Matthew RyanPortfolio

A box knot is used by climbers to sercure theend of a rope, preventing any equipment fromsliding off. In the Knot House, a box knot rendered in concrete creates a solid coreshrouded in channel glass and also piercesthrough to define outdoor spaces. The clientis an environmental researcher who alternatesbetween field work and a home lab, and theknot represents a terminus of thetransportation network of Los Angeles,ending in a calmer and more tranquil space.The knot is also integral to a waterreclamation system, crucial given the scarcityof water in California, the profession of theclient, and making a nod to the Venice canalsite.

Knot HouseVenice, CA

GRAND CANAL CT ELEVATION

SECTION A

SECTION A

SECTION A

SECOND FLOOR

GROUND FLOORTHE KNOT: WATER RECLAMATION

Performing Arts CenterNew Orleans, LAwith Ryan Anderson

Breaking with the typical white-box museum,the performing arts center in New Orleans'Warehouse District creates highly textured,obliquely lit spaces for performance anddisplay of art. Sitting on the border between abuilt-up area of other museums and a low-rise neighborhood of restaurants, bars andwarehouses, elements of the center arebroken up almost into independent structures,small to relate to the one- and two-storybuildings across the street, but stacked high,cairn-like, to stand up to the Ogden Museumand CAC adjacent. Imagined as a stack offound rocks and pebbles, these semi-independent volumes allow light to enterthrough thin crevices, casting shadow acrossa tall central atrium and onto the spiraling,spiderweb-like ramp pulling one up intoperformance and exhibition spaces. Longslits of glazing and lighting reinforce the thincracks between these rooms and a sense ofback-and-forth directionality parallel to StJoseph Street.

St. Joseph Street

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SECTION A SECTION B

ST JOSEPH ST ELEVATION

SECTION C

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The High BridgeBronx, NY

In a place where space is at a hugepremium, unexpected sites will haveto be exploited if we are to continueto develop. And perhaps, theseunusual sites can transform whatwas previously a liability and aneyesore into a unique and highlydesirable, enjoyable space.

The High Bridge is the oldest bridgein New York between two boroughs,and provides incredible views of theHarlem River. It was originally builtas an aquaduct to provide water toManhattan, but after becomingobsolete it fell into disrepair, and inthe 1970s the bridge was closed topedestrians. This circumstanceprovides a huge opportunity: in acity where real estate is scarce, anunused space can be transformedinto spectacular places to live andwork.

TRANSVERSE SECTION

LOWER WALKWAY

HARLEM RIVER DR NORTHBOUND

LONGITUDINAL SITE SECTION

HARLEM RIVER DR SOUTHBOUND

VintalierPortland, ORwith Ashton Ford

Ana Mikolavich

PARTITION WALL; ACCESSORIES DISPLAY

CUSTOM DISPLAYS AND COUNTER

Other Work

FARM-LIFE CENTER, LINCOLN, MA (design and documents,with maryann thompson architects)

BANDING PARTI, S. CLAIBORNE ELEMENTARY, NEW ORLEANS

PIAZZALE FLAMINIO, ROME

SITE, SHEATH HOUSE, NEW ORLEANS