2025 Portfolio

Page 1


Megan VanCardo || Portfolio

Professional Summary

Dedicated and detail oriented student possessing a solid foundation in architectural principals and a hands-on approach to project development. Eager to develop strong communication and collaboration skills in a professional environment, and committed to continuous learning. Seeking an opportunity to contribute creativity and technical expertise to a forward-thinking firm.

Experience

Senior Lead of Merchandising - Sales Associate August 2020 - January 2025 | Old Navy, St. Louis, MO

- Utilized knowledge of company products and servivces to make reconmendations and up-sell items according to customer needs.

- Assisted with training and mentoring new team members.

- Organized merchandise displays and recovered store to promote higher levels of customer engagement.

Material Tester - Intern

June 2024 - August 2024 | SCI Engineering, St. Louis, MO

- Performed tests in a laboratory setting, such as atterberg, concrete compression, slump test, etc., prior to contractors pouring foundations and highway systems.

- Accompanied project manager to construction sites and observed inspections.

Education

School of Architecture and Design - MArch University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, US

Expected Graduation May 2027

Environmental Sciences - Minor University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, US

Love Your Neighbor Project

Storefront Supporting Shelter for the Un-Housed

707 Massachusetts St.

Lawrence, KS - Commercial Downtown District

Site Context

About Penny’s Pickles:

Penny’s Pickles is more than just a storefront, it’s a part of the Love Your Neighbor project, serving as a vital support hub for the unhoused community along Massachusetts Street in the heart of Lawrence, Kansas. Located in Historic Downtown, the design of the site was approached with deep respect for the district’s architectural heritage, carefully adhering to local building codes to ensure that the character and charm of the neighborhood remain intact. Special consideration was given to the site’s accessibility, including proximity to public transportation and its potential to connect individuals with meaningful work opportunities.

Single-Room Occupancy & Family Unit

SRO (1) - 210 sqft

SRO (2) - 209 sqft

Family Unit - 420 sqft

SRO (1)

Row Hawk

Water Sports Complex

Row Hawk Complex

Site Overview

Burcham Park, Lawrence, KS

Key:

1. Pavillion
2. Announcers and Bleachers
3. Viewing Dock (1)
4. Viewing Dock (2)
5. Athlete Boat House
6. Public Bathrooms
7. Food Truck Pad
8. Park Parking

The Oar

What is RowHawk?

RowHawk serves as both a vibrant park, casual outdoor event space and viewing destination for the KU Rowing Team, a place where community and competition meet on the water’s edge. Inspired by the hatchet oar, the dock design pays tribute to the rhythm and grace of rowing. As the docks extend over the water, their form echoes the slicing motion of the oar through the Kansas River, creating a visual and symbolic connection between the sport and the site.

Designing within a floodplain required careful planning, all essential program elements that were prone to water damage were elevated a minimum of 8 feet above the designated flood line, ensuring resilience without compromising accessibility or aesthetic. RowHawk is not just a destination; it’s a celebration of KU’s rowing legacy, a community space rooted in motion, memory, and the ever-changing currents of the river.

Avg. Flood Line
8’ - 0”
Scoreboard (Dock 2)

Bathroom & Boathouse

Athlete’s Boathouse

The Garage

Farmer’s Market & Multi-Purpose Building

Site

645 Vermont St.

Lawrence, KS - Commercial Downtown District

In-door/Outdoor Food Stalls

Butford M. Watson Park
Solar Pannels
Green Roof
Farmer’s Market

The Garage is envisioned as a dynamic, multipurpose hub with circulation at its heart, both a literal and symbolic connector that draws people in from all sides of the site. As the new home for the local farmers market, the outdoor spaces were thoughtfully designed to support the dynamic interplay between pedestrians and vehicles. Circulation routes, gathering plazas, and parking zones are intentionally arranged to prioritize safety while maintaining a sense of openness and spontaneity. This flexible layout allows the site to seamlessly transition from day-to-day activity to the vibrant energy of weekend markets and community events. Giving the Garage its name, the vendor stalls are designed to roll open like traditional garage doors, transforming into welcoming storefronts. This open-air setup encourages spontaneous community interaction and invites passersby to engage with local makers, fostering a lively and inclusive marketplace atmosphere.

Floor Plans

Level 2 Key:
Food Hall
Food Stall
Bar Seating
Culinary Education
Green Grocer
Meat Locker
Dry Storage
8. 24-hr PO-Box
9. Mail Drive-Through 10. Public Dining
Outdoor Venue
Private Venue
BOH
Level 1
Green Grocer

Pulse Point

Experimental Performance Center

1501 Main St.

Outdoor Roof Venue
Sculpture Exhibit

Hilti Building Preservation of existing building on site

The decision was made to retain the existing Hilti building on site due to its optimal size, repurposing it to house administrative and business functions. Its traditional commercial brick facade has been preserved, providing a clear visual distinction from the public areas of the new Performance Center. The theater features terracotta paneling that complements the existing brick while introducing a contemporary design language, creating a cohesive yet modern contrast between the old and new structures.

Wall-Detail of existing Hilti building, renovated for administrative and business use, and the newly constructed Experimental Theater.

A 2” air gap is required between the two structures to ensure structural decoupling. Each building has an independent foundation system; the gap allows for differential movement due to soil settlement, thermal expansion, or seismic activity.

Existing egress components, including stairwells and elevator, are referenced on Level 1 and Level 2 floor plans.

The Pulse

Steel Facade Construction Details

“Ah, Kansas City Going to get my baby back home Yeah, yeah I’m gonna Kansas City Hey, Hey, Hey”

- Kansas City, The Beatles

The outdoor venue is enclosed by a striking steel façade designed to resemble the sound waveforms of “Kansas City” by The Beatles. The waveforms are crafted from lightly brushed steel, giving them a sleek, modern finish, while the structural supports are made from weathered Corten steel. The interplay between the Corten steel and the terracotta paneling is a playful duet of texture and tone. The rich, earthy hues of the Corten echo the warmth of terracotta, grounding the structure in the industrial legacy of its surroundings.

6" Concrete Slab
Steel Beam
24"X24" Concrete Tile Slab
6" Air Gap
6" Steel Tile Supports
6"X9" Steel Tube Column
40" Steel Railing System
6"X24" Steel Tube
Vapor Barrier
Metal Soffit
Corten Steel Panel
Brushed Steel System
1"X5" Steel Tube

The Grove

Sculptrural Piece for Five Elms Capital

Components

Overview:

Leaves -

- Historic Aluminum Leaves- 200

- Dark Wood- 33

- Medium Wood- 34

- Light Wood 3711

- Polished Aluminum- 612

- Brushed Aluminum- 610

Total Leaves- 5000

Total Cable Length- 69,564” (1.09 miles)

Total Cables- 748

Length of each Cable- 93” (7’9”)

Section and Detailing

Final Instalation Date || Spring 2026

Wandering Table

Conceptual Design

Statement Table

30”x20”x24” Solid Red Ceadr
Hufft

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2025 Portfolio by megan vancardo - Issuu