PORTFOLIO // SKYE TAYLOR Undergraduate Work 2012-2015
STATEMENT OF INTENT I found something I am passionate about, and it was easier than people think. Contrary to what most believe, I don't think we go to college to figure out what we want to do with our lives, I think we figure out what we want to do with our lives by listening to ourselves and actually realizing who we have always been, and what has always set us apart from others. We spend 16 hours a day awake, what are we thinking about during that time? What topics keep us deep in thought, what drive good conversations between others, what do we want to know more about? The things we do and think about are the answers to realizing our passions. I was just lucky to realize mine sooner than later. On a road trip down the west coast during high school, my eyes wouldn’t stop wandering out the window, I was so intrigued with everything new, from giant buildings to little shabby stores. My friend who was driving asked me what I was doing and Commented on how observant I was being. This is when it hit me, I Realized how much of a curious person I had become; I knew something had changed. I knew what my passion was about; I wanted to be a part of all those glorious buildings. It was a simple moment, but i realized i was different than other people in that way. After four years as an undergrad my passion became even more specific. I was living in a
very sustainable oriented city and realized how important it was. The world has changed so much in the last 100 years, however, some of those changes have been harmful to our planet and to those who live on it. We cannot live without buildings: not only because people need shelter, but people cannot live without art and a place to bring people together. Because we cannot live without buildings we must change the way we go about creating them; sustainable Architecture has caught my creativity and passion. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The human race must strive to meet the standards of this definition. It is going to take people with the mind set of sustainability to influence the rest of the world and lead the way. We all know that architecture is more than simply putting four walls together and calling it a house. I have learned through my undergraduate education at Portland State University that it’s also about the phenomenon and emotions created within a space. I feel that everyone deserves this experience so my overarching goal is to create such a space to come forth for people of all economic levels.
TABLE OF CONTENTS studio projects 01 02 03 04
// // // //
Eastbank esplanade art building oficina de tourismo Multi family housing
personal projects 05 // tree house
01 // EAST BANK ESPLANADE studio
200 level, spring term, 2012.
professor
Nikola Boscanin
site
Southeast Portland Waterfront
project description
The East Bank esplanade is an area connected to the Springwater Corridor, a main pathway for non vehicular transportation. This caused it to be full of people passing through on bikes, on foot or stopping by to sit on the dock on a sunny day. Students were asked to make something of this area. I am not interested in turning the Esplanade into a destination. I wanted to keep it as simple as it is while maintaining the sense of community travelers feel when occupying the space.
Creating Temporary Experiences: Each student was to measure a phenomenon of their choice. I captured the feelings people experience while in the area. I did this by asking questions regarding the site to everyone who passed me.
knew I wanted to create something that made them experience the river. In doing this it creates a moment for people who might usually just pass by to stop and interact with others.
The data showed people felt safe during the day but not at night; i decided to overcome this issue by creating a structure to heighten their emotions psychologically with lighting and colors.
My final architectural structure is intended for all people passing through the site to use it as a place to view the city and bring them closer to nature. It creates a city view, lights, and separate lanes for bikers and those on foot.
The people also didn't seem to feel as connected to nature as i expected, with it being right next to the water, so i
02 // ART BUILDING studio
300 level, winter term, 2014.
professor
Jeff Schnabel
site
Portland state university, Portland Oregon USA
project description
The Portland state art building needed an upgrade. The light Rail hub and the freeway offramp runs right by this building so it needs to be treated as a new portal to PSU for incomers to see. We were to design a space that was going to cater to multiple types of art, and it was to include overflow classrooms, an art gallery and the office for the art school.
Computer Lab
Admin
Classroom
Seminar Room Crit Space
Photog Srudio BFA Studios
Restroom Printmaking Studios
Grad Studios
General Studios
Patio
Gallery Drawing Studio
Painting Studio
Floor 1 2 Scale = 1/32’’ to the foot
3
4
5
6
7
Interior Design Proposal: The Artists Plane of Execution The current art building lacked an art gallery to show off student work as well as recreational art space so I created 2 floors of gallery space in the southern corner. The current art building is located in the park blocks giving professors really nice views out of their offices, to make up for losing those, i placed all offices on the street side and tackled light issues in the classrooms by pulling the building away from the existing building,
Each classroom is designed specifically for a certain art. I was able to do that while keeping it changeable in case the school wants to mix it up for later years; movable walls helped with this. My overarching theme was that art as i know it is experience vertically and horizontally. I made sure that whichever plane the artist occupied most was then emphasized in the interior architecture.
