Elizabeth Meyers Architectural Portfolio

E L I Z A B E T H M. M E Y E R S A R C H I T E C T U R A L P O R T F O L I O

CONTENT ACADEMIC WORK PROFESSIONAL WORK FOR FUN 01. RE-IMAGINING URBAN FORESTRY 02. UNFOLD 03. TIMBER IN THE CITY 05. LEEDLAB TEXTBOOK 04. RESTON STATION 06. DIGITAL ART Thesis I & II Integrated Building Design Studio Mass Timber Competition A Model for Sustainable Design Education Multi-family Housing in Reston, VA Photoshop Collages [p.01] [p.15] [p.25] [p.37] [p.31] [p.41]

RE-IMAGINING01.URBAN FORESTRY

THESIS I & II

PROJECT TYPE: Urban Forest Playscape

INSTRUCTOR: Adnan Morshed

DATE: Spring & Fall 2020

LOCATION: New York, NY, USA

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This thesis examines what forestry could look like in the age of urbanization. This examination draws on the ecological work of Ian McHarg, who acknowledges the forest as a “source of life, milieu, teacher, sanctum, challenge, and most of all... a source of meaning.” While living in an urban environment one loses the valuable experience of a forest. An urban forest is an attempt to bring the experience and life of a forest into a dense urban environment. An urban forest would apply McHarg’s theory of the forest to the urbanite’s daily life.

Over the past two centuries nature has been diminished. The origin of the problem starts at the basic root necessity of a building to keep the natural world out. However, mankind has taken it too far with overpopulation, increased carbon emissions, and density. New York City is the perfect example of this, as the most densely populated city in the United States. As a result of this intense over urbanization we as humans have lost this vital connection to the forest and its many benefits.

A forest experience is one that provides sanctuary, physical activity, hiking, and education. Currently in New York City, there is no way to have a forest experience. A vertical urban park located in downtown Manhattan would be the best way to provide this type of experience to New-Yorkers. Right now, as density in Manhattan increases, build-able space decreases resulting in buildings competing for height limits. With the help of architecture, this park will finally put nature into the competition for great heights along the Manhattan skyline. Like central park, its horizontal counterpart, this vertical urban park will be public and accessible for free of charge, thus allowing everyone equal access. Due to its proximity to the United Nations, the park can also serve as the perfect backdrop for global discussions on deforestation and climate change. This architecture is meant to celebrate the forest through the creation of spaces for contemplation, celebration, and discussion, all elevated away from the noise and busyness of the streets at ground level below.

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The Importance of Incorporating Forestry in Cities

7 years younger & $10,000 richer Psychological Bene ts

Increase in Tree Cover Works with a view a nature took 11 hours fewer of sick days In neighborhoods with just 10 more trees on the block Decrease in Crime Rate 10% 11.8% < 1% 1% 4% 4% 12.4% 12.4% 7% linked to than workers without linked to linked to the residents are more likely to feel 7 years younger & $10,000 richer For every 1% of usable green space Forest walks in comparison to urban walks... As well as.... Decrease in the stress hormone, cortisol Sympathetic nerve activity 1.4% Blood Pressure 5.8% Heart Rate Lower rate of anxiety/mood disorder treatment

of Urban Forestry

1.5°C The World Bank states healthy forests can provide... Biodiversity Drinking WaterErosion Prevention Crop Pollination Flood Control Climate RegulationIncreased Property Value 68% Planting forests is identi ed by the International Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) as a pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius. Improved Air QualityNoise ReductionCommunity AppealLower Summer Temperatures By the year 2050 Of the World’s Population... ...will live in Urban Areas So now more than ever the forest must be considered in Urban Design THESIS I RESEARCH 03

The Forest

The most de ning feature of a forest is its trees. However forests are communities of much more; plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. They home to complex webs of di erent relationships between soils, minerals, water, and the atmosphere.

of the population living in Midtown Manhattan are indistinguisable from mental health patients in hospitals

than

>16.4 trees higher

Image Source: NASA >10% >1.24 acres & a canopy cover more than 30% 45% of carbon stored on land exists in forests 60% of the world’s species live in forests of the world’s land surface is covered by forests THESIS I RESEARCH Site Selection

New York City living in the United States reside in NYC

/

amount

amount of green space

per person in LA In Contrast: of the Public Transit trips made in America are made in NYC 1 2020 Population [Millions] City US Population Data New York City, NY 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

