Cayla McConnellMasters of Architecture Recipient

ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN PORTFOLIO

TABLE OF CONTENTS Statement of Intent pg. 1

Info pg. 2

Studio IV: pg. 3-4 Colorado Coalition for the Homeless /Beacon Place Comp Studio: pg. 5-6 Whooping Crane Hibachi Restaurant Advanced Studio: pg. 7-10 The Windcatcher House Design Build Project Urban Design Study: pg. 11-12

Speer Blvd. Re-Development Project

STATEMENT OF INTENTAs young child, playing with blocks to build forts and small houses and making structures out of

building and design at a very young age. From then on, my fascination with the built environ-ment has continued to grow.

-ate student in architecture, I plan on furthering my education and career by becoming as knowl-

and its counter parts. Throughout my studies thus far, I have gained commercial, residential and institutional design skills that I will carry through-out my career. I have also became very interested in design/build, interior design, historic preserva-tion, urban planning and urban design. Many of my design elective classes and volunteer projects have focused around these related areas. Overall, my goal as a professional is to have a very reward-ing career in designing the way we live and plan for the future.

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INFOCayla McConnell

8640 W. 81st DriveArvada, CO 80005

cayla.mcconnell@colorado.edu(303)249-3843

Education University of Colorado

Denver, Masters of Architecture

University of Colorado Boulder,

Bachelors of Environmental Design

“I know the price of success: dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.”

-Frank Lloyd Wright

“Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context – a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan.”

-Eliel Saarinen” 2

After examining Beacon Place, one of the housing centers for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, we were able to determine a design solution for the renovation and preserva-tion of the Beacon project. Because of the nature of the historic building and the lifestyle of the residents, the idea of connection between inside/outside became the driving concept in the proposed design.

The design focuses on three main areas to help exhibit the concept; the bus stop, the alley and the connector element. The connector element connects between the existing and new building, bringing the residents in and out of the build-ing where they can experience diversity of space and gives the opportunity for both indoor and outdoor activity. Exterior planting and a bridge garden help create a natural environ-ment that is then translated into the building. The alley has been re-designed to help utilize the space to create a larger outdoor area for the residents to enjoy and connect with the community.

SITE PLAN

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STUDIO IV

EAST ELEVATION

2ND FLOOR PLAN 3RD FLOOR PLAN

WEST SECTION

Colorado Coalition for theHomeless

Becon Place ProjectDenver, Colorado

Fall 2009 4

BAR ENTRANCE

RECEIVING

LINENS

WASTE

DISHES

STORAGE

PREP

MECHANICAL

BATHROOMS

DINING

CONCEPT PARTI The main concept for this project was to create a contemporary urban infill resturaunt in the upcoming High-lands neghborhood in the Denver area. As a team, we tried to convey the idea of the Habatchi resturaunt as an experience. To see and be seen, is conveyed in the transparent material useage and in the all glass facade that can completly open up to outside. Also, by playing off the idea of a bamaboo forest, we were able to create an interior that was both intriqute but functional. Studying resturaunt flow and occupany maxi-mazation was also an imprtant part of the design process.

Building efficentcy was achieved with operatble clearstoy windows for passive cooling in the summer, a modular a floor plan for construction and material efficency and skylights and lightwells help create natural lighting. This project gave us the oppurtunity to pay attention to detail, learn how to create a successful structural system and learn to understan how all building systems corrdinate and work together in the buidling.

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ROOF

ROOF JOIST

BEAM

SLIDING GLASS DOOR

FINISHED CONCRETE FLOORGLASS RAILING

METAL DECKING

SUSPENDED CEILING

HOOD SCREEN

OVEN HOOD

FOUNDATION WALL

FOUNDATION

INSULATION

DRAINAGE PIPE

FOOTING

GRAVEL

1ST FLOOR PLAN

2ND FLOOR PLAN

BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN

COMPREHENSIVE STUDIO

The Whooping CraneHabatchi Restauraunt

Denver, ColoradoSpring 2010

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

WALL SECTION DETAIL

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With a team of 22 graduate students, I received the opportunity to design and build a house on the Navajo reservation in Utah for a needy family. After the emotional process of selecting a family, we began design work in smaller teams. Communication, collaboration and creativity brought the house into a reality. The main concepts for the house included connect-ing the house to the natural environment, passive heating and cooling to support the off grid location, as well as material efficiency. The main feature of house is the Windcatcher tower that both heats and cools the house passively in the harsh desert climate. Two of the main walls were constructed out of rammed earth, a thick compressed earth wall that keeps the interior of the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The house also has a very open main area floor plan for family gathering and is oriented to the east, the most sacred direction for the Navajo culture. Not only did this project give us a chance to get real project experience, but it also gave us a chance to experiment and be creative while helping a family in the process.

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ADVANCED STUDIO

The Windcatcher HouseDesign Build Bluff

Bluff, UtahFall 2010

HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM RAMMED EARTH CONSTRUCTION

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As a student design builder, I was apart of the project budgeting team, a part of the interior finished team and the leader of kitchen design and construction. With the interior finished team, we created ceilings using both large metal sheets and recylcled wood panels. A wood feature wall brings color and texture to the living area and wood accents and trimming brings the interior space together. As the leader of the kitchen design, we wanted to make the kitchen island a focal point in the room. We ended up creating a composite concrete countertop consisting of recycled glass and conctete. The island and shelving were hand built and a generous donation from 3Form allowed us to add stylish accent pieces to the kitchen. Stainless steel appliances and an undermount sink, give the kitchen a contmepory feel.

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ADVANCED STUDIO

The Windcatcher HouseDesign Build Bluff

Bluff, UtahFall 2010

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The main concept for this project was to create a contemporary urban infill resturaunt in the upcoming High-lands neghborhood in the Denver area. As a team, we tried to convey the idea of the Habatchi resturaunt as an experience. To see and be seen, is conveyed in the transparent material useage and in the all glass facade that can completly open up to outside. Also, by playing off the idea of a bamaboo forest, we were able to create an interior that was both intriqute but functional. Studying resturaunt flow and occupany maxi-mazation was also an imprtant part of the design process.

Building efficentcy was achieved with operatble clearstoy windows for passive cooling in the summer, a modular a floor plan for construction and material efficency and skylights and lightwells help create natural lighting. This project gave us the oppurtunity to pay attention to detail, learn how to create a successful structural system and learn to understan how all building systems corrdinate and work together in the buidling.

PHASE 1 PHASE 2

PHASE 3

SPACE SYNTAX11

SPECIAL TOPICS: URBAN DESIGN

Speer Blvd. Re-Development Project

Denver, COSpring 2011

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

“Creating an exciting and walkable environment in the heart of Denver”

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