Zachary Brown - Undergraduate Portfolio

ZACHARY BROWN | portfolio selected works 2009-2017

“ONE EYE SEES, THE OTHER FEELS�

An Optic-Haptic Meta-narritive This portfolio contains selected works from design projects developed while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as while employed at Praxis3 Architects in Atlanta, GA. This work was chosen because each project aligns to the concept that there are multiple ways of seeing, and the role that touch plays into the act of creation. The above quotation by artist Paul Klee states it plainly: Optics are often considered the dominant sense in our world, however recognizing the ways in which our cognition feels its way through our environments lead to a richer understanding. These projects are informed by and reflect the proprioception of body, vernacular handcrafts, stretching of mathematical models, structural assemblies emerging from physical algorithms, building structural ornament, and conserving a Brutalist masterpiece.

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01 FULCRUM AND PROSCENIUM An Elevated Stage

02 ITURI CULTURAL CENTER A Semi-Nomadic Santuary

03 ENNEPER PAVILLION An Algebraic Folly

04 NEST ANALYSIS/BUILDING SKIN A Laboratory perched on Michigan Ave.

05 TANGLE JUNGLE

A 3-Dimensional William Morris Carpet

06 ATLANTA CENTRAL LIBRARY An unsolicited re-imagining

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01 FULCRUM AND PROSCENIUM An Elevated Stage

Spring 2010 Studio Instructor: Fred Pearsall

The program deals with multidisciplinary learning that is situated within the historical center of campus. The site exists as a center fulcrum point between the scholastic stage of the library towers and the dramatic and performative stage of the Atlanta city skyline. The building serves to link the controlled processes of learning while taking into account the ever evolving nature of these processes, thereby creating a support for collaborative learning environments. The creation of fulcrum and proscenium increases the application of various learning methods using a translating vertical backdrop. The ephemeral element of light, the active and passive elements of stage, and the physical elements of tension and compression play out this proscenium, enhancing the educational experience at Georgia Tech.

Student Team: Zachary Brown and Chris Martin Diagrams with (*) indicate individual and personal work.

Georgia Tech Site Plan*

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Fulcrum generation: site topography and plinth conditions inform “balanced� program *

WE

RP

LA

NT

D

OD

YD BB

BO

The situation of the observer determines the perceived space of the site volume. The various volumes are generated by the body’s engagement through time. These movements can be recorded and mapped to develop a strategy that determines how to spacially privilege the perspective and figure ground.

collaboration collaboration collaboration collaboration collaboration

PO

Prominant site context >Parti Siteline generation*

studios

classrooms t en ev

workshops

Perfromatice translating vertical elements housed within Fulcrum*

t en v e

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GROUND LEVEL*

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LEVEL2*

SECTION*

LEVEL1*

ELEVATION*

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SITE CONTEXT MODEL*

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02 ITURI CULTURAL CENTER A Semi-nomadic Sanctuary Spring 2009 Studio Instructor: Francis Hsu

In this studio I researched the vernacular building methods of the Mbuti Pygmy tribes in the Congolese rainforests.

The Mbuti are a semi-nomadic people, venturing out into the Forests during roughly half of the year. The Forests provide everything for the Mbuti: hunt, ritual, and rites of passage. It is there that they construct the Mongulu huts that provide them shelter during these months-long excursions. They are constructed by bending branches into arches and weaving interstitial branches and vines to form dome shapes. Large mgongo leaves woven through the latticework provide protection from rain and insects.

When researching the vernacular building methods of the Mbuti Pygmy tribes of the Ituri Rainforest, it was impossible to not also learn about the many threats to their culture and way of life posed by various forces. This project proposes an autonomous retreat that hopes to address these threats by providing a sanctuary space. By providing an adaptable, semi-nomadic architecture that is maintained through traditional building styles of the Mbuti people, the hope is that conservation of their culture can occur in an ever-modernizing world.

deforestation

civil war

modern society

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Traditional Mongulu Huts

Top View

Latticework Detail

Elevation View

Evolution of form: Hunting Camp to Compund

Exploded Assembly

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12

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03 ENNEPER PAVILLION An Algebraic Folly

Fall 2010 Elective: Digital Morphologies Instructor: Daniel Baerlecken

This elective studio had each student select and research a non-euclidian geometric form, and then translate that form into an inhabitable space using Maya modeling software.

