Emma van Geuns Portfolio 2024

EMMA VAN GEUNS +1 (650) 924 8879 evgeuns8@gmail.com issuu.com/emmavangeuns linkedin.com/in/emmavangeuns

pg project 04 SCHOOL Strand Adaptive reuse of a classic theater.

06 01 The Ribbon Landmark urban infrastructure.

14 02 The 22 WORK Lantern “Jewel” alongside the Vltava River.

24 03 The Peel 36 04 The Center with dramatic green roof.

42 COMMUNITY Village 44 05 The Solutions to Boston’s vacant parcels.

06 01 The Strand 14 02 The Ribbon My first year of architecture school was online.

Initially, I was hindered by my inability to work in person with my peers or professors. However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I quickly learned how to define my own interests and style.

At Northeastern and IE University, studios have become sacred spaces for experimenting with media, materials, and graphics with unfettered freedom. Maquettes, collage, and drawing have become essential to my creative process.

Pedagogically, my projects consistently emphasize architecture as a puzzle piece in a greater urban fabric. In both of these projects, I chose to express context as equally valuable to my design.

Unfolded Elevation. The Strand’s facades.

SCHOOL

The Strand

Collage. New Strand Plaza on Columbia Road. Mix of digital modeling, collage, and maquette.

6 EVG

WHO

In collaboration with Cat Brownell

HOW

WHAT

The Strand Theater Plaza

WHEN

May 2024

WHERE

Dorchester, United States

WHY

Northeastern Comprehensive Studio

The Strand Theater, a w palace, is located on a d thoroughway in Dorches been a vibrant commun century, the Strand Thea has suffered from gradu symbolic of broader dise

war-era Art Deco vaudeville dense but car-centered ster. Although it has nity hub for over a ater as a physical entity ual lack of investment, enfranchisement across

01 THE STRAND

01

South Boston. Our proposal democratizes the theater and reinvigorates the businesses along Columbia Road. Utilizing natural topography to our advantage, we carved into the sloped site through the former entry lobby of the Strand, which creates an urban plaza in the heart of the block.

The Strand’s new curtain wall facade is a reminder

of the incision, revealing the ornate interior of the theater as a public amenity without any change to the function of the theater.

Additionally, the neighboring restaurants and businesses along Columbia Road benefit from the exterior seating space and new facades offered in the plaza.

PORTFOLIO 7

SCHOOL

8 EVG

01 THE STRAND

Graphic Timeline. Patterns of use and decay in the Strand over the past century. Historic mages sourced from Digital Commonwealth and Boston Globe.

Elevation. Reimagined pedestrian-focused streetscape on Columbia Road. Across our drawings, maintained features are represented in black linework, adaptations in red.

PORTFOLIO 9

SCHOOL

Stage Set Model. Sectional model showing the Strand’s new thresholds. What was formerly the Strand foyer is now an exterior plaza, maintaining the historic terrazzo tiles.

Built with foam core, 3D prints, wire mesh, acrylic, and a lot of colored paper.

Section. The ornate ceiling, box seating, and stage are left untouched. Instead, adaptations grow from former service and circulatory spaces.

10 EVG

01 THE STRAND

PORTFOLIO 11

SCHOOL

12 EVG

01 THE STRAND

Project Model. Our model emphasizes the playful nature of our project and the focus on integration with existing businesses. This project is both architectural and urban.

Ground Plan. The Strand lobby acts as an interior extension of the plaza, separated only by the curtain wall. Existing Columbia Road restaurants now have exterior space on the plaza, and vacant storefronts have been replaces with community spaces such as a makerspace and dance studio.

PORTFOLIO 13

SCHOOL

The Ribbon

Graphic Site Axon. The Ribbon acts as a threshold for two abutting neighborhoods.

14 EVG

WHO

Personal Project

HOW

WHAT

The Ribbon Urban Framework

WHEN

May 2023

WHERE

Roxbury, United States

WHY

Northeastern Urbanism Studio

Roxbury Crossing is a va intersection of several o neighborhoods, each dis lacking integration with site is located on the un Corridor, a linear park th city as part of the famou

acant area at the outlying Boston stinct in character but one another. Notably, the nderutilized Southwest hat stretches across the us Emerald Necklace.

02 THE RIBBON

02

I reimagined the site’s potential by creating an extension of the Corridor: The Ribbon. This urbanscale architectural band incorporates a permeable system of thresholds and shared spaces, including markets, a skate park, community gardens, and outdoor exhibit areas. These programs foster a sense of ownership and agency for neighborhood

residents while also attracting visitors to the area. The mix of housing densities encourages a diverse population to live here and engage with the Ribbon project. The site also includes some existing housing and a historic fire station that has been converted into a museum and microbrewery.

