dion miller's architectural portfolio

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Collection of Works By

Dion P. Miller

SCIENCE OF ANXIETYThe feeling of being in trouble or in danger has a significant effect on the human body. When a human becomes worrisome or faces apprehension, a for of anxiety sets in. This not only effects humans emotionally, but physically and psychologically as well.

When the human body experiences anxiety, emotions such as fear and worry race through ones nervous system. From there, humans show physical signs such as change in function of body systems. Further more, the combination of these emotions with an altered state of body systems causes the mind to perceive things differently. The perception of these things is due to heightened senses. With heightened senses as well as a cautious mind, humans become more in tune with their environment. Architecture can be a solution that can be prescribed to enhance sensations and feelings to invoke anxiety.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND ANXIETY

Sensory organs perceive a potential danger

ANXIETY 1 A: painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill B: fearful concern or interest

2 A: an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it

Brain responds with “Flight or Fight” response

Brain sends signals to body to prepare for danger

Body produces anxious thoughts and sensations

Senses perceive the sensations as “dangerous”

Brain registers the perceived danger from sensations

Once sensations are perceived as

“threatening,” one becomes scared of those

sensations. Ones mind then reacts with the

anxiety response, which creates more sensations and the cycle continues

SIGNS AND SIGNALS OF ANXIETY

INVOKING ANXIETY USING ARCHITECTURE

A uneasy or unsettling feeling can often cause anxiety. Anxiety effects all people in different ways and each person has their own way of expressing it. Whether something is disturbing, concerning, frightening, or threatening, it has its way of producing some form of anxiety. The signs and signals of anxiety can be revealed in many human body system responses:

Aural: Hearing Sensitivity

Optical: Excessive Blinking, Reduced Eye Contact

Digestive: Butterfly Feeling, Upset Stomach, Nausea, Hunger, Appetite Loss

Vocal: Trembling Voices

Nervous: Fear, Sensations, Flight or Fight Response

Excretal: Perspiration

Muscular: Hand Movements, Lip Compression, Muscle Tension, Pacing, Obsessive/Repetitive Touching

Respiratory: Yawning and Shortness of Breath

Identifying and exposing high levels of radiation in the area and making it apparent using:

V i s u a l i z a t i o n

S o n i f i c a t i o n

T a c t u a l i z a t i o nBy way of

Architectural Design

Why introduce the feeling of anxiety? Anxiety is the body’s way of detecting issues or dangers in ones environment. When anxiety begins, ones perception of their surrounding is magnified. This causes the body and brain to become more receptive.

How to generate anxiety through architecture? Architecture can introduced as a way to produce multi-functionality. Architecture can be a mechanism that provides multiple types of stimulation. This includes ways to visualize, sonify and tactualize the invisible, thus producing a phantom induced anxiety.

Where do visitors experience these forms or anxiety? Areas of high levels of radiation. Visitors will experience an increased anxiety due to various forms of stimulation noted above.

DROP-OFF LOCATION

PICK-UP LOCATION

Existing Red Forest Trees

Proposed TreeBeacon Locations

Data CommunicationRange

Generated VisitorTour Path

Radiation Levels

VeryHigh

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DROP-OFF LOCATION

PICK-UP LOCATION





Radiation Levels

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High

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DROP-OFF LOCATION

PICK-UP LOCATION





Radiation Levels

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High

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DROP-OFF LOCATION

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Radiation Levels

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High

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Radiation Levels

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ATLAS OBSCURAEstablishing a tourism sector near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

Location: Chernobyl, Pripyat, and Red Forest, Ukraine

Dark Tourism is a phenomena in which people travel to view areas with a dark past. The area near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant contains an invisible danger, radioactivity, which covers the entire site. Touring can be introduced into the area to allow visitors to experience the change that the radiation has on the environment. In order to attract guests, it is important to get them to question the mystery. Radiation needs to be made visible, audible and palpable in order to make visitors anxious. Anxiety causes the human senses to heighten, which makes people more aware of their surroundings. To invoke anxiety only makes the experience greater. Anxiety is created by using stimuli and altering the natural. Stimuli including visuals, sounds, and biometric data notifications generate anxiety. Altering the natural including mutating the human form using a suit, deforming environments using fake nature, and augmenting reality with stimuli will lead to the unveiling of the mystery of the site.

