Rachel Larson Professional Portfolio | 2017
Architecture is a journey. Whether the task at hand is simple or complex, abstract or concrete, I find value in the process. Successful design is rooted in hands-on investigation, iterations and refinements. That is where I find the most joy in the practice. Process tells a story, and lends character to that which we have made. Architecture is a series of explorations. Each attempt, each step in the process, reveals something new about the design and, if you look hard enough, the designer. Literature may be read. Music may be heard. Architecture must be experienced. There is nothing else quite like it in that regard. I believe that this quality—this ability to evoke feelings, stir the senses, and awaken memories—is what makes architecture uniquely powerful. Architecture is an avenue for change. As designers, we have profound influence on how people live, work, or otherwise occupy built space. Design should have a positive effect on those who experience them, whether in the creation of a memory, or even the improvement of the quality of one’s life. Architecture is a living, evolving process, and it continues to speak long after construction has come to an end.
Rachel Larson, B. Arch. + B.A. Plan II Honors (May 2017)
ACADEMIC PROJECTS
OTHER WORK
Still 490 Distillery + Lounge
1
Austin Amtrak
9
The Flats at SoLa
17
Panjiayuan REC Mart
23
Kashmiri Housing + Living
31
Hand-Drawing + Photography
33
Professional Resume
35
DESIGN PROJECTS
STILL 490 DISTILLERY + LOUNGE 1
Fall 2016 | Advanced Design | Ada Corral and Camille Jobe | Four Weeks Still 490 is a bourbon distillery and tasting room which, through visual connections, layout, and materiality, allows visitors to experience the bourbon-making process. The approach to this project is two-fold. Formally, the visual qualities of bourbon provide inspiration for materiality and structure. Bubbles, which form when bourbon is agitated, were abstracted significantly, and the resulting voronoi pattern was applied as a screen surrounding
the tasting room. Programmatically, Still 490 seeks to answer the following inquiry: How can a distillery revitalize a placeless site, and positively enhance its immediate neighborhood? As the question suggests, the site was bland and placeless. To revitalize this site, then, Still 490 capitalizes on opportunities for learning, socialization, and spatial engagement, through which it promotes positive change in the neighborhood.
2
MATERIAL STUDY
ABSTRACTION
ASSEMBLY
PLAN + SITE PLAN 3 A plan of the entire site shows a series of identical, square buildings. Still 490 is designed to fit within this sequence, but in a way that challenges uniformity and creates a visual landmark. In order to break away from the formal monotony, Still 490 takes the concept of a private tasting room, and then lifts and extends it as a cantilevered object. This gesture not only creates a panoramic view from within the tasting room; it also
Level 01
turns the space into a performance, where visitors may come to see and be seen. The tasting room’s ingenuity turns it into a destination. Adding to the drama is the voronoi screen. This copper brise soleil filters sunlight by day, and creates a warm, reflective glow by night. In combination with the material palette of the interiors, the voronoi screen creates an atmosphere that is both formally innovative and comforting.
Site Plan
INHABITATION 4
Lighting Study
5
Voronoi pattern, derived from liquid bubble formations While bourbon is not a carbonated beverage, bubbles are created when the drink is shaken or stirred vigorously. It is this transient, agitated state that serves as inspiration for the voronoi pattern.
Extruded partition wall Extrusion of the voronoi pattern yields a structural, visually striking partition.
Privacy plugs Wooden plugs fill some of the cells, adding privacy and creating potential for storage and display of items. Lounge
VORONOI ASSEMBLY The interior design of Still 490 plays a vital role in how it is received by visitors. In addition to a copper brise soleil, the interior material palette consists of natural birch, Blue de Savoie marble, and a variety of grey and white upholstery textures. Fixtures are clean and modern, but the incandescent lighting and use of calming colors softens their formal rigor. While there is a consistency of materials across the interior of Still 490, the use of light and shadow creates a delightful variety of spaces. For the main tasting room surrounding the bar, fixtures are bright and focused, creating a cocktail party atmosphere. Other zones, such as the private dining room and the lounge, use fewer, simpler fixtures to create an attitude of relaxation and repose.
