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portfolio of WILLIAM KORCHEK winter 2014
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the hand, holding the handle of the tea kettle, rotates from -30º to 20º, draining water into the sink.
the hand reaches, palm up, to the ignition dial, turning 90º to ignite, then down to Hi.
the hand presses down on the lid of the french press, pushing the coffee grounds to the bottom.
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Design results from a careful study of relationships. Successful design forges new ones. In these pages, I present my work derived principally from studying connections inherent in the world [ inspiration to object, object to person, person to building, building to site, site to city, and onwards ]. My designs are often informed by analogs—renderings of relationships. My studies have included fabric wefts and warps [ p. 3 ], my morning coffee habits [ p. 13 ], and the cactus [ p. 23 ]. Understanding those relationships found within is my challenge, is my drive. 4
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study: rotation of a a coffee pour
translation: STUDIES OF RELATIONSHIP
expressing Relationship
fabric[ation] agri-duct market enacting Relationship
habit[at] urban intervention cactus lighting system understanding Relationship
spatial study body measure
defining Relationship
utility table shelving system resume
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526 S. Bronson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90020 wkorchek@mac.com www.williamkorchek.com 818.322.7769
fabric[ation]
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facade on the park A study of fabric results in this proposal for a facade on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. Analyzing warps and wefts of a two-over-two plain weave fabric, horizontals and verticals reemerge in a figure-ground relationship on the facade. Viewboxes targeted across the park become balconies. Above them, a roof garden leaves a trace of that view for the apartment above. Three lighting conditions across the floor levels result in a diverse experience at different locations along the facade, and environmental analysis in Ecotect confirms the viability of the design. The facade on Rittenhouse Square brings the outside in, and the inside out.
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inside + outside The viewboxes, oriented to specific trees, paths, or buildings, capture views and bring them into the interior of the building. These views are unique for each floor, but also permeate the floor directly above in the form of an inside/outside roof garden. This garden appears to move through the glazing of the facade and bridges the gap between the park and the interior of the building. Across open windows above the roof gardens, tripartite louvers allow for manual control of the light that enters the room. Where there is no garden, the opposite condition is present, wherein small openings [ the negative of the louver ] allow in filtered light. Viewboxes serve as a mixing space for the light, which is reflected across the interior space with a light shelf.
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1 serial plans of floors of 1825 Walnut Street at the facade WILLIAM KORCHEK
photograph of study model
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1 diagrammatic notation of fabric study, two-over-two plain weave 2 analytical model of fabric 3 environmental performance of facade, showing the range of lighting conditions. translation
agriduct market
urban cultured The abandoned Reading Viaduct—an elevated rail line that extends for over one mile in central Philadelphia—is the site for this urban farm and cultural center. This remnant of modernity is reimagined and revitalized to bring fresh food to a neighborhood that is sorely lacking. Agriduct market is a new market typology in which the consumer becomes the picker, washer, and collector of his/her own produce. Various outposts across the Viaduct invite the customer to learn about the preparation of fresh food in kitchen demonstration areas, connected directly to the beds of the market. The architectural interventions take the railroad infrastructure and separate from it, displacing its functional ground plane and programming the space underneath. The building becomes a landscape, subtly sloping to link the cityscape with the planted Viaduct. The main market building, which features a cafÊ across all levels, is detailed in the following pages.
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macro scale site plan
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MARKET SPACE WITH CIRCULATION market space with circulation
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enclosed ENCLOSED PUBLIC SPACE public spaces
green space GREEN SPACE AND LEISURE CIRCULATION with leisure circulation B B
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micro scale architectural intervention: site plan
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1 micro scale building sections 2 interior rendering at lounge space 3 rendering at outdoor ramp 1
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C section through interior and exterior ramps WILLIAM KORCHEK
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I began by studying the habit of my morning coffee-making, which is confined to a small kitchen. To map the habit, I de-confined the activity: I oriented the “camera” to the plane of the hand. As the hand moves, it appears stationary while the body swings around it. [p. 17] Making
coffee is a means of orientation to the day. My study of that orientation resulted in the shifting planes of my mapping. In the same way, the habit[at] orients the body to the coffee through a progression of skewed planes that are taken from the
geometry of my mapping. Upon awaking in the morning, light guides you through these chambers, finally leading to a space oriented to the world in x y and z. Coffee is made along the way, and finally consumed in the last space. Together, space and coffee establish an orientation to the day.
