meghan davis | 2022 portfolio

selected works

meghan davis

meghan davis

mdavis0413@hotmail.com

education

267 . 907 . 3552

the pennsylvania state university | class of 2022

Bachelor of Architecture

Cumulative GPA of 3.5

Transferred as of August 2018

university of cincinnati | 2017-2018

Bachelor of Science in Architecture Program

certifications

leed ap bd+c | issued may 2023

skills

auto-cad | illustrator | indesign | lumion | microsoft office | photoshop | rhinoceros | revit | sketchup

hand-drafting | model building | welding

activities

aia dallas | 2022 - present

Member of the American Institute Architects (AIA), Dallas Chapter.

dfw noma | 2022 - present

Member of the National Organization for Minority Architects (NOMA), Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter.

apx vitruvius | 2019 - 2022

Member of Alpha Rho Chi (APX), Vitruvius Chapter. Established an amendment to the chapter’s Constitution in the first year of membership.

arts ambassadors | 2019 - 2022

Encouraged engagement and aided in outreach within the College of Arts and Architecture. Engaged with prospective students through question & answer sessions and leading tours of the facilities.

nomas chapter | 2018 - 2022

Member of the National Organization for Minority Architecture students (NOMAS), Penn State Chapter.

aias chapter | 2018 - 2022

Member of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), Penn State Chapter.

uc daap tribunal | 2017 - 2018

Member of UC College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) student government.

community service student organization opportunities

UC DAAP Cares (2018) | Adopt A Highway (2019-2021) | Bundle-up Drive (2021)

ncbds | 2018

Helped construct and de-construct the IN|vasive installation as part of the National Conference on the Beginning Design Student (NCBDS).

beautification efforts | 2017

Building Hope in the City | Clean up Cincy | Into the Streets

experiences

corgan | project specialist | july 2022 - present

Assisted in performing design and planning work of multiple critical facility projects and campuses; produced and detailed construction documents through all design phases. Created presentation drawings and renderings. Managed construction administration and BIM coordination processes. Participated in and organized sustainable practices for LEED certified projects.

corgan | summer architectural intern | 2021

Developed a complex response to the Hugo Design Sprint. Explored iterative facade designs for various critical facility projects.

clarion

inn & suites | bartender | 2021

Maintained a regular clientele through friendly and professional service. Independently opened and closed the bar; introduced new organizational standards to maximize efficiency in sanitation.

the home depot | sales associate | 2020

Amplified the customer experience by serving as a resource.

carlucci’s

grill | server, hostess | 2015 - 2020

Bolstered the customer serviceability of the restaurant through working calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced work environment.

leadership nomas | president | 2019-2020, 2020-2021

Organized general body and executive board meetings. Established an independent study for credit for students participating in the NOMAS Student Design Competition. Organized a Pre-Career Day networking event with alumni. Coordinated with the other organizations in the Stuckeman School to host community-wide events. Chartered a new position to act as a liaison between our chapter and professionals.

aias | student advisor | 2020-2021

Served as a resource for the newly elected executive board to ease the transition of power between executive boards.

apx | chapter development chairpersoan | spring

2020, spring 2021

Facilitated membership engagement activities to strengthen bonds. Produced original designs for spirit wear. Managed large orders, budgets and licensing standards.

aias | vice president | spring 2020

Coordinated all activities relating to membership services and drives. Organized professional development events, such as firm visits, guest lectures and portfolio reviews.

aias | treasurer | fall 2019

Managed a $45,000 budget for first year studio kits. Organized funding for guest speakers and lecturers. Supervised general financial affairs and kept organized records of account.

folly project | project manager | spring 2018

Managed team schedule and tracked finances of team members. Calculated material usage and created cut sheet for efficiency in the wood shop.

design competitions

local | stuckeman school opportunities

Corbelletti Design Charette | 2018, 2019, 2020

NCMA Annual Student Design Competition| 2019

William Hajjar House Annual Student Design Competition | 2020 |

Honorable Mention

national | annual barbara g. laurie student design

competition | 2018, 2019, 2020

Facilitated the design and execution of the NOMAS Penn State chapter entry into the NOMA National Student Design Competition.

international | study abroad opportunities

Piranesi Prix de Rome | 2021| Honorable Mention

L’Art Urbain | 2021

01.house of [ reflection ] third year studio competition entry

02. [ lumination ] second year studio visitor’s center

03. [ folly ] first year studio design-build

04. [ percolation ] of light second year studio ncma competition

05. [ architectural ] potentials of salt directed research studio experimentation

