Olivia Breytenbach, Portfolio 2022

2022

PORTFOLIO

OLIVIA BREYTENBACH

Academic and Professional Selected Works

CONTENTS

Academic 1

KENSINGTON AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT

5

VIRTUAL ZÜRICH

Fall 2021

Spring 2021

11

EMBRACE LEGAL CENTRE

15

CREATIVE HUB

Winter 2021

Spring 2016

Professional 19

MANHATTAN HOUSE

21

WATKINS FIELD HOUSE

23

COMMONWEALTH AVENUE

BH+A

BH+A

Meyer & Meyer, Inc.

Academic

KENSINGTON AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT Institution: University of Calgary Studio: Work Integrated Learning (LOLA Architecture) Instructors: Erica Lowe, Maria Landry, Rob Gairns Team: Connor Chow, Stevia Hatzikiriakos, Erika Sieweke & Rica Migrino Term: Fall 2021

In this 5-person team studio under the guidance of our mentors at LOLA Architecture, we explored the requirements for an integrated, self-sustaining affordable housing development that incorporates a greenhouse on the roof. Each team member was responsible for a specific area of design - specifying and designing community-based spaces, greenhouse design, and specifying an energy target and ensuring its application in the final design. My role was to specify the mass timber construction, as well as to design the layouts of the multifamily residential and underground parking components of the project.

Each of the six residential levels has seven units for a total of 42 units, all planned using a standard mass timber column grid. There are a total of seven unit types, all of which include ample storage space, in-suite laundry, and a private, covered balcony.

Programs used: Revit, Enscape, Illustrator, Photoshop.

FRONT ELEVATION 1

2

RESIDENTIAL LEVELS, FLOOR-TO-FLOOR HEIGHT, TYP.

3RD FLOOR RESIDENTIAL UNIT LAYOUT 3

TYP. RESIDENTIAL UNIT LAYOUT

UNIT D

UNIT D

UNIT E

UNIT E

UNIT F

UNIT F

2 Bed / 2 Bath 85m²

1 Bed / 1 Bath 57m²

2 Bed / 2 Bath 89m²

4

Academic

VIRTUAL ZÜRICH Institution: University of Calgary Studio: Urban Systems Instructor: Francisco Alaniz Uribe Team: Hailey Bloom (Assignment 1) Term: Spring 2021

5

The first assignment of this virtual study abroad semester was an in-depth urban analysis, where we were paired up with another student from a differing program stream to dissect an 800m by 800m section of the City. I was paired with a Planning student to explore and critically analyze a portion of the HÖschgasse neighbourhood. Among other topics, I was responsible for the creation of the townscape types map and typology examples shown below.

Programs used: ArchGIS, Rhino 3D, Illustrator, Photoshop.

6

N 0 7

100

200

400

CONCEPTUAL MASSING

EXTRUSION

The final assignment was an urban design prototyping exercise to be carried out individually. The prototyping project involved the redevelopment of a large site within the City of Zürich, and included three scales of design: neighbourhood, parcel, and human scale. Given the variety of backgrounds amongst studio participants, we were given a high-degree of freedom in regards to our design direction.

EXTENSION

The site had historically been a brickyard with stepping clay pits, which gave rise to the conceptual inspiration for my massing strategy. The design objectives for my proposal for the site were to increase accessibility for residents and visitors alike; to increase the number and diversity of community resources through targeted commercial tenants; to increase the functionality of the existing sports complex and create additional recreation space to help the site feel more purposeful; and to create vibrant streetscapes with a variety of open spaces. The final design provides spaces that attract many generations and a range of housing types to attract resident diversity, as well as increased greenery and strengthened transit connections through new roadways.

Programs used: Rhino 3D, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop.

CUT OUTS

MASTERPLAN 8

ROAD TYPOLOGIES

A-A DOUBLE-SIDED

9

B-B SINGLE-SIDED

C-C PEDESTRIAN-FOCUSED

HUMAN SCALE SKETCH PARCEL URBAN SECTION

10

Academic

EMBRACE LEGAL CENTRE Institution: University of Calgary Studio: Comprehensive Instructor: Erin Faulkner Team: Connor Chow Term: Winter 2021

When our comprehensive studio professor challenged our section to focus our efforts on defining what voice meant to us, my partner and I were immediately drawn to the notion of voice within the legal perspective. We were keen to address some of the many shortcomings and struggles inherent within our legal system through the design of a piece of architecture that would become an anchor in the larger community, that would contribute meaningful, accessible space to the public realm, and that would serve the people of Calgary as they attempt to navigate the complexities of interpersonal conflict in these tough times.

As a team, my partner and I both took part in each and every aspect of this comprehensive design project - from 3D modeling and rendering to structural and mechanical system specification, sustainability strategies and landscape design, conceptual design, graphic design, and presentation delivery, we shared each task while building on our individual strengths.

