portfolio
Morgan Matheson | Selected Works
Morgan Matheson
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
a.morganmatheson@gmail.com
(519) 998-0810
M. Arch. (professional), McGill University, School of Architecture Montreal, QC — 2018 - present BSc. Arch., McGill University, School of Architecture Montreal, QC — 2014 - 2018
APPLICABLE SKILLS
Architectural Intern, ABA Architects Inc. Waterloo, ON — Summer 2018 • Conceptual design development at various scales including residential, mixed-use, and masterplan projects, both individually and in teams • Produced drawings and diagrams for city site plan approval packages • Produced rendered visualizations for client feedback • Presented design schemes in client meetings
AutoCAD 2016
Student Researcher, SURE Program, McGill University “That ‘70s Hospital” Project - Supervisor Professor David Theodore Montreal, QC — Summer 2017 • Collected documentation of proposals for Canadian teaching hospitals by searching national and international libraries • Gathered original documents through on-site archival visits • Produced new three-dimensional visualizations extrapolated from original design drawings and numerical data • Designed research poster summarizing findings and visualizations which clearly analyzed and compared design schemes
HONOURS
PUBLISHED WORK
Montreal, Quebec, CA
DIGITAL Rhino 5.0 Revit 2018 3DS Max Photoshop InDesign Illustrator SketchUp Microsoft Office TRADITIONAL Freehand sketching Technical hand drafting Model making Painting Woodworking tools
Research Assistant, Avi Friedman Consultants, Inc. Montreal, QC — Summer 2016, 2017 • Co-authored article on energy-efficient window technologies published in VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability • Conducted independent research to deliver annotated reports on topics of prefabricated dwellings and urban renewal of small town centers
FABRICATION
Course Assistant, McGill University Montreal, QC — 2016 - 2018 • Assisted with software and desk reviews for second-year design studio • Compiled reference material for future student use in Sustainable Residential Development course
Strong written &
Sheila Baillie Scholarship in Architecture — 2014 - 2018 Dean’s Honour List, McGill Faculty of Engineering — 2016 - 2018 Tomlinson Engagement Award for Mentoring — 2016 - 2018 City of Waterloo Distinction of Community Service — 2012
LANGUAGE
Analogue Film Gallery, published on McGill SoA Student Work Website Performance Pavilion, published in 2015-16 McGill SoA Student Work Book Community Housing, displayed in McGill 2018 accreditation exhibition “From ARCH 303 to ARCH 683”
Laser cutting 3D printing RhinoCAM milling PERSONAL Effective leader oral communicator Self-motivated worker Creative and innovative
Native English speaker Intermediate French INTEREST Cultural histories Heritage preservation Social engagement
CONTENTS
Analogue Film Gallery Mile-End, Montreal - Page 4 -
Art | ificial Design Lab Mile-Ex, Montreal - Page 16 -
Community Housing Mile-Ex, Montreal - Page 24 -
Performance Pavilion Mile-End, Montreal - Page 36 -
Unite d’Habitation Stair Redesign Marseille, France - Page 42 -
76 Studio Suites Hotel Old Port, Montreal - Page 46 -
Analogue Film Gallery
Problem: Design a “gallery for the moving image” in the diverse, artistic Mile-End neighbourhood of Montreal.
Mile-End, Montreal
Design Proposal: An analogue film gallery houses two primary
Instructor Erika Brandl-Mouton
spaces: a cinema room, and
Fall 2016 - 3 Months
a joint gallery and café. The relationships of light and materiality, and of ephemeral and tangible qualities inherent to the medium of film are expressed in the building’s use of thick concrete and apertures to create a complete atmosphere within.
5
Conceptual Collage
Artifacts unique to the medium of analogue film will be on display in the gallery space, allowing visitors to learn more about the history of film. Projectors will display film clips and trailers on the gallery walls, creating a unique atmosphere of sound and light.
Film projection relies on the relationship between positives and negatives, and of solid and void. The gallery expresses these relationships through its concrete materiality, which emphasizes the fleeting projections within.
The importance of light and ephemerality are inherent to film projection. This gallery values the importance of light through its careful window placement and small apertures in the cinema that allow light to leak out to the public street.
