NICHOLAS GASCON Undergraduate Portfolio Spring 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRO 1
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INTRO 2
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The Kit of Elements Intro 1 | Spring 2018 | Trace Gainey
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PARASITIC UNITY An abstract model consisting of a set of planes and masses were used to develop three-dimensional spatial constructs of varying scales. In my final model, the small and medium scale models interacted in unity to break down the largest scale mass in a parasitic manner. They represented my concept of a seperated mother and her child working together to overcome an existing barrier, represented by the large scale wooden mass, in order to become reconnected.
Final model
Small and medium scale process models
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Section drawing of final draft model
Axonometric Drawing of final model
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Overhead view of medium scale cradled into larger scale structure.
Detailed view showing small scale model digging into wood and connecting to medium scale model.
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Movements in a Field Intro 1 | Spring 2018 | Trace Gainey
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NON-LINEARITY The movie Pulp Fiction was viewed and analyzed in terms of its linearity, continuity, and moments of tension and comedic relief. Six vignettes from the movie were then abstracted into drawings that were used to construct models representing them. They were then assembled to form a cohesive movement and placed on a base reacting to it. I designed my final model to showcase the moments where the stories in the movie interact with each other while also being disjointed to display its non-linearity.
Final model
Cross section drawings of final model
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Drawings of six vignettes capturing different moments in the movie.
Constructed vignettes
Picture of the 3 constructed vignettes assembled into final draft.
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Long section and plan elevation drawings of final model.
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Final model
Detailed view displaying the fragmentation of the model associated with the non-linearity of the movie.
Detailed view showing where the different stories in the movie overlaped and intertwined with each other.
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The Light Box Intro 1 | Spring 2018 | Trace Gainey
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SPACE and LIGHT Cited on my final model from the Movements in a Field project, a light box theatre was made with an approach connecting to it. The theatre was designed to have two main habitable spaces; a public space and a private projection room. Throughout the design process I had to consider how light interacted with these spaces, how they were seperated, the movement throughout them, and scaled inhabitability. My final model had an approach leading to the first public space with a threshold seperating it from a private projection room.
Final model
3x3 Process models
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Representation showing where the theatre and approach sit on the project two cite.
Detailed pictures of final draft model
Angled elevation of entrance
Light entering projector room onto theatre screen.
Angled elevation of public space
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Axonometric drawing of final draft
Final model
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Plan elevation and long section of final model.
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Final model
Detailed view showing light entering the projector room onto the theatre screen.
Detailed views showing light entering the public space from the theatre’s entrance and from the projector room.
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Cross sections of final model without the approach
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Box morph surface tiling process made using Grasshopper.
Axonometric view of final model on Rhino
Digital Work
V-Ray rendering of final model with panel designed using Grasshopper added to enclose projector room.
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Le Petit Cabanon
Intro 2 | Fall 2018 | Hala Barakat
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DREAM HOUSE Phase 1 of this project began with a speed analysis of three well known houses; Delta Shelter, 4x4 House, and Casa Bianchi. These houses were then drawn axonometrically to show their envelope, circulation, interior walls, and structure. After understanding the relationship between the spatial organization of these buildings and the tectonics of building components. I was assigned to design my “Dream House.�
Final model
Process sketches of Dreamhouse
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Dissecting Systems: Casa Bianchi
Located in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, Mario Botta’s design of Casa Bianchi expresses the relationship a house can have with its surrounding environment. The defined and concrete geometric form is enveloped by a facade that acts as an aperture allowing for natural light to enter the building from each side. This is complimented by its spiraling staircase within the hearth that distributes circulation throughout the building. The entrance is located on the top floor which is connected to an adjacent hill via a steel structured bridge, truely connecting it to nature.
Image source: https://rivaspring2016.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/mario-botta-buildings/
Structure and floor plates
Exploded exterior walls
Circulation
Rendered Drawings
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Dissecting Systems: Delta Shelter
Made by Tom Kundig and located in Mazama Washington, the Delta Shelter was designed to be small, easy to maintain, and with the environment in mind. The cabin consists of three floors which stand on stilts to elevate it above the flood plane which it resides on. Four shutters on each side of the building which can be simultaneously opened and closed give a total view of the surrounding environment in every room. The Cabin’s linear circulation begins on the flood plane and takes you through each floor both having balconies connecting back to views of its surrounding nature.
