Design Portfolio | Selected Works 2024 | Libby Couture

design portfolio libby couture

selected works 2024 | kansas state university

cover image | collage sketch of architectural details at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City | ink | june 25, 2022

Created in the context of people, place, and time, architecture plays an inextricable role in the human environment through facilitation of reciprocal interactions with the body. The evolving relationship between people and architecture is rooted in historic and cultural experiences and perceived through the bodily experience of the present day.

Today, architecture desires to respond to the intense political and social climates that pervade society. It desires to bridge divergent views and inspire collective and united action through spatial agency, community engagement, and beauty.

selected works

reclaiming community | a mixed-use tower

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patchwork | a housing and education center

16

enliven | a community center

22

resilient routines | affordable housing

28

[c 2h 4]ange for reuse | a wall partition

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creative works

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reclaiming community Typology | Mixed-Use Tower Location | Strawberry Hill, Kansas Size | 325,000 sf Date | August 2022 - December 2022 Hand sketching, Hand modeling, Revit, Photoshop, Illustrator

Located in a neighborhood with a diverse population and rich history, this tower acts as a vehicle to reconnect Strawberry Hill with the surrounding area, providing the opportunity to rebuild and revitalize the community. A series of interior and exterior porches provide places for the community to gather and share their culture and experiences, thus encouraging the reclaiming of community. completed with Lily Murray MANKO Design Competition Runner Up

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porch typology

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embedded masses

tower extrusion

carved light wells

porch spaces

site plan 7

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first floor

west elevation 8

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entry porch food stall back of house boutique storage restrooms

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boutique stepped seating storage restrooms cafe entry porch entry lobby gallery

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second floor

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18” x 18” limestone veneer panel interlocking channel attachment aluminum interlocking channel factory attachment plates with #10 TEK screws shim with #12 TEK screws

insulation board 25 psi minimum

waterproofing membrane plywood sheathing 2”x 6” light gauge steel framing batt insulation gypsum board

double pane picture window aluminum window frame 24” x 24” mass timber column

2” concrete topping membrane 2’ concrete raft foundation

2’ ø steel pile

wall section | base 10

18” x 18” limestone veneer panel plywood sheathing insulation board

waterproofing membrane gypsum board interlocking channel attachment

2” x6” light gauge steel framing batt insulation

detail | recessed window sill

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Facade South Section - Callout 1 3" = 1'-0"

central avenue and south 6th street entry porch 11

section perspective 12

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2

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A

B

C

D

E

F 5' - 0"

typical office plan

11' - 3"

50' - 0"

8' - 9"

5' - 0"

typical residential plan 0'

1

office interior

10' - 0"

6'

12'

24'

48'

Level 11 Apartment 1/8" = 1'-0"

render completed by Lily Murray

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cant strip roof membrane coverboard rigid insulation air and vapor membrane plywood sheathing roof underlayment and temporary moisture protection 7-layer CLT panel coping wood blocking

louver header

12-gauge hanger wire polyester insulation 5/8” plasterboard

operable spruce louver

custom built up blackened steel cap wood decking plywood sheathing rigid insulation 7 layer CLT panel soffit aluminum window frame double pane casement window 2” x 1’ 6’ vertical spruce fin

pressure treated vertical cedar slat pressure treated cedar cladding battens counterbattens

waterproofing membrane plywood sheathing 2”x 8” light gauge steel framing batt insulation gypsum board

finished hardwood flooring polyester fiber mat gypsum fiber board stonewool marble granulate wood blocking 7-layer CLT panel

wall section | tower 14

operable spruce louver custom built up blackened steel cap wood decking waterproofing membrane plywood sheathing rigid insulation plywood sheathing wood blocking 7-layer CLT panel

custom steel t bar wood blocking 8 gauge steel cleat waterproofing membrane 2” x 8” lgs u channel 2” x 6” lgs c channel pressure treated vertical cedar slat pressure treated cedar cladding battens counterbattens

waterproofing membrane gypsum board sheathing fiber glass batt insulation 2” x 8” lgs c stud

detail | residential porch

1/8” scale model

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patchwork Typology | Housing and Education Center Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Size | 30,500 sf Date | August 2023 - December 2023 Hand sketching, Revit, Lumion, Photoshop, Illustrator

Improving behavioral health and social well-being at the intersection of neighborhoods near Berks station provides the opportunity to create meaningful third-place to foster a more collective community. Multi-scale co-housing with shared space and resources encourages connection between diverse residents. Hobby focused education through intergenerational teaching creates a safe environment to support youth and retirees away from home or school. completed with Catherine Steinacker, Will Reboulet, and Kyle Odgers (interdisciplinary team)

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existing structure

subtraction

old carpet mill comprised of five different buildings enclosing a courtyard

major obstructions to be addressed in interventions

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level 4 1 2

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common kitchen two bedroom residential units

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level 3 3 4

common living studio residential units

level 2 5 6

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7 11

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rowhouse bedrooms + bath garden link teaching kitchen common dining

mezzanine

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14

10 11

textiles ceramics art workspace

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level 1

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12 13 14 15 16 17

residential lobby rowhouse kitchen + living back porch courtyard education entry lounge library

