Alexandros Prince-Wright M.Arch Portfolio 2019

P O R T F O L I O alexandros prince-wright

selected 2013

-

works 2019

P R O J E C T S

01

02

03

Three Planes

Waffle Librar y

Solid Water

Housing with the ground, apartments, and roof.

A reading space with integrated structure.

An isolated performance space.

04

Axonometric

Alexandros Prince-Wright

05

06

Concer t Wall

Stage

Mass Timber

Exchanging parts of life between the subway and the street.

Distilling a performance into sound and visuals.

An integration of building systems and future use.

07

08

09

Axonometric

Alexandros Prince-Wright

The Pier

Maverick Mills

Sketching / Photography

Housing adaptable to flooding.

An urban corridor designed to prevent flooding.

Observational drawings with pen and pencil / photography.

01

THREE PLANES This project places an emphasis on commonwealth within a housing complex, which ultimately leads to collective, sustainable living. The project focuses on the idea of living on three different planes: the ground, housing, and the roof. On the ground plane, the formation of public and private spaces happens in conjunction with each other.

The first phase of the project involves incorporating an ‘occupiable’ public street programmed with social gathering spaces into the ground plane. This space includes programs such as a basketball courts and a public landscape, which goes through the entire housing complex.

The next phase utilizes the perimeters of the housing units to create private spaces. This allows them to be used by residents in flexible and various manners like a typical backyard.

Through the act of sharing and trading underutilized appliances and secondhand clothes, this project proposes ways of reducing residents’ trash output and carbon footprint.

Finally, on the roof plane, all the buildings physically connect and create a continuous, dynamic roofscape, which provides a platform for residents to connect. Thus, through the meaningful interactions on the roofscape, the idea of sharing and trading becomes more natural and casual.

Project Partner: Yoonwon Kang

Focused Axonometric

Axonometric Furthermore, winter gardens are situated across the roofscape, in which residents can enjoy flower/tree potting and participate in populating the housing complex with greenery.

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Typical Floor Plan On the housing level, privacy and autonomy of individual housing units is maintained by removing common spaces, such as corridors, in which unintentional interactions occur.

Unit A and B

Unit C and D

Section A

Section B

Backyard Perspective

Roof Perspective

02

WAFFLE LIBRARY This project started with a detailed analysis of the zone surrounding the site; splitting into pieces used for research to determine the ideal ratios between hardscape and softscape.

In the building itself, the project has a high focus on how the structure can be integrated carefully into the library as a program. A mass timber waffle slab and columns are designed to create outdoor space, communal space, private space, furniture, egress, and structure.

The massing takes a careful consideration of the existing building on the site, and thus mirrors it, and then encloses to become a courtyard. The ground floor will become open, therefore creating ease of access to the center.

Having a porous site will allow for a more friendly courtyard experience with pedestrians, who can pass by, check-out and book, and sit on the attracting forms that the mass timber waffle slab creates.

Exploded Axonometric

Hardscape versus Softscape -- lots are ordered depending on size.

Site Analysis

Site

Massing Strategy

Massing / Structure Concept

Mirror existing building

Courtyard Typology

Timber Waffle Concept

Ground Floor

First Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

Fourth Floor

Fifth Floor

UP

UP

0’

G R O U N D FLO O R PLA N

Ground Floor Plan

10 5’

Second and Fourth Floor Plan

Section

03

SOLID WATER I’m trying to create an isolated performance space, away from all the sounds of New York City. The noise pollution in this location would be trains, boats, and cars. The main driving concept for form of the project was treating the water as a solid.

The form resembles a screw being twisted into the water. The resulting ramp becomes an extension to the existing bicycle path on the boardwalk. The path splits in two: one for pedestrian and the other for bicycle, both spiraling down. There is no physical entrance or exit, but the project is seen as a continuation of the boardwalk. One side of the boardwalk rests on the water, whereas the other side cuts into the river, treating it as a solid. The further one walks, the deeper they are in the river – surrounded by tall walls, this is the only element between them and the water.

