Metaya Argaw Tilahun - Academic Portfolio

Analitique of a Doric Aedicule

CHICAGO, USA

Fall 2017

During my first graduate level project at the University of Notre Dame School of architecture, I was tasked with the design of an aedicule that is to house the statue of archi-tecture located within the imagined architectural studio building of the university in the Chicago gold coast.

I was very interested to explore the poetry that architec-ture brings to simple constructed structures by adding references to various figures and structures that have had an immense influence within the discipline of architecture and design.

First, I wanted to reference the patron saint of architec-ture: St. Thomas and took inspiration form the niche that his statue was placed in at OrsanMichele, one of the greats architectural structures of the renaissance. The inner most arched structure was directly influenced by the archuated design of St. Thomas’s aedicule.

I was also very interested in showcasing the importance and the elevated statues of architecture by literally ele-vating the aedicule and placing it on a structure that is reminiscing of the Triumphal Arch of Hadrian located in current day Jordan. The analytics is a well-balanced composition that shows the design of the aedicule with enlarged elements of the various details to allow a clear reading of the structure. I have framed the whole compositions with a blown up version of the arch and columns that exist in the actual aedicule’s design; this allows for a clear dialog between the various elements of the whole structure. The finished drawing is manually drafted and watercolor rendered.

School of Architecture Studio Building

CHICAGO, USA

Fall 2017

Another project I completed during my first semester of graduate study is the design of an architecture studio building; with a great hall that was the focal point of the design challenge.

The sight of construction being in a fully developed urban area created some challenges as well as great opportunities to integrate my design with the existing urban fabric. I was very interested in representing a protruding curved volume that is so abundant in the surrounding area; and I created an elliptical tower that is to act as a linchpin for the two public portions of the site.

First Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

View from North-East Corner

Another element that was very important was the procession; the experience that one would have as they proceeded through the interior space. With that in mind I explored the play of various volumes within the interior spaces and the idea of compressions and a release in to a grand space. I intentionally arranged for the grand hall to be located on the second floor so as to promote the ascendance one would experience as they proceed up the stairs to a grander space. Above all I wished to exercise a modest design behavior that promot-ed the continuity of the existing urban atmosphere. To achieve that I maintained the building materials that were abundant in the area as well as designing in the Georgian style that seems to be the very com-mon among the building that have stood there for generations.

North/ Piazzeta Elavation Garden Elevation

State Street Elevation

Camden Town Townhouses

AMPTHILL ESTATE LONDON ENGLAND Spring 2018

I was involved was the design of a townhouse type that would be used to populate the larger scale urban site of the Ampthill Estate neighborhood surrounding Euston Station in London England. This project was in collaboration with John Simpson and Associates and Architecture firm based in London; and is part of a larger proposal for the redevelopment of Euston Station and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Development Drawings

John Simpson Architects Initial Master Plan ND Development Sketches

ND development sketch, figure ground with terrace and mews houses, 1-2018

I, along with the first year graduate design studio at the university of Notre Dame were tasked with coming up with an urban plan for the Ampthill Estate are. The main goal of this plan was to create an urban fabric that could integrate well to the existing one; a plan that can be versatile in terms of its occupants and one that can be adaptable as the needs of the residents change within the next several decades. The plan we came up with was a mix-use plan that carefully weaves residential, civic and commercial establishments and creates a vibrant community. Afterwards we were each assigned a block to further develop.

The townhouse type I wished to present was one that takes into consideration the numerous possible range of individuals that will occupy the neighborhood. I wanted to create hierarchy without it being outwardly obvious. The town house type I present is designed with five stories including a basement (sunken garden) and an attic level. Within the five floors there are different schemes of unites.

The first floor (street level) plus the basement (garden level) are designed as a single three-bedroom unit. This unit includes access to a back carriage house which includes a garage and a smaller studio flat below. The rest of the floors are comprised of two-bedroom units on each level with the possibility of the attic floor being used as extra square footage for the top floor. I was also able to add an additional unit above the garage that is used as a separate flat which has its own access form the mews (ally). I impressed with the variety of unities that we were able to develop at the end. .

Once the townhouse type was compete we had to use it to populate the block we were assigned to develop. The street elevation shows how I was able to create variations of the same type and create an urban street that is well balanced. I also wished to add a variety of commercial spaces/ shop-fronts on the street levels of some of the townhouses while still maintaining the livable units above. This allows for a vibrant community that embodies an efficient use of urban space. Since I had a fairly important block that turns a corner, I wanted to use that building as a book-end and created a mix-use building with a different typology to indicate that the purpose was also different. The mix-use building is not significantly different for the rest of the buildings on the block. I opted to use the same style in order to create a streets-cape that is cohesive.

Street Elevation

A Community Center

FOR CAMDENTOWN, LONDON

ENGLAND

Spring 2018

In the project we were able to design an institutional building using the French Hotel typology. The community center was also part of the general masterplan done for Camden town and include large gathering halls, galleries and an auditorium.

Piano Nobile

Third Floor

Harrington Street Elevation

Masterplan and Mixed-Use Building

CIUDAD CAYALA, GUATEMALA THE NEW URBAN TOWN Fall 2019

This project was completed as part of a group of Graduate and 5thyear undergrad students at the University of Notre Dame. Group members include, Adriana Sanchez, Alexander Athenson, Cole Rembecki, Jordan Schrad, Lauren Sommerville, Phillip Breckler, Rebekah Hall, Samuel Fischer, Valeria Hasbun. We developed a master plan for the next phase of a new urbanist town designed by Leon Krier.

After the architectural phase was completed, we then developed the tectonic design of the building, where we took an in-depth look at how the building was put together.

ATRIUM

RESTAURANT

Masterplan for The Market Plaza

SURROUNDIGN HILL TOWN

LAS CATALINAS, COSTA RICA

Spring 2020

Development Sketckes/ Market Analysis

Development Sketckes/ Circulation Analysis

Development Sketckes/ Veiw Analysis

Las Catalinas is another town that is modeled on the importance of a walkable city. During this project we were able to revisit an already existing masterplan and explore ways to capture the character of the town and give it a sense of place. The rich topography created gave ample opportunity for ocean views as well as long views through the market plaza.

The market plaza was an added challenge, one that allows us to disguise a parking lot and make it function as a civic space. This was achieved by introducing intermediate platforms and plazas that elevate residential blokes and using the residual space for commercial activities Lower

Market Section

Upper Market Section

Another challenge was making a connection between the main street level and the upper market; which happen to have a significant elevation deference. This section illustrates various levels and plazas that are employed to create a seamless connection.

Celio Urban Infill

ROME, ITALY

Fall 2020

This project was completed as a group effort; team members include Alex Athenson, Anbreen Basher, Michael Demaag Rodriguez, Sam Fisher, Ian Griffey, Lauren Somerville, Maddy Speicher, Ashlen Zapara. It is a project that we conducted during our semester in Rome and after having completed an extensive urban analysis exercise.

Villa D’Oro

ROME, ITALY

Fall 2020

This masterplan for a Roman garden and villa that has programmatic flexibility. I envisioned a building that houses event spaces and housing for guest lecturers that would be associated with the antiquarium previously existing on the site.

Site / Garden Section showing Front Elevation of Villa

View of NE Corner/ Entrance Sequence

Back Graden Elevation

Scketchbook

DrawingsPiantingsand