CONNIE LEE PORTFOLIO 2024

PORTFOLIO // SELECTED WORKS // 2020 ­– 2023

CONNIE LEE

CONTENTS 01

FRAMING THE SKY

1

02

JARDINS DE MARIA MATILDE ALMENDROS

13

03

FIGURATION AND DEEP DECORATION

19

04

PHYSICS SIMULATION

33

05

DORIS FARMS

39

06 WAYS OF SEEING

47

07

49

PERSONAL EXPLORATIONS

01

source // moody.rice.edu

FRAMING THE SKY

Fall 2023 Instructor // George Johnston Location // Myvatn, Iceland

1

Located in northern Iceland next to Lake Myvatn, a beer spa is proposed to replace a souvenir shop next to Hotel Sel. Connecting guests to the Aurora Borealis, Myvatn craters, Hverfjall volcano, and the amazing landscape that surrounds the site, this building seamlessly joins the essence of nature with an experiential journey. The concept of this design draws inspiration from James Turrell’s skyscapes, connecting visitors with the environment and sky. Time and space are constantly present with the framing of the aurora borealis and view to the sun and moon. The spa’s entry begins at the ground level, adjacent to the hotel. Visitors transcend to the second floor, where they will travel through the main hallway. There, guests are greeted by vertical wooden panels, simultaneously serving as an ambient light experience and a protective shading device. The beer bath, relaxation room, and changing rooms have sawtooth roofs, framing the aurora borealis at night to the north. The journey builds up to the terrace where visitors have a 360-degree view of the landscape and sky. There is a vertical language demonstrated through the structure and wooden panels. The beer spa is highlighted through its stark black wood exterior which contrasts the first-floor glazing. The vertical language and use of materials help convey a sense of lightness to the spa, like it is floating.

FOUND GEOMETRIES // OUTSIDE - IN Several existing matrices were created to contextualize the surrounding landscape. The important matrices (setback of the road, hotel extension, crater visualization, volcano relation) were extrapolated resulting in a “place form” or plinth where the project rests.

ROAD MATRIX

HOTEL MATRIX

PSEUDOCRATER MATRIX

VOLCANO MATRIX

FINAL PLINTH

INSIDE - OUT This sketch/diagram represents how the considerations of the plinth were applied to the building. The most defining characteristic is the diagonal geometry, stemming from the broad view axis and the relationship to Hverfall volcano and pseudocraters. The main linear geometry offers views to the aurora borealis. The main hallway circulation surrounds the south and east side, connecting visitors to the sun patterns while bringing in light.

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3

EXPLODED ISOMETRIC // lifting the walls and roof of the second floor (beer spa) showing timber construction

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SITE PLAN + ROOF PLAN

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14 13 12

11

10 11

9

FLOOR 2 (BEER SPA)

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1

2 8

4 7

6

5

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

CAFE KITCHEN SOUVENIR SHOP BREWERY COOLING/STORAGE STORAGE MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL ENTRANCE TO SPA RECEPTION SHOWERS/CHANGING BEER BATH RELAXATION ROOM BEER TASTING TERRACE

FLOOR 1

6

METAL ROOF STRUCTURAL ROOF PANELS RAFTER

GLAZING RAFTER STEEL FRAMING BEAM

SHEATHING INSULATION STUD

BEER BATH DETAIL

SECTION 1

7

CONSTRUCTION DETAIL

BIRCH WOOD INTERIOR FINISH

SECTION 2

8

BEER BATH (4 PERSON)

9

TERRACE

MAIN HALLWAY

10

CONSTRUCTION BASE (PROGRESS)

INSIDE CAFE

LIFTED ROOF // SHOWING ROOMS OF BEER SPA 11

TERRACE

FULL PHYSICAL MODEL VIEW

12

02

Source // Barcelona Film Commission

Jardin de Maria Matilde Almendros 2009

JARDINS DE MARIA MATILDE ALMENDROS Summer 2023 Instructor // Mark Cottle + Sekou Samuels Collaborator // Fatima Jarquin Location // Barcelona, Spain

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Jardin de Maria Matilde Almendros 2023

In the heart of Eixample, this project seeks to revitalize an urban garden, named after a pioneering Catalan radio broadcaster and actress, by blending its rich historical context with modern design elements. Due to overpopulation and the rapid growth of buildings, this site, a once open space for children to play, is reduced to a small area with limited sunlight and ventilation.

