PROJECTS: ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO 2013 STEFAN LEVASSEUR
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STUDIO: SETTLEMENTS CITY GROWTH Jan-Apr 2011 Mentor: Erick Villagomez
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STUDIO: EN_SPACE INTERTWINED Sep-Dec 2010 Mentor: Martin Lewis Collaborator: Mark Ross
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STUDIO: ACCOMMODATIONS 118 LADYSMITH Jan-Apr 2010 Mentor: Christopher MacDonald
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STUDIO: TERRAINS HUMAN / NATURE Sep-Dec 2009 Mentor: Kris Fox
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ENVIRONMENT & URBAN FORM WALKABILITY IN THE WEST END Sep-Dec 2010 Mentor: Ron Kellett Collaborator: Jason Pfeifer
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GEOMETRIC MODELLING PARAMETRIC DESIGN Sep-Dec 2010 Mentor: Ian McDonald Collaborator: Erik Bean
CONTENTS
STUDIO: SETTLEMENTS CITY GROWTH LOCATION Vancouver BC Canada
TYPE Individual Academic Project - Fourth Term
DATE Jan-Apr 2011
MENTOR Erick Villagomez [e_vill1@hotmail.com]
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City Growth explores the potential for urban agriculture to advance the cultivation of Vancouver’s identity and to reconnect the community of Marpole to the Fraser River Waterfront with an interactive interpretive centre and market facility.
To intensify a connection to the waterfront, the facility blurs the shoreline with an integrated ramp descending through cattail-seeded steps. Two market platforms cascade along this ramp, separated from the building by a descending cattail ‘creek’. As though through a patch of cattails, light filters into
the interior spaces through cladding composed of alternating solids and glazed voids. Visual connection is maintained with the outdoor market platforms through operable wall panels.
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inspiration: cattails, Musqueam long house, remnants of industrial equipment discovered on site
process sketches exploring form, materials, and programme
process model exploring the interpretation of inspiration
interior community flex space
The building’s form was inspired by the site’s historical attributes - cattails along the bank of the Fraser river, and Musqueam long houses. Light-filtering properties of both inspired formal variations which, combined with simple industrial and agricultural typologies, yielded the final result.
farm vocabularyfarm
farm vocabulary and circulation solar manipulations achoring and circulation solar manipulations vocabulary manipulations circulation farm vocabulary solarachoring solar manipulations achoring and and circulation farm vocabulary solar manipulations achoring andachoring circulation n
n
heavy mass
s
farm vernacular formal evolution 4
light shed
n
n
circ24/ ula 7 tion
solar manipulation s
light shed light shed light shed heavy mass heavy massheavy mass heavy mass
nlight shed
ci 24 c 2
s
s
c 2 circ24/ ircul4/7 ula 7 atio n tion n
rcu /7 irc 4/ solar lati u 7 s on latio manipulation
p p
p
public facilities p
agricultural land community garden plots natural habitat and greenway blackberry bush parking lot
the waterfront today []
0
100m
200m
2011
community garden plots []
0
100m
orchard
200m
2011
bog crops public facilities agricultural land community garden plots natural habitat and greenway blackberry bush parking lot orchard
CLEAN 2 city sewer
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bog crops
ab
surplus
MOVE
water treatment
3 facility
remediation agriculture
city sewer interception 2011
0
200m
experimental remediation greenhouses
0
100m
200m
2011
0
habitat restoration 2011
100m
[]
0
100m
200m
[]
market trends 2011
0
100m
200m
200m
[]
stills from presentation slides showing the evolution of the proposed development over time
The site is presently dominated by light industry and surface parking. Its conversion to agricultural land is hindered by contaminants from previous industrial use thus requiring intensive bio-remediation.
100m
site plan; rendering of experimental remediation using mobile greenhouses
Mobile greenhouses will contain the contaminated ecosystems and provide lab facilities to explore new methods of bio-remediation while allowing the public to witness the gradual transformation of the site.
