portfolio

adam castelli

greenpoint research library

and community centerbrooklyn, nythesis studio project - spring 2014

The aim for the design of this library and community center was to provide a hub for bringing together the local community with researchers and activists concerned with the environmental remediation of Newtown Creek and the surrounding environs of Greenpoint while simultaneously acting as exemplar of sustainable architectural design. Located at the confl uence of the East River and Newtown Creek, the project seeks to take advantage of the opportunities provided by this unique site, such as its relation to the waterfront and dramatic views to the skyline of Manhattan, by providing a valuable public resource in an area recently rezoned to facilitate large scale private developments.

The primary design move was to cluster related program elements into distinct volumes which were then separated by atrium spaces acting as both circulation spine and means to provide for daylighting of interior spaces. Outdoors, a series of terraces provide gathering spaces overlooking the waterfront. These are defi ned by a series of constructed wetland cells which act to provide for the treatment of building wastewater and recycling as grey water, a strategic counterpoint to that of the large-scale wastewater treatment plant which defi nes the eastern area of Greenpoint, as this system frequently results in contamination of waterways as a result of combined-sewer overfl ow during storm events.

The design utilizes a number of other sustainable design features, and a major aspect of the thesis research has been investigating optimization strategies utilizing parametric design tools with environmental simulation software. A number of studies looked at how geometric variations of the building massing aff ected daylighting, solar heat gain and views to the waterfront. Additionally, similar parametric studies informed the design of exterior shading devices at the atria facade and skylight. Overall, the project aimed at an integrated approach to design development where data-driven analyses would inform conceptual design approaches, and vice-versa, in order to provide for an architecturally-compelling, yet high performance, building.

advisors: kathleen lugosch, ajla aksamija

ProjectSite

NewtownCreek

EastRiver

Hunter’s Point, Queens

N

Library

CommonStaff , OrganizationsMech.

Community

Building form skewed to improve view from southeast facade and bring indirect light from north facade

Building programmatically split into three primary elements:library, community, organization and staff

Program elements spatially separated into distinct zones

Library

Community

Staff , OrganizationSpace

Common, ConnectiveAtria

In-between space forms connective common space, circulation, and atrium areas to facilitate daylighting and natural ventilation

Building oriented along street front

view from northwest

site location axonometric program diagram

constructed wetland treatment cells

outdoorterrace spaces

view from northeast

view north from west atrium corridor

parametric daylighting simulation study - sample of iterations

parametric massing study

environmental performance design strategies

constructedtreatment wetlands

wastewater recycling

radiant heating & cooling

ground sourceheat pump

greenroofs

natural lighting

natural ventilation

solarshading

obstructed view vectors

daylighting simulation results visualization

irradiation simulation results visualization

unobstructed view vectors

4th fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

3rd fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

1st fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

2nd fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

main book stacks

main book stacksbrowse stacksstaff meeting room

researchers’meeting room

researchers’workspace

researchers’workspace

researcher offi ces

researcher offi ces

mech.

researcher offi ces

mech.

mech.

staff break room

mediaroom

mediaroom

mediaroom

meetingroom

educationclassroom

studyspacecomputer

stations

temp. bookstorage

info desk

exhibitiongallery

common

northeastentry research

lab

auditorium

conference/community meeting room

teens’ study area

children’ s learning area

mech.penthouse

rooftopterrace

educationclassroom

quick look-up computers

browse stacks

cafeatrium

group studyspaces

group studyspaces

studyspace

open tobelow

open tobelow

open tobelow

open tobelow

open tobelow

open tobelow

auditoriumbelow

project model photos

view from dupont street

view north from third fl oor of east atrium

view west along commercial street

section e-w1/32” = 1’-0”

section n-s1/32” = 1’-0”

south street seaport towersmanhattan, nygraduate design studio V - fall 2013

The design for the South Street Seaport Towers accommodates a mixed-use program at an important location along Manhattan’s waterfront, adjacent to the historic South Street Seaport District. Seeking to enhance this neighborhood by providing a hub for living, working, staying, and shopping, the project compresses these functions within a single city block. The complex is conceived as an assemblage of discrete yet connected programmatic volumes, each with its distinct function, but contributing to the composition of the aggregated whole.

The primary programmatic elements are organized vertically rather stacked, with “connective” elements acting as bridges between the residential and offi ce towers. The presence of a historic structure on site is accomodated by incorporating this building as a podium for the offi ce tower which stretches skyward above it. The parking garage is elevated above the residential building lobby to act as a buff er to the noise of adjacent elevated highway. The design approach aims to respond to present conditions while meeting the needs of a new multi-use development in a specifi c context by means of the strategic organization of program and site-based sustainable design features.