The stage for the performance area is not a physical stage, but is meant for the central void created by the spiraling seating/steps. Thus, the programs becomes a diving center with a pool at the bottom. As the divers do actions mid-air, the audience views the performance vertically.

Axonometric The steps are enclosed by the main ramp.

Site Plan & Perspectives

The project as an extension of the boardwalk.

Project does not have a big presence from ground level.

Water as a solid.

Plans

Surrounded by water.

Section

The water becomes the poche.

Physical Model

Rockite, chipboard, wood.

04

CONCERT WALL

The concept of the wall is to exchange parts of life between the subway and the street.

Specifically, the underground has windows of over-ground life; and on the street, the wall and ground level opening act as an urban megaphone. The form of the structure initially derived from the idea of bringing acoustics from the underground to the street level. This would help notify pedestrians when the train is arriving.

The stepping typology of the form is to create a friendlier platform space while waiting for the subway. This design move created a solid wall in the center of both platforms where the central circulation was placed. Pockets of space were extracted from the wall to create windows of street life - performances, food, social gathering, etc.

Axonometric

Pockets of space are extracted.

Vignettes

Pockets become windows of street life.

A

B

Site Plan The opening takes the form of the small pavements.

Site Plan

Alexandros Prince-Wright

Section A

Section A

Alexandros Prince-Wright

Physical Model The steps act as modules for program, circulation, and entrances.

Circulation, pockets, and extractions are highlighted.

05

S TA G E I’m trying to distill a performance, by isolating and splitting its qualities, such as sound and visuals. By using adjustable planes, the sense of sight and hearing are never in conjunction, unless viewing a performance from its corresponding platform. Starting from the outside of the corner, one gets partial performances and must adjust the planes to reach the final platform.

The corner is a porous structure that can breathe and adapt itself to noise pollution and human needs, while sitting lightly on the square as to not interrupt the balance between solid and open space. It becomes a stage for performance that is split into a grid, where each module can be converted into a stage, circulation, seating area, or noise cancellation barrier. Depending on the noise levels, the perimeter barriers close to isolate performances from the heavy adjacent vehicular traffic.

Each barrier works so that when vertical circulation is active, horizontal circulation is inactive – this enables the users to not follow the same path; explore the corner on one’s own, and find the performance.

Process Axonometric Adding planes to reduce surrounding noise levels.

Site Plan

Pedestrian traffic versus vehicular traffic.

Plan & Sections Sight and hearing are never in conjunction.

Axonometric

Performer and audience relationships.

Concept Models

Vertical access versus horizontal access.

Prototype on how to create multiple uses for one module.

Concept Model

Early conceptual model studying horizontal and vertical planes.

Discovering how to split hearing and sight with planes and elevation changes.

Physical Model

Mindful placement of modules to interrupt hearing / sight.

Semi-open views with horizontal circulation.

06

Mass Timber Res earch, I nnova ti on, a nd S chol a r shi p E xpo: 2 0 1 6 N o m in a t io n , Pre s e n t e r

A current issue in architecture is the loss of potential to contain secondary functions in structural systems. Our research explores the potential of mass timber waffle structure configurations - the material they utilize, the surface they generate, and the program they imply. This project is a prototype of the selected structural system, where its program will change over time, thus proving the structures’ adaptability and flexibility.

T h i s pro j e ct was co mp leted joi ntl y wi th studi o par tner: H uazhou Li u

L andscape

The site is located on Northeastern University’s campus: a parking lot, hidden on the South side of campus.

The building sits comfortably on the site by not exceeding surrounding building heights, as well as having a regular form. The angle of the massing allows for natural light to enter the North side of the building, and the South side of the adjacent building.

Landscape

Trees

The outdoor area on the North side of the site becomes part of Northeastern’s campus, while the building and elevation change reduce the noise and visual pollution coming from nearby roads. Trees are used near the South facade to reduce noise pollution and create a shading strategy.

The material on the landscape depends on the level of interaction of a pedestrian: walking by, interacting with the landscape, or directly interacting with the building.

