Alex Hedges Portfolio 2023

PORTFOLIO

ALEX HEDGES

2023

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Parametric Trusses Python Scripting in Design

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Bio Remediation Healing the Urban Waterfront

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The Organic Cabinet Custom Furniture

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House Twenty-Two by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Basswood Section Model

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Refuge and Extension Scientific Study Outpost

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Westside Tattoo Remodel A Colorado Springs Icon

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3E’s Comedy Club Expansion of a Local Business

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Parametric Trusses Python Scripting in Design

Year Completed: 2021 Typology: Structure Location: N/A

Building out this script marked my first dive into programing with Python. Over a three month period I built out a system of scripts that communicated with Rhino to model and test a truss system.

The system works procedurally, beginning with a surface defined by the user as the roof shape. The defined surface can have nearly any topography.

Limitations include surfaces that are placed at an acute angle relative to the ground.

Once the roof surface has been defined, the script goes to work. It generates the trusses and columns based off a list of parameters also defined by the user. Frequency of columns and

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Objectives: Create a script using Rhino Python which generates a warren truss and column structure for any roof shape, then analyze load distribution .

trusses, the depth of those trusses, the density of the webbing, and the size/ thickness of the steel tubes are all customizable data points.

As the step by step diagram above shows, the system begins with the outer columns, then moves on to the top chords.

From those top chords the webbing and bottom chords are generated, followed by one of two options for purlins.

At this point there is the option analyze the structure using Ansys, which will return a heat map displaying where the structure is stressed the most.

The final step models the structure in 3D based of the parameters listed earlier in the script.

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Bio Remediation Healing the Urban Waterfront

Year Completed: 2021 Typology: Pavilion/ Park Location: Seattle, Washington

At the start of this studio project, the Seattle waterfront was undergoing significant renovations.

The demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct was nearing completion, and it’s removal had left a series of urban scars - void spaces with no use. In addition, an new master plan of streets and parks was being executed. Park of the plan included rebuilding a section of the pier.

These are the stars which aligned to guide this project. Its site a scar left over from a demolished highway, and its materials re-purposed from the near pier, treated with creosote to preserve them. Furthermore, the Central District has seen large scale change like this

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Objectives: Design an intervention for an empty lot on the Seattle waterfront . Analyze the existing urban fabric to inform the new use .

before with the regrade of Denny Hill.

I saw a space in need of healing after a string of major changes.

The proposed design uses the piers to recreate the historical hill. Embedded in the center of the intervention sits a greenhouse, open to the public. Starts grown in the greenhouse are planted between the piers, beginning the process of bio remediation to treat the toxic creosote in the piers.

Over time the site would transform into an urban rest spot that tells the story of the transformation of Seattle’s beautiful waterfront.

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Bio Remediation

Year 0

Year 2

Year 5

Operable Roof Panels Greenhouse Sitting Space

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Simulated Hill with Re-purposed Piers Historical Hill

Western Ave Upper Sitting Area

Low Sitting Area Elliott Ave

Western Ave Upper Sitting Area

Low Sitting Area Elliott Ave

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The Organic Cabinet Custom Furniture

Year Completed: 2021 Typology: Furniture

Objectives: Craft a piece of fine furniture with an attention to materials, details, and longevity.

Location: N/A

In the midst of Seattle lockdowns and virtual classes, the College of Built Environments opened for one class. It took communication, patience and resilience to preform in the UW Furniture Studio.

This piece is, at its core, a simple cabinet. Crafted from walnut and polished brass it stands 3’ - 4” tall. Two equal sized draws on the left, recessed to allow a sliding panel to glide in front and open a large compartment.

There are a number of noteworthy details in the craftsmanship of this case. The cavity behind the drawer pulls are carved by CNC router. The mark of that tool is left with intention,

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showing a gentle swirl as a backdrop to the brass handle. The front panel itself is made from a single spalted walnut board. The effect is a bright motion across the face.

The uniqueness of the piece is no doubt the legs. Four slender legs of laminated wood taper down to a delicate 1/4” x 3/4” footprint. They are flexible enough to give the case a springy reaction to a bump or push, but strong enough to support +250 lb.

The wiggle and spring give a playful nature to an otherwise elegant and refined cabinet.

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The Organic Cabinet

Leg Forming Process

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House Twenty-Two MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects

Photo © Undine Prohl

Year Completed: 2019 Typology: Residential Location: Nova-Scotia, Canada

Isolated along the idyllic coast of Nova-Scotia, House Twenty-Two and accompanying Guest House stand with reserved dignity.

Architect Brian MacKay-Lyons finds his inspiration in the generations old barns in his native Nova-Scotia.

This house also draws inspiration from MacKay-Lyons’ “Ghost Studio,” a summer design-build program which ran for 13 years. Each year a group of grad students would come together to design a sort of skeletal house. It was a way of playing with form to create the impression of a house.

