Jennifervan der Sloot

Virginia Tech2009-2012

“The Architect

Built his great heart into these sculpted stones,

And with him toiled his children and their lives,

Were builded, with his own, into these walls,

As offerings unto god”

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

p4.Urban Lab Observatoryp10.Watershed Observatoryp16.Virginia Society 2012p20.3rd Year Competitionp24.Single Family Homep28.Chesapeake Bayp36.Cardboard Chair

Index

Urban Lab ObservatorySpring Semester 2012

Site: Cincinatti, OH

The ULO is a space for artists and re-searchers to work. Its program includes studios, gallery space, and apartments and ultimately sought further definition from the architect behind it.

Studio: should be easily cleaned, open space, desks, flat surfaces, storage spaces, quiet, somewhat private. Would include space for pot-ters, sculptors, painters, etc. Space that one would be able to bring an easel in, use clay, etc.

Studio: should be soundproof, space to bring in different in-struments, flat surfaces, would be a space that could be used for composing, for recording, for practicing

Studio: would be a quiet space with flat surfaces, space for storage of books, would be a place where one could write

Studios:multi-usecollaborativeperformance

The driving force behind the design of the ULO was what, exactly, defines an artist. There are at least fifteen separate definitions of what an artist is in the Oxford Online Dictionary, and ultimately, the artist, for the purpose of this project, was defined as an individual who seeks to create something through a medium. This included visual artists, authors, and musicians. Thus, the space needed to be one that not only catered to the different mediums, but that also encouraged interaction over the range of mediums. Precedence for this sort of interaction can be derived from several sources; Mussorgsky’s musical work, Pictures at an Exhibition, was created after he viewed a showing of a deceased friend’s work. There are countless paintings and sculptures inspired by Greek and Roman myth. The Girl with the Pearl Earring went so far as to inspire a movie. The building for the ULO seeks to provide an environment that allows for similar inspiration.

The Site

To create an environment that would allow for optimal interaction and inspiration, a few spaces were specifically considered.

1. Performance Studio: one that is open to public observation in an effort to encourage interaction between the artist at work and the public that pass through the building

2. Multi-Use Studio: a more private, versatile studio that may be occupied for short or long term periods and can be used by artists of various mediums.

3. Collaborative Studio: provides a space for artists of different mediums to interact and work together on larger projects

4. Gallery Space: Not only a space for finished work, but a transition from one side of the building to another, a moment of tension where everything comes together.

5. Spaces between spaces: rather than halls, the building makes use of larger spaces that are intended to foster informal interaction between the public and artists.

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Watershed ObservatoryFall Semester 2011

Site: Bryson City, NC

The Watershed Observatory is an organiza-tion that deals with issues surrounding wa-ter in the Blue Ridge area and beyond. The building is to create a base for both the public and researchers to actively explore these water issues.

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The Watershed Observatory seeks to connect the story of the site to the story of the people who visit it. The site itself is littered with bottles and human leftovers that wash ashore during the flood season. Likewise, the building is meant to give an impression of being washed ashore and settling into the slope.

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education spac

e

locker rooms

research apartments

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Virginia Society Competition

Spring Semester 2012

Site: Cape Hatter, NC

The goal of this project was to create ‘temporary permanent’ emergency housing for victims of hurricanes. this design was cre-ated to be both easily assembled and trans-ported. The materials used are all cheaply acquired- shipping pallets, a shipping con-tainer, plywood, and light canvas.

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The main room of the shelter is constructed of shipping pallets. The four walls are lined with plywood, while the roof has canvas stretched over the top to allow light in, creating a more open, airy space. In contrast, the shipping container creates a more enclosed, protected space for the occupants. Four shelters together create a small community with a shared courtyard space which encourages Interaction between residents.

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3rd Year CompetitionFall Semester 2011

Site: Florida

Group Project: Kathryn Briggs, Katherine Harpst

The design for this beach access hinges on the idea of light and creating views. Upon first entering the overlook, one is di-rected towards a southwest view from which the sunset over the beach can be enjoyed. The lower platform is oriented in such a way that one is directed to look southeast, granting a view of the sunrise. Beneath the floor is the lighting system for the turtle hatching season. It directs light up through frosted glass, creating a sur-real glow, guiding the visitor along the path. During the rest of the year, the en-tire structure is lit, allowing the light to filter through porous walls and floors, creating a glowing landmark on the beach at night. During the day, the sun filters through and the shadows create a changing environment depending on the time of day. The solar panels are oriented along the roof, adding to the structure’s presence by reflecting the sun while acting as a shad-ing system for the upper platform.

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Single Family HomeSpring Semester 2011

Site: Blacksburg, VA

This building was created as a single fam-ily dwelling in Blacksburg, Virginia. The project specified that there were to be two bedrooms and one and a half baths.

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This design sought to create a building that would, in a sense, embrace its inhabitants while creating an obvious divide between the public side, which in-cluded the living room, kitchen, and half bath, and the private side, which included bedrooms and the full bath. The entrance gate is peeled away from a surface on the private portion of the dwelling. The majority of the light in this house comes from the top. the ceiling height varies from 10’ at its low-est to 15’ at its highest. Privacy in the bedrooms is created by a frosted glass ceiling which allows in light from the glass roof.

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Chesapeake Bay CompetitionSpring Semester 2011

Site: Virginia Beach, VA

The purpose of this competition was to cre-ate a base for the chesapeake bay founda-tion. There would be an event space as well as offices and education spaces intended to aid in the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay.

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The initial design was based on a rectangle that had been manipulated to open out, as the Chesapeake Bay Foundations opens itself to the public. A few blocks were created, and then brought together by connecting the points on each block. The primary material for this project was to be reclaimed wood. The windows aimed to connect the differ-ent volumes of the project as one continuous stream of light and, in the process, connect-ed the visitors inside to views of the bay that the foundation is trying to protect.

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Cardboard ChairSpring Semester 2010

The purpose of this project was to create a chair using up to three sheets of 36”x48” single ply cardboard sheets with no more than 10% waste on each sheet. This chair specifically used 2 sheets of cardboard- one for the frame and one for the seat. No waste was created.

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The main frame of the chair is a folded frame held together by tabs in the back and underneath. The seat is a stack of triangular shaped cardboard, wedged in place by the remaining waste from the second sheet.

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