Tom Murillo Architecture Portfolio 2023 by tommurillo

selected works | m.arch tom murillo

Architecture

2 | murillo

has the responsibility to inspire, to restore dignity, and to heal.

PROJECTION

consulate for the Economic Community of West African States

Topeka, Kansas [p.4]

MBOLO agricultural innovation center for CERAAS

Senegal, Africa [p.14]

RECONNECT

Wabaunsee county library focused on agriculture and technology

Alma, Kansas [p.26]

WRAPPED

media center for The Maryland State Library

Boston, Maryland [p.34]

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PROJECTION

consulate and cultural center

Bowman Design Forum Award class: arch. design studio three duration: eight weeks

countries within ECOWAS

6 | projection

The Consulate for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of Topeka, Kansas is designed to be more than just a diplomatic service; it is a canvas onto which culture may be projected.

The design of this consulate reflects, both inwardly and outwardly, the history, art, and other cultural value that ECOWAS brings to Kansas.

project reflect sustain

Sustainability is at the foundation of the design. To remain an active participant in our future connection to the globe, sustainable materials and passive techniques are integrated on all scales.

projection | 7

SITE MASS

The massing of the building did not exceed the average height of the adjacent historic downtown buildings to keep the established datum intact.

BREAK UP TWO MAJOR PROGRAMS

The site houses the consulate proper as well as a performing arts center, gallery, library, and multipurpose teaching rooms. The cultural center is the consulate’s twin in program.

ART PROGRAM DEFINES FORM

The building’s main form is dictated by what the consulate brings to this community –Art. The theatre, located on the second floor, projects outwardly to carve the shape of the building’s envelope. Within the carving, the gallery is housed.

STRUCTURE

Tall vertical mass timber louvers counter the building’s horizontality and double as east/west sun-shading devices and the superstructure of the entire complex.

ENCLOSURE

To further assist in sun-shading for its south and west facades, a sunscreen hangs from the structure. The screen defines the envelope of the building following the same rule mentioned above that art defines form.

8 | projection

2nd floor

A-A

B-B view northeast 3rd floor 4th floor site plan A A 8’ 0’ 16’ 32’ A A B B 8’ 0’ 16’ 32’ B B 8’ 0’ 16’ 32’ A A B B 8’ 0’ 16’ 32’ 4’ 0’ 8’ 16’ 32’ projection | 9

section

section

In the heart of the ECOWAS states, there is an ancient village called Tiebele in Burkina Faso inhabited by the Kassena people. Tiebele is home to beautiful hand painted buildings, or Sukhala as they are named, decorated with symbols, human and animal representations, and many different patterns.

The pattern of the consulate’s shade screen is inspired by the painted architecture of the Kassena people in Tiebele . The village’s painted walls are used to differentiate the buildings that have higher importance, such as those housing the chief, royal court, and nobility. The paint also protects the structures from the elements. Similarly, the Topeka ECOWAS consulate also houses dignitaries and people of importance, and the screen is designed to protect the building from the sun’s harsh rays.

Kassana painted architecture adapted motif shade screen

10 | projection

Tiebele painted architecture

North-facing skylights wash the consulate lobby with ambient daylight

assembly shade screen into glulam columns (top) assembly of mass timber beams into columns (left)

The theater’s slope, guard rails, and soffits employ the same angle inspired by the Kassena pattern

The vertical mass timber structure is multiplied throughout in smaller scales such as timber slats used as partitions and acoustic baffles

Shade screen blocks up to 80% of daylight in the overheating months and allows up to 50% of daylight in during the under-heated months

Horizontal louvers block unnecessary light during overheated periods and act as lightshelves to redirect light up and cut down on the need for interior artificial light

Glazed curtain wall brings soft, indirect light for offices through alley lightwell Timber beams house lighting and other mechanicals

projection | 11

This pattern becomes a symbolic motif of what the building represents, and it is carried throughout the architectural vocabulary. You can see it in hand railings, soffits, and even the theater’s slope which shapes the entry and gallery.

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section model of cultural center

When the sun is low, the screen projects the motif onto the shared party wall made of Kansas limestone. The Kansas limestone wall laced with the Tiebele pattern looks as if painted by the Kassena people, harmonizing the architecture of both lands.

view of entry lobby

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view of consulate lobby

MBOLO agricultural innovation center for CERAAS physical model chosen to be sent to CERAAS class: arch. design studio three duration: four weeks

MBOLO - (in Wolof) “to unite, join, or come together.”

