Hello! I’m Sarah Maher, a current a fourth year student studying Architecture at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. My passion for design and architecture extends well back into my childhood and education. International travel and prior engineering interests have given me first-hand experience of architecture’s power and allowed me to look at my designs through unique lenses.
As a student, I have had multiple opportunities to explore my leadership and interpersonal skills through jobs within the college as well as development of commissioned construction documents. I am looking forward to designing positive experiences for people through my work and as I plan pursue my graduate degree.
Provided a range of services assisting in creation of concept models, marketing materials, detail drawings, as well as participating in client meetings and taking part in OAC meetings for various projects
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Undergraduate Learning Assistant (March - December 2023)
Managed student correspondence and organization of course materials for Intro to Design under Professor Bud Shenefelt and Professor Lindsey Bahe
Organizations
Member of Tau Sigma Delta Society | (2024-2025)
Habitat for Humanity Volunteer | (2024-2025)
UNL AIAS Member| (2022-2025)
Member of Tri Delta fraternity| (2021-2025)
Education
University of Nebraska - Lincoln College of Architecture
Aug 2021 - May 2025 (Expected Graduation)
Anticipated Degree | Bachelor of Science in Design with minor in Community and Regional Planning
Cumulative GPA | 3.87
Deans List | Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Tribal/Cultural Training Recipiant September 2024
& Nancy Leadership by Design Scholarship Recipient | July 2024
into Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society April 2024
Competition Scholarship Recipient May 2023
Architecture Scholarship Recipient March 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
[01-18] ALONG THE WATER’S EDGE | 10 weeks
Lincoln, NE
DSGN410 - Fall 2024
Professors: Michael Harpster & Monique Ekaete Bassey
Collaborators: Elise Benson, Olivia Rowe, Lauren Christopher, & Miles Godfrey
[19-28] SINGLE MOTHER LIVE/WORK CATALYST | 6 weeks
Lincoln, NE
ARCH 311 - Spring 2024
Professor: Pedro Aguero
Collaborator: Adyan Almothafar
[29-40] EBB AND FLOW | 10 weeks
Lincoln, NE
ARCH 211 - Spring 2023
Professor: Zac Porter
[41-52] NP DODGE MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER FOR FLOOD STUDIES | 10 weeks
Omaha, NE
ARCH 310 - Fall 2023
Professors: Adam Wiese and Nate Gieselamn, RDG Omaha
ALONG THE WATER’S EDGE | Lincoln, NE
DSGN 410 - Fall 2024
Professors: Michael Harpster & Monique Ekaete Bassey
Collaborators: Elise Benson, Olivia Rowe, Lauren Christopher, & Miles Godfrey
Along the Water’s Edge is a land-back indigenous commemoration project, in collaboration with the Jiwere-Nut’achi tribe of Oklahoma. The selected site is Wilderness Park, seamlessly blending the city of Lincoln with Nebraska’s native landscapes. Collaborative workshops throughout the project process helped to inform design decisions and ensure the voices of the tribe were heard and accurately represented.
As a part of the larger Walking in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors: Reindigenizing Southeast Nebraska grant, this project presented the unique opportunity to practice design that could actually one day become incorporated in a project for the tribe. Partnership with tribal members, local architects, and experienced commemorative project designers replicated conditions that could be found in actual practice.
PROPOSED SITE PLAN
COLLABORATOR: ELISE BENSON
TREE DENSITY
SALT CREEK
TRAIL PATHS PAVED ROAD KEY: 50’ 200’ 100’
SITE SELECTION AND ANALYSIS
Giving the tribe agency to choose the level of connection to the public was an important factor in consideration of site selection. The 1,472 acres of Wilderness Park has many different trails for the general public’s 24/7 usage. This park was chosen due to its convenient public access, historical presence of the Jiwere Nut’achi tribes, and location of Salt Creek, connecting to the importance of water in the tribe’s creation story.
The creek rests within an eroded channel in the park, which is about 10 feet deep. In order to prevent flooding risk from Salt Creek, we elevated the land underneath the main programmatic interventions for our proposal, ensuring longevity and durability for the project even when encountering 50 feet of flooding. The overall proposal includes three major steps: a trail and signage system, a cultural studio, and an encampment pavilion. Working off of our tribal engagement sessions, our proposal is tied very closely to the cardinal directions and the adjacent Salt Creek.