In the field of algebraic geometry, the Enneper surface is a self-intersecting surface that can be described parametrically by:

Normalizing the horizontals and verticals gave way to a unit that could tessellate and join with other units where “legs� met. After tectonic experimentation with multiple iterations of unit systems, and adding a final stretching variable to the forms, a multi-tiered spiraling latice form was selected.

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Initial Enneper n=3 (symmetry at 3 axis)

Normalizing horizontals and verticals creates a module that can tessalate TOP VIEW

3 directional tessellation - top view

Linear Tessalation - top view

3 directional tessellation - side view

Linear Tessalation - side view

Stretching of module legs allow accesibility SECTION VIEW

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04 NEST ANALYSIS / BUILDING SKIN A research laboratory perched on Michigan Ave. Fall 2011 Studio Instructors: Lars Spuybroek and Stuart Romm

The Focus for this project was to understand the tectonic and spatial arrangements of birds nests. The Nests are assembled through a simple ruleset of stacking, lineal interlocking and torsional interlocking, that were derived from the inherent geometry of stick forms. With this simple ruleset, a complex form emerged. Through analysis of 1:1 adjacencies, as well as a mapping of group nodes, a generative algorithm was derived that simulates the growth and assembly of a nest from architectural components.

The second part of this project was to apply this nest logic to the reskinning of a midrise building in Chicago, on Michigan Ave. The studio travelled to Chicago to conduct site research.

My reskinning applies the nest logic around a newly created program element. The Program is a metaphor for the body of a bird, with the nest elements taking form from its resultant void.

Nest Research Team: Zachary Brown and Brittany Utting Diagrams with (*) indicated individual and personal work.

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COMPONENT GEOMTRIES + VARIATIONS sample of nest members

θ

*

θ

θ

θ

θ

θ

θ

θ

anomolous instance mutations likely to occur θ =89

θ = 34

θ = 41

θ = 50

θ = 52

θ = 51

θ = 44

θ = 50

avg = 46 stddev = 6.2 mode = 50 max = 52 min = 34 range= 18

θ = 46

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INTERRELATIONS + INTERACTIONS * 1:1 | fundamental domain of interactions between 2 twigs

terminal shoot [linear] T terminal shoot [linear] T terminal shoot [deformed] T’ terminal shoot [bud] Tb terminal shoot [leaf scar] Tl

terminal shoot [deformed] T’

terminal shoot [bud] Tb

terminal shoot [leaf scar] Tl

lateral shoot [plural, parallel] TLp

lateral shoot [plural, alternating] TLa

lateral shoot [plural, helical] TLh

lateral shoot [plural, forked 2] TLf2

lateral shoot [plural, forked 3] TLf3

i1= 0 i2 = 0

i1= 0 i2 = 0’

i1= 0’ i2 = 0’

i1= 0 i2 = 0.5

i1= 0’ i2 = 0.5

i1= 0.5 i2 =

i1= 0 i2 = 0.5

i1= 0’ i2 = 0.5

i1= 0.5 i2 = 0.5

i1= 0.5 i2 = 0.5

1= 0 i2 = 1

i1 = 0’ i2 = 1

i1= 0.5 i2 = 1

i1= 0.5 i2 = 1

n.max = 1 i1= 1 i2 = 1

i1= 0 i2 = 2

i1= 0’ i2 = 2

i1= 0.5 i2 = 2

i1= 0.5 i2 = 2

i1= 1 i2 = 2

i1= 2 i2 = 2

i1= 0 i2 = 2

i1= 0’ i2 = 2

i1= 0.5 i2 = 2

i1= 0.5 i2 = 2

i1= 1 i2 = 2

i1= 2 i2 = 2

i1= 2 i2 = 2

i1= 0 i2 = 3

i1= 0’ i2 = 3

i1= 0.5 i2 = 3

i1= 0.5 i2 = 3

i1 = 1 i2 = 3

i1= 2 i2 = 3

i1= 2 i2 = 3

i1= 3 i2 = 3

i1= 0 i2 = 2

i1= 0’ i2 = 2

i1= 0.5 i2 =2

i1= 0.5 i2 = 2

i1= 1 i2 = 2

i1= 2 i2 = 2

i1= 2 i2 = 2

i1= 3 i2 = 2

i1= 2 i2 = 2

i1= 0 i2 = 3

i1= 0’ i2 = 3

i1= 0.5 i2 = 3

i1= 0.5 i2 = 3

i1= 1 i2 = 3

i1= 2 i2 = 3

i1= 2 i2 = 3

i1= 3 i2 = 3

i1= 2 i2 = 3

lateral shoot [singular] TLs

lateral shoot [plural, parallel] TLp

lateral shoot [singular] TLs

lateral shoot [plural, alternating] TLa lateral shoot [plural, helical] TLh lateral shoot [plural, forked 2] TLf2

