Portfolio - Abigail Belsan

ABIGAIL BELSAN Architectural Portfolio

Forest City Church - Elgin A NEW HOME FOR AN EXISTING LOCAL CHURCH PLANT IN DOWNTOWN ELGIN.

This church was designed around 1 Peter 2:9 and embodies the concept of stepping “out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Compression and release is paired with clerestory light to give users a feeling of relief as they move through the sanctuary, designating it as a holy and sacred space.

“

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

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1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

The overall form of the church is informed by both the site and the concept. Because of the adjaceny to the river and the existing centralized circulation, the structure is located on the northwest corner of the site. The monumental corner acts as a beacon to the community while bringing ample clerestory light into the sanctuary. Additionally, the u-shape of the plan acts as open arms; announcing entry and drawing the user in.

Worship Office Suite Fellowship Education Restrooms Mech/Elec/Storage

Capturing the threshold of moving from darkness to light, the roof forms are offset to allow slits of light in that gently illuminate the ceiling. At the highest peak there exists a unique formation of skylights and windows. These openings wash the back wall with light and draw the user forward towards the altar. The space is made to feel compelling and sacred.

The Edge A MIXED-USE TOWNHOME COMMUNITY IN DOWNTOWN ELGIN. Downtown Elgin is a historic area currently making efforts towards urbanization. The Edge offers a mixed -use space that both connects residential and commercial areas as well as low income and high income areas.

SEPARATE

ORIENT

OFFSET

Taking advantage of the two highly trafficked adjacent roads (Highland Ave and Route 31), the design creates two strong commercial edges. With a total of nine shops, the ample green space complete with benches, trees, light posts, and an intricate network of sidewalks all work together to create a commercial hub. Raised up and set slightly back are the townhome units. The elevated space and intimate quad create a neighborhood-like community with sufficient privacy.

One goal of this project was to offer the tenants a sense of ownership and privacy, despite their somewhat communal living. The offsets of the units successfully give each unit privacy for their respective balconies/porches. Each unit is also given its own front door, allowing each resident a feeling of homecoming when they enter.

Consultan Address Address Address Phone

1

East 3/16" = 1'-0"

2

West 3/16" = 1'-0"

3

4

South 3/16" = 1'-0"

North 3/16" = 1'-0"

Consultan Address Address Address Phone

Consultan Address Address Address Phone

Consultan Address Address Address Phone

Consultan Address Address Address Phone

4

South 1" = 10'-0"

No.

1 0'-0"

29' - 0 27/32"

REF.

W/D

1 A103

1

Level 1 1" = 10'-0"

Upper Plan Level 4 1" = 10'-0"

Consult Address Address Address Phone

REF.

3

Consult Address Address Address Phone

Consult Address Address Address Phone

Lower Plan 2

Level 3 1" = 10'-0"

Consult Address Address Address Phone

REF.

W/D

Consult Address Address Address Phone

No. Level 4 3 1" = 10'-0"

Section

Roof Assembly (Interior to Exterior): Gypsum 5/8” Plywood Sheathing 7/16” Rigid Insulation 5” Air Gap with 2x8 Rafters 2 1/4” Plywood Sheathing 7/16” Membrane Shingles

Summer Solstice

Winter Solstice

Wall Assembly (Interior to Exterior): Gypsum 5/8” Furring Strips 1 5/8” CMU 7 5/8” Vapor Barrier Rigid Insulation 4” Water Barrier Air Gap 2’ Brick Veneer 3 5/8”

West Dundee Public Library AN INVITING AND NATURAL SPACE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WEST DUNDEE. The library combines the concept of layers with the desire for a “natural” feeling through it’s interaction with the site. The lower level is terraced to follow the slope of the site and utilizes heavy retaining walls that are integrated both on the interior and exterior.

LAYER

CIRCULATE

OFFSET

Teen Collection

Staff Work Areas

Children’s Collection

Community Space

Family Reading Area

Adult Collection

www.autodesk.com/revit

Wall Assembly (Interior to Exterior): Gypsum 5/8” Furring 1 5/8” CMU Vapor Barrier Rigid Insulation 2” Water Barrior Air Gap 2” Metal Panel Veneer 1” www.autodesk.com/revit

Consultant Address Address A104 Address Phone 2

A104 2

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Break Room

Technical Services Workroom

Library Director Office

Children Play Area

Courtyard

Circulation Workroom

Consultant Address Listening Stations Address Address Phone

Storage

4

Children's Collection

3

Study Rooms Common Reading Room

Courtyard Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Storage A104

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Conference Room

Staff Offices

Misc.

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Consultant Address Address Address Sound Studio Phone

Community Service Suite

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Quiet Reading Room

A104

3

Community Room

A104

Adult Collection Public Meeting Public Meeting Room Room

Cafe

Study Rooms Group Study Room

Self Checkout

Familiy Reading Area

Gallery

Upper Plan

1

Level 3 1/16" = 1'-0"

No.

Description

Date

Life Skills Classroom

6’

No.

Description

Date

Lower Plan

1

1

A104

A104

Owner

Project Name

South Elevation

Consultant Address Address Address Phone

Lower Level Project Number

Project Number

3’ Owner Project Name Upper Level

Boxcar Cabin A PROPOSED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) FOR THE CITY OF ALTOONA, WISCONSIN. This design competition entry was a collaborative effort with two of my peers. I participated in the research and schematic design phases. Once digitally modeled, I was responsible for the interior and exterior perspective renderings.

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The design solution revolves around versatility. This one-bedroom unit includes a flexible loft space. The industrial style of the project pays homage to the railroad around which the town of Altoona was built. Clad in metal siding, the exterior makes a statement while utilizing an affordable and versatile material. A concrete accent wall and wooden exposed collar ties add character to the unit, while the vaulted ceiling makes a relatively small footprint feel like a large space.

(Open to Below)

Upper Plan

Lower Plan

Other Works A COMPILATION OF HANDSKETCHING AND WATERCOLOR.