Victoria Graziano Portfolio of Selected Works
2
RESUME
VICTORIA GRAZIANO 3
4
01
REVIVING SUBURBIA
6-15
02
THE CIVIC STAIR
16-23
03
THRESHOLD
24-31
04
THEATER
32-37
05
THE CARVING OF VOLUME
38-41
06
LIMINAL
42-43
07
NESTED OSMOSIS
44-47
08
BODY GENERATES FORM
48-49
09
ART AND CERAMICS
50-51
10
PHOTOGRAPHY
52-59
11
A COMPOSITE
60-61
12
LIGHT AS STRUCTURE
62-65
SELECTED WORKS
TABLE OF CONTENTS 5
01 FROM BIG BOX TO SMALL SQUARES:
REVIVING SUBURBIA
Professor: June Williamson Selected for CityWorks Publication The current site is the failed Sears mall in Hicksville, Long island. The large, mostly empty parking lot and box mall lacks community space, identity, and connectivity. The new site plan introduces a number of blocks and small internal squares that replace the one big box and fill in the asphalt hole. The green squares decentralize the plan, provide resiliency and redundancy, and introduce a middle scale of public space to Hicksville. The public squares are each sized for different programs such as a community garden, food market, park for children and elderly, and basketball courts. The varying programs and sizes give identity to each block, while encouraging people to walk around, explore the neighboring blocks, and connect with the residents of the community. 6
BEFORE THE REDESIGN: Large, mostly empty parking lot, concrete excess, Big box failing Sears mall
AFTER THE REDESIGN: Increased density, interconnectivity, mixed use, more community and park space
7
The public squares each have a diverse program, giving identity to each block, and encouraging movement from one block to another
8
RES AND STREETS
UARES W
POROUS STREET
Street designed for water runoff, pervious sidewalk material, tree planter strips.
FILTER STRIPS
Filter strips at the edge of parks help filter out stormwater runoff.
VEGETATION
Trees and native grasses facilitate climate regulation.
POROUS SIDEWALK
RAIN GARDENS
Filtration of rain water through porous sidewalk material.
Trees and native grasses facilitate climate regulation.
LOW IMPACT DESIGN ON THE SCALE OF THE STREET AND THE SQUARE The current neighborhood has an excess of asphalt, high maintenance lawns, and heavily depends on hard engineering. To create resiliency it is necessary to introduce natural low impact processes as a way of managing storm-water, increasing biodiversity, and reducing GHG emissions. In this project, environmental integration is at the scale of the building; pitched roofs collect water that is used as gray water and lawn irrigation. At the scale of the lot, porous pavers, xeriscape lawns, and native grasses create a water friendly integrated design. (diagram below)
YSTEM SE AND LOT DESIGN RUNOFF COLLECTION ROOF
SIGN TO FACILITATE LOW MANAGEMENT
GUTTER DOWNSPOUT
LOW IMPACT DESIGN ON THE SCALE OF A BUILDING AND A LOT
PIPE TO CISTERN ON-GRADE CISTERN CONNECTION TO IRRAGATION SYSTEM
The project introduces biodiversity as a key component of neighborhood revitalization. Environmental diversity is addressed through the integration of water maintenance sysSLANTED ROOF To facilitate rain runoff into tems with ecological storm-water managefiltration system ment. At the scale of the street and square, rain gardens and porous materials facilitate efficient storm-water management. (Diagram above) WATER HARVESTING Filtration of rain water for use as landscape irrigation and greywater use.
BASEMENT CISTERN FILTER SYSTEM PUMP
9
THE STUDIO CHALLENGE: DESIGNING A BUILDING A WEEK THROUGH EXPLORATION OF TYPOLOGY The studio was challenged with designing a building a week to incorporate into the master plan of revitalizing the suburban site. Each week we were given a new typology to study and explore. TYPOLOGY 1 AND 2 THE SHIFTING OF VOLUMES: THE DUPLEX (1) AND FOURPLEX (2) The “double dwellings” and “fourplexes” provide for a variability of spatial conditions through the shifting of volumes and introduce a gradated experience from the outside to the inside. The porches serve as a gradual transition between the street and the dwelling, while encouraging people to occupy that threshold. The shifting volumes create an architecturally and spatially varied experience. the duplex is also adapted to become a fourplex and even a six-plex. 10
BEFORE THE REDESIGN: Large homes with little spatial variability High maintenance, not environmentally friendly lawns
Duplex First Floor Plan
Fourplex First Floor Plan
Duplex Second Floor Plan
Fourplex Second Floor Plan
The double dwellings are designed to give each unit porches, balconies, shared space. Each dwelling has two floors.
