mississippi River, and affordability and strength of shipping containers made for their use in design appealing.
The fellowship hall is raised above the flood plane on open shipping containers.
Jackson county
Harrison county Hancock county
Katrina surge August 29, 2005
Jackson county
Harrison county
The areas that are the lightest shade correspond to marshland, estuary, and river basins. These zones are also least populated. The darkest regions are the most populated.
Hancock county
Mississippi Coastal Population
Trinity Episcopal Church Pass Christian, Mississippi Winter 2009
Pass Christian, Mississippi was overtaken by the largest surge of the state when Hurricane Katrina came into contact with the southern United States. Trinity Episcopal Church was stripped down to the frame from the high waters. Site analysis combined with client interviews guided design decisions. Landscape design created an enticing environment for both humans and other species to return, while providing greater protection from the Gulf Coast. The site required better water management. The land’s gradient influenced the placement of a pond and filtering vegetation. Excavated soil created a natural habitat for local
water drainage patterns 16 14 12 10
8 6 4 2
existing area topography
Gulf coast
view of fellowship hall from the protecting tree
north elevation
south elevation
west elevation
east elevation
church protecting tree circulation fellowship hall 3B
3A
3C E 8’ 10’ 12’ 14’ 16’ 18’
2C
2A 2B
2C third floor pastor’s office_3A office_3B meeting room_3C
E
second floor large classroom_2A classroom_2B bathroom_2C first floor kitchen_1A hall_1B 15’
elevator_E
2B
1B 1A E
St. Louis Street
Water physically and symbolically plays a major role in the experience of the site.
Church Avenue
community garden protecting tree pedestrian circulation parking outdoor church service area altar with baptismal font
Buildings are contained on the north half of the lot to allow for a buffer from the Gulf of Mexico.
natural habitat for vegetation and other life pond salt marsh bell tower back dune secondary dune trough primary dune sculpture to mark site and protect against storm debris
A
A B
12’ 10’ 8’ 6’
150’
A_section of pond and Church Avenue 14’ 12’ 10’ 8’ 6’
B_dune section showing topographic change
Highway 90 B
conceptual sketch of plan organization
the vegetation shades the enclosure throughout the hot summer months. Modular units based on standard material dimensions allow for minimum construction waste and time. The grid formed through the patterned use of units aids the client in visualizing her surroundings.
River Landing Apartments Savannah, Georgia Fall 2008
The apartment complex is designed to be experienced beyond the realm of sight. The hypothetical client, a visually impaired woman who was new to the area, was looking for a home that created a community atmosphere. Aromas and textures were used as navigational aids throughout the spaces. Window boxes line the exterior walls leading the homeowner through the space with scents of various herbs and flowers adjacent to each room. A central courtyard connects the four private units while potentially connecting the inhabitants through the vertical gardens and shared space. In addition to nourishing the residents,
Circulation spans around the perimeter of the rooms.
Sited on the end of a block adjacent to a city square, the apartment building has a wide range of solar access.
The north end of the site has three single bedroom apartments. On the opposite side of the courtyard there is a twobedroom apartment. A
The first floor is elevated off of the ground to reduce flood risks from the Savannah River. C
B
A
A
first floor
B
D
B
C
C D
second floor
third floor
D roof plan 10’
Drawings
Savannah, Georgia Winter 2007-Spring 2008
Right: Liberty Square graphite on vellum Retained by professor as an instructive tool Opposite top: Mausoleum graphite on vellum Retained by professor as an instructive tool Opposite bottom: Linoleum Landscape mixed media Prize winner in Foundation Studies Honors Show