Undergraduate Portfolio

Matthew Marcarelli Philadelphia University 2012 B. of Architecture

MATTHEW MARCARELLI

Design empowers us to both sense and understand an environment and adapt in a way that enhances our experience.

As a designer, I strive to always improve the existing. Although my formal training focused on architecture, the skill set I deem most valuable is the ability to step back and visualize the larger picture and make progressive steps forward.

Whether it is from the micro to macro, the smallest tectonic to the largest global scale connections, being able to understand the many facets of our surroundings becomes crucial to a successful designer. Design encompasses everything, from the pen in your hand to the largest of structures we occupy. Only in this realization do we understand the actual meaning of design and how it affects us all.

DX : Design Build Studio

Fall 2009 Autodesk Revit Adobe Photoshop

Black Walnut Panton Chair Fall 2010

Nicetown Academy hunting park ave

PhilaU Ram Van Pavilion

Reciprocal Frame Structure

Spring 2012 Autodesk AutoCad Basswood Plywood Acrylic

Fall 2010 Autodesk Revit Autodesk AutoCad Adobe Photoshop McNeel Rhinoceros

Monument to Richard Meier 36 - 37

rufner street

28 - 29

14 - 17

Spring 2011 Autodesk Revit Adobe Photoshop

Fall 2011 Autodesk Revit Autodesk AutoCad Google Sketchup Adobe Photoshop

Spring 2010 Autodesk Revit Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign

Chapel on the Hill 32 - 35

21 - 27

10 - 13

Black Walnut Assorted Shop Tools

Loop Philadelphia 30 - 31

Spring 2012 Autodesk Revit Autodesk AutoCad NICETOWN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY NICETOWN PHILADELPHIA Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign

18 - 21

6 - 9

FEATURED PROJECTS

Philadelphia Athenaeum

Spring 2008 Autodesk Revit Autodesk AutoCad Autodesk 3ds Max Adobe Photoshop

Marcarelli Residence Patio EP Henry Pavers Sand Modified Stone

Chipboard Basswood

Farm Park Cemetery Complex

Drawings 46 - 47

40 - 41

Spring 2010 Pencil on Bristol

Graphite Charcoal Conte Crayon Pen

International House

Fall 2008

48 - 51

42 - 43

Basswood MDF Chipboard Copper

Spring 2009 Autodesk Revit Autodesk 3ds Max Adobe Photoshop Ink on Mylar

44 - 45

38 - 39 Live:Work

Summer 2007 Autodesk AutoCad

Franklin Apartments

Spring 2011 Autodesk Revit Autodesk AutoCad Google Sketchup Adobe Photoshop

Philadelphia Athenaeum : Library Branch The Philadelphia Athenaeum Library Branch, in the Gray’s Ferry section of Philadelphia, seeks to alleviate some of the contemporary library functions from the original building in Center City. With four levels of offered

library spaces opening into the glass enclosed atrium, the typical closed view of an Athenaeum, begins to fade. The public is welcomed into these spaces to enjoy the services and collections the Athenaeum offers.

PHILADELPHIA ATHENAEUM

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The main reading room of the Library is located on the top floor to escape the street level noise, providing striking views of Center City Philadelphia for Athenaeum visitors.

Modeled in Revit, Basswood Model.

Birdseye View

Illuminated Basswood Model

PHILADELPHIA ATHENAEUM

Diagram of exploded model

Process Vignettes

Lighted Basswood Model

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PHILADELPHIA ATHENAEUM

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PHILADELPHIA ATHENAEUM

Black Walnut Panton Chair

BLACK WALNUT PANTON CHAIR

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When taking furniture design, the main assignment for the semester was to design and fabricate a chair. After generating forty concept sketches, I chose to make an interpretation of the famous Verner Panton chair. The main goal for this project was to change materiality from the original fiberglass and later plastic. I chose wood because it has a feel and look that contradicts the original ultra-modern design. The next challenge was to figure out how to build the chair with wood. I sliced the chair into ten sub-parts. To create the subparts, I split them into three sections: base, seat, and back. I connected the three parts using angled lap joints.

Once these were assembled, I cut out the profile using the band saw and then glued all of them together. After a successful 1/4 model made of pine, I decided to use black walnut sourced from Lancaster for its strength and sophisticated look. When working on the final chair, I used an angle grinder with 16 grit grinding wheels, and the chair still took three full days to shape.

