Abigail Roletter - Undergraduate Portfolio

Abigail Roletter

Undergraduate Portfolio University of Virginia School of Architecture Bachelor of Science in Architecture, 2020

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VICENZA PROGRAM | 0 3 Study Abroad, Summer 2018

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EAST VILLAGE AQUATIC CENTER | 11 ARCH 3010, Fall 2018

CONTENTS

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CARR’S HILL ARTS CENTER | 1 5

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HYGROBLOOM | 1 9

ARCH 3020, Spring 2019

ARCH 4010, Fall 2019

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NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN LAND AND LAGOON | 2 9 ARCH 4010, Fall 2019

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VICENZA PROGRAM ARCH 5800 | Professor Charles Menefee Summer 2018

Hand sketching and architectural history study program led by Charles Menefee, Luis Pancorbo, and Ines Martin-Robles based in Vicenza, Italy. Students travelled throughout northern Italy exploring the verncular and visiting notable sites sketching architecture, landscapes, and everything in between under the guidance of professors. The program lasted five weeks and provided students with the opportunity for tremendous growth of confidence towards hand sketching and exposure to architecture’s classical roots.

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Fig. 1.1: Market scene - Vicenza, Italy

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Fig. 1.2: Loggia Perspective at the Basilica - Vicenza, Italy

Fig. 1.3: Alcove Perspective - Palazzo Te - Mantua, Italy

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Fig. 1.4: Perspective drawing of a clock tower - Grand Canal - Venice, Italy

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Fig. 1.5: Chapel Entrance - Carlo Scarpa’s Brion Cemetery - San Vito d’Altivole, Italy

Fig. 1.6: Doorway Perspective - Carlo Scarpa’s Castelvecchio - Verona, Italy

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Fig. 1.7: Axon of a stream system in the largely hydropowered town of Treviso, Italy

Fig. 1.8: Basilica Perspective - Vicenza, Italy

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Fig. 1.9: City View - Santuario di Monte Berico - Vicenza, Italy

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Fig. 1.10: Dam Perspective - Vicenza, Italy

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EAST VILLAGE AQUATIC CENTER ARCH 3010 | Professor Charles Menefee Fall 2018

Third Year Fall Foundation Studio students were tasked with creating a ‘guild hall,’ a community center which pulls from both the city dynamics of New York and the projected supplementation of a site-specific neighborhood. The site, at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 7th Street, is located in the East Village with a majority population of young working adults as well as small families. On a site visit to New York, students got to experience the sites first-hand and had the opportunity to sketch, diagram, photograph, and gather information about the city and island as a whole. This project draws inspiration from Manhattan’s existence as an island and the importance its role as a port city has played towards its development and diversity. The East Village Aquatic Center is designed as a space for people to be brought together in appreciation of the water. Meeting space for river conservation groups and sailing clubs in addition to a recreational pool in the basement level and a rainwater collection system on the roof create the hydro-centric sense of community within this project.

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Fig. 2.1: Transparent Axon

Fig. 2.2: Exploded Axon

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Fig. 2.3: Transverse Section

Fig. 2.4: Longitudinal Section

Fig. 2.5: Basement Plan

Fig. 2.6: Ground Plan

Fig. 2.7: 2nd Floor Plan

Fig. 2.8: 3rd Floor Plan

Fig. 2.9: Fourth Floor Plan

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Fig. 2.10: First Floor Perspective

Fig. 2.11: Roof Render

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CARR’S HILL ARTS CENTER ARCH 3020 | Professor Ali Fard Spring 2019

Carr’s Hill field, adjacent to Arts Grounds at the University of Virginia, is home to miscellaneous sports matches from quidditch to ultimate frisbee, as well as various other activities.

The multi-functionality of Carr’s Hill field affords the ability to cater to many organizations’ needs for space in the University Community. The Arts Center site is intended to fill similar needs of the arts community, with additional studio and performance spaces, housing for resident artists, cafe spaces, etc. The intention of the project is to fulfill and inspire through the use of natural features such as plant life, moments of pause, and integration of disciplines.

