suzanne davis | selected works 2013
table of contents 04 Community Center | San Martin de las Ca単as, Mexico Grad 3
08 Lynx Central Station | Orlando FL Grad 1
10 Walking the River | Vicenza, Italy Design 8
16 Appropriating Sprawlscapes | Vero Beach FL Masters Research Project
24 Cabinet of Curiosities Broken Jazz Instruments | Charleston SC Design 6
28 Hudson Rail Yards | New York City NY Design 7 | Collaborative
2
32 Garden Tower | Adaptive Reuse | Jacksonville Fl
Competition | Florida Foundation for Architecture
36 Sunrail Station Art Studios + Gallery | Winter Park Fl Grad 1
42 Bridges to Beaches | Ormond Beach Fl Collaborative Charette
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Florida Lanscape House | Gainesville FL Design 5
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Windsor | Town Planning Assistant Vero Beach Fl | Employment
52 Generous City Exploration | Pleasant St Historical District | Gainesville FL Grad 2 Collaborative
3
Community Center
San Martin de las Caùas, Mexico Grad 3 | Professor Alfonso Perez A Community Center along the water’s edge is a place for the citizens of San Martin de Las Caùas to use and appropriate according to their use and time of year. Smaller rooms are enclosed on a second level allowing the ground level to have a large expanded space that visually connects to the city and water. Gabion walls are used to tell the story of materiality within construction and similar materials are used as crushed elements in various forms.
entry
4
event | unprogrammed space
site plan
documentation of site and water
water vessels and carving of landscape
evolution of intervention
water edge connection
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4
5
6 7 city edge connections and plazas level 02
1 2
level 01
3
1 cafe 2 entry 3 event/unprogrammed 4 offices 5 lounge 6 class/art room 7 kids play room
cross section
6
concrete roof panels
interior form and structure
shading enclosure structures
gabion wall system
roof structure
longitudinal section
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Lynx Central Station Orlando Fl
Grad 1 | Professor Guy Peterson The Lynx Central Station developed from the inherent void between the site and the Orange County Courthouse. Plazas from the North, East, and South activate the void. Adjacent to the site is the Lymmo Bus Station of a large undulating roof which generated the idea of a visual frame. The visual frame objectifies the roof form, suggesting it is a suspended, large scale artwork from different perspectives. Programmatic volumes, developed on the linear axis of the visual frame, activate it to become a place of both occupation and movement enveloped by the large scale structure. Multiple levels of occupation are created with the volumes as well as areas of pedestrian access to and from the Sun Rail. Having no main point of entry, the station unfolds onto the plaza spaces with segmented moments of pause along the city block connections. Existing trees organized the plaza spaces and allow for the collaboration of public events, daily exchanges, and periods of repose.
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east plaza N
0
100’
south bound arrival and departure
designated plazas
void connection
pedestrian and vehicular transportation
north plaza and east plaza connection
north bound arrival and departure
aerial view
west side connections
9
Walking the River Vicenza Italy
Design 8 | Professor Francesco Cappellari Experiencing the rivers of Vicenza is interesting. The city and river both contain a layer of old/dirtyness. The city is restive, anticipating a change. Along the rivers, especially the Bacchiglione, are the remanats of evidence of how the river was once the main means of transportation. Some buildings have arcades on the river, previous access to the boats coming from venice, and in other areas along the river have stairs desceding to the shore near main intersections of roads and transit areas. Public spaces and parks are not connected to the river and most areas are limited to the river by the wall of the river or boundary of the public space. So then, we were proposed to decentralize Vicenza and return the people back to the river. Investigation the hard and soft edges of the city and the river, we decided to blur the boundary. We wanted to breakdown the feeling of ignorance to the river, besides just knowing it was there, we wanted to ease the transition from city to river. We analyzed the city and river and their relationship in old vs new, hard vs soft, closed vs open, The river is seen to have limited accessibility, so we went through and highlighted the moments where it can be accessed and then quesitoned the continuity of it with the city.
