Rachel Stagner portfolio
rstagner.com 314-957-8118 rstagner@ku.edu
Education 2016 – 2021(expected): Master of Architecture, University of Kansas
Appointments 2020
Researching for “The Comparitive Analysis of New Urbanism and Christopher Alexander’s Pattern Language”
2019 - Present Architecture Mentor for Second Year Students 2019
Teaching Assistant for ARCH 605 “Visualizing Site and Environmental Systems”
2019
Teaching Assistant for Honors Seminar “Popular Music of the Vietnam Era”
2019
Architectural Intern at Christner Inc
2018
Teaching Assistant for Honors Seminar “Adaptive Control, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence”
2017
Teaching Assistant for Honors Seminar “Eco-Fueled”
2017 - Present Barista at Starbucks 2016
Art Director and Lead Curator of “Cocaine: Coca to Crack” exhibit
Honors 2018
Work exhibited in KU Architecture Student Show
2018 - Present Phi Kappa Phi Member 2016 - Present KU Architecture Department Honor Roll 2016 - Present University of Kansas Chancellor’s Scholars Club 2016 - Present University of Kansas University Honors Program Member 2016
National Merit Scholarship Finalist
2014
University of Missouri-St. Louis Dean’s Award for Creative Achievement
Skills Revit
InDesign
Unreal Engine
AutoCAD
Lumion
Photoshop
3DS Max
Model Building
SketchUp
Illustrator
Rhino
Hand Sketching
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Centering Under the Canopy
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Crossroads Elementary
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Free State Lofts
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Lakin Daycare
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Marvin Annex
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Urban Station
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Research
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Making
Centering Under the Canopy
Accra, Ghana Health + Wellness Center for Soccer Academy
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Render by Allison Kelly
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The diagram below shows how we wanted to create spaces that moved from public to private, active to peaceful.
public spaces are concentrated along the main north road, with trees and berms helping to create privacy to the academy but not exculding locals from using the space. The southern leg of the site is covered in tree canopy and includes small agriculture plots to be used for horticultural therapy and food for the academy. The H+W Center combines both active and peaceful activities to unite the two parts of the site. Active + Public
Team: Allison Kelly Rachel Stagner
cent
er
r s lf e
Peaceful
The master plan takes advantage of the surrounding context and existing tree cover to shape its final form. The
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Private
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Community Therapy
Community Gathering
Nutrition
Sports Clinic
Flex Space
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Active
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This project involved transforming a 72-acre site into a soccer academy with a focus on mental wellbeing. We further developed the Health + Wellness Center on the site to include community interaction and promote a comprehensive approach to healthy living.
Public
Commercial Road Residential Training Center
Health + Wellness Center
Residential Complex
oys School
Terraced Agriculture
Quiet + Private
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Cut Through Community Clinic
North-West Elevation Public Side
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Cut Through Student Flex Space
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0’
50’
100’
200’
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UP
11 10 6 5 4
7 1 Flex Space
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50’
100’
2 Occupiable Roof
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2
200’
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Occupiable Roof
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0’
100’
50’
200’
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16 18
12 15
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11 10
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6 5 4
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3 7
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9 1
0’
50’
100’
200’
UP 10
2 Trainer Office
11 Public Market Space
3 Bathroom
12 Community Classrooms
4 Sports Therapy
13 Community Gathering
Kitchen Classroom
5 Hydro Therapy
14 Therapy Lobby
6 Student Lockers
15 Therapy Office
7 Staff Lockers
16 Group Therapy
8 Student Gathering
17 Individual Therapy
9 Running Track
18 Storage
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0’
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1 Flex Space
50’
100’
200’
Main Floor
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1 Flex Space
10 Kitchen Classroom
2 Trainer Office
11 Public Market Space
3 Bathroom
12 Community Classrooms
4 Sports Therapy
13 Community Gathering
5 Hydro Therapy
14 Therapy Lobby
6 Student Lockers
15 Therapy Office
7 Staff Lockers
16 Group Therapy
8 Student Gathering
17 Individual Therapy
The Health + Wellness Center is broken into three main parts: student sports medicine clinic, where players get ready for the field; the nutrition center, where community and students can unite over food; and the mental health center, where local residents can access therapy and learn about handling their mental health.