6
7
Tasting Room
Rooftop Deck
INHABITATION 8
Private Dining Room
AUSTIN AMTRAK 9
Spring 2015 | Design VI | Judith Birdsong | Fifteen Weeks
In cultures where trains are a key mode of travel, the train station is often the visitor’s first impression of a city. It is no surprise, then, that the design of this arrival point must be undertaken with great care. The design of this train station, which is intended to serve the Amtrak rail line in Austin, Texas, speaks to both the urban and suburban characteristics of its site. To the east, skyscrapers pierce the skies and the din of traffic gives away the fact that downtown Austin is
a lively, vibrant place. To the west, trees frame the quiet streets of nearby residential neighborhoods. To the south, one can glimpse the Colorado River. To address these three conditions, Austin Amtrak uses a variety of scales and materials. On the end of the site nearest to downtown Austin, the architecture takes on an industrial look. Miesian steel moment frames suspend a cantilevered viewing deck, inviting visitors to experience the urbanity of the city far above the ground.
SITE + STRUCTURE 10
Site Plan
Pre-cast Concrete
Low-e Fenestration
Steel Moment Frames
Cast-in-Place Concrete Structural Assembly
WALL SECTION + ELEVATION 11
On the opposite end of the site, the station has a quieter aesthetic; it is smaller in scale, and appears to fade into ground. The wall section and elevation above show a second cantilever, which extends across a sunken plaza to offer shade and a relatable scale. This outdoor space serves as not only a place of respite for travelers, but also a place of gathering. Just as the station may function as a commuter hub, its exterior landscaping also allows it to also become a focal point for
festivals, receptions, and other Austin events. Inside, steel columns and curtain walls enclose an open, daylit waiting area. The unencumbered space allows for hundreds of passengers to comfortably occupy the station, and generous views to the outdoors allow visitors to feel connected to nature without having to physically be outside. The curtain walls also have a practical function in that they allow passengers to watch for the arrival of their train without having to stand on the platform.
Legend 1 Flashing 2 3/16” A36 steel fascia plate 3 Double-pane low-e window assembly 4 2”x5” stainless steel mullion 5 3/16” stainless steel sheet metal, painted 6 Limestone facing, 6”x24” tiles, running bond 7 W24 x 40 steel column
1 2 3
4
5 6 7
Exterior Elevation
Wall Section
INHABITATION 12
Reception
LONGITUDINAL SECTION 13
In section, one can appreciate how the Amtrak station has an intimate relationship with both the earth and sky. While the east wing of the building rises to embrace the city in the distance, the main spaces within the station stand with quiet rootedness, resting firmly upon and even sinking into the ground. These design decisions create a juxtaposition of experiences. In walking through the spaces within this station, one can encounter feelings of being above and being below, of light and dark, of firmness and etherealness. If one chooses to reach Austin Amtrak
by vehicle, she must first venture underground. From there, she experiences all levels of the station as she rises into the lobby at ground level, and then moves into the upper viewing deck on the second floor. Spatially, she has traveled from shadow to light. The architecture of this station serves as a metaphor for the journey of experience and spaces that Amtrak passengers are literally about to take. Austin Amtrak encompasses high regard for both the site and the occupant, transforming a mundane commute into an activity worthy of celebration.
14
Rooftop Terrace Waiting Area
City View Lounge
LATITUDINAL SECTION 15
16
THE FLATS AT SOLA 17
Spring 2014 | Design IV | Sarah Gamble | Twelve Weeks
This residential project is part of a comprehensive plan for the South Lamar neighborhood in Austin, Texas. This urban strategy was developed with the help of students Alex Wu, Dominic Sargent, Hattie Sherman, Ana Kurzan, and Diana Atvars, though the residential project itself was an individual project. South Lamar Boulevard is historically one of the main transit corridors for the city. In its existing state, it is not effective. To address the commuting problem, this urban strategy
introduces a light rail as well as several bus stops in order to encourage the use of public transit. The strategy also divides the corridor into cultural, residential and business zones. Within these designated areas, the planning strategy calls for the introduction of new public parks, as well as an initiative to consolidate parking to a few strategic locations. Located at a critical point between commercial and cultural distracts, the Flats at SoLa respond
to the characteristics of both zones. On the one hand, it aligns with the scale of the commercial areas. It also addresses the artist culture of the South Lamar neighborhood. Beneath the two residential towers, the lower floors serve as art galleries as well as spaces for fine arts instruction. These creative spaces are placed in areas of high visibility, so that the unique vibe of South Lamar is not lost, even as development begins.
