William Joseph Baptiste Selected Work
PERFORATED TOWER.
Professor: Nick Bruscia Fall 2017
Utilizing natural and biological precedents, The overall aim was to investigate bio-organisims allowing for the development of a theoretical position on the relationships between geometry, form and the environment. Starting off with a drawn analysis of the geometric system allowed for the establishment of the internal architectural variables of the system and the potential external parameters that it responds to. Studying the predefined limits of the geometric system and its ability to change state through gradients and topological transformations. The bio-organism chosen was the sponge due to its perforation and movement in water. Its skeletal structural allowed for mobility and flexibility. Its elongated form allowed for deep canals and crevice. Its structural system results in a gradient of modular member which was the basis of said proposal. Allowing this design to adapt to external forces and essential move like a sponge resulted in parametric principles. Allowing the structure to converge on itself and allow for a secondary external casing and or thatched design results in a tower like form which has gradient in its structure as well as its “skin�.
Thatch Bio-Structure
Aggregate
Concept Model
Final Structural Model
Cybernetic Factory.
Professor: Omar Khan Spring 2019
The goal was too consider the necessary evolution of the factory in the in the context of global trade and the pressure to adopt smart automation through artificial intelligence and robotics while maintaining strong relations with local context. It was another goal to examine the relationship between management, workers, materials, communications, advanced manufacturing technologies, envirnomental impacts and local community as they are cybernetically intertwinded in the archtecture of the future factory. The “VSM� (Viable system model) was the precedent of how to layout a progromatic scenarior within the cybernetic favtory. Stuying work flow and the relationships rather then the parts as a whole resulted into these viable,flexible, self adaptive organizations and or buisness models that can react to the surrounding, changing and complex environments. The design concept to make a factory run/operate on its own without management and or hierarchy allows for a new-aged system solely relient on users off all different typologies and trades. One can have self free will when wanting to work rather than feeling forced.
Glaze Application P: BVTC Worker T: Application Stands, Spray Guns, Ventilation Hoods M: terracotta Pieces, Glaze S: Glazing Room Time < 1 Day
Continuation from/onto other Production Lines Trial Glaze Replaceability: High Room For Error: Med. Interest: High
Research + Development P: Artists, Lab Technicians, Clients T: Microscopes, Mixers, Kilns M: Clay Test Pieces, Glazes + Ingredients S: Library, Glaze Test Room Time: Varies
Lab Tech
Glaze Samples
Rep: Med. RFE: Low
We can make any color!
If you have the time and money...
Int: High Replaceability: Low Room For Error: Low Interest: Med.
I am the keeper of knowledge!!
Designer Rep: Low RFE: Low Int: High
Quality Control Replaceability: Med. Room For Error: Low Interest: High
Applied Glazes Replaceability: High Room For Error: Low Interest: High
Screw-ups mean we have to start over!!
BVTC Worker Rep: Med. RFE: Med. Int: Low
Fired Clay Storage
It looks so different before it’s fired
P: BVTC Worker, Quality Control, C’ient T: Conveyers, Carts M: Fired Terracotta, Pallets S: Storage Rooms, Shipping Time: Varies
Kilns
It’s hot in here!
Replaceability: Low Room For Error: Low Interest: High
Firing P: BVTC Worker T: Kilns (electric + Gas), Carts M: Electricity, Gas, Glazed Terracotta S: Kilns (inside), Kiln rooms Time: Varies (includes heating up, firing, cooling down)
Vent Hood Successful Glaze
Replaceability: High Room For Error: Med. Interest: Low
Replaceability: Med. Room For Error: Low Interest: High
Sample Storage P: Artists, Lab Technicians, Clients T: Shevles, Cabinets, Books M: Clay Test Pieces, Glazes + Ingredients S: Library Time: Varies
Sample Library Replaceability: Low Room For Error: Low Interest: Med.
Fired Terracotta Replaceability: Med. Room For Error: Low Interest: High
Slug Extruder Replaceability: Med. Room For Error: High Interest: Low
Clay Slug Extrusion P: BVTC Worker T: Slug Extruder, Conveyor Belt M: Soured Clay Body S: Extruding Room Time < 1 Day
Raw Clay Storage P: BVTC Worker T: Forklift, Pallet Jack, Scale M: Clay Powder Supersacks S: Clay Storage Room, Batching Room Time: length varies on material need
Clay Body Slug Replaceability: Low Room For Error: Med Interest: High
Cutting slugs all day... so boring!