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Fig. 3.4: Conceptual sketch 1

Fig. 3.1: Exploded axon

Fig. 3.2: Axonometric view of Carr’s Hill site

Fig. 3.5: Conceptual sketch 2

Fig. 3.3: Screen detail

Fig. 3.6: Conceptual sketch 3

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Fig. 3.11: 4th Floor Plan

Fig. 3.8: Ground Floor Plan

Fig. 3.10: 3rd Floor Plan

Fig. 3.7: Basement Plan

Fig. 3.9: 2nd Floor Plan

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Fig. 3.13: Longitudinal section

Fig. 3.12: Transverse section

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HYGRO BLOOM ARCH 4010 | Professor Ehsan Baharlou Fall 2019

Wood, as a building material, has proven to be a versatile asset to architects throughout time.

Its lightweight characteristics as well as a multitude of capabilities across different species and cuts allows it to be one of the most functional building materials in the world. With this studio being based in the exploration of the natural properties of wood, our group wished to see just how far we could push these properties to form a project with unexpected capabilities.

Hygro Bloom is a hygrosenstive shape-shifting facade system. Inspired by both the pine cone and kinetic architecture facades, this system blends the life of a moving facade with the natural properties of wood. Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it is able to absorb moisture from the air. This absorption changes the physical properties of the material. After several weeks of study, we found that these changes can be measured and harnessed to create specific results. We tested scale, proportion, perforation patterns, grain orientation, active layer material thickness, passive layer materials, moisture content levels, and lamination techniques. Through all of these this research, we were able to devise a two dimensional curvature created from three pieces of wood of different grain orientations laminated on one piece of fiberglass. These pieces, called petals, act as the moving “kinetic” portion of the facade system. When dry, the petals will curl towards the center of their frame to let light in. When wet, the petals will lay flat in the unit to close the window. Each unit contains six petals on two separate levels which mimic a magnolia flower. These units were placed together in an organic, branchlike structure to mirror the origin of the material.

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Fiberglass Cloth Passive Layer

Active Layer

Maple Veneer

Fig. 4.1: Components of the bilayer lamination technique

Fig. 4.2: Bilayer lamination technique resulting curvature

detaches from the tree and is no longer Many examples of climate responsiveness in living, therefore only performing this moveplants are moisture-driven. One of the most ment based off of natural properties of the well-known examples of hygroscopic behav- pinecone’s physical makeup. ior within nature is that of the pine cone. Pine Softwood vs. Hardwood cones have developed the ability to alter Hygroscopic’ is defined by Merriam Webster their states depending on the humidity of the as “readily taking up and retaining moisture.” environment they are in. When dry, a pine When considering hygroscopic actuation in cone will be open in order to disperse seeds, to wood, one must consider species. Wood while when in a wet environment, the pine- is naturally a material that has a relationship cone will fold in on itself in order to prevent with water, but the way water is transportrot or damage to the seeds. The movement ed through a tree’s living wood depends on of the pinecone is passive because the cone the size and structure of its cells in addition

to species. Softwood, from coniferous trees such as pine, has elongated cells known as tracheids that transport water and provide structural support. Hardwoods have vessel elements, or pores, that carry water amongst cells. Due to the porous nature of hardwood, it is the better candidate for use in studies of wood’s hygroscopic properties. When exposed to humidity, hardwoods will have an increased moisture content and expand, conversely contracting when they are subjected to dryer conditions.

The Pine Cone

Bilayer Lamination

This expansion and contraction is a useful tool in hygroscopic design because it can be counteracted by a passive layer in the bilayer lamination technique. This method consists of two layers, active and passive, laminated together to create a composite. The active layer, in this case, is a 0.5mm thick maple veneer. The passive layer is the combination of polyeurethane glue and .005mm thick fiberglass cloth. When exposed to humidity, the expansion of the active layer will produce a curve.

