Undergraduate Portfolio | Nicholas Richards | 2023

Nicholas Andrew Richards

My most significant memories generally surround experiences with friends and family, but the constant variable is always the spaces in which they took place. Architecture is all around us, constantly switching between the main character and a background role. I believe that life is about creating moments, and architecture functions as the facilitator to experience them.

THEOS

Asheville, NC

Type: Museum of Theology

Year: Winter + Spring 2022

Duration: 20 Weeks

Toolset: Rhino, Grasshopper, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop Capstone Senior Project

Museum of Theology

In a world clouded by social and environmental challenges, our generation has grown distant from one another As people, we all share contrasting backgrounds that differentiate us from one another, however, our values as humans are the same. Set in Asheville, North Carolina, Theos occupies 50,000 sq ft of the French Broad Park. This intervention minimally invades the natural aspects of the park by embedding most of the program below ground. As one approaches the museum, they are greeted by six (6) separate nodes surrounding a central structure that reveal themselves as being all connected when you enter the subterranean chambers. This parti reflects the notion that we all have diverging paths & beliefs, however, at our core, we are all connected through our humanity.

Asheville, North Carolina

Religion, in one form or another, has formed the core of human society for much of our history. It has an influence on everything around us, from the explanations we seek for our purpose within to the higher power behind the things we believe in. I believe architecture acts as a bridge to this paradigm due to its historical nature in society as a connector of people. The purpose of this museum is to challenge people’s perspectives by exhibiting diverging human heritage. By creating spaces that celebrate these similarities & differences, this experience aims to unify people of all backgrounds.

Form Development

THE SITE

Located in the French Broad River Park, Theos occupies a central region on the site, maximizing the flat terrain.

ELEMENTAL AXIS

SUBTERRANEAN

Above ground, the park is transformed into a spiritual vessel. Below ground, the users experience an enlightening journey through perspectives of life.

CARVING

Natural elements carved the shape of the stones along with removal of dirt to create the programmatic space & pathways.

Ancient stones aligned with the soltices & equinoxes emerged on the site.

The building form draws inspiration from natural elements and ancient civilizations. By aligning each node with the equinoxes, solstices, and lunar phases, the project is built on an axis for this spiritual center. Each external node has a monolithic design with perforated metal panels that diffuse light into the space.

Religious sculpture garden Light Wells

Perforated Metal Panels Modular skylight units allow disperse into the underground galleries.

Diffuse light throughout the ungrground nodes Skylight Unit

Egress Node Water Treatment Node

Site Development

05

The central building features a layered exterior that cur ves into the ground to give the appearance that it connects to something further. Through developing an underground program, the natural daylight of the chambers is controlled to create an immersive, yet sensitive experience for visitors of the museum.

Bioswales & Retention Ponds

Water collection bodies are selectively distributed throughout the site to collect surface runoff and rain water. This reduces chances of flooding and collects stormwater which is filtered in the respective node on site.

Topo Manipulation

Increase the flood plain by utilizing the soil from the underground cut to raise the topography.

Installed along the French Broad River bank to harness the hydropower. The generated power will be directed to the autonomous boat dock which contains the hub of the network.

Micro Water Power Generator

Pietzoelectric Floor Plate

IV

Horizontal Geothermal System

Site Master Plan

The central lobby of the museum features pietzoelectric floor panels which convert kinetic energy to electrical current. These are installed in the lobby as it hosts the most foot traffic.

The museums underground program utilizes the earth as a heat source/sink through its horizontal loop geothermal system.

Mass Transportation Connection

The intervention on the French Broad Park integrates an autonomous boat project to expand in Asheville. This initiative aims to create a mass transportation system along the French Broad River.

Central Atrium

The programmatic layout of Theos is curated to create interactions with people and generate a conversation amongst users. Entering the central node is the main entry point into the underground chambers. A grand stairway leads people down different paths, depending on which direction they turn.

Museum Gallery

Each path hosts r eligious gallery spaces that overlap, merging cultures and traditions into seamlessly transitioning halls of art. Conversation pits and interactive regions are spread throughout the floor plan and users are eventually funneled into a central atrium. This large open space hosts a gallery-style space that has temporary exhibits showcasing work that creates a conversation amongst different user groups.

Node Detail

Structural Layout

Each node utilizes steel space frame systems to support the open space within along with their angular forms. The main underground space functions as a green roof due to the park’s amenities sitting above on grade. As such heavy steel framing is utilized throughout the project integrated with custom T-columns and truss systems in the open atrium space.

