Architecture Portfolio
Nicholas Moran
Nicholas Moran, AIAS
Third Year Master of Architecture Student
Hello, this is my architecture portfolio showcasing my favorite works from my time at the University of Kansas. In my designs, I emphasize my understanding of function, balance, and simplicity.
Inspiration for my projects comes from my British cultural background, with its intersection of classical and modern innovative architecture styles - often standing right next to each other. I have also been fortunate to grow up around my parents’ left-brained way of thinking which embraces process, organization, and timeliness, while also allowing room for the innovative, quirky, irrational and ground-breaking ideas that can represent progress.
While these are the drivers for my architectural vision, we are all constantly exposed to multitudes of other inspirational concepts which I embrace to help shape my own creative architectural design direction.
In my free time, I like to work out and play team sports. I am an avid runner and love to race in competitions. I also enjoy origami, painting, woodworking, and drawing.
(314) 484 7771 | nickjmoran20@ku.edu
Education
University of Kansas
Master of Architecture
Honors College, Honor Roll
Relevant Skills: Revit, Rhino, Sketchup, Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop), Enscape Lawrence Kansas
Honors & Awards
University Scholars Program
Expected May 2028
GPA: 3.99/4.0
Aug 2024
• 3,000-dollar scholarship given to outstanding second-year students from various disciplines. The scholarship came with enrollment in a spring semester seminar discussing inequality in the United States and involved individualized research.
May 2023
Alumni Association Scholarship
• One-time 5,000-dollar scholarship given to the top 5 students in the class based on merit, extracurriculars, and community involvement.
Work Experience
McMillan Construction Laborer
May 2024 - Aug 2024
• Performed diverse construction tasks, including delivery, site cleanup, and protection measures, to maintain efficient workflows, proactively address customer needs, and ensure a safe and organized work environment.
• Supported 18+ construction carpenters and contractors across 10 sites to enhance productivity on-site.
Center Of Clayton Camp Counselor
Camp Counselor
St. Louis Mo May 2024 - Aug 2024
St. Louis Mo
• Coached 30+ children (K-8) by creating drills and activities to foster soccer skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Designed and adapted soccer drills to suit all levels and abilities of participants.
• Led daily sessions, ensuring participation, education, and a positive, safe environment.
Leadership Experience & Involvement
American Institute of Architects
Secretary
• Attended bi-weekly meetings, discusses events and cultivating plans for the year
Aug 2023 - Present Lawrence KS
• Attended the Grassroots National Convention in Washington D.C. as a representative of KU, which involved networking, keynotes, and learning about sustainability in Architecture.
• Director of the Advocacy Committee.
Run Club
Social Events Coordinator and Jersey Designer
• Facilitated intramural events and coordinated team practices for the club.
• Designed competition jerseys, organized printing, delivery, and distribution.
Table Tennis Club
Vice President
Aug 2023 - Present Lawrence KS
Aug 2023 - Present Lawrence KS
• Set up, hosted, and broke down practice twice per week, attended one tournament per semester.
• Responsible for the addition of 19+ members through advertising the club at events.
• Attended monthly meetings as a club exec to review financials and plan future events.
NOMAS
Member
• Participated in the NOMAS summer competition, on a team of five.
Triathlon Club
Member
Mar 2024 - Present Lawrence KS
Mar 2024 - Present Lawrence KS
Blue Note Cafe
Meditation Tech Addiction Center
Technology Addiction Center 01
Spring 2025
Arch 209
Professor Peter Olshavsky
Revit, Rhino, Photoshop, Illustrator Kansas City, MO
This project explores how architecture can prioritize human connection, mindful living, and a renewed relationship with nature. In an age of constant digital stimulation that fragments our attention and distances us from one another, this space offers an escape from screen-dominated life. The design serves as a framework for healing, encouraging stillness, collaboration, and genuine interpersonal engagement. Through calming spatial experiences that foster reflection and interaction, the center aims to restore balance, promote peace, and nurture a strong sense of community rooted in the physical world.
The Technology Addiction Center embodies a holistic approach to design, centered on human well-being, environmental responsiveness, and meaningful spatial experiences. Drawing from behavioral research and biophilic design principles, it fosters a gradual reconnection with the physical world. The terraced form, abundant natural light, and seamless integration with the hillside reflect a deep respect for both user and environment. The architecture invites presence, interaction, and a grounded feeling through thoughtful spatial organization, a dynamic roofline, and an emphasis on communal and restorative spaces.
Green Space
This project prioritizes green space with all public program spaces in the project having views outdoors, and a main patio with outdoor seating, a garden, and event space.
Process Diagram
Maintain Urban Edge
The center expands to the setback limits on the north and west corners. The building’s height follows the slope of the site, helping it fit naturally into the landscape.
Cultivate Community
Communal spaces are scattered throughout the site giving opportunities for residents to create connections, and foster a positive environment.
Massing established on site boundaries.
Slope both ends of the mass creating a vertex on the far corner.
Triangulate parts of the slope to control water runoff and bring prominence to specific volumes.
1. Establish Form
2. Slope
3. Fold
First Floor
Second Floor
Site Plan
The site plan features some of the prominent buildings adjacent to the site. Topography is also shown, beginning at an elevation of 912’ and getting up to 926’.
