Architecture Portfolio 2023

ARCHI TECT URE PORT FOLIO 2023

RESUME

Software Skills

Revit

Bachelor of Architecture

Accredited by NAAB

Institution GPA - 3.24/4.00

Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi

Graduation - May 12, 2023

2022 2018 2019 2021 2022

Rome, Italy

Orvieto, Italy

Florence, Italy

Munich, Germany

Paris, France

Brussels, Belgium

Chicago, IL

Washington DC

Charlottesville, VA

Fayettesville, AR

Dallas, TX

Fort Worth, TX

Archimania

Summer Intern

Worked on multiple projects at various scales and style.

3D Modeling Programming

Schematic Design

Construction Documents

Ranger Construction

Framing

Cutting, sizing and constructing light gage metal walls and openings

Hanging

Cutting, hanging drywall

Cutting and sizing fire rated walls and openings

Insulation

Shelby County Election Commission

Designed and illustrated new and current Shelby County Election Committee seal.

Gray’s Framing

Constructed and installed large scale wooden building trusses

Loaded and distributed items needed on job site

Secured trusses after installation

Rhino (Grasshopper)

AutoCAD

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adoble Lightroom

Adobe Premeire

BlueBeam

SketchUp

Blender

TwinMotion

Enscape

Lumion

Awards

Brasfield and Gorrie

Interdisciplinary Design

Competition

First Place Team

Addition and renovation of MSU

Contact smw766@msstate.edu (901) - 275 - 4700

SELECTED WORKS

Pages 1 - 16

Library and Community Center

Jackson, Mississippi

Trail of Tears Memorial

Pages 17 - 26

Memphis, Tennessee

Retail Developement and Parking Garage

Pages 27 - 38

Starkville, Mississippi

Library and Community Center Jackson, Mississippi

INTRODUCTION

This project is proposing a new library to take the place of the historic Eudora Welty Library in Jackson, Mississippi. The project places a strong emphasis on utilizing mass timber construction techniques to create a modern and sustainable space that honors the literary and cultural impact of Welty’s work in Mississippi and the South. In addition to traditional library resources, the student’s design incorporates recording studios for local musicians, as well as after-school programs in collaboration with Jackson schools. The ultimate goal of this project is to create a dynamic community hub that fosters learning, creativity, and artistic expression for all who visit.

Eudora Welty Library holds immense historical significance as a cultural landmark in Jackson, Mississippi. The library was named after Eudora Welty, an acclaimed American author and Pulitzer Prize winner, who was born and raised in Jackson. Welty’s work often explored themes of Southern life, race, and class, and her novels and short stories have been celebrated for their vivid portrayal of Mississippi and the South. The library’s historical importance lies in its role as a hub for cultural and literary exchange within the community, with Welty’s work acting as a driving force behind the development of the city’s artistic and intellectual life. As the library prepares to be replaced with a new and modern facility, it is essential to honor the history and cultural significance of the original structure and to continue to foster an environment that supports learning, creativity, and community engagement.

The new library’s sustainable approach through mass timber construction techniques not only aligns with current environmental efforts but also reflects the history of the region, where wood has long been a prevalent resource. The new library will not only pay tribute to the past but also offer a way forward in creating a more sustainable future. The incorporation of recording studios is also significant as it celebrates Mississippi’s rich musical history, while providing young people in Jackson with an opportunity to explore and learn about music production. By offering these resources and activities, the library seeks to engage and inspire the community while providing young people with new outlets for creative expression and learning. The combination of sustainable design, musical history, and community engagement truly make the new library an innovative and exciting project.

Vicinity Map

RESTARAUNTS LANDMARKS GOVERNMENT

Interior Render

SOUTH BUILDING SECTION

W. Wall Section Details

R 60 clt roof assemby : ext > int

EPDM roofing membrane

12” Cork Insulation

5 ply clt roof panel

R 51 clt wall assemby : ext > int

Gypsum Wall Board

3 1/2” Stud Wall / Insulation

4” cavity

3 ply clt wall panel

4” wood fibre board exterior cladding

R 51 clt wall assemby : ext > int

Gypsum Wall Board

3 1/2” Stud Wall / Insulation

4” cavity

4” wood fibre board exterior cladding

R 25 slab assemby : top > bot tom

2” Architectural concrete finish floor

4” structural slab on grade

6” EPS Insulation

Window Screen Assembly

Exterior Wood Panel Screen

Window

10” x 18” Column

R 25 foundation wall assemby : ext > int

8” Concrete foundation wall

3” EPS Insulation

The library’s roof structure is predominantly made up of large curved glulam beams that form rib-like structures. The height of these beams increases gradually as they traverse the building, resulting in varying heights between each rib. This design facilitates the introduction of skylights between the beams, allowing ample natural light to penetrate the space. The use of mass timber and glulam beams reduced the need for columns or obstructive beams, resulting in large, open spaces. The construction method not only maximized the amount of unobstructed space, but also enhanced the material quality and visual appeal of the library both inside and out.

