Nedith A. Wikina | Master of Architecture Candidate 2013 | Work Sample

ARCH 513: Comprehensive Design Studio_Roger Williams University_Spring Semester 2011 | Mumbai, IndiaA Museum of Tolerance.

The proposal for the museum manifests from India’s heri-tage of achieving introspec-tion through pilgramage. This self imposed embarkment is one of the eldest ways of TRAV-ELING FROM ONE DESTINATION TO ANOTHER, historically in search of salvation.The staggered linear pres-ence of the architecture was a response to the architectural language of the existing Ghats along India’s coastal edge.

d Heri Four distinct volumes, increase in width moving away from the street to the water. At the center of the largest volume are steps to the water cutting through the thick mass, present-ing a contemplative meeting with the water.The volumes extend 15ft in height above street level providing areas of shade and protec-tion against the hot, humid climate of Mumbai.

Dialoguing wituing with

The origin of the landscape of the museum begins with the axis of the street edge and extends the entry of the Haji Ali causeway into a social platform that stretches towards the museum. The landscape moves in-between the protruding architectural

walls.

ARCH 530: Special Topic: Furniture Design: Coffee Table_Professor Carl Safe_Washington University, St. Louis_May 2012 ARCH 313: Core Five [5] Design Studio_Roger Williams University_Fall Semester 2009 | Providence, Rhode IslandA tea table for Yin and Yang,

The composition of this table was inspired by the Chinese Yin-Yang symbol of two con-trasting elements whose ex-istence is dependent on the existence of the other. The table is constructed of two mirrored halves that slide to-gether to create one piece.

A cafe pavilion sited along the Providence waterfront,

This architecture was de-signed to maintain visual

continuity between the street and water awhile providing a shaded rest area for the pe-destrians of the boardwalk that lines the edge of the

river

ARCH 413: Advanced Design Studio: Urban Renewal_ Roger Williams University_Spring Semester 2010 | New Bedford, MassachsettsA revitalization of Customs House Square.

The urban task was to re-design an existing open block and parking lot, that is Customs House Square, providing a main gather-ing space for New Bedford’s annual social event awhile creating an environment the speaks to the historic fab-ric of the city that framed by a rich history of Whal-ing.

ARCH 416: Advanced Topical Design Studio: Roger Williams University_ Study Abroad Semester Spring 2012 | Florence, ItalyA dialogue between the histor-ic fabric and a contemporary culture

The aim of the studio was to present various exercises that provoked critical thought about contemporary interpre-tation and historic rehabili-tation of the public realm within Florence, Italy.

| Abstract

Thresholds are encountered psychologically and physically. It is a state that must be crossed so a new state may be inhabited. It is what allows us to move forward. Crossing a threshold is such an innate need and movement that is an encounter that is �rst met with a subconscious mind before it conscious. It is a liminal zone, a moment that is barely perceptible. The psychological threshold occurs both short term (the period of moving from awake to asleep and vice versa) and long term (maturation with age; coming of age). The physical threshold reoccurs only on short term.

This about exploring unbroken movement through the absence of the conventional doorway. It is an examination of the shared boundary lines between contrasting spatial conditions. Dutch Artist, M.C Escher’s 1938 print of “Sky and Water” is the inspiration from which this thesis draw on ideas of the foreground, the middle ground and the back-ground. It is architecturally exploiting the middle ground, the moment where the exis-tence of the foreground and background are dependent of the boundary of the other, allowing for a seamless alternation two possible conditions of place.

| Program

Sensory experience is a �rst -hand foundation for human knowledge. The way we inter-act with another human being and or objects with in our environment resonates from perception, memory, signi�cation, emotion and thoughts from prior conscious experi-ences. Children have the ability to experience the world with heightened sensory needs and have the ability to move through space completely di�erent than that of an adult. They are able explore their environment uninhibited. Their productive development thrives on positively stimulating environments. This program is an architecture that embraces body movement and prepares the body for arrival. It will provide spaces for calisthenic movement, a simple rhythmical exercise that does not require the support of equipment. Body strength (muscular and cardiovas-cular �tness) and �exibility are increased through self-weight acting as resistance. The presence of the spaces will take on the role of an external resistance on the participant, to increase �tness bene�ts. It is divided into the four phases of exercise which are a gradual sequence that provides preparation, recreation and recovery time for the body. Stretching prepares the body to move from rest to activity. This phase will provide a place to lounge. The warm-up also prepares the body to move from rest to activity. But it also lessons the stress placed on your heart and muscles, by gradually increasing breathing, heart rate and body temperature.This phase will be a spatial threshold to entering the spaces for conditioning. The conditioning produces �tness bene�ts. This phase will provide spaces for cardiovascular �tness: Rhythmic, Aquatic ,Running + Cy-cling . The cool down recovers the body , allowing for the heart rate and blood pressure to return to near resting value. It is a slow decrease from intense activity. The cool down phase is also known as the “carbohydrate window”, the period of which the body opti-mizes its ability to replenish energy stores, depleted during the conditioning phase. This phase will provide a space for : consumption of food and beverage that will refuel the body, ease muscle tension and improving blood circulation.