Massing

N oise re duction

M assing

N Si te P l a n / Gro u n d Fl o o r P l a n

l ongit udinal ti mber member s

c ro ss - s e c t io n a l t im b e r m e m b e rs

co mb in ed t imb er st ru ct u re

st ruct ura l concrete cores

c o n c re t e - st e e l c o m p o s it e d e c k in g

f ib re cemen t f acad e p an els

hori zonta l fi ns

ve r t ic a l f in s

co mp let e

Over time, the main program of the building will change due to the demand of the city. The floor plan is designed to be flexible for most scenarios in the future. The structural system allows for this by being able to span large distances, creating open / free spaces. The three scenarios chosen were: architectural studio, research/laboratory center, and offices. These were decided on the current and future demand of the university.

o f f ic e s F lo o r P la n / S c e n a rio 1

The mass timber waffle system introduces numerous technological and performance merits to building assemblies– the timber parts are prefabricated off-site, whereas the final assembly of the system is completed onsite, which increases construction efficiencies related to construction schedule and material waste. The timber itself is a carbon-capturing material, and the material is able to span longer than standard framing systems, and allows easy and fast assembly and disassembly. a rc h it e c t u re s t u d io F lo o r P la n / S c e n a rio 2

re s e a rc h / la b o ra t o r y c e n t e r

F lo o r P la n / S c e n a rio 3

I n t erio r Persp ect ive / V isu aliz at io n

The facade consists of timber fins, used as a shading strategy and for privacy. The depth of the fins is determined by the interior program. The negative area, where there are no fins, are filled with fibre cement facade panels.

Envel ope ass embl y study

Transvers e El evati on / West

Transvers e Sect ion

L o n g itudi nal Elevat ion / South

L o n g itudi nal Sect i on

capping capping insulation 2 ply roof membrane camper strip plywood double glazed glass

window sill

Besides serving as a divider of vertical program, the floor plates of a building should absorb and serve programmatic and structural mandates, thus functioning as an integrated component of a whole building system. Therefore, the hollow columns designed for this construction system have the capability to provide fresh air intake, vertical circulation, and hydronic systems; all these required systems will ease the necessary integration of the mass timber waffle to an inhabitable architecture.

By combining structural thickness with the space typically required for horizontally distributing mechanical systems, we have re-designed the ceiling as a stable architectural element that contains the various mechanical systems without physically concealing the structure. Through this design, floors become spaces that “contain�, rather than planes that separate the floors.

capping capping insulation 2-ply roof membrane camper strip plywood sheathing rigid roof insulation moisture membrane

mass timber member

steel-concrete composite decking

duct

chilled beam plywood subfloor

vertical timber member floor finishing concrete mass

insulation finish

steel decking

floor joists with mechanical web holes ground plane

spray foam insulation between floors reinforced concrete retaining wall sheathing

duct / chilled water pipe

cooling unit air handling unit

insulation board waterproofing treatment reinforced concrete slab

gravel drainage piping around footing

Above: model photos of the final prototype on the site. Different materials on the landscape are presented as such, while the building is made from basswood. A detail model of a section was done to show connections and mechanical equipment.

Adjacent: an early rendering of the mass timber waffle, showing only two central cores, whereas the final model had one.

Below: various prototypes exploring facade strategies, structure, material, and form.

07

The Pier

The Pier is a residential tower, located in a prominent position in South Boston. Prior to the design of this tower, detailed research on flooding, for the next 50-100 years, was completed, therefore prioritizing flood resilience and adaptable landscape.

The intent was to make the tower punctuate the start of the pier with its height and its unique form and arrangement. The landscape and building will help flood prevention for up to 8-10 feet (50-100 year estimate increase in sea-levels).

N Ba se me nt F loor Plan

G ro u n d F l o o r P l a n

The pier has two access points from the rest of the masterplan; a road on the West side, where cars and pedestrians may circulate, and a boardwalk on the East side where only pedestrians have access. The difference in elevation between the two paths allows the boardwalk to become the primary circulation route if flooding occurs.