9 Running Track
18 Storage
The canopy covering the entire complex is designed with tree columns to mimick the natural tree canopy, while the PV panels take advatage of the sun to produce energy for the project. The occupiable roof is accessible by berms leading up to the ends of the building. This makes the roof easily accessible and helps visitors feel connected to the earth despite being on top of a building. 1 Flex Space
2 Occupiable Roof
Solar Canopy Reinforced Concrete, Occupiable Roof Solar Chimney, Earth and Concrete
Reinforced Concrete Interior Walls Earth Tube Vent Rammed Earth Exterior Walls Openings for Natural Ventilation Concrete Foundation
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The clinic rooms are ventilated using an earth tube/chimney system. The earthwork on the site contains earthtubes below that contain cool air; the hot air in the chimney creates a suction force and draws cool air into the clinic rooms, creating a comfortable space without the use of electricity. If occupants want more control over the space, they can also open up windows in the room to allow for cross ventilation.
The building uses rammed earth contsruction to take advantage of local materials and give a sense of being conected to the earth. Local workers would be educated on the technique and could use that skill in future projects. The use of trees in courtyards help continue the idea of canopy as a natural aspect.
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2 Concrete Cap 5” Rammed Earth 8” Reinforced Concrete Wall
Scupper Rain Chain Sloped 6” Concete Slab
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Pavers Sleepers
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Reinforced Concrete Lintel Rain Chain Operable Screen Reinforced Concrete Bond Beam Sliding Tracks
5” Rammed Earth
Reinforced Con
8” Reinforced Concrete Wall
Slab on Grade,
18” Concrete Foundation
Compact Grav
Solid Block Wa
Water Collection 6” Reinforced Concrete slab 3“ Gravel Spread Footing
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Protection Boa
Plain Concrete
Reinforced Con Depth as Spec
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Graphic, Drawings 1 and 2, by Allison Kelly
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ncrete Column
, Concrete, 6"
vel, 2"
all, 6"
ard, 1 3/4"
e, 4"
ncrete Pile, cified
Steel Branch Column, with Threaded Rod End
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Solar Panel Steel L Channel, with Clamp Connection
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Drainage Channel Threaded Connection Joint Rail with Conduit Threaded Rod
Steel Channel, 12" Threaded Rod
Connection Plate, with Threaded Connection
Threaded Connection Joint
Nut
Top Chord of Space Frame, Steel Tube with Threaded End
Anchor Bolts, Cast -in -Place
Concrete Column, Reinforced
of
Web, Steel Tube with Threaded End
Bottom Chord of Space Frame, Steel Tube with Threaded End Steel Branch Column, with Threaded End
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Mental Health Clinic
19 Render by Allison Kelly
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Crossroads Elementary
19th and Grand Kansas City, MO K-5 for 200 Students
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19th Street 5 6
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McGee
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20th Street
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Moisture Barrier, White Rigid Insulation, Sloped 1/4” per 1’, min 6” Gypsum Board Concrete filled Decking
Site Plan
Flashing Cap Terra Cotta Panel
Crossroads Elementary is located in the heart of Kansas City, in the Crossroads Arts District. The core idea with my school is to create an environment for students and children in the area to have a place specifically for them. There is a lack of greenspace within a quarter mile radius of the school as well as in the surrounding city, so I reserved half of the site to be public park space. In the inner courtyard, students will learn about plants and get hands-on science experience with planting beds for each grade level. I opened up the building into a U-shape on the first floor to allow for free movement of students between courtyard and park space.
