KATE NEEDHAM PORTFOLIO
ABOUT ME
I’m Kate Needham, an architecture student studying at Northeastern University with a minor in urban landscape studies. My interests revolve around sustainability, urban planning, and accessibility. Through my future works, I strive to create emotive architecture that encapsulates different aspects of the surrounding environment and culture. kateneed14@gmail.com 516.725.0456
NATURE HOUSING
A walk-up housing project set in Boston allows space to set goals in design and appeal to the public. My goal for this project was to create for a dynamic relationship between the built structure and the landscape. Undulating the architectural envelope allowed for the landscape to bleed into the “interior” space of the units, and making it a part of the living room conversation.
shade intolerant plant mix shade tolerant plant mix 0 4 8 16 32 Floor 1 N
Technique
- majority of wildflowers instead of lawn
- curved facade in each common area (kitchen/living room)
- undulating street profile
- designated terrace space
Motivation
- ecological sustainability, shade tolerant plants to adapt to environment
- create moments where nature is within the envelope of the structure
0 4 16 32 Floor 4 N Floor 2 N Floor 3 N Orange Hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-anliae) Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) Baneberry (Actaea simplex) SHADE TOLERANT SHADE INTOLERANT
sketches of initial design and concept
- nature inside the envelope
- mapping of placement on site
- initial massing stemming from building typology in the area in Boston
section perspective
interior perspective
exterior perspective
SHADE INTOLERANT
LIBRARY CAR PARK
precedent study: rolex library, switzerland
The premise of the design of Rolex Library is two curved planes supported by columns. These study models emphasize the simplicity of the design and circulation of the library. The free flowing interior space was an aspect I wanted to incorporate in my design, while serving the needs of the public of Chinatown, Boston.
study model made of bristol paper, plastic dowels, fishing line
made to represent the planar qualities of the design
exterior cube allows for model to be oriented in any way, show flexibility of space and floating nature of structure
process: massing and program
simple shapes stemming from folding a piece of paper
study of Chinatown area with a lens of available parking lots
challenge of creating a displayed parking ramp with flexible interior program
program diagram
site diagram
Kate Needham Chinatown Library Basement Floor Plan
basement plan first floor plan third floor plan fourth floor plan
second floor plan
fifth floor plan
section
section perspective
Technique
- exterior parking ramp, spots on ends and roof
- free plan, little interior walls
- distinct bookshelves to mimic program of each floor (reading room, kids room, conference hall, etc.)
- interior green space
Motivation
- access to parking spaces since walking or public transportation is not possible for all
- flexible interior space to serve the needs of the community in all ways, able to change in the future
- bookshelves to break up space while serving a storage purpose
- access to elevated park-like space in the middle of a city
RESONANCE IN URBAN SOUNDSCAPE
Performing a sound analysis of an urban environment reveals the ultimate, subjective experience of that location. While observing this atmosphere, I emphasized whether the sound was active or distracting in this series of diagrams. Referencing Kandinsky’s artwork representing synesthesia and Libeskind’s study of spatial music, I created a way of representing sound diagrammatically through abstract shapes, lines, and colors that relate to the subjective experience of the space.
representation from the same location
experiential differences
Sound as a Mechanism for Art
Description of Sound
AIRE DE REPOS CASE STUDY MODEL
Aire de Repos is located in Paris, France and was intended to serve the needs of young migrants and refugees as a shelter and an adaptable community center. Using humble materials like wood, rammed earth, hay, and tarp, this shelter was constructed by a migrant construction crew, the Coucou crew, by hand. Each material has a clear motivation, whether it is for displaying the simplicity of the structure, or passive regulation of interior temperature in Paris’ climate. This study was an exploration of materiality, construction process, and sustainable practices.
models built in 1:4 and 1:20
CAVITY WALL DETAIL SECTION
Drawing a detail section of a brick veneer cavity wall allows for better understanding of the construction process as a whole. Shown is a section through a whole wall of a two story structure with a rough window opening in each floor, and green roof system.
8” 3’3” 1’6” 2” 7’ 1’3” 9’ 11” 8’ 1’ Gravel Earth Footing Drain 2” Rigid Insulation Drainage Mat Waterproofing Masonry Tie Waterproofing 2” Rigid Insulation Weep Hole Flashing Modular Concrete Masonry Unit 1” Cavity Modular Brick Veneer Window Sill Steel Lintel to Support CMU System Steel Lintel to Support Brick Veneer System Solar Shading Device Compacted Gravel Rigid Insulation Vapor Barrier Concrete Slab with Reinforcing Mesh Poured in Place Concrete Footing Poured in Place Foundation Wall Wood Floor Joist 3/4” Subfloor 3/4” FInished Floor Window System with Rough Opening Deep Heavy Timber Beam 3/4” Subfloor Solid Wood T+G Decking Fuming 5/8” Gypsum Board Bond Beam Ceiling Sheet Rock Metal Straps Wood Roof Rafter Sheathing Roof Decking Drainage Piping Rigid Insulation Cover Board Single Ply Roof Membrane Root Barrier Drainage Panel Shallow Sedum System Retaining Wall Gravel Counterflashing Coping Coping Flashing/Waterproofing
THANK YOU