The process created so much dust I was exiled from the shop and worked outside. Over eighty hours to make, this chair taught me that architecture allows us to design beyond just buildings, and that furniture and interiors are an essential part of any successful design.

BLACK WALNUT PANTON CHAIR Chair Profile and Rear View

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BLACK WALNUT PANTON CHAIR

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Process Photos of Fabrication

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Shaping and Grinding

/4 Scale Model

BLACK WALNUT PANTON CHAIR

Almost Done

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PhilaU Ram Van Pavilion Situated between two transit routes, the new Philadelphia University Ram Van Pavilion provides waiting areas for both University students and SEPTA riders. The stop connects both routes protecting each with a shared canopy. Located along Henry Ave, the site poses an opportunity to showcase

Solar Study

PhilaU RAM VAN PAVILION

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the University. Lit signage and stylized crests on the Henry side wall alert motorists of the University community. Creating a signature form, this pavilion when utilized by the community will become an asset to the fabric that makes up Philadelphia University’s Campus.

Elevation looking towards Campus

Plan Night Rendering of PhilaU Signage

PhilaU RAM VAN PAVILION

Basswood and Chipboard Model

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PhilaU RAM VAN PAVILION

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Basswood Model

Section

View from Upper Path towards Henry Ave

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PhilaU RAM VAN PAVILION

DX : Social Issues Design Build Studio For my last semester studio, I was part of a team that worked to design upgrades for a womens homeless shelter run by Philadelphia’s Project H.O.M.E. Twentyfive chronically homeless women call the shelter home and we were charged with designing and building a partition system to replace the current generic office partition system. We met several times with our client, were given a budget, and needed to come to a buildable solution.

DX : DESIGN BUILD

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After discussions and charrettes, we developed a modular system that fulfilled all of the requirements set out by the client. It was durable, easy to clean, removable, and it provided privacy for the women while remaining transparent enough to ensure safety.

The sleeping station design was featured at Philadelphia University’s Evening of Innovation Gala and PhilaU’s Senior Show.

Funding has been secured and twenty-five units will be fabricated and installed on site. Interacting with real clients and real budgets allowed me to understand to a greater extent the true building process.

DX : DESIGN BUILD Finished Prototype Outside the Shelter

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Working in a design-build fashion throughout the semester allowed us to evaluate different material types effectively. Learning how they can be assembled and then the durability became key elements for our design. Designing in a team environment to create the best design possible within our fabrication means and budget made for a semester of individual growth and development.

Welding and Examining Strength Test Results

DX Logo Tokens Handed to Review Participants

DX : DESIGN BUILD

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Prototype on Display at Philadelphia University’s Evening of Innovation Gala

DX : DESIGN BUILD

One of the Client Meeting Discussions

Exploded Axonometric Showing Project Evolution

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Nicetown Vocational Academy NICETOWN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY

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Design 9, also known as the comprehensive studio, allows students to investigate a site and develop a program based on the analysis. The site, located on Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia, presented a unique set of issues enabling us to turn liabilities into assets.

Collaborating with two other students, we developed a split program of housing for underprivileged youth and a vocational school. My focus within

the project revolved around the development of the school. Based on the urban decay within the immediate surroundings, a vocational school focused on the building trades will not only help youth to physically rebuild their neighborhood, but to garner a sense of ownership and pride, something currently lacking. Split into three separate buildings to respect the site context, the school complex has three

buildings; an educational building with classrooms and shops; a community center with a gymnasium, cafe, and computer labs; and an administrative center with offices. All three are linked underground by a mechanical basement allowing the complex to function as one building but appear on the surface as separate. The materials of the building are concrete, glass, and aluminum panels.

Educational Building

rufner street

Administrative Building

NICETOWN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY

Community Building

hunting park ave

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HVAC Diagram Steel SuperStructure

Structure Diagram

NICETOWN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY

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Plumbing Diagram

Load Bearing Concrete

To Sewer Main

Fire Suppression Diagram

To Water Pump Room

To Water Pump Room

Process Models

Interior GWB

Steel Column

Wet Set Anchor “L” Bolt

Steel Connection

Load Bearing Concrete

Wall Section Model

Aluminum Panel System

Wall Section Drawing Concrete Flooring

Earth

Reflected Lighting Plan

Section Perspective

NICETOWN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY

Polished Concrete on Metal Deck Flooring

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NICETOWN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY

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View from Housing toward Education and Community Center Buildings

Day

Night Education Building Atrium

View of Mezzanine overlooking Gymnasium

View of Gymnasium

Birdseye View

NICETOWN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY

Aerial Rendering

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Reciprocal Frame Structure RECIPROCAL FRAME STRUCTURE

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Beginning as an investigation into alternative structural designs, the Reciprocal Frame Project grew from a study to a full scale campus installation. Defined as a self-supporting structure, a reciprocal frame can be comprised with as little as three members that support each other to an almost infinite pattern of parts.