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Moisture Barrier, White Rigid Insulation, Sloped 1/4” per 1’, min 6” Gypsum Board Concrete filled Decking
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13.5’’ Exposed Ceiling
6” Aluminum Louver 12” Aluminum Louver 24” Aluminum Louver Expanding Gasket
5th Grade
Reading Room
13.5’’Exposed Ceiling
Gypsu
Reading Room Exposed Deck Ceiling Carpet, 1” Reinforced Concrete Slab, 4” Rigid Insulation, 4” Compacted Gravell, 4”
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The classroom is focused on dividing the room into different learning environments. The shared reading room space can be used for presentations as well as individual breakout learning. The glass wall can slide over to open up to both classrooms. The acoustic panels dividing the room can also be moved back to create one large room for presentations and shared learning. The different zones allow for flexible learning for students. The varying seat heights allow students more choice and Flashing Cap Terra Cotta Panel give them a sense of more control. Clip System Class JSpace I.2
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Shared Presentation Space
Smaller Presentation
Top of Parapet Lo 31' - 4"
Level 3 28' - 0"
Large Presentation Soft Study 10’ Ceiling
Classroom
Hallway
Insulation Moisture Barrier Framing Stud
Individual Desk Study 10’ Ceiling Breakout Space Public Group Study
8’ Ceiling
ecapS ssalC
Private Group Study
ecapS noitatneserP derahS
Storage Terrazzo Finish, 1” Concrete, Reinforced Decking, 4” W 27 x 94 W 18 x 76
noitatneserP rellamS
Vertical Louver Double Pane Insulated Glass
Level 2 14' - 0"
noitatneserP egraL
um Ceiling with Recessed Lighting Sliding Glass Wall System
ydutS Breakout Space
10’ Ceiling
2nd Grade Classroom
10’ Ceiling
Hallway
t foS
8’ Ceiling
ydutS kseD laudividnI ydutS puorG cilbuP
Perimeter Heating French Drain Reinforced Spread Footing, 36” deep
ydutS puorG etavirP egarotS
Level 1 0' - 0"
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Classrooms should foster an environment for learning that motivates students to want to learn. In order to help create this environment, this classroom is to focus on student-driven, project-based learning. Young students often struggle to focus on shifting topics: by streamlining the education process to include an overarching theme between different subjects, students will stay interested in their schoolwork. Project-based learning helps students to use the subjects they learn about in class and apply them to a real-world application. Instead of focusing on testbased evaluation, where memorization is emphasized, students are encouraged to learn more about topics and pursue areas that interest them. Flashing Cap Terra Cotta Panel Clip System
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Flashing Cap Terra Cotta Panel Clip System
I.2
arapet Lo 31' - 4"
Top of Parapet Lo 31' - 4"
Level 3 28' - 0"
Level 3 28' - 0"
Insulation Moisture Barrier Framing Stud
Insulation Moisture Barrier Framing Stud
10’ Ceiling
Breakout Space
Moisture Barrier, White Rigid Insulation, Sloped 1/4” per 1’, min 6” Gypsum Board Concrete filled Decking
N
M
13.5’’ Exposed Ceiling
6” Aluminum Louver 12” Aluminum Louver 24” Aluminum Louver Expanding Gasket
Reading Room
Ceiling
Vertical Louver h, 1” g, 4” Double Pane Insulated Glass x 94 x 76
Level 2 14' - 0"
Vertical Louver Double Pane Insulated Glass
Level 2 14' - 0" 13.5’’Exposed Ceiling
10’ Ceiling
Breakout Space
Reading Room
eiling
Perimeter Heating French Drain orced Spread Footing, 36” deep
Level 1 0' - 0"
Perimeter Heating French Drain Reinforced Spread Footing, 36” deep
Level 1 0' - 0"
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Exposed Deck Ceilin Carpet, Reinforced Concrete Slab, Rigid Insulation, Compacted Gravell,
ng 1” 4” 4” 4”
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Flashing Cap Terra Cotta Panel Clip System
I.2 Top of Parapet Lo 31' - 4"
Level 3 28' - 0"
10’ Ceiling
5th Grade Classroom
Insulation Moisture Barrier Framing Stud
10’ Ceiling
Breakout Space
Hallway
8’ Ceiling
Vertical Louver Double Pane Insulated Glass
Terrazzo Finish, 1” Concrete, Reinforced Decking, 4” W 27 x 94 W 18 x 76
Level 2 14' - 0"
Gypsum Ceiling with Recessed Lighting Sliding Glass Wall System
10’ Ceiling
2nd Grade Classroom
10’ Ceiling
Breakout Space
Hallway
8’ Ceiling
Perimeter Heating French Drain Reinforced Spread Footing, 36” deep
Level 1 0' - 0"
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The detailed wall section cuts through the south classrooms. This helps to illustrate the way that the light is filtered in through the curtain walls on both the north and south sides. The vertical louvers to the north allow for clear, uninterrupted views of the inner courtyard while the south curtain wall has a pattern of horizontal louvers that help frame views to the city while filtering light into the reading rooms on both floors. The ceiling heights are shown clearly in the drawing and help to show the spatial quality and feel of the spaces. The circulation in the hallway is bounded by a lower 8’ ceiling while the breakout space in the hallway opens up to a 10’ ceiling height. The reading room has the highest ceiling with an exposed ceiling that makes the room feel close to the outdoors.
