M.Arch Application Portfolio

kai zen

senior studio; fall 2022 professor: william tate temple kai zen , a tea house situated above the seto inland sea, extends from tadao ando’s chichu art museum. it is a space of reflection and renewal. it serves to house a union between the mind, the tea ceremony and the tea master’s surroundings. it is a versatile space that represents more than the tangible elements of the ceremony. it embodies the thoughts, the moments, the purpose, and the peace that is fostered within.

this design was a study in relinquishing control over process and creation. every aspect of the temple was drawn from itself, a continual cycle of building and growth.

in relief we find depth, movement, space.

in typography we find density, repetition, pattern.

a view from the tea ceremony room

a study in program

on programs

through discovering the form of the tea house, so too were the individual programs revealed. they surround and branch off from the main ceremony, guiding both master and visitor alike in a journey through samurai door, archery range, halls, wells, platforms and balconies.

frag ments

in search of the tea house

density gives way to form, movements turn to passage, shadows take shape, light finds refuge.

ideas becoming pieces, parts, fragments, that replicate, expand, contract. that combine. tenfold. twenty. seventy two. fragments of space. of models. of vision. of drawing. fragments becoming more.

“Do not think of what you have to do, do not consider how to carry it out!” he exclaimed.

“The shot will only go smoothly when it takes the archer himself by surprise.”

-Eugen Herrigel Zen in the Art of Archery

verdant repose

following the death and destruction that plagued bucha, a town northwest of ukraine’s capital, kyiv, survivors now face the reality of returning to and rebuilding their home post russian occupation. while victims of war trauma cope and recover in differing ways, this garden would offer a sanctuary for all those in need of it.

it is important not to forget the past, but remember all those that lost their lives to the senseless violence of war. in this space for recovery and remembrance, healing finds a home.

senior studio; fall 2022 professor: william tate

a garden for bucha

in representation of joan miró’s i work like a gardener

velluto

senior studio; fall 2022 professor: william tate

on progression

dubbed “project x”, velluto was a study in creation without restriction. there were no parameters or limitations, the only prompt being to pull from the above graphic.

by using negative space to create implied pathways, and in drawing inspiration from the letters of various languages’ calligraphy, a structure of sweeping and gestural movements was born. progressive studies in

on meaning

the italian word for velvet, velluto , encapsulates the creative intention that drove the project. it is representative of the progression of form, from conceptualization to actualization.

exploration in depiction of form through materiality

on becoming

while mainly a study in process, the velluto mindset did grow into a structure that would become greenpeak pavilion. a greenhouse and conservatory, the structure emanates the fluidity of calligraphy, the gestures seen not only in its floors and walls, but in the pathways and spaces that weave within.

first floor & grounds

second floor

blu house

junior studio; spring 2022 professor: golnar ahmadi

blu house is a low income sustainable housing complex that draws its inspiration from the rhythm & movement of the memphis blues. by paying homage to memphis’ rich musical history, it seeks to embed itself more fully into the heart of the dynamic city.

based off of the blues scale, blu house fluctuates in height to mimic the progression of notes. it is modeled in the shape of a loose knot, suggesting a looping melody that weaves and builds off of itself- growing and ebbing to the sound of the music.

blu house works in harmony with both its site and the community that surrounds it.

the solar paneled roofs slope toward the southern front of the building, providing direct access to memphis’ southern sunlight. the site is also equally close in distance to beale street and the musical heart of memphis, as well as many other residential areas.

the site 134 vance avenue memphis, tennessee 38103

the inbetween process work

variation. transposition. composition. harmony, crescendo. inherently musical. scales. swells. rests. rest.

obscure. reveal.

sustainable design

blu house self generates the majority of its power from its solar panels, positioned and angled to receive the most consistent amount of sunlight. made mainly out of concrete, the building boasts a long life and energy efficient response to the call for longevity and sustainability in architecture. the wood used throughout the building is eastern red cedar, an abundant and resilient tree native to tennessee.

