This portfolio is a demonstration of the academic work completed at the Rhode Island School of Design and personal inspired projects. In my work I constantly aim to live between conventional boundaries of landscape, architecture and art.
Inspired by Nancy Nichols RISD Studio Personal Project
This RISD studio prompted me to use the reflective cieling plan as the driving design force. I was inspired by the structural organisation and intricacy of vaulting inside the Islamic Mosque of Jameh as modular elements.
The final project uses the modular composition to create an outdoor pavilion. The sculptural tree-like canopy offers shade and gathering space for park users. Continuing projects include studying water collection and panel perforation design.
1. PRECEDENT STUDY
By considering the RCP a driving force of design, I consider the spiritual connotation and direct relationship that these modules have to the sky which brough me to design an outdoor pavilion. To the right, is a combination of a number of modules found throughout the mosque and the geometric simplicity.
2. STRUCTURAL DISSEC-
This catalogue dissects each element of the mosque and how each module is combined or manipulated. A few images from the study are included. I was intrigued by Modules F & G by their organisational irregularity.
3. ADAPTATION
An example for how I choose to adapt these two modules to my program is to use them for the design of tables and walls. The use of tables in this outdoor pavilion invite collaboration and interaction, while walls can promote privacy as well as direction through this irregular plan.
Panels are made out of stainless steel for weather resistant and sustainabile properties. The perforation is to allow for light to pass through creating light patterns of light on the ground the design of which is to be studied in an expanded project. Panels are to be lined with lightweight semi transparent material to protect from rain.
Module to include rain collection & distribution system to rest of planting or alternative purposing using the funnel-like shape.
5. FULL PAVILION FLOOR PLAN & REFLECTIVE CIELING PLAN
1. Wetland Park
Transforming evacuated residential site surrounding Market Street into public space and wetland park for locals to continue enjoying the landscape od Warren.
2. Warren Arts Center
Design of new arts center & sculpture park as a celebration and representation of town identity, place of gathering and sharing.
3. Hemp Agriculture & Use
Suggestion towards new agricultural hemp industry in flooded areas and its use as a building material: insulation towards new residential construction.
4. Metacom St Expansion
Expansion of highway in relocation site (Metacom St) to safely accomodate increasing pedestrian activity.
[Water Level Rise Map, Photoshop]
A series of projects sparked by the Envision Resiliency initiative on finding creative solutions to coastal flooding in Warren, RI. This summary page lists the range of projects started from this challenge: academic, personal and research.
Advisor Laura Briggs & Anne Tate RISD Architecture
This site plan and arts center is designed within a larger urban planning project to revatilize the Metacom highway in Warren, RI. The project serves as public park, auditorium, market and exhibition space to bring the community.
The design follows the movement of a wave, representing the prominent meaning behind water in this town. The main project material is hempcrete as an example to promote the production and use of hemp in architecture.
[Photoshop on Model Photography]
Part of a larger project series in Warren to revitalise the community, this arts center houses a number of programs for encouraged gathering, celebration of identity and interactivity. The art center sits at the top of the new relocation residential site with new urban park and new main street.
Flexible Program
Space, e.g. Market Space
Choreographed fountains for dynamic landscape & public interactivity
Scuplture Garden Oppurtunity to display local
The special part of the project are the curved walls which are made possible by the malleability of hempcrete as a material. More regular curvature is formed within the auditorium to promote sound absorption. In the foyer, the curves are morre dramatic and present.
As part of the project series, there is a proposed introduction to hemp farming in the wetlands creating by sea level rise in Warrren. As a means of celebrating local material, the arts center will use primarily hemp in construction where possible mostly with hempcrete
This test batch of the biocomposite material is made up of hemp shives, lime plaster and water. Phragmites can also be used as additional aggregate given the mass growth in Warren too. The proportion of material determines the structural intergrity and aesethetic of the material.
Hempcrete was strong insultation and sound absorption qualities. The material can be used in block but ultimately formed by a mould to any shape.