site 1
site 3
site 2 | selected site
site 2 | selected site
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zoning of where sites might be
edges and boundaries
full analysis
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Reading Pavilion
Re-engaging with the River | Vicenza Italy Design 8 | Professor Francesco Cappellari The concept was influenced from the history of the site as a place to do laundry, generating public gatherings, and annual festivals. Lavender is used as an element in the landscape to generate memory and orientation from the scent, which developed the form of the grounds. Moving through the site, the occupant is cleansed from the city. The entry creates a moment of silence before the river and the site is shown. There are moments to pause and wait or continue forward in order to interact with the river on the lower terrace. The joint between the landscape and structure creates the threshold for moving towards the river. At the river, private reading spaces are enclosed by the landscape and the occupants is drawn to the sound and abilty to touch the river. The main focus of the cross section was to cause occupants to move continually towards the water. A series of sketches explored the section relationship to the entrance and rolling hills. From there the decision is made to move further down to the water or up to private and semi-private reading or contemplation spaces.
cross section | 1:16
12
N
site plan
entry + rolling hills
longitudinal section | 1:16
13
plan | 1:16
14
form of outdoor furniture
public area
private [enclosed] area
outdoor reading areas
public terrace
private terrace
interior reading space
15
Appropriating Sprawlscapes MRP Thesis | Vero Beach Fl Chair | Professor Michael Kuenstle Co-Chair | Professor Guy Peterson The site of the project is located in Vero Beach Fl, which is on the central east coast. It is characterized by a banal repetition of cookie cutter homes, a lack of pedestrian space and inactive sense of community. This type of place, arose during the Post War era, the aid of the automobile and the American dream of owning a house with yard. Such construction and planning was built for speed and not for a quality of living. America has grown to become the suburban nation and Florida is a key example of this typology. Yet, how do these communities, which is where people live and have their everyday experiences move forward in terms of connectivity, sustainability, and a quality of life? Guiding the thesis research was using the process of matbuilding as a generator, digital technologies as a tool, and an inherent sustainable approach. It began with an interest of natural or earthen materiality and unfolded itself to question how to revive suburban communities. This came from questioning myself, what structures were valuable on a day to day basis, yet not architecturally expressed in such a way. Re-strategizing an existing community complex, that was being used within the community, a fitness complex for all ages. Defining an active lifestyle as: people of all ages who use the expression of movement on a regular basis for mind and body health. An important aspect of the project was to connect it to the site with pedestrian and bicycling modes of transportation, which is in two categories, the 10 min walk, a .5 mile radius, and the 10-15 minute bike ride, a 2 mile radius. As described by studies the majority of suburban residents would like to stay where there are and “age in place.� The study itself needs a way to generate alternative modes of transportation. The site is connected to public transportation and is a stop along one of the routes, allowing for more public use. Focusing on the people who are within the proximity of it, it is a range of age groups, the young adult is the least populated in the this area, and 66% of the households are families. So, the complex itself, could be used by a range of ages, lifestyles, and modes of transportation. 16
.5 mile radius population _ 3,881
2 mile radius population _ 17,581
main vehicular entrance
1. project area + existing access
2. new access + athletic fields division
3. pedestrian + cycling circuits
4. subdivision of activated grounds
5. building volumes + placement
6. subdivision of building volume
7. addition of light wells and circulation voids
7. final form + site site strategy
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3 2
1
4
6
10
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12
5
9
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15
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
ground level plan
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
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18
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19 21
22
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second level plan
1. entry 2. gymnastics 3. cafe 4. kid care/indoor play area 5. pool changing/locker room 6. indoor racquet ball courts 7. 50 m lap pool 8. leisure pool 9. kid pool 10. dance studio
11. health + wellness 21. strength training 12. yoga + pilates 22. exercise room 1 23. exercise room 2 13. basketball courts 14. beach volleyball courts 15. activated grounds for viewing events 16. athletic fields 17. admin + storage 18. fitness locker rooms 19. stretching 20. cardio
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
N
23
15
air movement + circulation PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
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16
spatial program hierarchy
primary
secondary
tertiary
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
N
site plan | suburban sprawl condition
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west elevation
east elevation
operable facade variation_ public spaces transparent glazing
private spaces semi-transparent glazing
Integrating digital technologies and natural materials, the skin developed as a lattice system of natural clay blocks. This technique provides passive thermal qualities, yet allows natural light into the spaces. The porous façade is operable and would adapt to different temperatures. The operability of the edge, would be defined by a zero net day, when the mechanical systems would not be needed, and each space has the ability to have openings for cross ventilation. However, the skin, acts as a shading device and absorbs heat during the warm temperatures and allows light in during the cool months from the porosity.
