Avery Seip | Buildner Portfolio Competition Edition#3 Winner

2020 - 2022 | Selected Works

Avery Seip

02

pg. 26

Tactile Pavilion

The People’s Orchestra jan. 2022

Location : Ossobaw Island, Georgia

| Selected Works | 2020 - 2022

Design with respect.

Design with humility, compassion, and empathy.

Design for all.

i

ii

Selected Works

Architecture Photography

|

2020 - 2022

0 1

8 25 The Timekeeper Pavilion

02

26 45 The People’s Orchestra

03

46 61 Banyan Kayak Center

04

62 73 The Forest Factory

05

74 89 The Beacon Initiative

06

90 - 95 European Landscapes 96 - 97 Biography

iii

iv

Section .01

The Timekeeper Pavilion Savannah College of Art and Design Quarter IX - 2021 ARCH 303 : prof. Hsu-Jen Huang Location : Easton, Massachusetts Typology : Event Pavilion Area : ~ 1,600 sqft

2nd Place : 2021 National Lyceum Fellowship Design Competition Honorable Mention : 2021 International Design Awards

9

01 : The Timekeeper Pavilion : statement + influence

“It was seen that burying a body into the ground was like planting seeds into the earth during the death of winter, just for them to rise up during the life of the spring.” * - Bragdon, Kathleen J. How can architecture unfold the life of a site and reflect this mindset of transferring energy from generation to generation--the built environment to the natural--the living to the inanimate?

The Timekeeper Pavilion proposes an architectural language that celebrates time as a three dimensional, linear, progression to unfold the site’s entire lifetime and the ways in which each generation passes on its own energy to subsequent generations in a multitude of interactions; people to people, people to environment, environment to architecture, and so on.

The indigenous architecture of the Wampanoag tribe is celebrated by the repetition of exposed steel columns and beams that ground the pavilion to the same location on site as the existing main house that is to be demolished. * In reference to the Wampanoag tribe’s view of the afterlife and the events that take place after death.

Orientation, materiality, and user journey work hand-in-hand to facilitate an experience that encourages visitors to reflect on their own transfer of energy and the way in which they interact with the world around them--leaving visitors curious, inspired, and humbled by the natural progression of time and the endless possibilities of change and growth.

Carriage house Cube Existing main house (demo) Kettle pond Roadway Woodlands

6

1 2 3 4 5 6

4

5 1 2

3

Site boundary 5 6

10

01 : The Timekeeper Pavilion : form + circulation

Time as a planar construct begins as a two dimensional space from which a section is extruded into a three dimensional state to represent the timeline of the site in relation to the whole. Finally, planes intersect the three dimensional grid to represent events taking place on the timeline and separate the pavilion into designated programmatic spaces.

Free roaming circulation is encouraged through the pavilion to create a condition where visitors become representatives of energy itself as they travel through the pavilion, interacting with each space, each environment, and each person.

The varied placement of events throughout the timeline creates segmented spaces that provide a multitude of new, intimate, interactions with the architecture as visitors continue to circulate the pavilion in different ways each time.

1 : Time in two dimensions

2 : Timeline becomes three dimensional

3 : Events are overlaid onto the timeline

13

01 : The Timekeeper Pavilion : site plan

8

9 6

3 2

1 4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

14

Pavilion Cube Carriage house Western pedestrian walk South-east pedestrian walk Parking Shovelshop pond Kettle pond Service access

Entrance experience from the southern pedestrian access (5) weaves visitors through the existing woodlands that surround the greenhouse and main structure allowing glimpses of the pavilion through breaks in the trees.

The pavilion takes the place of the existing, demolished, house to reflect the transfer of energy from the previous generation of the Ames house to the new event pavilion.

01 : The Timekeeper Pavilion

massing + structure

A modest approach to the structural form sees slender, hollow steel, members used as the gridded skeleton with two layered rammed earth walls which reuse the soil dug up during the construction process to reflect a physical transferring of energy from environment to architecture.