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Fig. 4.3: Geometric form of the first multidirectional bending test

Fig. 4.4: Results of the first multidirectional bending test

After fully understanding the process, benefits, and limitations of one dimentional hygroscopic bending, we decided to attempt a two way bending system. Our first test was made up of a rectangle with a horizontal grain orientation and two triangles with perpendicular grain orientation on either side. The pieces were lam-

inated side by side on the same sheet of fiberglass so that they were connected as one piece. The results were not promising. The system bent in two diections, but entirely seperately. The curl of the rectangle did not affect the triangles.

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Fig. 4.5: Natural Inspiration Different layers and curvature in a magnolia flower

In order to distinguish our research from previous studies of hygroscopic behavior in wood, we decided to pursue a module shape that afforded multi-directional curvatures. We studied the blooming behavior of flowers, eventually deciding to pursue a design that is inspired by the magnolia flower. Magnolia grandiflora is a

large evergreen tree native to the southeastern states of the United States. Figure 4.5 shows how magnolia flowers have layered petals with differing amounts of curvature.

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A

B

C

D

E

Fig. 4.6: Shape Tests Diagrams and results of testing various segmenting of the petal in order to achieve optimal curvature

The original petal had sections oriented at a 160 degree angle, and two more petals with a 140 degree rotation and a 120 degree rotation were tested. The most successful of the three tests was the 140 degree grain rotation because it showed a good balance of curvature along the centerline in addition to inward curvature of the two outer sections. However, the design of the triple segmented petal was still not producing the most

desirable results due to to uncontrollable twisting and sharp angles at the intersection of segments at the edges. After the flawed performance of the initial petal prototype, 6 new petal designs were drawn up with varied shapes of the center section (Fig. 4.6).

Petal D created the best curvature. This is the form that was chosen to later be integrated into an aggregation pattern similarly inspired by the magnolia flower.

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Fig. 4.7: Petal Unit Individual petals are defined by dual-curvature created through lamination of segments with varied grain orientations

In order to accentuate and further refine the curvature of the petal, it was decided that different fiberglass weaves and weights should be tested. The most successful was a .003” thickness fiberglass woven fabric, producing the results seen in Fig. 4.7. This fabric was more successful because the thinner the passive layer is

Fig. 4.8: Concept Model Paper prototype based off of the

inrelation to the active layer, more bending can be achieved.

After refining the petal, it was necessary to devise a framing system upon which to mount the system. Fig. 4.8 shows the paper concept model for a frame and aggregation system that would later be made from wood.

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D C B

A

E Fig. 4.9: Concept sketches

The frame that holds the petals must be built from a wood that will be resistant to warping when exposed to humidity, and also be equipped with a system to firmly hold the petals in place. We decided to build the frame out of oak, which is notoriously moisture-resistant. Additionally, we devised a ‘sandwich’ method of securing

Fig. 4.10: Frame Assembly The ‘sandwich’ method

petals to the frame, where the top layer of petals is wedged between part C and part B, while the bottom layer is wedged between part A and part B. The assembly is secured by a bolt (part D) and a nut (part E) that are tightened to ensure a secure fit (Fig. 4.10).

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Fig. 4.11: Open State System when exposed to

Fig. 4.12: Open State System when exposed to

The aggregation of the assembled units was chosen to be a geometric pattern informed by a natural spreading in order to further compliment the influence of the magnolia flower. The system is supported by a 4’x7’ wood frame fitted with metal rods that support the units at key points of connection.

Fig. 4.13: Open State System when exposed to 30% humidity

Fig. 4.14: Closed State System when exposed to 95% humidity

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Fig. 4.15: Application Collage

Hygro Bloom applied in a greenhouse setting, where it can be used as an indicator of humidity, which is important to regulate for many flowers and tropical plants.

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NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN LAND & LAGOON ARCH 4020 | Professor Mona El Khafif Fall 2019

The Outer Banks, low-lying barrier islands cradling the coast of North Carolina, face an unsure future at the mercy of rising sea levels and worsening storm events.