Using the same footprint and volume, the duplex was redesigned into a fourplex. This showcases the adaptability of the building to the needs of the inhabitants. Each unit still has its own semi-exterior space such as a balcony or
The fourplex could be further subdivided into an 6 parts, pushing the boundaries of the adaptability of the floorplan. Six-plex First Floor Plan
Six-plex Second Floor Plan
11
TYPOLOGY 3 MIXED USE VERTICAL STACK: MULTIPLE USES FOR PROGRAMMATIC RESILIENCY AND INCREASED DIVERSITY The typological approach of the project introduces of mixed use “vertical stack” buildings, that have a commercial program on the ground floor, a public stair, a food court and public plaza on the second level, and residential and office spaces on the third through fifth levels. The building demonstrates an integration of both public and private program. In case one function fails, there are other functions that make the building viable and resilient. TYPOLOGY 4 PUBLIC BUILDING: SOLID PROGRAMMATIC CORE WITH TRANSPARENT CIRCULATORY SHELL The Hicksville neighborhood lacks public spaces such as theaters, museums, libraries, and religious centers. I created a public building typology for these uses that is composed of a solid programmatic core a and a transparent circulatory shell. The internally looking programmatic core accommodates program such as a theater, museum, library, and religious centers by successfully keeping the natural light out. The transparent shell holds circulation space and gathering spaces attracts people to visit the building. 12
BEFORE THE REDESIGN: Large box volume with little programmatic diversity Closed internally looking volume
Vertical Stack First Floor (Typology 3)
Vertical Stack Second Floor
Vertical Stack Third Floor
Typology 3:Vertical Stack Axonometric Section - mixed use
Vertical Stack Elevations
Vertical Stack Fourth Floor
Vertical Stack Fifth Floor
Typology 4: Public Building Diagram
Vertical Stack Elevations
Typology 4: Public Building Elevations
13
14
New design of neighborhood elevation
15
02 ADAPTIVE REUSE
THE CIVIC STAIR Professor: Nandini Bagchee In collaboration with Elif Karamustafa Selected for CityWorks Publication Participatory planning: it’s about the community. For this studio we redesigned the abandoned Lincoln Recovery hospital into a community center for the South Bronx. An important part of this project was to engage the community into the design process and learn about participatory planning. We worked directly with the community members and organizers of south Bronx to understand and solve the main issues within the community. We took a holistic approach to the design, focusing on improving the health, arts, and education through adaptive reuse of the abandoned Lincoln Recovery into a Community Center. Civic Stair as multi-purpose community gathering space. To give this 1960s building a new life and re-purpose it into a community center, we introduced a civic stair. This civic stair serves as a community gathering space, a performance space, and as a continuation of public circulation into the building.