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Free State Lofts
6th and Massachussetts Lawrence, KS Mixed Retail and Commercial
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The development of my design revolved around the pushing and pulling of forms. I wanted to create a dynamic facade and have individual views for each unit. This drove the “zig-zag� form shown on the main facade. This helps to give units private balconies as well. It also directs the views towards Mass Street.
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The detailed wall section shows how the different parts of the wall system fit together. It also displays how the balconies overhang one another to create a private space for residents.
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Three Bedroom Unit 1375 sf
3' - 4"
6th Street
Massachussetts Street
3' - 4"
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1 UP
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Commerical
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Commerical
6 Commerical 7 Commerical 8 9 Commerical
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Tenant Lobby
DN
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UP
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Lofted Two Bedroom Unit 1235 sf
One Bedroom Unit 800 sf
3' - 4"
Two Bedroom Unit 1235 sf
UP
3' - 4" 10' - 7 3/4"
10' - 7 3/4"
11' - 4 3/4" DN
DN
DN
UP
UP
3' - 4"
3' - 4"
3' - 4"
3' - 4"
UP
ø 5' 0"
UP
ø 5' -0 " ø 5' 0"
DN
UP
5' - 0"
UP
5' - 0" UP
3' - 4"
3' - 4"
UP
13' - 0" DN
UP
Second Floor
Third Floor
Fourth Floor
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Section Looking North
Section Looking East
Mass Street Elevation
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Santa Fe Daycare
Lakin, KS Childcare Childcare Center, Science Science Center
Aerial View of Surrounding Farms
Abstracted Forms
Final Wall Concept
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This building is adjacent to a comprehensive hospital complex. It is to serve the working families of Lakin and surrounding communities as 24 hour daycare was not available in the area. It will also serve as a satellite location of the Exploration Place science museum.
There is a playfulness to the facade that allows children to interpret faces and different silhouettes from the abstract shapes. This ties the beauty of Western Kansas farming culture to the early childhood development of the users of the facility.
The premise of my design draws from the surrounding vernacular concepts of the area: irrigation circles and grain silos. Western Kansas is largely farming focused so there are plenty of crop circle forms around. I took satelite imagery of the farmland and used that as a basis for my facade pattern.
The building also serves as a community space with a central cafe area that can be utilized by a local business to cater to the Exploration Place visitors from nearby townships as well as the daycare center.
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The building draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape and trhe vernacular architecture. In order to mirror the wonder that comes from a child seeing a skyscraper for the first time, I wanted to take inspiration from Middle America’s “skyscrapers:” grain elevators. In Lakin, there are a few grain elevators. I wanted to create an environment that poked at the fun kids have when exploring around them. I did this by creating a double height play space in my daycare center (shown in section).
the younger children with the older children on the upper floor. It also allows for natural light to be brought into the spaces below. In a landscape that doesn’t provide much in terms of natural outdoor interest, I wanted to create a manufactured expereince. By providing both indoor and outdoor play that involves getting kids active, I have created a space that will keep kids happy as well as moving and healthy.
