N AT A L I A
W I E C Z O R E K
Education Boston Architectural College Master of Architecture Degree in Progress University of TX San Antonio B.S. Architecture Cum Laude, 2009 Professional EnerSpective Concord, MA Experience Intern 6/10 - present Aid in systems-side design and corresponding energy consumption data management. Visit site and document existing conditions. Create CAD drawings of existing and future systems. Input energy consumption data into WegoWise and create summary reports of findings. Holistic Design Somerville, MA Intern/Documenter 6/10 - 8/10 Document process of Deep Energy Retrofit for residential construction. Discuss options available to home owner. Gather images and create website to show work process. Inform public about the Somerville DER at various meetings and trade shows. Absolute Design Partners San Antonio,TX Intern/AutoCAD Draftsman 6/08 - 7/09 Work on renovation/expansion of 50+ existing HEB grocery stores. On-site surveys of existing structures. Sketch existing conditions and transfer into CAD. Adjust typical details to match existing construction. Create complete CD sets. Redline printed documents. University of TX San Antonio San Antonio,TX Supplemental Instruction Leader 8/07 - 12/07 Organize own lesson plan and hold three meetings a week. Help team of students improve overall grades. Create variety of educational worksheets using Excel and Word. Urban 15/VuTURE Arts San Antonio,TX Assistant Model Builder 10/07 Build 2 scale models (1:50 & 1:100) of site. Research codes and regulations, especially accessibility. Work with variety of materials and power tools. Manage large volume of weekday/weekend hours with schoolwork. Parson’s 3D/I San Antonio,TX Intern 9/06 - 12/06 Research code requirements and create maps of land available for commercial development within San Antonio. Create PowerPoint presentation for new Latin Arts Museum.
Phone: 617.820.3269 E-mail: nataliawie@gmail.com 173 Thorndike St., Brookline, MA 02446 Computer Skills AutoCAD Microsoft Office ECOTECT Google SketchUp Adobe Suite Rhino Modeling Some Revit Some Maxwell Studio Other Skills Sketching Rendering with: Use of Power Tools Drafting watercolor/prismacolor/colored pencil Fluent in Polish Common Boston Common Build Organized 4 preson team in 3 day design/build competition Achievements/ Memberships Designer/Builder 6/10 Ecotopian House Project One of 25 chosen to participate out of 60+ applicants Designer 1/10 - 5/10 Boston Society of Architects Member 9/09 - present American Institute of Architects Member 10/09 - present Boerne R/UDAT One of 2 undergraduate students chosen to participate Volunteer 5/08 Academic Scholarships USAA Scholarship 08 - 09 Audre & Bernard Rapoport Scholarship 07 - 08 & 08 - 09 Rising Roadrunner Scholarship 04 - 05 President - Absolute Design Partners References James Acosta 210.885.9338 James@absolutedesignpartners.com Hazem Rashed-Ali Assistant Professor - College of Architecture, UTSA 210.458.3088 hazem.rashedali@utsa.edu
Exploring Architecture
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B2 Studio/Fall 2010 Instructor: Glen Daly Duration of Project: 3 Weeks
Project 0 Diagram A: Organic density
Project 0 Diagram B: Push/Pull
I imagined this diagram as a cluster of straw-like objects, some near, some far: the depth of the straw created the impression of relative size. However, the most striking thing I gained from the image was the idea of clustering and density.
I saw the two ‘C’ shapes as connected via some sort of tensile material. The two clamps were pulled apart in the image but would snap together if allowed. This idea later transformed into tension and compression.
Developing a Tectonic
The next step of the tectonic exploration made me consider how the elements are connected to one another and how they can form planes. I saw the linear elements as being chained together with links. The links, on the other hand, are held together by the compressive forces generated by densely packed tubes.
Tectonic Strategy Concept
Pieces connect via linking, or chain,
Holding the Links Together There are a variety of ways in which the links may be held together in compression. A step taken toward the translation of concept into structure was an exploration of the various techniques of holding the links together with linear elements.
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B2 Studio/Fall 2010 Instructor: Glen Daly Duration of Project: 6 Weeks
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Site 1
Site 3
Site 2
Site Analysis The three sites within Arnold Arboretum are located in the South-Western corner of the park, around Peter’s Hill. Site 1 is surrounded by a dense thicket of trees on all sides which limits views and wind but creates much shade. Site 2 is blocked from the path by a thick bamboo grove, though the site itself is very open to the sky and traffic noise from South St. Site 3 is the only place elevated above the path. It is spotted with trees that frame certain views without generating too much shade. It’s openness also makes Site 3 the most public of the three locations. tree cover
vegetation
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edges
path use
noise
sun
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wind
Evolution of Concept: Site Site 3, on Peter’s Hill, is a link between the other two sites. It not only sits between the others, it also provides a visual connection to each of them. When in site 1 or 2, the visitor is disconnected from the rest of the Arboretum. Site 1 is surrounded by trees and points to the sky while site 2 is cut it off from the path by a bamboo thicket limiting views from the site to the ‘constructed’ world beyond. I wanted to translate my tectonic system into a building which would express a connection between all three sites.
Evolution of Concept: Building Bubble diagrams of the program helped me explore the various ways in which the desired spaces could be arranged. All the ideas led to one general diagram: exhibit spaces attached to staff areas and somehow surrounded by links to the exterior.
Programmatic Analysis
The bubble diagrams also made me realize that the building is composed of two major types of spaces: public and private. These spaces are linked together spatially and structurally. However, I felt that the public gallery space needed to be further divided into Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3 galleries which would visually connect the interior to the corresponding site.
