Design Portfolio
About Kathleen J. Roosen Design Michigan Arts Collective [fall 2013] Square Circle Offices [summer 2011] Esterhazy Day Spa [summer 2013] Real Life Application Over-the-Rhine Design/Build Studio [fall 2010] Stella Good Coffee [summer 2012] Photography Resume
I was born in Germany and raised in a small subdivision just outside of Detroit, Michigan. My parents raised my brother and me in a very multicultural household and always valued exposure to diversity. I have been fortunate to travel all across the globe with my family, but also as part of study abroad programs. The most exotic of these places include Brazil, Turkey and India. Apart from traveling, I’ve always sought out leadership experiences such as becoming a Resident Assistant multiple times, as well as being elected Vice-President of the Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students. During my senior year, Miami co-hosted the Fall Midwest Quad Conference of 2011 with University of Cincinnati. My experience as Quad Coordinator provided me with invaluable knowledge about event planning, budgeting, marketing and coordination. The variety of opportunities I have been able to take advantage of gives me a wide breadth of knowledge and experiences that continue to influence me today. This, alongside my organization skills and hardworking nature, allows me to be driven and successful in all of my undertakings.
The following pages display work I have produced over the last several years as a student at Miami University and University of Houston, and an intern at Reclaim Detroit.
M i c h i g a n A rt s C o l l e c t i v e Detroit, Michigan [fall 2013]
My final master’s project at University of Houston was a completely self-designed project, from its conception to the program to the execution of the design concept. My passion for Detroit and its unique urban atmosphere motivated me and inspired the idea for this project. From the beginning, I knew my master’s project would be located in Detroit, my hometown. After some research, I decided the topics I wished to address included the rising art and creative industry in Detroit, as well as the extreme vacancy and abundance of ‘modern ruins’ that can be found in the city. Looking at the large vacant buildings available in Detroit, I decided on one of the largest and most iconic structures, the Michigan Central Station. It is a building whose personal history reflects and mimics the rise and fall of Detroit’s own history with astounding accuracy, from construction until closure.
“if it were to be restored, it would be making a bold statement about the city’s future and the preservation of its past” -Dan Austin, Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor City’s Majestic Ruins
Michigan Central Station and Roosevelt Park are located approximately two miles west of downtown Detroit in Corktown. Corktown is a small historic neighborhood that boomed with Irish immigrants in the 1840s. Most of the neighborhood consists of small single-family homes and the residential portion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Although 1960 urban renewal efforts destroyed much of the neighborhood, it remains one of Detroit’s heathier and vibrant areas. Recent revitalization efforts have encouraged an influx in population along with bar, restaurant and shop openings throughout their gridded streets, particularly along Michigan Avenue. One can easily tell the residents are a tight-knit group of individuals that love their community and work hard to better their neighborhood.
Michigan Central Station was opened in late 1913 after the old station burned down. It was designed and constructed in the Beaux Arts style by Warren & Wetmore from New York and Reed & Stem of St. Paul. Its design romanticized transportation. The waiting room was modelled after Roman baths. It was the tallest train station at the time of its construction as a result of the 15 story office tower that stretches above the actual station. For several decades, the station ran successfully. At its peak, it saw 200 trains leave its platforms a day. While the station was a success, the office tower was never fully occupied and after the 1940s, both began their decline. The station finally closed in 1988. For years after, many Corktown residents considered the station to be an eye sore. Today, it is revered and valued for its symbolism.
The site in front of the new Michigan Arts Collective is accessed from four different directions. The most activity, automobile and pedestrian, occurs on the north side at the Michigan Avenue and 14th Street intersection. Vernors Highway bisects the park creating two distinct sides. On street parking is available on the east side along 14th Street and north on Michigan Avenue. There is also a bus station along Michigan Avenue. Recently, a group of community members have landscaped the half circle north of the station that defines the drive.
