Alan Taylor Portfolio
Alan Ross Taylor
0650 SW Gaines St. Portland, OR 97239 Alanrtaylor10@gmail.com 208.661.9276
I grew up in a small town in the panhandle of North Idaho. My family’s house was in a forested area that had been subdivided into five acre lots. People kept to themselves and it was at least a twenty minute car ride to town. This resulted in a lot of down time as a child. For me, this time was spent outdoors learning from and interacting with mother nature. It was also spent tinkering with various mechanical objects and tools in my fathers shop trying to problem solve how they were assembled. From an early age I was rooted with a deep connection to the outdoors and a yearning to understand the assembly of nearly everything around me. During the last four years of my life I have had the opportunity to apply my fascination of understanding to the world of design, and it has been an incredible experience. I feel strongly that designers hold a special responsibility to the society. It is our duty to understand problems that our fellow human beings face and assist them in finding the best solution to fit their needs as well as the needs of our society and our environment.
Experience 06.16-08.16
green building services - Research Fellow - Portland, OR
-Developed education materials for USGBC.org -Collaborated with professionals on creating content for USGBC use -Directed video tours of local ‘green buildings’ for USGBC use 01.16-12.16
University of Oregon - Research Fellow - Portland, OR
-Researched topics related to Nico Larco’s sustainable urban design framework -Interacted with local professionals about specific topics -Presented information in both a verbal and chapter format 01.15-08.15
Sparano + Mooney Architecture - Architectural Intern - Salt Lake City, UT
-Researched and developed conceptual foundations for projects -Worked with local government and filed for permits -Developed presentation quality architectural drawings 01.15-06.15
University of Utah - Undergraduate Research Program - Salt Lake City, UT
-Researched the structure and layering of music and its implications for space -Constructed a conceptual model expressing this relationship -Collaborated with Anne Mooney and John Sparano of Sparano + Mooney Architecture 01.15-06.15
University of Utah - Elementary Participatory Design Program - Salt Lake City, UT
-Developed curriculum for gifted six-graders that introduced them to the ‘design process’ -Mentored students in design and documentation of final product -Facilitated collaboration of Road Home homeless shelter, U of Utah, and SLC School District 06.14-08.14
Cannon Design - ChicagoLab Embedded Studio - Chicago, IL
-Researched Chicago’s urban landscape -Led a team in proposing and presenting futuristic infill projects -Collaborated closely with various principals of Chicago based design firms 12.14-1.15
GraySlab Architects - Architecture Intern - Salt Lake City, UT
-Designed visual presentations for clients -Performed 3d modeling of details and sections -Built cohesive revit templates
Education 09.15-06.17
Master of Architecture - University of Oregon
-Urban Architecture + Urban Design Specialization 08.13-06.15
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies - University of Utah -President’s List
08.11-06.13
Associate of Science in Architectural Technology - Salt Lake Community College -High Honors
Other Software -Revit, Autocad, Sketchup, Rhino, Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Endnote -Climate Consultant, Sefaira
Awards -Undergraduate Research Scholar -University of Utah Departmental full-ride scholarship -University of Utah Design Excellence -Golden Key Honor Society -Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Contents i.tmi
1
Live.work.create
15
open space catalysts
29
the glow effect
35
bridging the gap
41
collaborative isolation
49
1
i.tmi
Higher Education Film School
Location
Portland, OR
Year
Graduate - 2017
Description
The Institute of the Moving Image (i.TMI) is a hypothetical higher education facility located in Portland, OR. Its mission is to educate its students in the history, theory and design of film, animation and gaming. Its programs range from cinematic history to game hacking. This is a place for research, discourse and exploration. The building allows and promotes both working in teams as well as personal expression. It is through this lens in which I attempted to solve the following questions: -What is the future of education? -What is the future of a workspace? -What role does technology play in this? -What role does human interaction play?
2
Description
The i.TMI leverages the immersive nature of film as a concept for dividing and organizing space. The overall mass of the building is split into two main masses. One mass is totally immersive. Everything about these spaces is inward focused. It utilizes enclosed circulation, small openings and stark divisions. The opposing mass acts in a complementary manner and is outward focused. Thin curtain walls and free flowing spaces allow students to feel all the external forces around them. Finally, a void space connects the two masses and ties them together.