These beams hold up other beams, repeating the pattern almost indefinitely. I initially worked with flat plane system, creating a fabric of

wooden structural members. Using laser cut basswood parts to build the flat plane, I encountered that the system is only as strong as the material used. With that knowledge, I then led a team to develop an arched construction utilizing this structural method. With a grant from the school, we made a plywood installation displayed on Philadelphia University’s main campus. Although the project was only temporary, it was a fulfilling experience building it.

Hexagonal Pattern

Orthogonal Pattern

RECIPROCAL FRAME STRUCTURE

Force Diagram

Axonometric

Elevation

Installation Plaque

Reciprocal Frame Installation located on PhilaU’s Campus

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Loop Philadelphia Loop Philadelphia is a bicycle transportation hub providing bicycle services to existing bicycle enthusiasts while encouraging the use of bicycles as a form of transportation throughout the city.

Located across from 30th Street Station between Center City and

University City, Loop Philadelphia provides amenities to a spectrum of bicyclists. Submitted into the DVGBC green design competition, special thought was taken into account to make the building green.

To help accomplish this, most of the building is open air since

LOOP PHILADELPHIA

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View of Upper Ramp into the Loop Facility

bicycling generally remains seasonal.

Workshops with instructors are provided on the upper level to provide users a place to tune up or fix problems on their bikes. A ramp running alongside the station elevates riders and pedestrians into the main level of the complex. A waiting area with cafe provides a new home for Bolt and Megabus riders.

Storage and changing rooms are provided for commuters who can utilize multiple forms of transportation. This project was a partner collaboration and the final submission board is below.

All other images shown I generated.

Submission Board

Traffic Diagram

LOOP PHILADELPHIA

Birdseye of Site and Context

View looking towards 30th St. Station

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Chapel on the Hill Chapel on the Hill project allowed me to focus on digital modelling, imaging, and rendering skills. Using Revit, Rhino, 3ds Max, AutoCAD, and Photoshop, I explored different ways to generate photorealistic renderings of a space at different times of the day. I designed the chapel

CHAPEL ON THE HILL

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to be situated on a location with sweeping views over the landscape.

With the front of the chapel glazing facing north, sun exposure for that part remained minimal while allowing me to accentuate night renderings of that view. On the south side, stained glass windows provide ever changing

colors in the building. The use of Revit to build the church, Rhino and AutoCAD to construct the stained glass, and 3ds Max for the full renderings, I learned how programs communicate, and to utilize each program’s strength to create realistic images of buildings being designed.

Digital Study Models

View of Procession to the Chapel

Plan

Section

CHAPEL ON THE HILL

View of Illuminated Cross

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View of Sanctuary at Night

CHAPEL ON THE HILL

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CHAPEL ON THE HILL

View of Entrance

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A Monument to Richard Meier A MONUMENT TO RICHARD MEIER

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Charged to document a famous house and design a visitor center for it, I decided to make an installation that houses the program while allowing visitors to view and experience the Douglas House as Meier intended people to. Monumental in scale, the staircase provides visitors circulation from the road to the shore framing the landscape, Lake Michigan, and the house in a new way.

Site

Cutaway View

Section

View of Lake Michigan from the top

Basswood and Birch Plywood Model

A MONUMENT TO RICHARD MEIER

View from Lake Michigan

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Marcarelli Residence Patio As a gift for my parents, I designed and built a backyard space for their use. The main patio is comprised of brick pavers in the herringbone pattern. Accent lighting on the garage wall and throughout the gardens allow for night time use as an extension of the screened in porch. Accounting for rainwater

runoff from the roof, I installed a water diversion system. In the patio foundation, I embedded a plastic pipe leading to the edge of the yard. Once leaving the patio, perforations in the pipe allow the water to spread evenly. The lights are a low voltage system with controls in the garage.