PORTFOLIO 15

SCHOOL

16 EVG

02 THE RIBBON

Program Diagram. The Ribbon ties together different Boston neighborhoods through a centralized space of public activity.

City Site Plan. While its heart is at Roxbury Crossing, the Ribbon stretches the length of the Southwest Corridor, incorporating a variety of programs along its length.

PORTFOLIO 17

SCHOOL

18 EVG

02 THE RIBBON

Atmospheric Collages. (Top) The Ribbon in a moment as a bustling pavilion. (Bottom) Apartments, with The Ribbon on the horizon.

Neighborhood Site Plan. The Ribbon and its variety of thresholds in relation to the neighboring housing types. The Ribbon also includes a new subway entrance opening directly onto the plaza.

PORTFOLIO 19

SCHOOL

Transect. Smaller tunnels and throughways move perpendicular to the Ribbon, allowing residents to move between areas of varying privacy and vehicle access. All housing types include private outdoor space looking out onto public parks and gathering space.

20 EVG

02 THE RIBBON

PORTFOLIO 21

24 03 The Lantern 36 04 The Peel In 2022, I spent eight months at the Bostonbased firm NBBJ, where I explored projects in culture, higher education, health care, and urban planning; all were in schematic or design development stages. In 2024, I returned to NBBJ for another six months.

In 2023, I spent an exciting six months at Sou Fujimoto Atelier Paris. There, I worked exclusively on a competition in Prague, presenting my ideas directly to Mr. Fujimoto and the client.

At NBBJ, I engaged in a wide range of projects within a large corporate office. At Fujimoto, I focused on a single project and integrated into a high design studio. This diversity in my professional experience has enabled me to clearly define my career goals and interests.

Elevation. The Lantern in it’s Baroque context.

WORK

The Lantern

Project Render. In collaboration with @ailleurs.studio.

24 EVG

WHO

Sou Fujimoto Atelier Paris

HOW

WHAT

The Lantern Residence

WHEN

December 2023

WHERE

Prague, Czech Republic

WHY

High-End Residential Competion

This luxury housing proj a new landmark for Prag “jewel” to stand at one o the city. The Lantern pa Republic’s strong legacy through a system of mo panels, decorated with a

ject was designed to be gue; the client desired a of the main gateways into ays homage to the Czech y of crystal craftsmanship ovable, blown-glass façade a Baroque motif that

03 THE LANTERN

03

complements the city’s traditional façades. During the day, the translucent panels allow residents to look out onto views of the city and the Vltava River.

At night, the building glows like a lantern, akin to other landmarks in the city. While this is a high-end residential project, it hosts a variety of apartment types. The lower levels of the main building, as well

as the floating structure, are filled with studios and one-bedroom apartments, while the middle levels feature two- to four-bedroom apartments. The penthouse is a dramatic twostory villa. Each apartment, despite its size, includes a balcony with greenery, responding to Letná Park across the river.”

PORTFOLIO 25

WORK

RF +218.22

7F +214.97

6F +211.72

5F +208.47

4F +205.22

3F +201.97

2F +198.72

26 EVG

03 THE LANTERN

RF +222.18

8F +218.59

7F +215.37

6F +212.08

5F +208.82

4F +205.57

3F +202.31

2F +199.06

1F +195.8

GF +191.25

Elevation. Moving the facade panels opens up views for the balconies.

PORTFOLIO 27

WORK

RF +218.22

7F +214.97

6F +211.72

5F +208.47

4F +205.22

3F +201.97

2F +198.72

28 EVG

03 THE LANTERN

RF +222.18

8F +218.59

7F +215.37

6F +212.08

5F +208.82

4F +205.57

3F +202.31

2F +199.06

1F +195.8

GF +191.25

Section. Each apartment, despite it’s size, has access to outdoor space.

PORTFOLIO 29

WORK

30 EVG

03 THE LANTERN

Render. Glass panels appear more solid in the daytime, preserving privacy for residents.

In collaboration with @ailleurs.studio.

Panel Construction Axon. Each panel is created from slender, rotating glass rods and cast shape pieces. The glass pieces are supported within a mirrored metal frame.

Exploded Project Axon. A peak into the variety of terraces and apartment types, ranging from studios to a palatial penthouse.

PORTFOLIO 31

WORK

32 EVG

03 THE LANTERN

Physical Model. The model was used as an iterative tool, testing the effects of different Baroque motifs and the “lantern” effect of the lit building. Created using chiphoard, acrylic, and spray paint.