operable facade + layered skin
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section detail | skin + facade 1/4� = 1’
south elevation
north elevation
entry + covered parking/farmer’s market
fitness room
yoga/tai chi | small scale programs
21
cross section
event programs_ the appropriation of the fitness complex is that the residents may make use of it in varied functions and events. This creates a suburan node of activity reinforcing the pedestian and cycling modes of transport .
concert venue_ 20’ x 40’ stage + vendors
art fair_ 10’ x 10’ tents private outdoor exercise_ yoga + thai chi inflatable movie screen_ 100 people on roof garden
public circulation_ roof gardens
farmer’s market_ covered space for trade
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private athletic grounds | beach volleyball , basketball, + pools
public athletic grounds | athletic fields + activated grounds
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Cabinet of Curiosities
Broken Jazz Instruments | Charleston SC Design 6 | Professor Peter Prugh Historical Charleston houses are known for the thin rectangular form with side gardens, providing privacy and allowing the breeze to move through the peninsula. Including this was very important in the design and defined public occupation to occur along the north boundary of the site and eastern edge. Another Charleston characteristic forming the design were the alleys and small spaces between buildings and houses. The ‘alley’ took form in a central datum separating private from public and enclosing mechanical and structural building functions. The wall guides the circulation through the museum. At certain moments, the datum or ‘wall’ is punctured to either move through or become occupied. This happens on a public level to experience the galleries without being able to fully occupy them. The museum’s private functions such as administration is enclosed and occupied by the wall. To create a dialogue with the city of Charleston and the festivals such as Maritime and Spoleto, the museum has a an event space on the forth level. The event space visually connects with the water and includes the context of the city with a roof garden to the west.
water color and sketch drawing studies
model within context
cross section
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public outdoor space
longitudinal section
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punctured experience to exhibition space
entry to ramp with temporary exhibitions
level 01
4
5
2
1
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6
3
level 01 sculpture garden
level 02
permanent gallery space
level 03
level 04
11 8 10
12
9
10
12
1 entry | temporary gallery 2 exhibition space 3 sculpture garden 4 cafe | indoor + outdoor 5 kitchen 6 library 7 permanent gallery 8 small theater 9 exhibition space 10 admin 11 event space 12 roof top gardens N
7
street front connection
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Hudson Rail Yards New York City NY
Design 7 Collaborative | Professor Mark McGlothlin Lynette Salas + Suzanne Davis 12 acre site | Requiring commercial, cultural, office, residential, retail, and educational programs Project done with partner. To begin we placed general locations for the programs required on the site, then split the two main programs of office and residential between us. I worked on the north side of the site with office and my partner with residential. The landscaping and cultural designs were discussions of how to activate the land. We moved back and forth through every stage, working independently, combining work or ideas, and then taking turns on working on final documentation. To jump start such a large scale project a crude plan of building sites with their elevators was given. The inspiration of the plan was zipper and drawer. Using these two ideas and how they interlock we designed the relationship of buildings. Giving a strong program to the landscape was very important. It is activated by drawing people from the streets and buildings to the ground by outdoor performance mediums. The auditorium is underground and from the roof slope, the ground creates a outdoor theater to watch performances from the school on the south east corner of the site. On the north east edge, one the facade of a building displays news, information, and movies for people to watch. Then, the museum has a small roof top theater.
