S a m p l e
P o r t f o l i o
OLIVIA M I H A L E Part II Architectural Assistant
(+44) 7760378249 | olivia.mihale@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/oliviamihale
deep thought 2 .1 THESIS PROJECT TOP SECRET Quantum Computing facility located in the North Sea
deep thought 2.1 is a research station found in the middle of the North Sea in the year 2122. Classified as a “TOP SECRET“ facility, its existence is only known to the scientists working in and around it. The research base uses leading-edge technology (Quantum Computing) in order to gather and analyse future trajectories of the world. The facility’s mission is to compare all these possible trajectories and stop any potential disasters from happening - therefore ensuring worldwide balance.
deep th
Tu r i o r e n o n s e d e
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The System Since deep thought 2.1 must stay undiscoverable, the entire system surrounding it is made up of different elements, designed using stealth and biomimicry techniques.
Seal Suit These titanium suits act as one-person submarines. They are used by the researchers accessing the facility to travel around the main building (deep thought 2.1), as well as reach the other parts of the system.
Data Centres Situated at the bottom of the sea, they are an essential part of the system, gathering realtime Big Data which is then analysed through the power of Quantum Computing.
Submarines The name is self-explanatory, however the function of these is not clear. The Submarines represent the research areas of the facility, ready to flee in case a threat approaches.
Conference Space At the core of the facility is the Conference Space, where the Quantum Computers are located and from where they operate. This space also acts as a conference area.
deep thought 2.1 A self-sufficient living quarter which offers spaces for study, access to the last books on Earth and spaces for contemplation, deep thought 2.1 is also the largest element of the system.
LEVEL 1
Security & Meeting areas
Access in the main building can only be done through a door located on the roof. A thorough 3-layer security check is done before anyone enters the main building.
LEVE
Bedrooms &
On a lower level, one can access t shared) as well as dedicated areas
EL 2
Study areas
the bedrooms (either individual or for study and research.
LEVEL 3
Green House& Food area
Level 3 presents a green area with access to an Aquaponics system (used for food harvest), as well as spaces for contemplation, designed with a biophilic mindset.
d e e p t h o u g h t 2 . 1 // T H E S I S P R O J E C T // S t u d i o 3
Underwater View As deep thought 2.1 must be untraceable, stealth techniques were used in its design, alongside biomimicry. The final iteration was created in such a manner that underwater, the building’s undulating forms resemble a pack of whales floating in the sea.
d e e p t h o u g h t 2 . 1 // T H E S I S P R O J E C T // S t u d i o 3
THE
NORTH S
EA
MY THOL
North Sea Atlas of Mythology The starting point of my thesis project (deep thought 2.1) was cultural research of the North Sea territory. My group focused on the forgotten myths of the North Sea, which culminated with the creation of the North Sea Mythology Atlas, most of which was realised by myself.
BEGINN
The North Sea Mytho visual history of the Nor mythological history. G culturally ancient seemin hundreds of artefacts,, document the idenity o Through studying the co depth we gain an overall the North Sea has been, w be as it swallo
LOGY
ATLAS
NINGS
ology map portrays a rdic Sea through its rich Geologically young, yet ng, the North Sea holds , stories or ruins, which of the place as a whole. onstituent places in more l understanding of where where it is and where it will ows the land.
d e e p t h o u g h t 2 . 1 // T H E S I S P R O J E C T // S t u d i o 1
THE LOCAL ANTHROPOCENE PROFESSIONAL STUDIES 2 Re-use Project of Grade II* Listed Tate & Lyle Sugar Silo
Boullée & Memory
VR & Re-use
Plato & Programme
Boullée’s Cenotaph for Newton acted as a central precedent. Conceptually, it raised questions about remembrance and a building’s historic importance. Tectonically, it could compare in size, if only as a fictional space, with the silo.
The creation of a VR/Digital Art exhibition in the silo was a softtouch intervention, which had the future in mind. Moreover, it was also a manifestation of Boullée’s thinking, who’s beliefs are similar to the concepts behind VR technology.
Plato’s Cave Parable was used as a metaphor for creating the building’s programme. The entrance, a dark and gloomy space, signifies a lack of knowledge. As one travels further, he/she learns more about the building’s history, hence the path becomes better lit.
Programme Arrangement The first half of the silo is dedicated to the VR/Digital Exhibition, with the second half (the better lit area) becoming a creative hub.
RE-USE STR ATEGY Soft-touch approach
Demolish the storage unit
as it does not benefit the passers-by and doesn’t reinforce the building’s heritage.
Site Location - Liverpool, UK
The three main strategies used in designing the silo, while keeping in mind its importance as an architectural icon.
The historic environment is a shared resource.
Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment.
Understanding the significance of places is vital.
Retaining the Facade
as the most valuable element of the silo, the front facades will be touched minimally.
Significant places should be managed to sustain their values.
Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent.
Documenting and learning from decisions is essential.
Arch Treatment
as those areas are hardly visible from most angles, they can be treated differently to improve light levels.
