Edima Essien

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Edima Essien Undergraduate Portfolio

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Table of Contents 07

Resume Pr ojec ts

08 14 20 26 32 36 40 46

Athletic Center

Recreational

Multi-family Housing

Residential

Baths

Recreational

Birding Center

Recreational

Library

Educational

Brise Soleil

Recreational

Urban Development

Commercial

Museum

Educational

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6

Resume

Edima Essien Email: edimaessien@utexas.edu Phone: 2814673110

EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN – BA ARCHITECTURE, BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS

Fall 2010 – May 2015 AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Summer 2010 - Summer 2012 EXPERIENCE ARCHITECTURE INTERN, PERKINS + WILL

January - August 2014

Perkins + Will is an architecture fir that leads in design through thorough

research and great architects that work in different locations all over the

world. For 6 months, I had the opportunity to intern with this fir for

school credit. I was involved with the design of the new Northwestern

Medical Research Center. My role on the team involved making

presentation drawings, diagrams, models and construction documents.

I also had the opportunity to go on site visits, attend coordination

meetings and write minutes for these meetings. This internship increased

my knowledge and understanding of the architecture profession.

LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE

May 2014

In our society today, there is an emphasis on sustainability in design.

Becoming LEED accredited shows that the individual is committed to

taking initiative when it comes to being environmentally responsible in

building design.

LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AND PROCESS (LEAP)

Spring 2011

This was an experience that built my ethical leadership and promoted me

as a student leaders in the community.

VISUAL MERCHANDISING, TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES Volunteer

Summer 2012

Ten Thousand Villages sells work of artisans in developing countries to

help them have a decent means of living. My job involved organizing

the visual display of the store to attract customers as well as assisting

the customers.

SKILLS ADOBE SUITE

Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash, Soundbooth, Premier Pro AUTODESK

Autodesk Revit, Auto Cad, Rhino, 3ds Max OTHER

GIS, Sketchup, Microsoft (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, One Note, Outlook)

Resume

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Athletic Center Recreational

Function: Community Athletics and Swim Center Location: 5975 S. Western Avenue, South Los Angeles, California Area: 88,100 square feet

South LA is a region hugely infl uenced by different ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic status. Though this diversity of groups within the region is noticeable, South LA still attains a notion of separation within these disparate groups. One commonality amongst the different groups in this area is that there is generally a lack of good education and jobs. South LA in its entirety consists of locally owned businesses, affordable housing, homes, clinics, gyms, schools and many other amenities as well as families, young and old, artisans and musicians. However focusing in to the context of the surrounding site near 5975 S Western Ave., many of these amenities including transportation, open spaces and medical services become sparse and the individuals that need these services the most are not within reach.

In light of this, the design of the community athletics and swim center is an effort to encourage social integration amongst the different groups of people through implementation of some of these community services such as outdoor parks, after school programs for the youth and career development.

1 South East View 2 Program Relationship Diagram 3 Aerial View

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1

2

Social Integration

Social Integration

Social Integration

Social Integration

Density

Open Space

Density

Open Space

Density

Open Space

Density

Open Space

Progam

Approach

Progam

Approach

Progam

Approach

Progam

Approach

3

Athletic Center

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4 Ground Floor Plan 5 Fenestration Detail 6 Axon 7 Lobby 8 Gym

4 METAL FASCIA

METAL FASCIA

METAL FLASHING

METAL FLASHING

GRAVEL BALLAST

GRAVEL BALLAST

ROOFING MEMBRANE

ROOFING MEMBRANE

THERMAL INSULATION

THERMAL INSULATION

METAL FASCIA

METAL FASCIA

VAPOR RETARDER

METAL FLASHING

VAPOR RETARDER

METAL FLASHING

GRAVEL BALLAST

GRAVEL BALLAST

ROOFING MEMBRANE

ROOFING MEMBRANE

THERMAL INSULATION

THERMAL INSULATION

Level 3 22' - 0"

Level 3 22' - 0"

VAPOR RETARDER

VAPOR RETARDER

Level 3 22' - 0"

Level 3 22' - 0"

ALUMINIUM PANEL

ALUMINIUM PANEL

CARPET CARPET PAD 1/4" SOUND PAD 1/2" GYPSUM PLYWOOD SUBFLOORING

CARPET CARPET PAD 1/4" SOUND PAD 1/2" GYPSUM PLYWOOD SUBFLOORING INSULATION

INSULATION

THIN MORTAR

THIN MORTAR

Level 2 10' - 0"