The intended form of the walls are to be fluid and scluptural. Using hempcrete for the insulation, the walls act as sculptural molds with wooden studs but the challenge is the window. The diagram shows how to tackle the curvature at the window by panelling the windows to mimic the curve.
Advisor Spencer Hayden RISD Architecture
The Yaodong courtyard, also known as the “pithouse” is an open space below ground to grant an area of opening for underground enclosures. The pithouse allows for a direct relationship with the material and ground appropriate for the geology museum.
This highly conceptual design is rooted within a base grid that is altered to accomodate various gallery spaces and create enclosure. The grid is interrupted to allow the presence of the courtyard.
[Collage on Model Photography]
The initial pastel drawings attempt to grasp the drama behind creating voids in the ground from the perspective of under and over ground. Further tests of skylights to explore relationships within this subteraneum world and sky through light.
The main goal of this project was not to discover the constraints of designing a gallery but of explorings ways of interacting with such a large spread of public landscape to create accessibile community gathering.
The concept of creating voids in the landscape is a literal attempt at creating a relationship between the human and the ground which is fitting to the theme of “Geology”. However, as mentioned as of now it is a highly conceptual scheme to study these conditions but not yet taking into account the repreuccions of a design this invasive.
This being said, this project allowed me to explore the opportunities of the Yaodong courtyard as well as next steps:
Exploring the Cut & Fill method.
Fall 2023 - Now
Inspirerd by Envision Resiliency
Design Exercise & Ongoing Research
This diagram acts as the beginning phase of a larger project in designing a footbridge or boardwalk with use of recycled or regenerative material. The annotations describe all the topics that need to be studied.
Although this project was inspired by the challenges at the Warren waterfront. I am motivated to study these areas in a local setting that face similar issues where the appopriate site analysis and studies can be made.
Marshland Walkway
Last semester, I studied in one of my advanced studios the town of Warren and its future flood projections. The goal of the studio was to provide alternate housing for those being evacuated from the risk land and then repurpose the z landscape. Right now the riverbank is surrounded by phragmites and other types of wild birds. Hypothetically, I wanted to create a walkway that may tackle all types of land beneath it (firm soil, marsh, water etc.) now I will try to find material to support this concept. Concept collages below.
A typical nature walkway is listed as beiing 1 mile. I do not know the dimensions of my construction but I can grant general rules for every thousand feet. The walkway can be a system of expansions as the flooding takes away more of the usable landscape.
For every 1000 feet of construction, the walkway would require 166 planks of 6” inch wood (wood is not fabricated so dimensions are estimate). 250 bricks for the walkway edges, as well as 600 brick for the columns (6 brick a column) assuming they are spaced at every 10ft. The amount of phragmites used in the concrete mixture would need to be studied still, but would need 100 concrete blocks at 1’ (or 2’) by 1’, determined by ground condition.
To support a rise in water level, I want too construct an elevated walkway to experience the marsh. Due to a large amount of brick and wood becoming available from any residential clearance, these material will be the driving source for this project. Although wood panelling seems like the more obvious choice for surface, it might depend on the amount of material is available. Any recycled structural wood, once re tested, can be use towards any structural support in the walkway (beams etc). The brick can be used to create the elevation of the ground by forming a column. The footing will be concrete that uses the phragmites for an aggregate alternative.
Areas to explore in future research/design work:
A conceptual design that is reflective of the site and local needs.
The durability and adaptability of design to sea level rise.
The safe extraction of invasive phragmites and use as building material as concrete aggregate.
The ability to which rercycled material can withstand appropriate loads and deterioration due to water exposure.
The direct interactions and relationship between the architecture and surrounding ecosystems.
The summay of use is using concrete blocks as footing in the marhsland topped with brick columns which height can be adjusted to water level. The walkway itself is typically made of compressed timber, but I am curious to what extent recycled timber can be used by itself or as a new composite material.
[Conceptual Collage of Warren Imagined Site]