Masters of Architecture Portfolio, Iowa State University

NATHAN SCOTT

FABRICATING CONNECTIONS ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

WE ARE WHAT WE REPEATEDLY DO. EXCELLENCE, THEN, IS NOT AN ACT, BUT A HABIT. ARISTOTLE

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 SINGLE BUILT | D F F 14 BOSTON SYMPHONY HALL | C 20 MORFÍLIOS LABS |ACSA M D 24 CYLCODROME | C 26 OREON E. SCOTT CHAPEL | D 28 CAFE SWERVE | C D 30 LIVE WORK COMPLEX | N Y IGITAL

ORM

INDING AND

FABRICATION

OMPREHENSIVE

ICROBIOLOGY LAB

OLLEGE OF

UNIVERISTY

ESIGN

EW

- COVER - WALKER ART CENTER SKY PESHER - ADJACENT - SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

COMPETITION

ESIGN

RAKE

OLLEGE OF

STUDIO

ORK

CITY

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SINGLE BUILT: DIGITAL FORM FINDING AND FABRICATION

THE BEST WORK IS EVENLY BALANCED AS ANALOG AND DIGITAL, A REAL DIALOG BETWEEN MIND, MACHINE AND HAND.

- ROB CORSER -

Graduate Spring 2013 Professor Rob Whitehead Patrick Rhodes

THE

GOAL OF MY SELF-DIRECTED STUDY WAS TO INVESTIGATE

AND ENGAGE THE RISING TREND OF DIGITAL DESIGN COUPLED WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF STRUCTURAL FORM. DESIGNERS

HAVE

BEEN

ENGAGING

THE

SEVERAL

TECHNIQUES

OF

PARAMETRIC MODELING, BUT WHAT IS OFTEN FOUND TO BE OF ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS A DISTINCT SEPARATION OF FORM TO ITS

+

+

LITERAL CONSTRUCTABILITY.

THEREFORE,

THE RESEARCH AGENDA OF THE PROJECT WAS TO

ASSESS HOW DIGITAL DESIGNS THAT ARE BASED ON REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS, SPECIFICALLY PARABOLIC THIN SHELL STRUCTURAL FORMS, THAT CAN BE FABRICATED AND ASSEMBLED WITH AN EASE AND MEANS NOT PREVIOUSLY DEMONSTRATED.

PALMIRA CHAPEL. FELIX CANDELA

THE

CAPANNONE. PIER LUIGI NERVI

FIRST STEP INVOLVED FIGURING OUT HOW TO FABRICATE

THROUGH A DIGITAL MEDIUM.

I

CREATED PARABOLIC FORMS

CADENARY AND THEN IMPORTED THE LINES INTO RHINOCEROS. FROM THERE I WAS ABLE TO CREATE THE SURFACE AND RIBBED MODEL. NEITHER OR THESE WERE AS STRUCTURALLY SOUND AS I HAD DESIRED, BUT WHEN I PUT THEM TOGETHER, THEY FORMED A SPACE-FRAME FORM THAT HELPED ME UNDERSTAND THE MODULAR FORM WHICH I COULD KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH. IN A SOFTWARE CALLED

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RHINO DIGITAL REPRODUCTION: CARDBOARD

ONCE THE DIGITAL MODEL WAS CREATED IN RHINO, I UNFOLDED ALL THE SURFACES AND LAYED THEM FLAT FOR LASER CUTTING. THE CARDBOARD MODEL WAS 4’X4’ WITH FIVE MODULES IN BOTH THE X AND Y DIRECTION. IN ORDER TO CONNECT THE MODULES, I USED A SIMPLE CLIP THAT ENDED UP PINCHING THE MODULES TOGETHER. THE IDEA WAS THAT I NEEDED TO KEEP THE CONNECTION PIECES AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE FOR EASE OF CONSTRUCTION. AFTER ASSEMBLYING THE MODEL, THE POLYGON MODULE HAD SPECIFIC AREAS ALONG THE SEAMS THAT KEPT TAKING ALL THE STRESSES OF THE FORM. I WANTED TO DISPERSE THESE STRESSES AND BY TRIANGULATING THE MODULES, I COULD BREAK UP THE STRESSES AND HAVE A STRONGER OVERALL STRUCTURE.