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bridge connection over 11th Ave ground level floor plan
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highline connection
west grounds views
longitudinal section
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north east corner
cross section
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Garden Tower
Adaptive Reuse | Jacksonville FL Collaborative Competition | Florida Foundation for Architecture Oriana Cole + Suzanne Davis
south east street view | ocean and forsyth
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E Ada
ms St
St
E Adam
St
Main
s St
Ocean
St
Ocean
St
Main
The Hayden Burns Library, built in Jacksonville’s Downtown area, provides an critical location in the city to be activated. A key element in cities moving forward as sustainable urban centers is to integrate living, working, walk ability, and garden or green space in dense cores. Thus, the approach to repurposing the existing structure is to present new programs for the building within its context through expanding a residential tower onto the structure. Within the building, the program is a grocery store or market, small stores, cafes, and a few business offices, while the roof of the plinth becomes a garden or agricultural area, community gardens, or landscaped areas for the public to experience on the elevated surface. This becomes the joint between the existing and the new. The tower also uses vegetation/ garden to aid in cooling and shading the structure on the predominantly south façade, allowing views to the St. John River and Jacksonville’s Downtown. The variety of units and balconies allow for diverse outdoor spaces from balconies to shared community spaces on the North façade, extending living and dwelling past the confines of the walls.
E Forsy
th St
Existing Building | Hayden Burns Library | Built 1964
Existing Building | Hayden Burns Library | Built 1964
E Fors
yth St
connection to existing building modification of program. the tower and plinth come together to engage the city and people of Jacksonville into a future of an enhanced quality of life.
green house plenum
overall building concept
residential units agriculture
public entrance
lobby
residential entrance
offices
market public access to agriculture
Typical Floor Plate 1
balcony view of gardens
Residential Units
Typical Floor Plate 2
Community Green Space
Design scheme and concept came together in a collaborative process. Oriana Cole focused on plans, sections, and diagrams while I worked on the digital model and rendering production. We checked each other’s work back and forth, making adjustments accordingly.
Existing Structure Repurposed
longitudinal section
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agricultural community space | connection between existing and expansion Unit variations concept
Typical Unit Plan A | 650 sq. ft
we
Typical Unit Plan B | 950 sq. ft.
Typical Unit Plan C | 1230 sq. ft.
t ba
r
we
t ba
we
r
t ba
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r
north elevation
south elevation
east elevation
Typical Floor Plate 3 1/32” = 1’
adams street connection
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Sunrail Station Art Studios + Gallery Winter Park FL
Grad 1 | Professor Guy Peterson The Winter Garden Transit station generates the movement of people, places, and time within the context of a garden. Emanating from the site, a blank program of a museum initially developed, integrating light as the datum for the architecture and movement through the site. Influenced from the works of Dan Flavin and James Turrell, light orientated placement of programmatic elements and determined simple/plain material choices. Thus, the light, whether interior or exterior, is captured through the tectonics and tells a dramatic story for each experience. Such factors include: the time of day, the color of the sky, hot and cold temperatures, and the wind.
light well study models
main gallery space
10
4
3 1 2 5
7 9
6
8
site plan N
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1 south bound terminal 2 north bound terminal 3 gallery and studios 4 parking garage + green roof 5 follie in the park
6 follie in the park 7 cafe and small performing space 8 follie in the park 9 music and performing space 10 reflecting water and tree avenue
morse boulevard connection
south bound arrival and departure
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Within the context of the city, the site is displaced into two halves, North and South, by a central road Morse Boulevard. In creating a sense of place, the transit station platforms are also displaced and lie on either half. This creates a contrast of program between the North and South halves. The Light Museum and associated studio spaces accentuate the North half creating movement within the site. However, the South half is relieved of the intensity, becoming a place of calm and repose, allowing a sense of wandering under the foliage of the large Oak and Maple trees. Exhibition space is not limited by the formal architecture of the museum, but is also to activate the southern greenscape with light installations and sculpture speckled across the grounds.
