Melanie ArthurP o r t f o l i o o f R e c e n t W o r k s

10412 Nieman Rd.Overland Park, KS 66214

(913)-617-5120jayhawkmel@gmail.com

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Chicago Lyric Opera HouseProfessor Stephen Grabow

Winter 2011

Creation of a Working EnvironmentProfessors Nils Gore & Nick Nepveax

Winter 2010

Mixed MediaIndependent Works

Collection Over Time

Kansas Energy CenterProfessor Bill Carswell

Spring 2012

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Kansas Energy CenterProfessor Bill Carswell

Spring 2012 001

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Located in Wichita, Kansas are three agencies with a common business: oil. These agencies are the Kansas Geological Society, the Kansas Geological Survey, and the

Kansas Corporation Commission. They are all currently located in separate facilities but would like to unite under one roof for the convenience of their shared clients. The goal of this studio project is to design a facility for these agencies that allows them to communicate and share information, yet also maintain their individual privacy from one another.

A major factor driving this project is that the geological core sample library main-tained by the Kansas Geological Survey is running out of space, so this new facility will include a large warehouse to to accommodate this issue. Finally, the clients would like the new facility to serve an educational role, so community areas and space for semi-nars will also be included within the program. As a comprehensive studio project, the goal of this design is to be all inclusive with the design, including technical integration.

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Requirements Given:North or northwest entryThree separate entitiesPublic to private progressionCommunity spacesNatural light & windows

Parti:Entry into a central common core branching out into three entities.

Iterative Production:

Understanding the Program:Prior to design, the needs of the clients were taken into consideration. The clients were visited, interviewed, and surveyed about their needs. They were asked questions regarding their current work environment and their ideal future working environment. The information was gathered and arranged, taking several iterations before settling upon a fi nal theme.

Geo KS Info Center

Energy Research Center

Print/Fax/Scan Center

Warehouse Storage

Reception Desk

Reception Area

Open Workstation

Storage Map and Public Inventory

Mechanical Room

Forklift, Mowers, Tool Storage

Secure Storage

Sample Processing Area

Secure Storage

Reception Desk

Reception Area

Open Work Area

Small Conference Area

Mechanical Room

Print/Fax/Scan Center

Table Seating

Library and Filing Area

KCC

KGSoc

KGSurv

Warehouse Storage

Entry Vestibule

Reception Desk

Reception Area

Open Work Area

Duplication & Mail Center

Exhibits

Table Seating

Log File Cabinets

Work Room

Small Conference Area

Individual Work Areas

Mechanical Room

Customer Parking

Courier Parking Area

Truck Loading Dock

Modular Conference

Hearing & Conference Area

Kitchen/Break Area

Restrooms Men 8 Capacity

Restrooms Women 8 Capacity

Computer/Phone Hub Room

Monitor Room

Adjacencies Diagram:

KGSo

KCC

KGSu

Warehouse

Com

Final Scheme:

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0 5 10 30 50 FT.N

Hearing Room

Storage

W M

Exhibit

Reception

Elev.

Small Conference

Individual Study Areas

Table Seating

WorkRoom

Duplication & Mailing Center

Paper & Supply Storage

Open Work Areas

Comp./Phone Hub Room

Reception

Office Office Office

Office Office Office Office Office Office Small Conference Office

Office

Office

Table Seating

Break Room

Office Office

Office & Small Conference

M

W

Open Work Areas

Processing

Info Center Research Room

Secure StorageInventory Work Room

Monitor Room

Commons

Log File Library

Employee Commons

Office & Small Conference

Reception

Tools

Drop Off

Mechanical

Warehouse StorageLoading Dock

Impromptu Auditorium

Employee Patio

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Educational Geology Walk

Main Entry

KS Geological SurveyKS Geological Survey KS Corporation Commission KS Geological Societ Commons Mechanical

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First Floor Plan

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South Elevation

Office

Office

Modular Conference Room

Small Conference

Society Extended Log File Library

W MElev.