1 METAL FASCIA

PANEL DETAIL 1" = 1'-0"

2

METAL FASCIA

METAL FLASHING

METAL FLASHING

GRAVEL BALLAST

GRAVEL BALLAST

ROOFING MEMBRANE

ROOFING MEMBRANE

THERMAL INSULATION

THERMAL INSULATION

VAPOR RETARDER

VAPOR RETARDER

Level 3 22' - 0"

Level 3 22' - 0"

CARPET CARPET PAD 1/4" SOUND PAD 1/2" GYPSUM PLYWOOD SUBFLOORING

CARPET CARPET PAD 1/4" SOUND PAD 1/2" GYPSUM PLYWOOD SUBFLOORING INSULATION

INSULATION

ALUMINIUM PANEL

THIN MORTAR

ALUMINIUM PANEL

THIN MORTAR

Level 2 10' - 0"

Level 2 10' - 0"

CARPET CARPET PAD 1/4" SOUND PAD 1/2" GYPSUM PLYWOOD SUBFLOORING

CARPET CARPET PAD 1/4" SOUND PAD 1/2" GYPSUM PLYWOOD SUBFLOORING

3/8" ANCHOR BOLTS

INSULATION

INSULATION THIN MORTAR

THIN MORTAR

Level 2 10' - 0"

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1

GRAVEL BALLAST ROOFING MEMBRANE THERMAL INSULATION

Level 2 10' - 0"

3/8" ANCHOR BOLTS

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PANEL DETAIL 1" = 1'-0" METAL FASCIA METAL FLASHING

Level 2 10' - 0"

3/8" ANCHOR BOLTS

ALUMINIUM PANEL

ALUMINIUM PANEL

1

PANEL DETAIL 1" = 1'-0"

2

1

STRUCTURAL AXON

2

7

PANEL DETAIL 1" = 1'-0"

PANEL DETAIL 1" = 1'-0"

PANEL DETAIL 1" = 1'-0"

8 Athletic Center

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2

4

3

Section

Section

Section

O.T.B

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SHOWERS

SAUNA

MENS RESTROOM

WOMENS LOCKER ROOM

VANITY ROOM

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3

Section

Section

Section

WOMENS RESTROOM POWDER ROOM

MENS LOCKER ROOM

DN FITNESS CENTER

SHOWERS

SAUNA

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1

CONFERENCE ROOM

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Basement 1/16" = 1'-0"

COMMUNITY ROOM

Section

LIBRARY

1 Section UP

BOXING CHAMPIONSHIOP

BASKETBALL COURT

O.T.B

O.T.B

SHOWERS MENS RESTROOM

VANITY ROOM

SAUNA

WOMENS LOCKER ROOM

MENS LOCKER ROOM

DN WOMENS RESTROOM

2

FITNESS CENTER

Section SHOWERS

1

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

3

POWDER ROOM

SAUNA

CONFERENCE ROOM

4 Section

Section

COMMUNITY ROOM

Basement 1/16" = 1'-0"

LIBRARY

1 Section UP

BASKETBALL COURT

O.T.B

O.T.B

2 SAUNA

WOMENS LOCKER ROOM

4

3

Section

Section

Section

WOMENS RESTROOM POWDER ROOM

DN FITNESS CENTER

SHOWERS

CONFERENCE ROOM

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Basement 1/16" = 1'-0"

1

COMMUNITY ROOM

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10

1 Section UP

3

Level 2 1/16" = 1'-0"

LIBRARY

11 O.T.B

O.T.B

DN FITNESS CENTER

CONFERENCE ROOM

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

COMMUNITY ROOM

Level 2 3 1/16" = 1'-0"

UP

O.T.B

3

Level 2 1/16" = 1'-0"

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LIBRARY

9 Basement 10 Second Floor Plan 11 Elevations 12 Third Floor Plan 13 Fourth Floor Plan 14 Sections

MECHANICAL ROOM

FITNESS STUDIO A

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2

4

3

Section

Section

Section

Section

3 Section

4 Section

MEDIA ROOM

ROOF TOP LOUNGE

1 Section DN

4

Level 3 1/16" = 1'-0"

1 Section

MECHANICAL ROOM

FITNESS STUDIO B

EQUIPMENT ROOM STORAGE STORAGE CAFE

KITCHEN

ELECTRICAL & DATA ROOM

OFFICE

MECHANICAL ROOM

FITNESS STUDIO A

2

4

3

Section

Section

Section

MEDIA ROOM

ROOF TOP LOUNGE

OFFICE

1

1

Section

Section DN

4

Level 3 1/16" = 1'-0"

