RACHEL McGEE PORTFOLIO 2020
Contact
RACHEL McGEE
(416) 716-8443 rcmcgee@icloud.com
Architectural Designer
Professional Experience AutoCad Instructor Vaughan, ON 2017 - Prepared individualized lesson plans and taught students on a one-on-one basis - Demonstrated flexibility and dependability with respect to work hours and last minute requests
Skill Set Revit / AutoCAD Rhinoceros / Vray Sketchup Photoshop CC Illustrator CC InDesign CC 3Ds Max
Interior Design Assistant, Woodbridge, ON - Worked closely with lead designer - Prepared and designed graphic drawings to be presented to clients
2017 - 2018
Architecture Internship, Naylor Architect Inc., Markham, ON 2018 -2019 - Two-dimensional drafting of construction documentation using AutoCAD - Assist architects in construction drawings for pre-fabricated structure projects and modular construction of restaurant buildings - Perform redline decisions and revisions - Print and transmit original working drawings of current projects Architecture Designer, Turner Fleischer Architects, Toronto, ON 2019 -Present - Prepare drawings and assemble design packages for client review through to their development to SPA submission - Create three-dimensional models to produce renders and two-dimensional architectural drawings using Revit - Research relevant municipal standards to determine building and parking design requirements
Hobbies Art; Realism in various Mediums Cooking Traveling Playing the Ukulele
Education Bachelor of Architectural Science, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON - Awarded General Entrance Scholarship for high academic achievement Bachelor of Architecture, Technical University of Munich - Erasmus student for the summer semester
Fall 2019 Summer 2019
Publication Portfolio Guide Digital publication by: ArchiSoup - An online platform to assist those pursuing a career in architecture - As a reference in the 'Academic Portfolio' chapter, the selection of my my cabin is to represent North-American standards for portfolio layout, and the balance between technical and design drawings
Spring 2020
Volunteering References
Timber fever volunteer Parklet Installation chris@naylorarchitect.com Bata Shoe Museum Display disavinoj@gmail.com Tour Guide, Ryerson University Student Mentor, Ryerson University
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2017 2017 2017 2018 2017-2019
Legend Artwork Peru
P.03-04
Portugal
P.05-06
Switzerland
P.07-08
Israel
P.09-10
Meditation Cabin
P.11-18
Puppet Theatre
P.19-22
Church
P.23-32
Architecture
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The Boy
Maras, Peru (2018) Oil painting 16�x20" A two week wander through Lima and Cusco was an ever changing scenic and physical experience; learning to surf the waves of the water and desert, hiking in harsh altitudes for Rainbow Mountain, and an hour stairmaster to the top of a mountain two watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu were only a few highlights of this unforgettable trip. This piece was inspired by a day trip to Maras: an ATV ride to an inca village known for its salt evaporation ponds. For me, the beautiful view and flavourful salt were not the pinnacle moments, but rather returning to the tour guides home. Like many organized tours in Peru, this one was run by a local and friends. Beginning and ending the tour in his backyard, it was there I met this boy. At the end of our excursion the locals puppies and children: a young boy and even younger, came out to greet us. Entertained by the boy’s energy and enthusiasm, I responded with attention and intent to play. Knowing minimal Spanish, it resulted in goofy impersonations on my part and a contagious grin on his. As I prepared to leave he came running towards me with this fruit, (having the luck to capture this moment in a picture) it was this act of pure kindness that stuck with me for months after, and inspired me to paint.
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Framed
Coimbra, Portugal (2019) Oil painting 30�x40" Touring Coimbra with close friends, one of our many excursions included visiting Velha Universidade de Coimbra. Located at one of the highest points in Coimbra, it is known for being one of the oldest universities in Europe. As we ventured through various departments, appreciating structure, and ornamentation, it was the views the building caught of the city landscape that grabbed my attention. Demonstrating that anything can be a frame.
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Blooming
Zurich, Switzerland (2020) Oil painting 24"x48" At the beginning of my exchange, I went backpacking with a few fellow Canadians from my home university, Ryerson. Venturing from Munich to: Stuttgart, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, we spent each waking hour touring these cities to their fullest extent. By our final day in Zurich, enjoying ice cream on our backpacks, double acting as pillows, giving ourselves permission to rest and digest our travels and experiences. Laying in a park outside the Swiss National Museum (conveniently near our bus) doing some casual people watching, I noticed this beautiful tree. Flowers blooming in the midst of spring, and all the different people it attracted: kids climbing limbs, photographers, and even people sitting around the perimeter to sketch. This painting was inspired by the effects it had on people, including myself.
