PROJECT 1: RE-FRAMING A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE
PROJECT 2: CO-OP HOUSING
PROJECT 3: OAKWOOD RECREATION CENTER
PROJECT 4: TELLING THE TALE OF DETAIL
PROJECT 5: GRIDS OF SECURITY
PROJECT 6: WORK EXPERIENCE
Project 1: Re-Framing a Temporary Structure
Spring 2021 | Instructor: Lorcan O’Herlihy
The word “snuggling” inspired this temporary structure’s design by creating spaces that nest within one another comfortably. The site is located in Malibu, CA, and is situated near a university and quiet residential area. The materials utilized in the structure’s design are based on details that were found in surrounding buildings. These materials have been transformed and manipulated by the designs conceptual words “shy” and “snugged”. Layers of brick were organized into a series of “L’s” and then situated in an irregular pattern to fit snuggly within one another. The corrugated sheet’s original form work was altered to create additional elements of layering and zig-zag patterning, which all sit nestled tightly together. The rusted metal sheets are organized both horizontally and vertically, nesting within one another. When the corrugated steel and metal sheets interlock, they conceal the wood frame of the structure. The materials create privacy for the reading nooks and study areas built into the structure’s unique shape and material composition.
The temporary structure creates space for a book collection along with areas dedicated for study and art studio space. The wood framing system utilizes re-purposed generic cogging with double tenon joinery, which also acts as the shelves for the book collection. To create a sense of community with the surrounding residents, the structure creates spaces for students to study and gather as there is a university nearby. The art studio is located on the top floor, away from the noise and active study areas, destination for residents to spend time relaxing or to take a break from the stress of the day.
The original finish that was altered was a steel plate. This finish makes up the exterior layer of a dance studio. The finish has rust on the surface adding to the texture. The re-defined finish looks to spread the rust throughout the plates and create a snug feeling by adding vertical elements.
The original finish that was altered was a regular brick wall. This finish makes up the exterior layer of a restaurant. The bricks are arranged with an offset pattern. The brick wall was painted over, leaving clumps of paint scattered. The redefined bricks embrace the idea of “snuggle” through their organization in a series of “L” shapes. The bricks appear to “hug” each other with the new method of
The original finish that was altered was a steel panel. This finish makes up the exterior facade of a retail store. The steel panel was originally vertically oriented with a linear pattern. The re-defined steel panel begins to “snuggle” one another. This is done by changing the form of the panel so that they would begin to overlap thus, fitting into one another.
FINISH LOCATION: Dance Studio
PRIMARY COLOR: Red
SECONDARY COLOR: Dance Studio
DISTINCT FEATURES: RUST
GENERAL INFO: Brick
FINISH LOCATION: Wall of Restaurant
PRIMARY COLOR: White
SECONDARY COLOR: GREY
DISTINCT FEATURES: X
GENERAL INFO: Steel Panel
FINISH LOCATION: Store Exterior
PRIMARY COLOR: Silver
SECONDARY COLOR: Brown
DISTINCT FEATURES: X
1 art studio/classes 2 book collection 3 study area
exterior surfaces
flooring
structure
Project 2: Co-Op Housing
Fall 2021 | Instructor: Patrick Tighe
The main goal of the music and performing arts co-op is to bring people of different backgrounds together through music, education, and the performing arts. Through programs such as musical education, dance lessons, instrument making, and performance events, the co-op serves as a place for the community and surrounding areas to gather and engage with each other, fostering a sense of community. The project consists of three co-op housing units dedicated to musicians, dancers, and families. The goal of these three co-ops are to connect USC students with the co-op residents to foster organic collaboration and learn from one another.
The performing arts co-op on Site C focuses on connecting residents through the art of dance. This building offers dance lessons and has dance studio’s available for use on the ground level. Additionally, there is a performing arts center for concerts and recitals, welcoming residents from the local community and other neighbouring residents to attend. The process in dance that consists of practicing to getting ready to perform is highlighted in the order of the program, while also allowing visibility into these areas through cuts inspired by the shape of the program spaces in order to create a connection between the two. The co-op units are organized in a modular system in which the units are an L-shape, which creates open intermediary spaces that allow for the creation of shared spaces that are designed around the concept of creating and encouraging collaboration. Each unit has its own balcony along with shared open spaces situated between units, which provide individuals with both private and public spaces to access and enjoy natural daylight.
The facade design draws inspiration from the program document, which focuses on connecting residential areas with a variety of public spaces, such as dance studios. The facade creates a range of visibility to provide privacy through the varying sizes of cuts and perforations in the exterior envelope. These perforations and cuts in the exterior envelope create dynamic shadows that incite moments of intrigue and visual interest to those passing by.
PERSON UNIT
PERSON UNIT
PERSON UNIT
Project 3: Oakwood Recreation Center
Fall 2023 | Instructor: Selwyn Ting
This project aims to create a community center in Oakwood in an effort to engage and become a monument and foster a sense of community. The Oakwood Recreation center looks to include an indoor pool, gym, and locker rooms to encourage fitness and recreational activities. The outdoor basketball and outdoor create an outdoor hinge point for activity at one end of the site as it transitions to the indoor pool.
Establishing program and visual connections created by taking into account approach to the site which informed the placement and form to begin to take shape. By opening up the building through a series of tilts and folds allows for sunlight to enter the building while creating views that engage all sides of the community. Through the use of folding and peeling of surfaces, especially over the indoor pool creates views that engage community while also playing with transparency throughout the entire structure.