SUBTRACTION
ADDITION
Skylight
Opaque Volume (3rd and 4th floor)
Structure (Keep)
Stair Addition
Facade Drawings
Original Building
Addition of Performance Stair Addition of Opaque Volume (2 floors)
Keeping the Existing Structure Subtraction of facade to frame activities within
Civic Stair as multi-purpose community gathering space (right) 16
17
Participatory Planning Diagramming
HOSPITALITY
CULTURAL FLEXIBILITY
SPECIAL TOUCH
CULTURES
FLEXIBILITY MOVEABLE WALLS
COOK TOGETHER OF YOUR
HEALTH THROUGH FOOD
SHARED PUBLIC SPACE TRUSTED HOME
NOT TOO CLINICAL OUTREACH
MAINTAINED
SAFE STREET
DIVERSITY FAMILIARITY
FOR THE PEOPLE BUT WELL DESIGNED
BEACH
CELEBRATION
EDUCATION
UTILITARIAN
TRAINING
MULTIPURPOSE
OPEN BUT SAFE PERSONAL EXPANSION VERTICAL GARDEN
ACTIVISM
PUBLIC ENVISIONING
SAFE PLACE
BELONGING TAKE CONTROL HISTORY SECURITY
SUPPORT
EXHIBITION SPACE
TRANSFORMATIVE
COMMUNITY MINIMALISM
ART WALL
QUIET PEACEFUL
DANCE
EXPRESS EMOTIONS
COMMUNITY
BE HEARD
MUSIC PAINTING
POETRY
ACCESSIBILITY
RADIO STUDIO
EXPRESSION SPACE TO
EVERYBODY IS ASKING FOR AN
DEMOCRATIC
ARTS
CLEAN
LIGHT SOUND
MY DAUGHTER IS ALL ABOUT THE
POLITICAL ACTIVIST MUSIC
FEEL WELCOME
SENSITIVE TO
CHANGE WITH TIME
COMMUNITY: SITE
TRANSPARENCY
AESTHETIC VALUE OF THE AREA
First Floor Plan
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND PARTICIPATION
CHAPEL/MEDITATION SPACE
GAME 1
OUTDOOR ART SPACE 18"
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
CULINARY SPACE SECOND FLOOR PLAN MIXED FLOOR CORE CONFERENCE ROOMS PERFORMANCE ARTS SPACE CLASSROOMS
PERFORMANCE SPACE on basement for sound consideration
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
OFFICES
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SPACE
CULINARY OTHER
BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN
RESULTS
OBSERVATION
GAME 2 DAYLIGHT important for offices and conference rooms
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
CULINARY SPACE
ART GALLERY important to be on street level to attract people
CORE CONFERENCE ROOMS PERFORMANCE ARTS SPACE
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
CLASSROOMS
MUSIC PRACTICE ROOMS in the basement sound consideration
OFFICES CULINARY OTHER
BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN
RESULTS
COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS
OBSERVATION
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
SKYLIGHT LETS IN LIGHT
EXISTING BUIDLING
EXISTING CONNECTION TO BACK
MOLD REMIDIATION BASEMENT AND FIRST FLOOR
FACADE: INSTITUTIONAL IMPOSING
Section ZONING
18
WALL AND LINTLES COMPROMISED BY WATER
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Fourth Floor Plan
Fifth Floor Plan
Site Plan Respect the existing. The community expressed a desire to preserve most of the existing building due to cost and the building’s historical significance. Therefore, we inserted a main organizing element, the performance stair to serve multiple functions, while preserving the existing envelope and the structure. The rest of the building is occupied by co-working space, art, dance studios, education, kitchens, library, and computer classrooms. The program is very diverse and is expected to change with the changing needs of the community. Therefore, instead of providing a fixed program solution to this adaptive reuse project, we introduced the civic stair to serve as a gathering nucleus for the building and the community.
Axonometric section 19
Section
20
Elevation
Front Elevation
Back Elevation
21
CULTURAL FLEXIBILITY
HOSPITALITY
CULTURES
FLEXIBILITY MOVEABLE WALLS
COOK TOGETHER
SHARED PUBLIC SPACE TRUSTED HOME
TRANSPARENCY
AESTHETIC VALUE OF THE AREA
NOT TOO CLINICAL OUTREACH
CLEAN
MAINTAINED
SAFE STREET
FOR THE PEOPLE BUT WELL DESIGNED
BEACH
CELEBRATION
DIVERSITY
EDUCATION
TRAINING
UTILITARIAN
OPEN BUT SAFE PERSONAL EXPANSION VERTICAL GARDEN
ACTIVISM
SAFE PLACE
FAMILIARITY
PUBLIC ENVISIONING
BELONGING HISTORY