OFFICE

MECHANICAL ROOM

FITNESS STUDIO B

STORAGE CAFE

KITCHEN

OFFICE

2 Section

3 Section

4 Section

OFFICE

4

Level 3 1/16" = 1'-0"

1 Section

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13

5

Level 4 1/16" = 1'-0"

OFFICE

14 OFFICE

OFFICE

1 Section

5

Level 4 1/16" = 1'-0"

OFFICE

5

Level 4 1/16" = 1'-0"

Athletic Center

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Multi-Family Housing Residential

Function: Affordable Housing Location: 310 Comal Street, Austin, Texas Area: 22,000 square feet

Habitat for Humanity is a leading organization in providing affordable housing for dislocated families and individuals. The organization has a current ReStore location in Austin at 310 Comal street. Habitat for Humanity has developed a proposal for the redevelopment of the site and has asked architects and designers to submit entries. The plan involves possible renovation of the ReStore into an affordable housing project or moving the ReStore to a different location which will allow for a more integrated design that caters to the needs of Habitat for Humanity clients. This studio project was assigned in response to Habitat for Humanities proposal for the redevelopment of their site in Austin, Texas. Habitat for Humanity expressed the desire for a sustainable design that allowed for 40 units and incorporated amenities that would activate the site. My approach to addressing this site was to investigate the different layers of the community and incorporate these layers on the site. In addition to this, our design studio used the Green Enterprise Rating System as a measure of sustainability which allowed for a more energy ef cient design.

1 North West View 2 Diagram

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1

2

Multi-family Housing

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3 4

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3 Ground Floor Plan 4 West Elevation 5 Site Plan

5 Multi-family Housing

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6 Second Floor Plan 7 Third Floor Plan 8 Fourth Floor Plan 9 Detail Section

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Multi-family Housing

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Baths

Recreational Function: Community Trail Rest Stop and Baths Location: Lady Bird Lake Trail, Austin, Texas Area: 2,800 square feet

This studio began with a series of study models that embodied the notion of refuge. We were asked to reminisce a time and place in our childhood where we experienced safety or had a place of refuge to go to. My childhood place of refuge was my grandmothers kitchen. It was an old style kitchen with fi rewood and a chimney in southern Nigeria. I reminisced the aroma of the food as I listened to stories that my grandmother would tell.

The studies generated from my place of refuge then became the main infl uence for the baths design. I desired to create a space that served as a place of refuge for runners, bikers and park goers. I combined this notion of refuge with studies of the different textures of water to create different experiences within the bath. The effects of the sunlight of the water served as a design parameter that helped enhance the experience of the site.

1 1 Entry 2 Sketch Perspectives 3 Site Model

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2 3

Baths

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4

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4 Site Plan 5 Warm Bath 6 Cool Bath

6 Baths

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7 East Section 8 South Section 9 South Section 10 East Section

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Baths

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Birding Center Recreational

Function: Birding Observatory and Conference Center Location: Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory, Austin, Texas Area: 1,000 square feet

In this studio project, we sought to explore the recreational activity of “birdwatching� which requires more skill than one might imagine.

As part of the studio, I was required to research the art of bird watching and delve into the world of the bird watcher. The research included key elements like the time of day that was best for bird watching, the kind of tactics required to spot birds and the different types of birds in the specifi region.

The process began with designing a bird blind that hid the bird watcher but also allowed them to effectively observe the birds. This bird blind needed an accompanying center that would serve both new visitors and regular goers. The birding center incorporated an information center, a store and a meeting room. The design was influence by the topographic change and progression towards the water catchment. The information center is more open to the natural landscape. Progressing to the shop, there is a change in threshold which then leads to the large meeting and exhibition space. The large area mimics the idea of the bird blind and manipulates light within the space.

The simplicity of the composition and placement of the birding center also served as a monumental piece on the site.

1 South East View 2 Aerial View

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2

Birding Center

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3

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3 Site Plan 4 Entry 5 Large Meeting Room

5 Birding Center

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6 South East View 7 South View 8 Swamp area 9 Long Section 10 Swamp area 11 Cross Section

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Birding Center

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Library

Educational Function: Community Library Location: East Austin, Texas Area: 10,000 square feet

This library was designed in response to the current situation in East Austin. East Austin, is separated from West Austin by the main interstate I-35 highway. These two areas are distinctively different.

