B. ARCH
SELECTED WORKS 2023-2024
PORTFOLIO
Gavin MacKinnon
EDUCATION
781.588.7052 | gamackin@syr.edu
Syracuse University School of Architecture, Syracuse NY Expected May 2027
B. Arch | Minor in Strategic Management | Study Abroad: London (ongoing)
Architecture Portfolio Scholarship | Dean’s List Recipient (Fall ’22, Spring ’23, Fall ’23, Spring ‘24)
SKILLS
Technical: Rhinoceros | V-Ray | Grasshopper | Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop | Google
Workspace | Microsoft Office | AutoCAD
Fabrication: Laser Cutting | 3D Printing | CNC Milling | Analog Fabrication
RELATED COURSES
Architectural Design Studios I -V, Representation I & II, Architectural History I & II, Introduction to Building Systems, Building Systems I & II, Architectural Theory I & II, Building Structures I & II, Entrepreneurship, Essentials of Accounting, Introduction to Strategic Management
LEADERSHIP
School of Architecture Peer Advisor Spring 2023 – Present
- Summer/Fall 2024: Co-led Orientation Creative Team, organized production of maps, posters, t -shirts, digital presentations, marketing assets. Deliverables continue to be used for SoA activities
- Leading First-Year Orientation activities, participating in continued training, providing ongoing support to advisees wherever possible
School of Architecture Ambassador Fall 2022 – Present
- Conducting tours of Slocum Hall to prospective and admitted Syracuse Architecture students, creating a comfortable atmosphere for visitors
Eagle Scout – Troop 49 Kingston, MA
Achieved November 2022
- Elected as Assistant Senior Patrol leader in charge of 40+ scouts in weekly meetings, converted to an online format for retention during the COVID-19 pandemic, planned numerous camping/adventure outings across the Northeast, encouraged advancement, completed and assisted in myriad community service projects.
EXPERIENCE
Duxbury Beach Reservation Duxbury MA
June 2024 – August 2024 Beach Ranger
- Facilitated permitted beach use, ensured visitor compliance with state and federal wildlife protection regulations pertaining to the property
Dunkin’ Donuts Kingston, MA
July 2020 – Present Crewmember
- Collaborated with team members to ensure quality and accuracy during peak business hours and increased sales goals/speed of service quarterly while maintaining a strong focus on customer service.
Joe & Leigh’s Discount Golf Pro Shop Easton, MA
January 2020 – August 2020 Retail Associate
- Mastered customer service skills as well as fabrication skills for club repair and visual merchandising techniques for new releases.
CASCADE COLLECTIVE
SYSTEM-GROUND CONSTRUCTS
TEXTILES TO TECTONICS
CONCRETE LIBRARY
URBAN SHELF
CASCADE COLLECTIVE
As the city of Syracuse undergoes substantial modernization through the removal of the I-81 viaduct, the region will need over 10,000 accessible housing units along the new corridor. Cascade Collective creates a community hub, with an adaptable market hall, park, and basketball court available to the public, with a raised plinth creating more multi-use space for residents. The 2 residential masses contain units of varying sizes and types to facilitate an plethora of housing needs and economic statuses. With a linear gradient of privacy from the center of the project outward, users define spaces they share or protect. Adaptability is a prominent focus, with adjustable enclosure found throughout the units. With shared program on each level, some units become radically more accessible with communal kitchens, childcare areas, play/lounge spaces, and more.
Instructor: Marcos Parga | Individual | Rhino, Grasshopper, Adobe Suite, Digital Fabrication, V-Ray
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SYSTEM-GROUND CONSTRUCTS
02
After examining how karst topography is created, and pairing that research with an exploration of Alvaro Siza’s Leca Swimming Pools, a public bathhouse was created for Jamesville, New York. Similar to Siza’s project, the bathhouse forces users to wind through various spaces while keeping the views curated, in this case those being of the Jamesville Reservoir. The project recalls the public bathhouse which once occupied the site but has since been replaced by an open park and beach. As the project carves the landscape similar to the formation of karsts with saline carving limestone, more is revealed to users including the sunken baths or cafe which spills from the ground to the Northwest. The project also takes on the challenge of purifying the reservoir which suffers from intense seasonal algae blooms. The pump room becomes an educational experience for guests, and the retention pond welcomes biodiversity as a means of filtration.