SPECIAL TOUCH
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH THROUGH FOOD
SECURITY
SUPPORT
EXHIBITION SPACE
TRANSFORMATIVE
COMMUNITY QUIET PEACEFUL
BE HEARD
MINIMALISM
DANCE
EXPRESS EMOTIONS
SPACE TO
ART WALL
ACCESSIBILITY
POETRY
COMMUNITY
MUSIC PAINTING
RADIO STUDIO
EXPRESSION
MULTIPURPOSE
POLITICAL ACTIVIST MUSIC
EVERYBODY IS ASKING FOR AN
DEMOCRATIC
ARTS
CHANGE WITH TIME
LIGHT SOUND
MY DAUGHTER IS ALL ABOUT THE
FEEL WELCOME
SENSITIVE TO
CHAPEL/MEDITATION SPACE
GAME 1
OUTDOOR ART SPACE 18"
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
CULINARY SPACE SECOND FLOOR PLAN MIXED FLOOR CORE CONFERENCE ROOMS PERFORMANCE ARTS SPACE CLASSROOMS
PERFORMANCE SPACE on basement for sound consideration
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
OFFICES
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SPACE
CULINARY OTHER
BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN
RESULTS
OBSERVATION
GAME 2 DAYLIGHT important for offices and conference rooms
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
CULINARY SPACE
ART GALLERY important to be on street level to attract people
CORE CONFERENCE ROOMS PERFORMANCE ARTS SPACE
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
CLASSROOMS
MUSIC PRACTICE ROOMS in the basement sound consideration
OFFICES CULINARY OTHER
RESULTS
BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN
OBSERVATION
Community Participatory Planning word collage (top left) Stair Model (bottom left) Study Model of Stair location (top right) Stair Model (right)
22
23
03 HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION
THRESHOLD Professor: Pablo de Miguel In collaboration with Felix Vargas Selected for CityWorks Publication
A. Phi Campu
A. Philip Randolph Capmus High School Addition
Threshold with two faces. We were asked to design an addition to the Philip A. Randolph High School that is located on our City College Campus. This project is a threshold between City College and Philip A. Randolph High School with the duality of the facades emphasizing the two different student bodies present in the building. The facade facing the College Campus is an austere L shape at the perimeter of the site that defines the edge and activates the existing circulation. The facade facing the High School is a series of concrete volumes plugged into the circulation. This creates a juxtaposition of the two faces: the austere circulatory facade looking into the campus and the playful and intimate environment inside facing the High School.
Ne
Site Plan
Team & Course
VG
Vict F Spring 2016,
The Bern Scho
A. Philip Randolph A. Philip Randolph Capmus High Capmus Scho H
The program plugs into the circulation. There is a clear distinction between circulation and program. The circulation defines the edge. The program plugs into the circulation. The first floor is an open floor with public spaces containing a library, cafe, and a lecture hall. The second floor contains private program, mainly for high school students. The classrooms and science labs are each contained in separate volumes. There’s also a clear distinction in materials as related to the use. The circulation is enclosed with glass and wooden louvers. The program is contained in concrete volumes looking back at the high school.
443 W 135th St. New York, NY 10031 Team & Course #:
VG Architects Victoria Graziano Felix Vargas Spring 2016, Professor Pablo de Miguel
VG Architects Graziano and Felix Vargas
Victoria Prefabricated construction For the structure, we started with the circulation and created a 20ft by 20 ft grid. Each program has its own grid. We overlapped the two to create a fitting. The threshold between the college and high school is expressed through the duality of the project. There is a clear distinction between circulation and program, wood and concrete, and public and private created by plugging in the program into the circulation.