admin level
north bound arrival and departure
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light well study
light well study
art studios
follies in the park temporary exhibit spaces within the landscape of the park
site aerial view
cross section
longitudinal section
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level 01
level 02
3
2
1
plan 1 performance theater 2 gallery storage 3 art studios 4 lobby 5 restaurant + kitchen 6 admin | offices 7 exhibition space 8 digital media library 9 gallery 10 north bound transit
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6
5
4
10 ground level
level 03
7
9
9 8 6
level 04
level 05
level 06
north performance stage + grounds
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Bridges to Beaches Ormond Beach Fl
Collaborative Charette | March 2012 Darren Hargrove + Stephanie Salvo + Suzanne Davis A business owner in Ormond Beach FL wanted to propose to the city board a strategy to renovate the main business district along East Grenada Boulevard to the beach. He had three acupuncture points we made proposals for, the first view from the causeway, beach access, and pedestrian access and parking.
phase one | outdoor seating proposal
We sketched ideas out together, made proposals, and selected variations to present. Then, I focused on plans and sections and aided in renderings. phase one | reconfigure existing structure proposal
phase two | beach access vehicular and boardwalk
site plan phases
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phase two | beach access vehicular and boardwalk
phase three | pedestrian access through tunnel and parking
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Florida Landscape | House Gainesville Fl
Design 5 | Professor Ruth Ron The site is located along a foot trail in the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park in Gainesville, FL. Situated upon a clearing, the home has a layered condition of private and public spaces. At the point of arrival to the clearing, an axis controlled by view determined the dichotomy of private and public functions. The public space opens up to the view of a large clearing which is not easily seen from the foot trail. The private space opens up to a smaller more enclosed clearing that is hidden through large vines and growing trees. Similarly, the work space is enclosed by lush vegetation to the exterior and is open to the functions and circulation of the home to the interior. A roof garden extends the public space to enclose the private space while experiencing both views.
1
3
2 4
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plan 1/32� = 1’ 1. entry 2. living space 3. work space 4. roof garden 5. storage 6. bedrooms 7. bathroom
cross section
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east view
longitudinal section
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entry + workspace
aerial view
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roof garden + living
roof garden
roof garden
arrival to house
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Windsor
Town Planning Assistant | Vero Beach Fl Employment | October 2009 - July 2011 While working at Windsor, I worked on many projects with the Town Planner, Luis Van Cotthem, which focused on Windsor Town Improvements and Row housing designs. Mr. Van Cotthem, generated the design of the row houses in sketches. Then, I redrew them and produced the digital presentation documents: plans, sections, elevations. Also, I assisted in documenting many as built conditions of residences to prepare sales department floor plans, which can be viewed on their real estate web page, and public buildings for proposed modifications. The Windsor Town Improvement projects included proposed condition site plans, plans, section, and renderings which I produced from Mr. Van Cotthem’s sketches and critique.
A variety of rendered Town Improvements
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Exedra | existing and proposal plans rendered
Exedra | Proposed condition renderings
Exedra | Proposed Section proposed renders for multiple Windsor Town Improvements
Row Housing Proposal
South Elevation 1/32” = 1’
SOUTH PRESERVE ELEVATION
Second Level 1/16” = 1’
WINDSOR PARK RESIDENCES ELEVATIONS - EAST & SOUTH 1/32” = 1’ JANUARY 25, 2011
Ground Level 1/16” = 1’
Site Plan 1/64” = 1’
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EAST ELE
SOUTH PRESER
WINDSOR PARK ELEVATIONS - E 1/32” JANUARY
50
EVATION
East Elevation 1/32” = 1’
RVE ELEVATION
K RESIDENCES EAST & SOUTH ” = 1’ Y 25, 2011 Longitudinal Section 1/8” = 1’
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Generous City Exploration
Pleasant St Historical District | Gainesville Fl Grad 2 Collaborative| Professor Anne Lacaton + Nancy Clark Darren Hargrove + Stephanie Salvo + Suzanne Davis Experiencing the Pleasant Street District of Gainesville Fl guided the understanding and final result of studio. Documenting the area in video and still images we created a final video summarizing our findings. Inherent to the place was the notion of gardens, hanging plants, vegetable beds, and community gardens were seen on every street. This element transformed how we saw the abundant shot gun house typology, the porch, and street connection. We created a study of how to transform the residence starting at the scale of a window, the least we could do, to creating a tower. Each alternative then had variations for which the residences could choose and appropriate to their lifestyle.