SITE SECTION PERSPECTIVE 18
Residential Tower I
Parking
Sunken Courtyard
Residential Tower II
LATITUDINAL SECTION 19
The Flats at SoLa consist of two towers with a sunken courtyard in between their volumes. An elevated park warps the base of the second tower. These towers are oriented for optimal daylighting and shading, and together they work to shelter the central courtyard from the harsh Texas sun. Since they begin three stories above twin “plinths” of public gallery space, these residential towers also offer occupants a degree of exclusivity and privacy from what is occurring below. In plan, the layouts of these towers confine public cirulation and egress to central cores, so that
individual units can have maximum views to the outside. Given that there are a variety of level changes, this design entails significant manipulation of the ground plane. The central courtyard, which serves as a place of respite for resident artists and fine arts students, sits well below street level in order to diminish noises and views coming from the busy streets nearby. Trees and landscaping create a relatable, human scale, so that visitors are not dwarfed by the surrounding towers. This landscape move also creates a protective microclimate. The earthen berm behind the second tower conceals
the residents’ parking structure. This gesture offers a more inviting scale on the end of the site nearest to a neighborhood of single-family residences, thereby creating a smooth transition between the fast-paced urbanism of South Lamar and adjacent residences. Furthermore, the “parking hill” presents an opportunity for community engagement; it becomes a public park, thereby offering a much-need amenity to current residents of the neighborhood. In this way, both the interior and exterior spaces in the Flats at Sola begin to address both the immediate context and the city of Austin at large.
Tower Circulation
Interior Courtyard
Residential Towers
GROUND FLOOR + PLAN CONTEXT 20
Site Plan
21
There is a constant tension between the desires of an occupant; for instance, he may desire expansive views to the outside as well as strict privacy, but it is difficult to meet one request without violating the other. In order to address this problem, the design for the Flats at SoLa includes a façade strategy. The residential towers are enclosed in a curtain wall, and this layer of glass is overlaid with a translucent series of panels. The resulting lighting is dappled and lively. Based on the floor plans of these units, the panel system ranges from transparent to opaque,
Unit I Living + Dining Space
depending on the function of the interior. Bedrooms are wrapped in a dense array of panels, while public rooms, like kitchens and living rooms, are much more porous. In the upper floors, the layer of privacy panels grows thinner, as these units are high enough above the ground that views from the sidewalk aren’t as much of a concern. The design of the units for the Flats at SoLa also take into consideration the differing needs of residents. SoLa is home to a diverse population, and the unit mix reflects these demographics. Units include everything from efficiencies for single artists, to
two- and three-bedroom units for families. Ultimately, the Flats at Sola represent the positive possibilities of urban revitalization. South Lamar, a lively but underdeveloped neighborhood, has the potential for positive growth if a few initiatives, both architectural and planning-related, are implemented. In both the urban strategy investigation and the design of the residences themselves, it is necessary to balance preferences for the past and the future, mediate new concepts with those that have already been in place, and preserve the valuable history and culture of a place.
22
UNIT TYPOLOGY
FACADE
PANJIAYUAN REC-MART 23
Fall 2015 | Adv. Design | Wang, Montemayor, Jiao | Fifteen Weeks In collaboration with Wei Xiao and Jose La Torre
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT
24
CULTURE
S
TY CIE SO
WELL NES
WELLNESS
ART SOCIETY
SPORTS
ECONOMY
Sustainability Concepts
Spatial Concepts
This project entails the renovation of Panjiayuan Market, a traditional antiques market in Beijing, China. Panjiayuan REC Mart looks both to Beijing’s ancestral roots and a growing global health crisis. The issue of the relationship between traditional and contemporary culture goes far beyond the basic programmatic needs of a standard market. In that respect, the new design must integrate culture with sustainability. Most of us are familiar with sustainable development as defined by the Brundtland Commission: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. This deterministic definition neglects a highly important element: wellness. Wellness refers to the individual consciousness and actions that lead to global change. Arts and sports are the overlap of society and wellness, and that concept is at the crux of this design. In order to address the arts, this design incorporates a New Arts space, as well as a series of craft studios that are imbedded into the fabric of the market and its stores. The activities therein provide a means by which one may reflect on the value and origin of the goods in the market.
