PORTFOLIO OF WORK

John P Whitaker AIA, LEED AP

2017

I compiled this portfolio to illustrate my abilities in creative thinking and design. I have only included work for which I feel comfortable claiming direct and significant influence upon the architectural design. However, all projects produced within a firm setting and the majority of personal projects were collaborative efforts. I have done my best to be clear in assigning credit to the principals, artists, designers, and

collaborators that I have had the privilege of working with and learning from over the years, and to clearly define my role in each project. I hope that this portfolio exhibits the pride I take in working with other creative people. My experience has been far more enjoyable and successful due to the involvement of these creative thinkers and friends.

I also strive to be well versed in other creative pursuits that are peripheral to architecture. Unless noted otherwise, all photography, rendering, sketching, and graphic design work is my own.

RUDISILL MIXED-USE

2016

Charlotte, North Carolina

Collaboration with Matthew Kempf AIAJose Noya+ Rachel Whitaker

DENSITY

Two story height responds to neighborhood scale. Building extends the length of site to maximize tenant space yet preserves sections of outdoor space for community use.

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT

Separations in building mass connect outdoor spaces to encourage exploration of site and increase opportunities for interaction between neighbors.

ORIENTATION

Building angle defines three unique site areas: plaza, garden + backyard.

FUNCTIONAL FACADE

Apertures extend to provide units with views of downtown skyline and reduce the scale of the street facing facade.

This mixed-use development located in the Wilmore neighborhood of Charlotte, NC serves as a way point between surrounding neighborhoods and the uptown urban core. Eighteen residential units, 13,000 square feet of retail, a community garden, and ample public outdoor space combine to create a unique community destination. Drawing from other inspired Southern cities, the site design features shaded terraces, open air porches, and lush native ecology.

The building partitions the site into three distinct areas: the street-front plaza, the resident backyard, and the radial garden. Each area pairs a landscape atmosphere with a specific community function. The building’s orientation on the site in combination with the angled second floor

facade allows oblique views of the downtown skyline for all second-floor units. To promote interaction between residents and a shared sense of ownership of the site, priority was given to community outdoor space over private.

The residential units combine passive environmental control cues from the side porches and courtyards of the Charleston single, with the expansive indoor/outdoor living concept of the archetypal Hawaiian Lanai. The living-dining-kitchen space within each unit functions as a “side porch” with large operable openings providing tenants with the ability to regulate natural air flow throughout the unit. The front and back outdoor porches expand the living space and provide a visual connection to the site.

CHARLESTON SINGLE

Side porch functions as outdoor living room offering occupants shade and ample air movement. House is typically a single-room width allowing cross ventilation.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Nesting glass doors expand living areas to porches, blurring line between indoor / outdoor.

UNIT CONCEPT

Passive environmental strategies of the Charleston single + open plan living spaces of the Hawaiian Lanai.

WORKING SPACE

Angled apertures provide studio office and front porches with views of downtown skyline.

FUNCTIONAL FACADE

Wood slat facade allows natural ventilation while regulating privacy and solar gain. Operable panel opens front porch to the street.

1200 sf 2nd level

1800 sf 2nd level

1200 sf 1st level

1800 sf 1st level

1200 sf ada compliant

1800 sf ada complaint

KISSICK CREEK FARMHOUSE

2014

Maples, Missouri

Collaboration with Rachel Whitaker

3

Rural Courtyard: Ozark farms feature a unique collection of utilitarian out-buildings, barns, sheds, and shelters added over time on an as needed basis. The perimeter of these gathered structures establishes a loose boundary for a more cultivated and protected space. This interior space or “rural courtyard” features views to the surrounding country framed between out-buildings.

