Alexander Noaks Portfolio Spring 2020

AN// 2018-2020

Alexander Noaks University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture

A Portfolio of Selected Works by:

Alexander Noaks alexnoaks@gmail.com (309) 573 5431

“Kids Factory”

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Site Monastery

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Sanctuary at Mission Espada

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Angel Island Naturalization Center

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A Journey’s End

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Resume

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“Kids Factory” Design VI - Spring 2019 Prof. Dean Almy What was once a prolific pottery factory has since fallen on hard times - a rotting shell of a building at the core of an otherwisescenic lakeside town in Italy’s industrial northern region. This project revitalizes the site, shifting the focus towards the growth and development of future generations.

The project, at its core, seeks to affirm a child’s suspension of disbelief - as their perception of architecture does not follow the same logics as adults. The Kids Factory is a place to host children from all walks of life - to cater to any interest. Whether apart of a visiting camp or permanent local residents, children at the Kids Factory have the tools to prosper. Organized into three core components of education, community, and recreation, the project is a place for the nurture and celebration of a child’s mind.

The project pays homage to its past life, incorporating the similar repetitive geometry of the gable, yet raising it up to breach beyond the previous confines of the perimeter walls.

New masses puncture the old, resulting in the notion of bridging - introducing the Kids Factory back into the urban fabric of Laveno-Mombello.

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LU IN O 19 KM

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TO

R O I G G

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INT RA

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G

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KM

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L A V E N O- M O M B E L LO

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MI LA NO 78

KM

TO IO OLEGG 44 KM

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NOTION OF BRIDGING

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COLUMN GRID MATRIX

PRINCIPLE AXES OF CIRCULATION

EDUCATION + COMMUNITY + RECREATION

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CIRCULATION + BRIDGING

NEWLY CREATED VOLUMES

NEW FORMS OVER EXISTING STRUCTURE

SAVED OLD FORMS

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4 9

3 2

6

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8

5

FLOOR 2 1

1 SECONDARY SCHOOL ROOMS

7 ART GALLERY

2 CHILDREN’S RESEARCH

8 OPEN-AIR FIELD

3 CAFE

9 DORMITORY

4 DANCE STUDIO 5 THEATER + LOBBY 6 LIBRARY + RESEARCH

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A

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FLOOR 1 B

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B 1 3

5 2

1 PRIMARY SCHOOL ROOMS

7 INSTALLATION PLAYSCAPE

13 TEST KITCHEN

2 SECONDARY SCHOOL ROOMS

8 MUSIC REHEARSAL

14 TEXTILES

9 THEATER SUPPORT

15 CULTIVATION FACILITIES

10 VISUAL ARTS STUDIOS

16 HEALTH CLINIC

11 FABRICATION WORKSHOP

17 MULTI-SPORT GYMNASIUM

12 LAB SPACE

18 DORMITORY COMMONS

3 CAFETERIA 4 DAYCARE C

5 PLAYGROUND 6 ADMINISTRATION

FLOOR 0 1 POOL + FACILITIES

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50

100

FLOOR 4

2

1 STUDENT LOUNGE 1

2 ASTRONOMY + OBSERVATORY

FLOOR 3 1

1 SECONDARY SCHOOL ROOMS

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BB

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14

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50

100

CC

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50

100

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AA

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50

100

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Site Monastery Design VII: Italy - Fall 2019 Prof. Smilja Milovanovic-Bertram With Lisa Yang + Payton Russell

Cortona, Italy - a town dating to the Etruscan era with a permanent population of merely 700. Atop its daunting, steep hills lies a terraced cove nestled on the edge of the community, hugging an ancient stone wall. The proposal in this location is one suitable for a private life, a sanctuary for those who seek and value qualities such as community, nature, and a notion of self-sufficiency. The following project houses twelve monks those dedicated to and celebratory of a lifestyle extremely apt for such an advanced site and resulting architecture.

The challenge lies not only in designing for austerity, but deciding what constitutes an absolutely necessary inclusion for those interested in only essentials. No luxury is spent here, instead cherishing the luxury of the surrounding landscape.