Overall Site Plan 3
Connect the North Park Blocks to broadway
Organize program in relation to external forces
Utilize the resultant negative space 4
hydrology + wind
5
geologic + volcanic
material + location
proximity + orientation
6
Level 1
7
5’
10’
15’
20’
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
8
East West Section 9
10
North South Section 11
12
West Entry 13
14
15
Live.work.create
Live/Work Housing Project
Location
Portland, OR
Year
Graduate - 2016
Description
LiveWorkCreate is an adaptable, live/work community that is centered around affordable, sustainable and creative living. The project provides the opportunity for local craftsmen, artisans and creators of any kind to live, work and create under one roof. The program consists of twenty-three residential units, seven large work studios, ten small work studios and a large communal workspace that houses a wood shop, metal shop and digital fabrication lab. The residential units are designed in three sizes and are outfitted with only a plumbing core that consists of a bathroom and kitchen sink. This allows residents to build out their homes as they like and at their own pace.
16
Description
Portland’s Central Eastside industrial district is full of old warehouses that are slowly being transformed into all sorts of creative endeavors. The site plan illustrates how LiveWorkCreate fits in to the thriving creative community. It shows it central relationship to all of the other creative spaces within its district. This project strives to be a key player in its local community while also fostering community within. The multiple live/work relationships offered within the building promote a natural mixing of established craftsmen, intermediate designers and novice creatives.
Direct
live/work relationships 17
Near
separated
initial Site
ell
Dw
rk
Wo
Divide Live + Work
Maximize sunlight
connect with Nature 18
32’ Unit 40’ Unit Unit configurations
32’ Unit 19
48’ Unit
level 3
level 2
level 1
level 0 20
Courtyard 21
22
Section Perspective 23
24
Communal Workspace 25
26
PV Panels
Natural Ventilation
Photovoltaic panels convert sun rays to energy to heat and power the building.
Operable windows + garage doors allow for passive ventilation.
Herb Garden
Communal planters allow residents to interact and grow their own herbs.
Shading Elements
Each balcony is equipped with shading elements that provide protection from direct summer sunlight as well as oer a sense of privacy.
Local Materials
Making use of local Oregon timber. Reducing travel + supporting local economy.
Bike Parking
One to one in accessed und
27
Daylighting
Ample southern glazing reduces energy demand while improving occupant comfort.
Connect to Nature
Courtyard visually connects to every unit while also treating rainwater.
Bioswales
Slows water runoff down and allows it to recharge.
Green Roof
Reduces urban heat island effect, filters water, slows runoff and creates habitat.
ndoor bike parking der stairs.
28
29
Open Space catalysts District Urban Design
Location
Portland, OR
Year
Graduate - 2016
recognition
Presented to Portland City Council
Description
The laboratory for this exploration was the 82nd Avenue Corridor in East Portland. 82nd Avenue is a major north-south corridor, which extends from Portland International Airport in the north 11 miles south into Clackamas County where it connects to I-205 just south of Clackamas Town Center, a major commercial shopping area. The corridor is a primary suburban-like arterial within a low-density, automobile-dominated landscape. As such it both anchors and divides several ethnically diverse neighborhoods and shopping districts.
30
Description
The aim of this project was to leverage open space in a way to enhance community engagement and heighten the overall quality of life. Euclidean zoning was thrown out the window for the most part and importance was placed on the density and intensity of use and units. This was designed as a model way of developing major intersections throughout 82nd avenue that allows areas to develop organically. It was pedestrian forward and looked to minimize automobile use.
