conraddlau@gmail.com
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MILWAUKEE
PROFESSOR STUDIO LOCATION
KYLE TABLOTT EMERGING DIGITAL TECH -
NOLOGY:
PARAMETRIC DESIGN
NONE: CONCEPTUAL
Created using Grasshopper, the design of the observation tower was inspired through biomimicry and sustainable design. Utilizing a voronoi pattern seen throughout nature, features created by nature, and sourcing sustainable materials, Ecological Resurgence was seen in 3 parts: Movement , Canopy , and Landscape .
The ground level and spiral staircase focuses on both horizontal and vertical movement respectively. The ground plane is constructed of gravel paths in a voronoi pattern, creating numerous routes and forms of interaction with the pavilion. The spiral staircase interacts with the form of the tower, opening at the top and bottom while constricting in the center creating an evolving space as people climb and descend the tower. The organic voronoi pattern of the facade allows for unique lighting conditions and dynamic views of the landscape as elevation increases and decreases.
The pavilion, inspired by the feeling of being under a dense forest, mirrors the pattern of the paths. Constructed of 3 different “elements,” Trunks, Voids, and Webs, the pavilion attempts to
mimic the conditions of a canopy. The trunks or columns supporting the structure feel random in nature, similar to the growth of trees. The voids and webs influence a sense of protection while still being open to the elements and create unique lighting conditions at the ground level. The pavilion is constructed of aluminum allowing for it to be constructed of recycled material and to be recycled if deconstructed.
Landscape is inspired by the views of nature at various levels. Inspired by the mobility of animals, the pavilion looks at views of the ground, sky, and in between. The ground views are related to deer and other animals who are locked to the ground plane. The pavilion and paths formulate the views available from the ground, looking up at the trees. The in-between is related to squirrels and other animals with the ability to climb. The staircase offers views of the trees from all levels as you climb. Lastly, the sky is related to birds. The top of the observation tower offers 360 degrees views of the surrounding area, looking at nature at the eye level of a bird flying through the sky.
Conceptualized through biomimicry, this observation tower explores how we can mimic nature with a sustainable approach utilizing a parametric program.
The formal composition started with a typical LA street of single family homes to take the concept of a neighborhood linked through a commonality of circulation. The forms were merged together to densify the block, then stretched or compressed vertically or horizontally to create 6 unique pod forms. These blocks were then pulled apart to create space on the ground plane and formalized to address program needs of a co-living project. The facades were pulled and pushed to create unique spaces on the interior and the gabled roof forms were added on the minimal dwelling units to reintroduce the concept of personal belonging offered by single family housing.
Going into the pods, The minimal dwelling unit is the smallest alcove designated for a single resident. The space is left as an empty slate to give the occupant complete freedom to customize it to their personality. A planter is located outside the window for interaction to give the resident a direct interaction with nature.Each pod is split between 8 to 9 residents with the intention of creating a large family. The programmatic spaces are meant to be symbiotic to suggest interaction between residents and the space.
This idea of interaction with space is also created on the exterior by creating a backyard with a patio and planters for each resident to utilize for crop cultivation or floriculture and beings to create a family of crops for residents to trade with each other or other pods.Some pods also interact to address ecological issues such as the declining monarch butterfly population. One pod hosts space
for Larvae & pupa while the adjacent pod hosts a garden of milkweed to provide food for the caterpillars and space for the butterflies to lay eggs.
At the site level the street acts as a circulation point from the main entrance of Hillcrest to the southern projects. This can be used programmatically like an informal market for residents to offer various produce or other goods to surrounding projects as well as offer public spaces that invite these residents to come interact with this project. Separate from the project there are numerous outposts spread throughout the entire hillcrest golf course. These spaces are free to any resident and are maintained by residents from my project. This offers an opportunity for sustainability in terms of food production and also a chance for my residents to interact with various other projects. The program consists of fruit & vegetable gardens that specialize in specific items (i.e. fruits), chicken coops, flower gardens, and small patches dedicated to ecology. There are spaces dedicated to endangered species from trees to invertebrates. Spaces at the edges of the site are dedicated to the growth of Engelmann oaks to reduce sound from the street or neighborhoods. Some sand traps from the golf course are reutilized as places to breed El Segundo butterflies and coast buckwheat, two endangered species of invertebrate and plant respecitvely. By mixing these spaces with the shared program the intention is to create visually appealing and relaxing areas that also have a role to play by helping introduce people to each other and to local ecological issues.
This project titled “(E)Co-Living” utilizes the co-living housing model as an exploration of interaction on numerous levels between people and people, people and space, and people and ecology.
The form was developed through a series of massing models following the concept of embedding the structure in place. The resulting form mirrored the void created by the massing of the Black Husky Brewing Co. across the street and a pitched roof to situate the market in its context. A chunk of the second level was removed to mirror the patio space offered at Black Husky and create a split level outdoor space, offering numerous experiences for the patrons and providing plenty of outdoor space for various events.
