Architecture Portfolio

Analytical Modeling: Using model building to read architecture.

PPL Ecogarden Shed: Introduction to construction and carpentry.

Subterranean Sublime: Designing space using solely void + light relationship

Hand Rendering: Traditional pencil + paper drafting.

Independent Art Work: My independent creative endevours.

Arch 3250 - Design Studio This project was focused on using modeling to read Steven Holl’s “Planar House” located in Paradise Valley, AZ. By modeling on a 1/8” scale we were able to replicate the home to come to conclusions on design motives. The home uses tilt up concrete to create windows on the north, east, and west elevations. These windows, when exposed to direct light, illuminate circulation paths using planes of light. The home also uses a passive cooling technique called “evaporative cooling”. Each of the “L” shapes protruding through the roof has a small pool at the bottom which brings cool air down and lets hot air out when the windows above are opened.

“ARCHITECTURE REALLY BEGINS WITH

A SITE AND A CIRCUMSTANCE;

A SITUATION AND A PROGRAM

AND SHOULD BE REINVENTED FOR

EVERY SITUATION”

The second concept was that of materiality. By only modeling the metal throughout the house we came to the conclusion that there was a contrast between open and closed spaces inside the house as you move from the south to the north side.

After producing a scale model of the Planar House, we were asked to represent the house abstractly to further read into the architecture. Fascinated by the L shape depicted to the right, we created several models. Extruding the windows of the home proved to highlight circulation paths through the house. The L shape is Holl’s simplified visual representation of an orthagonal corner.

Our final conceptual model makes the argument that Holl uses planar qualities as a medium to convey the architectural elements in the house. The light, geometry, private/public areas, structure, and mate-riality are all used in a planar fasion to create a house solely built from planes.

Design Fundamentals IIStructured on the principle of designing solids then making them voids, the subterranian sublime project created unique light and space studies. Starting with random shapes we placed them so that light from above could reach each room and then subtracted the larger shape from a box. We then practiced analyzing the space inside of the void as an excercise in reading architecture. Our project was focused on the relationship between vertical and horizontal voids and the emotional impact each has with and without light. The conclusion was that vertical voids have a more dramatic emotional trigger than horizontal voids do.

Arch 3250 - Design StudioDesigning for society is necessary to a complete architecture education. In this project we took a new approach to an aging community garden in north Minneapolis. The Hawthorne PPL Ecogarden is a place where the locals can come to learn simple agricultural practice and share their harvests with others. However, the pre-existing structure was lacking a green house, a shaded area, and compost bins. We designed and implemented all of these and designed for rainwater collection in this eight week course.

Daylighting Studies

Architectural DrawingThe hand of an architect should be able to communicate thought through drawing. During my first year in architecture school I learned how to draw and diagram. Here are some of my best works from that period to the end of my undergraduate career.

Imbued with creative energy, I spend much of my free time creating artwork. The picture on the left spead is all original artwork by me placed in a rendered room. Nautique is a digital print using simple geometry much like the art deco movement. The pastel painting is a reflection of my italian heritage. Finally, the skeleton drawing in the back was done using white charcoal and black paper.