1 2

3

NORTH

existing houseaddition1940’s barnout buildingbottom field

rural courtyard

12345

1 2

3

4

5

The Kissick Creek Farm is a 250 acre working cattle farm located in Dent County at the Northwestern edge of the Missouri Ozarks. The farm buildings consist of a well preserved 1940’s era livestock and hay loft barn, a residence built in the early 1980’s, and a small collection of unremarkable metal out-buildings. Since its construction, the residence served as a home for a family of four. Now retired with adult children, the parents wanted to expand this small home and establish the farm as the gathering place for current and future generations of their family.

covered breezewayentrystudio / librarysitting roomkitchendining roomliving roombath

12345678

laundrypatiooutdoor storagedenmaster suitescreened porchgarage

9101112131415

123

4

5 6 7

8 9

10

11

12

15

1314

addition

renovation

outdoor area

existing - no work

BasemenT

livingPaTio

BaTh

lofT

The East addition was conceived not as an extension of the current house, but as a separate out-building. The existing gable form was simplified, repeated, and pulled away from the existing house. A glass dining room between the structures retains this visual separation while providing the necessary conditioned link. The concrete floor of this dining space stands in contrast to the white oak flooring present in the existing house and East addition. The continuation of the concrete patio through the dining room reinforces the concept of form and void, man-made enclosure and rural courtyard between.

summer solar angles

before renovation

after renovation

The existing house experienced overheating due to solar gain from the South facing greenhouse. The home was originally designed as passive solar, but poor quality glazing and operable vents that were never installed rendered many of these intentions obsolete. The owners later installed an exterior fabric awning to provide relief, which also blocked 90% of the home’s view of the surrounding country. The greenhouse also had a floor level six feet below the rest of the ground floor which restricted connections to the rest of the house and blocked views to the outdoors. These problems resulted in the space very rarely being used.

The South greenhouse was replaced. A new floor was extended from the ground floor level over the existing foundation wall and capped with a simple shed roof. This gained floor space space become the entry foyer and craft studio, the former sunken greenhouse re-purposed as storage. Floor to ceiling windows now provide expansive views of the barn and fields beyond.

2015 Hammons School of Architecture Alumni - Merit Award

- Jeffery Day AIA of Min | Day Architects lead juror

exisTing condiTion

HOPE PAVILION

2015

Wake Forest, North Carolina

Collaboration with Chad ButterworthMichael MillsJose NoyaNilam Patel+ Carrie Strayhorn

approach from streetapproach from Hope Houserampporch (small gathering)fire pitbenchstorageserving windowclassroomswinging wall / projection screenbackyard (large gathering)

1234567891011

1

2 3

4

5

6

6

1

97

8

11

10

The front porch is a place of initiated interaction between a resident and neighbor or newcomer alike. Through a granted invitation, the porch can serve as a transition between public to private realm and build a relationship from acquaintance to friend. This social dynamic was the guiding principle throughout the design process for our entry to ReSpace 2014.

The parti for our entry to the ReSpace Competition 2014 is an over exaggeration of the physical porch space as it is commonly understood. Three primary planes from the existing Hope House (roof, raised floor, and entry wall) are repeated, enlarged, the entry wall pulled apart; creating a portal that serves as a generous space for public gathering and a figurative open invitation to the neighborhood.

NORTH

UP

UP

UP

LUMBER WALLS2x4 & 2x6 “off-cUTs”

CONCRETE FOOTINGRe-BaR Tie-doWnsecURes Wall sTRUcTURe

sheeT sTeelPaving sTones

2x4sReclaimed siding, PainT

chain-linK fencingfield sTones

consTRUcTion deBRis

ROOFgalvaniZed sTeel

COLUMNSsisTeRed 2x lUmBeR

2x6 JoisTs1x2 sTRiPs

Parti

The size and form of the Pavilion were pulled directly from the gable proportions of the existing Hope House. This was intended to acknowledge the Pavilion as subservient to the original purpose of the Hope House and to match the scale and form common to the surrounding neighborhood. ReSpace is a competition meant to foster exceptional contemporary design while utilizing as many reclaimed and recycled materials as possible. Our entry responds to this challenge in many ways. The structure of the roof and support columns are composed entirely of standard 2X lumber joined

strategically to maximize strength where needed and accomplish greater spans than possible with single 2X members. The two wood lattice walls are built from “cut off” lumber scraps common to construction site dumpsters. These discarded pieces form the tectonic unit of our two primary walls. The lumber is stacked into a porous lattice—a wall that is simultaneously massive and translucent. To blur the building’s footprint, chain link fence turned gabion baskets extend out into the site, serving as low walls, benches, and landscaping beds. These walls divide the site into smaller gathering spaces and further abstract the distinction of “porch”, “yard”, “inside”, and “outside”.