M

W

Society Secure Storage

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KCC Secure Storage

Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office

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�CC File Library

�alcony Lounge

0 5 10 30 50 FT.N

Access Road

13th Street

Greenwich

Site Plan

Employee Patio

0 5 10 30 50 FT.N

Access Road

13th Street

Greenwich

Site Plan

Employee Patio

0 5 10 30 50 FT.N

Site PlanSecond Floor Plan

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Summer

Winter

Natural Light and Ventilation

Protection of the Data - Designing a secure facility for the storage of the well samples and fi le archives that can withstand extreme Kansas weather conditions. FEMA building standards will be considered.

Sustainability and Energy - Lowering energy costs, churn costs, fi rst costs, maintenance costs, and pollution production. A fl exible fl oor plan, appropriate planting selection, and an energy effi cient solution for heating, cooling, and day lighting are some ways to help with these issues.

Health and Productivity - Promoting productivity by creating a healthy working environment. Natural day lighting, natural ventilation, and community areas will be provided.

Prestige, Image, and Attractiveness - Being conscious of all design decisions and how they might affect the employees, visitors, and locals to promote community acceptance.

Fight Urban Sprawl - To help reverse the process of sprawl in Wichita, an open site will be selected within an already developed area.

Design Goals:

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Design Concept - An Axis of Gathering Space:The concept behind the main entry is a series of public gathering spaces along the main short axis of the building. At the front of the building is the front patio with sitting planters. Beyond the front door is the main foyer. Here is located the main receptionist to direct the visitors to their destinations. Also located in the main foyer is the door to the hearing room. The foyer is a place where visitors and employees may gather before or after events or throughout the day.

Further down the corridor is the impromptu auditorium space for small, informal meetings or educational lectures for visitors. The sweeping staircase and limestone accent wall lead the visitors to the second fl oor where they are met by a balcony lounge. This lounge is also an informal gathering space for employees on their breaks or for small programs. The balcony lounge is the welcoming mat for the modular conference room, the fi nal gathering space along the axis.

Impromptu Auditorium Modular Conference RoomEntry Patio Foyer and Main Reception Balcony Lounge

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Technical Integration:

Mechanical - A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system was selected for the offi ce portion of the project for the energy savings it can deliver. A traditional Direct Exchange (DX) system was selected for the warehouse portion.

Code - The city of Wichita has adopted the International Building Code (IBC) 2006 with local amendments. The building’s occupancy groups are B, S-1, and A-3. The building’s construction type is Type 1-B: Non-Combustible Protected.

Structural -Uniform steel 30’ x 40’ bay construction using fewer unique members. Warehouse designed using precast concrete units to withstand an F5 tornado according to FEMA regulations.

Wall Section - An effi cient wall assembly with low embodied and operational energy achieved through continuity of the protecting layers. Water, air movement, thermal energy, and water vapor are all considered and handled.

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Mechanical Axonometric Fire Egress Axonometric

1 1/2” = 1’ Window Sill Detail

1 1/2” = 1’ Parapit Detail

Brick Veneer

Brick Ties

Blocking

Fully Adhered Roof Membrane

Continuous Vapor Barrier

3” ISO Rigid Board Insulation

Structural Steel Decking

Concrete Slab

Light Gauage Steel Framing Stud

5/8” OSB Sheathing

Roo�ng Ballast

Cant Strip

Flashing

2” Air Gap

Light Gauage Steel Framing Header

Weep Holes

Conrete Form Enclosure

Mortar

Brick Veneer

Brick TiesPreformed Flashing with Drip Edge

2” Air Gap

Lintel

Continuous Expanding Foam Sealant

Continuous Sealant Bead

Window Unit

3” ISO Rigid Board Insulation

5/8” OSB Sheathing

Mortar

5/8” Gypsum Wall Board

Suspended Ceiling

Light Gauage Steel Framing StudLight Gauage Steel Framing Header

Continuous Vapor Barrier

Connecting Tape for Lintel

Blocking

Backer Rod

Continuous Air Barrier

Continuous Air Barrier FT.0 3” 6” 1’