Wall Section Detail. Interface of terraces with the apartments. Services and MEP are centralized, freeing the facade.

PORTFOLIO 33

WORK

34 EVG

03 THE LANTERN

Render. Interior view of studio, shown with the glass sliding panels closed. Made in collaboration with @ailleurs.studio.

Typical Plan. As a general strategy, service spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom line the interior corridor, creating a solid core.

Thus, the open, foliage and glass facade is freed for bedrooms and living spaces.

PORTFOLIO 35

WORK

The Peel

Physical Model. Removable roof reveals program options.

36 EVG

WHO

NBBJ Boston

HOW

WHAT

The Peel Experience Center

WHEN

January 2022

WHERE

Cambridge, United States

WHY

Office Commission

This experience center client who wanted a lan could also serve as a m space for stakeholders the program ideation w important to present m working, gathering, and

was commissioned by a ndmark office space that museum and gathering of their company. Because was quite loose, it was multiple schemes balancing d cultural spaces. I created

04 THE PEEL

04

a series of physical models for use during client meetings and design testing. First, I constructed a 1’: 1/16” scale model with interchangeable floor plates and roofs, used to test program and area changes. Second, I built a 1’: 1/32” scale model to demonstrate neighborhood and site-specific relationships. Each model also highlighted the

potential of green roofs, a general trend for the neighborhood of life science labs and offices. Both models were constructed using 3D-printed elements, laser-cut acrylic sheets, as well as hand-cut foam core; they were then finished with Bristol board and cardboard touches.

PORTFOLIO 37

WORK

38 EVG

04 THE PEEL

Context Model. The model focuses on the representation of green roof systems which have sprung up across the neighborhood.

Site Plan. The building rests at the border between a residential neighborhood and an active life sciences complexes. The emphasis was on the entrance from the southern plaza, as to not impose too much on residents.

PORTFOLIO 39

WORK

40 EVG

04 THE PEEL

Program Model. Floor plates can be changed to showcase all potential design opportunities.

Context Model. Showcasing the peel.

PORTFOLIO 41

44 05 The Village In 2022, I spent eight months at the Bostonbased firm NBBJ, where I explored projects in culture, higher education, health care, and urban planning; all were in schematic or design development stages. In 2024, I returned to NBBJ for another six months.

In 2023, I spent an exciting six months at Sou Fujimoto Atelier Paris. There, I worked exclusively on a competition in Prague, presenting my ideas directly to Mr. Fujimoto and the client.

At NBBJ, I engaged in a wide range of projects within a large corporate office. At Fujimoto, I focused on a single project and integrated into a high design studio. This diversity in my professional experience has enabled me to clearly define my career goals and interests.

Elevation. The Lantern in it’s Baroque context.

COMMUNITY

The Village

Digital Collage. Rendering collaged with archival images of Boston seniors, sourced from Digital Commonwealth and Freedom House Library.

44 EVG

WHO

In collaboration with Alex Israel

HOW

WHAT

Senior Activities Daycenter

WHEN

May 2023

WHERE

Boston, United States

WHY

NEU Anti-Displacement Studio

This project was part of initiative to imagine lowideas for vacant parcels district. My partner and on senior citizens, a com in Boston’s current cultu half of the project involv

a larger City of Boston -cost, fast-development in Boston’s D7 land I focused our proposal mmunity underserved ural landscape. The first ved intensive research

05 THE VILLAGE

05

into Boston’s past senior organizations and the gradual erasure of their third places, which is part of a larger epidemic of community center destruction in the city. To bring back the spirit of elderly autonomy and joy in the city, we designed a modular senior day space that can be assembled in different configurations and dimensions on

vacant parcels. Our design was developed in collaboration with Boston government officials and other community members through regular stakeholder meetings. Our final design became part of the City of Boston’s “ARTery” cultural project, a proposal submitted to Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu.

PORTFOLIO 45

COMMUNITY

Graphic Timeline. All of our collages—mixing renders and archival photos—center portraits of senior joy and gathering.

46 EVG

05 THE VILLAGE

PORTFOLIO 47

COMMUNITY

48 EVG

05 THE VILLAGE

Atmospheric Collage. All of our collages— mixing renders and archival photos—center portraits of senior joy and gathering.

Construction Axons. Part of a feasability study, these axons diagramatically breakdown the material and structural components of our design.

PORTFOLIO 49

EMMA VAN GEUNS +1 (650) 924 8879 evgeuns8@gmail.com issuu.com/emmavangeuns linkedin.com/in/emmavangeuns