Architecture Portfolio, Spring 2022

LIISA A A LTO

P O R T F O L I O 1

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Chinatown Library Proposal, 4

Chinatown Library Pavilion Proposal, 14

Analysis of the Beinecke Library, 22

Tactics of Design: Thick-Thin Exploration, 28

Amphibia: A Collaborative Fashion Line, 34

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Chinatown Librar y Proposal December 2021

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A design proposal that engages in a conversation with the Expressway, specifically the entrance ramp for I-93 South that runs along the edge of the site proposal. The further the ramp declines, the further the form of the library inclines.

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CONCEPT: A Conversation With the Expressway

Librar y Resources

Circulation between lowest and highest point creates a tension between being alone, yet being involved.Views of neighboring buildings and sidewalk activity allow the ability to feel connected to the library and its immediate external context. The library’s circulation paths are inspired by the correlation between duration of time spent and experience in Chinatown.

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Community Views from the top attempt to create an experience of immersion and understanding of surrounding Chinatown and Leather District, as well as bustling Expressway. The programming of this zone celebrates the resilience and the culture of the Chinatown community and desires to provide large spaces for community uses.

Meditative Designed in response to the lack of “horizontal” green space in Chinatown, the sunken plaza attempts to create a meditative zone to perform as an oasis from the surrounding city. Scope of vision is limited to the immediate context.

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PLANS

Ground Level 10

Level Three 11

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Chinatown Librar y Pavilion Proposal October 2021

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The prompt: Design a pop-up librar y for Chinatown that holds a collection of your choice .

I was inspired by the design of late 19th century Chinese pictorial board game prints. Players move along each image in hopes of being the first to reach the center. The goal is to achieve the happiness shown in the center. Happiness is suggested by images of longevity or wealth.

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Clay model used to experiment with form and idea of continuity. Interest in unfolding the spiral of the board game in elevation.

The site of the pavilion proposal is Chin Park in Chinatown, Boston. It is situated between the Rose Kennedy Greenway and the Chinatown Gate. Initially, I desired to offer community members a semi-sheltered space with a collection of board games and card games included.

I extended the design to accomodate flexible seating and spatial arrangements.

Pavilion hopes to serve as promotion of continuity between pedestrian visitors of the Greenway and community of Chinatown.

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R o s e Ke n n e d y G r e e n w a y

Chinatown Gate 20

The design for the pavilion includes sliding polycarbonate panels that promote community agency in their use and experience of the space. With the intention of designing a space for game playing, and with inspiration from mahjong parlors, the use of red is meant to promote the good fortune and joy that the color symbolizes in Chinese culture.

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Analysis of the Beinecke Librar y October 2021

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The Golden Ratio as a Gothic Inspiration in the Design of the Beinecke Librar y

Wire Model Exploration of Propor tions in Plan and Elevation

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Book Examples from the Middles Ages

Interpreted Plan and 3D Model Drawings

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The Golden Ratio in Platonic Solids An Abstraction of the Beinecke Librar y

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F o r m : I n t e r i o r Ve r s u s E x t e r i o r S p a c e

S u n E x p o s u r e : I n d i r e c t Ve r s u s D i r e c t

B o o k s t a c k s : C e n t r a l Ve r s u s P e r i p h e r a l

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Tactics of Design: Thick-Thin Exploration April 2021

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C A S E S T U DY : C a s a P o l i / P e z o Vo n E l l r i c h s h a u s e n

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After modeling Casa Poli, I better understood the relationship between the windows and the second perimeter that houses the serving spaces. In my own design iteration, I furthered my exploration of the ability to create moments of connection between the interior and the exterior with the language of a thickened band that houses all of the serving spaces. I designed this thickened band with a triangular language that was reciprocated in the served spaces.

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Amphibia: A Collaborative Fashion Line April 2021

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In Response to the Theme of Gender Expansiveness

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Design submissions for Northeastern University’s Project Runway. I worked on a team of five students and fulfilled the role as designer. Collaborated on mood board. Completed seven designs as part of a cohesive line. Sewed pants and altered clothes to style two models according to their corresponding design drawing.

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INSPIRED BY NATURALLY OCCURING PHENOMENA IN WHI

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ICH ITS MERE EXISTENCE AND BIOLOGY CHALLENGES WESTERN GENDER NORMS

Our pieces have been designed to embody aspects of nature that surround us. We incorporated the subtle yet prevalent presence of the forest into our gender-neutral pieces. Meanwhile, much like the perpetual flow of the water in our oceans, our gender fluid designs are a constant reminder that expression through change is a beautiful thing.

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T h a n k Yo u !

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