ARCHITECTURAL
LYDIA RHYS COLLINS
Hello! I am a fifth year student at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee pursuing my Bachelor of Architecture. My approach to architecture comes from a long-standing passion for detail, precision, and creative iteration. I am dedicated to ecological integration and sustainability, and I have a deep appreciation for the transformative qualities of the built environment.
Designing with empathy and understanding of culture, enivironment, and community is my priority. These selected works seek to create inclusive and beautiful spaces.
Outside of my classes, I love to read, write, draw, and travel at any given opportunity
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SELF PORTRAIT 1.26.24
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RARE BOOKS ARCHIVE 4 - 13
ECO DISTRICT 14 - 19
BEND HOUSE 20 - 27
BLUE BRANCHES 28 - 33
THOREAU ELEMENTARY 34 - 41
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RARE BOOKS ARCHIVE
Comprehensive studio required a complete set of design documents including site analysis, pre-design, design development, and construction documentation. We were asked to design a rare books archive for the city of Milwaukee, including a space for events and a public facing cafe to enliven the adjacent market street.
My design prioritized preserving the historical aesthetics of downtown Milwaukee while evoking modernity through exposed timber construction. I wanted to highlight the intimate interior space, emphasizing the beauty of wood in its different forms and appearances.
In a dense urban environment, the building stands out as a unique artifact with historical connotations.
FA23
Professor Jim Shields
Site: Downtown Milwaukee
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N 6
A simple, L-shaped plan offers simple and effective circulation throughout the space. The single run, lateral stair creates a unique experience when traveling from floor-to-floor - supplimented by beautiful views of the adjacent city hall. A large, open lobby is a perfect event space and offers a double height atrium.
The third floor hosts the jewel of the building - the reading room and collection stacks. The reading room doubles as a circulation space, highlighting views and natural light. The space effortlessly transitions into the collection stacks, allowing patrons to browse and read freely.
LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
N 7
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ROOFTOP PV PANEL
HORIZONTAL SKYLIGHT
FIRE STAIR
INTERIOR CLERESTORY
MULLION GRID
POLISHED CONCRETE FLOOR
LATERAL STAIR
RESTROOMS & STORAGE
ATRIUM
POLISHED CONCRETE FLOOR
LATERAL STAIR
MULLION GRID
GARDEN BOX
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EXTERIOR RENDER - ENTRY
INTERIOR RENDER - LOBBY
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ECO DISTRICT
In this urban design studio, we were tasked with designing the layout of a new ecodistrict on the site of the Milwaukee Mile near the state fair grounds, as well as daylighting the existing Honey Creek which currently runs underground through the site. My group decided to make our central focus a large lake in the center of the site - inspired by Phoenix-See in Dortmund, Germany.
Along with the lake, we wanted to prioritize placemaking for the residents of the proposed eco-district. We created a large lateral park bordering the lake, filled with marshland to provide natural habitats and stunning views. We presented our ideas through a series of experietial “vignettes,” detailed site diagrams, and a large-scale physical model.
FA22
Professor Jim Wasley
Collaboration with Olivia Wegner and Megan Phillips
Site: Milwaukee Mile Speedway
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underneath.
A winding pathway is built into native immersion into nature while viewing
VIGNETTE 1 WINTER PATH VIGNETTE 2
A central bridge leads to a circular trellis and gathering area, guiding residents over the lake and creating beautiful pathways
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native Wisconsin marshland, allowing the dense cityscape in the distance.
Overlooks are placed off the lateral plaza, creating space for relaxation and meditation. Residents are encouraged to enjoy views of the central lake.
MARSHLAND VIGNETTE 3 OVERLOOK
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The existing Honey Creek becomes a large lake, which separates the district by program. Mixed use and commercial occupies the south end, while high volume residential occupies the north end.
The Grandstands exist to provide active Milwaukee Mile racetrack. The season public market and event space,
MODEL PHOTO 1
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MIXED USE MODEL PHOTO 2
spectator seating for the onceThe grandstands become a fourspace, complete with rooftop gardens.
The lake provides ecological advantages for native flora and fauna. The island is inaccessable for residents, creating a safe habitat for marshland creatures. Views of wildlife also allows residents escape from city life.
GRANDSTANDS MODEL PHOTO 3
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ISLAND
BEND HOUSE
In this group project, we were tasked with designing a co-living structure for three prominent figures in Milwaukee. Our assigned site featured a dramatic slope on the edge of the Milwaukee river. We designed a modular living quarters as well as a community center to complete this SUPERjury award winning project.
Our priorities for this project were the distinctions between private and public spaces, daylighting, and integrating our form into the existing topography.