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self + space The habit[at] project is both a study in self and a study in space. Derived from the mapping of my coffee-making habit, the geometries of the space serve programs that transition from rest [ horizontal plane ] to coffee-making [ vertical plane ]. This sequence mirrors the progression from plan to elevation achieved in the mappings, where the body is observed in coffeemaking via the plane of hand.
[ see studies, p. 17] Voids track the programmed progression through the space; light helps establish an orientation to the day as the use of the space transitions from horizontal to vertical. Nooks created through the intersection of cubes provide places to rest, linger, or drink coffee as one orients from rest to coffeemaking, from sleep to daily activity.
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1 photograph of butter board model with programs labeled 2 sequence of renderings depicting voids and movement through the space translation
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mapping Packed into the 2-by-3.5-foot floor area of my kitchen, I need not move more than rotate to make coffee in the morning. The hand is the laborer and a rotation of the wrist or pinch of the fingers completes the actions—body confined—until the viewport shifts to follow the plane of the hand, and my body is free in threedimensional space. Liberated, the body swings around the plane tangent to the top of the hand, pouring the water with an acrobatic flip or igniting the stove with a somersault. The camera is attached to the hand; the hand is at rest. The body orbits the focal point, integrating plan and elevation. [ cont. p. 16 ]
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Cross sections are taken in planes parallel to that of the right hand, and aligned with the hand as origin.
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the hand, holding the handle of the tea kettle, rotates from -30º to 20º, draining water into the sink.
the hand reaches, palm up, to the ignition dial, turning 90º to ignite, then down to Hi.
pour
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the hand rotates from -30º to 20º
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plan + elevation Because the “camera” is oriented to the plane of the hand in these mappings, and cross sections are taken in planes parallel, the body loses traditional notions of “plan + elevation.” As the body swings to pour coffee or ignite the burner, plan swings into elevation—and everywhere in between. This notion is explored further in the habitat, where shifting planes mirror the plan-to-elevation transition.
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urban intervention
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habitat in the city Based on the habit[at] study, this design intervenes on a staircase leading from the city grid to a park along a river in Philadelphia. As the habit[at] deals with orientation, so too does this project orient visitors from the speed of the city to the leisure of the river walk. From the bridge, visitors enter the stairs in a space upright. As they progress towards the river, the floor plate shifts, sloping to orient them to the programs of the river.
cactus lighting system
Inspired by a part-to-whole relationship found in the structure of the cactus [p. 28 ], this lighting system features a charging hub (that acts as a sconce) from which lighting elements can be removed and function as flashlights
or lanterns, depending on orientation. A telescoping mechanism focuses the beam of light to function as a flashlight when needed, otherwise the device is a lantern. The project is designed as an urban intervention for a university
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courtyard. These lights trigger nighttime programming of the courtyard space. A cactus segment can survive detached from its body. With rain, it will sprout roots and grow.
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part + whole Together, lighting elements charge in a halfspherical arrangement that serves as a sconce. Charging is by induction—weather safe. Independently, these elements are removed from the hub and used as flashlights or lanterns. One positions the light with the wider end pointed up, and the telescoping mechanism focuses the light beam to the path ahead.
Functional parts comprise a working whole. Separated from the whole, the parts work independently to continue the function of the whole [ light ] while adapting to specific needs. This relationship is found in the cactus.
[ acrylic unibody shell ]
[ aluminum parts + light bulb ]
One finds a place to sit or rest and orients the light intuitively with the wider end down on a surface. The telescoping mechanism recoils and the light becomes ambient.
[ studies, p. 28 ]
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1 individual lights gathered in a charging hub / sconce 2 individual lighting element as lantern, front, and flashlight, back 3 aluminum parts and light bulb, left, assemble on a single acrylic shell— glue free. translation
study of cactus as enclosed light; study of cactus as protected sponge
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analog The cactus is highly evolved to gather, store and protect water with high efficiency. If any part of the cactus becomes severed, it can sprout roots and grow into its own plant at the next rainfall. My prototype is a storage unit composed of smaller storage units [ a box made of boxes ] symbolizing the part-towhole relationship inherent in the organism.
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1 CAD drawing of prototype: storage unit comprised of smaller storage units. 2 Images of bristol board prototype Previous Spread: 1 hand analog drawing of cactus: cactus as beacon of light, with removable parts. 2 hand analog drawing of cactus: cactus as geometrically enclosed sponge translation
spatial study
These CAD drawings analyze lighting conditions, framing conditions and overlapping planes in the stairwell of the Fisher Fine Arts Library at the University of Pennsylvania [ a building designed by Frank Furness ].