16 | mbolo

The Center for the Improvement of the Adaptation to Drought (acronym in French: CERAAS), is named a Regional Center of Excellence by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and specializes in developing drought-resistant cereals for dryland farmers across West and Central Africa. This is proving to be an even greater task in the face of climate change threatening our current way of agriculture.

CERAAS’s primary goal is to gather researchers from across the world to tackle current and future agricultural hurdles. Climate change has altered the sub-Saharan belt of Africa into an ever hotter and drier landscape. CERAAS intends to double its research capacity and will build a new agricultural research center to facilitate this growth.

The center is to include four scientific innovation hubs, a large forum, a cafe, and a greenhouse. Since CERAAS is actively fighting against climate change, it is committed to a carbon neutral facility. Passive, eco-friendly strategies must be employed to use the least amount of energy as possible.

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spatial strategy

The circular form is one that lends itself to community and collaboration. Circular design is not new to African architecture, and the MBOLO Innovation Center celebrates this tradition.

18 | mbolo

Pushing program into the ground is twofold. It reunites us to the earth, exactly what this research is meant to do, and it keeps the temperature of the space stable by utilizing the cool underground mass.

A mass is placed on ground level to draw in the public to program such as the cafe and greenhouse.

At the heart of the mass is the forum, an outdoor gathering space where collaboration or contemplation may occur.

carve extrude puncture mbolo | 19

cafe oriented to face campus courtyard as an inviting social hub

offices and labs sunken into the earth to maintain temperature stability. ring formation encourages unity and collaboration

service bar located along rear adjacent to loading dock and cafe.

greenhouse curved along south to capture light and showcase work to the public

exterior forum serves as the central core that connects all other program and its users. a space for socialization, contemplation, or refuge.

20 | mbolo

warm air is allowed to escape through central atrium and detached roof

louvers at the top of exterior walls allow heat to vent

locally crafted sun baked brick construction

passive design strategies

detached roof shields the enclosure from direct sunlight

submerging the labs and offices underground keeps temperatures stable and comfortable

carving vertical circulation that connects the exterior gardens allows the heavier cool air to flood the sunken courtyard, the only exterior space the labs contact

the greenhouse is located along the southern curve of the building to let in as much light as possible, replicating a natural outdoor environment

The gardens on the southwest and southeast sides of the building draw in pedestrians from both the main court of the CERAAS campus and those working in the adjacent campus to the southeast. All these elements combined help to facilitate the common goal of research and innovation agriculture.

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section A-A section B-B

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east elevation

ground floor plan A B B A 8’ 16’ 32’ 64’ 0’

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lower level floor plan

physical model view northwest

RECONNECT

Wabaunsee County Library

class: arch. design studio two duration: four weeks

History, culture, and place are the driving concepts behind the Wabaunsee County Library. Located in Alma, Kansas, the county seat of Wabaunsee, the library serves as a space to reunite its residents with each other, their townships, and with their native earth.

Wabaunsee County, Kansas is a collection of seven incorporated cities originally established along the region’s river systems. Roads and railways were later constructed to connect these neighboring towns.

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reconnect | 29

This diagram is the three dimensional map used to define space for the Wabaunsee County Library. The library is a microcosm of the county’s landscape and the natural and man-made paths that bind them.

FIRE STAIR

lower level floor plan ground floor plan COLLECTION OPEN TO BELOW OFFICE LOADING DOCK MEETING ROOM STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY

MEDIA CENTER MAKERSPACE

TEEN GRAND ATRIUM

TASTING ROOM STACKS CHILDREN’S READING AND PLAY ROOM

ENTRY VESTIBULE MISSOURI STREET CITY PARK WC WC WC WC 30 | reconnect

The spaces of the library are organized in both plan and section using the Wabaunsee County map. Visitor’s circulation follows the same path as the converging river systems. As their waterways converge and head downstream in elevation, so too does the library’s guests as they make their way downstairs towards the stacks and other more enclosed program. FIRE STAIR CHILDREN’S COLLECTION

second level floor plan third level floor plan OPEN TO BELOW OPEN TO BELOW ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC MEETING ROOM STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY OFFICE LOADING DOCK MEETING ROOM STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY FIRE STAIR TASTING ROOM STACKS CHILDREN’S READING TEEN GRAND ATRIUM MEDIA CENTER MAKERSPACE ENTRY VESTIBULE MISSOURI STREET CITY PARK WC WC WC WC WC WC OPEN TO BELOW OPEN TO BELOW OFFICE SERVICES MEETING ROOM STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY FIRE STAIR ADMINISTRATION FIRE STAIR CHILDREN’S COLLECTION AND PLAY ROOM COLLECTION GRAND ATRIUM CAFE ENTRY VESTIBULE FRONT DESK KITCHEN COOKING CLASS READING NOOK ADMINISTRATION MEETING ROOM STUDY STUDY WC WC STUDY STUDY FIRE STAIR ROOFTOP GARDENS reconnect | 31