MARCARELLI RESIDENCE PATIO

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Process Photographs

Pavers 1” Sand

5” Stone Plant Barrier Earth

MARCARELLI RESIDENCE PATIO

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Live : Work Introduced to the concept of sketch to scale, this two week project allowed me to expand my hand drawing techniques. Designed as a mountain escape for various professionals, this building provides living,

LIVE : WORK

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working, and private spaces while still opening up to the outside landscape.

Assigned a set footprint of 14’ by 14’, a main issue was limited space.

I overcame this by fully glazing two of the four walls. On the two upper

floors, these walls open up by a slider system to allow the inhabitant to expand the building to include the surrounding landscape. The orientation of the glass relates to the programmatic scheme of the floors.

LIVE : WORK

The materiality includes glass, corrugated metal panels, polished concrete floors, and wood interiors. PV panels on top allow this building to remain sustainable in America’s back country while accommodating today’s professionals.

Basswood and Cardboard Model

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Farm Park Memorial Hall

FARM PARK MEMORIAL HALL

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Situated in the center of the Norristown Farm Park, I designed a Memorial Hall complex for a cemetery. The building, designed to resemble a flame, balances the pond at the other end, showing the elements of fire and water. The main part of the building is clad in copper panels to allow them to become iconic throughout the park. Also in the complex, the entryway into the cemetery forces visitors to travel though a procession, past a reflecting pool and past an eternal flame. The flame comes out of a pipe sculpture that also houses the exhaust from the crematorium, allowing the dead to become part of the eternal flame when they pass.

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FARM PARK MEMORIAL HALL

Franklin Apartments The Franklin Apartment Complex is a combination of a residential tower and archaeology museum. I programmatically separated the two because one is private and the other public. Since archaeology uncovers artifacts underground, it seemed fitting to put the museum underground. The entry into the museum is a glass cylinder with a spiral staircase at the back of the site, inviting pedestrians into the space activating another entry into Franklin Court. The location of the tower reacts to the

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surrounding building heights. I modelled the building in Revit to generate the renderings . The plans I hand drew ink on mylar. I used basswood and MDF on the model. The site model I directed the construction of by the entire class. The buildings are pine, and the base is MDF. Designed in a month, this project showed me the importance to working quickly because of a looming deadline. It also showed me how to accommodate two completely different programs on the same site.

View of Entrance

Site Model

Birdseye showing Franklin Court

Drawings, Ink on Mylar

FRANKLIN APARTMENTS

Basswood Models

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Artwork A collection of selected hand produced artwork, this set showcases the use of different mediums in a growing digital world. A. Charcoal rendering of Christ Church in Philadelphia, I used different surfaces within the church to give a greater depth and meaning to the drawing. B. Conte Crayon still life of light bulbs. C. Graphite plans for an archaeological dig and exhibition at the former Spring Garden Pumping Station, now the Glendining Rock Garden on Kelly Drive. D. Pen interpretation of a hammer coming down on a nail. E. Graphite One point perspective of the atrium at the SEPTA headquarters. F. Graphite still life of objects focusing on shading techniques.

A

ARTWORK

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B C

ARTWORK

F

D

E

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INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PHILADELPHIA

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International House of Philadelphia The International House of Philadelphia, an organization that provides lodging and community for visiting scholars, currently uses a building in University City. Needless to say a victim of its own success, the current property no longer has the capacity to meet demand. A proposal of a second facility located at the intersection of Walnut St. and 30th St., the new tower will house 535 beds in several configurations.

Designed as a competition entry for the ACSA Steel Competition, steel as a material was stressed. As Philadelphia is a city of row homes, my concept was to take that design and suspend them. The typical layout of the rooms are reminiscent of a row house. Steel structure takes its shape from the connections that are made by the international students now living here, but rise up to provide solace from the busy cityscape. The building consists of the stacking of these housing “bars� allowing the center core to remain

open with skyplazas providing private space for the students to occupy and be immersed by the city while at a comfortable distance. The curtain system, or veil, consists of perforated metal panels to be opaque from a distance, but up close still

allows the residents to have a clear view of the city. Fostering a sense of community within and providing a secure jumping off point into the city, the International House of Philadelphia will continue to serve the visiting students from abroad.

View from Walnut St. looking towards University City

Section Perspective Site Map

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PHILADELPHIA

View looking at Atrium

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INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PHILADELPHIA

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Veil

Structure

View of Skyplaza looking towards Center City Philadelphia

Program

Axon

Perspective

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PHILADELPHIA

Detail

Final Submission Boards

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