SPORTS PROGRAM 25
In plan, Panjiayuan REC Mart is divided into four courtyards. Within each of these zones are vendor stalls, permanent shops, and opportunities to participate in active lifestyles. All vendor stalls may be removed or rearranged, meaning that once the commercial market closes, these courtyards can be cleared for recreational use. On the far east end of the site, a sports complex sits above the market, serving locals twenty-four hours a day. This design also provides periodic natural relief in the form of pocket gardens, trees, and other scattered green spaces throughout the site. Lastly, this design promotes a positive pedestrian experience through the inctroduction of a pedestrian street along the south edge of the site.
ELEVATION
立面
Gym Tower + Wellness Complex
E1 - NORTH ELEVATION E1- 北立面
Longitudinal Elevation
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
RAMS
项目分析
SITE
GRAPHIC ARTS MARKET
JADE & JEWELRY OPEN MARKET
HISTORY & RELIQUES MARKET
STONE STATUES GARDEN
SURFACE PARKING
CRAFT STUDIOS
ACTIVE lIVING
FOOD VENDORS
PROGRAM MIX
地块
图画艺术
翡翠&珠宝
历史遗物&古玩
雕塑
停车
工艺品
健康生活
食物
功能混合
SITE PLAN + PROGRAMMATIC STRATEGY 26
Open-Air Antiques Market
New Arts Gallery Space
Sports Programs
Site Plan
PUBLIC SPACE 27
In addition to honoring Chinese culture, Panjiayuan REC Mart also addresses the public health aspect of sustainability by providing zones for recreation. Ground-level sports courts as well as a vertical gym foster a culture of health in the context of historicity, tradition, and art. The physical design of the new market draws on
Market Plaza I
the influences of the Chinese courtyard house. This typology was translated to the scale of the market, resulting in a space that gives visitors opportunities for anticipation, exploration, and discovery. Instead of a wall, buildings serve as an active boundary around the site, forming a permeable perimeter. A large-scale trellis offers protection from bad weather,
and it also unites the entire site. The breakdown of the ground level into multiple courtyards also provides a chance to create a unique experience in each. Essentially, Panjiayuan REC Mart addresses an oftenoverlooked element of sustainability. By incorporating two unlikely programs, the design communicates the importance of art and fitness to sustainability.
INHABITATION 28
Art + Sports Adjacencies
Section Perspective
OTHER WORK
KASHMIRI HOUSING + LIVING 31
Summer 2015 | PAI Engineering Internship | Five Weeks
Dal Lake
This housing retrofit was designed in Kashmir, India, for use by up to thirty local workers. This design emphasizes both the cultural values of the region as well as its vulnerability to earthquakes. In its current state, the existing structure is in no condition to be be occupied. The retrofit incorporates a method of seismic reinforcment which had been previously developed by PAI Engineering Co., a system of trecem poles. These components consist of rebar cast into concrete poles are standardized lengths. In a typical assembly, the trecem poles are integrated into the corners of a structure, so as to reduce
horizontal shear. The image above shows a detail of a trecem pole, and how it can be easily integrated with the vernacular brick architecture of the region. Because of the social and economic pressures of the region, the resulting design is extremely simple and pragmatic, making use of whatever materials were available. Although schematic drawings have been completed, PAI has yet to recieve permission from local authorities to begin construction. On the opposite page are schemes for a modular cabinet system, also to be used by the men who would live in the retrofitted house. The components can be
arranged in a variety of configurations and are easy to build, transport, and use. Most importantly, the materials are inexpensive and readily available in Kashmir, and one does not need more than a standard knowledge of carpentry to construct the cabinets or benches. The cabinet modules are designed so that storage may be accessed from two sides, and the bench modules double as storage nooks. In this instance, the modular system was to be placed a room with two structural columns in the center. On the adjacent page are several suggestions for how the modular system might fit within this space, showing its flexibility and versitality.
DIAGRAMS 32
Modular Arrangements
Cubby Seat This bench module functions both as seating and as storage, taking up less room than chairs while making use of valuable space. Flush Countertop This feature allows modules to be rotated without creating gaps or useless overhangs. Double-sided access This feature increases the arrangement flexibility of the modular cabinet.