Delivery Truck Replaceability: High Room For Error: High Interest: Low
Raw Clay Delivery P: Truck Driver, BVTC Worker T: Delivery Truck, Forklift M: Clay Powder Supersacks S: Loading Dock Time < 1 day
Raw Clay Supersack Replaceability: Med. Room For Error: Med. Interest: High
Sorry I’m running late....again!
Same thing, day after day :(
Truck Driver Rep: High RFE: Med. Int: Low
BVTC Worker (unloading) Rep: Med. RFE: Med. Int: Low
Continuation onto other Production Lines
BVTC Worker (extruding) Rep: Med. RFE: High Int: Low
Clay Body Souring P: BVTC Worker T: Souring Bin M: Wet Mixed Clay Body S: Souring Room Time = 24 Hours
Souring Bin This requires my full attention!
Replaceability: High Room For Error: Med. Interest: Low
I bet I can go check my phone
I never get to see the finished product
Muller-Mixer Replaceability: High Room For Error: Med. Interest: Low
BVTC Worker (batching) Rep: Med. RFE: Low Int: Med.
Precision is demanding, but rewarding
Clay Body Mixing P: BVTC Worker T: Forklift, Muller-Mixer M: Dry Clay Body, Water S: Mixing Room Time < 1 day
Wonder where the water comes from
Batching System Replaceability: Med. Room For Error: Low Interest: Low
Clay Body Batching P: Client, Clay Specialist, BVTC Worker T: Batching System, Batching Cart, Scale M: Clay Supersacks, Clay Body Recipe S: Batching Room Time < 1 day
Forklift Replaceability: High Room For Error: High Interest: High
Beyond Fashion.
Professor: Mark Shepard Spring 2018 What will design be perceived in 25 years from now? what endless possibilities can path the way for design as we currently know it and idealize it now. The logic and idealism of design for the future and futures generations are what inspired this project and or design. The project takes place 25 years from now. What will fashion look like 25 years from now? The studio consisted of creating design based narratives of what the future could actually be perceived base on technology that is in constant change. Utilizing Hudson Yards, NYC as our site, Incorporating our design proposals gave us a blank slate of testing this futuristic idealogies. Inspiration came from the fashion industry. Fashion week to be particular. Fashion is always trending and changing every day and to suggest what it can be or look like 25 years is a challenging feat, to say the least. But with forward pushing technologies, one could only dream and imagine the endless possibilities. This project gave the creator a lot of leeways to foresee what might possibly be seen in the near future.
DN
3RD FLoor Plan
HIGH-LINE
VERTICAL VILLAGE.
Professor: Coryn Kempster Fall 2016
“Vertical Village” was initially aimed at the demographics of “Gardeners”. The realization that anyone can garden and refining to the key demographic was essential. Families of mixed use requiring different needs but essentially being the same at their core was what designed the layout of the building. With markets on the lower levels, living above allows residents to grow their own goods above and then sell them below. Essentially having a second program of day care ties with the mixed families and foster kids which provides them with homes and other living opportunities. The 12 story building consists of a Podium like form where the commercial floors, such as “Daycares, Farmers Markets and Foster Agencies predominantly acquire the lower portion of the building, while the residential consists of mixed families ranging from, single parent, Extended and Foster families. “Sharing” on the upper levels between families is essentially creating a community in a village setting.
Two Couples or Individuals -Share central core space which includes Entrance and indoor Courtyard
Two Nuclear Families Upper -The Central Light space belongs to family on upper level
Two Nuclear Families Lower - Both families share the entrance. Lower family obtains central core space.
Two Single Parent Family Upper -Both families share a Library
Two Single parent Family Lower -Bother families share Central core space and Dinning Room.
Foster Family Families share Everything due to open space
Multi-Gen Family -Share everything while keeping privacy
SLS STREET LEAGUE
Skateboarding Course Personal Work Spring 2018
The Proposed design for a SLS Street league competition Course allows for all skateboarders to experience two big sections instead of the traditional one sectioned course. This competition has the best and greatest skaters from around the world competing, so creating a course that challenges them but allows them to have fun at the same time was the main goal. Splitting the longitudinal site into thirds allowed for two big sections and an inner section connecting both. Having constant circulation allows for the skaters to go back and forth perfecting lines and building points. Essentially this course allows for skaters to build upon their points quickly for their overall ratings. The main design focus was to have all vert elements on the edges of the course while all the street obstacles and elements are located in the middle allowing for utilization of the whole course and not specifically adhering to one type of skater. Its supposed to be well rounded and balanced course for all types of skaters. One big section contains a 20 foot down ramp which allows for skaters to shoot out and hit the central pyramid going full speed.