6
eC Ru Av eL au
ri er O.
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Building site in Montreal’s Mile-End
Exploded programmatic diagram
7
1
2
3
1
2
3
A
B
C
D
Ground Floor
4
5
A
B
C
D
4
5
0
1
2
3
4m
Ave Laurier O.
Rue Clark
Rear pathway
Rue Saint-Urbain Elevations of height relationships between the gallery and surrounding context. Left: Open air projection space
11
A diagonal section reveals the height relationships of the building. The volume housing the gallery and cafe is doubleheight with the exception of a second storey block of service space and a projection room overlooking the cinema.
12
Rue Saint-Urbain Small cracks in the concrete form-work of the cinema room allow light to leak out of the building when a film is shown. The changing, flickering light will animate the street at night and give passersby a clue that the cinema is in session.
Thick 65 cm concrete walls allow for the sounds of projectors and machines to reverberate in the gallery and create an immersive atmosphere.
13
Art | ificial Design Lab
Problem: Design a dual program artificial intelligence lab and contemporary art center that addresses concerns of gentrification in the changing dynamic of the MileEx neighbourhood.
Mile-Ex, Montreal
Design Proposal: The proposal
Instructor Gilles Saucier
addresses the symbiotic relationship
Winter 2019 - ongoing
between art and technology while providing space for new industry and the existing artistic identity of the Mile-Ex. The project calls for a balance of constructed positive space and excavated negative space on site. It addresses the theme of artificiality by considering the ground plane as an active surface subject to both human and natural forces.
17
This conceptual site analysis maps the network of nearby parks and major transportation axes. It provides a conceptual framework to consider the site as free from human built form, and draw influence from the energies and natural topographies surrounding and moving through the site.
18
The site is located in the Mile-Ex, where back lanes and green alleys provide pedestrian access between streets. The site draws on the energies of the natural landscape, and makes a link between the green lane and the nearby Mozart park.
The design aims to capture the energies surrounding the site in a black box, which carve and move through the rigid geometric human construction. Designed topography is drawn through the site on a glazed ground-floor gallery. Light wells connect the levels and bring natural daylight from above. An atrium space open to above allows visual connection to the natural environment.
19
ground floor 1. entrance 2. reception 3. gallery 4. auditorium 5. cafe 6. atrium 7. sculpture alley 8. WC 9. maintenance
A designed topography inspired by the natural influences surrounding the site becomes the public ground floor of the building. Connection is provided on this level from the green alley to the nearby Mozart park. The designed topography carves down to provide auditorium seating, and emerges as an enclosed atrium above ground. An open gallery and cafe surround a series of light wells that bring daylight from above.
9 8 1
5
6
3
4 2
7
1
21
8 1
7
2
3
level B2
4
5
5
6
1.
prep area
2.
“wet” studio
3.
production workshop
4.
photography studio
5.
photography dark room
6.
video lab
7.
WC
8.
maintenance
Conceptual collage of basement “wet” studio
7 6
1
2
level 3
5
3 4
4
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
kitchen & break area “dry” studio quiet work space meeting room seminar room WC maintenance
Conceptual collage of typical “dry” studio, surrounding a light well
23
Community Housing
Problem: Rethink traditional apartment living to address the needs of the site, located between converted factory artist’s lofts and a functioning monastery in Montreal’s Mile-Ex neighbourhood.
In collaboration with
Design Proposal: A proposition for
B. Morris-Poolman
community social housing on the site
Mile-Ex, Montreal
addresses the lack of this resource
Instructor Avi Friedman Winter 2017 - 4 Months
in the neighbourhood. By rethinking the structure of traditional apartment living through mixed-use, mixeddensity housing, the design promotes social interaction, safety, dignity, community, and individuality. Units organized along a central lane and shared courtyards facilitate planned and spontaneous interactions between residents.
25
Green spaces Site Old Textile Buildings Monastery Soeurs Carmelite
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The site is bordered by a functional monastery and textile factories converted to artists’ studios.
A hierarchy of outdoor spaces ranges from public to private, allowing for inherent and planned meetings.