INTERACTIVE SIGNAGE
CULTURAL STUDIO
SITE JOURNEY COLLABORATOR: ELISE BENSON
The journey of a person through the site follows the three stages outlined in this section. This orchestrated approach to travel through the proposal is intended to immerse visitors and members of the Jiwere-Nut’achi alike into the site and more fully appreciate the history as well as now
continued presence of the tribe in Nebraska. Aside from a service road intended for preparation, the journey begins at the parking lot, where interactive signage and a raised trail system draw users in. As they traverse further in the site, the sounds of traffic and outside distractions trickle away.
The raised trail leads toward a Cultural Studio, supporting the arts of indigenous people and education of nonnatives. From there members of the tribe can transition over Salt Creek towards an encampment pavilion, where cultural dances, celebrations, and other spiritual rituals can be
held. Tribal members can extend invitation to the public to experience elements of the tribe’s culture that they are comfortable sharing. This journey balances the delicate connection of the tribe to the public as well as their own ability to carry out their ceremonial and artistic practices in privacy.
With accessibility in mind, the proposal incorporates user interaction through the construction of a raised walkway, leading from the parking lot directly to the cultural studio. Along this trail, a five minute walk introduces viewers to a series of interactive signs, communicating cultural values shared among the Jiwere Nu’tachi community. The signage elements immerse the perspective of the viewer, aligning
ENTRANCE EXPERIENCE
clear acrylic panels with natural imagery in the distance. By allowing for real-time synchronization, the viewer spends a few moments silently experiencing the space around them, absorbing the qualities of Wilderness Park in a manner that introduces a similarity between existing Jiwere Nut’achi practices and the newfound experience within this proposal.
PRIVATE ARTIST STUDIO
INTERIOR FIRE PIT EXPERIENCE COLLABORATOR: OLIVIA ROWE
INTERIOR CONDITIONS
Inside the cultural studio, flexibility is found through program dedication and the use of operable walls. By strategically installing these walls, these areas provide a connection to nature valued by the tribe.
Jiewere-Nut’achi values are reflected further through an indoor fire pit, where materiality, views connecting visitors to the outside, and ability to cook over an open fire in the winter months inspire story telling.
5’ 15’ 30’
COLLABORATOR:
Adobe Clay Brick
Metal Tie
Weather Resistant Membrane
Sheathing
Insulation
Interior Wall
Wood Beam
ELISE BENSON
Clerestory windows as well as extended ceilings in programmatic overlaps allow natural light to enter the interior of the building. In combination with the operable walls, this provides a bright and airy atmosphere to the studio, further connecting to nature.
NORTHEAST ELEVATION AND CLADDING VIEW COLLABORATOR: ELISE BENSON
SENSORY EXPERIENCE
The exterior of the cultural studio is cladded in a system of pentagonal bricks. Embracing the practice of using adobe, the offset pentagonal shape of each brick mimics a woven pattern, connecting the overall form to the visual materiality.
BRIDGE TRANSITION TO ENCAMPMENT PAVILION COLLABORATOR:
ENCAMPMENT PAVILION COLLABORATOR: LAUREN CHRISTOPHER
LAUREN CHRISTOPHER
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Transitioning towards the central peninsula, visitors cross Salt Creek over a bridge, with curved railings that resemble the flow of water as well as an ode to the interior ceiling conditions above. The bridge serves as a physical barrier between the cultural studio and the more private encampment pavilion. Members of the JiwereNut’achi tribe can extend invitation to the public if they are holding encampments or ceremonies which they would like to share, but have the agency to choose their level of public exposure.
The nature of the encampment pavilion is intentionally flexible as some practices during encampments and dances are private to the tribe. By providing this space, members are able to share, celebrate, and bring their culture back to the site.
It was challenging to balance needs of the tribe while respecting their privacy and providing design solutions. Despite this, the challenge inspired unique solutions that reflect the voices of tribal members and address the needs of the site. It was a privilege to work on and with this project.
SINGLE MOTHER LIVE/WORK CATALYST | Lincoln, NE
ARCH 311 - Spring 2024
Professor: Pedro Aguero
Collaborator: Adyan Almothafar
A co-working space is a flexible, often rentable growing work method where people across practices and walks of life can work side by side. Similarly, a co-living building embraces the strengths of affordability, community, and mixed-uses through shared living spaces of varying organizations.