Designs from the Ghost Studio often used lighting to great effect.

The lesson is seen here in the glow

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Objectives: Foster an understanding of construction flow and the design of an existing work of architecture via building a section model .

produced by the upper floors. The glow and materiality combined transform the twin houses into lanterns sitting on a stone base.

My teammates and I thought of that glow as essential to the architecture.

We integrated lights into the 1/2” scale section model to produce the same warm glow.

I keep this model to this day. It sits out with a blanket folded on the roof, my cat’s favorite place to nap.

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House Twenty-Two

Guest House

Bog and Bridge

Main House

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Upper Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan

Longitude Building Section

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Refuge and Extension Scientific Study Outpost

Year Completed: 2019 Typology: Pavilion

Objectives: Design a research outpost for a marine biologist to preform field work .

Include a rest/ gathering space .

Location: Discovery Park, Seattle

The placement of this project is at the base of the bluff of Discovery Park, where the changing tides meet the cliff side. It’s designed as three separate structures that interact with the site each in a unique way.

The ‘Refuge’ space is the only structure above the tidal zone.

It’s nested in the bluff, which is a reflection of the structure’s purpose.

This enclosure provides a warm rest spot for researchers during the damp and cold days at the park.

Extending out into the tide is an observation and research structure. It’s embedded deep into the sand, acting as an anchor for the whole installation.

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The furthest structure from the shore is a floating shed. The placement leaves it where low tide drys out the space around it, but at high tide it floats on several feet of water.

This project marked my first studio in the UW architecture program.

It tested my ability to observe and interpret a unique site and develop an intervention that served a unique program.

One certain outcome from the exercise of this studio project is the development of my representational abilities. I utilized hand sketching, physical and digital modeling, and began to use Photoshop as a design tool.

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Refuge and Extension

Bridge Connection Allows Access During High Tide Rest Space Sheltered in Bluff Observation Center with Underwater Windows Floating Shelter with Floor Opening

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Westside Tattoo Remodel A Colorado Springs Icon

Year Completed: 2023 Typology: Tattoo Shop Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Westside Tattoo is recognized as one of the highest rated tattoo shops in Colorado, a fact I was unaware of when I first met Brian Moore, owner and founder.

In a sense YOW entered the project late. Brian had already been working with another architect for several months, but decided to seek someone new. Thus, at our first meeting we were already up against a tight timeline. Brian had numerous artists from around the world relocating, and he needed spaces for them to work in.

Our design, in order to bring the unfinished basement to the level of elegance Brian desired, relocated the stairs and opened up the floor beneath

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Objectives: Add seven new tattoo stations and new break room to the unfinished basement . On the ground floor, remodel unisex restrooms .

a skylight, bringing natural light down into the space. We also relocated the reception area to a gathering space in the back, uniting two programmatic elements.

The building as it stood was nearly 150 years old. It had seen numerous iterations of remodels and additions.

The bulk of the work we preformed was in code analysis and solutions namely the requirements of ADA bathrooms and the tight clearances and odd shapes of the existing building. We also had the challenge of coordinating the relocation of the stairs and navigating the implications of accessibility and fire safety.

Ground Floor Plan

Basement Floor Plan

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Westside Tattoo

Stair Tread Detail

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Guardrail Detail

Stair Plan

Stair Section 2

Stair Section 1

Reception Desk Section

Reception Low Desk Section

Reception East Elevation

Reception South Elevation

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3E’s Comedy Club Expansion of a Local Business

Year Completed: 2023 Typology: Comedy Club

Objectives: Design the new home for the comedy club . Meet new programmatic requirements for expanded cafe .

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

On an otherwise average day to YOW, a stranger walked into the office and struck up conversation. He was Eric Phillips, owner and founder of 3E’s Comedy Club.

Eric was in the early stages of finding a new home base for his company.

He asked for services space planning and schematic designs for a location he was considering, the historic Municipal building in downtown Colorado Springs.

His current location was also downtown, but too hidden away from the street.

Eventually the decision was made to move forward with a location in the new Victory Ridge development.

The unit was half built out as a healthcare clinic, but then the project

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was abandoned. That history was only a benefit for us, as a lot of the building materials we required where free for our use.

We were able to adapt to this new opportunity. Some of the walls that were partially built out we could use in our new design, and the excess of gypsum board left behind could be used as sound insulation for the new performance hall.

The design we crafted met the clients priorities of the flow of patrons throughout the space and the night, and fulfilled the new programmatic requirements, which included a DJ booth, and improved greenroom, and a bar and breakfast cafe.

Floor Plan Area 1

Floor Plan Area 2

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3E’s Comedy Club

Restroom Plan

Wall Type A

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Wall Type D

Platform at Wall Detail

Platform Step Detail Platform Area Plan

Platform Edge Detail

Wall Type C

Wall Type S

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