Kate Needham Work Sample

KATE NEEDHAM WORK SAMPLE

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.

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

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

interior perspective

exterior perspective

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

basement plan

first floor plan

third floor plan

fourth floor plan

second floor plan

fifth floor plan

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