Architecture Portfolio

ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

Rebecca Newell

PROCESS OF DESIGN AND CREATIVITY

PROFILE

Currently, I am a junior undergraduate student at the University of Florida. Through my design process, I have developed valuable skills in critical analysis. I have a strong appreciation for utilizing site context to influence design decisions, particularly in the creation of open public spaces within urban environments. It is imperative to me to design at a human scale and to implement sustainable practices.

My goal for the future is to acquire a master's degree. Additionally, I aim to graduate with my license. I also aspire to obtain LEED certification."

REBECCA ODESSA NEWELL

09. 28. 2002

CELL: (65)88-2992

EMAIL: ronewell28@gmail.com

SCHOOL EMAIL: rnewell@ufl.edu

1

SELECTED WORKS

CULINARY CENTER

Charlestons' Kitchen

Partner: Tyler Adcock

2023

Academic

2

PERFORMANCE HALL

UF School of Music Center

2023

Academic

3

THE FOOD CO-OP

The Soho Food Co-op

Partners: Courtney Mowery and Barissa Turner 2024

Academic

4

VERTICAL FIELD

Fragment of a Tower

2023

Academic

CULINARY CENTER

The Charleston Kitchen

Charleston, SC

Partner : Tyler Adcock

The Culinary Center celebrates Charleston, South Carolina's culinary heritage and the iconic front porch. Our visit to Charleston and Savannah, Georgia, inspired our front porch and materials, seamlessly blending with the urban landscape of Charleston. This immersive experience allowed us to fully engage with the urban environment. We analyzed wind and sun patterns of our site, leading to the conceptualization of the vertical well. The well is a lush vertical garden that cascades from the ground level to the rooftop, providing visual allure to the entrance and dining areas on our second and third floors. It intentionally catches the light to create an ambiance and warmth in the dining spaces. Our guests are encouraged to savor their experience, whether indoors or on the front porch, with the option to transition between the two throughout the day.

bottom: Entrance and Surrounding Buildings, 2023. Partner,Tyler Adcock

opposite: Model Shadow Study of Vertical Garden, 2023 Partner, Tyler Adcock

From the vantage point of the second-floor window, the man in a red coat gazes upon the flourishing vertical garden. Meanwhile, an employee transports freshly harvested fruits and vegetables from the rooftop garden, destined for culinary preparation in the bustling kitchen. Downstairs, a couple emerges onto the first floor, leisurely soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Charleston. The husband's gaze lingers admiringly on the verdant vertical garden, while his wife's enthusiastic exclamations are for the aroma of delectable cuisine wafting through the air.

Perspective of Second Floor, 2023 Partner, Tyler Adcock

PERFORMANCE HALL

Located between the Marston Science Library and the Aquatics Products Lab, The Performance Hall stands as a vital extension of the UF School of Music building. Positioned against the duck pond, it offers students a harmonious blend of academia and nature. The Performance Hall houses a plethora of practice rooms and rehearsal spaces, designed to cultivate a sense of ritualistic devotion among students. Here, amidst the busy UF campus, students find a sanctuary for honing their musical craft, immersing themselves in the sounds of their instruments. Central to its design are the teaching spaces, serving as the base upon which students' musical journeys are built. These foundational rooms, spanning the first, second, and third floors, provide the essential guidance and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of music theory and instrumentation. On the fourth and fifth floors, the triumphal performance hall extends out to the edge of the pond, and serves as the pinnacle of artistic expression, captivating audiences with breathtaking performances. As the large Performance Hall transcends to the ground, it blends with the outdoor retreat inviting students to bask in the tranquility of nature between rehearsals and classes. Gainesville,

ooposite:

below:

The Performance Hall Front Elevation, 2023.

Material Wood Study, 2023

The material study profoundly influenced the shape and concept of my final building design. I categorized the various spaces within the building to reflect their roles: teaching spaces as grounding elements, practice spaces as connectors, and performance spaces as dynamic components that harmonize the practice and teaching areas.

The ground floor plan of The Performance Hall emphasizes the outdoor retreat space for students, along with the ground floor practice rooms, strategically aligned to function as a building connector. Convenient back entries provide easy access for students leaving Marston Science Library or the Reitz Union, while multiple front entries cater to those arriving from Newell Drive or the UF Music Hall at the road's end.

above: Ground Floor Plan, 2023.

left: 2nd and 3rd Floor Plan, 2023.

opposite: 4th and 5th Floor Plan, 2023.

On the 4th and 5th floors, the centerpiece is the 9,500 square foot performance space, designed as a gathering place for students, teachers, and families to celebrate their hard work and dedication.

THE FOOD CO-OP

The SoHo Food Co-op

Manhattan, NYC

Partners: Barissa Turner, Courtney Mowery

In our analysis of SoHo, South of Houstan Street, we noted a lack of community-owned assets and limited access to fresh, locally sourced food. To address this, we designed a Co-op a member-owned and operated store where members can volunteer, reserve spaces, and buy and sell goods. Our goal is to lead by example, educating the community about health, nutrition, and the environment while providing local goods and cuisines. Our three-floor building embodies the atmosphere of a community-owned grocery store and office space. A symbolic skylight divides the space, providing natural light for offices, bars, restaurants, and the grocery store. The facade reflects SoHo's history with a metal curtain wall, offering shade and blending modernity with historical context. Our challenge is to integrate a modern building into SoHo's historical fabric while creating a durable, community-operated space.

ooposite:

Section of Co-op and SOHO Urban Landscape, 2023

Partners: Barissa Turner, Courtney Mowery

The north side of our ground floor houses a locally grown and supplied food market for nearby residents to shop at a discounted price through the co-op.The south side of our ground floor houses a space for local food vendors to sell their products.

Residents may choose to sit at the window front which looks out onto Essex Street and has a direct line of sight to the elementary prep school across the street.

Our property is adjacent to an electric facility and two restaurants. Behind it, you'll find Hotel Indigo and residential lofts. Across 6 Essex Street, there's a school currently under construction, and at the end of the corner lies ABC Park.

The Soho Food Co-op includes a rooftop garden accessible to the public, which provides food and value for both the grocery store and the restaurants located on the lower levels. This rooftop garden serves as an engaging learning experience for the community. The staircases and elevators are positioned on the left side of the building, providing access from the first floor to the rooftop garden.

above: Plan View with Surrounding Context, 2023.

left: Front Facade with Roof Garden, 2024

opposite: Perspective from Essex Street, 2024

VERTICAL FIELD

Vertical Field represents a fragment of a multi-use tower with four main spaces: congregation, dwelling, serenity, and brightness, each strategically positioned based on differing levels of illumination. This exploration delves into the impact of light on mood and experience at various elevations.The base, serving as a space of congregation, facilitates exchanges and conversations. In the middle section lies the space of dwelling and serenity, where residents immerse themselves in the urban landscape and enjoy a spacious outdoor area created by the plaster mass, with light transitioning from dawn to dusk. The largest stereotomic piece defines the overarching spaces within this area. Near the top, known as the space of brightness, residents reside and enjoy sunlight, accompanied by repeated outdoor patio spaces. The project aims to comprehend tectonic and stereotomic systems, exploring their vertical challenges. The vertical datum is defined by three stereotomic pieces, complemented by repetitive elements for the tectonic system. Academic

ooposite: Section of Vertical Datum, 2023

ooposite: Final Vertical Datum Model Photo, 2023

below: Space of Congregation, Dwelling, and Brightness Vignettes, 2023