06. [ conjunction ] third year studio technical systems integration

07. [ community ] connection collaborative studio technical integration

01.house of [ reflection ]

date: spring 2020

skills: model making, computer drafting, rhino, adobe suite

size: 1/16” = 1’

model material: mdf and taskboard model

location: state college, pa

annual hajjar competition entry: runner-up

The 19th Annual Hajjar Competition provided for a site with a gradual sloping incline to the street side of the lot. The competition brief called for the design of a single family home on a plot in State College, and it was to combine each of the four seasons with one of each of the classical elements (water, earth, fire and air). William Hajjar, whom the competition commemorates, did not design houses, he designed homes. A home is not just a building, but it is a reflection of the inhabitants, balanced with the surrounding environment reflecting inward. W ith this in mind, the house of reflection design centers around a reflective facade, facing the southeastern end of the site. The existing plant life remains where possible, and is moved to new locations on the property if removal is necessary. Through this process, the building becomes submerged in nature and its cycle of seasons, reflecting aspects such as the fiery leaves of Fall and the new life sprouting from Earth in the Spring. Thus, the house becomes the seasons, rather than simply adjusting to the seasons.

a home is a [ reflection ] of its dwellers balanced by the surrounding environment [ reflecting ] in

the house [ becomes ] the seasons, rather than reacting to the seasons

02. [ lumination ]

date: fall 2019

skills: model making, computer drafting, rhino, adobe suite

size: 1/8” = 1’ scale

material: acrylic, basswood, and cardboard models

location: bald eagle state park, pa

The design process for this project began with designing a moving kayak rack. My design used the idea of a ferris wheel with the intention of letting gravity bring the kayaks to the lower positions of the rack. The site at Bald Eagle State Park created unique conditions to work with because the water height is highly regulated and changes seasonally. The surrounding park is heavily populated by trees and plant life. Tree canopies provide a unique filtering of light, which inspired the design of this boat house. Natural light is filtered into the building through ribbon windows, which capture sunlight, as well as light reflecting off the water. Four large sculputural light wells allow natural light to filter into the building, below grade. At the highest water level, in the warmer months, the building is slightly submerged. As the seasons progress, the water level moves away from the building, exposing a slight cantilever.

longitudinal section

03. [ folly ]

date: spring 2018

skills: model making, hand drafting, wood working, sketchup size: 8’ x 8’ x 8’

model material: basswood

building material: 2” x 4” studs and osb sheets at full scale

location: university of cincinnati campus

group members: cameron berling, ann karaskiewicz, lydia klus, olivia popp, gabe robbins, trenton scott, josty sieverding

responsibilities: project manager; drawings, models, construction

This folly is the first in a series of sixteen; an overall theme and site plan was selected for the pavilions through a charette. According to the selected plan, this particular folly was to be completely volumetric, while remaining cohesive with the connecting follies, which progressed into more linear elements. The entire construction was pre-assembled in studio, then disassembled into smaller elements for quick installation in the engineering quad on the campus of The University of Cincinnati. As a first design-build project, it was challenging and educational, through the experiential process.

04. [ percolation ] of light

date: spring 2019

skills: model making, computer drafting, rhino, adobe suite size: 1/8” = 1’

model material: acrylic, task board, and cardboard model

building material: custom cmu blocks, steel framing

location: neue galerie, new york city, ny

The design process for this addition project began with looking at the art within the permanent collection of the Neue Galerie in New York City. Alfred Kubin’s two works “Man in Storm” and “Aladdin” exude drama, in spite of being monochromatic. The dramatic depth of these works can not exist without the contrast of light and dark. When walking through the existing Neue Gallerie, it is very prominent that brighter areas are for circulation, while the contrasting darker areas are for respite. This idea became a driving force in the design of the addition. The custom CMU block walls filter light, while informing circulation both horizontally as well as vertically through the building. These celebratory walls hold the feature stairs, informing circulation from floor to floor. This allows for moments of respite within the galleries to be more dimly lit. The juxtaposition of lighting informs circulation, while paying homage to the original building.

Aladdin

by alfred kubin

Aladdin

By Alfred Kubin

By Alfred Kubin

By Alfred Kubin

cannot exist without the contrast of dark

basement plan ground plan 3rd floor plan

05.the architectural potentials of [ salt and origami ]

date: fall 2020

skills: research, experimentation, adobe suite, autocad, rhinoceros

size: 20’ x 40’ pavilions

building material: steel framing; varied salt applications

location: storm king art center, new windsor, ny

This work explores the architectural potentials of salt and origami within the built environment. The health and wellness benefits of salt have proven to warrant the exploration of this mineral as a building material. Origami has informed architecture throughout the world and is evident in ratios and grids commonly created by folds and fold-like structures. The experimentation phase of research explored five different methods of salt crystallization. These methods were investigated at different chapters of development as progressions were made and lessons were learned. The practical and theoretical applications of both salt and origami were utilized in the final design of nine artist studios at Storm King Art Center in New York State.