14

15 10

13

16

The creation of physical models to understand the effects of horizontal versus vertical orientation of time and the direct implications it has on the architectural language and user experience.

12

A harmonious celebration of natural and industrial materials pays homage to the history of Easton and its natural and industrial roots.

11

10

Non-load-bearing plywood display wall

1

2

16

3.5 “ Rammed earth floor w/ radiant heat pipes 2.5” rigid insulation w/ 6mm vapor barrier 6” steel L flange w/ 1/2” steel plates 4” HSS column W6 x 15 w/ welded bolt plates Poured concrete foundation Poured concrete footing Gravel w/ perforated drain pipe 4’ x 4’ prefabricated concrete tiles 1 1/4” polyurethane sealed oak plywood 1/2” steel bolt plate + hanger joint Wood shelves 4” HSS girder Poured concrete roof w/ radiant heat pipes Metal roof sheeting + siding Brass storm-water pipe

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

3 4

5

9

8

6 7

17

01 : The Timekeeper Pavilion

floorplans

8

6

11

8 12

8

9 8

10

4 7 8

11

Basement

8

8

Lvl 2

2

Pavilion event space Interactive + interpretive space Courtyard event space Cafe + kitchen Multimedia presentation wall Secondary carriage house event space Picnic grounds + open green space ADA accessible restrooms Reflecting pool Administrative space Storage Trail map display wall

18

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

5

1 3

7

19

01 : The Timekeeper Pavilion

spatial separation

A

Section AA

B

B

A

Section BB

ADA accessible entrance condition displays time’s inherent - linear - qualities, while earth walls extend beyond the structural grid of steel members as representatives of events on the timeline and to emphasize spatial separation between education and event space.

20

21

01 : The Timekeeper Pavilion : rammed earth

Earth displaced during the construction process and installation of a rainwater collection tank is reused to create layered rammed earth walls that segment the pavilion into two distinct spaces: educational + event.

This nod to indigenous architectural form celebrates the transfer of energy from the natural environment to the built environment and provides visitors with an opportunity to become harmoniously enveloped into the site as they interact with the architecture.

West Elevation

North Elevation

23

01 : The Timekeeper Pavilion

A moment of presentness.

A moment of reflection.

A moment of tranquility.

24

Section .02

The People’s Orchestra Savannah College of Art and Design Quarter XI + XII - 2022 ARCH 405 + 406 : prof Brent White Location : Ossabaw Island, Georgia Typology : Cultural Center Area : ~ 16,200 sqft

Winner : 2022 Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design Award Student Category Publication : 2023 Port City Review

27

02 : The People’s Orchestra : statement

What role do architecture and landscape design play in the reinstating of traditional cultural groups and the bolstering of their respective traditions and practices?

The People's Orchestra works cooperatively with the Gullah community to give rise to a cultural sanctuary, a symphonic celebration, that unifies the Gullah people through education, engagement, and communal bonding to instill a greater sense of pride, connectivity, and belonging to this vital cultural group.

The People's Orchestra sees the division of cultural keystones into varied architectural forms that build upon each other to ultimately establish a deeper, more enriching understanding of the Gullah community and its deep rooted practices in the social, artistic, and economic realms.

Through the collective experiences divided between key cultural traditions, users are able to share, reflect, and reinterpret decades-old rituals and practices that have been spread across the greater coastal southeastern United States.

I

Visual

28

.

Tactile

II

.

Smell

.

Taste

.

Auditory

User experience is a homophonic symphony defined by four separate movements; each movement placing particular interest in a unique sensory experience.

Speeds are associated with each movement as are programmatic conditions both of which working in tangent, homophonicaly, to unfold the story and history of the Gullah culture.

III

IV

02 : The People’s Orchestra : establishing Gullah concentration Gullah is a culmination of multiple languages including European slave traders, slave owners, and diverse African ethnic groups. The language is the only distinctly, African creole language in the United States.