A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Addition
A. Philip Randolph Capmus High School Addition
The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture
VG Architects VG Architects Victoria Graziano Victoria Graziano and Felixand Vargas Felix Va
Drawing Index:
Completing Circulation
Creating threshold
VG Architects Victoria Graziano and Felix Vargas
Classrooms, Circulation T-001 Cover Page
A-001 Site Plan A-101 First Floor Plan A-102 Second Floor Plan A-103 Roof Plan A-201 East Elevation A-202 North Elevation Drawing Index: A-203 South Elevation T-001 Cover Page A-001 Site Plan A-251 Circulation Section A-101 First Floor Plan A-102 Second Floor Plan A-252 Science Lab Section A-103 Roof Plan A-201 East Elevation A-253 Construction A-202 North Elevation Section A-203 South Elevation A-501 Wall A-251 Type Circulation A Section
Key Plan:
24
Key Plan:
A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Addition 443 W 135th St. New York, NY 10031 Team & Course #:
VG Architects Victoria Graziano Felix Vargas Spring 2016, Professor Pablo de Miguel The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture
North Facade View facing College Campus (above) CIRCULATION RENDERING
CLASSROOM RENDERING
Key Plan:
South Facade View facing High School (above) 03.14.2016 XXXXXXXXXXXXX Date Issue: Sheet Name:
25
ST. NICHOLAS PARK
ST. NICHOLAS TERRACE COMPOSITE MODEL
A. PHILIP RANDOLPH CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL
SCIENCE LABS
CIR
MARSHAK SCIENCE BUILDING
CU
CLASSROOM
LAT
ION
WEST 135TH ST
CLASSROOM
SECOND FLOOR
LECTURE HALL LOBBY/CAFE
CONVENT AVENUE CIR
CU
LA
TIO
N
First Floor Plan
26
LIBRARY
ST. NICHOLAS PARK
ST. NICHOLAS TERRACE COMPOSITE MODEL
A. PHILIP RANDOLPH CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL
SCIENCE LABS
CIR
CLASSROOM
LAT
ION
CLASSROOM
TH ST
Second Floor Plan
SCIENCE BUILDING
CU
27
Section through lab
Section through Circulation
28
A. Ph Camp
N
Team & Course
V
Vic
Spring 2016
The Be Sc
South Elevation
SOUTH ELEVATION Scale: 1/8"= 1'-0"
Key Plan:
03.14.2016 Date Sheet Name:
2
SOUTH VIEW
3
SOUT
NORTH VIEW Date:
05.13.1 Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
North Elevation
29
Wall Type 2
Wall Type 1
A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Addition 443 W 135th St. New York, NY 10031
6
Team & Course #:
VG Architects Victoria Graziano Felix Vargas Spring 2016, Professor Pablo de Miguel The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture
6
Key Plan:
03.14.2016 XXXXXXXXXXXXX Date Issue: Sheet Name:
Detail
30
CONSTRUCTION SECTION
CONSTRUCTION SECTION
Scale: 1/2"= 1'-0" Date:
05.12.16 Sheet No.:
A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Addition 443 W 135th St. New York, NY 10031
Wall Type 3
Team & Course #:
Wall Type 4
VG Architects Victoria Graziano Felix Vargas Spring 2016, Professor Pablo de Miguel The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture
SECOND FLOOR
O
P
28
29
Q
22 24 25
26
R
14
13 3 14
SECOND FLOOR
4
27 S
3 5
4 15
A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Addition
5
T
16
15
443 W 135th St. New York, NY 10031
16
30
17
31
32
18 19
Team & Course #:
17
VG Architects Victoria Graziano Felix Vargas
18 19
Spring 2016, Professor Pablo de Miguel FIRST FLOOR
COMPOSITE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS
M
The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture
N
Key Plan: 20 21
FIRST FLOOR
22
1
2
O
3
P
28
29 4
Q
22
5
24
L 25
26
6
R
7 8
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC OF STRUCTURE FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR SHOWN SEPARATELY
SECOND FLOOR
K
9 10 11 12
27 S
03.14.2016 XXXXXXXXXXXXX Date Issue: Sheet Name:
STRUCTURE DIAGRAMS
EXPLODED AXON OF STRUCTURE PROGRAM AND CIRCULATION SHOWN SEPARATELY
T
30
31
STRUCTURE DIAGRAM
32
05.12.16 Sheet No.:
APNX-101
M
N
Key Plan: 20 21
FIRST FLOOR
Structure Diagram
OMETRIC OF STRUCTURE ND FLOOR SHOWN SEPARATELY
22
L
Module Axon
7 8 K
9 10 11 12
03.14.2016 XXXXXXXXXXXXX Date Issue: Sheet Name:
31
04 THEATERS AND VISUAL ARTS BUILDING
COMPLETING THE CAMPUS Professor: Peter Gisolfi The purpose of this studio was to design a theater on the Hackley School campus in Tarrytown, NY. The campus lacks a coherent arrangement of instructional space for the visual and performing arts. Therefore, the programmatic requirements for the new building are a conventional proscenium arch theatre, an experimental theatre, a concert hall, back of the house spaces, art galleries, and studios. Design with the existing landscape The proposed building embraces the site’s sloped landscape through the location of the theater volumes along with the curvature of the land. Completing the campus The layout of the new building also completes the campus with its angled shape as if “hugging” the interior lawn. This provides the feeling of safety and community for the students within the outdoor green space. The circulatory and gallery space are the main organizing element or “the spine.” This spine divides the building by program and scale. The smaller volumes such as the educational spaces, studios, and faculty offices face the campus and cohesive environment with the rest of the campus through appropriate scaling. The theater volumes and lobbies face the exterior of the campus greeting visitors with their larger scale providing for a memorable visual and experiential impression.
