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Artificial Nature
◦ Crossing Barriers
◦ Genesis
◦ Reacting to Climate Change
humanity is the bridge betweenthe natural and artifical worlds although we build artifical things we were born in the natural world humanity is where the two seperate world unite to become one
The community urban garden in Gray’s Ferry, Philadelphia, blends the commercial and residential divisions of the neighborhood, by directly engaging with the context of the site. Noticing the differing districts, I started by creating a 3 by 3 grid generated from the blocks of neighborhood. From this, I manipulated the blocks to engage the community and offer an expierience that immerses the people approaching equally on both sides. The market/educational spaces become the parts of the grid closest to the residential district, while the garden is placed near the South for ample light. Through a diagonol pathway, a sequence of compression and release happens allowing a moment of observing the entire building and landscape at the central node of the site. I let the site dictate the space and matierals by allowing flexible usage of the building and the usage of brick to call back to the staple Philly materiality.
Genesis represents the new beginning of the two pre-existing buildings joining together to make a mark on the community. We decided to carve away the building shell and create a nature atrium on either side allowing for growth during all parts of the year .To ensure a cool environment, we studied multiple iterations of a shading system, landing on one that has coverage scattered throughout the space. Along the façade and railings, there is a water collection and plant growth system made of reclaimed oil pipes, from the defunct oil refinery in Philly. Highlighting the beginning of a new industry in Philly, one that helps the wellness of the community. As you go past the atrium, you can enter the commercial area of the building. Above the commercial space are the apartment units, which are a series of interlocking, split-level spaces, to better maximize the space and include every resident with a pathway to their apartment through the atrium and a personal balcony naturally formed into the modular space.
Iteration 1
we started with the most simple form of sun shading covering the entire space equally
Iteration 2
we then added more dimension to create di erent levels of shade, catering to the needs of the space
Iteration 3
finally we implimented the reclaimed lumber’s dimensionality and applied it to our shading form
The need for climate change-resistant housing is more relevant than ever. Along the New Jersey coast, lifting houses has become a common practice to avoid flooding since Hurricane Sandy took a toll on the Shore in 2012. Taking the original beach bungalow design that originated in the 1950s and bringing it into a modern context in both style and consideration for flood elevation was the goal for this design. Under supervision from the principal architect, I was allowed to design and document this residential rennovation. Our client was a young man looking for a starter home with many rooms for multiple roommates, room for his pickup truck, and additions of more outdoor space all while staying low budget.
All these elements including lifting the house were necessary, as the house is in a special flood zone area with an annual 1% chance of flood hazard. We ended up with the transition from ground to the main floor being the anchor of the project. The porch placement ties together the lower garage levels with the rest of the existing house to create both a homey entrance and a gradual transition from the lifted area of the home to the existing living area.