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sublevel exploded axonometric 18

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woodworking shop

open courtyard + shift stair

establish gateways

fenestration

landscape massing

front building and link removed to open site and smoke stack adapted for stair tower

major access points defined with gateways to emphasize entrances

expansive glazing applied to common spaces, skylight extended, existing window grid maintained with new windows and brick infill

landscape defined by interior program and streetscape developed to improve safety and connection to assets

housing exterior

render completed with Kyle Odgers

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shared living

shared kitchen

existing brick common brick, traditional bond, two wythes

1/2” air barrier wall tie waterproofing membrane

5/8” plywood sheathing 2x4 wood framing batt insulation

5/8” gypsum wall board

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garden link

wood workshop

art workshop

teaching kitchen

library

individual space

social lounge space

shared workspace

entry lounge + resource desk

section perspective | looking north through housing, courtyard, and education

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enliven Typology | Community Center Location | Wichita, Kansas Size | 14,100 sf Date | January 2022 - February 2022 Hand sketching, Hand modeling, Rhino, Enscape, Photoshop, Illustrator

This dynamic community center aids in revitalization of the static downtown Wichita area by promoting movement and interaction of users through music, program, and space. Such activity is encouraged through lively and energetic spaces, which are in turn balanced with numerous support spaces. This community center is designed with special consideration for the youth, their interaction with one another, and their engagement with space.

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liveliness

dynamic and support spaces

concept models

Dynamic and support spaces on each floor appear in numerous forms, from most energetic to service spaces. The contrast in spatial design and use allows the building to be dynamic as a whole, and thus the user’s experience as well.

ground floor with playground and cafe invite community in to experience the space

dynamic and support spaces by floor 24

figure ground demonstrating site in relation to public parks

second floor with play, activity, and learning spaces support energy and movement of youth

third floor with music and multipurpose spaces allow community to explore and share

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interactive nature of glass floor in light-well viewed from first floor

section a-a | looking west 26

community playground

Engaging program on the ground floor encourages movement and interaction within the site. The entry portal becomes a dynamic experience where contrasting textures and volumes appeal to the seven senses and promote a human response.

section b-b | looking north through vertical light well 27

resilient routines Typology | Affordable Housing Location | East Harlem, New York Size | 55,000 sf Date | March 2022 - May 2022 Hand sketching, Hand modeling, Revit, Photoshop, Illustrator

Designed for the underrepresented population of East Harlem, this complex creates flexible places that support the rituals of the larger community and individuals within. Integral growth spaces create a sense of safety and belonging while providing residents places to learn about themselves both as individuals and members of larger groups. Flexible spaces characterized by movable furniture and operable panels allow users the adaptability required to support their needs and routines.

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figure ground | east harlem

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site conditions

conceptual studies | flexibility supporting routine

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south corner from 103rd street and 1st avenue

103rd street elevation 32

place mass

split program

lift residential

shift bars

insert growth spaces

The implementation of integral program on the ground for welcomes the community into this building, encouraging interaction among users. Supporting the underrepresented individuals in the area, dedicated spaces for career services and counseling promote personal growth and reintegration into society. Such ideals are also reinforced through inclusion of a bike workshop, community kitchen, maker space, and piazza for hosting of various events.

section a-a | through courtyard looking southwest 33

piazza flexibility 34

typical residential floor plan

Varied unit types supports numerous individuals, each with different routines and desires. Flexible furniture, independent control of daylighting, and ability to obtain varied levels of privacy provide additional layers of adaptability. As such, each unit is able to meet the individual where they are at and accommodate the growth and change that follows. flexible units | typical studio

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[c2h4]ange for reuse Typology | Suspended Wall Partition Location | Weigel Library, Regnier Hall, Kansas State University Size | 2’8” x 5’ panel, 5’4” x 5’ panel Date | October 2022 - December 2022 Hand sketching, Rhino, Fabrication Lab, Construction

With an emphasis on sustainability and wall craft, [c 2h 4]ange approaches the design of a partition system through the innovative reuse of plastics. The modular strategy employed is based off the individual unit of the milk jug and allows for implementation at various scales. Individual units are modified to enable for filtering of light, framing of views, and sculptural shaping of space. Taking advantage of the lightweight nature of this material, the system is suspended from a structure above using clamps, cable, and fishing line. completed with Yvette Fabela and Amber Pryor

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drill (top) frame assembly

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drill (bottom)

secure at corner

secure on top

stitch

secure

milk jug assembly

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creative work Date | Spring 2021 - Summer 2023 Medium | Graphite, Ink, Watercolor

The creative representation of space is a practice in translating subjective interpretations of a place into a legible idea communicated on paper. Studies of built precedents provide the opportunity to explore architectural elements at all scales, understand how individuals engage with the built environment, and gain insight into the immaterial qualities of a place.

right | grundtvig’s kirke | watercolor | april 9, 2023

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new york county supreme court | ink | july 3, 2022

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church of ognissanti | graphite | february 8, 2021

siena roof | ink | may 19, 2023

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the passage | watercolor | april 24, 2023

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townhall threshold | watercolor | march 20, 2023

aRos | watercolor | february 12, 2023

views from rundetaarn | watercolor | march 11, 2023

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