This initiative aims to reintroduce children to the space while accommodating the existing diverse demographics. This design mirrors the existing brick arches onto the blank concrete wall, creating playful nooks and seating areas while celebrating the history and materials of the site. The materials used for the intervention were inspired by the existing materials of the site (glass blocks, brick, concrete). Emphasizing accessibility, the layout includes a ramp and stairway, leading visitors through a planned circulation path. This rejuvenation project, while paying homage to its cultural legacy, aims to foster a vibrant, inclusive community space, balancing the old with the new.

MAIN STREETS

EXISTING NEARBY ILLAS

METRO STATIONS

NEARBY SCHOOLS

1 Gran Via 2 Avinguda Parallel 3 Consell de Cent green axis 4 Comte Borrell green axis 5 Avinguda de Mistral 6 Rocafort Green Axis 7 Consell de Cent / Rocafort square 8 Consell de Cent / Comte Borrell square

1 Jardins de Maria Matilde Almendros 2 Jardins de Tete Montoliu 3 Jardins de Sebastià Gasch 4 Jardins de Paula Montal 5 Jardins d’Emma de Barcelona

1 Metro de Rocafort 2 Metro de Urgell 3 Metro de Poble Sec

1 Col·legi Salesians de Rocafort 2 Hijas de María Auxiliadora Instituto Salesianas de San Juan 3 Enforex 4 Escola Diputació 5 El Petit Rossinyol

SITE SECTION OBLIQUE

ROCAFORT STATION

JARDINS DE MARIA MATILDE ALMENDROS

JARDINS DE TETE MONTOLIU

GRAN VIA

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SECTION OBLIQUE WITH INTERVENTION // cutting parallel to carrer de sepulveda; showing the mirrored brick arches, ramp, seating, and private space underneath the seating

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INTERIOR + EXTERIOR ISOMETRIC WITH INTERVENTION

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EXISTING ELEVATIONS // shows relation between residents and site

SW

NW

NE

SE

5 4

3

1

2

1 2 3 4 5

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PLAY NOOKS OPEN PLAY SPACE PRIVATE AREA RAMP/SEATING ADULT SEATING AREA

ENTRANCE TO L’ILLA

ON TOP OF BRICK ARCHES/SEATING

UNDER RAMP

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03

DEEP DECORATION

Fall 2022 Instructor // Stuart Romm Collaborator // Niknaz Tillavaldyyeva Location // Rocinha, Brazil

Islamic tessellations are ancient decorative patterns that symbolize order and peace. They are the “beauty of heavens brought down to earth”.

They begin from a circle and are mathematically transformed, creating seemingly endless patterns.

Girih shapes were discovered to simplify complex patterns. The main five girih tiles consist of the decagon, bobbin, pentagon, bow-tie, and rhombus. Adapter tiles are an evolved girih tile set. They create more interesting variations and aid in scaling transitions.

The House of the People, a multifunctioning space for the community, resides in Rocinha, Brazil, in the vast rainforest. Using faceted islamic tessellation patterns, this building resembles a glowing lantern, lighting up the dark forest. By slightly bending the interior panels, the building becomes two distinct structures, creating a mini atrium. This contains the elevator, pathways, and two stairs leading up to a grand roof. Faceted hemispherical vault structures are an integral theme of the structure. Apart from their aesthetic purpose, they help define spaces such as the entrance, private areas, and the roof. The solid aluminum plates on the hemispherical bay windows help shade specific areas, minimizing energy consumption and reducing indoor temperatures. Furthermore, the pleating exhibited on the facade aims to limit sunlight in private areas, while increasing sunlight in more public areas. The building is composed of concrete, steel beams, aluminum sheets, and glass.

