Dylann Monastra Portfolio 06-17-24

DYLANN MONASTRA

Architecture Portfolio

University of Cincinnati

Resume

Monastde@mail.uc.edu (330)-639-8010

About Me

Hello! My name is Dylann Monastra and I am an experienced architectural design intern. I am currently studying at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP architecture program in Ohio. I have had three years of in school experience and have one of intern experience. During my internship I developed strong skills with AutoCad, client communication and the execution of construction documents. I assisted in multiple ADA accessible projects, commercial projects, residential design, as well as a variety of historical preservation designs.

Skills

ADOBE SUITE

InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop

AUTODESK SUITE

Revit, AutoCad

RHINO 3D

Grasshopper, V-Ray, Thea MICROSOFT SUITE

PowerPoint, Excel, Docs

RENDERING SOFTWARE

Enscape, Lumion, Sketchup

OTHER

Figma, Sketching, Creative/ Technical Writing, Rug Tufting

Education

2021-Present

BACHELORS OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE

SCHOOL OF DAAP

University of Cincinnati

3.455 GPA

2017-2021

HIGH-SCHOOL DIPLOMA

Minerva High School

Graduated Top 10% with honors

4.3 GPA

Awards

Dean’s List 2021-Present

Canton Preservation Society Scholarship Awardee

NAWIC Scholarship Award

Jaamison Scholarship Award

National Honors Society

Experience

Architectural Intern

Wright Design LLC/ Spring Co-op l Jan 2024- Apr 2024

As an architecture design intern, I contributed to the development of innovative architectural projects by assisting a senior architect in various stages of design. This included researching materials and technologies, drafting technical drawings using software like AutoCAD and creating compelling visualizations for client presentations.

Designed preliminary and construction design documents for a 21 unit Nun Convent conversion to assisted senior living center. Handled ADA accessibility standards and researched and studied local building code requirements for egress and fire safety purposes.

Aided in the process of the restoration of two historical buildings in Cincinnati’s OTR historical district. Conducted a thorough survey of both buildings to create accurate representational drawings. Attended multiple SHPO client meetings to discuss the design process and ensure all historical building codes were followed.

Assisted in the preparation of construction documents for two tax credit residential properties, ensuring compliance with tax credit regulations. Conducted site visits and analysis of building sites.

Participated in the development and implementation of accessibility design solutions, ensuring compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements and promoting inclusivity in architectural projects.

Servers Assistant

Embers Restaurant / Host, Barback l Jul 2021- Aug 2023

Played a pivotal role in ensuring smooth operations and exceptional guest experiences within the hospitality setting. Primarily responsible for hosting duties, I warmly welcomed and seated guests, effectively managing reservations and accommodating special requests. Additionally, I adeptly supported the bar staff by efficiently restocking supplies, assisting with beverage preparation, and maintaining cleanliness in the bar area.

Aided in the preparation of cocktail recipes and developed keen attention to detail and multi-tasking abilities.

01 Senior Living

This project involved transforming a historic nun convent in Semloh Cincinnati into a modern senior citizen living center, focusing on ADA accessible design while preserving the building’s essence. By retaining key elements like the chapel, gardens, and communal areas, the project maintained the convent’s historical and spiritual significance.

Accessibility was a cornerstone of the design, ensuring inclusive and comfort for all residents. Features such as wide doorways, ramps, elevators, and senior-friendly living quarters were integrated seamlessly. Communal areas were re-imagined to be both functional and welcoming, fostering a sense of community while being fully accessible. Communal spaces were also ensured to be fully fire-rated and up to code to separate each apartment room.

South Elevation

North Elevation

Adhering to Ohio Building Code, every room was fire-rated using specialized materials. Bedrooms were combined into spacious suites, each equipped with private bathrooms and closets. This design not only maximized space but also ensured safety and comfort for residents.

First Floor Project Plan

Second Floor Project Plan

Roof

Second Floor

First Floor Ceiling

First Floor

The exploded isometric axon provides a comprehensive view of the second floor layout, showcasing the spatial arrangement of rooms and the intricate details of the walls and roofing. Each component is visually separated to highlight its individual role in the structure. The walls of the second floor are depicted with clarity, revealing their position and height relative to other elements. Additionally, the roofing system is prominently displayed, offering insight into its design and integration with the overall structure.

Isometric Axon

02 OTR Revival

This project showcases the historical restoration of a prominent building in OTR, Cincinnati, integrating modern apartments while preserving its architectural heritage. Responsibilities encompassed facade refurbishment, interior conversion, structural integrity maintenance, and overseeing the installation of a gate and retaining wall. Interaction with SHPO, participation in meetings, and site visits were pivotal in harmonizing historical preservation with contemporary functionality, enhancing the neighborhood’s cultural fabric.

The site measurement process for this project involved meticulous precision, utilizing advanced tools and techniques to capture every detail accurately. Using AutoCAD, the measured data was translated into digital drawings, ensuring precise representations of the building’s layout and surrounding environment. Once the basic structure was established, Adobe Illustrator was employed to add depth and realism through the application of color and textures. This intricate process breathed life into the drawings, enhancing their visual appeal and providing stakeholders with a vivid representation of the final restored site.

AutoCad and Illustrator Site Line Diagram

Front Elevation

Back Elevation

Roof Plan

Third Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

The light grey areas indicate brick sections requiring tuckpointing, ensuring structural and aesthetic upkeep. Updating the gate to code and replacing/ reinforcing the retaining wall were imperative for safety and longevity. These interventions balanced historical preservation with modern standards.