The towers are literally multi-faceted, employing a computational method to tectonically minimize solar irradiation on the towers’ southern facades. This logic of optimizing the envelopes for the specifi c solar conditions of each elevation is carried through to the design of the building cladding. The residential tower utilizes an innovative system of glass fi ber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels which are three-dimensionally articulated to provide self-shading of the facade. The panels were parametrically defi ned to geometrically vary in depth and aperture width according to the specifi c gradient of summer solar irradiation on each face of the facades. The offi ce tower envelope responds to environmental conditions through a strategic use of a dynamic double-skin facade system along the long, exposed northeast facade. Vertical shade fi ns at ventilation apertures in the outer skin are able to rotate and close-off this aperture during the winter. Thus, the facade allows for natural ventilation of the air-space during summer, with the fi ns also providing shading of the facade, while acting as a closed thermal buff er during the winter.

brooklyn bridge

fdr drive

wall st. [2.3]

pier 11 ferry terminal

east river

east river ferry

south street seaport

wall st. [4, 5]

broad st. [j]

fulton st. [2.3]

fulton st. [4,5]

projectsite

view northwest from east river

site context site plan1” = 400’

reta

il

reta

il

reta

il

offi c

e

offi c

e

offi c

e

resi

dent

ial

resi

dent

ial

res.

exis

ting

exis

ting

- Vertical distribution of program elements provides daylighting and view access, with low-rise retail mall off ering buff er zone between residential and offi ce towers

- Offi ce tower shifted above existing historic commercial building

- Sky bridge hotel and recreation zones connect offi ce and residential towers

- Parking garage elevated above residential lobby, acting as noise buff er to adjacent elevated highway

hotel

recreation

park

instructor: ajla aksamija

N

view north from street level

view southwest from fdr drive

view northwest from fdr drive

- Program is divided into vertical strips: residential, retail, and offi ce blocks

- Shape is refi ned to reduce summer solar heat gain through strategic faceting of facade surfaces

- Offi ce block is elevated to preserve historic structure

- Space between main towers maintains waterfront views from adjacent structure

- Connector spaces establish hotel and recreation zones at near the top of the business block and above the retail block

- Massing provides shading to southwest facades of offi ce block

Selected Facade Tectonics -10.88 kWh/m2 per typical summer week average insolation

Insolation Analysis - sample of 1,300 iterations

Insolation Results -sample of data table

Solar Irradiation Mapping

Panel TypeDistribution

Articulated Facade System

Optimized TectonicsBase Surface

33rd fl oor plan1/64” = 1’-0”

2nd fl oor plan1/64” = 1’-0”

11th fl oor plan1/64” = 1’-0”

1st fl oor plan1/64” = 1’-0”

building section1/128” = 1’-0”

conference rooms

ramp to parking above

west residentiallobby

east residentiallobby

retail

retail space

existing commercial space

entry atrium

residential units

conference rooms

retail

parking existing commercial space

hotel lobby

residential units

offi ce space

restaurant hotel units

residential units

offi ce space

fi tness center

swimmingpool

project model photo

33rd fl oor

11th fl oor

2nd fl oor 1st fl oor

Hotel

Residential

Recreational

Retail

Parking

aluminum-faced panel

interior partition

fi xed glazing

rigid insulation

gypsum wall board

steel stud wall

cladding support backing gfrc cladding

operableawning window

gwb suspended ceiling

woodfi nish fl ooring

underfl oorplenum

supplyregisters

return ducts

cladding support backup structure

rigid insulation, a/v barrier

steel stud wall structural framing, gwb

perimeterheating duct

operableawning window

raised fl oorsupports

D D

E

E

southwest residential facade rendering

offi ce facade rendering

gfrc panel axonometric

E-E detail section 1/16” = 1’-0” residential tower facade detail elevation

1/16” = 1’-0”

offi ce tower facade detail elevation1/16” = 1’-0”

C-C detail section1/16” = 1’-0”

southwest elevation1/128” = 1’-0”

southeast elevation1/128” = 1’-0” D-D detail section

1/16” = 1’-0”

A A horizontal terracotta shade/protective screen

operable casement window

aerogel insulated panel with fritted interior glazing

B

B

C

C

horizontal terracotta shade/protective screen

operable casement window (as conditions

aerogel insulated panel with fritted interior glazing

fi xed low-e double-pane glazing

sement conditions

Offi ce

Hotel

Residential

Recreational

Retail

Parking

Existing

B-B detail section1/16” = 1’-0”

panel detail perspective1/16” = 1’-0”