Furthermore, this creates space and access to parking under the landscape, on the same level as the road.

The massing of the tower marks the start of the pier, allows for maximum sunlight and views, and embraces the water with its layering form by creating a relationship between infrastructure and nature.

S i te

B o a rd w a lk

Landsca pe

H e ig h t

S u n an d V iews

Layer s

S t ru c t u re

Massin g

Vertical circulation consists of one elevator and two egress stairs. Horizontal circulation on each floor is a hollow rectangle, accessing all apartments on the floor while allowing sunlight to enter the circulation core of the tower.

The tower is split into four sections: commercial ground floor, one-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom apartments, and three-bedroom apartments. The number of apartments is based on the current market for housing in South Boston, therefore there is a larger amount of one-bedroom apartments than three-bedroom apartments.

Ver t ical C ircu lat io n

H o rizo n t al C ircu lat io n

1 / 3 2 mass i ng model (wood a nd chi pboa rd)

Floors 1 - 6

Each apartment has generous perimeter terraces / balconies, which help expand the living spaces. Balconies are separated from each other, creating privacy for each resident. The overhanging terraces protect the recessed facades from direct sunlight, giving the tower its unique form. The idea is to connect luxury living with ecological building concepts.

Ty pi c al u n it p la n > 1- bedro o m a p a r t m e n t > tota l 4 8 0 sq u a re feet > l i vi ng 3 40 sq u a re feet > sl eepi ng 140 sq u a re feet > outdoor 250 sq u a re feet

N

Typ i c a l Fl o o r P l a n

Floors 7 - 10

Ty p ica l u n it p la n >2 - b e d ro o m a p a r t m e n t >t o t a l 760 sq u a re feet >liv in g 480 sq u a re feet >sle e p in g 270 sq u a re feet >o u t d o o r 250 sq u a re feet

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Typ i c a l Floor P lan

Floors 11 - 12

Ty p ica l u n it p la n >3 - b e d ro o m a p a r t m e n t >t o t a l 1080 sq u a re feet >liv in g 640 sq u a re feet >sle e p in g 440 sq u a re feet >o u t d o o r 320 sq u a re feet

N

Typ i c a l Fl o o r P l a n

Sections

Elevations

E a st Sect io n

Section A

A stepping design on the landscape creates opportunities for community-friendly spaces for residents and/or pedestrians. This, as well as a commercial ground floor, will help bring more people to the pier.

The comfort of the boardwalk is increased by reducing the noise and visual pollution created by the parallel road, which is situated at a lower elevation.

E a st E l eva t io n

Elevation A

1/4 physi ca l model

1 / 4 se c t io n a l m o del

08

Maverick Mills

green space/parks residential buildings

Excell ence i n Desi gn a nd Archi tecture Awa rd , 2 0 1 4

commercial & industrial

Res earch, I nn ova ti on, a nd S chol a r shi p E xpo: 2 0 1 5 No m in a t io n

site high topography

Maverick Mills is a district plan aimed to connect regional networks and to maintain flooding. Prior to its design, research was done in order to pin-point the main factors that impact flooding on the site (hardscape-softscape ratio, topography).

The district plan is designed to gather surrounding excess water to keep it away from the residential blocks. Therefore, the marsh is one of the fundamental designs for the success of the system; it helps maintain flooding, and also splits the site in two parts (North and South), which the commercial strips stitch together.