A new, secondary perimeter wall was added, one that pays homage to the existing typology deeply rooted in Italian communities across Tuscany. This encloses the programs of living quarters, cloister, and chapel from the adjacent public road, instead funneling views beyond, to the miles of Tuscan landscape below Cortona. Integrating with the existing terraces, monks have the potential to harness these for agriculture, allowing for a distinct separation and little reliance from their surroundings.

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ANCIENT MONOLITH

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NEW MONOLITH

PRIVACY ESTABLISHED

MONASTIC FORMS CREATED

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B

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2

4 A

B

1 ANCIENT WALL 2 NEW WALL 3 LIVING QUARTERS 4 CLOISTER 5 CHAPEL 6 AGRICULTURE

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SITE (CONTE CRAYON)

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AA

BB

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AXONOMETRIC

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1

2

3

4 5

1

FLOOR 2 2 4

1 2 3 4 5

CONFERENCE LIBRARY BREEZEWAY ABBOTT’S OFFICE ABBOTT’S QUARTERS

1 2 3 4 5

DINING HALL KITCHEN STORAGE BREEZEWAY VISITOR QUARTERS

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5

FLOOR 1

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LIVING QUARTERS

SECTION

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MONK’S CELL

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FLOOR 1

CLOISTER

SECTION

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1 2

FLOOR 1 1 PRAYER SPACE 2 BELL TOWER

CHAPEL

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SECTION

6 X 8 TOP PLATES REINF. CAST CONCRETE BEAM; 4-15M

4 IN. RIGID INSULATION 10M VERTICAL METAL BARS 10M CONT. HORIZONTAL METAL BARS RAMMED EARTH WALL CONCRETE SLAB + FINISHED FLOOR

RIGID INSULATION SAND REINF. CONCRETE FOOTING W/ 10M STIRRUPS

RAMMED EARTH WALL SECTION AT CHAPEL

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MATERIAL STUDY

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LIVING QUARTERS (WATERCOLOR)

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MATERIAL STUDY

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CHAPEL FROM BELOW (WATERCOLOR)

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Sanctuary at Mission Espada Design IV - Spring 2018 Prof. Johanna Reed The 18th-century missions of San Antonio go beyond being a place of worship. They were outposts in an unknown world, offering a means of sanctuary to those who braved the frontier.

Fast-forward three hundred years, and the project on San Antonio’s southernmost mission strives to do the same. With only a 19th-century church still intact, the ruined site has been revitalized into an escape from society, urban or otherwise.

The formal qualities of the site inspired a homage to what once existed. Arcs were pulled from points of significance across the site to overlap, finding formal solutions while adding to the layers of history. Placed near, yet not touching the existing ruins, the sanctuary wishes to remain only a single part of the greater whole in an area with such a complex cultural memory. This past must be engaged as visitors access the project, nestled in the heart of the site; once inside, visitors may do as they please. The sanctuary is open to all - a place where the daily hustle can be forgotten, if just for a fleeting moment. With an interior quality defined by thin slices of light, the outside world becomes a mere suggestion.

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PARTI

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Angel Island Naturalization Center Design V - Fall 2018 Prof. Michael McCall Angel Island, in the San Francisco Bay, is a site rife with a dark past - where many immigrants, primarily from Asian nations, suffered abject prejudice and cruelty. This project, based on the 2019 Lyceum Competition, aims to change the focus and breathe life back into the island without “white washing” its history. The project primarily serves as a center for US Citizenship Ceremonies, but also includes numerous secondary spaces (ideal for small/community groups) as well as individual contemplation spaces.

Situating the project on an adjacent cliff overlooking the cove which once housed the former immigration facilities allows history to serve as a backdrop. However, being perched above it allows a sense of “elevation” - looking down on the past while embracing and celebrating the new hope that comes with the naturalization process. The primary program space thus orients itself directly towards the cove below, while the secondary space on the lower floor orients outward toward the bay. The form is based upon the concept of a “launch” - gradually opening up along an axis as structure evolves from a horizontal to vertical position, increasing in scale. All occupants, whether solo or in a 1000-person celebration, ought to feel welcomed.