Instructor: Cait McCarthy | Individual | Rhino, Adobe Suite, Digital Fabrication
GEOMETRIC REGULATION
Primary Circulation
Circulation
LECA SWIMMING POOLS CIRCULATION
CHUNK AXON
CHUNK MODEL
MODEL PHOTO
MODEL PHOTO
1/16” = 1’
SECTION A
2_Gavin MacKinnon
TEXTILES TO TECTONICS
03
After studying garments for Craig Green’s Spring 2023 collection as a team, we were challenged to transform some of the employed strategies into a structure. Focusing on the adjustable enclosures of most garments and their toggle clasps, as well as the tambour method of creating openings in furniture design, my structure was born. The system is shown to work across multiple heights, shapes, and corner radii within the same material palette. Computational Design (Grasshopper) and Digital Fabrication (Laser Cutting) ensured precision with minimal waste.
Instructor: Jess Myers | Partner: Nicole Trubskyy | Rhino, Grasshopper, Adobe Suite, Digital Fabrication
GARMENT STUDIES - PARTNER: NICOLE TRUBSKYY
MODEL PHOTO
MODEL PHOTO
CONCRETE LIBRARY
For Building Structures II, this group was charged with designing a library with provided programs and square footages, as well as the requirement of designing and testing 3 distinct concrete beams, one of which must be reinforced. After rearranging the masses, testing was conducted on stress and strain for each beam type and span before landing on the final structural design. This process challenged the group to illustrate proficiency in concrete beam design before moving forward to developing the project into a habitable library.
Instructor: Sinead Mac Namara | Group: Gia Lettieri, Alana Fantauzzi | Rhino, Adobe Suite, Excel, V-Ray
PLANS (L - FLOOR 1, R - FLOOR 2) SECTION
PRIMARY GALLERY BEAM
PRIMARY LIBRARY BEAM
SECONDARY LIBRARY BEAM
GALLERY - REINFORCED LIBRARY - PRIMARY
- SECONDARY
FRAMING AXON
URBAN SHELF
For Building Systems II, a passive micro structure was created to serve the city of Toronto. Responding climatically to the site, the library employs a green roof, thermal mass on the north wall, calculated roof overhangs and glazing sizes, a rain screen cladding system, super- and continuously insulated envelope assemblies, and strategically placed operable windows to allow for various ventilation processes including stack-effect ventilation and general cross ventilation from East to West.
Instructor: Hannibal Newsom | Partner: Hui Yin Chan | Rhino, Adobe Suite, Athena Impact Estimator, V-Ray
FLOOR PLAN 1 SHORT SECTION
4mm Aluminum Panel
Extruded Aluminum Rail
2” Rigid Insulation
Vapor Barrier (housewrap)
5/8” OSB Sheathing
Batt Insulation
2” x 8” Stud
5/8” Gypsum Board
Interior Trim
Sloped Metal Threshold
Door Jamb
Hardwood Finish Floor
Metal Flashing
Backer Rod
4mm Aluminum Panel
Extruded Aluminum Rail
2” Rigid Insulation
Vapor Barrier (housewrap)
5/8” OSB Sheathing
Batt Insulation
2” x 8” Stud
2” x 10” Floor Joist
5/8” Gypsum Board
Interior Trim
Sloped Metal Threshold
Door Jamb
Concrete Footing
Library Project:
Printed By: GAVINMACKIN5824\gavinmackinnon
Printed On 11/11/2024 10:46:05 AM
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The above graphs are a result of analysis using the Athena Impact Estimator for buildings. By inputting assemblies and their individual layers, the program calculates the environmental impact of each assembly group. From here, the materials can be optimized to lower carbon footprint, for example using TimberBatt™ batt insulation as opposed to traditional fiberglass. The graphs include lifecycle Part D, demolition and sequestration, which paints a more accurate picture of the building’s lifecycle impact. As seen in the Global Warming Potential chart above, the floor assemblies result in a negative warming potential due to their largely wood construction, which sequesters enough carbon to negate the impact of other assembly layers.
Fossil Fuel Consumption LCA Measure Chart By Assembly Groups (A to D)
GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL LCA MEASURE CHART BY ASSEMBLY GROUP
FOSSIL FUEL CONSUMPTION LCA MEASURE CHART BY ASSEMBLY GROUP