low topography

Land Mosaics

softscape % hardscape %

7

12

15 17 29 25 28 29 28 2626 25 28 28 28 30 34 27 30 35 30

20

25

24

24

24

24

10

19

47 51

50

28

22

33

45

60

43 70 70 70 70 70 84 87

30

22

66

60

50

61

74

80

0

93

88

85 83 71 75 72 71 72 7474 75 72 72 72 70 66 73 70 65 70

80

75

76

76

76

76

90

81

53 49

50

72

78

67

55

40

57 30 30 30 30 30 16 13

70

78

34

40

50

39

26

20

100

0

0

100 100

0

0

0

100

100

100

softscape 30% hardscape 70%

softscape % hardscape %

67% 26

28

29

28

32

40

40

37

16

65

30

0

41

45

86

33% 74

72

71

72

68

60

60

63

84

45

70

100

59

55

14

softscape 30%

softscape 45%

hardscape 70%

hardscape 55%

hardscape

softscape/ hardscape flooding

0-2 ft

softscape

topography flooding

0-2 ft

2-4 ft

2-4 ft

4+ ft

4+ ft

EAST BOSTON’S

34

40

50

39

26

20

100

100 100

100

100

100

Ta x o n o m y / F r a m e w o r k 86

14

The central focus and objective of the site is to connect one regional network and one local network through the site, while helping maintain flooding in the surrounding areas.

The district plan achieves this by creating five roads that split the site into three commercial strips across the site. A marsh is placed in the central spine of the site to maintain flooding.

Taxonomy / Framework The central focus and objective of the site is to connect one regional network and one local network through the site, while helping maintain flooding in the surrounding areas.

EAST BOSTON’S

Residential program is split by commercial blocks, which create the commercial strips that bridge over the marsh. The marsh bleeds out of the spine where the institutional strip is located to create an intersection between the ecological node and the architectural node.

The district plan achieves this by creating five roads that split the site into three commerical strips across the site. A marsh is placed in the central spine of the site to maintain flooding.

NETWORK belle isle marsh reservation constitution beach park wood island bay edge park temple ohabei shalom cemetery noyes playground

Site Plan: Elevated Plan

Scale: 1’ = 1/64”

The marsh is on the design; it he parts (North and er.

maverick mills, east boston

N

EAST BOSTON’S

The district plan achieves this by creating five roads that split the site into three commerical strips across the site. A marsh is placed in the central spine of the site to maintain flooding.

NETWORK

east boston greenway piers park porzio park massport harborwalk park east boston memorial park boston logan international airport

zones

belle isle marsh reservation constitution beach park wood island bay edge park temple ohabei shalom cemetery noyes playground

traveling towards airport

traveling towards parks

traveling towards residential east boston greenway piers park porzio park massport harborwalk park east boston memorial park boston logan international airport

zones

traveling towards airport

traveling towards parks

traveling Si t e Plan: Eleva ted Pl towards a n residential

Site Plan: Ground Level

Scale: 1’ = 1/64” bennington street

bennington street T - blue line Residential program is split by commercial blocks, which create the commerical strips that bridge over the marsh. The marsh bleeds out of the spine where the institutional strip is located to create an intersection between the ecological node and the architectural node.

The marsh is one of the fundamental designs for the success of the design; it helps maintain flooding, and also splits the site in two parts (North and South), which the commerical strips stitch together.

interstate highway

Residential prog the commerical bleeds out of the create an interse tectural node.

Residential program is split by commercial blocks, which create the commerical strips that bridge over the marsh. The marsh bleeds out of the spine where the institutional strip is located to create an intersection between the ecological node and the architectural node.

The marsh is one of the fundamental designs for the success of the design; it helps maintain flooding, and also splits the site in two parts (North and South), which the commerical strips stitch together.

Site Section: One

Scale: 1’ = 1/32”

1/48” m o dSite e l p hSection: o t o s : s i t Two e w i t h s Scale: u r r o 1’ u n= d ing context

Site Section: Two

commercial Transect: Condition One

Scale: 1’ = 1/48”

Transect: Condition r e s i dOne ential

Transect: Condition r e sTwo idential

Transect: Conditionc oThree mmercial

commercial esidential Transect: Condition rTwo

Transect: Condition Three

Tr a n s e c t : C o n d i t i o n O n e

Tr a n s e c t : C o n d i t i o n Tw o

Tr a n s e c t : C o n d i t i o n T h r e e

>large commercial program >wide street to allow street parking >egress on residential building pushed towards commercial for privacy / noise

