Mackenzie Luke Architectural Portfolio A Selection of Works from 2020 - 2022
Mackenzie Luke
Providence, Rhode island 02903 305-510-7002 mluke@risd.edu https://mackenzieerica.cargo.site/
Education
Rhode Island School of Design / Bachelor of Architecture Expected in 06/2023, Providence, Rhode Island
United World College of Costa Rica / High School Diploma May 2018, Santa Ana, Costa Rica International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Queen’s College Secondary School / High School Diploma June 2018, Santa Ana, Costa Rica Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Diploma
Skills
Software
Rhino, Revit, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point)
Fabrication
Wood manufacturing, Casting, Model making, Laser Cutting, Sketching, Illustration
Experience
Gensler / Architectural Intern June 2022 - August 2022, New York, NY
Worked on several designs for accessible check-in desks, hold room desks, and kiosks for a new air port terminal. Created presentations and updated specifications.
RISD Postmarked / Editor July 2021 - July 2022, Providence, Rhode Island
Determining the readiness of written pieces, making changes, and approving final versions for publication. Reviewed articles for grammar, spell ing, punctuation, syntax, accuracy, and compliance with quality standards.
Swim by Sav / Social Media Manager & Content Creator May 2021 - PRESENT, Barbados
Developed creative marketing content such as vid eos and photographs, promotional materials, and advertisements for social media. Created original content through social listening and independent sources.
Elements Architecture Ltd. / Office Intern June 2020 - August 2020, Barbados
Learned and began to modify drawings in Vec torworks. Recommended minor adaptations and modifications to complete working drawing sets. Sorted and classified files according to content, purpose, user criteria, an alphabetical or numerical order.
Born and raised in Barbados (b. 2000), Mackenzie is a current 4th year B. Arch candidate at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is influenced by her culture and the colorful, innovative ways of problem solving within the Caribbean. Architecture that works with the environment instead of against it. Her inter ests lie in mediating nature, sustainability and community in order to imagine a greater, more equitable, resilient future. She seeks design fluency; her work is often playful yet inquisitive as she experiments through different modes of representation.
She is currently seeking a full-time paid architectural internship from June 2022 - August 2022.
6 - 17 The Butterfly House (Residential)
18 - 37
Ground Floor: Joyful Program (Public)
38 - 61
Branching Out: A Neighborhood of Care (Public)
62 - 75 After Nature (Public)
76 - 85 Tap Into Me (Public)
The Butterfly House
Self Sufficient Housing for the People of Martina Bustos, Liberia
Fall 2021
Critic: Jonathan Knowles, RISD
Tasked to design self sufficient, affordable housing for the people of Nicaragua residing in Martina Bustos, Costa Rica. This proposal aims to design a dwelling that is uncomplicated in form, easy to build, and quick to assemble while creating a livable, adaptable interior. Designing a small dwelling means that there is an increased need for efficiency. The additional opportunity for multiplicity makes the possibility of prefabrication more feasible, while influencing the quality and speed of construction.
By examining the relationship between interior and exterior, program, and environmental concerns in relation to prefabri cated and easily assembled components, a minimal home with maximum function was created.
7
The aim of the master plan was to create that sense of community that was missing, within the various blocks.
The blocks reside on either side of two major corridors which are one way roads in either direction. Public services such as a community center and community garden, school, health center, recycling and water col lection centers are scattered across the site.
This master plan focuses on health care, security, con nectivity, economic opportunities, and food and water security.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Making use of lightweight construction, the house is built mainly of timber, supported by structural frames which provide the necessary stability. The wall panels do not have a structural function but allow for various procedures and flexibility on a programmatic perspective.
The dwelling is a kit of parts. The structure is designed to be easily assembled but also easily disassembled in the case that it may need to be moved, or if the materials need to be reused for another purpose.