| ClientNike | Game Changers

“In 2009, Architecture for Humanity and Nike Inc’s Sustainable Business & Innovation established a revolving grants program that has funded the design and construction of innovative, sustainable and safe places to play. The goal was to provide capital to imple-ment these structures in communities that are typically overlooked, while addressing various topics including: Gender and Sport: create equal access to sport across genders and create safe spaces for girls/ women; Leadership Through Sports: provide positive alternatives to at-risk youth, particularly young men; Alternative Play: develop innovative alternatives to play spaces for communities that lack resources”

Invigorating �resholds: Constructing points of entry as a seamless transition.

| Precedents

Espai de la Lira | Ripoll Spain| RCR Arquitectos |44m Bridge, 599 m2 Square surface Ciaxa Forum |Madrid Spain | Herzog & De Mueron |2008 | 11000 m2 | 118403 ft2Bamboo Bridge School |Fujian China | Li Xiadong | 2009| 240 m2 | 2583 ft2

Nedith A. Wikina | Arch 641 | Graduate Thesis Research Seminar | Professor Hasan-Uddin Khan

This space was constructed to be the “gate-way of the public space” of the square that connects the Paseo del Maestro Guich and 1’Escorxador street.It is a square sited within a architectural complex built on the demolished theatre La Lira. A two level pedestrian and contem-plation bridge spans across the river. La Lira is located at the crossing of two rivers, Ter and Freser; which water energy was used to forge steel. Steel was used to evoke memo-ries of the historic metallurgical industry in Ripoll.The objective wwas to create a cov-ered space for a meeting point of arrival and departure while maintaining the spirit of the theatre.

It is an adaptive reuse construction, incor-porating the walls of a older power plant and the site of an old gas station, with new construction underground as well as above. It is a multi-purpose art centre with galler-ies, o�ces, auditoriuim and restarants. The materiality of the classi�ed brick shell is remincetent of the early industrial age in Madrid. The architectural gesture of the �oating mass that draws the visitors to the door. The covered public space provides shade to vistors and the location of the main entrance. It is a place between the outside and the inside.

The goal was to provide a place for children to learn, a opportunity to cross the river and a place for public gatherings. It is composed of two schoolhouses that are �exible multi-purpose spaces for the rural village. The pedestrian bridge is located underneath the school and spans the width of the river. The school is supported with two large steel spans with smaller framing as supports and local material was used help blend the architecture with the surrounding context through texture and aesthetics.

| SiteWest Farms, Bronx New York

This architecture is public and seeks a pedestrain oriented realm that is easily accessible for investigation and can be spontaneously encountered along the way. The architecture needs to be situated between nature and an urban enviroment.

The site is located along a 23 mile Watershed corridor that is the Bronx River. This portion of the river is an under developed link between the Northern Westchester County and Southern Bronx portions. The scope of work would involve creating new open space on sites which include an abandoned concrete plant, a reclaimed street end and long ne-glected stretch of land across the river from starlight park. The Greenway River plan is a comprehensive overview aiming to provide 633 acres of multi-use parkland extending the full length of the river �owing through the Westchester county + the Bronx as well as providing solutions for the urban runo� pollution. It is the only fresh water river in New York city. The presence of 19th centry manu-facturing plants led to the decrease in water quality, turning the river into a natural sewer for natural waste and expansive amounts of impermeable surfaces prevents rainwater from naturally being intercepted by vegetation and in�ltrating into the soil, disturbing �ow patterns within the channel. The West Farms, eight-mile stretch of river is currently undergoing restoration of wildlife habitats and its water quality by the Bronx River Alli-ance, The Bronx River Watershed Coalition and the Bronx River Ecological Restoration progam. The environment along the river provides a sharp contrast to its surrounding urban enviroment that recently began new housing construction in the early 90’s, to revitalized the neighboor hood since its abandonment and widespread building destruction by arson during an economic decline in 50’s. The dense vegetation along the river banks masks the hums of cars traveling along its perimeters, presenting a quiet moment for a remote strolling, �shing, biking and nature study.

Stretching_______________________________________ Relaxation Gallery Lounge Therapy Physical + First Aid Physical Therapist O�ce Examination Room Storage Reception Lobby

TotalWarm-up_______________________________________ Preparation Personal Storage Locker rooms (M +W)

Conditioning_____________________________________ Fitness Rhymthic Dance studio Aquatic Canoe + Kayak dock Swimming pool Cycling Bicycle lane Running Running track Football pitch Basketball court

TotalCool Down_______________________________________ Recovery Food + Beverage Snack bar Relaxation Steam space

Total Gross Square Area

1_2500 [400] 1_100 1_2001_100 1_500

4700

1_2900

3_1500 1_500 1_ 12500 1 1_ 1,312 ft 1_5000 1_4700

24200

1_500 1_1000

150032700

d“He paused on the threshold and then entered.” _ Unknown

ARCH 613: Graduate Research Seminar: Thesis Proposal Roger Williams University_Fall Semester 2012

| West Farms, Bronx, New York

Graduate Thesis Design Studio_ Spring Semester 2013

This Thesis will be an exploration of the Threshold as an inquiry about the space in the middle between the foreground and the background. What Are the Architectural qualities of a place that creates a seamless transition between two contrasting envi-ronments?