Perforated Metal Panel

Raised floor system

Foundation Wall with footer

Engraved Glass reinforced conrete cladding Spaceframe System

North Charleston, SC CATALYST

Type: (Adaptive Re-use) Tech Hub + Offices

Year: Fall 2021

Duration: 10 Weeks

Toolset: Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, Illustrator, Photoshop

ACSA 2022 COTE Competition

CATALYST Technological Innovation Center

Located in the Historic Navy Yard of North Charleston, this existing monolithic, brutalist structure was once a pioneer of its time but has now become a relic of the past. The concept behind this adaptive reuse project is to revitalize the initial purpose of the engineering management building as a catalyst of innovation.This project aims to be a renaissance of a symbolic building, introducing a new vernacular that ties into the existing form and function.

Thr ough civic and architectural intervention, this building will be transformed into an Innovation Center to function as an activator for industry growth in the area. The creation of a tech hub + educational center serves to invite future developers to see the potential in North Charleston as an advancing region.

North Charleston, South Carolina

Address existing site conditions Adaptive intervention

The existing monolithic concrete building set a strong foundation for reinterpreting its form by introducing new vernacular

55% of the existing structure was removed to allow the new vernacular to intervene the site and juxtapose the old style with the new.

The building footprint was expanded to create a more prominent street presence and curate an inviting public ground floor.

Eight inclusive “digital cities”

Expanding Opportunity from emerging innovation clusters US Cities that employ more women and mninority populations in tech. In these cities, people of color, women and workers without a college degree are receiving more jobs than the sector norm. The goal of this project is to make Charleston the ninth.

Charleston is one of the fastest growing tech markets in the country. Due to the rapid increase of new residents moving in each day, the city is rapidly evolving to meet the needs of its citizens. The area has quietly developed into the number 1 mid-sized U.S metro area for IT job growth.

Design for Integration Design for Ecosystems Design for Resources

Structure flex ETFE panel systems are utilized to shade the curtain walls and diffuse light throughout the space. The central atrium functions as a stack ventilation system, creating an airflow between floors. The high thermal mass of the revitalized concrete structure contributes to the reduced heat load within the 200,000 square foot structure. Occupants will be in the comfort zone 32% of the year, with passive shading and thermal mass heating dictating the other 68%.

As an adaptive reuse project, 52% of the existing concrete structure was revitalized in the new design. 5819 metric tons of embodied CO2 will be captured through the reuse of this material. The concrete panels that were removed will be recycled at local plants. Lastly, carbon emissions will be reduced through the passive algae modular panels.

The Egress wall of the south panels that contain algae. algae are approximately removing carbon from carbon reduction sets a introducing these modular within the area.

Double Envelope Detail

The ETFE shading panels are projected from the facade of the building, creating a double envelope system that is attached to the curtain walls with steel framing.

Ecosystems Design for Discovery Design for Economy

south facade features modular algae. Comparative to trees, microapproximately 150 to 200 times more efficient at the air. This response to embodied a foundation to expand upon by modular panels into upcoming projects

The implemented sustainable systems will be tracked based on performance and these metrics will be visualized on holographic boards in the central atrium. The Catalyst is designed as a symbol of innovation, as such, the program is designed to continuously evolve with the advancements in technology. Each sustainable system has the potential to be further advanced through developments in design.

The Catalyst’s program aims to be an economic driver for the city of Charleston. Due to the rapidly developing tech industry, the job market for computer scientists is at its peak. By introducing tech classes and industrial workshops, the public sector will have the opportunity to learn previously unattainable skillsets such as programming. Start-up businesses that occupy the office levels will also introduce new careers to the market. This will increase job mobility in the region and in turn have a positive effect on Charleston’s economy.

Model Shop

Exisiting Building Adaptation

In adapting an exisiting building, the goal of this project was to honor the original design and blend the existing facade with modern architectural elements. The building itself is a representation of innovation as the existing facade is juxataposed by the new materiality, showcasing the progression in the area and of the current generation.

Central Atrium

The central atrium functions as the technological hub of the Catalyst and allows natural sunlight to filter throughout the western wing. Heat generated from the technological systems within the building filter through the atrium and into the mechanical core where it is captured by the EPV system.

Design for Integration Design for Energy Design for Water

The juxtaposition of the existing structure with a new addition conveys the idea of this innovation center serving as a catalyst for developing the tech industry in Charleston. Through capitalizing on the rapid growth of the area, the building’s contrasting facades represent this emergence of a new digital city as a response to the community and changing times.

Capitalizing on the site’s climatic conditions, capturing solar energy and heat gain functioned as the driving sustainable system in this project. South facing PV arrays are fixed to the roof of the building and a heat diffusing facade system wraps the curtain walls.The core of the building features energy recovery ventilation systems that can recover 70% to 80% of the energy in the exiting air of a building and deliver that energy to the incoming air. Additionally, the Algae wall on the south facade reduces carbon emissions through the species intense photosynthetic abilities.