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SOLIDWORKS DIGITAL REPRODUCTION: 3D PRINT The SolidWorks model was created in order to test how efficient the connections could be created as part of the module itself. With SolidWorks I was able to create the modules with tabs and slots to connect the adjacent

pieces. The 3D printed pieces were successful, but the importance of the tab became apparent quickly because if the tabs were to break, the whole assembly fails.

GRASSHOPPER: SCALABLE TO CONTEXT BY

HAVING GRASSHOPPER DEFINE THE PARABOLIC

INTO

4’X8’

CUT SHEETS.

THE

GREAT PART ABOUT

THIS

PROJECT IS WITH PARABOLIC FORMS, BUT THE

SHAPE, THE STRUCTURE IS ABLE TO BE MANIPULATED

HAVING THE DEFINITION IS THAT WHEN ANY ONE PART

PARAMETRIC CAPABILITIES WITH GRASSHOPPER ARE ABLE

TO ANY CONTEXT.

FOUR MAIN SECTIONS OF

OF THE STRUCTURE GETS MANIPULATED, THE FINAL CUT

TO BE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN ANY SHAPE.

THE GRASSHOPPER DEFINITION CREATE THE SHAPES

SHEET IS AUTOMATICALLY UPDATED AND READY FOR

STRUCTURES QUICKLY WITH CAREFULLY ORGANIZED

THAT EVENTUALLY GET LABELED AND ORGANIZED

FABRICATION.

PARAMETERS IS NOW A POSSIBILITY.

HEIGHT

CATENARY DOME

THE

WIDTH

MODULAR SURFACES

FABRICATING

DIVISION

LABELING SCHEME

CUT SHEET NESTING

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DIGITAL TO PHYSICAL REALIZATION MODULE CONSTRUCTION

CUT LINE

SCORE LINE

FOLDING

ZIP TIE CONNECTIONS

ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTATION POLYGON MODULE TRIANGLE MODULE

INITIAL CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

ASSEMBLE MODULES

TIME LAPSE OF ASSEMBLY

CNC CUT SHEETS 35 CT. 4’X8’ POLYPROPYLENE SHEETS = 135 LBS. 194 TRIANGLES = 10 CU. FT. 465 CU. FT. PARABOLIC PAVILION TOTAL WEIGHT = 100 LBS.

PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS

- DIGITALLY FABRICATED THIN SHELL - EASE OF CONSTRUCTION - ECONOMY OF MATERIALS AND PROCESS: STRUCTURE PROTOTYPE - MINIMAL FALSEWORK COST WASTE TRANSPORTABLE - DIGITAL FORM FINDING - ZIP TIE ASSEMBLY WEIGHT LABOR VOLUME - OPEN SOURCE PLATFORM - GRASSHOPPER CNC CUT SHEETS 10|11

FINAL PARABOLIC PAVILION

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SITE ANALYSIS

BUILDING DIAGRAM

Graduate Fall 2012 Professor Tom Leslie The program for my comprehensive studio was a symphony hall that was located in the Financial District of Boston. After visiting the site and noticing that the pedestrian bridge that was located adjacent to our site was a popular pedestrian bridge and major connector of the South Boston’s new development and the Financial District, my partner and I decided to extend the bridge volume through the site. This move created an even smaller footprint to a small site, so the only way to achieve of programmed square footage was to move the theater up. With the theater located four floors up from the street level, the visitors to the symphony hall could experience Boston from a different perspective. Views are available up and

down the greenway as well as the canal and the South Boston.

With the initial diagram sketched, the design decisions had a solid concept to work from and the layout and sight lines were carefully placed. Because of the elevated theater and lobby floors, the structure to handle the cantilever was an immediate concern. We also wanted the lobby floors to feel light, so the only way we could succeed was to hang the floors from above. The structural members that hung onto the lobby floors then defined the roof, which was where the experimental hall and cafe were located. The building ended up being a compact and integrated design with a clear understanding of program.