A-A detail plan1/16” = 1’-0”

northwest elevation1/128” = 1’-0”

Offi ce

Hotel

Residential

Recreational

Retail

Existing

Parking

Conference

Offi ce

Hotel

Residential

Recreational

Retail

ExistingConference

northeast elevation1/128” = 1’-0”

offi ce tower double-facade detail elevation

1/16” = 1’-0”

HVAC diagram - offi ce tower HVAC diagram - residential tower

F-F detail plan1/16” = 1’-0”

G-G detail section1/16” = 1’-0”

facade perspective detail

offi ce double-facade perspective rendering

F F

G

G

exterior skin glazing

automated vertical shade fi n/ventilation opening(seasonally activated)

operable casement window (as conditions allow)

fi xed interior skin glazing

G

G

active chilled beam

led lighting fi xture

suspeded ceiling

ventilation duct

continuous ventilation space

automated vertical shade fi n/ventilation opening(seasonally activated)

maintenance access grating

exterior curtain wall glazing

interior curain wallglazing

F F F

Air Handling Unit Air Handling UnitChiller ChillerBoiler Boiler

Roof

top

Mec

hani

cal

Pent

hous

e

Roof

top

Mec

hani

cal

Pent

hous

e

Typi

cal F

loor

Typi

cal F

loor

Typi

cal F

loor

Typi

cal F

loor

Typi

cal F

loor

Typi

cal F

loor

Chilled BeamsHeated/Cooled Air

Heated/Cooled Air

Heated/Cooled Air

Return Air

Heat Recovery Unit

Return Air

Return Air

Fan

Fan

Fan

Exha

ust A

ir

Exha

ust A

ir

Supply Air Supply Air

Chill

ed/H

eate

dW

ater Ch

illed

/Hea

ted

Wat

er

Chilled Beams

Chilled Beams

interior view of hotel lobby

interior view of retail mall

timber in the city design competition entryred hook, brooklyn, nygraduate design studio IV - spring 2013

The design for this project in Red Hook, which consists of aff ordable housing units and wood product manufacturing facilities, seeks to reimagine the potential for a multi-use development sensitive to both the social and commercial needs of this diverse neighborhood.

The use of timber throughout the building is not only structurally innovative, but also ecologically responsible. Glue-laminated timber columns and cross-laminated timber panels serve as the building’s primary structural system. These engineered wood materials are exceptionally strong, produce less waste during production and construction processes, and are composed of wood harvested from responsibly-managed forests. The building’s wood rainscreen cladding system, meanwhile, provides a dynamically patterned facade as a counterpoint to the more monotonous character of typical low-cost housing.

The project’s design also considers the relationship between design and ecological and human health. Incorporating a green wall and other native plantings into the site landscape serves to allow for pleasant outdoor spaces for occupants. Increasing on-site access and storage of bicycles simultaneously encourages clean modes of transportation and active, healthy lifestyles. Likewise, the neighboring Red Hook Community Farm serves as an additional asset to the community.

The residential units have been carefully designed to frame views of the surrounding neighborhood and Hudson River, while directing views away from the large, commercial structure to the south. Conversely, exhibit spaces and the bike-share program are sited adjacent to the developing commercial corridor along Beard Street. Ultimately, the design for this site serves as a “hook”: collecting residents, visitors, artists, workers, and shoppers together while celebrating a rapidly-evolving area of the city.

view southwest from beard street

ststruructctururalal ssysystetemm ststruructctururalal aassssememblblyy dedetatailil raraininscscrereenen ppananelel ddetetaiaill

collaborators: luke beck, samantha greenberginstructor: carey clouse

cross-laaminated timber panels

cross-laminated timber panel shear walls

glulam girder

sprinkleer space

plumbing & wiring sspace

glulam column

glulam column

glulam beam

esignplanning + de

ctionproduc

ntationpresen

cyclingrec

ssroomsclas

wood fabrication spacep

perspective section

intersection of dwight and van dyke streets

recreation space

ypical fl oor plany

d fl oor plan2n2n

t fl oor plan1st

circulation fl owfl

bike residential

woodshop studio

digital fabrication 1 bedroom

classrooms/offi ces

2 bedroom

3 bedroom

courtyard view

views diagram

site plan

yty

school of the built environmentamherst, magraduate design studio III - fall 2012

The program for this 100,000 sqf project consisted of a new academic building for the UMass Amherst campus which would house the departments of architecture, landscape architecture, and building construction technology. The design aims for an integration of the these related departments through a design which allows for fl exibility, interaction with exterior spaces, and an adaptability to future program needs.