SP21
Professor Trudy Watt
Collaboration with Alana Dunne
Site: Riverwest, Milwaukee
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CONCEPT COLLAGE
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GREEN INTEGRATION
CONCEPT COLLAGE
OUTDOOR CONNECTION
CONCEPT COLLAGE
CONCEPT COLLAGE
INDOOR SPACE
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MASSING
BLUE BRANCHES
This study abroad design charaette required me and my partner to develop stormwater management solutions that would provide beautiful natural and ecological features to the Frankfurt UAS campus. “Blue Branches” describes the arms of water that connect throughout campus, collecting stormwater and cooling surrounding areas.
We challenged ourselves to create these blue features through hand drawn imagined conditions. Touring the campus, we discovered five areas in dire need of nature within hardscape.
At the end of this project, we presented our findings and subsequent drawings to a jury of environmentalist architects on the Frankfurt UAS campus.
SP23
Professor Jim Wasley
Site: Frankfurt, Germany
Collaboration with Tayler Forsberg
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EXISTING CONDITION
REIMAGINED CONDITION
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WATERFALL FOUNTAIN
EXISTING CONDITION
REIMAGINED CONDITION
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BIO-FILTRATION FOUNTAIN
EXISTING CONDITION
REIMAGINED CONDITION
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SPLASH PAD
EXISTING CONDITION
REIMAGINED CONDITION
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CENTRAL SWALE
THOREAU ELEMENTARY
In this fundamentaI design studio, I designed an ecology-based early learning center on a site in Riverwest, Milwaukee. My priorities for this project were complex roofing systems, natural forms, and accomodating different teaching styles.
The roof was my starting point. The form was dynamic and featured a dramatic change in geometry. The biggest challenge was finding the link between the two styles of roof structure.
Natural forms as well as daylighting were essential to this project. An elementary school should be whimsical and energetic. The students should feel engaged by the form and uplifted by the natural light.
SP22
Professor Karl Wallick
Site: Riverwest, Milwaukee
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MODEL AND TOPOGRAPHY
A big focus in this project was integrating the existing topography into the design of the building. The site featured a steep slope on the North and East ends. Instead of ignore this change in topography and simply flatten the site, I decided to rework the site and sink the building into the landscape. This choice provided many advantages - underground parking, more control over apertures and lighting, and increased environmental connection for students and staff.
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640 642 644 646 648 650 652 654 656 658 660 SITE PLAN 1/64” = 1’ 38
FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1/16” = 1’ SECOND FLOOR PLAN 1/16” = 1’ 39
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CONTACT
608-572-5124
colli377@uwm.edu
3492 N Cramer Street Milwaukee, WI 53211
SKILLS
DIGITAL
• Rhino 3D
• Adobe Suite
• Microsoft Office Suite
• AutoCAD
• V-Ray
• Revit/BIM Modeling
• Enscape
• Sketchup
ANALOG
• Laser Cutting
• 3D Printing
• Woodworking
• Sketching
• Model Making
INTERPERSONAL
• Team Collaboration
• Presentation
• Adaptibility
• Creativity
ORGANIZATIONS
HONORS COLLEGE
Highly academic reading, writing and research on historical and contemporary topics chosen by honors faculty.
WOMAN IN DESIGN (W.I.D.)
ACHIEVEMENTS
SUPERjury Award Winner - May 2021
SUPERjury Award Finalist - May 2022
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MILWAUKEE - WISCONSIN
SEPTEMBER 2019 - MAY 2024
Bachelor of Architecture - B. Arch
STUDY ABROAD IN GERMANY - GREEN BUILDINGS
MAY 2023
Spent two weeks in Frankfurt, Germany studying green buildings and completing a design charrette on the Frankfurt UAS campus.
EXPERIENCE
STUDENT EXTERN - DESIGN FUGITIVES
MAY 2022
Spent 1 week assisting with digital modeling, laser cutting, and assembling large-scale architectural installation projects.
STUDENT INTERN - HGA ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2023
Summer internship in HGA’s Healthcare Practice assisting with schematic design, AIA award submittals, and site analysis.
PROJECTS & STUDIOS
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN I & II
SEPTEMBER 2021 - MAY 2022
Individual design investigations of a public library, apartment building, and elementary school. Emphasis on CLT construction and understanding structural systems.
URBAN ECO DISTRICT
SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2022
Urban design studio investigating an eco district on the site of the Historic Milwaukee Mile. Emphasis on daylighting Honey Creek which currenty runs underneath the site.
LINE, PLANE, MASS
JANUARY - MAY 2023
Elective studio focusing on building an intentional community that flunctuates in activtity through a 20-year span. Emphasis on scaffolding to keep the community standing.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDIO
SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2023
Rigorous individual design investigation involving site analysis, pre-design, construction documentation, and budget analysis for a Milwaukee Rare Books Archive.