The play space visually connects
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first floor + site
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The building wraps around the corner of the street to create a shared courtyard between the daycare center and the senior living facility to the south. This allows for intergenerational socialization opportunities that benefit both children and seniors. The library space within the daycare wing is a hosting space for this interaction--where children can first be read to by elders, then, as they grow, the
children can return the favor and read to the elderly. Community connection is key within this space. The shared cafe space allows for a local vendor to occupy space within the building while serving the community as well as visitors that are in town for the science center down the hallway.
second floor
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Marvin Annex
West of Marvin Hall Lawrence, KS Critique Space for KU School of Architecture and Design
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The concept with the form of the building focuses on the evolving conecpt of opening up. The front of the building, which faces north, has the more prominent roof lift. This leaves the critique space of the building without much solar access to the south sun. Then, I opened up the south side on the critque side. The opposing roofs did not make structural or visual sense, so I decided on combining them to one dual-opening roof. The butterfly roof allows for two separate attitudes of publicity on the north and privacy on the south, while allowing light to be brought in from both sides.
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critique
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This building serves as an extension of Marvin Hall and acts as a critique space. The building tucks away from the main line of buildings along Jayhawk Avenue to create a more private space and not distract from the prominent Marvin Hall next door. The form is derived from the structural bay unit of 5’ and an emphasis on passive systems. The butterfly roof fits the building by allowing a prominent northern facade that signals a main entrance, while simultaneously lifting up the southern side to allow south light into the main critique space. The lifted roof also allows for the utilization of natural ventilation out from under the north side of the roof. The north and south facades play between positive and negative space, with solid and transparent materials. The addition of more trees to the landscape helps to create a shaded grove that students will be comfortable using. The current lawn is used by drawing classes and students gather under the few spots of shade. By making a tiny extension of Marvin Grove next to Marvin Hall, students will have a more comfortable space to draw and paint as well as space to hang a hammock between the trees for spring afternoons.
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Natural Ventilation
Daylighting, Summer Sun
Daylighting, Winter Sun
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Urban Station
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401 N 14th Street Kansas City, KS Community Space for Wyandotte County
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Canopy Urban Station was in need of a solution for an unsafe garage door opening. When designing our solutions, we wanted to create an inviting interior that also prevented theft from happening, by reducing large, unobstructed spans of glass. To do this, we decided that having a system that worked to shade the eastfacing window could also act as security bars. This presented an issue of how to design a safe and protected window without making it feel like bars over a window. I worked in a small team with three other students to come up with ideas for the design. The progression of our design is shown here.
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A canopy was important to include because it creates a sense of place in front of the door. The community should feel welcomed into the space. The name “Urban Station� is laser cut into the canopy to act as signage as you approach by car, as well as the shadow cast on the wall during late afternoon. The window wall is made entirely of reclaimed lumber and donated windows. This contrasts with the cold materiality of steel and makes the place feel inviting. The steel louvers act as both shading devices and security. Because of their angle, they block out afternoon sun and also prevent direct access to the glass.
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Team: Brennan Hall Trevor Heersink Christina Nieters Rachel Stagner
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Seating
ASX Plywood, CNC to allow for mass production
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Reclaimed lumber, with epoxy filling in holes and imperfections
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Urban Station needed seating for its community table. I led a team of three in the design and construction of sixteen chairs. We wanted a design that was easy to repeat and construct, so we decided to work around CNC parts. After making three prototypes (1-3), we found a seat shape and back angle that was comfortable. Our final prototype (4) was made with CNC sides as well as reclaimed lumber for the seat. We wanted to tie in the materiality with the original table’s reclaimed lumber; it is also a more sustainable option. Each chair has a different mix of wood, making every chair unique.