Throughout this six week project, my partner and I explored what it would be like to implement a
co-working and co-living intervention in the business district of Lincoln, Nebraska. This exploration was driven by three main goals of igniting economic activity, fusing social connections, and sparking cultural vibrancy. Ultimately, the intervention responds uniquely to the site conditions present and provides opportunity for its users through the implementation of this innovative space.
5MINWALKINGDISTANCE
10MINWALKINGDISTANCE
SITE PLAN
SITE ANALYSIS AND FOCUS
The focus of ARCH311 is site and the built environment’s response to it. For this introduction project, a small site on 1317 L St in Lincoln, Nebraska was selected. Site analysis revealed several realities and relevant traits associated with this area, including numerous vacant buildings with potential for occupation, several surrounding nonprofits with resources to give, and a significant population of single mothers in need of service.
A co-working and co-living space was determined as the brief for the project, and in first consideration to respond to preexisting site conditions, the installation was dedicated to the support and empowerment of single mothers. The deliverables show the depth of understanding associated with a project focused on responding to site and the potential good that it can bring all who interact with it.
[1] COMBINATION
Programmatic massing for private (blue) and community (pink) space are stacked on top of each other. Privacy for residents is emphasized by not having immediate interaction.
[2] SINKING
The private residence mass is sunk into the public community mass, creating an intersection for co-working and co-living program.
[3] INDENTATION
The combined volume responds to the conditions of the site by indenting the lower levels to increase pedestrian approachability and is curved to reflect movement circulating the building.
[4] CATEGORIZATION
Apertures are punched and pulled from the facade of the building creating either private balcony spaces in residences or more visible public extrusions.
CONCEPTUAL ADDRESSION OF THE SITE
In response to the selected focus, a narrative of what the intervention would feel like was first formed through the creation of several concept collages. Through this process lead to a conversation with a representative from a local women’s shelter. It was easily conceptualized that the adjacency to Lincoln’s capitol building would contribute funds, initiatives, and temporary housing would allow
contribute funds, initiatives, and temporary housing would allow single mothers to establish themselves, find a community, and raise their families to a safe and stable life. The residents would be able to start businesses in the lower community floors and meet with people from around the city in order to grow in their independence until they are able to support themselves and find permanent housing.
LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
FIFTH LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
Providing opportunities for residents was paramount in the decisions regarding programming and organization. The building grows in privacy vertically and through length of stay for the residents. The first two levels are dedicated to working and collaborative efforts for the businesses started by residents. The third level has the first residential units, being the size of a hotel and intended for emergency or short term housing. The fourth level has units that are a
few weeks to a few months. The fifth and final level become the most private and are traditional studio apartments. These units are available for up to a year. Residents are able to move up in the building as their situation requires, but always providing safe and affordable options while they get on their feet. Every unit has either direct or adjacent access to a balcony allowing for connections to the outdoors. These ideas provide opportunity for growth towards stability and freedom.
SECTION A COLLABORATOR: ADYAN ALMOTHAFAR
[2] INTERIOR RENDER OF MAIN LEVEL COLLABORATOR: ADYAN
SECTION B COLLABORATOR: ADYAN ALMOTHAFAR
ALMOTHAFAR
EBB AND FLOW | Lincoln, NE
ARCH 211 - Spring 2023
Professor:
Zac Porter
Located at 2040 O St in Lincoln, NE, the site presented opportunity for positive public connection with its adjacency to a relatively unused public park. Previously being used as a car dealership, this small sliver of land did not have direct access to food, which established the start of analyzation.
Aspects of the site undergone in this analysis include the transportation and collection of food in Lincoln and material qualities of the surrounding built environment. With these considerations in mind, this site had the qualities to hold this transformative dining space.
MULTICULTURAL RESIDENCY AND
Ebb & Flow serves as a connection between a person’s two most intimate spaces: where they rest their head, and where they share their meals. The space was to operate as living quarters for three rotating chefs from around the world who would
RESTAURANT
cook for the restaurant they resided opposite of. The combination of material and programmatic concepts allow Ebb & Flow to manipulate the dining experience and transform the social interactions that occur around a shared meal.