The building is conceptualized as a continuous volume containing studio space supported on a heavier mass which contains faculty offi ces, classrooms, computer labs, and other spaces. The design strategy focuses on the need to maximize natural daylight into the studio spaces while minimizing glare and solar heat gain. Insulated channel glass would be backlit at night, revealing gradients of varying translucency resulting from patterns of fritting, etching or coatings on the glass. Clear glass channels are sporadically utilized throughout in proportion to the potential for glare and heat gain on a particular face of the façade. The end faces of the upper volume are fully glazed with clear glass to provide views towards the campus pond to the northwest and Pleasant Street to the south. In order to mitigate unwanted heat gain at the south end, the space is double glazed with the space between acting as a common lounge area. During the summer, heat from this space may be ventilated from the roof, while during the winter the space would act as a buff er zone able to retain heat for passive heating purposes. Overall, the design aims at a balance of visual eff ect and thermal effi ciency while satisfying the diverse programmatic requirements of an innovative academic initiative.

1st fl oor plan1/64” = 1’-0”

3rd fl oor plan1/64” = 1’-0”

2nd fl oor plan1/64” = 1’-0”

4th fl oor plan1/64” = 1’-0”

northheast perspectiveno trthhwestt perspe tctiive

site context

southeast perspective

instructor: kathleen lugosch

offi ces

classroom

classrooms

lobby

researchcenter

meeting presentationspace

presentationspace

presentationspace

presentationspace

presentationspace

studiospace

studiospace

studiospace

greenroof

greenroof

studiospace

offi ces

lab

lounge/common

auditorium

computer labs

offi ceswood-shop

exhibitionspace

studiospace

studiospace

lounge

east elevation1/32” = 1’-0”

north elevation1/32” = 1’-0”

south elevation1/32” = 1’-0”

west elevation1/32” = 1’-0”

interior perspective southwest perspective

restaurant/bar lighting design projectbuilding physics II - fall 2012

The goal for this project was to create an eff ective lighting design strategy which would serve to enhance a small existing restaurant. A cool ambiance is provide by means of an overhead installation of layered translucent sheets backlit by linear fl uorescent fi xtures, while the perimeter of the space is defi ned by a perforated metal screen whose patterning of apertures, based on a nested fi bonacci sequence, and base-mounted linear fi xtures are suggestive of a twilight condition. Pendent lamps positioned over lounge and dining tables off er a warmer focal glow which contrasts with the cooler tones. Downlights at the smaller perimeter tables ensure adequate lighting, while the backlit bar and liquor shelf create an attractive focus for casual gatherings. During the day, a moderate level of daylighting is provided by letting in light through a clerestory positioned above and behind the perimeter screen wall.

section3/32” = 1’-0”

refl ected ceiling plan1/16” = 1’-0”

interior perspective - lounge

interior perspective - bar and lounge interior perspective - dining

instructor: ray mann

north lane residential unithadley, magraduate design studio III - fall 2012

This project for a residential unit which would form part of a cluster of minimally sized dwellings located on the site of a river bend investigates ways in which environmental forces might begin to shape and inform the design of a building. The design for the facade employed a generative strategy in which surface deformations and perforations derive from the frequency of wind from the directions of each of the house’s four elevations. The street-side courtyard is envisioned as an outdoor extension of the necessarily compact interior living space. Folding glass doors on the north and south sides of the house allow the interior to fully open to the exterior and blur the boundaries between inside and out. A terraced common space on the north side of the house links the residence to the adjacent cluster units.

wind-frequency formed surfaces

southeast perspectivesouthwest perspective

northeast perspective

resultingsurface

loft sections within boundaries

remapdomain

loosen loft

adjust amplitude

smooth in v-direction

set threshold

horizontal banded cast

time (weeks)

frequency (%)

Spee

d (k

n)

2nd fl oor plan1/16” = 1’-0”

section1/16” = 1’-0”

south elevation1/16” = 1’-0”

1st fl oor plan1/16” = 1’-0”

project fabrication and model

instructor: kathleen lugosch

northampton multi-modal centrenorthampton, magraduate design studio II - spring 2012

The intent for this project was to design a multi-modal centre which would act as a place of transfer between rail and bus services while also acting as a kind of gateway into the citycenter. At the front of the site, a commercial building accommodates retail on the ground fl oor and offi ce space above, while the transportation building at the rear of the site provides waiting space, a café, and other services to travelers transferring between travel modes. A sense of fl uid spatial connectivity is evoked while providing for a logical system of movement through and around the site.