Infinity Mirror Entrance The main entrance was an infinity mirror room, which let the visitors become really self-aware and made them realise that involuntarily, they had been part of this creation - that of the silo, the exhibition or the entire world.
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3 Legend 1. Infinity Mirror Installation 2. VR dedicated areas 3. Projection curtains
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4. Transparent LED screen 5. Second level walkway 6. VR room
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7. Shop
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Digital Exhibition The digital exhibition area encompassed cutting-edge light mapping technology, alongside VR equipment, projectors and interactive screens – which showcased the history of the silo in an engaging manner.
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T H E L O C A L A N T H R O P O C E N E // P R O F E S S I O N A L S T U D I E S // Y e a r 5
EXPLODED AXO Structural Layers
1 . Spacetherme
2. walkway
3. partitions
4. internal arches
5. facades
6. concrete shell (ribs)
7. windows
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8. foundation columns
9. concrete slab
10. structural cores
11. floor plenum
12. internal columns
13. insulation
Legend 1. steel expansion bracket 2. insulation around column 3. insulation inside steel column/arch 4. 8mm floor finish 58mm screed 30mm heating/cooling system 20mm impact sound insulation 22mm access floor support plate 167mm ventilation void 50mm insulation concrete slab 5. steel plate connection
1:5 DETAIL Arch & Floor detail
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1:100 Detail Section The detail section shows all the construction layers introduced through the re-use of the silo. Most notably, the parabolic shell was left nearly untouched, in order to retain as much of the existing built fabric as possible.
T H E L O C A L A N T H R O P O C E N E // P R O F E S S I O N A L S T U D I E S // Y e a r 5
UP-LIFTED PROFESSIONAL STUDIES 1 Housing Project for Transient Residents
Site Access
Carving Pathways
Site Lift-off
The roads offered access into the site from all four corners.
Using these 4 access routes, a pathway was carved into the site, to create its circulation.
The site’s circulation was changed into a bridge, which allowed it to be linked to the port.
Adding Green Space
Control Centre
Transient Housing
To invite both residents and passers-by into the site, a green area was added.
A control center for drone observation was also added above the walkway.
The housing units for transient residents who taught residents about drones were added.
A Drone “Eco”system The concept behind Up-Lifted was to create a system that would deplete the highly congested M58 motorway, which was passing closely by the N-W border of the site. Hence, a Sefton-wide (Liverpool borough) master plan was developed, which introduced and hoped for the gradual expansion of a drone infrastructure. This would reduce freight related traffic through drone delivery services. The system would also branch out into a medical emergency line.
WALK WAY
WALK WAY
Roof Detail
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Socially Productive Space
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The walkway acted as a “socially productive space “, an area where residents were coming to gain skills taught by incoming, transient users. The skill exchange would make the local businesses flourish and would ensure the development of the drone infrastructure. Moreover, the walkway also acted as a pedestrian link between the site and the port.
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1. Glass railing
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2. Concrete slab - part of the green roof construction
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3. Spaceframe
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4. Structural cores
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5. Glass curtain wall 6. Concrete slab - part of the floor construction 13
Legend
7. Lateral steel bracing 8. Pad foundation - with structural columns transmitting the force to the ground
1. green roof layers 2. parapet clapping, 3mm aluminium, insulated 3. 60mmx60mm aluminium rail 4. 60mmx60mm aluminium post 5. 12mm laminated safety glass - 6mm cavity - 8mm toughened safety glass with low-E coating 6. steel flat bracket for fixing post and rail facade 7. vapour barrier 8. insulation 9. 150mm concrete slab - profile steel decking 10. steel girder 11. steel plate connector 12. spaceframe members 13. 450mm concrete column
Detail Section 1 - section through the control center, showing the office space on the left and the control room on the right.
1:500 Long Section
Detail Section 2 - section through the walkway, which offered classroom spaces used for teaching Sefton residents about drones.
Detail 1
Detail 2
U P - L I F T E D // P R O F E S S I O N A L S T U D I E S 1 // Y e a5r
PERSONAL PROJECTS DIGITAL PAINTING Quarantine Jelly
I have always been curious about the mysterious nature of the ocean. My eagerness to design within the deep blue was probably evident with the first project of this portfolio to begin with. The present artwork is a digital painting I created during the 1st Lockdown. The style encapsulates my passion for the sea, my fascination with light and my infinite love for bold, bright colours. Media: digital painting Tools: Procreate Original Size: 27x21cm
Up-Lifted Living Unit As a continuation of the Up-Lifted project, I decided to draw a series of interior views of the main living unit, showing how the use of technology can make it a very flexible, yet personal space. Pictured is the study space of the unit, which is transformed from a quite area into space for small parties, with the help of ambient lighting and a voice assistant. Media: digital painting Tools: Procreate Original Size: 18.5x24.2cm
Project IDUAG As part of a personal project designing a research facility for developing jellyfish leather, this painting depicts a gallery space which heavily uses light design to generate an ethereal atmosphere. Media: digital painting Tools: Procreate Original Size: 29.7x21cm