03 // OFICINA DA TOURISMO studio
400 level, fall term, 2014.
professor
L. Rudolph Barton
site
Along the Onyar River in Girona, Spain
project description
The Tourist center in Girona as it currently stands expresses nothing about it’s city other than maps, tour pamphlets and basic information. This studios intent was to create a new tourist center that included a main tourist center as well as another program of our choice. We could either destroy the current center and start over or remodel/add on to the current one. Our last requirement was that we needed to find a way to attract the people to the water that was flowing right by the center.
AREA MAP: SITE Location
Forming Shape: Flow A rivers natural flow is to follow the simplest path it is given. Sometimes this means altering the original path
but when this happens it is still only molding to and with the current environment.
CONTEMPORAR
Y
Map of Spain.
Pop up markets in Girona
L
HISTORICA
CONCEPT MAP: Materials / old vs. new; It’s affect on activities
CONTEMPORAR
Personal Experience: My Exploration of Girona, Spain
Y
With my design I intend to stick with the natural flow of the site. Much like the flow of a river, I want to add on to some of the existing rather than destroy the history.
L
HISTORICA
CONCEPT MAP: Paths Crossed / Human Interactions; Based on popular activities
Local Markets open once or twice a week around Girona. The fact that there are markets in this area already shows that there are many citizens who sell local goods and will thrive if they have the chance to sell it in a more permanent long term location that’s open daily.
Just as most cities around the world they each have their own niche that keeps them going. While it’s not as packed with tourists as Barcelona, Tourist come to Girona for festivals, History, architecture, food or just to enjoy its beauty. Girona is well known for its wine and gastronomy; which Simply put is the art of eating good food. Many local restaurants will prepare Foie Gras and truffles since
they are both unique gourmet products from the region. Girona can be referred to as ‘the Orchard of Spain’ because of all its farmed fruits and vegetables. Lobster with chocolate is also often found on menus in this area. Wine from dry red to sparkling are also made in Girona. These are just a few of the things that make this town unique, and what a better way for a tourist to understand the town they are visiting than by the tourist center serving this kind of food.
Program: When Tourists Become Locals I'm proposing a center that isn't focused on the tourists themselves but rather on the local environment of the city. As a tourist I'm most interested in the towns culture rather than the tourist attractions. I'm always asking ‘What do the locals around here do?’ This center will have arts, food and
merchandise all made my locals. This express the local culture as well as the local economy. It will create a sense of community for travelers and alike.
can support better civilians
First floor
Second floor
Main offices
Art Gallery
Main desk & tourist information
Restaurant Seating
Tourist facilities Retail
Retail Patio Seating Lobby & info
5,000 Sq ft
Locals facilities
4,500 Sq ft
Kitchen Art Gallery Art Gallery
Flow Diagram:
Restrooms
Connecting the building to itself Connecting the people to the water
Restrooms Users of the visitors center
Facilities broken down by floor
Zoomed Out
Zoomed In to the Old City Shaded areas Lit areas
Unique Atmosphere: Current Architecture Plays a Major Roll on the Atmosphere Both maps above depict areas where shade greatly affects the temperature. In areas with lots of tall buildings and small roads, shade may cover the whole area. Shade Diagram: Open and closed spaces
While lots of the area is made up of small narrow walkways creating shade, there are often little spots that open up and allows light to enter. The contrast of light and dark, narrow and
open is very present in girona. When light and space are only seen in particular places, it causes both large and small spaces to be unique and noticed for their vast differences.
Section Cut Diagram: Not to scale
Programmatic Goals: In designing a tourist center I thought about what I like as a tourist, which I am often. And I realized I don’t like to do the touristy things. I want to do what the locals do, which is what brought me to creating a center for both tourist and locals, where they can interact and where the tourists can be a part of local activities. The program consists of a restaurant serving local dishes and wines, an art gallery showcasing art from local artists and a retail space where local artisans have the chance to sell their goods every day of the week, unlike they would be able to at a once a week outdoor market place.
Sections & Elevation: Scale 1/16’‘th = 1’
Front elevation
Kitchen Retail
RESTROOM
Lobby & Info
Restaurant seeing
Art Gallery
First Floor
Clerestory
Second Floor
Plans: Scale 1/32’‘th = 1’
Response to Context: I designed the first floor plan to resemble the old city and how it has narrow paths that lead to open spaces; in my design they lead from the foot path, through the building and to the waterfront. I wanted to recreate the feeling that people get while walking through the streets.