>back side of commercial and residential >service road for unloading/loading, space for garbage bins

>wide street for street parking >wide pavement on commercial side for circulation / outdoor areas >egress on residential building pushed towards commercial for privacy / noise

Water Drainage System (piping)

Water from marsh to Chelsea River Water from site and roof gardens Water from surrounding blocks

east boston greenway piers park porzio park ssport harborwalk park boston memorial park

an international airport

zones

airport

s parks

idential

n street

lue line

erstate

ghway

Transect: Condition One

Transect: Condition Two

Residential buildings are stepped in order to provide sunlight and views. Building mass is subtracted for the addition of courtyards.

Commercial: Commercial Strip

Transect: Condition Three

Drainage pipes are installed below the marsh; the marsh collects excess water from the site and surrounding residential blocks. This water is Perspective: Commercial Perspective: then drained into theStrip Charles River.

Residential: Commercial Strip roof garden

outdoor seating (private)

outdoor seating (private)

roof garden

second floor commercial first floor commercial

apartments courtyard

outdoor seating (public)

parking (residential)

alley (service for commercial) commercial residential node horizontal circulation (residential)

Residential: Alley

roof garden outdoor seating (private) circulation courtyard alley (residential parking)

Node: Node:Elevated ElevatedPlan Plan

an

Scale: Scale:1’1’==1/32” 1/32”

NN

N

Scale: 1’ = 1/32”

Node: Node:Ground GroundFloor FloorPlan Plan

Node: Ground Floor Plan 22

11

2

1

salt grass

1

3

Auditorium 222 aAuditorium u ditorium 33 Storage StorageRooms Rooms

3 storage

4 gHarvesting rHarvesting e e1n hClassrooms ouse/ harvesting 2 Auditorium

33 33 33 33

4

N

Scale: 1’ = 1/32”

1 lClassrooms a s s1’ r o= om s 11 cClassrooms Scale: 1/32” 44

3

3

3

Node

NN

44 Greenhouse Greenhouse/ /

11

Plan

Scale: Scale:1’1’==1/32” 1/32”

N

A “block” of the district plan is subtracted to make place for a regional node. The node will be a Cultural Learning Center, where children and adults may visit to learn more about flooding, and the various plants and living species that live in marshlands.

3 Storage Rooms 4 Greenhouse / Harvesting

1 Classrooms 2 Auditorium 4

3 Storage Rooms

marsh orach

4 Greenhouse / Harvesting

Node: Section

Scale: 1’ = 1/32”

sea lavender

saltmeadow hay

salt marsh aster

El evat ed Plan Node: Node:Section Section

G ro u n d F lo o r P la n

Node Section

Scale: Scale:1’1’==1/32” 1/32”

Water Drainage System (piping)

Water from marsh to Chelsea Rive Water from site and roof gardens Water from surrounding blocks

Scale: 1’ = 1/32”

Water WaterDrainage DrainageSystem System(piping) (piping)

Water Waterfrom frommarsh marshtotoChelsea ChelseaRiver River

Example ExampleResidential ResidentialBlock Block

Vertical Verticalcirculation circulation

Water Waterfrom fromsite siteand androof roofgardens gardens Water Waterfrom fromsurrounding surroundingblocks blocks

Axonometric and Circulation diagram of marsh platform

Horizontal Horizontalcirculation circulation

09

Sketching / Photography

T h e Corner - P hot ogra phy P roj ect

By creating a timeline, one can understand the evolution of design. The corner begins with heavy ornamentation, and ends with a minimal design.

1 5 0 0 ’s

Hi gh Rena i ssa nce

1 7 0 0 ’s

Ne o - Cla s s ic a l

1 9 5 0 ’s

Po st -Mo d ern

1 9 5 0 ’s-1970’s

B r uta l i st

2 0 0 0 ’s

M o d e rn is t

To d ay

H ig h -Tech

T H A N K

Y O U

alexandros prince-wright

+1(404) 735 1444 aprincewright@outlook.com