LG solar

ne ON series 2 solar panels

locally sourced lumber native eastern red cedar

insulated concrete poured in place

2 -inch XPS rigid foam

the sanctum

junior studio; fall 2021 professor: nicholas brinen

the sanctum is a space that embodies and houses the pre-dance ritual of binasuan , a traditional filipino dance. in binasuan, the performer dances while balancing three glasses of wine, one on each palm, and one atop their head. they move with grace and fluidity, ensuring the liquid within does not spill. the sanctum serves as a space to perform the predance ritual of pouring the three glasses of wine.

on diagramming

the sanctum is based off of diagrams tracking the movement of the center of the palm in relation to the elbow and the way in which their paths interact and intertwine.

finalization

in its final form, the sanctum no longer simply represents movement, but wholly becomes it, rising and falling to meet the dancer in matching gestures. it is a balance of action and reaction . in this space, performers are able to reconnect with the motions and intentions of binasuan.

sayaw center

junior studio; fall 2021 professor: nicholas brinen

the sayaw center is a space to house dance practices and performances that stem from all walks of life. in continuation of the celebration of traditional filipino dances, the tagalog word “sayaw” translates to dance in english. the parti of the building is centered around the concepts of circulation and encapsulation, an ode to movements seen in dances of all types.

the main program of the building, the theatre, is encased by the surrounding floors. the split level floor plan is repeated and mirrored, uniting and balancing the building.

practice space

office spaces

dressing rooms

theatre

practice space

lobby restrooms

outdoor commercial space

ticket booths

programs & floor plans

ang path sa sayaw

process work

the journey to finding the dance center began with experimentation in materiality and the physical depiction of movement. combined with studies in space and form, sayaw center slowly came to life.

experimentation with binasuan

process models

neglection

sophomore studio; spring 2021 professor: jori erdman

mapping urban renewal

urban renewal saw that newtown , a sector of harrisonburg, virginia, where generations of african americans had built their homes and lives, was replaced with parking lots and a patchwork of small storefronts. while there may be no way to return the sense of community that was taken through gentrification, funding from the city could help to rebuild what was lost. through refurbishment of historic buildings or the proposal and erection of community centers, the history and legacy of newtown can live on.

a mapping study of harrisonburg, this project seeks to acknowledge the damaging effects of gentrification through urban renewal that impacted the community of newtown.

cultivation

sophomore studio; spring 2021 professor: jori erdman partner: cheyenne granahan

connective restoration

in continuation of the mapping project, and with hopes of recognizing the damaging effects of urban renewal, this structure pays tribute to the community of newtown . discoveries made through mapping formed the basis of this structure, acknowledging the injustices of the past while working towards a better future. a memorial of sorts, this space is meant to foster discussion and education in newtown’s history.

engraved upon the highest point of the memorial- “the northeast community joined together in the bitter or the sweetness of our lives.”

-doris harper allen

the overlook

sophomore studio; spring 2021 professor: jori erdman

the overlook, a space to be situated on the bank of a river, is based around the action of the verb transgress . it is a place for meditation designed to honor the fight towards justice and equality.

in the case of this meditative space, the overlook transgresses past itself, growing, folding, and being reworked. however, the act of transgressing represents more than just the overlook’s lines and planes. the road to justice is an ongoing battle of transgression, breaking through the boundaries of prejudice and inequality.

studies & progression

perspectives, axonometrics, sections

invisible

sophomore studio; spring 2021 professor: jori erdman

depicting italo calvino’s invisible cities

a digital depiction of the cities of anastasia, zobeide, and fedora, which came to life in the mind and works of author italo calvino.

a study in space

a study of the bengt sjostrom starlight theatre, located in rockford, illinois in combination with the sunset park material recovery facility, located in brooklyn, new york. in this iteration, the combination of two commercial spaces is explored to highlight the differing ways that information is presented.

sophomore studio; fall 2020 professor: nick brinen

aus wien

studio umbau; summer 2022 professor: william tate

in vienna, time expands. it is widely considere that time must always be a measured thing. in reality, it is quite malleable. during the summer of 2022, i spent nineteen lifetimes in vienna, surrounded by the art, design, sights, and sounds of austria.

studio umbau is a guerrilla studio led by jmu professor william tate. throughout this studio abroad, we met designers of all kinds, hearing their stories and learning their craft. immersed in austrian design and enveloped in viennese culture, studio umbau is an experience unlike any other.

from hatmakers to violin makers. graphic designers to florists. vineyard owners to architects. an opera singer. a monk and austrian artist.

inspiration can be drawn from all facets of life so long as you take the time to truly see it. we are not just architects. we are hatmakers, we are florists, we are designers of any and every kind.