bio design art travel
theory of weak design
weak design transforms the aesthetic experience of
the artwork, and specifically of architecture, into event… in contemporary thought the
objective and the subjective are not different and opposing fields but constitute what is called
‘folds of a single reality.’ for architecture, this notion of the folds proves exceptionally illuminating. reality immerges as a continuum in which the time of the subject and the time of the external objects go round together on the same looped tape, with the encounter of objective and subjective only occurring when this continuous reality folds over in a
disruption of its continuity…an acceptance of a certain weakness, and thus of relegation to a secondary position, may possibly be the condition of design’s greatest elegance
and, ultimately, its greatest significant import… this is the strength of weakness; that strength which art and architecture are capable of producing precisely when they adopt a posture that is not aggressive and dominating, but tangential and weak.
-Ignasi De Sola-Morales
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cover letter Thank
you for considering me as an employee for your firm. after years of education
i have honed my increasing fascination and understanding of design in architecture, graphic design, landscape architecture, and urban design. my approach to designing
responsively, in the built or graphic environment, will support your firms continued commitment to high quality design as a result of creative and intelligent ideas.
I
have found that the use of diagrams, digital and physical modeling is the best way
of communicating, and for that reason i strive to stay up to date with techniques and software that support, reinforce, and represent the value of responsive design. my frequent use of adobe products; illustrator, photoshop, and indesign, as well as digital
modeling; autocad, sketchup, and revit, has allowed me to thoroughly communicate my ideas and processes. my understanding and knowledge of design communications as
well as the techniques i use to resolve design problems would be a great fit within your firm. it will give me great pleasure to collaborate with you and the clients you serve.
Thank you for taking the time to consider me as a member of your team. i would greatly appreciate an interview. i am confident that i can prove to be a valuable asset to your firm. Sincerely, ______________________________________________ Maggie Hanna-Elattar
information and references
Maggie Hanna-Elattar 3307 caspian drive palmdale, ca 93551 661.202.9743
maggiehanna2@gmail.com
Objective committed to improving the quality of life for all people by focusing on the urban environment, and how existing conditions
can be adapted to create more pleasant places for adults and children.
References -Deborah Powell office of the executive vice president and provost
-----Skill Set ArchiCAD (advanced)Sketchup Pro (moderate)Revit (beginner)Adobe cs5 Products (moderate) illustrator photoshop indesign ( Microsoft Products advanced) windows powerpoint
702.895.3777
debbie.powell@unlv.edu
-Fr. Youhanna Mouris archangel raphael & saint mina coptic orthodox church
310.773.1345
fr.youhanna@gmail.com
-Andrea Hamilton (m.arch) graduate; university of nebraska, lincoln 402.707.4309
andrea.j.hamilton@gmail.com
Personal Characteristics Languagesenglish arabic
Hobbies-
international travel volleyball cooking photography
education and involvement NewSchool of Architecture and Design -Masters of Architecture (2009 - 2011) deans list (fall 2010, winter/spring 2011) thesis think tank (2011)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas -Bachelors of Science in Architecture (2005 - 2009) american institute of architecture students
1st year representative (2005-2006) 2nd year representative (2006-2007)
active member (2005-2009)
secretary (2007-2008) active member (2005-2009)
national organization of minority arch. students sketch up workshop
student teaching students (2006-2007)
meals on wheels
food preparation and delivery (2007)
freedom by design
3rd year representative (2007-2008) active member (2006-2008)
University Studies Abroad Consortium -Architectural History and Italian Cuisine (2007) torino, italy
work and independent experience MDM Architects
Draftsman (internship)-
palmdale, california (2008-2009)
garage remodel---------
autocad architectural drawings--------communicated with clients---------
report on sustainable architectural construction materials and methods---------
UNLV Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost File Clerk las vegas, nevada (january 2007 – june 2009) organize files pertaining to all academic faculty--------monitored all documents entering and existing the department---------
Archangel Raphael & Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox Church Landscape Remodel Designer, Project Manager, Coordinator palmdale, california (2009) total landscape and play area remodeling-------- volunteer project---------
Beshoy Boulous Landscape Remodel Designer, Project Manager, Coordinator palmdale, california (2010) backyard remodel for palmdale resident---------
undergraduate
Delta
Hookah Lounge and Retail Center
The Center Live | Work | Play
adaptive reuse
urban
infill
infill
medium scale
large scale
graduate
Market
Farmers Plus | Retail | Picture Show
Open-Ended Design For Interstitial Play Reviving Detroit
adaptive reuse
infill
urban
exploratory
medium scale
extra large
Delta Hookah Lounge and Retail Center Building Form
nile and delta
Building Interior
pyramid planes
Project Background The abandoned sears
insertion of multiple floors
building, located on
vibrant fremont street, is the starting point of blight in the east village neighborhood. made
of
brick,
and
lacking
any
cutout reference to nile
sort
of connection and relationship to the pedestrian environment, this historic jewel
is critical to seaming together the existing gamming districts and the rest of east
village. creating a 24 hour environment that is conducive to urban walkablity was an important programmatic necessity, while
maintaining the building’s integrity was a personal design goal.
