Thesis Topic Portfolio

Spring | 2011Alex Jeff rey Siekierski | Master of Architecture Candidate Boston Architectural College

CONTENTStable of

THESIS TOPIC BRAINSTORMING

1 Word Cloud

2 Studio Summaries

3 Non-Studio References

4 Architectural Case Studies

5 Investigational Ideas

6 Previous BAC Thesis List

Word Cloud

VOCABULARY

LAWNOWNERSHIP

COMMUNITYHEARTH

AD

AP

APTA

BILI

AB

ILITY

CHO

ICECH

OICE

GREEN SPACE

SECURITYURBAN URBAN FABRICABRIC

ENTERTAINMENT

SUSTAIN

ABLITY

HEALTH

CARE

FLEXABILITY

WELNESS CENTER

PHPHYSICAL THERAPYSICAL THERAPYPRID

E

NEWINVESTMENT

VIEWS

WINTER GARDENWINTER GARDEN

CONNECTIONWO

RK

/LIVE

WO

RK

/LIVE

PARKIN

G

SHARED FARMING

PRODUCE

RETIREMENT

RESRESTA

URA

NT

URA

NT

TECHN

OLO

GY

TRUST

FAMILY

Spring | 2006Architectural Studio 1

SPRINGFIELD TECH

Vermont Lake House The goal of this studio was to re-invision my families vacation home. Located on a cliff overlooking Lake Champlain, the design intent was to take advantage of the site by stepping down the program spaces with the sloped site. Views were a crucial part of the experiential qualities of the space therefore balconies and decks were used for social and private usages.

Fall | 2006Design 1

UMASS AMHERST

The Northampton RestaurantCurb appeal was the design approach. Creating an interactive facade which allows passers to experience some of the building without even entering it. Overhangs and the use of mixed geometries created a uniques canopy to attract patrons. Having two points of entry allowed for two types of social crowds to inhabit the same space without mixing. Restaunt above with and internet cafe below.

Spring | 2007Design 2

UMASS AMHERST

The Richard Meier Study CenterThe studio’s program called for a study center located next to Meier’s Smith House. After analyzing the residence, circulation, openess, and leveling became noticable design solutions. In recreating these themes a large circulation axis divides the building giving an area for the building to breath. Creating unclear corners gives visitors a path of curiosity. Double story spaces such as the library open up views toward the smith house.

Fall | 2007Design 5

UMASS AMHERST

Amherst Care CenterWith a central open stadium design the internal center of the building was designed to allow natural light into the front of the residential units as well as serving as the primary area to congregate and exercise year round. Above this space is an open air rooftop walking area with private garden spaces. Porches are able to be located on the interior and exterior for all units.

Spring | 2008Dubai Metrozone Studio

TU-BERLIN

The Green BridgeOne of the design challenges in Dubai currently is bridging one of the largest highways in the city. With the proposed metro line running in parellel to this highway, passengers will often want to cross over. I wanted to propose a solution by cutting down the highway near the metro stops and slightly bridging over the highway allowing for adaquate headroom for truckers. These bridges will be vegetated areas for tourist and passerbyers to experience the amazing views of the modern skyscrapers.

Fall | 2008A1 Studio

BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE

Newbury Street Art GalleryAcross from the BAC this propsed gallery is open throughout three levels which terraces downward to the street in the rear. By stepping the structure back from the newbury storefront provides passerbys with curiosity. A small bridge takes you across into the main entry. Tree tops will be at the human level of newbury street. An artistic glass facade is used for attraction as well as unique shadows within the gallery. Curved ramps enclose gallery viewing areas within the interior.

November | 2008Sketch Problem 1

Poet’s RetreatThe ADA accessible cabin was designed for a visiting poet to do their writings. Solar awareness began the design to maximize natural illumination of the space. Vegetation was provided around the entrance ramp for warm greeting. A raised roof above the desk where the writer works adds to the atmosphere of the room allowing the space to breath.