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10

8 + 4 FOLD

GEOMETRIES

STRAPWORK

Airplane

4 Pointed Star 135°

135°

Irregular Polygon

8 Pointed Star

5 + 4 FOLD

SPLINE FIGURES

Octagon

Irregular Polygon

House

10 pointed star

Spline rotates 90° around central axis

5 FOLD

Girih Tiles Bobbin

Bow-tie

Decagon

Symmetry, girih tile connections, and transformative operations were analyzed through islamic tessellation precedents.

The main five girih tiles include the decagon, penta, rhombus, bow-tie, and bobbin. The transition between different folds is difficult to achieve without gaps.

Adapter tiles such as the irregular polygon and ten pointed star decrease gaps and create more interesting patterns.

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Underlying five fold figure is abstracted and rotated 45° in the top and bottom quadrant

After combining several girih and adapter tiles, a configuration field was created. A section of the field was chosen for further analysis.

Additional analysis was explored in the physical model, using operations of rotation and scaling.

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3D EXPLORATIONS USING THE SITE FOOTPRINT AND EXISTING PATTERN

PLAN

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SECTION

PLEATING/SUBTRACTING/EXTRUDING // After completing the pleating process by folding each girih tile, the bobbin and bowtie shapes were extruded.

PLAN

SECTION

PLEATING/BENDING/LOFTING // Pleated fields are created on the exterior panels. The panels are bent gradually, creating a telescoping effect explored in the physical model. There is a central decagon that is lofted 72 degrees, creating a twisting effect. The other lofting effect is

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THE HOUSE // 7535 SF • • • • • • • •

Small Cafe Table - 360 Seating (Small) - 240 Seating (Medium) - 300 Cafe Booth / 130 Small Food Booth - 450 Office - 400 Lobby - 450 Kitchen - 225

• • • • • • • •

Creative Space - 450 Library - 600 Dining Area - 600 Athletic Activites - 600 Roof Food Booth - 600 Museum - 600 Open Garden Area - 400 Auditorium - 1100

• • • • • • • •

Craft Making - 300 Spirtuality + Religion Class - 350 Biology Class - 350 Samba Dance Class - 600 Samba Drumming Class - 500 Music Class - 300 Fashion Studio - 300 Capoeira studio - 280

• • • • •

Presentation Room - 650 Library Of Local History - 450 Computer Archives - 290 Clinic - 450 Counceling - 290

SELF-EDUCATION // 6680 SF • • • • • • • •

Face-To-Face - 300 Face-To-Face - 450 Face-To-Face - 1200 Gardening Class - 350 Ecology Class - 350 Geology Class - 350 History Class - 350 History Of Music - 350

SELF-GOVERNING // 3695 SF • • • • •

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Private Tables - 75 Private Tables - 300 Private Tables - 360 Presentation Room - 380 Presentation Room - 450

The government and education programs are separated into two sides. The house programs operate mainly on the entry level and bottom floors. This allows visitors to easily navigate the building and to connect with different demographics.

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The pleating process starts with a two dimensional girih tile. Points on the vertices are lifted to dimensionalize the tile starting from the exterior border. This helps ensure that the 3D tile can still connect to different tiles.

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PUBLIC - HIGH POPULATION DENSITY •

presentation room, lobby, garden, dining area, roof activities, dance/capoeira studio

SEMI-PUBLIC •

classroom, office, creative space

PRIVATE - LOW POPULATION DENSITY (TIGHTER FOLD) •

clinic, counseling, face to face, private

The final shape of the girih tile depends on the interior spaces. The vertices are pinched along the x and y axis to allow more sunlight and help define the interior spaces on the exterior facade.