northern delta entry
building and sea convergence
pyramid wall and floor path
pyramid alluding interior
Weak Theory Design Process Not wanting to make aggressive changes to this historic architectural jewel, the
how
the
building
physically
opens
to
address the pedestrian environment created an indirect link between gaming on fremont
method of using gestures which allude to
and the rest of east village. meanwhile,
the egyptian landscape became the prime
referencing the pyramids of giza within the
means of redefining and repurposing this
building created an interesting urban edge
building. using the nile/delta to dictate
and dynamic multi use facility.
Delta Hookah Lounge and Retail Center inverse pyramid
building envelope
concept integration
pyramid envelope
hookah lounge
urban edge retail Fx
F
vertical circulation
multi use
restrooms
East Village Redevelopment (phase 1): This studio wide project studied east village in order to determine what its weaknesses are; abandonment, lack of pedestrian 6 environment, and awkward transition between gamming and residential zones. phase one of redevelopment provides a medium scale project that would be a sensible start to the redevelopment of
downtown. the adaptive reuse of the sears building rehabilitates many of the
Site Cross Roads Gamming Fremont Street 6th Street Fremont Street Experience
weaknesses that are present.
N
0’ 150’ 300’
600’
nile river and delta | final exterior form pyramids of giza | final interior design
The Center Live | Work | Play kaleidoscope revolution
physical rotation
interior movement
dropping of urban public space
repetition of rotation
dropping of play space
Project Background Blight in downtown las vegas’ east village is the result of several factors of the built environment;
the
most
prominent
being
empty lots. in this case several residential neighborhoods and educational facilities surround this vacant lot. the addition of
dropping of office space
a residential high-rise was determined an insignificant improvement for the area early on in the analysis of east village. as a result, this site became focused on live|work|play. the goal here is to provide a central point for all age groups to congregate any time of the day.
city block application
dropping of housing
Design Process The design of the
removal of excess
removal of focal point
mirrored building proportions
wheel design. meanwhile, the gravitational structure is based on the
deconstruction of a kaleidoscope. both the applied motion and natural gravitational
pull on inner materials is represented by sections of the building falling during the
rotation process. as a result, the structure
pull of pieces are represented and rotated
fulfills several of the sites needs; urban edge,
the applied motion is represented by a spin
breakdown of the building’s program.
around a central point or ‘looking tube.’
playful aesthetic, public space, and legible
The Center Live | Work | Play
communal balcony
urban edge retail
play space
office
residential
student housing
Fx F
East Village Redevelopment (phase 2): The final phase of this studio wide project focused on bringing density to downtown las vegas. in doing so, this phase required large scale projects to be placed throughout fremont street with an enforced housing standard. the centers’ design and program fulfilled the density goal M for east village and the personal design goals for a multi use facility that can be used by different age groups 24 hours
Site Cross Roads Gamming Fremont Street S. Maryland Pkwy. Fremont Street Experience
a day.
N
0’ 150’ 300’
600’
cross over bridges | outdoor public space eastern perspective | ramp to center roller rink
Farmers Plus Market | Retail | Picture Show appropriation of public space existing city block sized building footprint
traditional pedestrian level public space
adaptive reuses of roof space original farmers market
addition of three retail levels
Project Background Just outside of downtown
from poor appropriation of public space san diego is the
residential neighborhood of east village; an older latin community suffering from
a lack of mixed uses and public space. although most of this neighborhood does
not suffer from vacant lots, it does suffer
that could be conducive to a self sufficient community. this project is meant to redefine
how public space can be appropriated in an established community. the goal here is
to provide easily accessible activities for families and improve the local market.
elevated public space
building roof used for elevated public space
rooftop theater and public space
commingling of retail and public space
Weak Theory Design Process Since the farmers market is and
the
building
itself
has
its rooftop, which is nearly the size of a city still in use become
block and contains wheat sifting chimneys.
a
instead of allowing the roof to remain
take advantage of its form and size. rather
picture show and additional retail provides
community landmark, it is important to
than replacing the building with public space an opportunity was discovered on
unused, appropriating it with an outdoor
the neighborhood with much needed use diversity and public space.
