LEAH FETT PORTFOLIO OF WORK // 2016
LEAH FETT PORTFOLIO OF WORK // 2016 Application for Master of Architecture University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Cover page features an investigative section of subterranean caverns and the orchestration of movement via light, horizontality, and verticality
ACADEMIC
01 02 03 04 05
PROFESSIONAL
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT ARTS CENTER
3
THE RED PLANE
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REJECT CHAIR REVIVAL
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NICOLLET MALL REVITALIZATION
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PALIMPSEST REVEALED
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Minneapolis, MN // Fall, 2014 STUDIO 3
Minneapolis, MN // Fall, 2014 STUDIO 3
Minneapolis, MN // Fall, 2014 FURNITURE DESIGN
Minneapolis, MN // Spring, 2015 STUDIO 4
Rome, Italy // Spring, 2014 STUDY ABROAD
06 07
CONTAINER CONCEPTS
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EAST END TERRACE
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Appleton, WI // Summer, 2014 MODS International
Minneapolis, MN // Winter, 2015 - Spring, 2016 ESG ARCHITECTS
COMPETITION
08 09
PERSONAL
SOLAR CRAFTING
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WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS
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Mars // Summer, 2015 NASA CENTENNIAL DESIGN COMPETITION
Minneapolis, MN // Fall, 2016 IIDA NORTHLAND FUSION FASHION SHOW
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MURAL + PERSONAL ART
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ORRIDOR
GRANARY C
SITE
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EAST BANK CAMPUS
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Site Diagram
DIN
KY
TO WN
01 TYPE DATE LOCATION
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT ART CENTER Academic : Studio 3, individual project October - December 2014 Minneapolis, MN
The University District Arts Center is situated on the northwest corner of the University of Minnesota’s East Bank campus. The building intends to not only serve university students, but also the adjacent communities with a common space for performance art and gallery display, as well as educational services and a common space for creativity. The building represents a campus of parts, much like the University. The shifting of the building mass tectonics is the driving motif for this design. The masses are arranged in the grid corresponding to the University. The penetration of the Dinkytown neighborhood cuts through the masses at a shifted grid angle, creating a lobby spatially reminiscent of the adjacent granary corridor to the north.
Massing Techtonics
Leah Fett //
3
PROJECT CONCEPT UDAC should be considered a microcosm of its larger context. This is achieved by eminating site-inspired experiences within the building’s sectional and planar qualities, while aesthetically serving the visual and programmatic needs of each of the immediate bordering environments.
Each face of UDAC addresses the visual need of the neighboring environment. The entrance plaza is situated on the University Avenue and 14th Street, one of the main entrances to the U of M campus, and a determined place of rest.
B N
GALLERY
A
OUTDOOR THEATER
STORAGE
MEN
WOMEN
A MECHANICAL + EQUIPMENT
LOBBY + INSTALLATION SPACE
BOX OFFICE
ELEC.
LEVEL 1 5’
10’
20’
Section A-A
B
CONF.
ADMIN. 1
ADMIN. 2
B N
GALLERY + PREFUNCTION
A
A THEATER OPEN TO BELOW COMMON
LEVEL 2 5’
10’
20’
CAFE
B
CLASS 1
REHERSAL
CLASS 2
CLASS 3
Section B-B Leah Fett //
4
Louvered wall as interactive art on the exterior
Theater viewshed to Minneapolis skyline
Investigative sketches for louvered wall The campus environment requires a traditional and academic aesthetic, to repectfully correspond with the surrounding context. This locates the classrooms and administrative offices in a building mass similar in proportions and palette to the academic buildings to the south. In order to maximize the visual amenity of the breathtaking Minneapolis skyline, the western-facing facade is primarily transparent, with the site cleared for visibility. This viewshed plays as a dramatic backdrop for the theater stage. To the north, a dynamic louvered facade serves as an engaging art piece to the constant passers-by of Dinkytown. As one moves past the louvered wall, an image emerges, and then disintigrates as the angle of view becomes too sharp. The direction of the louver changes from floor to floor in response to the shifting grids, providing a varying visual experience depending on the direction of approach.