01 I CARVE OUT BASED ON VISUAL AND PROGRAM CONNECTION ANGLES ESTABLISHED
04 I FOLD SURFACE FOLD MAIN SURFACE TO CREATE HIERARCHY
02 I EXTRUDE
03 I TILT UP OPEN UP TO POTENTIAL VIEWS-ENGAGE
05 I FOLD LINES AND SURFACE FOLDING SURFACE TO CREATE OPENING, PLAYING WITH SOLID AND VOID
06 I FOLDED VIEWS ENGAGE ALL SIDES AND CONNECT TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
LONGITUDINAL SECTION A
INTERIOR
EXTERIOR
ROOF WATER MEMBRANE
FLASHING 6” GUTTER
GLUE LAMINATED RAFTER
4’ X 1’ GLUE LAMINATED TIMER BEAM
4’ X 1’ GLUE LAMINATED TIMER COLUMN
4” CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER (CLT)
SHEAR PANEL
2” RIGID INSULATION
WATER MEMBRANE
STANDING SEAM Z-CLIP
2” X 6” ALUMINUM MULLION
CURTAIN WALL FOR POOL
2”
2”
Project 4: Telling The Tale of Detail
Spring 2021 | Instructor: Lorcan O’Herlihy
Located in Malibu, California, on Civic Center Way, the project site is located near an elementary school and quiet residential area. This project’s goal was to design a structure for the local community inspired by “community characters” with specific design parameters as outlined in a detailed program document. The project was developed from a grid which was inspired by two community characters, the artist and the student. Jenny, an artist who is constantly painting, struggles whenever a new idea arises, and quickly abandons her work to start a new piece. Her studio is often extremely disorganized, making her work even harder. Amelia, the student, is consumed by stress and schoolwork she has to complete daily, struggles to stay motivated and complete her work, but she meticulously plans out her days to optimize the use of her time. The structure’s design is focused on enhancing and promoting community engagement, while simultaneously encouraging social interaction to faster grow a sense of community, which Malibu is lacking.
These community characters helped guide the design concept that would guide the development of the grid and massing. Undulating forms were carved from the grid to develop the form of the structure. The grid consists of geometric shapes melding together into the form, inspired by the artist, and a rigid grid derived from the student. The main goal of the structure’s form was to find the right balance and connection between the rigid and serpentine massing. The words “snuggle” and “nesting” inspired the relationship between the roof plans by having the top roof plane “hug” the roof plane below. The concept of nesting guided the development of interior spaces that sit within one another, creating a variety of unique spatial experiences throughout.
The concrete structure’s community program includes an art studio with art classes available to the public of all ages. The art studio will also feature rotating art collections and will host unique and special educational programs. In addition to the educational programs offered, the art studio will also sell paints, art supplies and brushes. The adjacent art gallery will feature local artists along with children’s drawings and paintings on display to create a truly unique one-of-a-kind inclusive gallery experience for the entire community to enjoy and partake in.
Project 5: Grids of Security
Fall 2020 | Instructor: Myrna Ayoub
After analyzing Burbank’s vehicle access, flow, and the city grid, a new super-block was created. This project focuses on designing and developing a super-block that creates secure spaces for the community through dense and altered grids. Utilizing the existing conditions of the local residential area, the new grid blends into the existing cityscape. Throughout this project, the grid lines are used as both an organization strategy and a delineation for the primary transportation methods: walking and biking.
This project’s hybrid program of residential and commercial areas is organized by six formal systems to create a secure community. Two different patterns were derived from the existing grid of Burbank to differentiate between residential and commercial zones. These patterns consist of solids and voids that are multiplied through a series of rotations, additions and subtractions. The voids are then surrounded by massing, creating secure areas for lush, green spaces for recreational and commercial activities. The varying levels of porosity also help natural daylight penetrate through the massing. To develop a vertical organizational strategy, this project utilizes various stacking methods to create different levels of porosity throughout the site.
MASSING AND VERTICAL ORGANIZATION
Project 6: Work Experience
Summer 2022 | MVE + Partners | Summer 2023 | Brooks + Scarpa
During the Summer of 2023 and Fall 2023 I interned for Brooks + Scarpa. Working provided me with the opportunity to jump in on ongoing competitions and projects. One of the first projects I worked on was the model for the Brutalist exhibition in which the firm participated. I worked on the model with two other interns: Joseph Kim and Zhong Li. Utilized Rhino and Illustrator to create plans and sections for urban planning competition to create drawings to be redlined. Projects worked on were competitions and was given the opportunity and responsibility for deliverables to be completed on time.
During the summer of 2022 I had the opportunity to intern for MVE + Partners. This opportunity provided me the chance to learn new skills such as Revit, Sketchup and further my knowledge of Enscape. I utilized Sketchup and Enscape when working on exterior renderings, which was helpful when needing to edit rendering materials or adjust artificial or natural lighting in the view. During my internship I was tasked to work on unit plan layouts taking into account building and accessibility code requirements, as well as setting up sheets in Revit. Many of the tasks I completed were in Schematic Design and Design Development phases. While working on the daily tasks and assignments I also worked on a research project for the firm relating to modular design, because the firm was interested in learning more about it. Site visits along with factory visits allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the concept and apply it when designing a proposal presentation. Working on multiple projects allowed me to improve my time management in order for me to complete all tasks on time.
1200 S Olive
LOS ANGELES, CA
1200 S Olive
LOS
COMPETITION SECTION
Urban Planning project highlighting interstitial spaces
Transform dorms from New College to wellness and event centers