2014 Habitat for Humanity ReSpace Competition - Grand Prize Winner

RUIN HOUSE

2015

Denver, Colorado

Collaboration with Rachel Whitaker

The existing building is brick masonry built around the year of 1895. The building has been used as a garage, a grocery, hardware store, and possibly as an annex to a fire station that once stood directly to the South. Prior to the current residential renovation, the building was being used as a psychologist’s office.

The building’s various uses and renovations through its long life have resulted in the infill of the original garage door and the replacement of original doors and windows with tube steel framed windows and a hollow metal entry door. The building is located within a historic district which restricts changes to any parts of the structure, decorative elements, or materials of the street facing facade (East). All alterations occurring prior to 1980 are considered “historic” and required to remain.

This project called for the adaptation of a 120+ year old single-story commercial structure into a two story residence for two young professionals with a great interest and affinity for modern art and design. The structure is located on an extremely restricted site in a historically protected block of one of Denver, Colorado’s oldest neighborhoods. The project passed extensive review from the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission and was awarded a variance by the City of Denver Board of Adjustment.

ST

RE

ET

10

2

3

5

46

8

7

9 1211

13 1

1 2 4 8’ NORTH

pervious paver landscapeentryliving roomkitchendining roompantrypowder roommaster bedroommaster bathwclaundry / mechanicalgarageoutdoor gathering spaceguest bedroomguest bathofficeroof deckmechanical roof

123456789101112131415161718

floor plan

The existing building footprint covered 72% of the property leaving a 9’-0” wide area along the North boundary. This area was enclosed with a wood slat fence to be utilized as an entry courtyard of concrete pavers and low plantings.One panel of the fence pivots to provide the option of privacy or in the event of a hosted gathering, an uninterrupted indoor / outdoor living space that extends nearly to the street.

14

OPEN TO BELOW

15 16 1718

Formally, the building was stripped down to a masonry ruin followed by the insertion of a double height volume who’s extents were defined by the existing masonry walls and the site’s tight zoning setbacks. This volume of glazing and black stained cypress seeks to clearly distinguish its time period from that of the brick base while formally stepping back to reduce its presence when viewed from the street. The texture and patina of the 100 year old masonry walls remains the most important material expression to the passing pedestrian.

lvl

sKYlighT

meTal flashing aT PaRaPeT

BlacK sTained cYPRess siding oveR 1/4” dRainage mesh

sPRaY foam insUlaTion

gYPsUm Wall BoaRd

meTal flashing dRiP edge

TPo oveR TaPeRed Rigid insUlaTion

1” Rigid insUlaTion BeTWeen exisTing

masonRY and sTUd Wall

hvac sUPPlY

3’-0” Zoning seTBacK

PRoPeRTY line

lvl aT second flooR level

TPo oveR TaPeRed Rigid insUlaTion

sTUd Wall WiTh 3” BaTT insUlaTion

exisTing doUBle WYThe masonRY Wall

1 2 4 8’

CHICKASAW PAVILION

2009

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Fitzsimmons Architects - Firm of Record

Brian Fitzsimmons AIA - Lead Architect

approach roadapproachgathering arearestroomssecure storage

12345

1NORTH

2

4

4

6

3

The Chickasaw Pavilion is a small sub-project within the larger redevelopment of the homestead

birthplace of the late Oklahoma Senator Robert S. Kerr. The recently restored 1890’s era Kerr Cabin

sits at the crest of the hill overlooking the surrounding country. Lower on the site, the pavilion keeps

a humble profile, composed of durable muted materials, the structure blends with the surrounding

colors of the prairie.