Louvered wall as gallery space on interior
Leah Fett //
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Study model at 1/16” = 1’-0” scale
02 TYPE PARTNER DATE LOCATION
THE RED PLANE Academic : Studio 3, partner project Bryan Sapp September 2014 Minneapolis, MN
Revealing what would otherwise go unnoticed. That was the objective for this public art installation to be located in “The Knoll” on the University of Minnesota Campus. When analyzing a new site, it is crucial to investigate, expose and study the features and elements that cannot may not be immediately evident. Although the Knoll is a very familiar place to those who pass through it daily, many do not notice the significant change in topography that occurs. This is, in part, due to the paved pathways that circumvents the hill altogether.
PROJECT CONCEPT By creating a datum at a fixed elevation point at the top of the hill, a plane was extended in all directions using red string. The trees served as anchor points that all tied back to the origin. At its furthest reach, the plane was 20’ above the ground, allowing for a separation of environments: above and below. Wrapping the trees in red below the elevation point further accentuated this. Since the string crossed over the heavy-traffic pathways, it did not go unnoticed; in fact, it encouraged inquiry. Many found themselves stopped by a transecting string, and followed it up the hill to the origin point. The plane now lay at their ankles, as they were now immersed in the “above” environment. This forced exploration, and exposed a significant yet forgotten feature in a familiar place.
Site diagram by Bryan Sapp, mapping anchor points
Photo of study model
Photo of installation
Diagrammatic investigation
Panoramic photo of installation
Leah Fett //
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03 TYPE DATE LOCATION
REJECT CHAIR REVIVAL Academic : Furniture Design, individual project December 2014 Minneapolis, MN
Originally manufactured in 1968, this chair was found in a dumpster behind Amundson Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. The objective was to make a found or forgetten chair become relavent again. Make the chair a better chair.
Found chair
For my find, this meant giving the chair a cohesive purpose and appearance. Conceptually, my chair seemed to have an identity crisis. The bent wood arms and spring padded seat had a warm, comfortable aesthetic. The base, however, was a metal swivel base usually found on task-purpose chairs.
PROJECT CONCEPT After some minor repairs, the base was removed from the seat altogether, and the bent wood arms were examined as a typology that would inform the new base. Though some angles are replicated exactly, the profile of the chair’s arm shape is adjusted to create the curvature of a rocker. The arms were made by laminated bent wood, with the layers still visible on the profile. To imitate this, plywood was used, ensuring the lamination layers’ visibility on the front of the rockers. Sanded and restained, the dark cherry stain emphasizes the silhouette of the now unified form, while the twotoned upholstery pays hommage to the mismatched chair it was in its previous life.
Study rocker
< 108
< 108
Final rocker
7
Final Chair
Leah Fett //
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04 TYPE DATE LOCATION
NICOLLET MALL REVITALIZATION Academic : Studio 4, individual & class project January - May 2015 Minneapolis, MN
Connecting the Mississippi River front to the Chain of Lakes, the Nicollet Mall is a signature of downtown Minneapolis. Constructed in 1967, Nicollet was Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first transit mall. However, as the city has grown and adapted, the mall has not. A cosmetic redesign was done in the 90s, but failed to address the issues of circulation and program.
Researching the identities, needs and priorities of the mall, our class defined 3 zones, each with a unique character - the Civic Gateway, the Corporate Core, and the Urban Backyard. Individually, each student took on a traversing block on Nicollet, an architectural acupuncture point for revitalization of the Nicollet Mall. I was assigned the block between 8th and 9th, at the south end of the Corporate core, bordering the Urban Backyard.
Streetscape perspective, looking North
STASIS
RESIDENTIAL
MOVEMENT
OFFICE / MIXED USE
OFFICE / MIXED USE
SKYWAY
RESTAURANT
RESTAURANT
20’ PEDESTRIAN
10’ TRAM / BIKE
30’ CENTRAL PROMENADE
10’ TRAM / BIKE
20’ PEDESTRIAN
Leah Fett //
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER
PROJECT CONCEPT
N
8TH ST.
9TH ST.
ZONE 2 : BLOCK 5
URBAN BACKYARD
LA SALLE AVE.