A steady decline in Gullah communities as a result of a variety of factors relating to desired coastal lands has led the National Trust of Historic Preservation to place the Gullah / Geechee coast on its list of most threatened places.

Traditional arts, cuisine, and music come from a rich heritage of African culture; through generations, today's Gullah arts and crafts are the result of products designed for necessity with local materials. These include items such as nets, basket weaving, and textiles.

In 2006 Congress designated a portion of the east coast that extends from Wilmington, N.C. to Jacksonville, FL as the U.S. Gullah / Geechee Corridor. It was established to assists local, federal, and state governments in interpreting the culture in order to preserve all aspects of the Gullah people.

Music is a defining characteristic that would shape the lives of the Gullah people. Deeply rooted in the music brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans, the evolution of the music influenced a multitude of genres including gospel music, ragtime, soul, hip hop, and jazz.

The near-central location of Ossabaw Island allows for easy access for a vast majority of the population within the Gullah / Geechee Heritage Corridor.

Providing a sanctuary for this cultural groups allows for a plethora of relationships to form across generations and states. A forum of cultural exchange, adaptation, and tradition.

31

02 : The People’s Orchestra : form study

Understanding the relationship between foreground and background to establish a visual hierarchy that defines program within the structure. The crafting pavilion features programs reliant on outdoor interaction, therefore, planes are added to shield parts of the wall without extending to the roof.

Taking note of vernacular “dog-trot” design that is typical of low-country architecture, planes feature horizontal openings to 32

allow for the flow of wind through the programs while establishing a sense of visual hierarchy.

Establishing a repetitive structural grid provides users with consistency throughout the site, further connecting to the notion of recapitulation expressed in sonata form and reiterated throughout.

02 : The People’s Orchestra : site plan

4

4.1 5

3 6

2

1

1 2 3 4 4.1 5 6

34

Dock arrival Welcome pavilion Crafting pavilion Culinary pavilion Event pavilion Community courtyard Bio-retention pond

The user journey begins at the arrival dock, where users are first introduced to the natural environment of the site as they venture towards the welcome pavilion. This moments serves as part of the exposition that defines sonata form of the first movement of a symphony. The continuous reintroduction to nature between each building experience serves as the recapitulation aspect of the piece; a moment to familiarize ones’ self with the natural environment in between each experience with architecture.

02 : The People’s Orchestra : floorplan + adaptability

7

6

6 8

9 5

4

3

2

10

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

36

Nature pier arrival Welcome center Indigo dyeing Ceramics / basketweaving Ceramic air drying platform Indoor / outdoor community kitchen Bird watching Events hall Community courtyard Bio-retention pond

The conjunction of multiple programs within each structure drives the separation of internal and external space. Flexible use of space is encouraged in order to ensure that the architecture is utilized as much as possible throughout the year.

Although enclosed, these spaces feature operable glass doors and windows in order to maximize panoramic views to the exterior and provide essential cooling and heating depending on desired thermal comfort levels.

02 : The People’s Orchestra

materiality + operability

Open Facade

Closed Facade

38

The architectural response is based around principles of humility and respect both for the Gullah culture as well as the site that it sits upon. Color is introduced on site in the form of pigmented calcium silicate bearing walls, reflecting notions of color usage by the Gullah community.

Operable doors on the facade of the ceramics / basket-weaving studio provide wide landscape views of the adjacent tall grass that surrounds the facility.

39

02 : The People’s Orchestra : operable systems integration

10

9

Establishing a new vernacular located on Ossabaw Island requires the inclusion of a series of integrated systems that ensure optimal thermal comfort throughout the year.

11

8

7

5

6

4

2

Because of the site's secluded location and lack of connection to a large scale power grid, The People's Orchestra relies on a combination of human-activated and passive architectural systems.