Image source: https://www.archdaily.com/215448/delta-shelter-olson-kundig-architects
Exterior walls and hearth
Sliding shutters
Structure
Rendered Drawings
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Dissecting Systems: 4x4 House
The 4x4 house, built in 2003, was designed by architect Tadao Andoa who used geometric bases for his design in order to achieve a balance between the building and its surroundings.The building is mostly enclosed for privacy with apertures on the top floors facing the sea to allow in light and ventilation. A linear circulation through the building connects to each floor which have their own distinct function. The displaced cube on the top floor not only makes up for the space taken up by the staircase but also reflects Tadao’s concept of reconnecting the individual with the landscape.
Image source: https://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/4x4-house-ii/
Exterior walls
Exploded exterior walls
Circulation
Rendered Drawings
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Image source: https://www.tosilappi.fi/en/pihtsuskongas-waterfall/
Depiction of where house would be located on site.
Dream House After studying the 3 houses I was assigned to think of a possible site that would be the location of my dream house. My site is located in Enontekiö, Finland along the Pihtsusjoki river near the base of the Pihtsusköngäs waterfall. The location is in the wilderness far away from any other commercial or residential places. The house acts as a place one can go to get away from everyday life and retreat into nature. A conceptual drawing of where the final draft model would rest on the site was then made.
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The house was designed to be very opened to the surrounding environment with circulation begining at the base and spiraling upwards around the hearth going through each floor. On the first floor there is an extending balcony that brings you closer to the adjacent waterfall with a sliding sun roof on the top floor. The building is also attatched to the site as it hangs over the river beneath it.
Final model
Horizontal and vertical cross sections of final draft highlghting different spaces and showing how the house connects to the site.
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The Inhabitable Wall Intro 2 | Fall 2018 | Hala Barakat
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STUDIO SIXTEEN
Project two began with research on the Ocean Swimming pool by Alvaro Siza. After analyzing how the building demonstrates concepts of spatial integration and embedment into its terrain, matrixes with interventions were constructed. Afterwards, a site within USF’s campus was choosen to situate my inhabitable wall. I choose to have my wall located inbetween the Architecture and Social Sciences buildings branching off into the area in front of University Lecture Hall. The wall acts as an extension of the Architecture Building with spaces in it that can be used as studio rooms and galleries to display student work.
Plan sketch of final model
Final model
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Satellite image showing the location of the wall alongside the Architecture Building.
Process models showing the matrix of the cite and the wall as an intervention.
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Light shining along outdoor walkway
Plan elevation of wall on site
Outdoor entrance to interior gallery space
Final draft
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Cite plan drawing showing surrounding buildings, main movement, and spaces within the wall.
Pictures of site
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Axonometric drawing of final draft
Rendered perspective drawings
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Detailed view showing circulation into enclosed interior space.
Detailed view showing interior circulation between first and second floor.
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The Tectonic Umbrella Intro 2 | Fall 2018 | Hala Barakat
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SHADOW GARDEN
Buildings designed by architects Renzo Piano, Louis Kahn, and Steven Holl, each of which manipulated three different forms of light, were studied and sketched in section. After analyzing how direct, diffused, and tinted light is reflected, refracted, and filtered, three drawings abstracting each light were made. Experimental models were then built to understand how to manipulate light by creating voids in a mass. The final model acted as a cradle that was carved away by direct, diffused and tinted light interventions creating programed spaces.
Final model
Sketches of final model and sectional building studies.
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Diffused
Tinted
Process models experimenting with light
Direct
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Draft models experimenting with light with section study sketches
Pictures of draft models and final model experimenting with light
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Long section of final model
Cross sections of final model
Cross sections of final model
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Final model
Tinted light intervention
Diffused light intervention
Direct light intervention
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