porch connection in residences
Notions of a City: What does it mean to live in Gainesville’s Pleasant St. District? In fact what does it mean to live in a city, any city, what are the elements that begin to define a place? People engage their world through movement, boundaries, uses, and individual and public spaces. From these ideas, this analysis begins to see architecture as a container and an edge in which occupants interact with their world. Picture a masonry wall with small window apertures, the thickness of the sill and the depth of the edge. The occupant of this space sits at the window and looks out; their connection to site images of Pleasant Street District
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all work had the touch of three hands. no one image or drawing was completed individually
their environment is a visual and acoustical experience. Now picture a wall condition that is made up of operable edges, sliding doors, dynamic shading devices, and extended floor slabs. The occupant of this space has a dramatically different physical experience with their city. This investigation is not limited by place or size; it can be used at the urban scale as well as the residential. Interacting with the fabric of an urban corridor can be experienced through the same differing edge conditions. As a person engages with a place, the boundaries and architecture that contains it are the essential elements defining the experience.
alternative 01 | side + backyard expansion
Notions of a City | visual exploration
existing condition | shot gun house typology
alternate 2 | expandable circulation
alternate 2 | operable openings
selection of lots to possibly intervene
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Specific conditions found in Pleasant St. District: The Pleasant St. District is made up of a mixed use territory where an exterior band has a variety of commercial and civic functions and the interior is predominantly a range of small residential units. Within the territory there is a range of historic shotgun houses, some have been updated and are occupied by young families or transient college students. Others are owned by local residents who have lived in the area for generations. After a conversation with a local resident it was brought to our attention that “to make it� is to move out of this area and reestablish your family in a different community. This becomes an opportunity to reestablish the community, with very small changes the charm and character of the neighborhood can become a destination
with opportunities for contemporary living. These small but significant transformations would create a community that people are proud to be from and live in. Since many of these shot gun houses are abandoned and left dilapidated, we can begin our study of transformation through variation using these locations. After careful analysis of these single lot homes we found that there is a very small prospect to build due to the setback restrictions. However, these restrictions still allow a variety of transformations to occur. Since there is a great need for additional space in this contemporary market, creating a catalog for variations is a strong catalyst for change in this area. This catalog will accommodate ranges of budgets and in turn the breadth of the intervention.
alternative 2 | side + back yard expansion
alternative 2 | catalog of variations
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alternative 2 | sections
alternative 5 | rear expansion catalog of alternative conditions
alternative 01
alternative 02
alternative 03
alternative 04 level 1
level 2
level 3
level 4
alternative 05 level 1
level 2
level 3
level 4
alternative 4 | master bedroom
alternative 4 | longitudinal section
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Flexible Opportunities: Using the catalog of variations we are able to allow any of the members of this community who live in shotgun houses the opportunity to provide more space while simultaneously providing a greater flexibility of their current living environments. While respecting the historic values of the shotgun house typologies, these transformations provide the opportunity for contemporary living. The flexibility of spaces permits the residents to conform their environment to their specific needs or desires. Thus, allowing the residents to individualize their homes in such a way is a leap forward for the community, also creating greater sense of pride and ownership if they are given the means to operate their homes in such a way that suites their individual needs. It is through this individuality inherently connected with the historic shotgun house typology that will reestablish the sense of community into the Pleasant St. District.
What was the least that could be done, with the greatest impact? A large focus in the initial stages of renovations, is the development of deciding what the least amount of transformations each variation would undergo. Could the resident live in the house as the home was remodeled? If they needed to leave, would that be acceptable? What would they want to do to improve their home? How do act sensitively to their community? Many questions like these continually were surfacing during the process of exploring the homes and Pleasant St. District. The importance of discovering how the residents lived and interacted with their community would guide every step. What was gained from this study, was not a project, but an understanding of a fresh point of view and meeting new people on the sidewalks of Pleasant St.
notions of a place | garden spaces in existing residences of Pleasant Street District
alternative 2 | side porch expansion
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alternative 3 | existing plan comparison
operable openings
variations
diagramming the transformations
alternative 3 | backyard expansion
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thank you.