The market introduces a new commercial space that doubles as a community center. The linear circulation of the ground floor allows patrons to walk past all 12 interior market stalls and exit in the courtyard for seating. The building itself is pushed south on the site to create space for outdoor market stalls along Locust St for local farmers and producers, a current tradition on the site that the proposal honors. The courtyard f eatures space to host concerts and rallys and utilizes the form to mitigate the sound produced by Locust St. Lastly a cafe accessible from both the interior and exterior is located on the northeast corner, providing for an easily
accessible market stall for passersby. The second level expands upon the program of the first. The highlight is the demo kitchen/presentation space to offer educational cooking classes or space for smaller presentations or team meetings. The second level also offers indoor seating as well as a 4 seasons room that can open up in the warmer months creating a connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
The project acted as an introduction to building tectonics. Constructed of tilt-up concrete, the form was broken down into castable sections. To add texture to the facade, the tilt up is board formed, creating the illusion of wood and is given depth on the north and south elevations using tilt-up pillars to cover connection points. Building code was loosely followed featuring proper distance between exits and stairways and an enclosed fireproof staircase.
The Riverwest Market was designed with the goal of creating a communal hub within a tight-knit neighborhood. The final proposal was reached through an iterative process following 3 main concepts:
Program, and Tectonics
The Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park, located along the Milwaukee River, offers a small dose of nature in a concrete jungle. In a master plan of three proposed buildings, the Theatre creates an adaptable performance space to showcase what Milwaukee has to offer. The form of the theatre was designed around how sound interacts with architecture. Starting with a simple box, the walls are tilted inwards to avoid standing sound waves. The roof is then tilted down in the front and is pulled up in the rear to carry sound out the back to provide for the rear seats and outdoor space. The sound panels are designed in a repeating concave pattern to carry the sound out and expand upon the form.
Material is used as a way to distinguish space as well as compliment sound. The Lobby and circulation is defined through translucent glass, a material seen throughout the masterplan to give continuity to the structures through material. The translucent panels diffuse natural light during the day, evenly lighting the space with minimal artificial light and lowering energy consumption. At night lights within the panel turn on creating consistent and adaptable lighting throughout the day. The North and South elevations feature a perforated metal facade, a material known to absorb unwanted sound produced from the surrounding areas, creating a better experience for patrons sitting outside.
The staple feature is the dynamic ability for the theatre to perform as both an enclosed and open space. For concerts or larger audiences, the rear wall opens up and becomes a sound panel to carry sound further out. For more intimate performances or harsher weather conditions the rear wall closes sealing the theatre.
The simplistic yet investigative design of the theatre studied the element of sound and the materials that best compliment it. The final result is a dynamic performance space for the city of Milwaukee
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MILWAUKEE
PROFESSOR STUDIO LOCATION
TRUDY WATT
VULNERABILITY
NONE: CONCEPTUAL
Bespoke Living explored designing a residential space dedicated to a specific stakeholder who is classified as “vulnerable.” I chose my great-grandmother Marion Lau, and through an interview found what she felt was lacking in her congregate setting. Supported by what she feels is lacking, I approached the project asking the question: How might we help/encourage Marion Lau, a 94-year-old woman, living in a congregate setting, who is confined to a wheelchair, has limited endurance and values interaction highly to have a better social life? The process started with four weeks of rigorous research. As a class we attended lectures, interviews with stakeholders, symposiums hosted by Yale and Jefferson University, and conducted independent studies related to our stakeholders to find various design techniques and thought processes that address their vulnerabilities. Collectively we pooled our notes and findings together to create a diagram centered around our stakeholders and branching out into the various ways we can address their current living situations. Next, a series of eight diagrams, each related to an idea that Marion felt she was lacking in her current situation and supported by research, were created to visually address the different aspects. The finale was an Isometric drawing applying the various design techniques learned through research, creating a bespoke living space for Marion.
How might we help/encourage Marion Lau, a 94-year-old woman, living in a congregate setting, who is confined to a wheelchair, has limited endurance, and values interaction highly to have a better social life?
Marion doesn’t feel at home, causing her to feel displaced and unwelcomed.
Marion’s current congregate setting lacks interaction with other residents, making it difficult to create personal connections.
Marion’s building lacks spaces for residents to socialize. An addition of social spaces creates more opportunities for residents to interact.
Marion lacks views from her space, making her feel as if she’s living in a hospital, not in a home.
Marion enjoys gardening but lacks access to green space in her current situation.
In Marion’s old age she relies on the support of caretakers.
There’s a lack of community in Marion’s current situation, creating a depressing atmosphere and lack of connection between residents.
Confined to a wheelchair, Marion needs to be able to easily access spaces while considering she has limited endurance.