This building should feel like an addition, and an emphasis on the existing. Tourists and locals should see this building as a reflection of the cities culture.
4803 N. Haight Ave.
04 // MULTI FAMILY HOUSING studio 400 level, winter term, 2015. professor Sergio Palleroni site North Portland, Oregon. Humboldt Neighborhood
KILLINGSWORTH
project description This course was designed to be the most realistic one since it was the last course of the undergrad program. Students were to design a multi-family housing complex while staying in budget.
AVERAGE RESIDENT
WHO IS GOING? WHO IS STAYING? Demographic changes by age range 2000-2010 25-49 YEARS
+8%
Female 25-29 Years Old Bachelors Degree Never Married White Collar Job Annual Income: $47,904 No children
+2%
55
AGE DEMOGRAPHICS 2000
1500
1000
50+ YEARS
N HAIGHT AVE
Tiny homes were also a topic this term. We each studied how much space we actually needed and most of us realized it was under 200 square feet; an easy way to stay in budget for this courses design was to incorporate the tiny home aspect; good for our pockets and for the environment.
20-34 Years
0-19 Years
35-59 Years
KEY Site location
60+ Years
Public Green Space
500
0
Schools
-9%
Groceries SINGLE RESIDENT OR NON-FAMILY 0-24 YEARS
NE MLK BLVD
N ALBERTA
57%
(+50.4% since 2000)
FAMILIES WITHOUT CHILDREN
21%
(-4% since 2000)
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
22%
(-14.9% since 2000)
Neighborhood Streets Main Streets Destination Streets; Restaurants, bars coffee shops and boutiques
Humboldt Neighborhood Boundary line 10 Minute Bike Ride 10 Minute walking
Site Photos
Original Site Plan Zoning:
SETBACKS
150’
R 2.5
Front Setback= 10’ Side Setback = 5’ Rear Setback = 0’ Garage entrance Setback =
18’
Required outdoor area = 250 sf attached 200 sf detached Minimum dimensions = 12‘x12’ or 10‘x10’ Maximum Height = 35‘ Maximum Coverage = 50% of lot area
100’
Field Research: Humboldt Assets This area can be described as young, urban and hip. It gives off a very artsy and earthy vibe. Within the past 20 years there has been an influx of 20-30 year olds moving to the Humboldt neighborhood. The home styles range from old Victorians to fresh new condos. The prices have drastically gone up in the past few yearsBecause of its popularity, but so far prices have not shied many people away.
Another popular street is Alberta; just north of the site. Some months there are flee markets that pop up for the day. Both of these popular streets are full of restaurants, bars and fancy boutiques.
The people who do move here are people who are looking for easy access to Downtown and the popular area known as Mississippi avenue; south of the site, which can be walked to from the site in just 10 minutes. The streets are very busy with bikers because if this ‘20 minute Community.’
Portland community college is in Humboldt and there are small grocery stores as well as a new seasons; being the largest grocery store around. This area prides itself in its independent businesses so you wont find any franchises here.
Williams avenue to the east and Killingsworth towards the top of Humboldt both offers more independent retail and restaurants.
Client: Benson Polytechnic High School The Benson school is part of the Portland Public Schools, located in the industrial part of NorthEast. While it is a public school, it is unique from most; students here focus on more specific criteria and hone in on skills that they could put down on a resume; skills that are directly related to jobs. It now offers areas of focus in Arts & Communication, Industry & Engineering as well as Health Science.
BENEFITS OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION:
THE CLIENT:
The Industry & Engineering students with a main focus on construction are who I am designing for. For one year students design homes and learn about the process, then the second year they actually get to build these homes. I want to create a ‘rubric’ for them that is different than what they are used to. We want to bring Architecture into to matter. They will already have a set of pragmatic skills, but as architects we think the poetics are important too.
The United States public school system has many flaws, and one problem with it is that it isn't set up in a way that benefits every single child, it is set up for a particular child to succeed. It is very ‘One Size Fits All,’ so the students who learn in other ways have a harder time succeeding.
Program: Tool Library With DIY being so popular, and people trying to be more sustainable; Tool Libraries are starting to pop up around Portland. We don’t all have the means to all of the tools we might need for a project, so being able to rent it seems to be the way to go. The map above shows the
existing Libraries and where our proposed one will be. However this one is unique because there will be tiny homes located right near it, so those living there will have direct access to the facility.