912’’
926’
Rain Runoff
Rain flows off of the roof into a series of rain gardens on the site. The patio also has a runoff bucket used for gardening the plants.
Circulation Diagram
Front Perspective
Public Space
Arts Porch Blue Note Cafe 02
Spring 2025
Arch 209
Professor Peter Olshavsky
Revit, Rhino, Photoshop, Illustrator
Kansas City, MO
In this project, I am exploring the intersection of community, culture, and form. The porch cafe lies in the center of an art walk featuring 5 famous sculptures within the park and the Kansas City Art Institute, Kemper Art Museum, and Nelson Atkins in close proximity. The cafe becomes an extension of the Arts District, bringing people together for food, conversation, and art exploration.
The design features two parallelograms that provide a walkway through the center. This helps with the flow of the visitors as it gives them direct access to the Shakespeare in the Park venue when in season, and nature views of the northern part of the park. An overhang is placed on the southern part of the structure to block harmful southern light. The terrace features a continuation of the inside structure and further blocks the sun whilst maintaining the outdoor views. The Northern part of the cafe features a large curtain wall, which displays views of the park and allows for healthy natural light to enter.
Southmoreland Park
Community Christian Church
Site & Arts Walk
South Moreland Park is located in a suburban area south of downtown Kansas City, MO. The site is adjacent to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Art Institute. Other relevant buildings in the area include the Community Christian Church and the Kemper Art Museum.
The site lies in an area with dozens of other sculptures. In this project, five new sculptures (as pictured on the right) are being laid out on the site as a continuation of the current arts walk. This will further establish the area as an artists district and destination place.
KCAI
Nelson Atkins Museum
Museum
Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd
Rockhill
80’ 250’ 500’
The Eagle
Alexander Calder
2
Untitled Rachel Whiteread
Midsummer Circles
Richard Long
Thebes
Carl Andre
Light Up
Tony Smith 1
Seasonal Solar and Trees
The diagram displays the summer and winter solstices patterns. The solstices are the days that the sun reaches its highest or lowest declination, marked by the longest or shortest days of the year.
Highlighted in blue are trees placed south of the cafe to break down heavy southern winds that are prevalent in the winter and spring.
Summer Patterns
1. Sunrise, 5:52AM
2. Culmination, 1:20PM
3. Sunset, 8:50PM
Winter Patterns
4. Sunrise, 7:33AM
5. Culmination, 12:17PM
6. Sunset, 5:00PM
Sun Angles
The major sun angles to consider are the culminations on the solstices. This is 67.1° in the summer and 27.3° in the winter.
The Art’s porch terrace has a long roof to provide shade for the visitors lounging on the porch and lets light in during the winter.
Floorplan
The cafe is located at the southside, closest to where visitors will enter. The concessions area is located to the left and service is on the side as the main users will come from the lawn events north in the summer. The Bathrooms and ticketing office are separate from the cafe as these facilities will be at access beyond the open hours of the cafe.
7’ 20’ 40’
Circulation Diagram
Most visitors come in through the east side, where the Nelson Atkins Museum and sculpture garden is. The site is adjacent to the sidewalk for easy access to the cafe terrace. Access to the theater comes from the datum separating the cafe and the outdoor public facilities.
KU Meditation Center 03
Fall 2024
Arch 208
Professor Xiaobo Quan
SketchUp, Physical Model Lawrence, KS
Meditation is an exercise used to detach from outside thoughts and pressures; and achieve a mentally calm, clear, and stable mind. My approach to designing the building centered on creating a tranquil environment that invokes comfort, security, peace, and a connection to nature. By focusing on these traits during the building process, I ensured a high-quality meditation space that supported inner peace.
Massing Diagram
The massing of the two room functions intersects the gallery and other room functions with a central hallway that separates the 2 functions. The rectangles are then sloped for natural light and rain runoff.
Sketches Displaying Material Concept
Motion Diagram 04
Spring 2024
Arch 109
Professor Daniel Finnell
Photoshop, Illustrator
The motion project displays how our bodies interact in a given space. Throughout the unit, I measured and diagrammed the relation between architectural elements and human motion. In the final model, I combined the vector based and occupied space designs to demonstrate my kicking motion.
The sticks and ribbon demonstrate the body vector and head motion. The ribbon also demonstrates unity and harmony in the design, exhibiting that the project is one cohesive piece. The polygons demonstrate the occupied space taken up by the left (kicking) leg. Lastly, a wired coil was used to show the motion of the soccer ball I kicked in the video taken. With four different materials being used in one project, the texture of the project is another talking point.
Physical Model Front View
Motion Screenshots
Photoshop and Illustrator Diagrams
Personal Works 05
2023-2025
Acrylics on Canvas
Graphite & Charcoal
From a young age, I have immersed myself in the creative world through drawing, painting, ceramics, origami, and woodworking. These explorations taught me a lot about consistency, observation, problem solving, and how art and architecture correlate. Through art, I have become a detail oriented architecture student that strives to make my architecture projects a piece of art. As I grow with each new project, I continue to learn and progress my skills learning new crafts and doing new paintings today.