Serial Section

1” = 30’- 0”

BUILDING MATERIALS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Material Stradegy + Sustainability

My goal in choosing my materials was based on two factors. The general sustainabilty and longevity of the product as well as its aesthetics. Choosing the materials not only because of their contribution to the overall design and narrative of the project, but also in how these materials will improve the buildings carbon emmisions and overall sustainability throughout the buildings life.

Hardwood Flooring

Glulam beams are the largest of the structural members in my project. These custom curved members support the majority of the buildings roof and allow for the main library spaces to be open from floor to ceiling. They are supported by custom glulam columns that are shaped to be structural and provide aesthetics to the project.

: 725 m^3 of lumber

: US and Cananada

ClT panels make up the majority of the walls and floors of the library. Structural 5 PLY panels are used around the e exterior of the building while 3 Ply panels are used in various location within the interior of the spaces.

Grow this ammount in 2

: 625 metric tons of CO2

Total Embodied Energy Total Operating Hours

17,452,105.08 MJ 122,195,174.17 HRS

Glulam columns are used to support the CLT floors where necessary in combination with beams within the interior of the building. They are also used to support the cantilevered facade on the east and western sides of the library.

: Avoided 250 metric tons of carbon emmisions

: 895 metric tons of CO2

: 895 metric tons of CO2

: Operate 94 homes per year

Interior Render

Interior Render

Interior Render

Southern Exterior Render

Trail

TRAIL OF TEARS

TRAVERSED 9 STATES

ALABAM A ARKANSAS GEORGI A ILLINOIS KENTUCKY MISSOUR I NORTH CAROLINA OKLAHOMA TENNESSE E

5 TRIBAL NATIONS

THE TRAIL OF TEARS IS THE RESULT OF THE INDIAN REMOVAL ACT OF THE 1830’S SUPPORTED BY PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON. THE FIVE MAJOR NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES LOACTED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WERE FORCEFULLY REMOVED AND RELOCATED THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY TO TERRITORIES IN OKLAHOMA. NATIVE AMERICANS FACED HARSH CONDITIONS, LACK OF WATER AND SUPPLIES AND UNFAMILIAR TERRAIN THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF UP TO 15,000 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

WHY MEMPHIS?

Memphis played a crucial role as a pivotal location along the multiple trails taken during the forced relocation of Indigenous people known as the Trail of Tears. Four out of the five major tribes that were relocated came through Memphis on their route to Oklahoma. Situated at the convergence of land and water routes, Memphis served as a central hub for the relocation of numerous tribes. The primary objective of crossing through Memphis was to traverse the Mississippi River and continue moving westward. It is imperative that we honor and commemorate the lives lost during the tragic “Indian Removal Act” of 1838 and educate not only the residents of Memphis but also the wider U.S. population about the horrendous atrocities that took place in Memphis and throughout the southeastern United States during the Trail of Tears.

During the initial stages of the memorial’s development, the main focus was researching the subject matter of the Trail of Tears and identifying significant locations involved during that time. The research led to the placement of the memorial within Memphis, Tennessee, due to its central location in relation to the Trail of Tears. Furthermore, the design of the memorial is directly related to the research of the Trail of Tears, incorporating specific elements that hold importance and meaning to those impacted.

THE FORCED REMOVAL AND RELOCATION IN THE 1830’S OF EASTERN WOODLANDS NATIVE AMERICANS OF THE SOUTHEAST REGION OF THE UNITED STATES TO A NATIVE AMERICAN TERRITORY WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

MEMORIAL AXONOMETRIC

EAST ELEVATION + SECTION

The memorial’s internal spaces offer open-air environments, enveloped by a glass ceiling that covers most of the structure. The glass ceiling is supported by sturdy steel columns wrapped in copper, which not only provide crucial structural support but also bear symbolic significance. These columns serve as a poignant representation of the individuals who lost their lives during the Trail of Tears, supporting the struggles and hardships of those who have come after them, ultimately enabling people today to move forward, free from the pain and turmoil of the past.

As visitors navigate through the memorial, they are enveloped by a copper forest created by these very same columns, designed to mirror the natural landscape of the Indigenous people’s ancestral land. Beyond their aesthetic beauty, these structural members have a powerful emotional impact, eliciting specific feelings and reactions, while simultaneously serving as spaces for educational and historical information about the Trail of Tears.

The Trail of Tears Memorial embodies an essential element that captures the essence of the indigenous peoples’ history. The Memorial’s design progression is a profound reflection of their journey from a place of belonging and familiarity to one of excruciating pain and suffering, caused by their displacement. As visitors explore the spaces below, emotions are evoked through the use of specific spatial arrangements, blocking of sightlines, and other design elements.

The main memorial space’s floor is deliberately situated ten feet below the surrounding ground surface, and the view of the trees and landscape around the memorial is concealed from visitors. This intentional separation from the surrounding landscape is designed to convey the experience of the indigenous peoples who were torn away from their homes and forced to relocate thousands of miles away to an unknown location, leaving behind the land they once thrived in.