In order to understand the design, the term artist studio must be defined. These artist studios serve as an escape from daily life; a day’s retreat for the artist who needs creative rejuvenation.This series of nine buildings can be regarded as follies; guests are intended to travel through the snake of pavilions on a path of discovery - reflective of the experimental experience of this work. The journey is populated by areas of respite, so guests can fully immerse in the experience. Because there are several practical and theoretical applications for salt and origami as a building material, each individual folly consists of a unique construction, directly inspired by the experimentations. However, there are only four different elevation shapes across the nine follies, each consisting of a concrete basin-like floor, sloped towards the central drain. The “outer shell” of each folly provides protection fromthe environment and is composed of steel framing supporting a sloped, sheet metal roof for drainage. The “inner shell” of each pavilion is constructed out of salt or salt combined with origami. On one end of the individual pavilion there is a concrete table and bench; on the other end there is a bench situated across from a pin-up wall. Though some of the follies have partial inner walls, the center of the pavilions are left relatively open, so that artists in

40’ elevation (vaulted)

walk through (left to right)

1.knitted / sprayed

2.origami tessellation/ sprayed

3.textile / submerged

4.origami tessellation / submerged

5.vaulted arch / molded

6.corbelled arch / molded

7.miura-ori fold / 3-d printed salt

8. corbelled arch / 3-d printed salt

9.alumnium screen / electrified

The temporary nature of salt plays a pivotal role in this design. These follies are designed to protect the experiments contained within for as long as possible. Each spring the pavilions are constructed; over the summer the buildings begin to show age; by fall, the follies are deteriorating and the cisterns are filling. In the winter months, the follies consist of only the outer shell. The central drain siphons the runoff salt and stores it in a cistern below ground. The salt collected in the cistern can then be used to re-construct the pavilions for the following year. As new progress and discoveries are made in the applications of these materials and methods, the buildings can take on new form while maintaining function

20’ section (vaulted)

(vaulted)

pavilion rendering (corbelled)

pavilion rendering (boxed)

corbelled detail diagram

corbelled block design

06. [ conjunction ]

date: spring 2020

skills: adobe suite, autocad, rhinoceros

building material: steel framing; reclaimed wood louvers location: harlem, new york

The intention of this design was to create a cultural hub on this intersection of 5th Avenue and 125th Street in Harlem. This motivated a simple move of creating a curved facade to fabricate a visual connection between 5th Avenue and 125th Street. The curve is comprised of reclaimed wood louvres, which filter light through the building, while informing circulation vertically throughout the programmatic layout. The public spaces are closer to the ground floor level, while more private programs, like the administration offices and artist studios are closer to the top of the building. However, the building is still as public as possible in order to draw the community in. The building promotes the culture and art of Harlem and is intended to serve the neighborhood’s artistic and cultural ambitions. The expression of art through various forms of media is ever changing and this design is intended to foster the evolution of all art forms. An informal green roof patio on the fourth floor encourages exploration through the building, while giving a piece of the building back to the community in the form of green space within a concrete jungle. A small plaza on the corner of the site also allows for a shaded area of respite, while giving the area back to the community for use, like independent vendors setting up tables to sell items.

section cut on diagonal

07. community [ connection ]

date: spring 2021

skills: autocad, bim 360, lumion, revit, rhino, adobe suite building material: steel and concrete structural system with an aluminum panel and stone veneer facade, featuring a timber trellis location: beebe healthcare south coastal campus in frankfurt, delaware group members: makaela bigley (ae mechanical), melody blankenbiller (arch), alec boyle (l. arch), thomas levkulic (ae mechanical), nathan paszek (ae structural), abby turkowski (ae lighting/elec.), peiyao yan (l. arch)

This health and wellness facility was designed by a group of students from different academic backgrounds as a part of the Collaborate Design (Co-Lab) Studio. Our team was composed of two students studying architecture, two landscape architecture majors, and four students from the college of engineering pursuing various options in the architectural engineering major. The design of this health and wellness building began with the development of a master plan for Beebe Healthcare South Coastal Campus where we were to place our design of the phase two building and plan for a phase three addition.

With a unanimous overarching goal of sustainability, we developed the drivers of Resilient, Biophilic and Flexible to aid in the design of our take on the Beebe Healthcare South Coastal Campus. Our team concept was based around having two axes on the site: one vertical and one horizontal. The vertical axis holds community health and wellness programs, branching from Bebee’s mission statement of serving the community. The horizontal axis connects Bebee’s existing building with our phase 2 addition and phase 3 planning. The phase two building was programmed to have outpatient clinical services, educational space, as well as a recreation and fitness center. Collectively it was decided to separate the fitness center from the outpatient and education program, but due to mechanical efficiency and sustainability, we benefited from a bridge linking the two buildings, which also enforced our community axis concept. The community connection plan was designed around two separate buildings, connected by a public colonnade and bridge on each floor, respectively. The colonnade acts as an entrance axis for both main building lobbies and the clinical lobby on the east.

Outpatient / Education separate from Rec

sustainable [ wellness ] center focused around flexibility, resiliency, and biophilia

REC CENTER EDUCATION

COMMUNITY SPACE

CLINICAL OUTPATIENT

Final Design; Community Connection

Bridge addition and road alterations

master plan

Building form cuts for maximum lighting and landscape design