Most importantly is that these systems are accessible to all users and follow the same principles that have guided Gullah tradition and culture for decades.

Simple, utilitarian solutions are essential in providing maximized thermal comfort while minimizing unnecessary maintenance and inefficiency.

Each pavilion is surrounded by a series of hand-operated rolled canvas sheets that serve to diffuse sunlight, provide wind protection, and retain moisture / morning dew to act as evaporative cooling agents in the warmer summer months.

3

Retaining storm-water on site is done through a combination of cisterns within each structure, and a large bioretention pond located to the south of the crafting pavilion.

1

In order to provide potable water for users each day, the roof planes of each pavilion

feature dew water solar harvesters.

Water harvesters harness solar rays in combination with saturated, dew forming, textiles enclosed in a reflective box on the roof plane. Each square meter yields on average 1.5 L per day and by utilizing 80% of the roof planes on site the total yield is 800 L per day - equivalent to 260 people's total recommended daily intake of water.

1. Flooring 2. Structure + helical pier foundation 3. Glazing 4. Operable canvas facade envelope 5. Interior + non load bearing walls 6. Storm-water collection cistern system 7. Vertical circulation 8. Roofing 9. Dew water solar harvesters 10. Photovoltaics 11. Operable event hall roof envelope 12. Bio-retention pond

12

40

41

02 : The People’s Orchestra : responsive design solutions 1 : Canvas Facade Envelope

2

Operable canvas panels wrap the facade of each structure providing crucial sun diffusion and wind protection. The semi - porous material is designed to retain humidity and dew in order to serve as an evaporative cooling agent as hot air passes through the saturated screens.

2 : Dew Water Solar Harvesters Water harvesters harness solar rays in combination with saturated, dew forming, textiles enclosed in a reflective box on the roof plane. Each square meter yields on average 1.5 L per day and by utilizing 80% of the roof planes on site the total yield is 800 L per day - equivalent to 260 people's total recommended daily intake of water.

3

3 : Operable Air Flow Operable roof panels tilt to a maximum of 70 degrees about a central axis with support being provided by a series of steel cable trusses. At their most open state, wind is channeled through glazing located around the perimeter of the space upwards and out of the space in order to naturally ventilate the hall.

4

4 : Sky Light

1

By utilizing the light colored wood finish located on the underside of each moving panel, desirable winter sun can be reflected and channeled deeper in to the event space to provide crucial daylighting and heat without generating uncomfortable thermal conditions.

5 : Thermal Mass

42

Load bearing walls that enclose the event space act as thermal heat stores.

5

02 : The People’s Orchestra

structural detailing

04 : Architectural Design : e Structural Details Full detailed section of the event hall with operable roofing panels. Operation is done by hand via a multi-point pulley wheel system that features predetermined intervals where the hand lever can be anchored. These intervals correspond to specific panel angles depending on the desired effect for occupants (solar inclusion / exclusion, air flow, etc.)

9

8

7

6

1. Concrete foundation on helical pier 2. 2x8 wood floor framing 3. Pre-fab rammed calcium silicate floor slabs 4. Rammed calcium silicate reinforced bearing walls 5. Steel cable truss 5.1. Steel cable truss with vertical support 6. Wood roof framing + metal roofing 7. Steel cable truss + welded pulley wheel system 8. Operable roof panels - Wood frame - Metal roofing finish 9. Cast in place metal gutter 10. Operable glazing system 11. Full event hall pulley system - Hand operated - Notches set at predetermined intervals for desired panel angles

44

5

5.1

11

10

4

3 2

1

45

Section .03

Banyan Kayak Center Savannah College of Art and Design Quarter VIII - 2021 ARCH 302 : prof Hsu-Jen Huang Location : Thunderbolt, Georgia Typology : Multi-use Kayak Center Area : ~ 6,040 sqft

Winner : 2022 AIA Georgia Design Awards

47

03 : Banyan Kayak Center : statement

How can architecture transform a common building typology into an urban sanctuary; how can it leave a community better off than it started?

