SIMON DEGRACE
Architecture Portfolio
Architecture is a medium to change the world. Creating space for opportunity, understanding and community through sustainable practice is the future of humankind. Harmoniously living on this earth while giving back to the other inhabitants with whom we share this planet.
CONTENTS
BOSTON MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FOLK ART
STAIR DESIGN
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF ALMA KANSAS
NET+ HOUSING
2
AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM IN B Class: Instructor: Duration:
Architecture Design Studio 4 Michael Grogan 9 weeks
BOSTON 3
BACKGROUND: BOSTON + FOLK ART The United States is a country of diverse groups of people who have immigrated from around the world, creating a blend of ideas, cultures, and perspectives. Art, and specifically Folk Art, is a vehicle for navigating our differences, allowing us to share and communicate from our heart. The American Folk Art Museum located in Boston would be the physical manifestation of this cultural composition, housing artistic dialogue of diversity.
Folk art is the creative expression of individuals who are not formally trained. It can be created by anyone in their home and often traditionally displayed on the premises or yard. The expression of culture, emotion and dreams are frequently more applied and less decorative. The art is best perceived and experienced in an environment respectful of the one it was created in, providing choices for varied viewing opportunities and engaging other occupants as well. The physical representation of the spaces echoes the desire for diversity, to create stability.
4
DOMESTIC
CONGREGATE
COMMUNITY
PRIMARY EXHIBITION FLOOR
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION FLOOR
VERTICAL EXHIBITION FLOOR
EDUCATION FLOOR
5
HOME Folk art is at home in the home. It is rich with utility and informality. The experience of interacting with the art should reflect that spatial ideal, providing opportunity to engage with the work and our fellow gallery inhabitants freely. Realizing with this viewing experience we perceive what we see from our personal viewpoint, only connecting with a portion of the story.
DOMESTIC
INCLUSIVITY When coming together, we understand that diversity is what strengthens this great nation. Alternative perspectives and viewpoints are the best inputs for collaboration and adaptation. The central idea is put into physical practice within the cascading spaces of this museum.
COMMUNITY
6
It is the diversity of cultures and viewpoints in the American experience that makes it thrive. Similarly, this building design is layered with a mix of perspectives and opportunites. The variance itself creates the equilibrium.
SECTION A-A
7
STAIR DESIGN Class: Instructor: Duration:
Architecture Design Studio 2 Jonathan Dessi-Olive 2 weeks
8
WORDS
SENTENCES
BOOKS
PERSPECTIVE
9
Through the design strategy of accumulation of elements, it is possible to affect the accumulation of people for the purpose of diverse social interaction. We are all unique participants with our own stories and absorb information differently. Creating moments within the stair form provides a range of intimate engagement opportunities for the users. This stair design more than fulfills the need for vertical travel. Its biophilic articulation facilitates learning through the equal provision of intimate nook and broad social spaces.
SPINE CONNECTION DETAIL
LEG JOINERY DETAIL
Steel Baluster
Wooden Treads
Acoustical dampening Structural spine
Steel Legs
10
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ALMA KANSA Class: Instructor: Duration:
Architecture Design Studio 3 Torgeir Norheim 10 weeks
AS 11
0' 10' 30'
80'
180'
BACKGROUND: ALMA KANSAS
Alma Kansas is a small town with the population of 899 people most hard wo collar workers. When schools of all ages release at 3pm parents struggle to fi resources to have a safe space for children after school. The downtown cons of a single street spanning a single block, containing most things anyone cou intended site has the opportunity for connecting the public park to the east, t street at the west. Being a hub for community activity and a harboring, safe, a space for children.