The canopy structure provides a screening enclosure for the building, acting as a shading device to reduce solar heat gain, while also shielding commuters on the rail platform from inclement weather. An existing bikeway parallel to the railway is maintained by dropping it below a pair of pedestrian bridges to the rail platform. The more angular form of the commercial building’s roof off ers a counterpoint to the continuous surface of the canopy and serves the dual function of channeling rainwater for building use and interior air upward for effi cient natural ventilation through the stack eff ect. Thus the project aims at an integration of form and systems thinking while accommodating the various needs of a mixed-use program.

bike pathparking

multi-modal

building

commercial

building

bus stop

rail platform

northwest perspective from king st

aerial perspective

north perspective from rail platformsouthwest perspective from king st

instructor: caryn brause

staff

public

transit:waiting, tickets, info

community:community room, café

officesmeeting space

collective individual

multi-modal building - 2nd fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

programmatic concept - 1st fl oor

southeast perspective from platform

southwest perspective from parking lot

multi-modal building - 1st fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

support

common

communitybus -related

services

rail -relatedservices

programmatic division - sectional

offi ce space

jan.

storage

mechanical

bus waiting areainfo

south lobby

north lobby

rail waiting area

stor.

café space

tickets jan.

community room

stor.

offi ces

stor.meeting room

rentableoffi cespace

open to below

open to below

commercial building - 3rd fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

commercial building - 2nd fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

commercial building - 1st fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

facade from king st

programmatic division - sectional

systems concept- sectional

commercial building north lobby perspective

private

public

retailcafé

offices

water

ventilation

air

reuse

meetingroom

meetingrooms

stor.

stor.

mech.

mech.

atriumretail spacenorth lobby

south lobby

offi ces

offi ces

offi ce space

café space

stor.

east-west section1/32” = 1’-0”

north-south section1/32” = 1’-0”

axonometric

center for research in the visual artsamherst, magraduate design studio I - fall 2011

The design for this academic research building aims at an integration of art, landscape, and architecture while establishing a resource for community and scholars to learn and connect. Primary design strategies for the project include: taking advantage of the beauty of the site by maximizing opportunities for views; providing spaces for introspection and study, as well as collective areas for gathering and exchange of knowledge, information, and ideas; and respecting the context of the neighboring residential zone by minimizing the height and apparent scale of the building.

The upper terrace, at street level, allows visitors access to a scenic overlook, while the lower exterior space carves a social/event space out of the site’s sloping terrain, while an interior courtyard for the display of sculptural installations is formed at the core of the building, between the gallery “bridge” and academic research spaces.

southwest perspective

northwest perspective

lower hall view

lower terrace view

instructor: joseph krupcynszki

upper level fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

lower level fl oor plan1/32” = 1’-0”

gallery viewupper terrace viewentry hall view

library lower terrace

gallery

entry

upper terrace

sculpturecourtyard

scholarstudies

loungestor. lecture/meeting space

multiunit residential projectworcester, mat.i.a. architects internship - summer 2012

The design for this small apartment building, which consists of two four-bedroom units, was largely dictated by the constraints of a small lot and the aim to maximize rentable income for the client. The narrow lot precluded the use of a driveway, so a scheme was developed to allow for the required two parking spaces per unit beneath the main living space. The roof is accessable with the intention of establishing a rooftop green space to increase insulation while providing an outdoor area to compensate for a small backyard. The design aims for a functional and modern aesthetic while maximizing the potential value of the constrained property.

UP UP UP

DN DN

1st fl oor plan3/32” = 1’-0”

section3/32” = 1’-0” southeast perspective

2nd fl oor plan3/32” = 1’-0”

3rd fl oor plan3/32” = 1’-0”

hitchcock center for the environmentsouth amherst, mat.i.a. architects internship - summer 2012

For this project, a preliminary concept for a new education center was developed which would provide new classrooms, offi ces, and meeting spaces for an organization dedicated to providing the community with a greater awareness and understanding of the natural world. Accordingly, the center decided to pursue options for a more sustainable building complex.

Our design pursued the strategy of breaking the program down into a series of smaller, related buildings with the intent of providing a more integrated fi t into the environment of the site, while creating a more “kid-friendly” scale.

The buildings cluster around a central space which could be utilized as an outdoor classroom space. In terms of sustainable features, the buildings would utilize passive solar orientation, wood for the building structure, high insulation values, and rooftop solar panels.

south perspective

southeast perspective