Front Elevation
Level 02
Level 01
HAND DRAWING + PHOTOGRAPHY 33
Sitting Nude | Charcoal on Stonehenge | Fall 2012
Patchyphytum Oviferum | Prismacolor on Stonehenge | Spring 2013
34
The Great Wall | Photography | Fall 2015
Brick Textures | Photography | Fall 2015
PROFESSIONAL RESUME 35
References available upon request.
Honors & Awards
Education
Forty Acres Scholarship 2012-2017 merit-based, full-ride scholarship, funded by the Texas Exes
The University of Texas at Austin
Design Excellence Finalist 2014 awarded for superior studio design project
Tsingua University
Magna Cum Laude designation 2017
La Universidad de Cantabria
Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor of Arts Plan II Honors GPA: 3.97/4.00
Architectural Design Workshop
Spanish Language Summer Program
August 2012-May 2017
September 2015
May-July 2013
Work Experience Koko Architecture + Design – Architectural Intern; New York, New York
Jan-July 2016
PAI Engineering Co. – Architectural Intern; Srinagar, Kashmir, India
May-Aug 2015
Corgan Associates, Inc. – Student Architectural Intern; Dallas, TX
May-Aug 2014, Dec 2012-Jan 2013
Completed a six-month residency at a highly creative Manhattan architecture firm that specializes in high-end residential, commercial, product design, and interior design Conducted bi-weekly meetings with clients during the design process for 3 residences Facilitated communication between Koko and various material and appliance suppliers Designed material schemes for the bathrooms and kitchens of 3 residences Designed millwork, loft beds, and radiator covers for 2 residential projects Contributed to the design and documentation of an award-winning children’s playhouse Designed a catalogue system for the materials library, cutting time spent on catalogues by 80% Completed construction documents for 3 bid sets
Served as the architectural advisor for an engineering firm that specializes in disaster-relief shelters Designed a retrofit plan for a kitchen and modular cabinet system, which will serve 12 people Assessed the potential of 2 existing structures for seismic retrofits Designed a house for 30 local laborers, doubling its earthquake resistance and occupancy Researched ways to market PAI’s emergency structures, potentially helping 700,000 people
Completed two internships with the Corgan Education Team, which specializes in the design of educaitonal facilities Designed 9 schematic school designs for 7 school districts in and around Dallas, TX Created 4 marketing boards and 2 award-winning videos for projects designed by colleagues Met with 2 product consultants to select finishing materials for 4 architectural projects Oversaw code compliance for Denison High School, which serves 2,500 students
36
Interests
Contact Information
Running
email: rachel.larson@utexas.edu
Writing and performing music
mobile: +1 (972)-672-1354
Sketching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-larson-0006247b
Exploring new cultures
Mailing Address: 505 E 38th St Unit B Austin, TX, 78705
Social justice
Activities
Skills Manual Model-Building Hand-Drawing Photography Laser Cutter
lllll lllll lllll lllll
Digital AutoCAD Revit Vectorworks Rhino Grasshopper InDesign Illustrator Photoshop Sketchup
llll llll lllll lllll lll lllll lllll lllll llll
Languages English lllll Spanish llll
Social Justice Initiative - Co-founder, Secretary
Kept meeting minutes and coordinated weekly communication between leadership and members Assisted in the planning of an on-campus documentary screening and panel discussion, for a 300-person audience
The Texas Wesley Council – Discipleship Leader, Music Coordinator
Hosted weekly mentoring sessions and discussions with 4 underclassmen Practiced keyboard and vocals weekly with a 12-member band, performed 15 times a semester
Beach Reach Service Trip – Team Coordinator, Mentor
Trained and managed two 10-person teams through a week of service and volunteer work Planned team work shifts, mentored, and helped team members develop their strengths Assisted with tear-down of 2 emergency relief shelters
Global Architecture Brigades – Fundraising Liason, Brigade Member Led weekly prayer meetings and fellowship along with 4 community leaders Hosted weekly dinners for 3 international students Regularly met with 2 international students to learn about faith and culture
Fall 2015-Present
Spring 2013-Fall 2015
Spring 2014, 2015
Winter 2013