Responsibilities on this project team included construction document production, and substantial

design input. Involved in project from schematic design stage through construction documents.

Design remains unbuilt.

2010 AIA Central Oklahoma - Merit Award - Unbuilt

OKLAHOMA CASE STUDY HOUSE

2010

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Fitzsimmons Architects - Firm of Record

Brian Fitzsimmons AIA - Lead Architect

13

The Oklahoma Case Study House was inspired by the client’s love of the mid-century California Case-Study houses, and designed to respond to an urban, elevated site.  The design strives to achieve a sense of privacy while retaining a connection to the view outdoors.  The house features an open plan second floor entertaining space that includes the living room, kitchen, and dining area. The master bedroom is also on the second level with it’s own elevated patio. Each room boasts a panoramic view of Oklahoma City’s skyline and surrounding metropolis. Responsibilities on this project team included design input, construction document production, and assisting in various parts of the home’s construction. Involved in project from schematic design stage through substantial completion.

2011 AIA Central Oklahoma - Honor Award - Architecture

3

ground floor second floor

NORTH

entry from streetfront porchcigar roomguest bathback patioshopgarage

1234567

drive from alleydiningkitchenlivingmaster bedroommaster bathbalcony

891011121314

STATE OF BEER

2014

Raleigh, North Carolina

The Raleigh Architecture Company - Design Architect +

General Contractor

Robby Johnston AIA, Craig Kerins AIA - Lead Architects

31

2

4

7

8

6

5

55

2 4 8’NORTH

entrybenchbar tapfood prep areabottle displaycoolersstorage roomwalk-in cooler

12345678

floor plan

Photographs by Raymond Goodman

State of Beer is a bar and bottle shop specializing in rare and high-end craft beer selections. The existing space was a “left over” located within a mixed use building in downtown Raleigh. Central to the design, are 13 cast bronze panels which cover the tap head system. Located at the center of the bar, the bronze panels provide a striking focal point of warm light while setting the dimension and rhythm for adjacent steel shelving and light armatures.

Process: The thirteen cast bronze panels are each six inches wide by forty inches tall. The panels contain two distinct textures created by the size of the grain used in the sand mold. The grain causes variation in sheen when the panels are lit. Collaborating directly on the fabrication and installation of the bronze panels with a local artist and metal smith allowed for a highly controlled integration of craft, brand identity, and interior architecture.

Project Role: Served as designer and participated in project fabrication and construction needs. Responsibilities included design and coordination of interior architecture with various consultants along with on-site management of sub-contracting trades. Coordinated steel fabrication shop production and performed on-site installation. Led design of bronze bar-tap panels and assisted in forging process.

DEVON BOATHOUSE

2010

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Elliott + Associates Architects - Firm of Record

Rand Elliott FAIA - Lead Architect

Completed with Fitzsimmons Architects

A community energizing project for Oklahoma City, the 33,000 square foot Devon Boathouse is the new home for the Oklahoma City University rowing team. The second of a planned five boathouses perched upon the Northern shore of the Oklahoma River, the Devon, and its state-of-the-art training equipment, is leading the way in making OKC one of the premier boating sites in the country.

The Devon Boathouse is the flagship of the Boathouse District development along the Oklahoma River. The facility includes boat storage and repair bays, advanced athletic training equipment, a below grade propulsion rowing tank, endless pool, and two floors of public event space.

Responsibilities on this project team included production of the construction documents, project coordination management, project LEED AP, and a modest amount of design input. Involved in project from pre-design stage through construction.

2013 Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award

2013 AIA Oklahoma - Merit Award

2012 AIA Central Oklahoma - Merit Award

2Photographs by Spencer Ready

OK

LAH

OM

A R

IVER

entry plazalobbyrowing tankevent roomkitchenofficeweight room

1234567

891011121314

boat baysrepair baytool storagemechanical courtloading approachboat rampviewing plinth

ground floor + site plan

NORTH