AUSTIN Residence
Thomas Grant MacDonald mact@design.upenn.edu 281.450.7983
Working closely with an Austin, Texas-based designer I have advanced my knowledge of residential design and AutoCAD skills, and have been priviledged to meet with clients, contribute to designs, and gain exposure to the culture of small-scale private architecture. In this project for a new residence the focus was placed on generating an open oor plan and striking an aesthetic balance between hip and functional.
DRAWINGS PRODUCED FOR CORBETT DESIGNS, AUSTIN TX reproduced here with permission
Thomas Grant MacDonald mact@design.upenn.edu 281.450.7983
NATURAL Lighting
Light may be the most poignant element defining our spatial experience. Here the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of natural light within Philadelphia’s historic Bartrams Garden were mapped and analyzed, lending insight into the spaces generated by various species of flora and landform typologies. The final design for a bicycle path over the river celebrates existing thresholds of light and spatial juxtaposition.
section diagrams graphite on arches
photowalk
model study
film
plywood + MDF
American Elm
Poplar
Black Locust
light study
section render
mixed media
graphite on arches
BLACK LOCUST
BLACK LOCUST
WITCH HAZEL
BLACK LOCUST
RED MAPLE
BLACK LOCUST
RED MAPLE
POPLAR
BLACK LOCUST
BLACK LOCUST
RED MAPLE
WOODED WALK
dim + enclosed + rhythmic
MEADOW
bright + open +expansive
THRESHOLD
contrast + framed +constrictive
ELM ELM
ELM BOLLARD
ELM
BOLLARD
ELM BOLLARD
triangulation walk
BOLLARD BOLLARD
ELM
ELM
ELM
ELM
ELM
ELM
graphite on arches illustrator ELM +ELM
PHASED Relocation
Thomas Grant MacDonald mact@design.upenn.edu 281.450.7983
Transitioning unsuccessful segregated neighborhoods into new communities of robust transportation, energetic density and insurability is a prime concern for today’s designers. This project considers the phased relocation of flood-risk neighborhoods into a new urban fabric built along a major transportation spine. As the new community grows it integrates with a regional park system, providing a recreational counterpoint to the City.
Thomas Grant MacDonald mact@design.upenn.edu 281.450.7983
[PRO]ACTIVE Recreation
As coastal communities look increasingly towards progressive strategies to combat sea level rise and major storms, many risk a total retreat from the recreational lifestyle that defines them. This project considers providing both protection and beach-building programs through the emplacement of underwater “Surf Jacks,” which work to lower onshore wave energy and also provide a regional draw to bolster beach recreation and tourism.
BEACH EXTENDER
GROYNE SYSTEM
BOARDWALK SURF BLEACHERS
SURF JACK
SUBMERGED REEF
WAVE WA AVE ENERGY
1000 FT 500 FT
N
ENERGY FLOW TYPOLOGIES IN LIQUID
fluid study milk + dye
Steep bathymetric grades further from shore induce waves to break away from the coastline, arresting wave energy before it reaches coastal developments. With proper orientation, a ridable surfing wave can also be generated.
In areas of shallow bathymetric grade, wave energy is allowed to reach the beach without attenuation, encouraging storm surge and posing great threat to coastal developments.
SWELL
FORK
ATTENUATION
0 Coastline
(mean sea level)
4
8
12
16
0
4 8 12 16
20
24
Coastline
(mean sea level) STRIATION
perspective study EDDIE
graphite
LANDSCAPE Under Pressure
Thomas Grant MacDonald mact@design.upenn.edu 281.450.7983
HIGH
SUNK SUNK
SUNK
SUNK
LOW
LOW
SUNK
SUNK
HIGH
LOW
LOW
HIGH
LOW
conceptual model
LOW SUNK
HIGH
HIGH
LOW
LOW
HIGH
SUNK
SUNK
HIGH
HIGH HIGH
HIGH SUNK
LOW
LOW
HIGH SUNK
SUNK
LOW
HIGH
LOW
LOW
Simple moves in the landscape can have major programmatic, hydrological and ecological impact. Building upon ideas generated by applying pressure to a plaster model, this project orchestrates a pallete of basic landform typologies - incline, plateau, basin - to develop a exible park system that manages stormwater and provides wildlife habitat. The seasonal nature of plants and materials is employed to establish a dynamic network of spaces that merge and disconnect throughout the year.
plaster
HIGH
LOW
SAND
SHRUB
LAWN
PAVED
SAND
SAND
MARSH SHRUB
PAVED
WATER
MARSH MEADOW
SHRUB
LAWN
SHRUB
PAVED
SHRUB MARSH
MARSH WATER MEADOW
LAWN
SHRUB
WOOD
LAWN
LAWN
LAWN
SAND
LAWN
WATER
LAWN
MARSH
MEADOW
MARSH
LAWN
WOOD
MARSH
PAVED
SHRUB
SHRUB
SHRUB
open program
SAND
SHRUB WOOD
LAWN
materiality framework
SHRUB
energy-responsive stormwater management system
dynamic response to season, weather, and parcel scale