D e s i g n P o r t f o l i o

M y l e s M c N a m a r a

Orthogonal Drawing (2009) [1]Subject: Alvar Aalto’s House & Studio at Munkkiniemi (1935-36)

Purpose: Use conventions of orthogonal drawing to explore the characteristics of an existing historic residence.

Southwest Elevation

Southwest Section

[2]

Living Room Exploded Axonometric

Site & Ground Level Plan

Concept Development (2008) [3]

Subject: Time-Sensitive 12-Hour Design Charette

Purpose: Design an artist’s studio from concept sketches

to a presentation-quality model in 12 hours. Develop both

innovative skylighting & integrated solar water heating.

[4]

Rhino 3D CAD Documentat ion (2009) [5]

Subject: Design Charette Artist’s Studio Concept

Purpose: Use 3D CAD to explore the interplay of

materiality & temporal light conditions.

Southwest Aerial @ Sunrise

Southeast Aerial Roofless Interior

Northwest Ground-Level @ Sunset

Rhino for Expressing Form (2009)

b) Northeast Facade at Sunrise

Purpose: Use 3D CAD to accurately capture and express

the form and materials of complex built subjects.

Adirondack Chair

Acoustic Guitar

Guitar Detail:

The behavior of strings

[6]

Subject: Boathouse Design on the Charles River, Memorial Drive, Cambridge

Purpose: Use existing site conditions to inform design for a public-access rowing facility

Phase One: 2D Existing Site Condition Analysis

Observations:

1) Natural landscape is defined by 3 meandering rivers.

2) Sightlines of intent & building facades @ Mass Ave

reinforce an urgency of linear, efficient cross-town travel.

3) Bending of these lines is rare but integral to movement.

S i te-Sensit ive Design (2009) [7]

Interpretive Perspective Sketch Method of Inquiry

Urban-Scale River Plan

1) A Memorial Drive automobile underpass gains efficiency

by breaking grade beneath the intersection @ Mass Ave.

Phase Two: 3D Investigation: How Lines Are Bent

3) Alvar Aalto’s Baker House maintains the primacy of

line in its streetfront walls, but uses a curvilinear facade to

establish a retreated, publicly-accessible garden.

4) Thesis: Urgent travel lines (blue) are mediated by grade change &

greenspace (green) or facade (orange) to permit vital rest & recreation. [8]

2) Where lanes converge, median greenspace is lost, but a

graded beachfront emerges, granting pedestrian access.

[9]

Phase Three Part I: 2D Building Concept Development

Exploring Design Objectives:

1) Select a site where urgent linear intent can be ‘bent’ & transformed.

2) Use the change of intent in the auto turnabout on Memorial Drive as

a ‘bending point’ from which to allow transition into a ‘meander’.

3) Break grade into the riverside retaining wall in order to sculpt

gradually curvilinear spaciousness, and resist the compaction of line.

Phase Three Part II: 3D Building Concept Development

Refining Design Objectives:

1) Develop a ramped circular ‘hub’ as a means to bending street lines inward.

2) Use circumerferential movement along hub to coax movement up & down.

3) Differentiate light & shadow to reawaken in guests a sense of wonder.

[10]

Phase Four: Rough Draft Full Iteration

Refinements:

1) Develop a ‘harder’ linear streetfront datum with gradual passage into curvilinear release within.

2) The invitation of glimpses & gradual immersion should revitalize guests & athletes from the urgency of the street.

[11]

Phase Four Highlight: Unfolded Section Drawing. Focus: Experience of Entry Sequence Circulation [12]

Phase Five:

Final Design 2D Series [13]

Clockwise:

1) Urban-Scale

Site & Roof Plan

2) North Streetside & South

Riverside Elevations

3) Circulation Axonometric

Phase Five: Final Design 3D Model

‘Clocking’ Aerial Perspectives Series:

Clockwise: northwest pedestrian street approach to

athlete’s descending entry sequence, finishing at interior lockers

[14]

Freehand Drawing (2008) [15]

Comic Book I l lustrat ion:“Boogerkin”: Chapter 3 (2001)

Miscel lania

Manual Arts: Woodworking

2009: Eastern Pine

Traditional English Candlebox

Finished w/ Tung Oil

Manual Arts: Stained Glass

2004: Copper Foil Technique

Commissioned Illustrations

© Modern Love 1999-2000

B&W Line Art for retail cards

Miscel lania [16]