Critics: Chris Perry & Ted NgaiThesis/Final Project: Fall 2015 - Spring 2016

Red Forest Rendering Touring Path Generated By Data Communication

Tree Beacon

Anxiety’s Effect on the Human Body

POINTS OF INTEREST NEARREACTOR #4The Chernobyl Power Plant and the nearby city of Pripyat contain iconic structures, ruins, memorials, monuments, and relics that are awe-inspiring. The desolate wasteland is so intimidating that is a popular destination for tourism.

Pripyat contains ruins of the once prominent city. Buildings remain how they were left when the city was evacuated. This ghost town is now thriving with overgrown plant life.The natural has taken control of the synthetic environment. The remains of destruction are becoming harmonious with the regrowth of nature, making it an one-of-a-kind experience.

The Chernobyl Power Plant itself is a daunting structure. Being in the vicinity of it spawns a enigmatic feeling which can only be satisfied but experiencing the entire facility, inside and out, for oneself.41. Image By Google Earth42. Data By Chernobyl Gallery

Infrastructure

Factories and TestingFacilities

Government Owned Memorials andMonuments

Location of Disaster

Chernobyl Facilities

Pripyat Districts

Military Territory

Radiation Levels0.0001 mSv/hr

1 mSv/yr

< 0.01 mSv/hr

< 100 mSv/yr

40002000 300010000

Map Scale (feet)

MAP LEGEND

Military Base ORS

Yanov RailStation

Bridge of Death

PripyatCheckpoint

Friendship of the People’s Monument

ContaminatedVehicle Dump

Metal Claw

Jupiter Factory

Tallest Blockin Pripyat

ExperimentalGreenhouse Farm

Public Pool

Golden KeySchool

Avanhard Stadium

Palace ofCulture

White House

PripyatCemetery

Hospital #126

Pripyat Port

Pripyat 1970 Monument

Semykhody Rail Station

Chernobyl Rail Station

Chernobyl Memorial

New SafeConfinement

Structure

ChernobylReactor #4

Administration Offices

Chemical Storage

Workshops

Heating Plant

Fire Station

Aircraft Graveyard

Chernobyl Reactor #5 (Unbuilt)

Chernobyl Reactor #6 (Unbuilt)

Cooling Towers (Unbuilt)Animal

Laboratory

PRIPYAT RIVER

PRIPYAT RIVER

CHERNOBYL COOLING POND

AZBUCHYN LAKE

42

20

POINTS OF INTEREST AND RADIATION LEVELS41

*100 mSv is lowest annual dose at which any increase in cancer is clearly evident 20

Suit Transceiver

Data Storage Disk

Disk Reader

Micro Processor

Power Supply

LED Display

Broadband Modem

Power Supply

Wireless Router

D.E.B.T. SUIT

RADIATION BEACONS

SERVER AREA

Geiger Counter

Wrist Cuffs

Pulse Counters

Gloves

Temperature Sensor

Wrist Cuffs

WIRELESS DEVICE

Two Way Radio

Power Supply

Device Transceiver

GPS

Left Foot Cuff

Biometrics

Radioactivity

LOWER LIMB DATA COLLECTION

UPPER LIMB DATA COLLECTION

Oxygen Hose

RESPIRATION DATA COLLECTION

Dosimeter

RADIATION DATA COLLECTION

CLOUD TRANSFER

Oxygen Intake

Left Foot Cuff

Pedometer

Pedometer

Respirator

Beacon Transceiver

Respiratory Sensor

Carbon Dioxide Hose

Carbon Dioxide Exhaust

Data Data

DataData

Switching Mechanism

Electroluminescence

Semiconductors

Geiger Counter

DATA, ELECTRON, & BIOMETRICS TRANSMISSION (D.E.B.T.) SUIT SYSTEM DESIGN

Num

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of S

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Poin

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Attraction Values

Attraction Value = 5Number of Starting Points = 275









CHERNOBYL COOLING POND BOAT DOCK FORM STUDY

Data, Electron, and Biometric Transmission Suit Suit System Diagram

Points of Interest Map of Areas Near Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

Boatdock Rendering

Grasshopper Generated Boatdock Form Study

THESIS + CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

LEISUREADMIN

ENTRYRESTAURANTTRAINBAR

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BOUND DUA[LIT]Y takes the inherent dual characteristics of libraries (i.e., searching versus utilizing, research versus leisurely reading) and, by seperating (but not isolating) them into distinct program and circulation elements, optimizes their functions to create a cohesive whole that gives more power to the user in allowing them to choose how to best use the building.