The north facade of the building made of water harvesting rainwater from the roof down be stored in cisterns beneath is held for re-use and pumped system located behind the Energy

The ventilation in the the of heat

Passive system - Daylight and Stack Ventilation Atrium

Direct sunlight is filtered through the central atrium of the building, diffusing light throughout the west section of the structure. Air flows between this vertical corridor, filtering into the EPV system.

Entrance Overhang - Shading & Office Exposure

The shaded overhanging entrance creates a prominent street presence that shades the west facade of the building and exposes the program of the innovation center, inviting the public to enter.

Water building features a wall harvesting fins that channel down into the ground to beneath grade. This water pumped into the filtration the water fin wall.

Design for Equitable Community

The goal of this project was to introduce a tech innovation center into a growing digital city. The site is located in North Charleston within the historic navy yard which is primarily an industrial area. Through expanding the already existing tech industry in downtown Charleston to this sector, job mobility will increase and invite future development into the area. The educational aspect of the program will allow those are interested in the tech industry but have not had prior access to learn about this field.

Energy Recovery Ventilation Core

The building’s central core features an Energy recovery ventilation HVAC system that exchanges the energy contained the exhausted air of the conditioned space, using it to treat the incoming outdoor ventilation air. This controls the high level heat produced by the technology in the building.

Design for Well-being

The building diffuses natural light throughout the interior spaces primarily through the central atrium, creating an comforting environment controlled by the ERV system. An outdoor terrace addition was introduced on the existing facade to engage the public domain and create a stronger connection the adjacent park which has been revitalized with new pathways and seating areas.

Active system - PV Panels

Approximately 11,000 sq ft of south facing PV panels are featured on the roof of the structure, generating solar power for the overall building.

Event seating + Outdoor Terrace

A double height feature stair seating area lies adjacent to the second level terrace on the east facade. These spaces provide breaking points between the intense working + learning activity of the building program.

North Easton, MA CHRYSALIS

Type: Event Pavilion (Mixed-use)

Year: Spring 2021

Duration: 10 Weeks

Toolset: Rhino, Grasshopper, Lumion, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects

Interchangeable Event Space CHRYSALIS | PAVILION

Ar chitecture is constantly evolving much like the world around us. We live in a generation that adopts change, which is paramount by technological innovation. This idea of a paradigm shift that embraces transience in today’s society is the anchor of this project. By creating an event pavilion that features a flexible floor plan , space can be adjusted to suit the need of specific events, curating new environments with each layout.

The Chrysalis Pavilion is a symbol of change for people from all walks of life, sharing the roots of the existing Ames main house to express a new purpose. Through its dynamic form-changing facade, adaptation is expressed within the design, reflecting the multi-use space in both form and function. The facade features kinetic panels that open and close to adapt to climatic conditions and bridge the boundary between indoor and outdoor space.

Legend

1. Interactive Educational Wall

2. ADA Entrance Path

3. Picnic Pads

4. Pavilion Outdoor Seating

5. Event Pavilion

6. Kinetic Pathway Pads

7. Tent Space

8. Multi-media Deck

9. Additional Parking

10. Cube House

11. Carriage House

Drone View

Sun path & angle - 8AM

Sun path & angle - 1PM

Sun path & angle - 6PM

Responsive Facade

The kinetic panels have the ability to respond to the movement of the sun and control the lighting conditions throughout the day. Due to Massachussets’ temperate climate this feature is designed mainly to control lighting, however, in the event that the temperature is high, this solar paneling system also serves to reduce heat gain.

Chrysalis Lighting 6PM

Chrysalis Lighting 1PM

Chrysalis Lighting 8AM

Chrysalis represents a transitional state, such as the stage between a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. The form of this pavilion pays homage to this principle as it expands at the center and contracts at the ends to create a dynamic space that ties back to the original concept.

Kinetic Facade

Panel Cells

Each panel node can rotate up to 50 0 individually or simultaneously

Panel

Framing System

Rotating Mechanism

This framing layer connects the panels to the spaceframe and hosts the rotary system.

Timber Spaceframe

Spaceframe Detail

Concrete Footers

The timber spaceframe nodes connect to one another to transport loads into the foundation.

Structural Development

Foundation Detail

A pin connection is used to attach the spaceframe to the foundation.

The Chrysalis consists of four (4) main structural components that come together to support its adaptable skin and ensure the structure transfers loads effectively.

Supporting Cube House

Event Pavilion Floor Plan

The floor plan of the Chrysalis is intended to be dynamic and flexible to host numerous event types from wedding receptions to live performances.