Window Sill DetailStructural Axonometric

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UP

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1 2 3 4

B

1ST FLOOR LEGEND

Wall Type

Door Type

Window Type

KEY PLAN

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103 104 105 106

107 108

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103

104

105

106

ENTRY FOYER

IMPROMPTU AUDITORIUM

HEARING ROOM

RECEPTION

OFFICE

RECEPTION

PRINT/COPY

TABLE SEATING

OFFICE

RECEPTION

ELEVATOR

WOMENS MENS

MONITOR ROOM

A1

A2

A1

A2

A3

A1

A1

10”x10” column

ceiling-mountedprojector

A3

Steel stud wall center with 5/8” gypsum wall board on each side

WALL SCHEDULE

N

VESTIBULE

CORRIDOR

CORRIDOR

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Construction Details

Chicago Lyric Opera HouseProfessor Stephen Grabow

Winter 2011 002

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The Chicago Lyric Opera House is a project designed for Wolf Point, a site along the Chicago River in Chicago, Illinois. This was a semester long group project by Xing

He, Elizabeth Bunker, and myself. Google SketchUp, 3D Studio Max, and Revit were used to create this project. The project assumes that the current Lyric Opera has out grown its space and is in need of a new facility.

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Understanding the City:Chicago is a city with many layers both physically and culturally. The streets run both above and below ground level. One of the most challenging stages of this project was fi guring out how the circulation would work both to and from the site. Working through the problem on paper by sketching was the best way for us to bring the multi-dimensional problem into something we could all see clearly and discuss.

The Parti:The goal for this site was to create an iconic building as a Chicago landmark. This was achieved through the build-ing parti in which two boxes intersect beneath a horizontal plane. The opaque box contains the private, backstage areas and the glass box contains the public areas. Where the two boxes intersect is the auditorium, where public and private collide.

Understanding the Theatre:Behind the stage, a theatre is a well oiled machine that the audience never sees. Researching precedent theatres allowed us to investigate what has been successful and what has not in making this machine work. From there, we did several diagrammatic plan iterations, rearranging the parts into our most functional design.

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1. Main Stage2. Main Lobby3. Green Room4. Merchandise Mart5. Chicago Sun Times6. Plaza0 ft 25 50

7. River Walk8. Chicago River9. Box Offi ce10. Cloak Room11, Dressing Rooms12. Scene Shop

13. Restrooms14. Bar15. Offi ces16. VIP Lounge17. Storage18. Practice/Rehearsal

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DNUP

0 ft 25 50Level 2

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UPDN

0 ft 25 50

Level 4

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Level 3

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3/64" = 1'-0"1 Transverse Section 3/64" = 1'-0"

1 Longitudinal Section

3/64" = 1'-0"1 Transverse Section

3/64" = 1'-0"1 Transverse Section 3/64" = 1'-0"

1 Transverse Section 3/64" = 1'-0"

1 Transverse Section 3/64" = 1'-0"

1 Transverse Section

0ft 25 50Transverse Section BB Longitudinal Section AA 0ft 25 50

2020

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Development of original parti. Auditorium seating arrangement and early auditorium 3D modeling. Auditorium materials and color scheme selection. Riverwalk stair design and 3D modeling.

Lower canopy design and 3D modeling. 3D Studio Max materials application and rendering for building model. Post-process Photoshop of 3D Studio Max renderings. Illustrator touch-up of fl oor plans and sections.

Personal Contributions:

Creation of a Working EnvironmentProfessors Nils Gore & Nick Nepveax

Winter 2010 003

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Studio 409 is a third year design/build studio at the University of Kansas. In this studio, third year architecture students collaborate to design a project and

then see it through to its completion. During the process, students learn everything from pre-design to post-production. They learn fi rst hand about joint connections, materials, hardware, fi nishes, tools and machines. More importantly, students learn to appreciate the art of production and craftsmanship. They learn the importance of communication and time management as well as how to use construction documents to facilitate the relationship between the builder and the designer.

In 2009, KU’s Scool of Architecture purchased a warehouse on the outskirts of Lawrence, Kansas to house the school’s 804 studio and two 409 studios. A portion of the building was sectioned off by glass within which a kitchenette, offi ce, conference room, and restrooms were constructed. It was left to the seventeen fall 2010 design/build students to design the remainder of the space and construct the desks for use the following semester.