The need for a solution to not only preserve the culture and communities of the islands but also the larger buffering effects that protect North Carolina’s mainland coast grows more urgent with each passing day. This project proposes the extension of piers of varied programs extending from existing oblong parcels on the sound side of Cape Hatteras. The construction of these piers could prevent further harm to the islands caused by unsustainable development and hardscaping of land that must exist in a somewhat fluid state in order to maintain its width in addition to the health of the lagoon. Heavy development of the oceanfront interrupts important sedimentation processes. This hinders the deposition and accumulation of sediment to the sound side and facilitates erosion of beaches, causing the islands to become narrower. If a system of piers were in place on the threshold of the islands and the sound, new methods of inhabitation could be adopted in order to relieve the land of irresponsible development practices. Additionally, the field of piles supporting the piers and other erosion control techniques have the potential to capture sediment in its westward movement and help to hold it in place. This would provide a frame for the land to shift around, thus preserving the islands’ capabilities as a buffer for the mainland and stability for inhabitation. The task of preserving and preparing our coastal communities for a dangerous and unpredictable future is a challenging one. This projects serves to propose a sustainable alternative to present practices of coastal development, one that takes into account not only the needs of humans but that of local ecologies as well.

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Fig. 5.1: Coastal Cities Diagram Cape Hatteras was chosen as the project site due to its favorable land formation and central location on the Outer Banks

Fig. 5.2: Coastal Home Study Studying different types of coastal homes gave insight into weather proofing techniques as well as the disparity between the architecture of permanent residences and vacation rentals

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Fig. 5.3: Island Section

Fig. 5.4: Native Species

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Humans Residents and tourists

Unintended Inhabitants Habitats dynamically defined by nature’s tendency to fill in the cracks Oysters Aquaculture Water quality regulation Erosion control

Eelgrass Restoration of natural habitats Breeding and hunting ground for dozens of species of marine life Erosion control Fig. 5.5: Cohhabitation

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Fig. 5.6: Topography - present day

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Fig. 5.8: Topography - 4 foot sea level rise

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Fig. 5.7: Topography - 2 foot sea level rise

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Observation Tower

Wind Turbines Sustainable power supply to support not only each individual pier but the island’s preexisting structures Eelgrass Gardens Marine life habitat and erosion control

Eelgrass Gardens Marine life habitat and erosion control

Water Access

Fish Nursery

Recreational Block Unit of aggregation consisting of a small craft rental and repair shop, concessions, lounge area, and water access

Residential Block Unit of aggregation consisting of two type I units, three type II units, and one type III unit

Commercial Block Unit of aggregation consisting of a warehouse, small office, lodging for workers, and floating dock

Community Center

Public Storage

Scenic Walkways Elevated walkways meander through zones restored with native grasses plants

Environmental Center Location for research, environmental regulation, and fish and game offices Commercial Space

Vicinity to Existing Dredge

Commercial Space

Warehouse

Scenic Walkways Elevated walkways meander through zones restored with native grasses plants

Market Point of connection to Highway 12 and focal point of local industry

Fig. 5.11: Industrial Pier - Plan

Fig. 5.12: Residential Pier - Plan

Fig. 5.13: Leisure/Recreational Pier - Plan

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Fig. 5.14: Reidential Pier - Section

Fig. 5.17: Unit Type II - Isometric View

Fig. 5.15: Leisure/Reacreational Pier - Section

Fig. 5.16: Industrial Pier - Section

Fig. 5.18: Unit Type I - Plan

Fig. 5.20: Unit Type III - Plan

Fig. 5.19: Unit Type II - Plan

Fig. 5.21: Unit Type IV - Plan

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Fig. 5.22: Fair Weather Perspective

Fig. 5.23: Foul Weather Perspective

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The Univeristy of Virginia School of Architecture Abigail Virginia Roletter B.S. ARCH 2020