Team: Maddy Gillette Rachel Stagner Rebecca Twombly
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Construction
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Research
Completed during time at Christner Overseen by Emily Wray, Senior Associate
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Context Responsibilities: - Research Natural History - Research Conservation - Analyze Rock Types - Analyze Tree Species
I spent the summer researching the background of the ecosystems in Missiouri and Illinois to discover what trees, rock, and aggregates are available. Christner wanted to learn more about local materials within Missouri and Illinois, the two states they do work in. These materials could help contribute to the principle of biophilia by adding natural textures and colors into built environments. Materials harvested within Missouri and Illinois are half the required distance by LEED, meaning the catalog of materials I gathered will also be a sustainable option.
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- Create Graphics - Gather Samples of Materials - Craft and Finish Samples - Design Reference Book
My research consisted of investigating Missouri and Illinois’ natural history. I started with learning the geology of the two states. In Missouri, there are Precambrian exposures of granite, which is the basement rock of both states. Above that, both states consist of a lot of dolomite and limestone. When I was looking into the stone available for architectural use, limestone was the main one available, though there were limited amounts of granite as well.
Granite production was historically high in Missouri; the signature color led to the rock being known as Missouri red granite. It can be seen in historic buildings across the US, including Missouri’s state capital building. Now, the color is less desired and most suppliers only make it available by request. Learning about the Ecological Sections of Missouri and Illinois allowed me to better understand where specific species of trees were as well as their denstiy within those areas. Historically, southern Missouri was covered largely by oak and shortleaf pine.
After European settlers moved into Missouri, trees were quickly cut down and there is little virgin forest left. Now, with strong conservation efforts, Missouri forests are slowly being restored to their pre-settlement state. I created the diagrams shown to clearly illustrate where certain rock and lumber would be harvested. This allows the firm to choose materials that are plentiful as well as close to the site.
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Reference
Each section has a header page that details what will be described within. The oak family is important to Missouri and Illinois because it is the most common species in both states. The background image is sourced from historic topographic data on Missouri and Illinois, sourced from the University of Texas Libraries.
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The reference portion of the book shows the species of wood and pertinent information, including: an image of the wood sample, the concetration and location of that tree, data on strength and hardiness, and uses. This helps designers become quickly informed about the wood. It can also help the designer support the narrative in their project. We included both small and large species so that lumber could be used for larger, architecutral applications, as well as smaller, interior uses. The most interesting wood we found was Osage orange, a wood comparable in strength to exotic trees. But the wood is bright yellow and the trees are small making commercial use unlikely. This wood would be ideal for small projects or accents.
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Samples Coarse Aggregate: Old Monroe Gravel
Fine: Mississippi River Sand
Fine: Missouri River Sand
Coarse: Meramec Gravel
Coarse: Crushed Limestone
Coarse: Old Monroe Gravel
Coarse: Crushed Black Granite
Coarse: Crushed Pink Granite
Coarse: Crushed Trap Rock
We wanted to show how the different aggregates available in Missouri and Illinois would work in a concrete mix. I gathered the different gravels and sands from suppliers. After analyzing concrete mix specs for previous projects, I determined the appropriate ratios of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and cement mix.
We tested each possible combination and made 3� x 6� samples. Then, after curing, Emily ground and polished the concrete. The above images show the comparison between fine and coarse aggregates.
Fine: Meramec River Sand
Fine Aggregate: Meramec River Sand
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Black Locust
Box Elder
Catalpa
Cherry
Hard Maple
Kentucky Coffeetree
Mulberry
Osage Orange
Pear
Persimmon
Red Oak
Sassafras
Sweet Gum
Sycamore
Walnut
White Oak
We began to create a sample library of the lumber. We visited an urban logging company because they gather small and large trees within the St. Louis area. After acquiring 16 different kinds of wood, we worked to cut each piece to the same width and length. Emily planed them all down to the same thickness and I took over the finishing work, sanding and sealing the pieces. Currently, Christner is continuing to look for more wood as different species are harvested. 77
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Making Machine for Sitting
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Making Light Form
During my first year, I spent time making smaller fabrication projects. My lamp is inspired by the way cities light up at night, with skyscrapers reaching up past shadowy streets. This project was made using a laser cutter to get precise measurements and slice through the acrylic sides. I chose to use the acrylic as my “fastener� because of the way that light travels through the edge. It expresses the structure of the lamp.
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