BOSTON SYMPHONY CENTER | COMPREHENSIVE STUDIO

STRUCTURAL DIAGRAM

[2] ADMINISTRATION FLOOR

[3] REHEARSAL FLOOR

[5-7] LOBBY FLOORS

[8] ROOF TOP EXPERIMENTAL

HALL AND CAFE

[4] MAIN LOBBY AND THEATER

[1] SITE PLAN AND GROUND FLOOR

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WEST ELEVATION

NORTH ELEVATION

EAST ELEVATION

SOUTH ELEVATION

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Summer

11a m

11 am

6p m

m 3p

12pm

12pm

2pm

m 2p

1 or 2 floors to achieve 30,000 sf of roof

Summer pm 3p

Winter

Summer m

Winter 9am

9am ummer

Winter

6pm 7am

9am

PV Panels N

N

Sloped for water collection and pv orientationthe sun

N

Shading south window

N

Shading south window minimizing footprint

9am

Winter N

7am

N

USVI PROJECT GOAL SUSTAINABILITY

N

N

CLIMATE RESOURCES

N

N

HEAT GAIN REDUCTION: SUN SHAPED FORM

LOCAL BUILDING MATERIALS LACK OF WATER UNRELIABLE ENERGY

MORFÍLIOS LABS |ACSA MICROBIOLOGY LAB COMPETITION

Context: Analysis of St. Croix’s climate and resources lead to the design development of two important architectural sustainable systems; solar form-based laboratory design and canopy structure. This is a response to the lack of reliable energy, water, and designing with locally available building materials in new ways. Leading to the key design drivers of reducing the heat gain of the laboratory based on its form and designing a system to harvest water and energy.

BAMBOO SKIN

BAMBOO STRUCTURE

LIVING DINING LABORATORY/CLASSROOM ADMINISTRATION MAITENANCE GUEST HOUSE DOCK

CANOPY

The primary function of the canopy is to collect rain water, create outdoor microclimates through shading, and increase the square footage for solar panel arrays. The modular bamboo structure was designed to be easily built and assembled in order to keep maintenance easy and engage local craftsman in a new use of materials local to the region.

Vertical Bamboo

Bracing Bamboo

Bamboo Structure

Faceted Shell

Plywood Surface

Solar Panels

To Water Holding Tank

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S NX _Y NEUU_LYATV

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NWOD

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By mapping the sun’s azimuth and altitude throughout the year, the form for the laboratory closely adhered to a shape that maximized shading of the north and south facades, dramatically reducing heat gains. This form was interpreted as a woven bamboo outer skin of circulation spaces and an offset inner core of laboratory and public spaces. The shape also allows for passive ventilation strategies.

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CYCLODROME | COLLEGE OF DESIGN

Graduate Summer 2011 Professor Jason Alread For our Summer Service Learning course my class connected with the Des Moines Bike Collective to build them, arguably, the world’s smallest velodrome. We had a work space within our King Pavilion that had dimensions of 34’x24’ in which to build our track.

The first step was to figure out the angles of the slope of the track. All we knew for the angles was that we wanted the corners to be at a 45 degree angle and for the sides to be close to 20 degrees. We had to test our slope transitions by creating digital models and study models to see if it a bike could be ridden on it.

Once we decided on the dimensions of all the triangles which would hold our plywood surface, we started out by making one whole quarter of the track to see if the transition was what we wanted. We did end up having to change some pieces, but it was an easy fix.

I was personally in charge of managing the construction process and organizing the fifteen graduate students so we could efficiently produce each component of the track. Having my hands in each part of the construction process was valuable to understand all aspects of our project.

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Graduate Summer 2011 Professor Tom Leslie The study of a historic building in Iowa was the initial goal in this studio. I chose the Oreon E. Scott Chapel at Drake University that was designed by Eero Sarrinen.

I studied the building through drawings and modeling at first and then I proposed an intervention to the existing structure.

Throughout my studies, I became interested in the intricate wooden truss system that Sarrinen had incorporated into his Chapel and also thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the Chapel created by the amount of natural lighting that was allowed to enter the space. I took both of these aspects and manipulated them to be incorporated into my intervention, which was a lower level that would be a library for the religion program at Drake University.

Oreon E. Scott Chapel | Drake University

Sarrinen’s seven sided truss system

I took the truss system Sarrinen designed in the Chapel and pulled the two seven sided polygons apart, one being much large while the other was close to the same size as the original.

By doing this I was able to create a space within the expanded truss system, which is where the proposed library would be located. Light would then come in from above, around a gap that would be around the original alter, while also coming in from around the edges of the library. This light coming in from the edges would be diffused up the sloping ceiling and also down the angled walls. The space on the outside of this new library space is where the stairs will be located along g with additional study space that is ennclosed, but allows much more natural al lighting.