Buildings with different unit typologies are gathered in clusters of 3 or 4 to share direct access to an inner courtyard. All tenants have access to courtyards through an elevated pathway, which provides a second means of social interaction through circulation. The importance of public green spaces and circulation aims to bring people together naturally through chance encounters and build a sense of community between residents.
26
Conceptual Process Diagrams
Public Services
Walk-up Units
Traditional Apartments
Micro-Units
Rooftop Balconies/Gardens
Private Balconies
Semi-Private Courtyards Public Central Lane
27
Avenue Henri Julien
Ground Floor 1:600
Legend Public Services Walk-up Units Traditional Apartments Micro-Units
Mixed Density Housing
Public Services
• Mixed density housing provides
• At Demos Community Housing a range
for a variety of family types
of amenities are offered to the tenants,
and individuals to live at Demos
but also available for use by the general
Community Housing • The inherent integration of individuals promotes community building • Each ‘cluster’ provides a variety of living styles around each courtyard
28
public • There are 13 public services: • Welcome and resource centre • Cafe • Gallery space • Art studio • Clinics • Therapy/counseling spaces • Educational/work spaces
• Fitness centre • Clothing exchange store • Daycare • Laundry • Community garden • Park/outdoor playground
Avenue Henri Julien
Second Floor 1:600
Individual spaces differentiated by external treatment while still part of a cohesive whole
Experimentation in length of differentiated spaces
Offsetting of spaces to create a uniform facade of protrusions and intrusions. Courtyard spaces formed
Stacking of different sized spaces reinforcing facades and individuality in accordance with sun and wind patterns on site
Preliminary formal shape demonstrating individual units coming together to form a cohesive whole as well as community green spaces
Conceptual Model Progression
29
Unit Typologies
Walk-Up Unit Growing Family
• 2 and 3 bedrooms • 95 - 120 square meters • Opens directly to courtyard • Central lane views • 2 floors
Micro Unit Young Single Adult
Traditional Apartment
• 1 bedroom studios • 27-30 square meters • Juliet or full balcony • Adaptable living for sleeping or entertaining • Shared laundry in building • Accessible public terraces/green roofs
Couples
• 1 bedroom apartments • Juliet balconies • Accessible public terraces or rear balconies
Walk-Up Unit Single Parent & Child
• 2 bedroom apartments • 60 - 65 square meters • Split levels • Single floors • Central lane views • Direct courtyard access, Juliet balconies, rear balconies
Total Units:127
Micro Units 56 Units
30
44%
2 Bedrooms 21 Units
16.5%
3 Bedrooms 12 Units
9.5%
1 Bedroom 38 Units
30%
Henri Julien Elevation
Longitudinal Section
Park Pathway Elevation
Transverse Section
31
Sustainable Xeriscaping Plan
Urban Farming & Gardening • Community space for growing food and herbs for residents and cafe • Fertilizer for plants provided by community compost • Intergenerational learning • Sustainable food production
Courtyards • Semi-private spaces • Social interaction between residents in each ‘cluster’ • Residents around each courtyard will collectively manage the low maintenance greenery • Cluster community building • Drought resistant and shade tolerant plants
Gathering Space • Passive and active use space • Large open space for organic social interaction • Lowest maintenance greenery for minimal upkeep by residents • Strategic placement of plants to aid temperature control indoors • Mulch instead of traditional grass
Children’s Playground • Public green and playground spaces for community • Affiliation with daycare center
Green Roof Terraces & Gardens • Open, public spaces for building tenants • Intensive green roof • Integration with rain water harvesting system • Trellis system to provide shade and modulate indoor temperatures • Views of entire complex
Right: Visualization of art therapy space Below: Elevation from central laneway