Concept Diagrams: The windows dictate public versus private space, giving a different experience when at a different height from eye level or angle throughout the house. On the first floor they are placed all at +3 ft from grade but given the varying levels of the floor, the windows are looked out of at unique angles causing the views to be vary different depending on location and purpose of space.
Budget & Proposal: Development Program DWELLING TYPES:
COUNT:
SQ FT of EACH:
SQ FT TOTAL:
SALE PRICE EACH:
SALE PRICE TOTAL:
SALE PRICE PER SQ FT:
2 Bedroom Townhouse Accessory Dwelling Unit Detached Bedroom Tool Library
4 2 8 1
1,200 600 200 4,000
4,800 1,200 800 4,000
320,000 220,000 50,000 Non profit
1,280,000 440,000 400,000 Non profit
267 367 250 -
I am proposing a community that is built by students of the Benson High School for their educational program. It differs from their current curriculum because these homes are designed for high school or college graduates with want access to a studio space. Within this community there will be a tool library/wood shop that these young artists and builders have access to.
To make this proposal economical and desirable to a developer, an outside organization; like central city concern, REACH Community Development or Portland Youth Builders, could purchase this tool library and have it open to the public as well as the residents, and the space can also provide training focused on building and design, taught by former Benson students.
Design: Orthographics and Code Interpretation I am splitting in half the 2 end lot through the middle of the townhouses to create a total of 5 lots. The ally has a zero setback that allows the homes to creep up to the edge. Each lot can have no more than one Accessory Dwelling Unit but up to 5 Detached Bedrooms.
FLOOR PLANS: Each level on the first floor recedes by 3 feet after the entrance floor. This is to give the space a cozy feeling of nooks to separate the small space and make it feel bigger. It creates possibilities for unique experiences like when the floors become tables and counter tops.
ORTHOGRAPHICS: +3ft
2 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE SCALE: 1/16’’ = 1’
GROUND LEVEL
-3ft
FIRST FLOOR PUBLIC SPACE
SECOND FLOOR PRIVATE SPACE FRONT ELEVATION
EXPOSED SIDE ELEVATION
INDIVIDUAL SITE DESIGN
Perspectives
PHASE ONE: COMMUNITY BASED
Detached Bedroom
Tool Library
ADU
Townhouse
PHASE TWO: SINGLE FAMILY OWNED
Townhouse Creates Community: After the initial construction of the community, the townhouses are used as communal space for the residents of the detached bedrooms and accessory dwelling units (ADU).
upstairs when they have guests coming from out of town.
Since the detached bedrooms don't have kitchens this area will be heavily needed by them.
To make these sites have an economical future each lot containing a townhouse as well as the lot containing the tool library can be sold off individually to a single family.
All residents are welcome to use the first floor of the townhouse and can use the bedroom
At this time they can chose to move the detached bedrooms off site or rent them out for profit.
Fade back into nature.
05 // TREE HOUSE personal project date fall season, 2015. site 2239 Tolman Creek Road Ashland, OR. USA. 12 Acre Lot. project description Ever since I was a kid I had dreamt of living in a tree house. So once I had a chance to work on a personal project I knew I would design a tree house. I picked a location in my home town but aside from that I chose not to have any limitations this round.