Course split into Thirds for two big sections and one small center section.
Two Circulation paths are introduced within all three sections.
Circulation patths are refinded and Tertiary spaces are introduced.
Big Section 1.
Street Section.
Big Section 2.
SNAPPING FACADE. Student Assistant Work Spring 2018
Snapping Facade suggests an alternative approach for the design of dynamic facade systems that use a “snapping-induced motion” to open and close apertures, providing shading for the building. The prototype explores using weakening-induced bands tied within the elastic threshold which, produce “snap” deformation with minimal stimulus. Traditionally, unstable movement within the building construction is considered as an undesirable occurrence but, the Snapping Facade aims to harness the characteristics of elastic instability by applying it as an opening and closing mechanism using the embedded energy within the materials. Without complicated maintenance, users can participate in the dynamic movement of the building envelope for play, fun, and energy saving. My role as a research and student assistant was to aid in the physical model and its construction. the snapping facade system essentially was designed by the professor and other student assistants. Utilizing tools such as a 3D printers and Laser cutters, the mass production of modular pieces and paper like materials were essential in the whole process. The finished result allows for shading of natural sunlight with the easy motion of a “twist”.
Image Credit: Post-Process Jing Yong Song.
ORGANIC SUNSHADE. Professor: Jin Yong Song Spring 2018
A continuation from the “Snapping Facade” proposal, The design for the interstitial fabric and or paper like fabric that not just only bends or “snaps” with the structural system but allows plays a role to a perforated shader as well. The Ideal of creating a pattern on this secondary element came the idea of bio-organism and green life. With the collaboration with a Local artist who strictly indulgences in mimicking wild life patterns with perforations as her medium, taking these design principles and creating a pattern for one modular piece only showed the potential of endless pattern possibilities. With doing a lot of research in kinetic art and Kinetic movement, choosing a pattern that would reduce the materials strength resulting for maximum flexibility was crucial. The idea of a “leaf” came into fruition due to it mimicking the organic context of being outside in the woods or wilderness. This Organic facade is just another alternative to elements such as a blind and curtains. Again this is simply activated by the simple motion of a twist.
CULTURAL HINGE. Leimart Park Competition NOMAS Fall 2016
After Carefully studying the site and surrounding urban context, the design team came to the realization that there was a need for a large open public space where citizens could come together to celebrate their heritage and culture. At the moment, Leimert Park is the main public space the community relies on to gather and fulfills different kinds of cultural activities. However, this existing space was designed as the main formal green space for the community as a part of the master plan of the 1920’s. Programmatic, the building is zoned according to its relationship to the street; in order to create a spatial sequence that constantly moves the user between interior and exterior. Thus, circulation becomes a major part of the architectural performance, which more that connecting one space to another promotes high levels of interaction between users as they move through space. It places people at the center of the design to activate the building through the day.
Weaving In.
Sunny Side Competition NOMAS Fall 2017
After Carefully studying the site and surrounding urban context, the design team came to the realization that there was a need for a large open public space where citizens could come together to celebrate their heritage and culture. At the moment, Leimert Park is the main public space the community relies on to gather and fulfills different kinds of cultural activities. However, this existing space was designed as the main formal green space for the community as a part of the master plan of the 1920’s. Programmatic, the building is zoned according to its relationship to the street; in order to create a spatial sequence that constantly moves the user between interior and exterior. Thus, circulation becomes a major part of the architectural performance, which more that connecting one space to another promotes high levels of interaction between users as they move through space. It places people at the center of the design to activate the building through the day.
Roots.
Woodlawn Competition NOMAS Fall 2018
ROOTS is an initiative that seeks to connect the many parts of the Woodlawn community and enable its growth. ROOTS has been designed to provide employment, health services, education programs and housing at the heart of the Woodlawn neighborhood. Urban agriculture generates jobs and fresh food and consequently can help to improve the lives of local residents. Access to healthy food is important for everyone and especially in places where there are high rates of diet- related health problems. ROOTS has been designed to improve the health of the community by providing ready markets, restaurants and places to eat. These facilities are located alongside a trade school that hosts educational opportunities centred around food and agriculture to enable people of all ages, abilities and interests to work. ROOTS adopts sustainable design practices and prompts community initiatives that help to create a carbon neutral development. With a humid continental climate buildings in Chicago can demand large amounts of energy throught the year.
5 Wayside Lane Smithtown Ny, 11787 wjbaptis@buffalo.edu T.631.780.2366