i1= 3 i2 = 3

lateral shoot [plural, forked 3] TLf3

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Interation Mapping*

Developing a psuedo-code using RhinoScript variables numberComponents probStack probLinear probParallel

stack

probTerminal probBudScar probLateralShoot probLateralShootParallel probLateralShootAlternating probLateralShootBudScar z

Terminal

arrTwigs arrRefPoints

rndX, rndY, rndZ arrPoints (rndX, rndY, rndZ)

p3

Translate rndTransX, rndTransY, rndTransZ arrPoints (rndTransX, rndTransY, rndTransZ) transArr = arrRefPoints(i-1) - arrRefPoints(i)

twig = Rhino.AddPolyline(arrPoints) referencePoint = arrPoints(0)

p2

twig = Rhino.MoveObject(transArr)

rndThetaX, rndThetaY, rndThetaZ twig = Rhino.RotateObject

arrTwigs(i) = twig arrRefPoints(i) = transArr

twig = Rhino.ExtrudeCurve arrRefPoints(i)

y arrRefPoints(i-1)

w x

Tb.t i=0 n = 1’

p1

arrTwigs(i) = twig arrRefPoints(i) = referencePoint

BudScar

interlockLinear

probTerminal probBudScar probLateralShoot probLateralShootParallel probLateralShootAlternating probLateralShootBudScar

rndX, rndY, rndZ, rndBud arrPoints (rndX, rndY, rndBud, rndY, rndZ)

p4

twig = Rhino.AddPolyline(arrPoints) referencePoint = arrPoints(0)

p3 p2

rndThetaX, rndThetaY, rndThetaZ twig = Rhino.RotateObject twig = Rhino.ExtrudeCurve

arrRefPoints(i)

arrRefPoints(i-1) f

p1

arrTwigs(i) = twig arrRefPoints(i) = referencePoint

Tb.a i=1 n = 1.5

LateralShoot

rndX, rndY, rndZ, rndShoot aarrPoints (rndX, rndY, rndShoot rndY, rndZ)

interlockParallel

probTerminal probBudScar probLateralShoot probLateralShootParallel probLateralShootAlternating probLateralShootBudScar

p4

twig = Rhino.AddPolyline(arrPoints) referencePoint = arrPoints(0)

p3 p2

rndThetaX, rndThetaY, rndThetaZ twig = Rhino.RotateObject twig = Rhino.ExtrudeCurve

t arrRefPoints(i)

arrRefPoints(i-1) t

p1

arrTwigs(i) = twig arrRefPoints(i) = referencePoint

Tb.a.L i=1 n=2

LateralShootParallel

rndX, rndY, rndZ, rndShoot aarrPoints (rndX, rndY, rndShoot rndY, rndShoot, rndY, rndZ) p6

twig = Rhino.AddPolyline(arrPoints) referencePoint = arrPoints(0) rndThetaX, rndThetaY, rndThetaZ twig = Rhino.RotateObject

p5 p4

p3

p2

twig = Rhino.ExtrudeCurve arrTwigs(i) = twig arrRefPoints(i) = referencePoint

p1

Tb.a.Lp.p i=2 n=3

LateralShootAlternating rndX, rndY, rndZ, rndShoot aarrPoints (rndX, rndY, rndShoot rndY, -rndShoot, rndY, rndZ) twig = Rhino.AddPolyline(arrPoints) referencePoint = arrPoints(0) rndThetaX, rndThetaY, rndThetaZ twig = Rhino.RotateObject

p5

p3

p6

p4

p2

twig = Rhino.ExtrudeCurve arrTwigs(i) = twig arrRefPoints(i) = referencePoint

Tb.aLp.a i=2 n=3

p1

LateralShootBudScar rndX, rndY, rndZ, rndBud, rndShoot aarrPoints (rndX, rndY, rndBud rndY, rndShoot, rndY, rndZ) twig = Rhino.AddPolyline(arrPoints) referencePoint = arrPoints(0) rndThetaX, rndThetaY, rndThetaZ twig = Rhino.RotateObject

p5

p6 p4 p3 p2

twig = Rhino.ExtrudeCurve arrTwigs(i) = twig arrRefPoints(i) = referencePoint

p1

Tb.aLb.a i=2 n = 2.5

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RE-SKINNING - APPLICATION OF BIRD NEST ALGORITHM*

!!!

