LITTLE
Architecture Studio 3
Many seemingly “public spaces” exist all around us, yet many of these spaces all too often require some kind of “prerequisite” to access and occupy them. These prerequisites severely fracture urban accessibility, in turn fracturing senses of community and sense of place. These prerequisites may be intentional in the form of student, company, government ID’s to access restricted space.
What is less often accounted for are the “social prerequisites” implemented within public spaces. Many people have repeatedly experienced occupying public and private spaces, and have received hostile speculation as to their intentions in such spaces. Not only does this push residents to limit their time in these spaces after such events, it further fractures sense of belonging.
An interconnected space that belongs to residents, passerby’s, and new Chicagoans, removes prerequisites one must have in order to access other spaces within the neighborhood, while simultaneously providing them with a dedicated space to organize and occupy. Features like an exterior and interior speaking stage, flow through great hall, and individual meeting rooms aim to facilitate spaces for voice amplification and personal relationship building.
Adjacent to numerous institutions like The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Campus, Rush University Graduate College, as well as the Illinois Medical District. Features like the Chicago - Kansas City Expy and Dan Ryan Expy (I-90) divide the neighborhood from North and East. Union Pacific Railroads extensive network to the South further delineates the neighborhoods borders.
On a previously undeveloped lot adjacent to Arrigo Park, the site is centrally located within the Little Italy Neighborhood. Directly across from existing residential and community commercial spaces, the proposed community center embraces interconnectedness in form and social function.
Small, medium, and large meeting rooms are enveloped by a larger Great Hall. Serving a multitude of functions, the central public hall contains an indoor and outdoor speaking stage, communal kitchen, and general lounging areas.
Surface Facade
Parametric Modeling: Rhino
Winter 2021
Over the short coarse of a few weeks online, form finding using Rhino commands like Extrude, Loft, Sweep 1 and 2, were used to construct initial basic shapes. Further adjustment of these shapes in conjunction with the command, FlowAlongSurface, was used to flow exterior facade patters around basic geometry.
A series of waves flows along the buildings exterior facade, shading interior patios while also illuminating others depending on time of day and season.
Rhino Command Form-finding
Extrude, Loft, Sweep 1 and Sweep 2 were used in combination with 2D line drawings to create increasingly abstracted or detailed forms. These forms also built upon previous assignments involving commands like Revolve and Spiral.
Extraction of UV curves was used to obtain vertical and horizontal curves from the 3D forms. UV mapping in conjunction with Flow Along Surface was used to inspire the final form.
Exterior view with different material and plant configurations.
Facade includes different levels of patio shading based on time of day and season.
Parametric Modeling: Grasshopper Fall 2019
Beautiful in seed and flower, the Castilleja flower, also known as Indian paintbrush, is native to the America’s spanning from northern Alaska to the Andes. Castilleja’s seeds employ fascinating structural support to nurture it’s fragile inner seed, quite similar to the Voronoi Cell structure.
Castilleja Seed Playground
In order to form the geometry, the Grasshopper commands Populate 3D and Voronoi 3D produced the cell like structures according to variable parameters like number of points and cells.
Seasonal Residence
Architecture Studio 4
Spring 2021
Seasonal changes are central to many of the natural systems surrounding where we live, work, and play. Whether it be changes in light, temperature, or growing seasons, these changes impact our daily experiences drastically.
Two habitable structures are conjoined through expansive deck space. An overarching frame spans the length and width between these spaces, creating structure for plant growth, as well as visual enclosure for private deck and interior spaces.
North Corner
The north interior provides kitchen, dining, living room, bathroom and closet spaces for up to 10 residents during peak food production seasons.
For less work intensive growing seasons like winter, two residents can occupy the northern interior while energy is conserved in the southern less conditioned interior.
South Corner
Primarily used in the spring, summer, and early fall months, the southern interior includes screened in bedrooms and lounging spaces.
Ample garden bed spaces and trellis structure provide growing spaces for residents to harvest.
LAURIE DEMETRIO INTERIORS
Selected Works 2022 - 2024 18 - 27
PROJECT 1: TELLURIDE
Located deep in the ski slopes of Telluride, Colorado, this log cabin was in desperate need of updating. Working in conjunction with the Nuhaus custom cabinetry team to create more functional bathroom vanities, dining buffet, fireplace, bar, laundry room, and ski gear lockers, these spaces became much more functional for accomidating larger groups of family and friends during winter ski trips. Pieces from Rose Tarlow, Holly Hunt fabrics and leather, and Madda Studio rugs contributed to achieving the ski cabin aesthetic.
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
Our client opted to keep the existing great room fireplace which displays a beautiful original Andy Warhol print from his Cowboys and Indians Series, 1986.
EXISTING GREAT ROOM
BUNK ROOM - RENDERING
DINING AND SKI GEAR RENDERINGS
Using Nuhaus’s design drawings, I used SketchUp and Photoshop to render the updated dining room, ski gear lockers, lower level bar, and fireplace to further develop these designs for Nuhaus, the LDI team, and present the client with material and finish combination options.
LOWER LEVEL BAR AND FIREPLACE
PROJECT 2: WICKER PARK
Located in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, our client purchased an adjacent lot to their existing home to accomidate a larger kitchen and family room. A custom tv console and display shelves provided the family room with much needed entertainment storage and family heirloom display. The second floor of this addition made way for a generous primary bed, bath, and walk in closet.
FAMILY ROOM AND KITCHEN RENDERINGS
Renderings assisted in the design of the custom tv console and floating shelves in the family room, as well as helped the client visualize material and fixture options for the kitchen island. Gubi Beetle Counter Stools and Vibia pendants added to the minimal and contemporary aesthetic of the project.
The Second floor primary suite was a driving factor in our clients decision to undergo construction of the addition. The suite includes a spacious bedroom, bathroom, and walk in closet.
RENDERINGS
Wall, floor, and shower tile was sourced from Porcelanosa at the Merchandise Mart. We collaborated with the project’s kitchen designer, Kitchens By Gregory to create a custom vanity with Cosentino coutertop holding Kholer sinks and Brizo fixtures. Lit vanity mirrors and jacuzzi bathtub were provided by Studio 41.
PRIMARY SUITE
PROJECT 3: LINCOLN PARK
I had the upmost pleasure to work with a client who wanted to remodel a south east facing corner unit of Meis van der Rohe’s Commonwealth Towers In Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Working with a contractor familiar with renovating other units in Meis buildings helped us preserve some of the original details while also tailoring the unit to our clients preferences.
OVERALL FLOOR PLAN
LIVING ROOM FURNITURE SCHEME AND BANQUETTE RENDERING
Wanting a Japandi style aesthetic, we presented our client with the classic Wishbone chair and Saarinen dining table. To add a layer of comfort and softness, we designed a custom banquette upholstered in Holly Hunt fabric. Blu Dot lounge chairs, The Citizenry pillows, and Ethnicraft coffee table and counter stools fit within our clients budget constraints while also providing them with a more laid back relaxed feel. I also had the pleasure to work with a very well renowned local artist, MKN Art to create a custom painting based on our existing pallet of materials.