EAST ELEVATION + SECTION

EAST ELEVATION + SECTION

The southern landscape held great historical significance for Indigenous peoples who thrived off its resources. With this in mind, the design of the memorial was crafted to honor and connect with nature and the environment. Taking the form of a large, bridge-like structure, the memorial serves to unite the two sides of the existing lake, symbolizing the crucial role that the Mississippi River played in the Trail of Tears. As a major transportation route, the river facilitated the relocation of Indigenous peoples from surrounding states and beyond, making the crossing a significant milestone in their journey westward. The bridge form of the memorial not only symbolizes this momentous crossing, but also serves as a means of connecting visitors to the surrounding landscape, creating a powerful and immersive experience.

03

Retail Developement + Parking

Downtown Starkville, Mississippi

LEVEL 1 PLAN

The main objective of this group project was to create a precast concrete parking garage that featured retail spaces at the base of the structure. The first level of the garage consists of a single level of parking, which occupies half of the total allowable building area. The remaining half of the building area was allocated to retail and public spaces intended for the use of residents and visitors of Downtown Starkville, Mississippi.

The commercial spaces include one restaurant and two smaller retail spaces, with public areas interspersed between them. A custom-designed corrugated precast concrete screen ceiling covers the commercial areas, which was created using Rhino software and replicated throughout the entire structure. The restaurant area includes outdoor dining, which is separated from the green space and outdoor seating by a covered area.

The first-floor level’s final feature is a large sculptural ramp that connects the commercial spaces to the main entrance of the Cadence Bank, the intended recipient of the garage.

Creating heavily designed facades for the garage was a crucial aspect of the project’s design intent. To achieve this, not only were the main exterior facades of the garage embellished with precast panels, but all sides were adorned to ensure uniformity and consistency, as seen from the west elevation of the parking garage. The southern facade, in particular, features precast panels, which are complemented by a visually striking egress staircase situated at the southwestern corner of the building. The incorporation of the staircase into the design of the southern facade served not only to meet code requirements for egress but also to break up the monotony of the precast panels, resulting in a more captivating and alluring appearance for passersby in the area.

NORTH ELEVATION

The northern section of the garage is seamlessly linked with Cadence Bank, creating the principal rear entrance and an ADA-accessible path through the sculptural ramp. This remarkable ramp serves not only as an exit and an accessible way for disabled individuals but also as an extraordinary design feature that enchants and engages every visitor. The creation of this ramp was significant, not just in making it accessible to people with disabilities, but also in sculpting it as an inclusive art form that welcomes all visitors.

This section boasts a garage with a snaking form, achieved through end caps molded from precast panel elements. The resulting shape is repeated throughout the project, at varying scales, to both define space and provide a screen for the garage. The repetitive use of these precast elements not only achieves uniformity in the exterior design but also optimizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness during the manufacturing process. Despite variations in size, the panels are standardized to promote environmental and temporal efficiency.

WEST ELEVATION

EAST ELEVATION

An essential aspect of the parking garage’s holistic design was to incorporate an area for visitors to relish the fresh air and surroundings. To achieve this objective, a spacious outdoor zone was crafted, complete with comfortable seating and expansive green areas. This thoughtful addition not only contrasts the sturdy concrete structure of the parking garage but also provides a serene escape for visitors of Cadence Bank, the retail and restaurant establishments, and even nearby inhabitants to unwind and embrace nature’s beauty.

Connection details and drawings were made to show how the precast panel would be attached to the garage. There were many different types of precast panel connections but only a few worked with our design due to the ammount of open space in our panel. These drawings highlight the materials needed in order to make this connection as well as how the panel is attached. Due to the vertical span of the precast panel there is connections oor of the garage with the panel spanning both of the

The sketches present a comprehensive demonstration of the intricate interplay between the precast panels, the parking garage framework, and the floor slabs. The precast concrete panels are expertly crafted with strategically designated spaces for the installation of steel plates post-casting. These steel plates serve as the backbone of the entire structure, connecting the panels and providing a solid, unwavering foundation at various levels throughout the floors. The use of various panel sizes not only fosters the creation of expansive, uninterrupted spaces but also facilitates the seamless extension of the garage’s full height.

Connection details and drawings were made to show how the precast panel would be attached to the garage. There were many different types of precast panel connections but only a few worked with our design due to the ammount of open space in our panel. These drawings highlight the materials needed in order to make this connection as well as how the panel is attached. Due to the vertical span of the precast panel there is connections on each oor of the garage with the panel spanning both of the oors.

Displayed below are miniature replicas produced via 3D printing of the precast modules that were designed and modeled in Rhino. The visuals also depict the evolution of the panel’s design, illustrating how certain sections were thickened and beveled to facilitate the casting process. Concrete was used to cast these panels to scale, highlighting not only the successful casting of the modules, but also demonstrating how the interplay of light and shadow can impact the panel’s surface.