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Parapet Green Roof Detail 1:15
PREFABRICATED SHEET METAL PARAPET CAP
LOOSE - LAID RETENTION TEE 35 CM PAVER MESH SCREEN COVER PERFORATED ALUMINUM CURB WITH DRAINAGE FABRIC PERFORATED ALUMINUM RAIN GUTTER
10 CM DIAMETER ALUMINUM RAIN DOWNSPOUT
STEEL ANCHOR BOLT SLOTTED LATERAL CONNECTION
STEEL ANCHOR
WELDED STEEL BRACKET
15 X 30 CM STEEL BOX BEAM
FACADE ANCHOR PLATE WELDED TO BOX BEAM
WELDED STEEL BRACKET 15 CM STEEL STUD SLOTTED LATERAL CONNECTION
VEGETATION AND ENGINEERED SOIL FILTER FABRIC RESERVOIR LAYER MOISTURE - RETENTION LAYER AERATION LAYER 10 CM RIGID THERMAL INSULATION DRAINAGE LAYER ROOT BARRIER PROTECTION COURSE THERMOPLASTIC WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE MEMBRANE FLASHING PREFABRICATED REINFORCED CONCRETE ROOF SLAB VAPOUR BARRIER STEEL JOIST 0.75 CM GYPSUM BOARD
10 CM PREFABRICATED EXTERIOR CONCRETE PANEL AIR SPACE BATT INSULATION VAPOUR BARRIER 15 CM STEEL STUD 0.75 CM GYPSUM BOARD
Performance Pavilion
Problem: Design a temporary pavilion for a site in Montreal’s Mile End to be used for performance arts, using an
In collaboration with J. Marquis Mile-End, Montreal Instructor Erika Brandl-Mouton Fall 2016 - 3 Weeks
“artifact of the Mile End” for design inspiration. Design Proposal: A curving slatted wood structure covered with stretched canvas provides a shelter for artists to perform under, drawing inspiration from the tension between organic and planar geometries identified in an ornamental artifact of the neighbourhood.
37
Artifact of the Mile-End neighbourhood and a 3D scan examining the moment of encounter between organic and planar surfaces, used as inspiration for the resulting pavilion structure
Precedent images illustrating examples of curved structures in the surrounding neighbourhood, and the resulting tension created between geometries of rectilinear forms
38
Longitudinal Section 1:300
Plan 1:300
39
Unité d’Habitation Stair Redesign
Problem: Redesign the staircase of
In collaboration with
Design Proposal: A new staircase
B. Morris-Poolman
composed of concrete, structural
Marseille, France
glass, and steel accentuates light
Instructor David Covo Fall 2015 (3 weeks)
an apartment in Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, keeping in mind the small scale of the units.
and shadow in the apartments. With each step, the proportion of glass to concrete decreases, allowing for the creation of dynamic shadow patterns. Open risers and increasing proportions of glass in the staircase maintain sight-lines in the apartment and allow for an open feel.
43
Construction detail of connections between materials
Section through glass and steel anchors
Section through concrete and glass
44
Single stair elevation
Front Elevation
Side Elevation
76 Studio Suites Hotel
Problem: Design a boutique hotel on a constrained site in Montreal’s historic Old Port neighbourhood that uses 30% of the area as an additional amenity
In collaboration with B. Morris-Poolman
for the community and guests. Design Proposal: A “living gallery”
Old Port, Montreal
combines studio spaces, galleries,
Instructor Robert Mellin
artist’s apartments and traditional
Fall 2017 - 4 Months
hotel amenities. The combination of public gallery space and private hotel rooms explores the theme of spectatorship and spectacle in architecture. The hotel aims to bring the presence of artists back to the Old Port neighbourhood, and expose their work to both locals and visitors.
47
Site photos of surrounding facades identify relationships with rhythm and pattern. Older buildings to the South tend to have strong horizontal rhythms, whereas modern buildings to the East and West tend to highlight verticality.
This conceptual site analysis identifies the site as an important entrance to Montreal’s Old Port along one axis, and as a major transportation axis on the other. The collage symbolizes the hotel program’s aim to bring the feeling of the presence of artists back to this neighbourhood.