15
16
Keeping in mind that rainwater collection, cross ventilation and solar collection are valuable to this project, the use of a butterfly roof was the perfect solution. The slope allows for rain water to flow into a central gutter and collect in an underground tank. The roof also increases the opportunity for ventilation. Apertures are located at the top to promote air circulation and cool down interi ors during the hotter days.
The walls have a sliding door technology which allows users to have more autonomy over the spaces they choose to create. When all 6 doors are open both volumes are connected and a larger space can be created. Additionally, the wall connected to the kitchen space also slides and allows for cooking to occur both indoors and outdoors.
Hooks are placed on various parts of the frame to allow woven fabric to be hooked onto. This is the secondary wall/ room separa tion system. It gives users more flexibility in the program & allows families to customize the initial structure based on their needs.
17
18
Ground Floor: Joyful Program
Creating an Identity for Gilman Square, Somerville, MA
Spring 2022
Critic: Nancy Nichols & Gavin Robb, RISD
With the completion of the Green Line Extension in Gilman Square, the neighborhood finally gained a spot on the Somerville map. Public transit creates a new demand for safe, accessible streets as well as an increased demand for nearby residential and commercial space.
One major goal of this project is to give gilman square an identity. One which values and benefits existing residents.
Gilman Square is densely populated with residential and civic development. However, even though there is a plethora of government related spaces, the area lacks community and commercial services, causing a zoning imbalance. Gilman Square residents crave a lively, exciting civic space which offers a mixture of services, employment opportunities, and cultural and transportation options.
19
20
22
24
25
26
There is a great deal of power that accompanies unity. When neigh bors connect there can be a shift in power that will in turn create a sense of security, support, acceptance, and care.
A place where children are happily integrated with adulthood and community members feel complete ownership over the spaces they occupy. This is my aspiration for Gilman Square.
27
28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 Cafe
6 Computer Lab
2 Meeting Space (Housing Resources) 7 Lecture Room
3 Meeting Space (Mental Health Services) 8 Youth Center Lobby
4 Public Restrooms 9 Main Lobby “Front Door”
5 Youth Center Lounge 10 Market Space 11 Stage
29 10 11
30 1 2 3 4 5 2 6 7
1 Rooftop Terrace 4 Aerobics Room 2 Lounge 5 Locker Room 3 Gym 6 Pool 7 Connection to the T
31 1
7
The existing site is bounded by Medford and School Street. The latter is a steep slope that makes access to the proposed GLX entrances difficult for persons who are on Medford Street, at the bottom of the slope.
In order to solve this issue, two bridges connect the project to the station. The bridge on the left extends into the community path while the connection on the right can be accessed from the first floor. When residents enter the building after departing from the train they are met with the main lounge area.
32
33
Nothing more clearly indicates a 3rd place than when good connections are made there. It is lively, scintillating, colorful, and engaging. Every level of the ground floor facilitates meetings of happenstance between seniors, adults, and children. It connects all the streets that the site is bounded by, physically and visually. This increases walk-ability and accessibility on the site and into the buildings.
There are spaces for children to run and playfully express themselves, for adults to take a breather, meet new people, and access valuable resources, seniors to relax, and families to gather and reunite on week end.
These gathering spaces are where the community is most alive and people can be most themselves
34
This proposal prioritizes the public realm. It is a space where people can feel empowered, secure, supported, and accepted. Where folks can express their authentic selves and receive help and care.
This ground floor creates connections on the site to facilitate connections between the people who use it.
35
Branching Out: A Neighborhood of Care
Community Hub in Lower Roxbury
Fall 2020
Critic: Hansy Better, RISD
A good neighborhood is a place where pedestrians have the opportunity to walk safely with meaningful destinations. A great neighborhood is one which also has amenities for resi dents to meet, recreate and learn.
Using branching as the guiding force throughout this project to create interconnections which would transform this good neighborhood into a great one. A proposal which branches out into the community, and pulls them in through and around.
39
Roxbury seems to have been transitioning for many years now, the character and atmosphere has changed drasti cally over time. The Blair Lot site is surrounded by Roxbury’s retail center with residential housing on either side. However, despite these key attributes, this neighborhood still has a difficult time fulfilling its potential within the city of Boston.