Sarrinen’s light baffel

PROPOSED

EXXISTING

Design Concept

Investigations to manipulate the seven sided truss system

Diffused lighting effect

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CAFE SWERVE | COLLEGE OF DESIGN

LIGHTING CONCEPT

COMPONENTS ON SURFACE

DIVISION OF COMPONENTS

GRASSHOPPER TO RHINO FOR FABRICATION

Graduate Fall 2011 Professor Mikesch Muecke My independent course studied the plugin Grasshopper for Rhinoceros. Through initial tutorials and learning objectives, I wanted to incorporate the perception of how light is filter through an object’s surface. I decided to create a shelf that would be located on a wall next to the College of Design cafe.

This defined the final shape that has two different levels for people of different heights, while giving them a place to set books or drinks as they wait for their food. In order to accomplish my goal of having a progression of light filtering through my shelf’s surface, I created three different components that when put into the Grasshopper definition would create the intended progression. The vectors which define the three components could be considered as the angle in which a person observes the shelf and the amount of light seen from eye level.

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Graduate Spring 2011 Professor Chuck MacBride The New York project started out with the investigation of maximum density through a specific material. I chose to make my 16”x16”x16” cube out of 2x6 studs and nail them together.

Once I manipulated the cube through coring, I had to cut the cube into separate slices with a ban saw. I took the two larger slices (red and blue slices at top of page) and hung them on a ‘T’ brace and attached the two thinner slices onto the large slices.

The building’s form, structure, and modular unit was to take inspiration from the resulting maximum density cube. The building would be located in a vacant lot located within the Chelsea District in New York City.

The Chelsea District has a variety of art museums and showcase rooms, so I wanted to create a place where fabrication studios could be located right next to where the fabricators lived.

Part of the building slice would be the main studio space while the other side of the building was where the apartments would be located.

The ‘T’ braces would be the main vertical circulation, while the smaller slices would be part of the horizontal circulation between the studio space and apartments.

LIVE WORK COMPLEX | NEW YORK CITY

MY INTENT To continually pursue a rigorous and logical design approach in belief that architectural concepts are best resolved holistically and practically.

EDUCATION Master of Architecture Iowa State University Ames, IA

EXPERIENCE Graduate Teaching Assistant IND D 592. Digital Fabrication Rhinoceros and Grasshopper Workshop Organized and Led Student Group Graduate Teaching Assistant ARCH 342. Building Science and Technology III Student Intern BWBR Architects St. Paul, MN Graduate Teaching Assistant ARCH 341. Building Science and Technology II

May 2013 G.P.A. 3.82

Spring 2013 Fall 2012 Fall 2012 Summer 2012 Spring 2012

AWARDS, HONORS, AND PUBLICATIONS Communication Award Spring 2013 Iowa State Architecture Program Parabolic Pavilion: Independent Project Spring 2013 Published on College of Design Website and Professors’ Blogs Scholarship Award 2012-2013 AIA South Dakota Comprehensive Studio: CSI Competition Finalist Fall 2012 Iowa State University Architecture Program Fall 2012 Intelligent Green Building Design Competition Finalist Top 8 Finalist Summer 2011 World’s Smallest Velodrome Iowa State Daily and Local News Stations Miller Graduate Fellowship 2010-2011 Iowa State University

Bachelor of Design in Architecture University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN Architecture Program Danish Institute of Study Abroad Copenhagen, DK Graduate Teaching Assistant ARCH 230. Design Communications I

G.P.A. 3.16

Fall 2008

Fall 2011

Graduate Research Assistant Design Center Building Proposal Luis Rico-Gutierrez. Dean of the College of Design Graduate Teaching Assistant ARCH 230. Design Communications I Landscaping Oak Ridge Nursery Brandon, SD Family Farm Evergreen Stock Farm Valley Springs, SD

May 2009

Summer 2011 Fall 2010 April - August 2010 1998 - Fall 2010

SKILLS Proficient (*) and Basic Understanding Rhinoceros 5.0* Digital Fabrication Equipment and Concepts* Grasshopper 3D* Autodesk Revit AutoCAD* SketchUp* CNC Router Laser Cutters* 3D Printing* SolidWorks

Adobe Photoshop* Adobe Illstrator* Adobe Indesign* Adobe Premiere Hand Tools and Concepts Photography Concepts Autodesk Ecotect Vasari Vray for SketchUp and Rhino

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NATHAN SCOTT

48798 267th street Valley Springs, SD 57068 (605) 929-2600 nscott13@iastate.edu