Designing for community allows for the Banyan Center to step into a realm that lies beyond the typology of a kayak center, instead, it becomes an oasis for social, physical, and economic growth. Banyan becomes a precedent for inclusive and forward thinking design to create a space built on principles of equity, community, and sustainability.

By creating forms based on the vernacular, seafaring, low-land forms that define coastal regions in the United States, Banyan better serves the surrounding community of Thunderbolt by establishing itself as a sanctuary for those looking to experience spaces that invoke familiarity and warmth among its users.

The architecture focuses on becoming encompassed by the surrounding environmental conditions to form solidarity between the built environment and the natural to enhance the quality of its users as well as promote eco-friendly design for the region.

48

/ ‘ banyen, ‘ ban,yan/ noun A traditional Royal Navy term for a day or less of rest and relaxation. A banyan is a special kind of navy party. In spite of the changing nature of the banyan, there are three constants: it is always a fun occasion, it is held outdoors, and the emphasis is on good food, good drink, and good friends

03 : Banyan Kayak Center : form + circulation Influence was derived from the architecture that can be found on fishing piers as well as barn structures that scatter the country side in southern regions of the United States. The materiality in relation to the overall form serves to reflect themes of both land and sea in a beneficial coexistence. The structure resembles that of a contemporary barn structure while the materials used throughout reflect seafaring themes.

Designing for coexistence steers the architecture in a direction that focuses on uninterrupted relationships between the natural forces on land and at sea while using architecture as a means of framing and bridging the two together; ultimately resulting in a harmonious coexistence between both environmental systems.

Floorplan development is based around a centralized courtyard with separate buildings placed around it, similar to a cluster of kayaks on the open water.

1 : Existing fishing shack and pier

2 : Encompass the old + generate courtyard

3 : Establish courtyard + provide green space

51

03 : Banyan Kayak Center : site plan

9

1 4

3

6

5 2

7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

52

Community facilities Kayak storage facilities Showers / restroom / mechanical Courtyard Kayak launch Garden space Oyster aquaculture River Drive Wilmington River

The Banyan Center nestles itself within the site along River Drive adjacent to the Wilmington River. The large courtyard paired with adjacent garden spaces seamlessly blends the preexisting street-scape with the sanctuary located below to create a harmonious amalgamation of old versus new.

03 : Banyan Kayak Center

massing + structure

An exploration into the use of fishing net and other nautical relics to further establish the relationship between the historic, nautical, roots of the site and the new kayak center.

5

4

3

Physical models demonstrate the interaction between wall placements, materiality, and exposed structural members to further develop an architectural language more aligned with nautical themes.

1 2

The use of existing materials on site establishes a deeper connection between the new structures and the existing.

Braced Timber column with pinned connections 9

54

2x8 Douglas Fir No. 1 12’ Long 4x4 Douglas Fir No. 1 bracing blocks 3’ spacing o.c.

3/4” A325 bolts paired with ASTM F436 flat washers threaded to 10” x 1/2” steel rod Angled steel pin connection column-to-girder 8x8 Douglas Fir No. 1 girder Steel pin connection column-to-footing Cast -in-place concrete footing 4x8 Douglas Fir No. 1 deck beams 4’ o.c.

2x6 decking

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

8

6

7

55

03 : Banyan Kayak Center : floorplan + material reuse

8 7 7

4

1

11 10

5

1

6

9

10 1 2

3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

56

Kayak storage Equipment storage Kayak maintenance Event space Education space Meeting room Offices Cafe Showers Restrooms Mechanical

Material use is thoroughly considered in order to ensure a structure that not only connects with local context but also responds to the growing desire to renew resources. The larger, communal, structure engulfs the existing warehouse and uses its structure as a means of separating programmatic spaces.