Urban renewal in the mid 20th century caused for a high density of public and subsidized housing in Lower Rox bury. This resulted in extreme conditions of poverty, crime and economic stratification. Despite this, I see a bright future for Roxbury. A future of revitalization.
40
41
As well as adjusting the urban problems of the site, I was committed to providing a space where the community of Lower Roxbury can flourish, where pedestrians can shop, work, learn, and grow. With accessible walkways which lead to community gardens, low carbon transit options, and easy walk-ability on the site.
42
43
The site has some urban problems that need to be addressed. The major problem that I aimed to address was the poor walk-ability of the area. In the existing map of Roxbury, located on the site is a large parking lot as well as some oth er large commercial buildings.
This parking lot does not allow for safe walking space, and the perceived walking distance is quite lengthy. Additionally, this existing parking lot being in such a central location takes away the softness of the neighborhood, and the connectivity with the street scape is lost.
44
45
site plan of infill proposal highlighting the border of the site
46
the buildings are placed in a way to allow for urban conti nuity by developing sidewalk frontage and strengthening the street edge
47
multiple passages through the site to al low for easy access to all 4 streets which the site is bounded by
the main urban corridors: washington st. and harrison ave.
48
several points of access onto the site coming from all directions
49
multi-use program with a mix ture of public, semi-public, and private spaces accessible to the community
50
This design proposal provides a mixed use community core with educational spaces, cafes, public restrooms, market spaces, courtyards and residential housing. Promoting a lively, vibrant neighborhood. Simple plea sures such as, walking, talking, getting a cup of coffee, people watching or even window shopping will be enhanced with these different strategies.
51
52
The material ecology of the site is produced using existing materials from the site as well as those local to Boston.
Half of the site was already covered in grass and I proposed the other half be covered with re-purposed brick pavement which guides the pedestrian onto and through the site.
In order to mitigate the issue of urban heat islands, I have proposed the addition of field maple and eastern white pine trees along the streets as well as on site to provide shade.
53
58
The idea of branching is further carried through the residential housing; in form, configuration, circulation and concept. The apartments are of studio, one bedroom and 2 bedroom typology and are combined in different ways to remove monotony from the building. They are aligned on either side of the structure to allow for the residents to receive adequate amounts of sunlight and ventilation, as well as provide views for all units.
Each cluster of 3 units shares a terrace. These terraces allow for branching by permitting integration and interconnections within the community of residents due to these semi-private gathering spaces.
59
The facade is completely constructed of ethically sourced timber with glass apertures which allow for more connection and branch ing out to the community. The warm natural appearance of the wood and plants growing from the balconies brings the building to life while creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly structure which enhances the neighborhood.
61
After Nature
Early Education and Community Center
Spring 2021
Critic: Cara Liberatore & Almin Prsic, RISD
Although wood is a renewable resource, deforestation is happening and this mass consumption of wood is due to development. Study ing the after life scenarios of wood, it is clear that as architects we need to be more precious about our materials. What happens when something is out-dated? When something is ready to take its place? Is that existing structure demolished and are those materials taken straight to the landfill?
Designing for disassembly can be a new frontier in architecture to solve this issue and answer these questions.
This circular community intends to adopt the idea of designing for disassembly. Reusing and assembling materials so that they can be taken down and used again,
The demolition of the Apex building in Pawtucket, Rhode Island pro vides many materials for the projects. Metal structural members for the primary structure of the project, concrete aggregated and reused for slabs and foundations, asphalt aggregated and used for land scaping, and breeze blocks reused as paving. Additionally, all trees that are cleared on the site will be processed on site to be used in the structure.
63
66
The existing site has a view of the Seekonk River as well as the existing Taft Street Community Garden. This garden will be expanded onto the site as the primary community gar den. This project is heavily based on connecting children and adults to nature and agriculture. Teaching the community how to grow and harvest their own food. The program consists of two parts: educational facilities and community spaces.