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20

13

19

11

19

12

12

12

FLOOR 5 (ENTRY)

FLOOR 10

9

18

9

16

10

17

FLOOR 4

7

FLOOR 9

9

8

5 6 14

FLOOR 3

3

15

3

3

4

3

3

15

14

FLOOR 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

AUDITORIUM GARDEN CLASSROOM MUSEUM LIBRARY LIBRARY OF PRIMARY AND LOCAL HISTORY OFFICE COMPUTER WITH ARCHIVES FACE TO FACE DESKS CREATIVE SPACE LOBBY/RECEPTION CAFE/FOOD BOOTH KITCHEN + DINING PRESENTATION ROOM PRIVATE DISCUSSION CLINIC COUNSELING DANCE ROOM/CAPOEIRA SITTING AREA ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES/SAMBA DRUMMING

FLOOR 8

2

FLOOR 7

3 3

1

15

FLOOR 1

14

FLOOR 6

30

31

32

04

source // arquitecturaviva

PHYSICS SIMULATION

Media and Modeling II // Fall 2022 Instructor // Mehmet S. Bermek Collaborator // Kelsey Payne Location // Decatur, Georgia

33

The Nine Bridges Country Club is a building located in South Korea. It uses the kagome pattern which is a series of interlaced triangles.

This precedent was modeled in rhino using grasshopper and kangaroo. After completing a series of variations, a multi-use art pavilion was created located in Decatur square.

KAGOME PATTERN

COLUMN LOCATION

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Anchor points applied from undulating perimeter curve with 8 peaks and 8 valleys and flat curve at base

Anchor points applied at column locations

Physics simulation from Kangaroo applied

Piping from kagome pattern projected onto mesh from physics simulation

Base with steps created from inital undulating curve footprint + offsets

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05

DORIS FARMS

Architecture Studio I // Spring 2022 Instructor // Hayri Dortdivanlioglu Location // Macon, Georgia

39

Set in the rural confines of Macon, Georgia, this cottage aims to explore the solid void relationship through the manipulation of interior and exterior spaces. The cottage is lifted 15 ft above the ground, with the first level being the platform that travels to each floor. This creates an indoor/outdoor space that distorts the idea of a boundary. The platform is an all-glass enclosure that has a sliding glass door that travels up and down, specialized to each floor. However, a single panel door is located on the rooftop floor. Within the interior space, each floor acts as a looking area for the floor below it. The facades of the building present extrusions that define where the occupiable areas are. Furthermore, the decorative wooden slabs represent the division of interior public spaces (living and dining room) and more private spaces (bedroom and working area). The structure is encased in timber slabs to immerse people into the landscape while blending in with the trees.

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EXPLODED ISOMETRIC // shows the wooden framework, glass enclosure, and decorative vertical timber slabs

42

DOUBLE COTTAGE SECTION AND PLANS

SECTION 1/8’’ = 1’ 43

3 3

FLOOR 5

3

FLOOR 4

2

FLOOR 3 5

1

4

FLOOR 2

FLOOR 1

1 2 3 4 5

KITCHEN/DINING OFFICE BEDROOM BATHROOM STORAGE PLANS 1/16’’ = 1’ 44

DOUBLE COTTAGE PHYSICAL MODEL

45

ENTRANCE

INTERIOR TOP DOWN VIEW

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06

WAYS OF SEEING

Summer 2023 Instructor // Maria Velasquez Location // Barcelona, Spain

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During the weekly visits to several sites around Barcelona, sketches were made using a thick graphite pencil. The thick pencil allows for dark shadows and quick impressions of different architectural elements.

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07

PERSONAL EXPLORATIONS // SHADOWS + TEXTURES

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BRUSHES AND BOOKS STILL LIFE // exploring shadows, tone, reflections, and the fluidity/rigidity of objects // graphite + charcoal on paper, 13’’ x 9’’, 2021

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GRIP // a drawing of my sister’s hands // graphite on paper, 10’’ X 12’’, 2020

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TEXTURES // a drawing of a collection of different objects // pen on paper, 8’’ X 10’’, 2021

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CONTACT: CLEE806@GATECH.EDU