Second Floor

The second floor contains more storage and restrooms as well as a gallery showcasing the history of the Ames Estate.

The ground floor hosts the catering kitchen along with restrooms for the event pavilion.

Ground Floor Storage

Basement

The basement houses the majority of storage used in the pavilion as the requierments change depending on the event.

Chrysalis Pavilion

Wedding Reception

The Chr ysalis is the perfect place for a wedding reception with its large floor plan and unique lighting conditions created by the kinetic panels.

Piano Performance

By closing all the panels, pavilion are enchanced and express their talents

panels, the acoustics within the and set the stage for musicians to

Educational Lecture

As this pavilion is open to both public and private events, this grand space can be used to host educational lectures about the Ames History, or reserved for a private screening event.

Thunderbolt,GA OASIS

Type: Environmental Awareness Park

Year: Winter 2021

Duration: 10 Weeks

Toolset: Rhino, Grasshopper, V-ray, Illustrator, Photoshop

IDA 2021 Honorable Mention

OASIS

Environmental Awareness Park

Oasis is a place of serenity, isolated from the urban context. The purpose of this project is to educate individuals about the symbiotic relationship between mankind and the natural environment through a symbolic “Oasis”. This merger of architecture and landscape conveys a unique expression of how we coexist with the world around us.

The form appears as a manipulation of the landscape, implying that the structures emerged from the ground and were engineered to create programmatic space. This public park and restoration site is used to encourage community gatherings and spread local awareness on the pollution of the marshlands.

Conceptual Sketches

Thunderbolt

Wilmington River

Site Plan

The site is located within the marshland of Thunderbolt, isolated from the urban environment. The Oasis is introduced to this ecosystem and creates a unique public space for individuals to gather and occupy the natural environment while being connected to the architecture.

Oasis

Gondola Station

Walkable Green Roof

The final element of Oasis hills are the two green roofs that slope down to the base of each structure, creating walkable paths for the visitors to interact with the site.

PTFE Ventilated Mesh

Coated in fiberglass, PTFE fiberglass ventilated panels cover the exterior of the facade, creating a durable skin that is waterproof and long lasting.

Translucent Membrane

Wrapping the superstructure is a lightweight translucent membrane that allows light to penetrate the interior and supports the PTFE layer.

Hexagonal Cell Structure

A parametric structural space-frame is utilized to support the structure of the Oasis “hills” to allow the interior spaces to be open and free of columns.

Cable Support Structure

The Gondola line is supported by a series of undulating tower structures that are arnchored to the river bed. These curved elements host the cables that carry the gondolas across the river.

Gondola Pod

To access the Oasis, visitors travel across the Wilmington River using gondola pods designed to capture the unique experience of the site. The open design allows users to embrace the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Gondola Station

Visitors arrive at the Oasis Gondola Station and to allow exiting guests to board. These gondola stations are located at various parks around the introducing a new mode of transportation between public spaces.

Wilmington River

and unload

gondola the city, between

Marshland Park

The Oasis creates a natural environmental public park within the marsh that serves as a restoration site for the surrounding species.

Walkable Green Roof

The Oasis features walkable green roofs on both of the emerging structures. These allow visitors to view the surrounding area from a new perspective in a site that is predominantly flat.

Dock Entrance |

The undulating forms of the pr oject juxtaposes the architectural vernacular of the area, however, these hill-like structures purposefully stand out in a rather flat-lying area. By creating a form that conveys itself as a manipulation of the landscape, the Oasis breaks the boundaries between the built and natural environment by combining them into one. The project is separated into two forms with a grand courtyard that connects them. Each form features walkable green roofs that encourage visitors to ambulate and capture new perspectives of the beautiful marshlands surrounding the site.

Spartina Grass Farming Hub |

The Oasis houses Spartina grass planting pods that gr ow native plants used to create buffer strips of healthy plants that resist diseases and filter the marshlands. As the Oasis is open to the public, the planting pods are accessible by anyone, and users are encouraged to aid in the restoration process by harvesting healthy plants and building buffer strips as a communal activity. This allows the community to become a part of the resiliency in their own local ecosystem and become more connected to their environment.

Oasis Floor Plan

City-wide Gondola Project

Through expansion of the Oasis Gondola Transportation System, the cities of Savannah and Thunderbolt can utilize the success of this development to create a network of gondola systems that connect the city’s major parks and squares. The City-wide Gondola Project aims to provide a new perspective on public transportation and bring new life into the city as it provides a unique experience in traveling.

Physical Model Photographs

“ Life is about creating moments, and architecture functions as a facilitator to experience them”