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ge
urban farming
fl sp e x ac ca
fe
bog cranberries
fa ad rm mi n
m ve ark nd et or s
the site
e
m v e ark nd et or s
ing b rid arth u r la transportation through the site; agricultural land reserves
wc
official plots guerilla plots
wapato root bog cranberries
farmers markets
As a gateway to the city, City Growth will showcase Vancouver’s role as a leader in sustainability. The site’s location directly below international flight paths and adjacent to a main bridge entering the city, provide a rare opportunity to view the site from an aerial perspective, creating a visual record of the transformation. 6
a localising food movement
0
general programming bog cranberries
wapato root
fl sp e x ac e fa ad rm mi n
blackberries
50m
cattails
m ve ark nd et
changing land use: 1890 - 1910 - 1950
markets 5 min walking
fe
agriculture
ca
industry
wapato root
m ve ark nd et or s
bog cranberries
wc
m ve ark nd et or s
cattails
wapato wapato rootroot
bog cranberries bog cranberries
cattails
cattails
blackberries
blackberries
In preparation for the design of our interventions at this urban scale, intensive research was carried out by the class as a whole and amalgamated into a large format presentation poster to introduce the guest reviewers to the sites, the city, and the region. This research was later presented to the community of Marpole to assist them in deliberations about
future development in their neighbourhood - namely several controversial proposals for towers. In order to facilitate access to this data, the students designed an online platform showcasing our research as well as our interventions. http://2011.ubcends.com/pages/1/welcome 7
STUDIO: EN_SPACE INTERTWINED LOCATION University of British Columbia BC
TYPE Group Academic Project - Third Term
Canada
MENTOR Martin Lewis [mlewis@sala.ubc.ca]
DATE Sep-Dec 2010 8
COLLABORATOR Mark Ross
All graphics by Levasseur unless otherwise noted except renderings: 3D modelling by Levasseur and Photoshop work by Ross. All design concepts are the result of equal collaboration.
SPIREA
DOGWOOD
ACCOMODATING
RED ALDER
INHABITABLE
WHEAT GRASS
FERN
HAWTHORN
CONTEMPLATIVE
BIRCH
LILYTURF
legend of proposed vegetation used for programme coding
CRAB APPLE
FORSYTHIA
SYSTEMS
RED MAPLE
WINTER CREEPER
layout of vegetation as it relates to programme
Vegetation within the courtyard is coded to reflect the given program of UBC’s new engineering centre, providing a sense of cohesion between the vegetative and built programs.
the university campus creating a visible identity for each faculty as reflected by specific vegetation. Vegetation choices, legend, and panorama by Ross. All other graphics by Levasseur.
This concept will be gradually adopted throughout 9
CI
RC U
LA TIO
N
site photo with conceptual insertion of circulation
plan of intervention & surrounding buildings
The building’s form explores the introduction of exterior coded vegetation into the interior environment by articulating the edge condition with vegetated ‘fingers’ All graphics and drawings by Ross and Levasseur. process sketches 10
RAISED GROUND PLANE
section showing the relation of interior spaces to exterior spaces
PROGRAMME MASSING
SLOPED ROOF PLANE TO ACCOMMODATE SUN
CIRCULATION ACTS AS AN EXTERIOR BUFFER BETWEEN LOUD AND QUIET ZONES summer rendering
formal evolution
Re-establishing the ground datum to the existing roofscape, a vegetative formal expression rethinks the entrenched connotation of what an engineering courtyard could be.
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concept for the blurring of interior and exterior spaces - roof level
integration of exterior vegetation throughout the building (washrooms depicted)
intertwined programmatic spaces - exposure of administration meeting space to common computer lab
Transparency is used to blur the boundary between landscape and building. The landscape penetrates within the building challenging social conventions by creating a visual filter between programmatic elements.
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conceptual model exploring the integration of exterior vegetation to the interior
The concept is further pursued through the use of translucent acrylic partitions between traditionally separate uses such as board rooms and common space. The partitions also double as white boards that allow a visual connection to the occupants’ activities.
Social pods are scattered over the accessible roof providing a reading of the interior uses through vegetation coding. Their form is also visible to the interior occupants, hinting at the activity above. Conceptual model by Ross.
concept for the blurring of interior and exterior spaces - ground level
relationship between interior office space and exterior public space
visual access to normally hidden mechanical spaces
The office space is literally entrenched within the ground but offers visual connections to vegetation and the occupants of the accessible roof. In turn, roof occupants, usually engineering students, can witness activities in their students union office.
An opportunity was provided to showcase the mechanical room while encouraging interaction with bike racks inspired by the duct work.