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In the Horizon
Commissioned mirrage (2020) Graphite 24"x48" As a commissioned piece, the initial steps were to sit and discuss the art piece. Beginning with precedents and themes I would sketch and take notes of what the client’s thoughts and interests. Intended to be a centerpiece for his home, he wanted it to represent his values. Him being a practicing Muslim; I encouraged the conversation in this direction, as the conversation evolved his emphasis on peace would be the motivator for the drawing. Feeling judged for his religion, he included an example of a wall built by the Israeli’s; how he dreams of a day of the wall being taken down. The art piece is meant to be a mirage; one oriented towards his ideal future, but also a theoretical one we all aspire for.
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SPRUCED UP Ozolini, Latvia
Located in Latvia, this cabin is a project regarded as a space to facilitate and encourage the practice of meditation. Designed in 500 SF, the cabin provides a space to sleep, store food/backpacking utilities and primarily a space for meditation. Meditation is a practice of disconnection and ultimately no distraction, achieved either visually or mentally. This cabin is designed to encourage the mindful state of meditation, with the user climbing into a treehouse to then descend into the designated meditation space. Using Latvia's locally sourced spruce wood, the mediation space is defined by charred wood, versus raw plywood to outline the living space.
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SITE PLAN
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LIVING LEVEL
MEDITATION LEVEL
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ELEVATIONS
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SECTION
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EXPLODED AXO
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ART IN A BOX Munich, Germany
Pride in tradition, Germany and most European countries do not allow building’s within a city to be built higher than a church. Munich structurally spanning across the land, architects have resorted to the idea of building up. “4 platforms” was a studio dealing with compaction by increase. Exploring enclosed public facilities on the “roofs of the city”. My colleague (an exchange student from Paris) and I were assigned to design a puppet theatre. Given a small corner building, we saw this as an opportunity to design the theatre as a sculptural piece.
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Digital modelling and renders were not permitted for presentations; the final studio submission to be a 1:20 physical model of a section of the building that best represents the design intent. The selection of the hallway was to demonstrate the effects of natural lighting and the connection it created between the louvres on the exterior and theatre. To build and determine the dimensions for the structure of the theatre, a digital model was created: designed in rhino, the model is then exploded into a 2D CAD file to then be lasercut.
Upper level
Mid level
Lower level
LASER CUT FILE
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EXPLODED AXO
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ST. ANTHONY’S CATHEDRAL Toronto, Ontario
Religion in the modern era has become a rather personal and internal practice and as churches develop, they have become detached from traditional church design. The task for a final studio project was to revert to religious design in Pre-Vatican II era and determine what pieces deem relevant to preserve and update. Geometry was a significant design leader and protector in the catholic religion. Presenting this strong relationship between the circle and square: circle represents the divine, and square representing mankind. It was believed that by designing linear geometry within a circle we would be protected. As religion proceeds to become less vocal and more personal and wanted to invert this geometry, looking to find the divine within.
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Located north-west of one of Toronto’s most visited and unique heritage districts. Over a century of preservation and pride, the 47 Victorian buildings that make up the area invite all to transport back in time to visit the architecture, with modern renovations on the interior.
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TE EAS
FRONT ST. E.
CHERRY ST.
TRINITY ST.
MILL ST.
KEY PLAN
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AVE
St. Anthony’s situated in a high traffic area, wanted to invite people to the grounds, even if for a walk along the outside. The landscape is meant to align with the interior programming: Beginning with the labyrinth, it is believed to be a meditative path and that by the time you reach the centre your mind to be clear. The seating is to align where people collect to hear mass and reflect. With the fountain to represent the altar and connection to peace.
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LANDSCAPE PLAN
1. Reflection 2. Convergence 3. Surrender
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6000
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6000
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6000
6000
6000
DN
UP
CONFESSIONALS
SID CHA
BAPTISTRY
9000
NAVE
3000
UP
PULPIT
FLOOR PLAN
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9000
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6000
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3000
SACRISTY
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DE APEL
LADY CHAPEL
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AMBULATORY
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TRANSEPT
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SECTION AXO
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Pew
Baptistry
Pulpit
Altar 30
INTERIOR VIEW FROM NAVE
Thank you! Rachel McGee Email: rcmcgee@icloud.com