146sf 423sf 1 in every 38 people 1 3 Los Angeles, CA Chicago, IL Houston, TX Phoenix, AZ 2 2020 Population Density [km²] City New York City, NY 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Los Angeles, CA Chicago, IL Houston, TX Phoenix, AZ 04

of green space available per person in NYC

available

20%

SITE // BLOCK 970, NEW YORK, NY, USA 05

Create green circulation in a vast vertical urban context

A place for showcase for climate change artists and activists

A backdrop for global discussion on deforestation

Create a soft urban edge

Promote & provide a space for well-being

THE 5 MAIN DESIGN GOALS

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07

Entry Vignette

1. Superimposing the cell of the city onto the site and anchoring it with the center point of the block across First Avenue. 2. Taking the city block, but granting priority to the green infrastructure on the site, thus giving the block edge complete forestry. 3. Shifted the building footprints to provide a central water feature that would act as a fluid connection between the three central structures.

Concept Study Models:

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09 Gallery Space for Climate Change Activists

10 Skyline View

Wellness Studio Space

11 Outdoor Trail

12 First Floor / Under-story Plan

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PROJECT TYPE: Library

02. UNFOLD

INTEGRATED BUILDING DESIGN STUDIO

STUDIO/INSTRUCTOR: 402 / Robin Puttock

DATE: Spring 2019

LOCATION: Clarksburg, MD

AWARDS: 402 Studio: 2nd Place, Montgomery County Competition: 2nd Place

STUDIO PARTNER: Lucas Parker

CONCEPT STATEMENT: Light and views unfold inviting the user in while shattering the orthogonal language of Clarksburg.

First notable thing about Clarksburg, MD is the amount of “sameness” and lack of variety. The goal was to create a civic gem that would anchor the community.

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1. Form based contextual lines of Clarksburg an intended program square footage (30,000 sf) 4. Wall placement determined by potential views and an unfolding circulation 5. Walls provide shield from the sun while also opening up enough to provide daylighting 6. Roof inspired from 18 origami models created 2. Unfolding axis lines invite the user in while defining two entry points

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3. Folds created for services; loading, MEP, and egress

17 Site Plan

Origami Study Models

18 Adult Reading Room

19 First Floor

20 Children’s Reading Room

Preliminary Storyboard Interiors

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22 Collaborative Study Space

Preliminary Storyboard Exteriors

Typ. Steel Sizes:

Columns: W14 x 370

Beams: W18 x 46

Girders: W18 x 43

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Light gauge structural steel framing C.I.P. Concrete Shear Walls

KEY PLAN: 24

TIMBER03. IN THE CITY

MASS TIMBER COMPETITION

PROJECT TYPE: Housing

STUDIO/INSTRUCTOR: 401/ Carlos Reimers

DATE: Fall 2018

LOCATION: Queens, NY

AWARDS: 401 Studio: 1st Place

Two residential towers located towards the edge of the site, to ensure the residents would have the best waterfront views. The nature of timber calls for an orthogonal language, therefore the design process began with a grid. The grid determined the placement of shear walls that would support the structure. Throughout the grid, there are placements of overlapping balconies. These balconies, along with the rooftop, create a sense of community among the residents.

2ND FLOOR 3RD FLOOR 4TH FLOOR 5TH FLOOR 6TH FLOOR

GRID: SITE AXON: GRID AXON:

CIRCULATION: SHEAR WALL PLACEMENT: LINE OF SERVICES: 25

PROCESS:

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27

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OTB OTB OTB

2A: 10TH FLOOR: 9TH FLOOR: 4TH FLOOR:

UNIT

MICRO-A: 29

UNIT 2B: UNIT

OTB OTB OTB

3RD FLOOR: 2ND FLOOR: 1ST FLOOR: UNIT MICRO-B: UNIT 2C:

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UNIT 1A:

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RESTON04.STATION

PROJECT TYPE: Mixed-Use Multi-family

PROJECT ROLE: SD-CD

LOCATION: Reston, VA

GSF: 360,000 SF

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URBAN PLAZA PARK OASIS ACTIVE HUB PASSIVE LANDSCAPE FRONT PORCH

Reston Station Blvd.

The project is flanked by two urban parks. The east side is the “Active Hub” designated to be a place of activity featuring retail to be shared between this building and the one adjacent. The west side’s “Passive Landscape,” is outdoor space programmed to be a quieter with places for relaxation and small gatherings. Retail View in Active Hub

CLIENT MEETING | NOVEMBER 11, 2021

RESTON STATION | FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA

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1. Adding additional square footage by bumping out the massing on the east and south sides. On the south side, cranking out that additional sqaurefootage to gesture and give shading to the “active” hub park zone below. 2. The south bar opens up to the street and acts as a “The Front Porch.” This bar is meant for a more social living experience with a strong visual connection to the active zone below. Retail View in Active Hub