Farmers Plus Market | Retail | Picture Show E
21
Downtown San Diego Urban Infill: Located on one of san diego’s major corridors, this site boarders downtown san diego and barrio logan. although density is not an issue in this part of town, accessibility to public and family friendly environments
is.
for
this
reason
an
innovative approach that combines infill and adaptive reuse is needed to improve this dynamic neighborhood. Site
Cross Roads Downtown 21st St. Commercial St. original structure East Village
C
original farmers market
retail
food and beverage
vertical circulation
stepped theater seating
picnic and theater seating
theater seating and retail commingling rooftop public space appropriation
Open-Ended Design For Interstitial Play Reviving Detroit downtown detroit macro analysis
residential
N
0 1/8 mi 1/4mi
1/2 mi
N
0 1/8 mi 1/4mi
1/2 mi
N
0 1/8 mi 1/4mi
1/2 mi
1mile
mixed use
freeway
1mile
industrial
rail line major street detroit river
N
0 1/8 mi 1/4mi
1/2 mi
1mile
Thesis Background The purpose of this study is to create socially
buildings,
valuable places where the urban fabric has
catalysts of blight as they physically divide
failed to provide for the needs of residents.
This
study
focuses
on
the
omnipresent
interstitial areas of a city; freeways, seas
of parking lots, rail lines and abandoned
which
do
not
1mile
promote
a
social function and typically become the and
separate
the
urban
fabric.
rather
than allowing these spaces to remain in a
constant state of lack luster pro-forma and no nuance, the simple insertion of a
Infrastructural Setback........................................... Infrastructure City Programming Effect Residential & Mixed Uses.................................. response to interstitial spaces
intervention network
S A RESULT OF INTERSTITAL SPACES IMPLEMENTING PLAY INTO INTERSTITIAL SPACES S A RESULT OF INTERSTITAL SPACES n.................................. Network for Volunteer Play............................... n.................................. network parking strands mation................... mation................... Play Sites.................................................. abandonedInterstitial cluster formation intervention sites .................................... .................................... infrastructure setback
mming Effect s.................................. mming Effect s..................................
N
0 1/8 mi1/4 mi
1/2 mi
1 mile
N
0 1/8 mi1/4 mi
1/2 mi
1 mile
intervention example
infrastructure defined zones place for play is studied as a solution to a
sites were made, ranging from rail lines to
Research Process Using detroit as a test site, a thorough
on a micro scale. however, the process
problem present in all urban cities.
macro scale analysis of the city was conducted in order to locate possible
sites to rehabilitate. the selections of ten
abandoned buildings, visited and analyzed for designing open-ended forms required an approach that would expose layers of
play first. this was done through child like and creative brain drawings.
Open-Ended Design For Interstitial Play Reviving Detroit
pedestrian
Weak Theory Design Process: Open-ended design allows for
vehicular
play that are lightly programmed and yet
site analysis
created by users. following the designer’s
parking
creative brain drawings, which expose layers
hub
of play; form finding via three dimensional
residential
models can be extruded from each drawing.
business education
these models are used to dictate form and overcome open-ended design challenges.
religious park
from this point on the user becomes the
recreational N
industrial neighborhood
levels of
0’ 1871/2’ 375’
750’
1500’
master designer of the site. it is up to them to program each site to their own liking according to the seasons and over time.
creative brain exposure of play form finding for open-ended play
traditional
Isolate
Collage
building elements
separate
surface shadows
modular
reflections
redefine
experimental
Merge relate merge composition
Isolate Elements | Shadows | Reflections Building Element and Shadow Isolation Series: Inspired by the photography
of lewis baltz, this series of graphite freehand drawings focuses on singular building elements that, when
isolated, can be interpreted in several ways by the viewer.
in this study, my focus was on shadows cast onto and from
building elements. awnings,
windows and fire ladders were used in my initial exploration of
element isolation.
Prominent Building Element Isolation: Architectural ribbons on the geisel are
isolated
while
four
buttress
library
surfaces
are incorporated in this drawing for depth.
Building Reflection Isolation: While windows on the library are another architectural component, it is the reflections
prominent caused by
the buildings angularity that is interesting in isolation.
Collage Separate| Modular | Redefine Building Reflection Isolation Deconstructive Collage: Using the unique shapes and shadows derived from the
previous ‘building reflection isolation
drawings,’ i was able to separate each reflection to act as a module that can be organized,
repeated, and redefined.
although, this collage is the product of an isolated moment
on geisel library, it can stand on its own.
Merge relate | merge | composition
Merging of Isolated Elements: The final graphite drawing in this series merges the ‘prominent building element’ drawing with the ‘building reflection’ drawing in a collage like fashion. since both were created from the same building an opportunity was discovered; building elements that are drawn could be merged to create an interesting composition.
europe
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north america
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International Europe
International Europe
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