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Wood DesignTotal Estimated Cost: $6,000.00

Glass & SteelTotal Est. Cost: $15,750

RichliteTotal Est. Cost: $43,500

Preliminary Learning Exercises:Jig Building: Creating a device that can aid in reproducing the exact same product.MIG Welding: Welding experience and an appreciation for welding professionals. Shop Drawings: Creating detailed shop drawings and reading those made by others.

Defi ning the Project:We began the project by brainstorming and mapping out all of the requirements we needed the studio space to fulfi ll: drawing, storing, computer work, modeling, eating, conferencing, and lounging. We knew we required 60 desks total, 24 for studio 804 and 36 for the two 409 studios. Our main focuses were durability, functionality, ergonomics, electricity, and the ability to be mass-produced.

Experimentation:Our fi rst step was to consider how the studios were going to be divided within the space. We developed three fl oor plans and settled on one: a two-studio scheme with 804 having its own space and the two 409 studios together. We experimented with three different materials: wood, glass, and Richlite and settled upon wood due to cost limitations. We also experimented with differences in height, cavity size, desk top size, storage, shelving, materiality, desk groupings, and fl oor plan layouts.

0’ 10’5’ 15’

Studio 804

Studio 409

Gallery

ConferenceAuxiliary Space

Proposed Partition Walls

Proposed Partition Walls

A.

0’ 10’5’ 15’

Studio 804

Studio 409

Gallery

ConferenceAuxiliary Space

Proposed Partition Walls

Proposed Partition Walls

A.

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Concept Development:As a studio we were all drawn to what we referred to as a “cavity top” design. The term “cavity top” refers to a long bank of desks with a short, wide, and deep opening underneath for storage. Additionally, we liked the idea of having a trough that extended down the middle of the desk pods housing electrical outlets. Finally, we agreed upon a steel structure to match the language of the industrial space.

Early on in the design process, we locked onto the concept of the horizontal cavity top fl oating above “staple legs” (U-shaped legs made from three thick pieces of

rectangular steel tubing). Our concept overall began to develop around the idea of line profi les: the lines of the desktop edge, drawer edges, and staple legs. We also decided upon higher desks rather than shorter desks for stand-up work and conferencing. To make the back of the cavity top accessible, we turned it into a drawer. After experimenting with many storage options, we decided to go with a simple design that fl oats under the table between two desks in a four pod. The design of the storage unit, too, incorporates a line profi le.

Fabrication Timeline

3/4” Baltic Plywood Cavity Box

3/4” Round Shank Screw1 1/4” Baltic Plywood Table Top

1 1/4” x 1 1/4” 11 ga. Tube Steel Rib

3” x 1/8” Flat Steel Runner

3” x 5” 11 ga. Tube Steel Stapple Leg

5/8” Hex Nut

1’ - 10 3/4” - 10 3/4”2’ - 3”

1’- 4 1/4”1’ - 7”

2’ - 10”2’ - 9 1/4”

2’- 3”2’- 3”

1’- 10 3/4”

1”1’- 1 1/2”1’- 1 1/2”1”

0’- 11 3/8”

0’ - 1” 0’ - 1”

2’ - 10”

2’- 3”

- 1”

1FRAME

9’- 6”

4’- 4”

0’- 5 1/2”

1’- 1’- 1’- 11 5/8”

Weld inside and outside corners, leaving the corner edges untouched.

Grind smooth the outside welds on the two outer ribs where it will sit flush with the staple legs.

1’- 11 5/8”5’- 4”

3’ - 0”Grind inside and outside edges in

preparation to receive weld.

Weld inside and outside joints.

Leave outside corner edge exposed.

Fill with epoxy or hit lightly with grinding wheel.

