McGibbon
portfolio.
selected works
Lauren
Table of Contents
1
2
3
4
5 The Terrarium Mixed-Use Library and Apartments
Stagger House Rowhouse Intergenerational Living The Community Canvas Reuse Project Mental Health/Maker Space Axel Chair
Furniture Design Iterative Process
Miscellaneous Multiple Mediums
THE TERRARIUM
During the site analysis process, it was discovered that there was a lack of gathering space for the teens and children in the area where the branch library and apartment building were to be constructed. During the precedent research visit to the Logan Library, one of the original Carnegie libraries, they communicated a desire for outdoor space to be included in their programming. To address these issues, the project focuses greatly on integrating greenspace and seating areas into the library program, connection to Francisville park across the street as well as the nearby row houses. The library’s greenscape terrain roof introduces a new type of urban park, offering views of center city and the courtyard spaces on the ground floor of the library extending the library seating capacity. Care was taken to incorporate varying levels of transparency into the building’s facades to enhance the connection between the main library and the two annex buildings used for children’s library and conference spaces. The interior courtyard areas were fully transparent, while the exterior facades utilized semi-private frosted glass to allow passersby to experience the movement inside the space before entering. The theme of community and connection was central to the design.
study model of terrainscape roof with scale figures
site model in surrounding context (full)
close up of study model
site model in surrounding context (ground floor)
apartment floor
terrainscape level
typical
section perspective through the site
STAGGER HOUSE
In designing an intergenerational typology, the main focus was on creating a connection throughout the spaces while also providing individual spaces for each family member. To achieve this, the bedrooms were staggered on each floor, and the stairs and communal spaces were aligned on all floors. The ground floor was designated as the grandparent’s suite, the top floor for the parents, and the middle floor for the children making them easily accessible to both grandparents and parents.
Another key consideration in the design was the access to natural light, as the row house was located in the center of the block. This was achieved by incorporating an outdoor courtyard area on the second floor to serve as a secondary gathering space and allow light into the center of the building. A skylight was added to the floor to enable light to penetrate all the way to the first floor, and another skylight was installed at the top of the stairs.
To maintain privacy on the public facade, the glass walls on the front facade were covered with brise soleil. The stagger motif was carried through to the back facade with partial glass walls. This design creates a harmonious intergenerational living space with ample natural light while still maintaining privacy in its urban environment.
rowhouse (wall removed)
front facade back facade
section perspective of building
THE COMMUNITY CANVAS
The Community Canvas is a reuse project repurposing the old Samuel Powel School. It functions as a hybrid wellness center and maker space, focused on teenagers and young adults experiencing anxiety and other mental health challenges. Its purpose is to provide them with a place to unwind and socialize with individuals facing similar struggles. The main building’s ground floor is dedicated to various forms of therapy, while the upper two floors are dedicated to fiber arts and traditional art mediums. The annex to the building is exclusively focused on pottery, a craft known for its natural reuse of materials and its capacity to reduce stress and increase happiness. The top two floors house pottery studios, with the highest floor also serving as a gallery space connecting both buildings together.
concept diagrams
courtyard view
lobby view
ground floor
second floor
third floor
longitudinal site section
transverse section
AXEL CHAIR
The Axel chair was developed through a series of iterations at 1:32, 1:8, 1:1 scales as well as studies of joint connections and failure points on the design. Through these iterations, the result was a chair that met my unique preferences.
1:32 scale model
1:8 scale model
CAD drawing , 3 views
1:1 prototype, seated
1:1 prototype
MISCELLANIOUS
In this miscellaneous section, you will find a collection of my artworks from high school, spanning various mediums like gouache, markers, and colored pencils. Additionally, this section includes various college projects, including an Arduino-programmed music box, a study on rowhouse framing, and architectural plans I developed for a boathouse.
“Flamingo on the Beach” in marker (18x24)
“Cat Tower” in gouache (9x12)
study of rowhouse framing
“Simba” in color pencil (8x8)
PCR boathouse, cont.
arduino-programmed music box
Lauren McGibbon|Drexel 2+4 program, B.Arch