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When an initial photographic study yielded flat results, I took to a fish-eye lens to capture the depth of the space. The CAD drawings further explore what was discovered in the photographs, examining relationships within the space. They also
consider the light that enters the space and shadows that are cast on building elements. Rising up the stairwell, one peels away information, piercing thresholds.
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curve + orthogonal When flat photographs didn’t reveal the true depth of space evident in this stairwell, images taken with a fish-eye lens did. The curves created by the wide-angle lens expose posterior space when the orthogonals cannot. The curve becomes a better way to represent the right angle in this exercise.
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1 situational measurement of the stairwell, with light conditions 2 photographic sequence of an ascension through the stairwell 3 bas relief depicting a framing condition in the study WILLIAM KORCHEK
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body measure
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triangulation In this study of the surface of the right hand, lines and creases are triangulated and mapped in plan view and left elevation, without the outline of the structure of the hand. Surface and structure are explored analytically. Represented above and in a photomontage [ p. 37 ], water fills the surface as the hand is opened and becomes a measuring tool to analyze topography, exposing details of the structural form. The surface — the lines of the hand — suggest the structural form and even inform it. The water exits the hand through valleys of the lines.
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1 sequence of the right hand opening, carrying 6mL of water. 2 photomontage showing an elevational view of the right hand opening, and the shape of 6mL of water in the hand. WILLIAM KORCHEK
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surface + structure The idea of this study is to represent surface in the absence of structure. In the hand drawings, lines and creases are mapped to reveal cues as to where the structure lies: the relationships between lines and their order reveals the position of the hand as well as the general shape. This idea is most clear in the sequence of 5 drawings representing the right hand opening [ left ]. The shape that water takes when held in the hand also reveals the impact surface has on structure. Dynamic patterns in the shape of the water volume in the hand show the voids created by the creases in the hand, which impact the structure of the skin.
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utility table
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personal storage The table is designed for placement under a drafting table to keep tools organized and accessible. The organization of the table is tailored to personal needs, designed to fit my selection of instruments and arranged for ease of access. 14’’ x 19’’ x 21’’
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collected collections Individual triangular or rhomboidal units are connected magnetically in various arrangements to shelve books and other collections. Constructed with walnut frames and aluminum joints, the shelves can be easily disassembled. They can be arranged and rearranged to fit specific spaces or collections. Magnets are fitted on the interior side of each walnut panel.
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a rhomboidal unit of the shelves various arrangements of shelving units example of finished walnut and polished joints detail of walnut and aluminum joint
resume WILLIAM KORCHEK 526 S. Bronson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90020
WORK EXPERIENCE Intern, Ehrlich Architects, Culver City, CA • • •
2013–Present
Worked to fulfill certification of large high school project with the Division of the State Architect Engaged in construction administration for public university project Assisted with LEED accreditation on completed project
Lead Graphic Designer, Basics of Pediatric Anesthesia, Philadelphia, PA
wkorchek@mac.com www.williamkorchek.com 818.322.7769
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Developed and implemented from start to finish the interactive medical textbook Basics of Pediatric Anesthesia; Helped with publishing to iTunes Worked with the author to develop a customized iBook format
Assistant to Artist Robyn O’Neil, Los Angeles, CA • •
2010
In charge of writing style and spelling and grammar for the independent daily paper at the university Oversaw team of four associates and several assistants Recruited large group of students as Copy Assistants Oversaw style guide for the newspaper
Production Assistant in Set Decoration, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA • •
2011
Helped prepare for an important New York gallery show Assisted in construction of artwork
Copy Editor, The Daily Pennsylvanian, Philadelphia, PA • • • •
2012–2013
2009
Worked on crew of Moneyball film Helped to insure continuity of the set decoration with the time setting of the picture
EDUCATION University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA • • • • •
BA in Architecture; Minor in Landscape Studies Cumulative GPA: 3.8; Summa Cum Laude Studies include six architecture studio courses and several design-related electives Honors: Dean’s List [ 2011 - 2013 ]; Recipient of Wendy Evans Joseph Traveling Scholarship [ 2012, Japan ] Study Abroad: UMBAU School of Architecture, Vienna, Austria [ 2011 ]
The Buckley School, Sherman Oaks, CA • • •
Valedictorian Vice President of the student body Editor of The Student Voice [ school newspaper ]; earned ASPA Best High School Paper Award
SKILLS • • •
2009-2013
Highly skilled in both Windows and Macintosh operating systems Expert in Rhinoceros; Autodesk AutoCAD and Revit; Adobe Creative Suite, AfterEffects, and Audition Proficient in Spanish; Limited knowledge of French
2005–2009
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