East Elevation West Elevation

Gate Section

Gate Elevation

03 Community Center

This school project envisions a vibrant community building in Over-the-Rhine (OTR), Cincinnati. Featuring libraries, study rooms, and an auditorium, it fosters community engagement and educational growth. The hub aims to create a welcoming space for residents to gather, learn, and collaborate, reinforcing OTR’s cultural fabric.

With the addition of the first floor outdoor seating and library seating, the upper floors of the community center also include many spaces around the central atrium space. This atrium extends from the second floor to the third, giving a direct view to the library spaces below. On the top floor of the community building there is an accessible auditorium space. The stacked chairs allow access the sight of the stage below. It is on the top floor to provide privacy and to allow community goers to experience the small and intentional spaces before arriving at their destination on the top floor.

First Floor Hatched Spaces Diagram

By placing a grand stair in the central area of the plan, I intended for this to be the focal point of the first floor, encouraging people to circulate around the space. The outdoor patio at the entrance of the building invites people in and gives a separation for socialization and creates an inviting opening to the front facade. The inclusion of a central library also aids in the circulation and the importance of community learning in this building.

Floor Plans

First Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

Fourth Floor

First Floor Plan

Section

For this project, I designed the community building around a program axon, ensuring a logical and functional layout of spaces. A detailed section model illustrates the division of areas within the center, highlighting libraries, study rooms, and the auditorium. It also emphasizes the large atrium space that overlooks the library below. The facade’s colors are inspired by the vibrant palette of Over-the-Rhine (OTR), reflecting the neighborhood’s dynamic character and historic charm.

Front Elevation

Section Model 1/8”=1’0”

04 Exhibition Design

Albert Sabin’s oral polio vaccine stands as a beacon of scientific achievement, virtually eradicating the crippling disease worldwide. Sabin Sunday, commemorated in Cincinnati, Ohio, celebrates his groundbreaking contribution. His vaccine, administered orally, revolutionized polio prevention, rendering it accessible to millions. The vitrine for the exhibition captures the essence of the oral polio vaccine by artfully representing a sugar cube, evoking the mode of delivery and the sweetness of the medical innovation.

“Beyond the Surface” proposes an innovative exhibition design that integrates architectural elements to redefine the traditional museum experience by using drapery and textile creations. Through the strategic placement of curtains within the space, a dynamic interplay of interior and exterior conditions is established, fostering intimate and private encounters with the displayed artifacts. The use of illuminated fabric not only enhances the ambiance but also creates a sense of intrigue, drawing visitors deeper into the narrative. Spotlights positioned over individual vitrines accentuate the importance of each artifact, transforming the exhibition into a captivating journey through important Cincinnati cultural female figures.

“Beyond the Surface” Curtain Plan Diagram 1

“Beyond the Surface” Curtain Plan Diagram 2

“Beyond the Surface” Exhibition and Vitrine Design V-Ray and Photoshop Rendering

“A Spoonful Of Sugar” Museum Vitrine Rendering Using Photoshop and V-Ray

Section and Light Diagram

Side Elevation

First Edition of “The Joy of Coking”

Mrs Trollopes Calling Card

Annie Oakleys’ Rifles

Dorris Day‘s Single “Que Sera Sera”

Ruth Lyon’s Microphone with Flowes

Recording of Kathleen Battle as “Treemonisha”

05 Cube Armature

The objective of the cube armature project was to investigate the diverse forms that can emerge from one of architecture’s fundamental design elements: line, plane, or volume . Through iterative modeling and drawing, we examined numerous iterations of cubes, each showcasing these critical design components. Building upon this exploration, we were tasked with creating a final composition incorporating a plaster cube as its central volume. This cube served as a foundation for further development, augmented by a material armature that emphasized and complemented its inherent form.

The rug armature was a great choice for its flexibility , which allowed seamless integration with the plaster cube. Its tactile quality added texture and visual interest, while its variety of colors and textures offered creative possibilities for expression .

Armature Process Sketch

Plaster Cube Rendering

Armature Diagram

Rug Tufting

Sewing the Rug Pieces

Building the Armature

Fixing Tufted Rug Pieces to Armature

The rug tufting process for my amateur cube design unfolded step by step. I began by selecting yarns of various colors and textures to represent interior and exterior spaces on the armature. As each piece was tufted, I carefully considered its placement within the cube’s design. After tufting, I sewed the pieces together, ensuring a seamless transition between interior and exterior themes. Once assembled, the panels were affixed to the cube’s surface, creating a dynamic representation of external conditions with a blend of colors and textures.

Pointillism Ink Drawing

06 Personal Works

As an architecture student, my proficiency in rug tufting, sketching, and painting serves as a multifaceted toolkit, enhancing my creative process and enriching the depth of my design concepts. Rug tufting sharpens my sensitivity to texture and color, offering insights into spatial dynamics and materiality. Sketching becomes my language of ideation, enabling swift exploration of design possibilities and facilitating effective communication within collaborative settings. Painting, on the other hand, allows me to infuse architectural narratives with emotive depth and atmospheric resonance, transcending the utilitarian aspects of space to evoke visceral responses and foster human connect ions. Together, these skills form a symbiotic relationship, informing and elevating my architectural practice.

“Tiles of Color” 68” x75” Piet Mondrian Inspired Tufted Rug

“A Fantastic Landscape” 48”x24” Inspired By Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr Fox” Acrylic Painting

Le Corbusier Villa Savoye Ink and Marker Sketch

“Modular Devices” 24”x18” Gouache, Ink and Paper Collage

100+1 Paper and Thread Aggregate Project