Programs used: Revit, Enscape, Illustrator, Photoshop.

FLOOR PLANS 11

EAST APPROACH AT DUSK

12

As the day goes on, the appearance of the building and site changes dramatically die to the use of a lightly fritted glass facade with a reflective coating that adjusts to changing daylight conditions. Shown from left to right, these visualizations depict the appearance of the facade in the morning, noon, and evening.

The library offers a quiet space where groups or individuals can conduct research on legal matters. When the sunlight is strongest, the fritted outer glass facade filters the light and adds a level of privacy. In the late hours of the day, the same facade allows more light to enter the space and provides a clear view of the surrounding context.

TOP OPPOSITE

BOTTOM OPPOSITE

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES

13

14

Academic

CREATIVE HUB Institution: Northeastern University Studio: Comprehensive Capstone Instructor: Silvia Illia-Sheldahl Team: Marilyn Chu Term: Spring 2016

For the capstone project of my undergraduate degree, we were tasked to design a building of our choosing on a piece of land at the edge of the University in Boston, MA. The project focus was the design of resilient buildings, with an emphasis on designing for “Future Use.” We were asked to plan for possible futures for the building to ensure its relevancy to future users, and to anticipate possible subsequent uses. Given these requirements, the building would need to transform efficiently to meet unknown future spatial, structural, and energy needs in response to a changing context and environment.

Programs used: Rhino 3D, Maxwell Render, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop.

MODEL PHOTOS 15

FUTURE USE PROJECTIONS

16

BRICK DENSITY

MATERIAL APPEARANCE PROGRAM QUALITY

17

My partner and I decided to design a creative hub for university students from Northeastern, Wentworth Institute of Technology and beyond that responds to advancements in technology. Our design was governed by three main goals - Adaptability, Integration, and Cost-Awareness. By specifying a robust structural system of mostly precast concrete components in common sizes that may already be ready to use, the building may be constructed more quickly while also being able to last through the years. By joining forces with other higher-education institutions with similar degree programs, our project invests in Boston’s future architects, engineers, and designers in meaningful ways.

PRECAST TRUSSES

PRECAST BEAMS

CONCRETE STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

SITECAST TOPPING SLABS

PRECAST DOUBLE TEES

PRECAST CORES 18

UNIT D2101 KITCHEN ELEVATIONS

Professional

MANHATTAN HOUSE Firm: BH+A Location: Upper East Side, New York, NY Supervisor: Ben Wilson Co-op Term: Fall 2015

My main project over my 8 month tenure at BH+A was a building known as Manhattan House. This was a great opportunity for me to learn how to manage different groups within a project. When I was made lead contact for the project, I kept in constant communication with building owner representatives and managers, construction crews, and the lead architect. I spent a lot of time working in the construction administration phase, which gave me good exposure to the permitting process. While the majority of my time was spent on multi-unit residential architecture, I also got to work on some institutional, commercial, and historic buildings, both renovations and new construction, in small amounts.

Skills: Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Bluebeam, hand sketching.

MAID’S QUARTERS RENOVATION OPTIONS 19

UNIT D2101 PLAN

20

CHOSEN SCHEME

Professional

WATKINS FIELD HOUSE Firm: BH+A Location: Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, MA Supervisor: Ben Wilson Co-op Term: Fall 2015 During construction, I was brought into this project to present several iterations of a gymnasium floor design to one of the firm’s principal architects. The task involved utilizing the school’s primary colours and mascot in multiple forms to create an arrangement that was not only visually pleasing, but that also clearly demarcated the boundaries for the many different sports that the court would need to accommodate.

Skills: Revit, Photoshop, Bluebeam.

21

ALTERNATE OPTIONS 22

Professional

COMMONWEALTH AVENUE Firm: Meyer & Meyer, Inc. Location: Boston, MA Supervisor: Nancy Sadecki Co-op Term: Summer 2013

My first professional experience in architecture was at the small firm of Meyer & Meyer, Inc., well-known in the Greater Boston Area for their outstanding residential architecture. Between May 2013 and April 2015, I worked with their talented team of architects and interior designers to design renovations for existing residential buildings, such as the one on this page. I also worked on sections, elevations, plans, and construction details for several single-family home renovations throughout the Boston area.

Once the mirror image of the building next door, this seven-story townhouse had been altered to include an additional floor and the primary elevation was changed to brick and stone. Meyer & Meyer’s work was driven by the desire to recapture the spirit of the original facade.

Extensive improvements to the facade included elongating the proportions, reviving the Mansard roof, and replacing the brick and stone with limestone veneer. My role was to help draw the front and rear elevations through site documentation and by digitizing the master sketch, as well as to create facade color study options for client approval.

Skills: AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop.

23

EXISTING CONDITIONS RENDERED ELEVATION

FINAL DESIGN RENDERED ELEVATION

24

OB olivia.breytenbach@ucalgary.ca (587) 575-8860