NICOLLET MALL
HENN
EPIN
AVE.
For the those visiting the block as a desitnation for a happy hour, a comedy show, or an orchestra performance, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to provide a streetscape that is engaging and alive. Going beyond street furniture, this includes an organization of traffic types in order to truly give the street to the pedestrian.
MARQUETTE AVE.
The skyway is used mostly by corporate professionals seeking the quickest, and most hassle-free route. In order to showcase this Twin Cities icon, as well as make way-finding easier, I moved the pathways to the edges of the building envelope. The skyways are also distinguished with a uniform tinted glass. This way, the path can be seen as singular architectural entity, snaking through the urban landscape.
CORPORATE CORE
CIVIC GATEWAY
This block is transitionary. It needs to effectively serve the destination-oriented professionals from the corporate core, as well as meandering visitors. The block features a variety of restaurants, retail desitinations and appointment services. Many of these do not front the street, but are connected on a secondary (but equally travelled ) platform - the skyway level.
CIRCULATION PATHS EXPEDITED ROUTES (SKYWAY) MEANDERING ROUTES (GROUND)
PUBLIC REALM PUBLIC SEMI-PUBLIC SEMI-PRIVATE PRIVATE
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 1
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EXISTING SKYWAY
H T EE
R ST
9T H
LE T CO L NI
LL E
AV E.
MA
LL
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E RE
ST
SA
. AV E E TT RQ UE MA
100% CORNER
E
NN
HE
.
E AV
8T
PROPOSED REROUTING
PIN
LA
PATH ADJUSTMENTS
Leah Fett //
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URBAN BACKYARD
CORPORATE CORE
POCKET PARK LOCATION
Proposed east elevation
Existing east elevation photo collage
Although the West side of my assigned block is occupied entirely by a bank, the east side presents an opportunity to covert a Panera courtyard into a pocket park. Taking inspiration from Paley Park in New York City, this small plaza offers a retreat from the bustling streets and stuffy corporate towers for a place to relax outside for professionals and visitors alike. By removing the existing Panera front threshold, the building facade line recedes to offer a 2,100 square foot plaza. By taking advantage of the low rooftop of the adjacent Walgreens building, there is the opportunity for a rooftop park to be connected to the skyway system.
This small plaza is capable of serving many versitile functions, as a potential event space or perhaps a public art gallery. The large, empty wall to the north could even host a mural by a local artist. This park responds well to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location at the edge of the corporate core, and offers the recreation and relaxation of the urban backyard without having to travel over there. It engages the streetscape as well as the skyway system, and exhibits Minneapolis culture.
Pocket park night life
Pocket park aerial view
Leah Fett //
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Arch of Titus under scaffolding
Renaissance rooftops
My portion (zone 8) of map on photo of Roman cobblestone
05 TYPE DATE LOCATION
Dome visible from Via dei Fori Imperiali
Transverse section of the Colosseum, in fan chronology
PALIMPSEST REVEALED Academic : Creative Cartography, individual & class project January - March 2014 Rome, Italy
Palimpsest [paləm(p)ˌsest]: Something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form.
Rome is a city of layers. It is a city that has been building upon itself for centuries, resulting in one of the most culturally, historically, architecturally and politically significant cities on the planet. This map is an exercise in investigational drawing. It intends to capture not just Rome’s current street contours and building footprints, but its layers, and all the sensations, history, and emotions that accompany them.
Silhouette of Palatine Hill from Forum
Afternoon sun on Forum colonnade
The city was divided into 8 zones, with each person assigned to study and investigate their region for 4 weeks. This resulted in the development and creation of a unique cartography that tells the story of each individual slice of Rome. My assigned zone included the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. When all zones were stitched together, the completed map filled an entire public plaza.
Local wine, painted with local Sangiovese
The Colosseum is an exceptional example that can still be walked within today. It is a place that is saturated with history and human emotion - something a traditional map cannot capture. This is section cut expands from the page and is broken into a fanned-out chronology: from the draining of Neroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palatial lake, to the inauguration, to the height of itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity and brutality, to its ruin as a medieval quarry, and to present day, as a public museum.