Being plugged in is part of everyday life for me, whether it’s by browsing friends’ profiles on a social network, texting a friend, or blasting my headphones while riding the bus. This was how I lived my life since middle school when MySpace became popular, since my parents gave me my first phone, and since I was gifted and iPod for Christmas. Since then I had not had the chance to unplug myself and really experience the simpler life that I had before, until I went on an 8 day backpacking trip with a group from school. The day we left for the trip I was told not to bring my phone or iPod because there wouldn’t be a need for it out in the wilderness. At first I was worried that I was going to miss out on so much but once I was taken from the technologies and lived without the constant pressure from pop culture nagging at my subconscious, I was able to appreciate life in its simplest form and I came to love it right away. I wasn’t wondering what I was missing out on, I loved it so much that I made a promise to myself that once I went back to civilization I wouldn’t get completely sucked back in to the craziness. On the 4th night each fellow backpacker went on a ‘solo’ for 24 hours where we were to be with our self for the whole time with no communication to the others. During this ‘solo’ I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to take from this experience. I came to the conclusion that I believe in ‘unplugging’ one’s self from civilization for at least a small part of everyday. Even though I won’t be able to go back to the mountains with the bugs and bears and morning dew every day, I can take a moment to not answer my texts right away, to get off the computer and to turn off the music and just be. Just be with myself. I wish so much that everyone could experience something so life changing as I have. At times it gets hard for me to unplug, when I get to caught up in my busy life that I forget all together about unplugging, but once I remember I relax and picture the view from the peak of the mountain on my trip. I go back to that place and remember how important it really is for me to unplug. For 8 days I set foot only on the unpaved ground. I listened to only the sounds of the wind, the water and the beautiful voices of 10 others who wanted what I wanted. We were in search for a reminder of what we were and what really mattered. We had all; like many others, been caught up in what society throws at us. We forget that we are apart of nature and that there is more to life then timeliness and due dates. Currently I’m sitting down by the Scott River on a rock in the sun. I’m tired. And I am so incredibly happy. It’s legit - this adventure has been unbelievable. Thanks you so much for being one of the beautiful people I got to know and spend 8 days with. We’ve done a hell of a lot. Broken bus...games at McDonald's, thunderstorm, dark late camp set up, crazy sloppy mostly yummy food, high, hot hills, cold water, bloody fingers, incredible views, snicker freak outs, laughter, deep peaceful fire lit circles, shooting stars... And there are so many more memories each of us carry. I hope that they are the true gifts we have given each other. This adventure will remain in a special quiet place of beauty in all of us, I hope. And perhaps we will have still more journeys together. Thanks for making me laugh and for the strength you’ve shown and inspired in others. Life is one big stunning adventure. I hope you always do what makes you happy and discover more about the magic that causes others to laugh and smile. Today is the last day. We leave soon. Our solos failed so we have been given time to finish out letters. I’m going to use this letter as a pact to myself. As of now I will try better to feed my body with good. Brennen has encouraged me to do so. My body is my Temple and it’s the only one I‘ve got. If I am going to make it to 111 I better change now. I would like to come out of SOP with a better understanding and appreciation of life and people. Every temptation will be put on pause by thinking of my solo spot that was individually picked for me. Last night’s gift and appreciation time is something I want to remember. The things people said to me and the fact that everyone is a beautiful person no matter what. Once you get this in the mail it will have been a year since now. High school will be over. I’d like to have finished HS a different person and be refreshed by the letter for college. I hope when you read it, it brings you back to your solo spot. The feeling you had. Everything was perfect and I didn't care about what the rest of the world was doing, or all of the fat summer parties I was missing. I hope I have learned that most things are a luxury. human being on the way.
I don't need it.
Love, your 17 year old smelly self with butter greased up hair.
I hope that every time I read this letter, I realize that I can do what I want while becoming a better
Elevations: Quarter Scale
Site Map and Elevations This 12 Acre, quiet and private land is tucked into the Ashland foothills. This lot is set far enough away from the town that it felt like an escape, with quick access to miles of trails in the Ashland Watershed though not too far from town for its only a 10 minute drive away. What was important to me was building a home that could visibly fade away into nature as well as a home that encourages its occupants to also fade back into the natural ways of living. I wanted to leave little impact on nature and a big impact of society and the way we currently live.
ELEVATIONS: To achieve the fading of the facade i simple covered the whole side front and back of each unit; bedroom and kitchen, with reflective glass. To help those dwelling in this home i have strategically placed windows that will capture ones attention and draw them outside, mentally and physically.
Structural Attachments: The structure will be supported by 4 surrounding trees. Thick steel planks will stretch from one tree trunk to another using flexible joints to help with the load of the wind. The structure will be placed on top of each plank, resting in between the trees, swaying during times of high wind.
Scale: 1/4’’ = 1’
Interior Perspective
Design Intent: No right angles in nature The writing at the beginning of this section was full of snippets of journal entries written by me when I was 18 years old. I had just gone on an 8 day backpacking trip that impacted me more than i expected. I went because I loved to hike but what i learned was so much more; natures importance on my happiness. I want my tree house to incorporate all that i learned during my 8 days of freedom from technology, social media, hate, due dates and deadlines. It is an ode to the life that I want to remind myself to live. To express the reminder of nature through architecture I separated the
bedroom from the kitchen area because I want to bedroom to be the space for the people to go when they really want to disconnect from reality. They will work their way from their job or school and walk up the stairs to the kitchen where they unwind. Once they are ready to relax and enjoy the simple things they make their way up into the highest part; the bedroom. In this room one can read, play a guitar or simply look out the window deep in thought and just be.