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HEAVY TIMBER TRUSSES + EXTERIOR PARTITIONS

LOWER FLOOR EXTERIOR PARTITIONS

INTERIOR PARTITIONS

CONCRETE SLAB

SLAB SUPPORT

EXCAVATED EARTH

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UPPER FLOOR 1 2 3 4 5 6

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CEREMONY HALL OUTDOOR BALCONY ENTRY LOBBY INFORMATION DESK STORAGE RESTROOMS

LOWER FLOOR 1 EXHIBITION HALL 2 INDIVIDUAL MEDITATION 3 STORAGE

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A Journey’s End Entry for ARKxSite Monastery with Jacob Middleton

At land’s end, one arrives to a place of contemplation. Sublime yet serene, the intervention straddles the threshold of land and sea, reaching out from the cliffs of Cape Espichel and towards the ocean, an infinite beyond. Ancient meets modern, where the dialogue between the two is ongoing. Modern understands, respects, and remembers ancient.

When - or if - one is ready, they may enter the ruins of centuries past, submerging below and into the core of the fortress. Once inside, one is immersed in a site acutely aware of its history, allowing for a deeply intimate exploration that increases in its sacred nature as one penetrates further into its heart. Thus, it is truly apt for a title such as monastery. Isolated from our rapid, high-paced society, the intervention respects the notions of protection and safety, and rewards pilgrims with solitude and opportunities for reflection.

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entry viewing

dining

dorm reflection 7

meeting

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Plan 0

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entry kitchen dining dorm restroom storage reflection meeting

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3 1

Plan 1

Reflection

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Meeting

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Viewing

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ALEXANDER NOAKS alexnoaks@gmail.com (309) 573-5431 3001 Cedar St. #312 Austin, TX 78705

EDUCATION

SKILLS + ABILITIES

The University of Texas at Austin // Bachelor of Architecture

Digital

Analogue

ArchiCAD

Freehand drafting

EXPERIENCE

Revit

Physical modeling

Rhinoceros

Watercoloring

Intern // Smith Holt Architecture // Summer 2019 - present

Adobe Creative Suite

Woodworking

Work primarily involved in the public sector, particularly for bond projects

Lumion

with Austin Independent School District. Other projects include residential

V-Ray for Rhino

2016-2021 (anticipated)

AutoCAD

renovation, commercial, and adaptive reuse. Breadth of experience includes schematic design, construction documentation, opinions of probable cost, permitting, project management.

ACADEMICS + ACTIVITIES

Intern // Seaux Pierce Architecture // Summer 2018

Dean’s Design Distinction // May 2019

A firm specializing in residential and commercial design across the Hill Country

Recognition of outstanding design at Third

+ greater Austin area. Worked in many facets of the design process, including

Year Portfolio Reviews.

schematic design, construction documentation, client presentation, rendering, site visits.

University Honors // Fall 2016 - present Achieved with a 3.75 GPA or higher.

Architecture Student Associate // 2017-2019 Architecture + Planning Library (Battle Hall): Managing the circulation

Issue (publication) // 2019

desk, organizing book stacks, renovating + redeveloping, creating displays +

Kids Factory - based on the 2018 Young

exhibitions, and general assistance with patrons.

Architects Competition.

Alpha Rho Chi // Fall 2016 - present

REFERENCES

Professional

fraternity

specializing

in

architecture + the allied arts. Served as

Smith Holt

Chad Pierce

Other

Smith Holt Architecture

Seaux Pierce Architecture

Dual Citizen // USA + UK

as general officer responsibilities within the

(512) 420-0026

(512) 699-6200

Spanish // Conversational

fraternity. Represented UT Austin as delegate

smith@smithholt.com

chad@seauxpierce.com

treasurer:

includes

managing

accounts

+

cards, annual budgeting, filing taxes, as well

to the 71st National Convention in Baltimore, MD, 2018.