Leah Fett //
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Massing Axons
06 TYPE POSITION DATE LOCATION
CONTAINER CONCEPTS Professional : MODS International, Inc. Architectural Intern May - August 2014 Appleton, WI
MODS (Modular On Demand Structures) is a design-build firm specializing in repurposing recycled shipping containers. Designed for durability, steel shipping containers are inherently strong, readily available, and low in cost. Because of their modular dimensions, they are easy to design with and stack into countless arrangement options.They are also portable, fitting perfectly on a semi truck bed for shipment. This makes the shipping container the ideal option for exhibition use, pop up commericial stands, and semi-mobile residences.
FOLD-DOWN CAFE // (1) 20’ CONTAINER
OPEN TRUSS RESTAURANT // (4) 40’ CONTAINERS
Using standard 20’ and 40’ containers, it was my responsibility to create a marketing brochure exploring various commerical, residential, exhibition applications. The examples shown are a selection of concepts that showcase the shipping container’s versatility and successful integration with other building systems.
HUNTING CABIN // (1) 40’ + 1 (20’) CONTAINER
EXHIBITION FLIGHT DECK // (6) 40’ CONTAINERS
STRIP MALL // (5) 40’ CONTAINERS
Plans
Renderings
SERVICE COUNTER
DRY STOR.
KITCHEN
KITCHEN
BAR
FRIDGE UNIT
RR
RR
HOST
BATH
BEDROOM
KITCHEN + LIVING OUTDOOR KITCHEN
GARAGE
BOH
CONSULT
OFFICE
FE
TA I
L
SA
LO
BO
H
H OF FIC
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RE
BO
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FIC
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CA
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FIC
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H OF
FIC
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FIC
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SHOWROOM
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TA I
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Leah Fett //
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East End amenity terrace, facing North
07 TYPE POSITION DATE LOCATION
EAST END AMENITY TERRACE Professional : ESG Architects Architectural Designer December 2015 - February 2016 Minneapolis, MN
Elness Swenson Graham Architects is a rapidly growing architecture and interior design firm in Minneapolis. Hospitality as its calling card, ESG leads the local industry in creatively addressing the needs of its users in each and every project. East End is an multi-use building sited in downtown Minneapolis. The podium will host a grocery tenant with
6 floors of luxury apartments above. A gracious amenity terrace occupies the top of the grocery parking ramp. I was tasked with laying out the terrace, as well as designing and detailing a sculptural pergola to wrap the swimming pool. Rather than design a straight-run pergola that only offers shade, I saw this element as an opportunity to divide this large terrace area into more intimate spaces, aimed at accommodating various group sizes and furniture settings for year round enjoyment.
3D axon of terrace
Leah Fett //
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Beginning with a steel column grid, I used a language of two materials - hardwood members and canvas - to divide the space. Each material expression is oriented to a direction. Thin hardwood members run North-South and drop down to separate space. Canvas strips run strictly East-West, and are woven through the wood members. By setting these rules, it creates a visually interesting interaction of materials, as well as varying degrees of opacity between pockets of space. This system adapts to accomodate and inform various arrangements of furniture, grill stations, and walk ways. The steel structure allows the pergola to suspend seasonal furniture such as hammocks during the warm months. These can be easily removed without a trace and replaced with seating for fire pits during the cold season.
5.9
6
8' - 2 3/4"
3' - 9"
CL COL
TUBE STEEL FRAMING (SEE STRUCTURAL)
CL COL
3' - 6"
EQ
E.3
EQ
1'-6" OUTDOOR FABRIC (FF&E) WOVEN BETWEEN WOOD MEMBERS IN ALTERNATING PATTERN
2' - 6"
DETAIL
EQ
E.4
SECTION
EQ
HARDWOOD MEMBERS FASTENED TO STL FRAME MEMBERS
PROVIDE ADDL STRUCTURAL SUPPORT @ HAMMOCK ATTACHMENT (LOCATIONS TBD)
EQ
6' - 0"
EQ
E.5
E.7
3/8” = 1’-0” PERGOLA PLAN // 3/4” = 1’-0”
12' - 4" 10 EQ SPACES
PROVIDE ONE HANDHOLE WITH FLUSH LID PER COLUMN
TUBE STEEL FRAMING
131' - 6" TOP OF STEEL, TYP.