West Austin enjoys beautiful neighborhoods with many amenities and walkable streets. East Austin however is more underdeveloped and there is a lack of basic amenities such as parks and nearby grocery stored. The demographic of inhabitants are low income households and low percentage of individuals with a post secondary education. The future development plan of the area includes creating more parks and educational facilities.

Taking these factors into consideration, I began by investing the immediate site context and adjacent infrastructures. Based on my observations, I decided that the library needed to be a place that had multiple functions. The idea of a large community living room not only incorporated the library function but also includes a cafe and learning centers for kids living in the community. The placement of the two volumes on the site is to allow for an open entry along the street in to the library. Since this project, East Austin has made much progress.

1 Massing Model 2 Level 2 3 Level 3 4 Level 4 5 South West Perspective

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Library

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6 Ground Floor Plan 7 Conceptual Long Section 8 West Elevation

8 Library

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Brise Soleil Recreational

Function: Brise Soleil Shading Structure Location: Conceptual Area: 500 square feet

The brise soleil known for being an aesthetic component to a building can also have a very functional role. In this project, the aim of the brise soleil was to provide shading and manipulate light in the given context which is much different from the context of a building. The structure design incorporates a place to sit as well as a place to pause. The design of the brise soleil itself developed from a series of exercises using the Revit massing capabilities. Different parameters where then set such as the number of divisions on the surface, pattern and width. Based on the form I generated, the placement of seating and space for pausing was then decided.

1 Long Section

1 36

Level 2 4' - 5"

Level 1 0' - 0"

Brise Soleil

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2

3

2 Plan View 3 Cross Section 4 Perspective View

Level 2 4' - 5"

Level 1 0' - 0"

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4 Brise Soleil

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Urban Development Commercial

Function: Mixed Use Urban Development Location: Airport Boulevard, Austin, Texas Area: 11,000 square feet

Airport Boulevard in Austin, Texas is a road that spans from south Austin to north Austin. The southern part of Airport is characterized by suburban neighborhoods and high end condos. The north part of Airport which is the focus for this project is drastically different.

The streets are not very walkable and the buildings do not support the notion of density. There are quite a few businesses on Airport, however the separation of the buildings and distance from the street creates a harsh atmosphere for the pedestrian. The city of Austin has made plans to rework this part of Airport Boulevard.

Taking on this current project, a series of analysis were conducted before the initial start of my design process. During the project, I worked in a group of three. It was essential that our group create a cohesive plan for the immediate site we were assigned. Together we discussed changes that should be made to develop our site.

My building on the site is a mixed used building which includes residential units and retail spaces.

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1 Courtyard View 2 North View

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2

Urban Development

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3

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4

3 Site Plan 4 Roof Top 5 South East View

5 Urban Development

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6 Level 1 7 Level 2 8 Level 3 9 Level 4 10 Long Section 11 Cross Section

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11

Urban Development

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Museum Educational

Function: Science Museum Location: Lady Bird Lake Trail, Austin, Texas Area: 40,000 square feet

In this project, the site has adjacent features including the lake front and the trail that moves through the site. It is located near downtown Austin off of Caesar Chavez. This project was for the Sound Building studio which focused on technical communication and in depth progress of design including electrical and plumbing.

As a result, the program assigned required the construction of a half scale model. The museum function was to house dinosaurs and other large artifacts.

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My design focused on addressing accessibility from the busy street.

Though the program for the project was large, I wanted a subtle entrance. The experience of the museum began with a small lobby from which you progressed downwards to the rest of the museum.

Taking a non traditional approach allowed for an experience that led visitors gradually to the lake front. The lake served as a beautiful back drop for the outdoor performance space.

1 Long Section

Section B DN

1/8� = 1’

46

N

Museum

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Site Plan

2

Scale: 1/32” = 1’

3

4 1 2 3 1 - Insulation 2 - Roof Joists 3 - Roof Rafters 4 - Hollow Core Slabs 5 - Railing 6 - Floor Joists 7 - Decking 8 - 6 x 6 Columns 9 - Concrete wall 10 - 12 x 12 Wood Columns 11 - Footing

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5 6

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11

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2 Site Plan 3 Detail Section 4 Detail Section Model 5 Triple Height Exhibit

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5 Museum

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6 First Level 7 Second Level 8 Cross Section

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Museum

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