“Reconnect” takes direct inspiration from its surrounding environment that pays homage not just to Wabaunsee’s geography, but to its culture as well by incorporating rooftop gardens that sustainably grow native foods that are then prepared and served in its in-house cafe. Spaces for public classes on sustainable agriculture and scratch cooking are meant to educate and inspire new generations to practice environmentally friendly means of producing quality farm to table experiences that are rooted in Wabaunsee’s heritage.

view of cafe

32 | reconnect

view of kitchen & class

front view of physical model

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section views of physical model

WRAPPED

media center for The Maryland State Library

class: arch. design studio two

duration: two weeks

CIRCULATION WRAPS MASSINGCIRCULATION WRAPS MASSING

CIRCULATION WRAPS MASSING MOTIF WRAPS CIRCULATION CIRCULATION WRAPS MASSING MOTIF WRAPS CIRCULATION

The Maryland State Library renovation project puts technology into the hands of those who previously may not have had access to. There are many different sections within the library, but this specific room focuses on the production of music. Those visiting the library have the ability to meet with fellow musicians, rent professional recording space and equipment, and try new versions of music hardware that push the limits of what music can be. The space directly facilitates these needs by responding to the user’s

SECTION B - B

program. There is a gathering space on the ground floor to meet with other guests and present ideas. Within the bleacher resides a recording studio with ample instruments and equipment. The upper floor houses individual and collaborative hot desks to create digital music using synth technology. All of these programs are surrounded by the design’s wrapping motif to double as sound baffles, hushing unnecessary noise.

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MOTIF 16’ 1’ 4’

MOTIF DEFINES SPACE MOTIF DEFINES SPACE SYNTH TRADITIONAL SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’

MOTIF DEFINES SPACE LIGHT AND SPACE DICTATE PROGRAM MOTIF DEFINES SPACE LIGHT AND SPACE DICTATE PROGRAM EXPANSION SYNTH TRADITIONAL COMPRESSION SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0”

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view from inside recording studio view of lounge space view from second floor entry

38 | wrapped 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ B FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ B FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN SECTION A - A 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ SECTION B - B CIRCULATION WRAPS MASSING MOTIF WRAPS CIRCULATION MOTIF DEFINES SPACE LIGHT AND SPACE DICTATE PROGRAM VIEW FROM CHECKOUT DESK CIRCULATION WRAPS MASSING MOTIF WRAPS CIRCULATION MOTIF DEFINES SPACE LIGHT AND SPACE DICTATE PROGRAM VIEW FROM SECOND FLOOR ENTRY VIEW INSIDE RECORDING STUDIO NATURAL LIGHT EXPANSION SYNTH / EARPHONE MUSIC PRODUCTION TRADITIONAL / OPEN SOUND MUSIC PRODUCTION COMPRESSION ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ B FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ B FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN SECTION A - A 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ SECTION B - B CIRCULATION WRAPS MASSING MOTIF WRAPS CIRCULATION MOTIF DEFINES SPACE LIGHT AND SPACE DICTATE PROGRAM VIEW FROM CHECKOUT DESK CIRCULATION WRAPS MASSING MOTIF WRAPS CIRCULATION MOTIF DEFINES SPACE LIGHT AND SPACE DICTATE PROGRAM VIEW FROM SECOND FLOOR ENTRY VIEW INSIDE RECORDING STUDIO NATURAL LIGHT EXPANSION SYNTH / EARPHONE MUSIC PRODUCTION TRADITIONAL / OPEN SOUND MUSIC PRODUCTION COMPRESSION ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ A A B B FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN MARYLAND LIBRARY OF TECHNOLOGY INTERIOR RENOVATION T. MURILLO ADS2 SPRING ‘22 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ A A B B FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ A A B B FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN MARYLAND LIBRARY OF TECHNOLOGY INTERIOR RENOVATION T. MURILLO ADS2 SPRING ‘22 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ 1’ 4’ 8’ 16’ A A B B FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0” SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0”

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physical model | top floor removed physical model top floor

thank you, tgmurillo@ksu.edu (316) 641-8594