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pedestrian promenade activity lawn tall grass garden amphitheater drop off lane
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By redirecting vehicular traffic, the two sides of the park become reconnected. A pedestrian axis takes the place on the previously bisecting streets, directly connecting Michigan Avenue and the station. During events, this promenade can be lined with tents and booths. The multiple streets and drives in front of the station are covered to create a large plaza with a sunken amphitheater. The amphitheater is shifted to the side, so it does not disrupt the pedestrian axis. The building acts as a background for events occuring in the amphitheater. The original beaux arts plan of the rest of the park remains with only small changes in vegetation. The changes more clearly define the large lawns and bring color and life to the park. A small drop off area is placed to the west of the station. Through these small changes, the park can now more efficiently accomodate the large crowds that gather for festivals and events. It is my hope that the development occuring at the station encourages further development surrounding the park.
Storage
Offices
Restroom Lounge
Work Space
Materials
Cafe + Kitchen
Materials
Green Room
Equipment
Equipment
Dark Room
Painting Studio Equipment
Exhibit
Materials
Photo Set
Lobby
Auditorium
Conference
Exhibit
Equipment
Comp Lab
Materials
Equipment
Materials
Equipment
Materials
Equipment
Sculpture Studio
Exhibit
Major Public Destinations
Before looking at the interior design of the structure, I feel it is important to look at how the program breaks down as well as the simple strategies that will be implemented throughout. The basic functions of the new program are elaborated based on what is needed to support that function. The variety of spaces that result are organized by required adjacencies. For example, the photo set requires a certain amount of equipment to function. So, the equipment room should be placed to provide easy access to the photo set.
Major Private Destinations Secondary Destinations Support Space
Auditorium Sculpture Offices Cafe
Lobby Photography
Painting
The various programs are placed inside of the building based on daylight Since the photography spaces will require little requirements, views, circulation sequence and program users. to no daylight, they can The welcome lobby will reside within the entrance hall to welcome visitors, be pulled away from the artists and employees alike. This is where artists will be able to schedule windows and placed material deliveries, reserve space and find assistance for other requests. slightly lower within the structure as there will be Visitors will be provided information concerning no emphasis on views. events and exhibits. The auditorium is a very significant part of the program. It wiill be utilized by each different user group and is therefore placed centrally within the structure. It will unite the various user groups as an open community space. Offices
Auditorium
Offices will be placed on the east side to take advantage of views to downtown.
Photography
The painting and sculpture studios will be placed further to the top to allow for uninterrupted natural light and the most extensive views.
Sculpture + Painting Studios
Lastly, the cafe will be placed at the very top. Since this floor has the most advantages when it comes to light and views, it should be experienced by all who visit the station.
Vernor Hwy
offices
photography studio
In section, it can be seen that the new program is dispersed throughout the building, leaving the majority in its ruinous state. The injection of these pods occurs where the floorplates of the existing structure are cut. These nodes of activity are connected through walkways and stairs, allowing visitors to explore and admire the ruin, existing graffiti and exhibits safely. The paths for exploration encourage both horizontal and vertical movement. Each program node is contained in a conditioned space. The walkways and stairs are open to the elements. In order to keep visitors and artists aware of their surroundings, the spaces are enclosed in glass, allowing the texture of the existing surroundings to characterize the environment. This is most dramatic in the auditorium space.
The auditorium is the main focus of the building. All users, for one reason or another, will use this space during their visit to the MAC. When not in use as a lecture hall, it serves as a meeting space for group activity. Bathrooms are directly adjacent, as well as a light, sound and projection booth. The glass allows the textured walls of the original structure to characterize the space with color. Blinds can be lowered when glare needs to be minimal for projection.
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S q u a r e C i rc l e O f f i c e s London, England [summer 2011]
During the summer of 2011, I participated in a study abroad program in London, England. For five weeks, we lived on London’s east side and had studio sessions four days a week. On weekends, we were allowed to travel and sometimes took group trips to cities outside of London, such as Cardiff. The assignment was to design an office building for a small graphic design firm called Square Circle in the financial district of Canary Wharf. We worked in groups of two. This multi-story structure follows the irregular shape of the site to maximize area. The east side looks out over the middle dock and on to the Canary Wharf Station. The first level consists of a small retail shop, restaurant and lobby. A slightly shifted tunnel guides visitors and employees into the lobby from the west side. The building is designed in such a way that the Square Circle offices are placed on the second and third floors with room to grow. The top floors are rented out until Square Circle is ready to expand. A small roof garden is located on the top floor.