Hackley School Site Plan with new theater building in the south THEATER, STUDIOS, ART GALLERY, CIRCULATION, SUPPORT SPACE, LOBBY
Art gallery in circulation space (right)
32
33
First Floor
Experimental Theater Section
34
Second Floor
Traditional Proscenium Theater Section
Third Floor
Concert Hall Section
Fourth Floor
Circulation and Art Gallery Section
35
View facing the outside of campus - three theater volumes greeting visitors
36
Dance Studio View
Traditional Proscenium Theater View
Studios and educational spaces face the existing campus
Acoustical ceiling
CAMPUS FACING FACADE (LEFT) SCALED CONTEXTUALLY The facade oriented towards the campus is composed of three definitive volumes that contain studios. Breaking down the large program into three units scales down the building to match the scale of the campus. Additionally, all the views in the studios will frame the rest of the campus providing for a connection and a sense of community.
THEATER FACADE (RIGHT) VOLUMES ALONG THE SLOPE As visitors approach the south facade, they are greeted with three theater volumes and two lobbies. The juxtaposition between the solid theater volumes and the glass lobby clearly differentiates the program. The theaters slope down along the existing site contouring.
Wooden model showing classroom volumes
37
05 MULTI-GENERATIONAL HOUSE
THE CARVING OF VOLUME Professor: Athanasios Haritos Selected for CityWorks Publication Void generates form. The objective for this project was to design a multi-generational house for my family and myself. The project is located on Manhattan Beach, outlooking the ocean. Following the precedent study of Sou Fujimoto’s N House, I was interested in the exploration of void as a generator of form. Starting with the basic volume of the house, defined by residential zoning regulations, I carved out voids, creating special moments within the building. Void acts as a nucleus with interconnected program. There are three main voids that correspond to specific program. The void on the first floor is a garage. The living room on the second floor is a double height void facing the water. This void acts as a nucleus around which program is placed. The second floor has the kitchen, dining area, and 2 bedrooms. The bedrooms on the third floor look into the living room. The third void results in a balcony, for one of the four bedrooms on the third floor. The carving of volume generates a variety of spaces that are interconnected and yet retain their privacy. The house looks out onto the water, while also looking in to the central living area resulting in a family centered composition.
38
39
40
41
06 First Floor Plan
Elevation
Second Floor Plan
Section 1:400
1:400
1:400
A GRAND CANYON GETAWAY
LIMINAL
1:400
Arquideas Architecture Competition In collaboration with Michail Pikos Location: In between the elements. Our project invites visitors to exist within the liminal condition between the earth, air, and sky in the Grand Canyon. Perched on the slopes of the canyon the accommodation center hovers above the water. This allows visitors to inhabit the focal point of the site, thereby experiencing this unique elemental synthesis. The building begins with the journey. The hike and subsequent boat ride to the accommodation center immerse the visitors into the Canyon’s natural architecture. The effort of the procession further highlights the secluded nature of the space. Here visitors meditate and enjoy the environment that surrounds them. Raised over the river and in between the canyon walls, the structure provides a sensual connection to the canyon environment. The architecture frames the surrounding environment and allows it to permeate into the interior of the building.
Journey to accommodation center
Meditation Atrium The center of the structure is a double height atrium, a transparent core, where meditation and events occur unifying the interior and exterior. This liminal existence between earth, air, and sky, drives the formal and spatial expression of the accommodation center, allowing visitors to become one with the place. Meditation space in the middle of accommodation center 42
43
07 A DESERT VIEWPOINT
NESTED OSMOSIS
In collaboration with Michail Pikos Honorable Mention in the Montello Foundation design competition for a Desert Waypoint for Contemplation and Exhibition Traditionally, an exhibit space serves to frame presented works art. Here the structure exhibits both the artwork ‘within’ produced by artists, and the artwork ‘without’ produced by the natural world. As one approaches or passes by, the structure maintains a continuously changing opacity where the desert environment and the core within materialize and dematerialize to the viewer. This renders the desert environment as an active participant in terms of exhibition, where it simultaneously frames the structure and is framed by it as a work of art. Space and people filter through the field of timber elements towards the art that is nested within the rammed earth core of the structure. The timber elements touch the lightly and the rammed earth core of the space is made of the same soil of the desert itself. This does not only respond to the site in terms of building economy and sustainability, but it generates an osmosis of light and space that guide one through a procession to a nest of artwork in the desert. 44
De-materializing of the core as one moves around the building
45
NESTED OSMOSIS A series of nested volume, with increasing density towards the center.