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The Institutions studio was used to introduced a design strategy that began with individual exercises involving the choice of an arbitrary word - ‘entrenchment’. Various projects including a personalised graphic definition, a model spatializing the word, and a video exploration provided inspiration for subsequent designs. 14
STUDIO: ACCOMMODATIONS 118 LADYSMITH LOCATION Victoria BC Canada
TYPE Individual Academic Project - Second Term
DATE Jan-Apr 2010
MENTOR Christopher MacDonald
[cmac@arch.ubc.ca]
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depiction of semi-public space for residents
interior of uppermost units
James Bay was once involved in industrial/ commercial activity. The existing building at 118 Ladysmith Street was a grain processing plant with an attached bakery where residents of the community could buy freshly baked bread. In 1971, the plant relocated to Surrey and baked goods became available only at the local shopping area several 16
blocks away. In keeping with the James Bay development plan towards community-oriented services and gathering spaces as well as healthy pedestrian lifestyles, the aim of this development is to challenge norms and current zoning paradigms by providing multiple
adaptable units within a residential neighbourhood that are capable of housing anything from residential to live/work to office spaces. Focus is placed on healthy live/work conditions encouraging community interaction through crossing circulation paths and sight lines between various levels of public/
private zones. Historical usage is re-introduced with a bakery/cafe along with a small convenience store that will once again draw an increased public presence to this otherwise residential block. The final outcome is a place for brief or drawn out interactions among residents of the community.
B
B
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
B
GROUND FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
B
A
A
B
B
THIRD FLOOR
FOURTH FLOOR
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massing of proposed building in context
sketch exploring form and material as inspired by past industry
public spaces as incorporated on the site
inspiration: past industry on site, corner stores of Montreal 18
long section showing the interconnected spaces to induce encounters between residents and the community; figure ground of the neighbourhood
STUDIO: TERRAINS HUMAN / NATURE LOCATION Vancouver BC Canada
TYPE Individual Academic Project - First Term
DATE Sep-Dec 2009
MENTOR Kris Fox [kris.fox@ubc.ca] 19
inspiration: man-made elements on site with natural insinuations
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conceptual model exploring the hidden man-made elements behind the seemingly natural
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model showing transition between beach, lawn, and bosque
Vancouver’s Spanish Banks and Jericho Beach are much touted for providing a natural atmosphere in which to enjoy the ocean and a breathtaking view. However, upon closer examination both the view and its ‘natural’ vantage point are heavily constructed human interventions within the landscape. 20
From non native flora to altered coastlines, all natural elements at these beaches are in fact human construction. The man-made natural elements of the site are addressed through geometry, materiality, and through play with compartmentalisation.
site plan
section at bosque
section at log pier installation
process sketches 21
TRAVEL DISTANCE BEFORE DIRECTION CHANGE PARCEL
112 metres
WEST END
210 metres
Through traffic for automobiles interrupted by traffic calming devices. BLOCK
BURRARD ST
DENMAN ST
COAL HARBOUR
ROBSON ST
FABRIC
PROXIMITY
CONNECTIVITY
PEDESTRIAN / RESIDENTIAL
Davie St, West End
Nicola St, West End Buildings
CORRIDOR / COMMERCIAL Buildings
BEACH AVE
Buildings
WEST END
CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY
DAVIE ST
CORRIDOR / COMMERCIAL
COMMERCIAL
Bute St
RESIDENTIAL
Nicola St
PEDESTRIAN / RESIDENTIAL
ENVIRONMENT AND URBAN FORM: WALKABILITY STUDY IN THE WEST END LOCATION Vancouver BC Canada
TYPE Academic Group Project - Third Term
COLLABORATOR Jason Pfeifer
DATE Sep-Dec 2010
MENTOR Ron Kellett [rkellett@sala.ubc.ca]
All research & graphics by Levasseur and Pfeifer
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Sidewalks
Sidewalks
Sidewalks Davie St
Roads
Davie St
Vegetation
Vegetation
Vegetation W Hastings St
ATTRACTIVENESS ATTRACTIVENESS
LOW
Bayshore Dr
Roads
MEDIUM
W Hastings St
ATTRACTIVENESS ATTRACTIVENESS
HIGH
Georgia St COAL HARBOUR WEST END
Roads
4 storeys
WEST END ATTRACTIVENESS
ATTRACTIVENESS
10 storeys
COAL HARBOUR
10+ storeys
E2A
E2A
PARAMETER MODIFICATION
PARAMETER MODIFICATION
90째 rotation
0
0
5
5
15
15
2
3
E2B
0
5
5
E2B
15
PARAMETER MODIFICATION
PARAMETER MODIFICATION
ON
4
90째
a)
A
B
A
B
n 360째
a)
section AA 0
B+L
1
5
7
section BB 0
1
5
8
9
6
GEOMETRIC MODELLING: PARAMETRIC DESIGN LOCATION Vancouver BC Canada
TYPE Academic Group Project - Third Term
COLLABORATOR Erik Bean
DATE Sep-Dec 2010
MENTOR Ian McDonald
All Design & graphics by Levasseur and Bean
[ianross.mcdonald@gmail.com]
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