My partner, Rachel Serfling and I collaborated on the physical model. She took on the sections and diagrams alone, while I focused my attention on the elevations, floor plans and renderings.
We decided to dedicate a small portion of the site to public art installations. This helps differentiate the Square Circle offices as a creative industry from the surrounding business and financial institutions.
The interior studios were purposefully designed to be very open. The studio teams are differentiated by platforms and desk configuration. A ramp and pathways assist in further defining space. On the outside a double skin facade assists in ventilation. The panels are oriented to allow for views while hindering direct sunlight. The orange tunnel vibrantly marks the west entrance. The unique shape of the structure creates an interesting dynamic along Canary Wharf.
E s t e r h a z y D ay S pa Vienna, Austria [summer 2013]
Located in Vienna, Austria, the FLAK Towers stand as reminders of the terror World War II inflicted on the city. There is a total of six towers in a triangular arrangement that come in pairs, a Leitturm and a Gefechtsturm. Used to protect the city from air raids, the towers continue to stand as monuments throughout the city. The tower addressed in this project is located in the Mariahilf District, southwest of the Ringstrasse. The Mariahilf District is a predominately residential neighborhood named after the one major commercial street that passes through to the north of the site, Mariahilferstrasse. Sitting in the center of Esterhazy Park, the tower stands far above the general roof plane and casts a large shadow on the neighborhood. The new program begins to counteract the negative connotations of the tower by layering positive meaning and experiences.
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public plaza entry lobby offices cafĂŠ + lounge kitchen storage yoga platform wading pool 1
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Groundfloor
The new program changes the meaning of the tower from a violent and dark place to a place of healing and rejuvenation. This is reflective of the healing process the world had to go through after the war was over. The first floor is opened up to the exterior to create a welcoming sequence into the predominately dark and perhaps intimidating tower. A cafĂŠ and lounge area looks onto a small wading pool and yoga platform that may be used for classes or personal relaxation. The spa program is organized by the number of users, the activity level and the noise level of the program. As the user progresses further up the tower, they pass through a sequence of maintaining their health through physical activity, cleansing their system through treatments and bathing, and finally, reflecting on their experience in the tower through relaxation and meditation.
Floor 3
Floor 5
Floor 6
Floor 8
Floor 9
Floor 10
Floor 11
Through section, the stacked program of the spa comes to light. The bottom floors remain original and the focus is placed on redesigning the top. The glass roof allows the structure to glow like a lantern at night.
A scaled model shows the difference between the existing site and building, and the new additions and alterations. The eastern part of the site is kept as an open plaza for the public. The western part or ‘back’ part of site is heavily forested and kept private. It strives to shelter the users of the wading pool and yoga platform from the streets and transport them out of the hustle and bustle of city life.
The walls are pierced in unique ways to allow a variety of different light experiences to penetrate the dark interior.
The balcony pool emerges from the grotto pool and faces towards the historic Vienna district. These pools and baths are heated so that they may be enjoyed year round. The existing balcony is transformed into an infinity pool. Here visitors may swim laps and rest in the circular extremities of the pool.
The east entrance into the tower is the main public entrance. As visitors enter, they are raised off the ground plane and proceed through a small lavender garden. This acts as the introduction of peace and calm indicative of a spa through scent.
Couple's treatment rooms come complete with hydrotherapy tubs, massage tables and a lounge area. By opening up the walls, visitors may enjoy expansive views of the Viennese skyline.