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2
3
4
5
6
7
Views In and Out
Program Massing
Porosity
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ain
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oin
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Sun-path
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es rm
A d’
Fo rti
e ac
Pl
fic
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ati
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on
te
s
Co
Ru ell
1
Site Plan in Old Montreal
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1
2
3
4
5A
Ground Level
6A
1
A'
2
117
111
110
109
108
113
B'
102 106
114 116
116
C' 104
112
107
105
100 Vestibule 101 Lobby 102/103 Gallery 104 Storage 105 Washroom 106 Staff Washroom 107 Baggage Storage 108-111 Office 112 Staff Kitchen 113 Staff Conference 114 Staff Lounge 115 Outdoor Gallery 116 Main Electrical/ Telecom Room 117 Storage
D'
101
103
100
E'
Level 2
Mezzanine
1
1
2
3
4
5A
2
3
4
5
6
Reception
6A
7
A
A'
1
2
gym
hotel rooms
M107
3 reception
4
5
gallery 219
bar
6 restaurant
218
7
6
217
216
4 rab yrellag
tnaruatser
ffats
staff
5
215
214
3 -pecer noit
2
1
letoh smoor
myg
Restaurant
213
B'
Bar
212
B
Gym
211
M108 M100
220
Staff
M101
C'
210
M103
M102
C 200 221 209
M106
208
D'
D
M105 202
203
205
206
207
201
E'
Hotel Rooms
E
2
Level 6 1
2
3
4
4
5
Level 9 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
A
A
900
B
B
610 614
908
611
906
612 907 909
C
C 608
609
613
600
901
D
D
601
E
50
602
603
604
605
606
607
E
902
903
904
Gallery
1m
1m
Typical Single Hotel Room Section and Plan
Walnut
Artist in Residence Apartment Visualization
Grey Ash
Glass
Sandlime Brick
Slate
Rue Saint-Antoine O.
Cote de la Place d’Armes
Rear alleyway
Perforated Brick Window Details
LOW E- DOUBLE PANE WINDOW EXTENDING BEHIND BRICK OPENINGS
BRICK ANCHOR BOLT TIEBACK
TOP FLASHING WITH SILICONE SEALANT
INSULATED SAND-LIME BRICK (RSI 0.45) 13 mm AIR GAP (RSI 0.18) 50 mm RIGID INSULATION (RSI 1.25) VAPOUR BARRIER 13 mm FIBERBOARD SHEATHING (RSI 0.22) 140 mm FIBERGLASS BATT INSULATION (RSI 3.7) W200 STEEL STRUCTURE 16 mm GYPSUM BOARD (RSI 0.10) INTERIOR FINISH
ALTERNATING PATTERN OF REMOVED BRICK
ALUMINUM WINDOW PANE WITH DRIP FLASHING
ALUMINUM HEADER STEEL SHELF ANGLE
ALUMINUM WINDOW FRAME LOW-E DOUBLE PANE WINDOW (RSI 0.55)
ALTERNATING PATTERN OF REMOVED BRICK BEYOND SECTION CUT
EXTERIOR WINDOW SILL WITH METAL FLASHING AT TOP AND BOTTOM
BOTTOM FLASHING WITH SILICONE SEALANT
EXTERIOR
ALUMINUM WINDOW SILL STEEL SHELF ANGLE
ALUMINUM WINDOW FRAME WITH DOUBLE LAYER LOW-E GLASS (EXTENDING BEHIND REMOVED BRICK PATTERNING)
13 mm FIBERBOARD SHEATHING, VAPOUR BARRIER, 50 mm RIGID INSULATION, 13 mm AIRGAP
13 mm FIBERBOARD SHEATHING, VAPOUR BARRIER, 50 mm RIGID INSULATION, 13 mm AIRGAP
BRICK ANCHOR BOLT TIEBACK
INTERIOR
METAL STUDS SPACED 610 mm O.C. FILLED WITH BATT INSULATION (LEFT OUT FOR CLARITY)
GYPSUM AND INTERIOR FINISH
The hotel is constructed of steel structure with composite decking floor slabs. Two elevator shafts serve staff and guests. The atrium in the south-east corner is constructed of perforated copper panelling.
Left: The treatments of facade openings cater to privacy and optimization of city views, while addressing the distinct rhythmic qualities of facade treatments around the historic site.
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Lobby visualization
Atrium visualization
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Morgan Matheson
a.morganmatheson@gmail.com +1 (519) 998-0810