TRAIN TRAIN TRAINRESTAURANTRESTAURANTBARTRAIN TRAIN TRAIN

RESTAURANTBARTRAIN TRAIN TRAIN

RESTAURANTRESTAURANTBAR

READING CIRCULATION LOOK-UP CIRCULATION STUDY CIRCULATION

RESEARCH CONE OF VISION

EXTERNAL CONTRAST OF PROGRAM THROUGH FACADEENTRY PROCESS DIAGRAM + CONE OF VISION ORIGIN

SITE OPERATIONS

BOUND DUA[LIT]Y DESIGN DEVELOPMENT STUDIOCALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARYDESIGN TEAM: WILL DORGAN + DION MILLER

ORIGINAL COMPETITION ENTRYCALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY

ORIGINAL ARCHITECTS: KPMB ARCHITECTS

SOUTH ELEVATION - 1:100WEST ELEVATION - 1:100

TRANSVERSE SECTION - 1:100

LONGITUDINAL SECTION - 1:100

BOUND DUA[LIT]YCALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY

ALBERTA, CANADA

LEISUREADMIN


RESEARCHSHEET TITLEA101 PLAZA LEVEL PLANA102 SITE PLANA103 LEISURE READING FLOOR 1A104 LESIURE READING FLOOR 2A105 LEISURE READING FLOOR 3A106 RESEARCH FLOOR 3/ROOF LEVEL PLANA107 TYPICAL RESEARCH FLOOR AA108 TYPICAL RESEARCH FLOOR BA109 MECHANICAL FLOORA200 NORTH + SOUTH ELEVATIONSA201 EAST + WEST ELEVATIONSA300 TRANSVERSE SECTIONA301 LONGITUDINAL SECTIONA302 LONGITUDINAL SECTIONA400 DETAILED WALL SECTIONA500 NIGHT RENDERA501 DAY + SITE RENDERSA502 STUDY-STACK RENDERA503 LOOKUP ATRIUM RENDERA600 DIAGRAMSA601 DIAGRAMSA701 PROGRESS MODEL IMAGESA702 FOCUS MODEL PROCESS IMAGESA703 FOCUS MODEL FINAL IMAGESA704 MATERIAL SAMPLE IMAGES

BOUND DUALITYProposal for new Calgary Central Library

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The new Calgary Central Library uses the essential ideas of the library system and divides spaces based on these ideas. If visitors are using the library for leisure reading, they will find spaces throughout the lower portion of the library which house book stacks and reading areas. If visitors are coming to do research, the upper portion of the library contains materials needed to do so. A void is removed out of the center of the building to provide a look-up view to help visitors find which floor they need access if they seek a particular genre. Its shape is represented on the facade. An enclosed spiraling circulation path circles the research portion of the library which disintegrates when entering the leisure portion of the library. A central staircase is introduced to allow for quick access between floors if needed. The building itself is raised to hover over the city train transport line and generates a public park below.

Critics: Mark Mistur, Eric Churchill, & Lauren ThompsonDesign Development Studio: Spring 2015

Building Concept Diagram

Building Section

West Elevation

1/4”=1’-0” Building Sectional Model


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EXTERIOR VIEWS

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EXTERIOR DAYTIME VIEW FROM WEST

EXTERIOR NIGHTTIME VIEW FROM NORTHWEST

STUDY VERSUS STACK - SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

LONGITUDINAL SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

EXTERIOR VIEWS

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DETAILED WALL SECTION - 1:20

C CA L

LIBR RYAG AR Y PU BL I

R R REST T &A AA B LPCNU

INTERIOR VIEWS + SITE

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PLAZA LEVEL (BAR) PLAN - 1:300

EXPLODED AXON

VIEW FROM STUDY AREA INTO RESEARCH STACKS

VIEW OF CENTRAL ATRIUM SPACE

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Building Sectional Perspective

Look-Up Void Rendering Detailed Wall Section

Northwestern Night Rendering

Street Side Rendering

Aerial Site Rendering

Site Diagram

BROOKLYN TESTBED Development of new Brownstone typology

Location: Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn, New York

The Brownstone typology is one that hasn’t changed in recent history. A new Brownstone was designed which could help mitigate the micro-climate effect that is manifested in New York City. An airflow enhancing shell was designed using the fundamentals of an airplane cabin. Airflow would travel around and through buildings and the site to create a passive solution to air control. The apartment units are prefabricated modules which span between party walls. These modules can be arrange in various ways to help promote air flow. The site is ideal for agriculture as airflow around the buildings drive precipitation towards the gardens in the center of the site, while rainwater is collected on particular facades for additional irrigation use.