Corrugated metal that is removed from the existing warehouse is then reused as roofing and accent material for the rest of the site.

03 : Banyan Kayak Center

sustainable design strategies

Section AA

6

2 4 1

How can current design better serve future generations as needs continue to shift and change?

5

3 A

Sustainable Design Strategies

58

Wind circulation + night ventilation Green roof storm-water filtration Storm-water runoff collection Overhang shading device Evaporative cooling Vegetation shading

1 2 3 4 5 6

A

Designing with future generations in mind means that the Banyan Center is developed with sustainability and adaptability in mind. The simplified forms are designed to allow for flexibility as times change and spaces are used in ways that differ from how they were originally intended.

59

03 : Banyan Kayak Center : event space cross ventilation Triple pane glazing doors provide uninterrupted sight lines between the courtyard and the Wilmington River.

Banyan’s close proximity to the water provides strong sea winds that are channeled through the event space by utilizing the doors as wind catchers, allowing the interior spaces and adjacent courtyard to be cooled passively.

East Elevation

North Elevation

61

Section .04

The Forest Factory Competition Design Arch Out Loud - The HOME Competition - 2021 Location : Everglades National Park, FL Typology : Dwelling / Research Facility Area : ~ 600 sqft

Director’s Choice : 2021 The HOME Competition

63

04 : The Forest Factory : statement How can a private dwelling be reimagined to incorporate systems that influence positive environmental change in the ecosystem in which they occupy?

Mangrove forests serve a host of crucial functions within their ecosystems that have benefits for a multitude of organisms, humans included. The interwoven root structure serves a pivotal role in the mitigation of storm surges during heavy storms that could create flooding in developed neighborhoods. This same root structure is responsible for the generation of shorelines, the reduction in erosive waves results in the depositing of sediments which generates more expansive coastlines.

There currently exists however, a slow reduction in crucial mangrove forests throughout the world. The Forest Factory aims to combat this issue in order to reestablish mangrove forests and reduce the erosion of coastlines throughout the world, but in particular Everglades National Park, FL. Through its use of biodegradable mycelium, plug-and-play design layout, and ease of construction / disassembly, The Forest Factory is able to be installed

64

virtually anywhere that is experiencing the degradation of mangrove forests.

The building and disassembly process ensures that the structure can be reused in multiple locations to best suite forest reconstruction.

Installation of these facilities ensures the healthy regeneration of forest patches to reclaim coastlines and rebuild diverse, thriving ecosystems around the world.

04 : The Forest Factory : form + modulation

The structure begins with the personalization of work and dwelling spaces that best suite the needs of the research team that occupies the facility.

Consisting of modular 8’ x 8’ cubes, the team determines the best combination of programs and layout to ensure efficient use of materials and work flow.

Due to the nature of diversity among research teams, each facility begins to take on a personality of its own. The combination of programs and layout changes the overall size and shape of the structure; the modulation of each cube provides effective use of material to reduce overconsumption and waste during the facility’s life cycle.

Nine stage process shows the evolution of the dwellings beginning with the core support structure, the secondary structure, the introduction of modular members, the growth of a mycelium platform which houses the mangrove saplings, and the ultimate disassembly leaving only the forest patch behind.

67

04 : The Forest Factory : forest regrowth

1

3

2

Mangrove forest rehabilitation and regrowth on the western coast of Everglades National Park. The employment of multiple facilities enhances the growth rate across the coastline to rebuild and revitalize the ecosystem while simultaneously rebuilding the coastline and provided storm surge mitigation.

Regional effect of temporary structures on mangrove forest growth in Everglades National Park, FL 1 2 3

Individuality of dwelling structures based on desired internal programs and occupancy loads.