ELEC CONDUIT HSS COLUMN, FASTEN TO BASE PLATE TABS W/ FLUSH FASTENERS
HARDWOOD MEMBERS FASTENED TO STL FRAME
6X6X1/2" BASE PLATE WITH WELDED TABS
TYP
View from terrace entry
1' - 1 1/2"
4" CONC TOPPING SLOPED
OUTDOOR FABRIC WOVEN BETWEEN WD MEMBERS IN ALTERNATING PATTERN ATTACHED TO BOTTOM MEMBER W/ SPRING HOOKS & EYELET HARDWARE DETAIL COLUMN BASE
3" MIN AVG RIGID INSUL
4"
Sketch of early design iteration
FLUID APPLIED WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE
1” = 1’-0”
3/8” = 1’-0”
PERGOLA SECTION // 3/4” = 1’-0”
5.9
6 PROVIDE ONE HANDHOLE WITH FLUSH LID PER COLUMN 8' - 2 3/4" CL COL
E.3
131' - 6" TOP OF STEEL, TYP.
3' - 9"
ELEC CONDUIT HSS COLUMN, FASTEN TO BASE PLATE TABS W/ FLUSH FASTENERS
CL COL
1' - 1 1/2"
EQ SECTION
3" MIN AVG RIGID INSUL 4"
2' - 6"
DETAIL
FLUID APPLIED WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE
HARDWOOD MEMBERS FASTENED TO STL FRAME MEMBERS
EQ EQ
6' - 0"
EQ
E.5
E.7
1'-6" OUTDOOR FABRIC (FF&E) WOVEN BETWEEN WOOD MEMBERS IN ALTERNATING PATTERN
1” = 1’-0”
PROVIDE ADDL STRUCTURAL SUPPORT @ HAMMOCK ATTACHMENT (LOCATIONS TBD)
COLUMN BASE DETAIL // 1-1/2” = 1’-0” 3/8” = 1’-0”
Leah Fett //
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TYP
3' - 6"
EQ
6X6X1/2" BASE PLATE WITH WELDED TABS
4" CONC TOPPING SLOPED EQ
E.4
TUBE STEEL FRAMING (SEE STRUCTURAL)
Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator slows spacecraft for arrival.
EDL shuttle performs controlled landing and release of central module.
Ground perspective of Solar Crafting construction of Exterior Dome
Solar Crafting Assembly begins 3D printing Exterior Dome around Central Module
Dome c Living S inflation
08
construction completed. Space Module (LSM) n begins.
EXTERIOR DOME radiation protection insulates from diurnal temp. changes provides rigidity
TYPE ROLE TEAM AWARD DATE
SOLAR CRAFTING Competition : NASA Centennial Design Challenge Architect Charles Wood, Caleb Williams, Claire Cole , Derek Mathers, Jared Swihart, Les Karpas Top 30 Finalist March - September 2015
This project was for Phase 1 of the NASA Centennial Design Competition: 3D Printed Habitat Challenge. The prompt was to design a self-assembling, 3D printed habitat to accommodate the arrival of 4 researchers on a 2 year mission on the Martian Surface. Phase 1 was part of a larger, multi-phase competition to advance the additive construction technology needed to create sustainable housing solutions for Earth and beyond.
LSM INFLATABLE maintains interior pressure seals sterile environment volume efficient shape
CENTRAL MODULE houses LSM inflatable houses hardware, MEP vertical circulation
MEETING SHAB completed. Envelope assessed for human occupation.
GALLEY
RECREATION
COMMAND CENTER
HYGIENE
BUNKS
DRY STOR.
CIRC.