orking blue find the sists uld need. The to the front and nurturing
12
PROTECTED BUT RESTRICTIVE
UNPROTECTED BUT FREE
PROTECTED & ADAPTABLE
B
13
12
19
19
11
A
11
14
15
A
10
6
6
6
7
7
9 7
9 9
9
B
B
0' 10'
1) Reception 2) Foyer 3) Interim Space 4) Break 5) Conference 6) Office 7) Open Office 8) Trans-programable 9) Restroom 10) Study/Resource 11) Commons 12) Play 13) Art 14) Courtyard 15) Teaching Kitchen 16) Cubby Room 17) Janitorial 18) Mechanical 19) Storage 20) Interior Refuse 21) Exterior Refuse 22) Bicycle Parking
30'
80'
1) Reception 2) Foyer 3) Interim Space 4) Break 5) Conference 6) Office 7) Open Office 8) Trans-programable 9) Restroom 10) Study/Resource 11) Commons 12) Play 13) Art 14) Courtyard 15) Teaching Kitchen 16) Cubby Room 17) Janitorial 18) Mechanical 19) Storage 20) Interior Refuse 21) Exterior Refuse 22) Bicycle Parking
B
UPPER LEVEL FOR CHILDREN
16
8 3
A
8
22
A
16
21
1
2
6
4
5
9
9
PUBLIC ENTRY LEVEL
B
17
18
19
20
LOWER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL PLAN
B
13
Nestling the children’s space above the public realm and street traffic provides a safe, and flexible space that can adapt to its growing inhabitants. A central core housing storage and dedicated activity, allows for subdivision of space to facilitate varied programmatic needs. Adaptation of scale, light and acoustics accommodate the conditions necessary for all to thrive. Sunlight paints the ever-changing areas with playful light and shadow. The roof apertures cascade from one corner of the building to the other creating vibrant, creative space for learning and growth.
GROWING SPACE PERSPECTIVE
SECTION B-B
0’
10’
30’
SECTION A-A
14
PLAYING SPACE PERSPECTIVE
The structure of this building is expressed through a series of trusses designed to mimic the filtered light of a forest canopy. This creates a dynamic space for play. At the level below, the lower chord is also exposed to allow natural light to flood from all sides on the tectonic wall, contrasting the balance of the filigree system. This architectural assemblage serves to magnify the users experience of the space it is there to support.
ENCLOSURE SYSTEM
ENCLOSURE
Top timber chord & tension member
Bottom timber chord
Tectonic limestone wall
Timber Columns
STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLEGE
15
NET+ AFFORDABLE & SUSTAINABLE Class: Instructor: Duration:
Net + Design Studio Michael Gibson 16 weeks
E HOUSING 16
BACKGROUND: HOUSING CRISIS + KANSAS CITY Kansas City, Kansas is a diverse and culturally thriving city in the Midwest. The housing market is challenged with a notable deficit of affordable housing in the desirable neighborhoods directly surrounding the downtown. The neighborhood of Indian Mound is a good example of this, with no significant new housing stock added in the last 30 years. For a population of young families, who desire the urban experience, the situation is dire. The project goal was to design and build a home that would be affordable to build, with energy efficiency and low cost of ownership. A low carbon footprint was achieved through passive solar heating via strategic solar gain. Conversely, passive cooling was achieved by shaded circulation, covered openings and cross ventilation. The intent was to reduce the need for HVAC hardware while creating comfort in the home
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INTIMACY
FAMILY
COMMUNITY
Relationships are the foundation of security. This is no less true at the smallest scale between two individuals or as it is amplified and strengthened to include family and community. The open realm of the home is centralized providing light, view and direct access to the exterior, creating an extension of space, encouraging connection.
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Careful consideration was taken into the design choices as well as materiality. A construction document set of drawings was curated in order to have this home constructed in 2022 as a master plan to assist in the resolution of the housing crisis in Kansas City. Details to the right show examples from the created drawing set.
The opportunity of a master plan was utilized so that this scheme would utilize the entirety of the site available regardless of the width. The public realm engages the rest of the site creating an extension of space from interior throughout the entirety of the exterior.
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ENERGY ANALYSIS AND COST ESTIMAT SIMON DEGRACE / NET ZERO HOUSING / FALL 2021 ENERGY ANALYSIS SITE EUI: 10 kBtu/ft2 PERCENT SAVED: 79% (TYP. 41.4 kBtu/ft2) ANNUAL ENERGY USE: 3,611 kWh ENERGY FLOWS:
ANNUAL ENERGY USE BREAKDOWN: TOTAL: 3,611 kWh HEATING: 566 kWh COOLING: 547 kWh LIGHTING: 612 kWh EQUIP: 1886 kWh
COST EST
TION
TIMATION SUMMARY
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Together, we can design a better future.