Programmatic Analysis, Continued After deciding to link the private staff areas to public galleries, I began to rearrange the program to fit the new parameters. However, my original, general diagram still holds true: exhibits connected to staff areas and surrounded by exits.
arrangement of spaces
physical barriers
circulation through pavilion
Parti Diagram The parti expresses the circulation through the pavilion in plan and section; the circulation acts as a link between the various sections of the pavilion.
The Pavilion The pavilion is composed of 4 links: one large central gallery space with three auxillary rings opening into it. The central link represents Site 3. The ring is further divided into Site 1 and Site 2 galleries which provide direct views into the corresponding sites though never break the connection to the central space. The staff area is at the back of the galleries which allows for a view into all three areas. Exits located at either end of the pavilion force a visitor to circulate through the main space emphasizing it as a connector between sites 1 and 2.
Building in the Site The building is placed in such a was so as to allow view into all three sites. Also, its placement near the main path encourages visitors to enter the building.
Materiality The shell of each ring is made of Corten steel to give it a weathered appearance. Paper tubes form the support structure which pushes the rings together in compression. The link system is repeated in details of construction (how the panels of steel come together) and in furniture.
Corten Steel
Paper tubes
Experiencing Architecture
Architecture school, both at the undergraduate and gradute level, has held my attention due to the very hands-on nature of studio. However, since building imaginitive models in studio is very different than full scale construction, I have gone out of my way to become involved in building projects: two design/build studios at UTSA, a Veteran’s Memorial competition in San Antonio, the Ecotopian House Special Project at the BAC, and the Common Boston Common Build Competition last summer. My experiences with building, be it models or full scale objects, have been intrinsic to my interest in design. However, construction is not the end-all of an architectural education. My professional expriences have helped foster my understanding of the process behind the building. Working at Parson’s 3D/I introduced me to the organization of a large firm: how projects are split up, how deadlines are met, what meeting clients is like, etc. My intership there did not last long enough for me to become a real ‘member’ of such a large firm and the lack of community made me realize that I wanted to work in a smaller, more intimate place. The internship I held at Absolute Design Partners was the best experience of working at an architecture firm that I have had thus far. Because of the limited number of employees and large amount of work, I was involved in a variety of tasks: from redlining to on-site surveys to creation of construction documents. I was able to take what I learned at the work place and apply it in studio. I realized how important details are, and that something as simple as a wall is assembled of a multiplicity of materials, each of which has a thickness and a function. My design work in studio become more realistic and thorough as a consequence. The position I hold currently has made me aware of the importance of systems’ design. Working with the Deep Energy Retrofit as well as EnerSpective has made me think about how the buildings I design will be heated and cooled and how systems can help improve occupant comfort without extreme environmental costs.
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Holistic Design/EnerSpective Client: Liane Curtis Somerville, MA
This project involved an all-out renovation of a three story, 150 year old house near Davis Square. Though originally hired to document the process of the retrofit, I became more involved after joining EnerSpective. The house had suffered major damage during a storm and Ms. Curtis decided to retrofit the house instead of simply repairing the portion affected. This involved conversation with many consultants as well and contractors. I arrived on the scene soon after the work had begun. The job gave me an opportunity to talk to people from the industry who had done similar projects. I watched 4” of insulation being installed around the entire envelope including the roof. I explored the existing systems in the basement, saw how much space they took up, and had the opportunity to help deign an alternative method of heating which would take up less than a quarter of the space. All windows were also replaced to triple glazed, low-e models - except in Liane’s study, where she wanted to have a window that allowed more warmth to enter the room during the winter. The attention to individual comfort as well as the speed of construction was inspiring. The work I did for EnerSpective, for this and other projects since then, required close collaboration with one of my supervisors - Andy Proulx. I aided him with the CAD layout of the boiler system and gained much knowledge in the process. Mr. Proulx’s approach to every project begins with a look at the existing systems, their connections, and their layout throughout the structure. He then tries to utilize as much of the existing piping as possible. This allows for slightly lower costs (no need to create new holes), and a tighter envelope. Thanks to the DER and my work with EnerSpective, I am much more aware of systems and their function within a building. * Synergy, the construction company which had worked on the house, recently won an award from Massachusetts Clean Energy Council for their work on this and other projects.
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Existing Systems Originally, Liane’s house was heated via a furnace which blew hot air into each apartment through vents in the floors. However, this system was easily blocked by furniture or rugs and created pockets of heat rather than enveloping entire spaces. Her hot water was stored in tanks heated by an oil-filled boiler that took up space and was expensive to maintain. Also, having spearate systems for heating functions made the basement completely unusable.
Existing Boiler
Existing Furnace
Existing Hot Water Tanks
New Boiler Layout The new layout called for the removal of both the furnace and boiler. A Phoenix Evolution Combination Hydronic Appliance replaced the existing systems. This single device handles both water and space heating in a more compact, efficient fashion. Mr. Proulx and I collaborated on the layout of new piping (the system is hydronic so requires radiators rather than vents). We used vent holes and chimney as a chase to contain piping for delivery and return of hot water.
New Systems The replacement system takes up less than a quarter of the space previously required. The chimney was demolished and now acts as a chase for hydronic piping, delivering hot water to and from every apartment. The new layout allows Liane to use her basement for storage and gives her the option of eventually transforming it into livable space.
New Phoenix Evolutions Combination Hydronic System
Chiimney Vent being Reused as Chase for Hydronic System
Basement Before
Basement After