Introducing [Program] as [Bird body]. Ultimate form of the nest emerges from surface that wraps the Program body.

Nest form as resultant of body void

Curves that generate lofted Surface

Grasshopper script that proliferates nest members within the lofted surface at box morph verticies

Adustable parameters in the script control density of nest member proliferation

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PHENOMENOLOGICAL SECTION

ELEVATION

SECTION

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05 TANGLE JUNGLE

A Three-Dimensional William Morris Carpet Fall 2011 Elective Instructors: Lars Spuybroek and Sabri Gokmen

In William Morris’ carpets, ornament (vines and tendrils) implies a 3D network. In Tangle Jungle studio, I individually diagrammed these interactions of woven form to develop a structural logic that is ornament itself. The studio as a collective applied these rulesets of interlacing and bifurcation to construct a three-dimensional carpet that was displayed at the Georgia Tech I Imagine, I See, I Make Salon in Spring 2011 curated by Barbara Maria Stafford.

Student Team | Zachary Brown, Katherine Dunatov, Mike Bennett, Aaron Coffman, Abaan Ali, Katherine Giraldo, Amyn Soldier, Yinzi Tan. Captions with (*) indicate individual, personal work.

William Morris’ Carbrook Carpet --> Vectorized tendrils*

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Isolating dominant vine vectors - pulling them out of 2D*

Rotations of an experimental quadtrant - mirroring and multiplying*

+3y

+3y

middle-curves +3y

endpoints +3y

startpoints - 3y

startpoints - 3y

+3y

+3y

middle-curves +3y

endpoints +3y

startpoints - 3y

startpoints - 3y

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Rotations of an experimental quadtrant - NURBS control points on primary and secondary structural vines*

0 deg rotation

-10 deg rotation

-20 deg rotation

+10 deg rotation

+20 deg rotation

-10 deg rotation

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Joining two quadrant systems - assigning Structural Joints*

quadrant -z

Final quadrant assembly- Infilling the Structural Ornament*

Quadrant -K

+

primary structural joint

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View from Peachtree Street with Media Streams

06 ATLANTA CENTRAL LIBRARY An unsolicited re-imagining Spring 2016 Project Leads: David Hamilton and Stuart Romm

CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN

A group of designers at Praxis3 undertook an unsolicited, pro-bono design effort to show that the Marcel Breuer designed Atlanta Central Library, when facing possible demolishment by Atlanta City Council, could once again be a vital, dynamic part of the Atlanta community.

The design shows how the building can be reprogrammed with new library and civic functions. Interventions on the interior of the building open up the space and give it new life. Exterior renovation opens up the plaza to be a more inviting civic space while adding direct access to once closed off auditorium spaces. Finally, a series of subtle digital projections are added into the sculptural recesses of the faรงade to activate and display a revitalized Library program.

Design Team: Zachary Brown, Ander Hav, Kristen Coursen, Daniel Kim, Matt Riggs, Alicia Rabadan, Jonathan Cook, Robert Nuttal, Scott Hardin.

(Work Displayed here with an * indicates Personal Work contributed to this effort. )

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View at Second Level, New atrium at window*

CONCEPTUAL PROGRAM * Service Quiet / Controled Space Branch Library Public / After Hours Program Outdoor Space

LEVEL O6

Event Space

LEVEL O5

Outdoor Space

Special Collections Margaret Mitchell Collection

LEVEL O4

Nonfiction Reading

Collaboration and Meeting Space

LEVEL O3 LEVEL O2

Fiction Kids Area (Level 02) Maker Space (level 02) Reading

View at First Level, New grand stair to second level*

Internet Reading Circulation

LEVEL O1

Entry / City Room Outdoor Space

Service City Design Center

BASEMENT

Restaurant Gallery Auditorium

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