Over-the-Rhine Design/Build Studio Cincinnati, Ohio [fall 2010]
During the fall semester of 2010, I partook in the Over-The-Rhine Residency Program at Miami University. For three months, I lived and worked in a low-income, inner-city neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. During the semester, we studied urban environments and urban issues such as poverty, crime, low-income housing, etc. while volunteering our time and skills as designers. The design/build portion of the program centered around renovating an existing space in the apartment building known as Buddy’s Place. We were awarded the Gold Hammer Award from Over-The-Rhine Community Housing the following spring. Buddy’s Place, located on the corner of 13th street and Vine, is a low-income apartment building. The OTR Residency Program rents out the first floor retail space to host classes and events concerning the program.
We inherited the project from the summer studio. We recieved a full design and a partially completed construction site. This room was to become a small meeting space with access to the balcony. The floor was considerably sloped. We measured the slope and adjusted the subflooring to be level.
We cut open a massive hole into the meeting space to fit three large french doors. Opening up this wall allowed the room to be bathed in natural light. After calculating measurements for our design concept, we could install the beautiful doors. Bamboo flooring was used throughout the space with the exception of the restroom. This was tiled. We used the old flooring to frame the open doorway between the office and meeting room. Our studio professor, John Blake, guided us through this project. He has been a part of the residency program since the beginning.
After the floor was completed, the cabinets for the kitchenette could be installed. The windows had seen extensive fire damage and needed to be completely replaced. We designed new window trim as well. Since we were not making any changes to the balcony, it became our work station for the most of the semester. The space is located on the fourth floor of Buddy’s Place. We had good views over the neighborhood from this balcony and often enjoyed our lunches up here.
We used black steel pipes to support the concrete countertops that were donated to our cause. Hauling the heavy concrete countertops to the top of Buddy’s Place was a team effort. All hands were on deck and it took us quite a while to carry up all three pieces. Communication was key. The kitchenette came complete with a mini fridge, microwave and sink. The space behind the kitchenette serves as the office. Light fixtures were installed by a professional and compliment the space nicely. The completed meeting room included a conference table designed by the summer studio. All furniture pictured was included in the original design. The old flooring, along with the brick walls, serves as a reminder of how the space used to be.
all images taken by JoePaul Luikart.
Stella Good Coffee Detroit, Michigan [summer 2012]
During the summer months of 2012, I interned at Reclaim Detroit, a social enterprise of EcoWorks, formerly WARM Training. I worked with managers, employees and clients on a variety of projects. These projects ranged from leading a DIY class on woodworking to create garden accessories for Greening of Detroit, to creating directional graphics for the assembly of woodworking kits. Working at Reclaim Detroit expanded my knowledge on wood as a material, particularly the benefits of deconstruction and refurbished or reclaimed old growth lumber. Most notably, I assisted my supervisor in the early design stages of the renovation of Stella Good Coffee’s Fisher Building location. I produced rough sketches, CAD drawings, and quick 3D renderings of a wide variety of possible design solutions. We often met at the coffee shop to take measurements and meet with the clients. I felt honored to be able to work in such an amazing and historic location such as the Fisher Building.
Unfortunately, I had to leave Reclaim Detroit at the end of the summer and could not work on completing the design or the renovation. However, it is reaffirming to see some of the simple design concepts I contributed to the shop be brought to life during construction, despite my absence.
One of the goals of the new design was to pull people inside of the shop. The existing cafÊ provided minimal seating inside of its doors, opting for chairs and tables in the lobby of the Fisher building. Having seating inside would allow for a more intimate coffee shop experience. There was also a desire to add some shelving and display cases for the client’s other endeavor, Pure Detroit, a unique gifts company. The clients desired a very minimal and elongated counter space. The elongation was further exaggerated by laminating multiple pieces of wood to create strong, long lines. We also felt it would be appropriate to unearth the original flooring of the shop and restore the beautiful tile that is consistent with the lobby. My supervisor and I enjoyed the idea of using wood to wrap the counter, but also to define the ceiling through this wood banding technique. This allowed us to incorporate recessed lighting, as well as a chalkboard with updated beverage and food options. Wood bands are seen throughout the design.
all images taken by Stella Good Coffee and James Willer.
Aside from design, I enjoy spending my time traveling the world. I document my travels through sketches and photography. These experiences have greatly influenced me as a person and a designer. Often, I find myself being inspired by my past travel experiences