1” x 3” Tube Steel Spine is welded to the 5” x 3”

1 1/4” x 1 1/4“ Rib is welded to the 1” x 3” Spine

1/8” Flat Steel Runner is welded to the underside of the 1 1/4” x 1 1/4” Rib

2’- 0 3/4”

3’- 6 1/8”

3’- 6 1/8”

Staple Leg

BOTTOM

1’- 1 1/2”1’- 1 1/2”

2STORAGE

3 4

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Steel Cutting Welding Grinding Wood Cutting Wood Finishing Electrical Wiring

Fabrication Timeline

3/4” Baltic Plywood Cavity Box

3/4” Round Shank Screw1 1/4” Baltic Plywood Table Top

1 1/4” x 1 1/4” 11 ga. Tube Steel Rib

3” x 1/8” Flat Steel Runner

3” x 5” 11 ga. Tube Steel Stapple Leg

Steel Baltic Plywood

5/8” Hex Nut

1’ - 10 3/4”2’ - 3”

1’- 4 1/4”1’ - 7”

2’ - 10”

0’ - 1” 0’ - 1”

2’ - 10”

2’- 3”

1

1” x 3” Tube Steel Spine is welded to the 5” x 3”

1 1/4” x 1 1/4“ Rib is welded to the 1” x 3” Spine

1/8” Flat Steel Runner is welded to the underside of the 1 1/4” x 1 1/4” Rib

Staple Leg

A

B

C

C

BOTTOM

A

3’- 5 1/2”

2’- 3”

2’- 2 1/4”

0’- 3 1/2”

C

3’- 5 1/2”

0’- 3 1/2”

B

0’- 3/8”

0’- 1”1’- 1/2”

A

1’- 1/2” 1’- 1/2”0’- 1”

0’- 1”

0’- 1”

1’- 1/2”

1’- 1/2”

0’- 3/8”

0’- 3/8”

2 3DRAWER

4CONNECT

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The Final Design:The fi nal design divides the 60 desks into 15 pods of 4. It combines a steel frame with a laminated wood top and wooden storage elements. The steel frame is composed of three components: the spine, the ribs, and the staple legs. Within the spine is a trough-like space for electrical conduit and power strips to run. Above the desks fl oats the 1-1/4” baltic birch plywood top with a durable dark gray laminated surface. The top is connected to the steel frame below by hidden bolts. Resting upon the ribs of the steel frame are drawers for large fl at storage. At the center of each four pod are two storage units each with two lower spaces for large item storage and two smaller upper drawers for small item storage. The storage units and wide drawers are all made of baltic birch plywood and have shellac and polyurethane fi nishes.

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Challenges with Lessons:

Limitations: Limitations such as time, budget, and resources forced us to restrict our design leading to unachieved expectations and disappointment. 17 Designers: With so many self-confi dent designers working on one design, making sure everyone’s voice was heard was very diffi cult.Craftsmanship: We underestimated how diffi cult it would be to get everything perfect on the fi rst try. Good craftsmanship required patience and practice.Communication: Divided into separate task groups with limited meeting time per week made communication poor without extra effort.

Overcoming these challenges and others is what made this studio most rewarding. I learned how to work professionally with others not of my choosing, as well as important hands-on construction skills. I learned a great deal about how a project goes from a sketch on paper to a product in real life, and how much work goes into getting it there.

Mixed MediaIndependent Works

Compiled Over Time 004

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There is a difference between what exists and what is perceived through experience. Capturing these experiences can be done in so many ways. A drawing

or sketch allows one to explain the world how they see it. Through a photograph, one may add focus or depth to an otherwise ordinary scene. Collage combines all of these things, allowing one to synthesize a range of items to communicate one big idea. What we choose to include or leave out, emphasize or down play, these are what make our readings of our environment unique and thus our experiences our own.

Strong Hall StaircaseLawrence, Kansas

Ink and pencil on paperSpring 2012

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G.P. Scholarship HallLawrence, Kansas

Ink and pencil on paperSpring 2012

Potter Lake BridgeLawrence, KansasInk and pencil on paperSpring 2012

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10801 Mastin StreetOverland Park, KansasGelatin silver printSpring 2011

Light and SpindlesOverland Park, Kansas

Gelatin silver printSpring 2011

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Bangledesh Parliament Dhaka, Bangladesh

Louis KahnGraphite on paper

Fall 2008

Notre Dame du HautRonchamp, FranceLe CorbusierGraphite on paperFall 2008

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Opening Barcelona: CityTransmutation of the CityStudy Abroad DocumentationBarcelona, SpainDigital CollageSummer 2012

Opening Barcelona: DetailTransmutation of the City

Study Abroad DocumentationBarcelona, Spain

Digital CollageSummer 2012