Critics: Demetrios Comodromos, & Joshua DraperGraduate Design Studio IV: Fall 2014

Proposed Neighborhood Location Brooklyn NavyYard Activity

Community Rendering

Neighborhood Layout

Building Section with Airflows Coanda Effect Diagram New York Wind Diagram

Community Site Section

Apartment Unit Wall Section

Building Cell Wall Section

Wind Flow Diagrams using Vasari Plug-In for RevitNeighborhood Wind Flow Diagram

Cross Site Wind Flow Diagram

THE NEW AMSTERDAM RESORTProposal of resort on Governor’s Island

Location: Governor’s Island, Manhattan, New York

Governor’s Island, a defunct military compound, was the ideal location for a new resort in New York. The New Amsterdam Resort, which gets its name from the original Dutch name for the island, emulates Amsterdam, Netherlands. The resort contains Amsterdam inspired canals, which run through the site, and are used for recreational purposes. The resort facilities include a ferry terminal which transports visitors to and from Manhattan. It contains public spaces such as a pier, multiple plazas, and markets. It incorporates a business sector with retail spaces and restaurants. A conference center and performing arts theater can be found on sight as well. The hotel itself is located in the center of the island and is a focal point which can be viewed anywhere on site. The buildings are designed with facades which resemble existing Dutch buildings in Amsterdam.

Critics: Brook Denison & Janet HoArchitectural Design Studio VI: Spring 2014

Proposed Area of Work Diagram

New Amsterdam Resort Main Plaza Rendering Business District and Canal Rendering

New Amsterdam Resort Site Plan

New Amsterdam Business District Building Elevations

New Amsterdam Resort Hotel Elevation

THE HIGHLINE FASHION SCHOOLProposal of fashion school near the Highline park

Location: Chelsea, Manhattan, New York

Located between the Highline and Chelsea Piers on the westside of Manhattan, the Highline Fashion School is situated on the Fashion Block. The block contains four buildings which comprise varying fashion ideals. The Fashion School has eleven floors. The ground floor is designed with a Cafe and Laundromat which is open to the public. It also contains the school’s bookstore and administration offices. The third floor is the Highline access floor and houses the school’s auditorium and gallery. The auditorium and gallery can be easily viewed from the Highline, so visitors to the park can see fashion shows as they pass by. Floors two, four, and five are the classroom levels, two of which overhang the Highline. The sixth and seventh floors consist of facilities for the dining hall. The eighth floor houses a small school library. Floors nine, ten, and eleven accommodate the school’s dorms which are capable of housing for up to 40 students.

Critics: Brook Denison & Janet HoArchitectural Design Studio V: Fall 2013

Highline Fashion School Rendering from Highline

Rendering of Highline Fashion School Auditorium

Fashion Block Site Plan

Street Level Plan

Highline Level Plan

Highline Fashion School Building Section

GARDINER GABLESProposal for 8 unit, townhouse-style, apartment buildings

Location: Gardiner, New York

Gardiner Gables is an townhouse apartment complex which was designed to provide housing near the center of a small town. The complex contains two buildings which house four units each. The units are designed to allow for proper egress, light and ventilation. All units contain two floors. The first floors of units 1-7 are designed as the public spaces within the unit. The living room, dining room and kitchen are located on these floors. The second floors of these units are the more private sections of the apartment building and contain two bedrooms and one bathroom. Unit 8 is unique. In this unit, one bedroom is on the first floor and the other is on the second floor. Building two also contains a utility space which houses the equipment that supplies all eight units on site.

Summer Internship: Summer 2013

Exterior Rendering of Townhouses

Axon of Townhouse Buildings 1 and 2

Elevation Townhouse Building 1 Elevation Townhouse Building 2

Second Floor Building 1 Second Floor Building 2

First Floor Building 1 First Floor Building 2

THE VAN WAGENEN LIBRARYRenovation of existing university library

Location: SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill, New York

The State University of New York at Cobleskill requested proposals from students to renovate their facilities located within the Van Wagenen Library. The building was redesigned to benefit students and faculty. The concept would invite more students to use the library as a resource for research and studying, while expanding spaces for the staff. The Van Wagenen Library’s new design incorporates a new book stack system with reading and studying areas on the perimeter. It houses educational and career programs which were found in other buildings. Finally, new spaces such as a Children’s Library and a Cafe were introduced to attract a larger population of students.

Critics: Nana Andoh & Janet HoArchitectural Design Studio IV: Spring 2013

Rendering of Library Entrance

Library Entryway Sectional Perspective

Staff Break Room Rendering

Children’s Library Rendering

Circulation Desk and Cafe Entry Rendering

Reading Area Rendering

dion miller's architectural portfolio

Documents