loop
heart
catalysts
concept sketch
Site map 31
view from park
view from loop 32
Heart Section
12’
pedestrian walk
12’
streetcar & auto
12’
auto only
12’
auto turn-lane
12’
auto only
12’
12’
streetcar & auto
pedestrian walk
es
6 stori
4 stories
150’
heart guidlines
33
25’
-150’ building length limit -building articulation every 25’ -60% transparency of ground floor -outdoor residential space for each unit -no setbacks -up to 6 stories -buildings touching intersection must have residential component -percentage of units to be affordable
100’
loop guidlines
25’
-100’ building length limit -building articulation every 25’ -40% transparency of ground floor -outdoor residential space for each unit -no more than 10’ setbacks -up to 4 stories -must step back after 2 stories
Mixed-Use ‘Heart’ -up to 6 stories high -retail, office & residential -larger neighborhood draws (comm. center, theatre) -active ground floor use
Mixed-Use Loop
-up to 4 stories high -retail & residential -smaller local draws (bakery, market) -24 hour use
Mixed-Use Gradient
-up to 3 stories high -cafe & residential -direct resident draws (coffee shop, small cafe)
Education
-Multnomah University -418 current students -Vestal Elementary -406 current students
Medium-High Density Residential
-addition of residential units around open spaces in order to get eyes on the parks and to active the area
Loop Section
8’
ped
3’
12’
auto one way
6’
bike
6’ 3’
8’
ped
34
35
the glow effect
Design Build Sun Screen
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Year
Undergraduate - 2014
team
Elizabeth Poulsen Gonzalo Calquin Brenton Scobee
Description
The design problem for this project was to create a sun screen that could be easily fabricated and assembled. We created a modular HDPE system that was CNC’d and fastened to a repetative steel structure. Intricate connections and digital details ensured the end product came together correctly.
36
basic square grid
Description
Begin with a rigid square grid.
The project began with the simple organization of a grid. The resultant gridded squares were then bent and shaped in order to heighten the visual expereience with light. After the ideal effect was achieved through a variety of module sizes, the frame was then developed to accomodate for easy assemble and the unique modules shapes.
bend and shape
Oversize the plastic requiring it to bend in order to fit square grid.
divide
Divide the module in order to allow for more light to pass through.
use waste
Use off cut pieces as a shading devices that bounce light back onto original form.
module 1
12.5”
modules applied to a 12” grid 37
module 2
13”
module 3
13.5”
module 4
14”
frame connectin detail
sequencing + connectin detail 38
module 4
module 3
module 2
module 1
screen assembly + field connection details 39
40
41
Bridiging the gap
District Library Design
Location
Portland, OR
Year
Graduate - 2016
Description
Proposed is a local library that sits between Old Town and the Pearl District in Portland. The library will be a general research library for high school students, in addition to the usual local lending functions. Therefore, it will need significantly more capacity for books than a normal branch lending library. The library will also support a wide set of needs for adjacent neighborhoods. It will include public event rooms, meeting rooms, neighborhood association offices, social service offices and homeless services.
42
Description
The challenge of this project was to propose a solution that look towards the future of libraries while also respecting the success and tradition of tradional library design. A grand reading room, an homage to classical libraries, worked in concert with a large amount of open flexible space. The building housed the community functions on the more heavily trafficked Broadway St. side. The library and reading rooms were situated towards the Portland Park Blocks allowing for a more quiet and serene experience.
east west section 43
main library entrance
44
east elevation
South Elevation 45
west elevation
46
Overall Perspective 47
48
49
collaborative isolation Rural Writer’s Retreat
Location
Lakeview, MT
Year
Undergraduate - 2014
recognition
Dersign Excellence Award - 2014
Description
The brief for this project was to create a body mask (pictured left) based on a short story we were assigned. We were then to used this body mask to influence the conceptual design of a community writer’s retreat building in rural Montana. The refined vs. raw concept exhibited in my story and shown in this body mask became the driving force for this project. The idea of removing a writer from their refined life in the city and bring them to the raw and uncivilized locale of the wilderness was leveraged to inspire creativity.
50
Description
This project concentrated on creating a collaborative center for a writer’s colony. The conceptual drive from the dichotomy of refined vs. raw strongly influenced detailed connections and programatic simplicity. This building effectly connects building to site and writer to writer.
51
east west section 52
north south section
53
south elevation
54
main Entrance 55
west elevation
collaborative space 56
Alan Taylor 0650 SW Gaines St portland, or 97239 alanrtaylor10@gmail.com 1.208.661.9276