LEVEL 2
MEDICAL BAY
EVA PREP
RESEARCH + STOWAGE CIRC. LAB
AIRLOCK
LEVEL 1 Leah Fett //
15
Solar Crafting is an innovative additive manufacturing approach that combines the construction capabilities of Contour Crafting with the energy-efficient process of Solar Sintering to construct structures from sun and sand. Advanced robotics are used to harvest and refine surface material, and to track the sun through the sky. Our balloon-assisted gantry system tilts accordingly to focus the sun’s rays with a film-thin fresnel lens. The surface-mined regolith is then superheated to a molten deposition resin and extruded in thin layers, hardening to a quartzlike material. Working during all adequate daylight hours, this system completes the exterior dome in roughly 3 month’s time. The Surface Habitat (SHAB) is a 3 part system. Each component provides environmental conditions that are crucial in supporting
Balloon-assisted gantry tracks the sun to construct
human life on the hostile Red Planet. For an off-world habitat, maximizing Astronaut Standards of Living are of the utmost importance. Special attention was paid to meeting or exceeding NASA’s outlined requirements for astronaut health, safety, and wellbeing. Within the LSM, the volume efficient inflatable divides into two floors, with all necessary rigid equipment, hardware, and ducting housed in the central core. This provides the largest possible area for living space and circulation. Level 1 is programmed for work and research, while Level 2 is for living and recreation. As a psychological retreat from the harshness of the Martian environment, the interior was designed to be reminiscent of the astronauts’ Earthly dwellings. Through a balance of private and congregational spaces, curved, organic themes are used in addition to the central placement of plants and natural light baffles in the habitat core.
Media Center interior perspective
Galley interior perspective
Medical Bay interior perspective
Leah Fett //
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09 TYPE ROLE TEAM AWARDS DATE
WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS Competition : IIDA Northland Fusion Fashion Show 2016 Team Manager for ESG Architects Andy McDermott, Carley Hammers, Kali Bruhnke, Kristine Siiro Kandace Hess, John Leeke, Carol Magerkurth, Emily DeVore Best Interpretation of the Theme & 1st Runner up Best in Show August - October 2016
The Fusion Fashion Show is a Project Runway-style design competition where members of the Twin Cities architectural and interior design industry create a runway garment. These garments must be created using 75% building materials such as tile, laminate, drapery, hardware, etc. This includes a last- minute addtion of a “mystery material” of which the teams must use 50%. The 2016 theme was “Welcome to Wonderland” and required the incorporation of a 2’ x 3’ vinyl wallcovering as the mystery material. I managed our ESG Architects team (a mix of architects, interior designers and graphic designers), and together we chose the smoking caterpillar as the inspiration for our concept.
Lewis Carroll’s illustration for the smoking caterpillar
Garment model, Kali Bruhnke, walks the runway, photo by MN Daily
Leah Fett //
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“Who are you?” On the breath of an exhale, it ribbons and twirls into obscurity, diffusing into the atmosphere, animating the unseen currents that surround.
Back detail of collar
We chose the scene with the smoking caterpillar because we thought it was exemplary of the story of Alice in Wonderland as a whole. It is a moment where she is questioning who she is and emerges from the smoke by growing up to the tree tops. I wrote the above poem as our 25 word concept statement to the judges. Our garment used many unconventional building materials in it’s construction. For the skirt, a bustle was made out of a molded window screen, and covered with layers of sheer drapery to create a smoke-like effect. John Leeke (architect), devised a hand-held ‘smoke’ wand that emitted an HVAC testing powder to animate the look on the runway. I was responsible for fashioning the wallcovering ‘mystery material’ into an intricate collar. As a focal point, the collar is meant to be an visual hybrid of the arabesque culture of hookah smoking and the Victorian era of which Through the Looking Glass was written. The intricate hand-cut pattern is symmetrical and features a lace- up back with a high collar, fringed with the sheer drapery. Front detail of collar
Sketch of Concept
Model Kali Bruhnke exhibits ‘smoke’ animation, photo by MN Daily
Leah Fett //
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FDL high school mural progress photo Paid commission, acrylic
10 TYPE
MURAL + PERSONAL ART Personal
A selection of personal works, including an independent mural commission for Fond du Lac High School in 2011. I enjoy working in acrylic and watercolor.
Portrait of my grandmother, acrylic
Florence, Italy travel watercolor
Vancouver, BC travel watercolor
South Carolina travel watercolor Figure drawing, chalk pastels
Leah Fett //
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Self-portrait, watercolor
Thank you for your consideration of my application.
Leah Fett //
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