Existing mangrove forests that have been reduced as a result of erosion and other natural forces Individual shelter location determined for maximum effect of forest regrowth New growth as a result of Forest Factory shelters

69

04 : The Forest Factory : modular pod structure 6

7

5

8

1 2 3

4

Exploded axonometric of an individual pod member 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Prefabricated timber wall a series of wall types are provided to allow for flexibility based on the intended use of the interior space Operable window Corrugated metal exterior finish Lateral stability framework with exterior walkway Hurricane window protection Shed roofing structure 8’ x 8’ core scaffold framework Full wall assembly and stability framework

71

04 : The Forest Factory

Earth is home.

Home of the past.

Home of the future.

Home to all things living and dead.

The air is warm. A fog drifts swiftly inland, engulfing the ‘plug-and-play’ designed temporary dwelling / research facility. This area once hosted dense mangrove forests and a beautifully diverse ecosystem of plants and animals, now washed away--leaving only a barren seascape behind.

Eagerly, two bioengineering / environmental researchers begin their work taking note of young mangrove trees growing on a buoyant platform of mycelium beneath the pods. As the days pass, the duo assists in nurturing the mangrove patches’ growth and the slow decay of the mycelium which provides nutrients and a framework for the young roots.

Weeks have passed. The mycelium has decomposed and fueled the new patch of mangrove trees destined to reinvigorate the local ecosystem. Now strong and dense enough to survive uninterrupted, the researchers are joined by a small team to begin the process of deconstructing the modular facility.

The team drifts away. They look back to see--what once was a barren seascape--is now a thriving new habitat working tirelessly to rebuild and protect this beautiful earth that was, and forever will be, home.

72

73

Section .05

The Beacon Initiative Competition Design Volume Zero Tiny Library - 2021 Location : Los Angeles, California Typology : Library Area : ~ 4,000 sqft

75

05 : The Beacon Initiative : statement How can architecture be refined and reduced down to its essentials in order to generate spaces that facilitate communal growth in a multitude of ways - socially, formally, and mentally?

Located in the heart of Skid Row, The Beacon Initiative serves as a haven for all members of the community to collaborate, perform, create, and learn not only from formal means of education but also from one another and the built environment in which they occupy.

Programmatic organization focuses on providing communal spaces lower in the building to promote immediate aural, verbal, and social learning experiences between residents, while the upper floors focus on creating visual, logical, and solitary learning conditions.

The wood frame structure features extra blocking between studs to integrate books into the architecture itself to save space for collaborative learning and provide an opportunity to learn about the built environment at the same time. The stage on the first floor serves as both a performance space during the day and as a space for hammocks at night to provide covered sleeping for homeless residents to take refuge out of the elements.

76

Skid Row is a 54 - block area in downtown Los Angeles - of the 4,700 people who make up the population, 40% are below the poverty line and the median household income for the area is $15,000.

Conditions continue to worsen for residents as the area lacks many opportunities for formal education, collaborative learning, and artistic expression.

05 : The Beacon Initiative : form + circulation The library begins as a single level raised above grade with a three-by-three wood column grid as structural support members. The modular layout provides the opportunity for a common wood frame construction to take place in order to minimize costs for the construction of the library. Universal access is provided in the way of an elevator shaft as well as ADA compliant ramp access for the ground floor.

Establishing a connection throughout the entirety of the library is the primary objective of the Beacon Initiative. The combination of transparent elements in unison with semi-transparent paneling allows for glimpses into the library from the street as well as outwards from the interior further establishing a connection between the street-scape and Skid Row. Iterative sketches further develop the connection between the street and the library while generating a column grid that serves as both the structural system and hitch points for hammocks.

1 : Modular wood frame construction

2 : Universal access + circulation for all users

3 : Exterior paneling produces beacon effect

79

05 : The Beacon Initiative : site plan

4

6 2

1 3

5

1 2 3 4 5 6

Library Existing parking lot Primary entrance San Pedro St. 5th St. Secondary alley entrance

The ground floor of the library focuses on facilitating as much communal interaction as possible. The ground floor becomes a space for people to gather, exchange ideas, share a meal, and gain valuable education from one another.

