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Biomedical Lab

Design VI: Comprehensive

Professor: Michael McCall

Partner: Alexa Berube

This proposal for a Biomedical Research Laboratory for Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin started with an in-depth analysis of the site. Situated at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Trinity Street, the site is defined by a presence of a significant floodplain due to its proximity to Waller Creek. In response, the building embraces the floodplain with minimal ground contact. Only the three cores touch the earth with the primary program elevated above grade. These cores serve as physical and programmatic anchors as the spatial organization is arranged around them. The lobby core divides the program with laboratories aligned along Trinity Street, while offices and a conference venue face MLK Boulevard. The sharp urban edges of the streets inform the geometric form of the building matching the rigidity of the exposed structure. In contrast, the west side of the building opens towards Waller Creek offering views to the creek and reinforcing a dialogue between the built and natural landscape. The collaborative space leads to an exterior terrace that overlooks the creek connected to the plaza. This plaza, along with the pavilion, responds to the organic contours of the creek, creating a softer edge. The design seeks to express a relationship between science and nature by fostering a space for biomedical research that engages with the site’s

East Section

North Section

Partial Section + Elevation

Floor Plan

First

Dawson|avadawson2@gmail.com|972-765-3857

Roof Plan

Performing Arts Center

Design V Professor Patrick Danahy 2024

My final project was to develop a proposal for a contemporary performing arts center and theater in Austin, Texas, specifically reimagining the site of the historic Curtain Theater at the intersection of Coldwater Creek and Lake Austin. Building on my prior investigations, I started by delving into physicsbased assembly and discrete aggregation using post-tensioned stone. Potential for disassembly and reassembly through post-tensioning allows for greater adaptability so I aimed to redefine stone’s architectural use, emphasizing the need for innovative detailing and sustainable practices. The goal of this project was to position the performing arts center as a beacon of cultural exchange, inviting community participation and showcasing architecture’s power to shape human experience.

Logics of Aggregation

Design V, Project I

For this assignment, I studied logics of aggregation, exploring different geometric primitives and systems of stacking and assembling them to form composite assemblages. After studying three primary geometric shapes (tettrahedra, Octahedra, and Triangular Prisms), I began exploring ways to manually orient them on each other to create a physically sound structure. This excerise created a catalog of 16 aggregated forms, that I tested for stability using rigid body physics engine developed by Nvidia called PhysX, which uses discrete element analysis and friction coefficients and gravitational force applied to each unit to determine the stability of structures with non-glued or pinned connections, meaning the pure expression of geometric stability.

Ava Dawson|avadawson2@gmail.com|972-765-3857

Outdoor Pavillion Through Computational Design

Design V, Project 2

In the second phase of this studio, I worked with Emma Fults to develop a design proposal for an outdoor pavilion similar to Gilles Retsin’s proposal for the Tallinn Architectural Biennale. We used Grasshopper and Python programming to computationally automate the manual orienting that we used in the previous aggregation exercise. Through these computations, we were able to expedite and accelerate the potential spatial complexity. These proposals were tested for stability using rigid body physics engine “PhysX.” These digitally developed proposals were then 3D printed and constructed as physical assemblies to test the physical stability of each pavillion.

I started by modeling and scaling tetromino pieces creating volumes that served as megalithic figures and loadbearing structural masses. Rather than unifying the volumes into one cohesive mass, I grouped them into convex geometries that can be moved together as a group. The goal of this phase was to achieve stability between the selfbracing components and to respond to the spatial sequencing that I discovered in my precedent research. I then 3D printed each component part separately and assembled the physical model into a physics-based mass.

Next, using the algorithmic logics established in Assignment 2, I developed another proposal for these gravitational masses that included a smaller scale and finer articulation, building a dense connective tissue at the edges and interstitial spaces of the original mass. This second layer was considered as ornament, so I experimented with the scale of the computationally automaded designs to add detailing to the facade.

With the project masses established on site, I started developing space by cutting the masses in plan and section to develop a viable proposal.

Ground Floor Plan

Floor 1 Plan

Ava Dawson|avadawson2@gmail.com|972-765-3857

Interior Vignette Renders

Multi-Family Housing 03

Design IV

Professor Michael McCall

2024

Through an in-depth examination of East Austin and a thorough exploration of Mies Van Der Rohe’s principle of “perfect order,” my goal was to conceive a mass timber multi-family housing initiative. This endeavor aims to tackle the challenges posed by rapid urban expansion, climate concerns, gentrification, and economic disparities in East Austin. By employing a systematic grid approach that prioritizes spatial organization over conventional typologies, my project proposes a solution that harmonizes functionality and aesthetics while addressing the unique needs of the community.

Case Study

Working with Riley Avery and Timothy Barker, we researched the Lake Shore Drive Apartments by Mies Van der Rohe as a case study project. After studying the logics and systems of the building, we took away that the main goal of this project was to redefine high rise living for the post war generation while creating a blueprint or “perfect order” that characterizes architetcure by space rather than typology. We created various diagrams as well as a model to reflect these ideas.

Exploded Axonometric

Section

Contextual Elevations

Because the building is situated in East Austin, I aimed to incorporate materials that honor the area’s rich history and culture while also embracing sustainability through the use of a mass timber structural system. Utilizing sustainably sourced heavy timber not only ensures structural stability but also aligns with eco-friendly practices. My vision was for the facade to complement both the timber frame and the local neighborhood, so I opted for metal siding to mimic the texture of tree bark while seamlessly blending with the surroundings. By integrating timber, metal cladding, and steel detailing, the design establishes a tangible connection to East Austin on a human level.

Design III

Professor Tyler Swingle 2023

As Austin’s relentless growth puts a strain on its iconic music scene, I was asked to design a space that provided temporary residency/practice spaces for local musicians as well as a concert hall for them to share their work with the community right on Lake Austin Blvd. Inspired by the design logics of my precedent Kengo Kuma, my design is meant to be an extension of the landscape allowing for public community spaces