Pathways made out of reused breeze blocks from the Apex Building connect each of the spaces, and allow for a perme able surface for storm water runoff. Two platforms allow for lookout views to the river during the Winter months and in the Summer, classrooms will be moved onto those platforms to create a courtyard between the 4 classrooms. This allows for outdoor open learning, and a central space for events such as farmers markets, fairs or play space.
67
68
69
The structure has a natural appearance to display to the community the materials that will be used to construct the structures. Children can phys ically see real wood and understand how it connects with the metal structure since everything is exposed.
This hybrid construction between metal framing and wood infill, allows the structure to be easily disassembled, moved, and the materials can provide a material bank for future use. This move-ability allows for various types of programs between the classrooms. Students can understand how struc tures are constructed in this way by physically observing their movement.
The structure begins with steel columns and beams, steel trusses, then wooden infill, and lastly corrugated metal roofing. Large transparent windows and doors increase the opportunity for children to interact and experience nature.
Open classrooms allow children to explore freely and grow a better sense of independence and confidence. Montessori education respects the inde pendence of children and creates an environment for them to explore and feel the world through their own senses. This free movement is also ad opted in the community spaces. Allowing for interaction with nature. The community spaces are connected and framed around a courtyard space for open dining and recreational community activities.
72
Classroom orientation in the Summertime. A central courtyard/outdoor classroom space is created allowing children to be even more exposed to nature in the warmer months
74
Classroom orientation in the Winter. Classrooms are placed side by side to allow for quick and safe movement between classrooms during the colder months.
75
76
Tap into Me
Public Library for Downtown Providence, Rhode Island
Spring 2020
Critic: Gabriel Feld, RISD
For a city with such charm and sophistication, an area which is home to corporate buildings, churches, restaurants and night clubs, this library aims to provide a new quiet public space amongst the abundance of activity which surrounds it.
A space which allows the pedestrian to ‘tap’ into and out of the city around it. The architectural language, spatial sequences, program, and transformed site are all derived and influenced by the gesture ‘to tap’
77
78
The transformation of my gesture to a structure began with the pavilion. The folding undulated language of the structure was the first translation of the gesture into an architectural form. It made way for different ways that pedestrians could interact with the structure and experience the tapping motion through this struc ture’s articulate form.
The second transformation of the gesture was the stack, raising the question of vertical circulation and low bearing structure. It also developed the challenge of how to stack this undulating structure in a way which would allow for this vertical circulation and maintain a sturdy structure. Inserting planar floors allowed for this. These floors also emphasizing the directionality of the overall form and initiated experimentation with the folding structure.
79
The library is located in Downtown Providence on a large slightly sloping block, bounded by Empire, Weybosset, Chapel and Snow Street.
Aiming to connect the site with all four streets while drawing pedes trians into the library, I determined the different axis which would connect the cross walks of each street with my site. These axis would allow for the best flow from the crosswalks to sidewalks, onto the site and eventually into the library. In order to open my library and my site to the city I connected the park on the other side of Weybosset Street with my own ‘green spaces’ which the pedestrian can seamlessly flow onto. These green spaces were inspired by the gesture of tapping as the pedestrian can leisurely use these spaces, interchanging between built, transformed sections of the site such as the pathways and the natural surfaces.
80
82
The library is filled with voids and pockets of private covered spaces. As the user moves upwards in the library, the programmatic spaces become more private.
Beginning at the ground level, consisting of the cafe, community rooms and bathrooms, this entire level in open to the public even when the library is closed. Moving upwards, the first floor consists of open reading as well as the librarians office which is connected to it. The majority of this floor is double height; exposed to the entire library.
This open reading flows onto the 2nd floor and this floor end with closed reading. Less of this floor is exposed to the library. The third and final floor, houses special collections which is not exposed to any of the other floors, however, because of the double height spaces, users on the top floor can still feel a part of the entire library while remaining private.
83