SEPARATED PANEL CONSTRUCTION
STRUCTURAL AXONOMETRIC
STAGGERED SUPPORT
A material choice of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) presented the unique condition of bringing the exterior in and could serve as the driving force for the project. The exterior of the building would be clad in a series of self supported concrete panel system. Being cast into CLT would create the staggering in material, providing the “Ebb & Flow” of the outside.
On the interior, those same CLT molds from the concrete panels would be used to mirror the same movement happening between customers, chefs, and wait staff. A primary wooden structural support system is utilized to support the shell of the building and to hang the panelized system of the exterior off of.
[1] INTERIOR RECEPTION
PANEL FRAGMENT MODEL [ MDF, ROCKITE
[3] TABLE VIEW
[2] VIEW OF MAIN DINING
PROGRAMMATIC CONCEPT
The dining experience is centered around the concept of the table and how it can be manipulated and deconstructed. Customers begin the meal together at one table for opening statements from the chefs, then are split apart to gather opinions and memories in their respective dining parties. The group comes back together at key moments in the meal such as pallet cleansers and finally at the end for thanks from the chefs.
TABLES SEPARATED FOR DINING
West Elevation
WEST ELEVATION
NP DODGE MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER
FOR FLOOD STUDIES | Omaha, NE
ARCH 310 - Fall 2023
Adam Wiese and Nate Gieselamn, RDG Omaha
NP Dodge Park, located in Omaha, NE has undergone several years of intense flooding. The proposal for this project entailed a center that would research the natural element of water and exhibit its findings to the public. This intervention for water research focuses
specifically on the elemental power of water and flooding, utilizing the adjacent Missouri River to accomplish this. The space creates an interactive experience for researchers and visitors alike that describes the strength and power of water on the built environment.
THE STRENGTH OF WATER REPRESENTED
Water serves as the grounding principle of the entire project. These collages were the beginning stage of design and concept development for the project, with each showing a different facet of the power and strength water possess. This first collage showcases the auditory aspect of water in two instances of a rapid and a simple drop and how both can invade a space through their sound.
The second collage explores the experience of a leaf in two circumstances: a chaotic flood where it is being thrown around and a serene stream where it gently floats along. In the final collage, there is a visual description of the scalar condition of water, and how in a vast urban ocean, we are simply one drop. As the project progressed, these collages were referenced to ensure a centralized foundation.
COLLAGE 2: CHAOS VS CALM
COLLAGE 3: HUMAN SCALE VS WATER SCALE
NP DODGE MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER FOR FLOOD STUDIES
Flooding has impacted the Midwest for dozens of years. This facility displays these affects as well as serves the function of being an educational environment and a conference space for the history, effects, and future on how flooding has impacted infrastructure along the Missouri River.
Research conducted would include comprehensive examination of the effects that water has on infrastructure in the built environment. This is accomplished through a sequential study of flood development to testing different building samples in a flooding simulator.
[1] INTERJECTION [2] EXPANSION [3] SPLAYING
SITE ANALYSIS
NP Dodge Park is located in northern Omaha, Nebraska. After several sequential years of intense flooding, the park is in a dismal state with cracking walkways and overall decrease in visitors. The implementation of an educational and research based intervention is designed to begin a revitalization to the site.
The particular location in the park chosen for this intervention has multiple considerations necessary. Views along the Missouri River to the nearby marina and walking trails were to be preserved. As well as this, circulation to this location was ideal, with car, walking, and even possible boat traffic being accessible. Primarily, the adjacency to the water allowed for unique research opportunities, like such as in an innovative flooding simulator.
INVENTING PROGRAM
The flooding simulator is a full scale research tank used for testing materials and their flood resiliency. Full scale wall sections or foundation pieces are placed in the simulator.
Water from the Missouri river then floods the simulator and crashes into it, simulating flash flood conditions. Testing materials can then be taken back into the main building to be recorded, studied, and improved upon.
The exterior of the building is covered in a blue stainless steel paneling, mirroring the research being done on the interior. To further emphasize this, the panels are carried inside to the front wall of the flooding simulator.
SENSORY EXPERIENCE
The panels on the interior have slight separation, however, allowing for sounds, sprays of water, and other sensory elements to escape the flooding simulator and encourage visitors to discover more. PANEL INSTALLATION DETAIL
DIAGRAM
DAYTIME RENDER OF INTERSTITIAL EXHIBITION
VIEWING ROOM RENDER ADJACENT TO FLOODING SIMULATOR