JOURNEY TO THE ART A processional experience with spatial variety and art is the final destination. Site Plan
46
Plan
47
08 FORMAL EXPERIMENTATION
BODY GENERATES SPACE Professor: William Haskas The objective of this project is to use the movement of our body to generate form and space. First, I recorded a movement by drawing the change of the body through space. Using the drawing, we created a three dimensional linear framework. I incorporated planes with the framework to generate differing spatial conditions.
48
49
09 OTHER
PAINTING AND CERAMICS 50
51
10 OTHER
PHOTOGRAPHY 52
53
Freedom Tower 54
55
56
Freedom Tower details (day and night) 57
The Oculus (left) The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture (right) 58
59
11 A COMPOSITE MATERIAL
CONCRETE AND LIGHT Professor: Ali Askarinejad In collaboration with Michail Pikos Creating a new composite material This project explores the integration of a structural plastic matrix, that has light transmitting properties, with a concrete to create a new composite material. The set of experiments presented in this paper explores the properties of concrete to bond with an additive such as glass or plastic and assesses the resultant strength of the material with the introduction of a plastic matrix or a glass particle. Simultaneously, the properties of plastic and its performance as structural reinforcement for concrete in addition to its light transmitting qualities will be explored. Through this exploration, a new composite material that has structural integrity, but also an intrinsic beauty through the filtration of light, is created.
60
A light object with new material Further investigation of this system, explores the ability of the whole material to take on different forms. The final object, a lamp, exhibits a curvature in both the structure of the reinforcement as well as in the shape of the object itself. To achieve this, the acrylic plexi was heated three times. First, to create the structural lattice, the plexi was once again binded with heat. Then, to bend the mesh into a curved surface it was heated over formwork. Lastly, the whole lattice was bend into a slight curve with heat and force. It was placed into formwork, cast into concrete, cured, and grinded. This lamp, with two curved surfaces, produces both diffused light through the structural acrylic mesh in the front and direct light through slits on the sides. This gives a variety of expression to the light. 61
12 A CHANDELIER THAT CREATES EXPERIENCE
LIGHT AS STRUCTURE Professor: Domingo Gonzalez In collaboration with Michail Pikos The space rendered in light transforms. Our design objective was to produce a chandelier that not only lights the space but creates a unique experience of light. It is both a functional object that behaves as a direct light source and also a design element as it creates an ethereal atmosphere through the diffusion of light. The challenge: create a workable prototype with a simple system. This centerpiece object is a chandelier that provides both direct localized light and diffused atmospheric light. Composed of three vertical planes held together by dispersed illuminated acrylic rods, the object is an experiential light source. The simple combination of planes, rods, and light, transforms the surrounding space of the chandelier and illuminates the space with sufficient luminous flux. In addition, its soft atmospheric glow changes the experience of the space around the object. Light as Structure and hidden light sources. The conceptual driver for this piece was the idea of light as structure. The light source is hidden at the top of the chandelier and is transmitted through the acrylic rods that hold the piece together. This creates an object where the structure is perceived as light itself. Light, in this case, is in itself a transformative design element.
62
Rendering of intention
63
1'-1"
LED Spotlights
1'-2"
1/2” Spray painted Plywood
Driver
Hardware (Couplings)
3/8” Acrylic Rods
1'-2"
1 4"
1 4"
1'-1"
1 4"
1 4"
Hardware (Hook) 1 2"
1" 4
Magne�c Tabs LED Spotlights 1/2” Spray painted Plywood
2"
Hardware (Couplings)
1 2"
1/2” Acrylic Rods
1 2"
Driver
64
Hardware (Couplings)
3/8” Acrylic Rods
1 4"
65