The warm glow of the library serves to invite and intrigue people passing by on foot, by car, by bike, etc. to gather and interact with fellow users, the provided amenities, and the architecture itself.

80

05 : The Beacon Initiative

massing + structure

1

6

Operable windows are located on opposing ends of the library to allow for ample cross ventilation through the space to reduce the use of HVAC systems.

7

The changing book placement inside has direct effects on the exterior envelope of the building and the ways that light permit through the facade.

Multi-envelope building exterior functions to channel winds from the open first floor up through the walls to deliver ventilation to the floors above in assistance with the cross ventilation delivered by operable windows.

4

5

The integration of books into the walls of the library allows for more focus to be placed on communal learning stations located on the interior of the facility.

3

2

1

Double envelope wall structure w/ vented paneling

82

3.5” weather resistant plywood flooring 1 2x6 exposed wood framing 2 1” transparent horizontally vented plastic panels 3 1x1 wood polycarbonate structural skeleton 4 1” double sheet opalized polycarbonate panels 5 2x6 exposed wood floor beam system 6 2x6 double blocking 7 CMU foundation wall 8 Poured concrete footing 9 Sloped rain collection piping 10

8

10

9

83

05 : The Beacon Initiative

floorplans

First Floor - Expression

Second Floor - Socialization

Third Floor - Creation

Fourth Floor - Education

1.5’ elevated performance stage to facilitate learning through artistic performance and engagement with members of the community.

Collaborative learning space for all ages with computer access to facilitate social development and collaborative learning.

Open plan allows for flexible use in order to facilitate learning through tangible creation and artwork.

Traditional reading space with an open floor plan that allows for ample seating to accommodate a large number of users.

At night the stage becomes a location for people to hang hammocks from the column grid to allow for sheltered sleeping.

84

Space allows for a free flow of ideas between people to encourage strong relationships between users.

A variety of furniture types allows for flexible space to ensure the space accommodates all users including those with disabilities.

85

05 : The Beacon Initiative

integrated bookshelves

A

Section AA

B

B

A

Section BB

86

The structure of the library allows for books to be integrated directly into the architecture itself. Not only does this create a direct interaction between users and the structural system, it also creates a unique exterior condition where the placement of books has a direct influence on the facade of the building creating a condition where the facade is in constant change as people use and return the books--a direct reference to the change that takes place as one furthers their education.

87

05 : The Beacon Initiative : ground floor stage

Primary entrance condition features a raised platform to allow for performances to take place on the bottom floor for the surrounding sidewalk. The library is accessible from both sides and the front features an ADA compliant ramp to allow for equal access to the resources provided in the building.

South Elevation

West Elevation

89

Section .06

European Landscapes Summer 2022 90

Location : Spain / France / Germany / Italy

91

06 : European Landscapes A collection of photographs taken during a trip to Europe as part of the Lyceum Fellowship program which granted a travel fund for architectural studies abroad following the second place finish of The Timekeeper Pavilion project.

Spain / France / Germany / Italy

A Small Church Fussen, Germany - 2022 93

06 : European Landscapes

A Coastline and a House Yport, France - 2022

94

Vernazza in the Afternoon Cinque Terre, Italy - 2022

Biography Avid cyclist.

Master Lego builder.

Office barista.

Avery has a broad range of experience and a great deal of technical skills to provide a solid foundation for all of his projects. He has endeavored to take on roles and positions that have given him the greatest learning opportunities. An intense interest in project management and conceptual development drives him to seek out prominent leadership roles in a collaborative environment.

Avery graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in architecture and a minor in photography in June of 2022. He is now currently a second-year master’s of architecture candidate at the Savannah College of Art and Design expected to graduate in June 2025. +1 757 402 2872 averyseip@gmail.com averyseip.myportfolio.com @aseip.architecture

96

97

Design with respect.

Design with humility, compassion, and empathy.

Design for all.