Fall | 2009B2 Studio | Part 1

The Arnold Arboretum Educational Pavilion The design intent was to locate the building in a place where it will minimally impact the site. Lots of natural light is allowed into the space providing views of the Arboritum’s natural environment. Circulation from the walking paths is continued through the structure and onward, making for an easy walk through of the space. Open pavilions give some coverage for people to come and socialize.


Spring | 2009B2 Studio | Part 2

Chinatown Cultural CenterAs a continuation of the Greenway, the structure serves as a southern anchor point while the Zakim bridge serves at the northern. An interaction of spaces can be opened to the outdoors allowing chinese rituals to occur and invite the community into the structure. Also as a continuation of the Greenway, vegitated spaces lead you toward the primary entrance of the building as well as upper level open air courtyards add to the spacial environment, providing additional natural light into the space.


Winter | 2009Steel Competition

The Heart + it’s Circulatory Arteries Programmatically the cafetorium, also known as the “Heart”, gave way to expressing the internal connection towards nature. The second part of the building, “Artery” fl ows through the heart, allows for the interaction between children, faculty, and community to become seamless. A large steel joist system allows for the opening of the double height mix used area. The cafetorium space also utilizes cantilevered beams in order to support the surrounding pathways of the balcony.


November | 2009Sketch Problem 2

The Folding ContainerThe goal of the project was to use a shipping container for a small studio space. The container is sliced into and folded apart to create the entrance ramp and glazed areas. The ADA restroom is able to be slided out from the containers shell providing a place for plumbing hookups and additional square footage.


Fall | 2009Miami Competition

Miami Promenade Hotel With beachfront property the design was to use fl oor plates to create unique views amd balconies. These fl oor plates would then be infi lled by three types of hotel units. Among the units and fl oor plates is a perforated skin which encloses some of the exterior spaces, providing additional shading. At the entry level a large grotto extends from one end of the building to the other allowing a view through the structure directly to the ovean. This also allows for natural cross cooling of the lower spaces.


Spring | 2010C1 Studio | Part 1

The Mountain Hut The goal was to attract hikers away from the path and get them to a destination point. The destination being the lookout area on the roof of the structure which can be accessed by the natural landscape. The building is burrowed within the side of the mountain allowing for earthcoupling. This keeps the sleeping area cool in the summer and tolerable in the winter. The long cooridor compresses and releases the visitor into the main social area with views of Mount Washington’s Summit.


Spring | 2010C1 Studio | Part 2

The Explorer’s Club Similiar design goals were used from project 1 which include attracting people off of the path toward a grand space. The cantaleivered mixed use space serves at the ultimate destination. Bridging the railroad tracks the structure tries to blend and reveal itself along a skinny narrow site adjacent to the transit. A glazed atrium space also serves the community as a climbing playground kids can use.


Spring | 2010C2 Studio

Green Spaces and Common Spaces The design was aimed towards an vertical elderly community focused around a central winter garden. This lower levels fi lled with the common program spaces all looked into this centralized green space. It serves at the heart of the building in a public realm. As the resident gets closer to home by driving up the vertical streets a more private community exists with additional green spaces within the units.


Spring | 2010Sketch Problem 3

Natural SystemsSustainability was the focus on designing this poet’s retreat. Carving into the sloped site allows for earth coupling to occur. This also alows rain run off to be collected and used for cooling/ cooking. A large skylight is angled toward the suns path allowing natural light to fi ll the poets work space.


Fall | 2010Long Studio

Harborwalk LoungeWith respect to the sloped site and adjacent historical fortress the design intends to capture the vernacular materials with an organic shape toward the sea to divert winds and a regular pattern toward the inland for private social spaces. On the interior, views are elongated through the building by eff orts of terracing the program levels. A large waterfall wall allows for additional cooling that can transpire up toward the open air green space.


Orchard Gardens k-8 School

NON-STUDIO REFERENCES

Exposed SteelVibrant colors were used in the school to express the buildings structural members. I enjoyed the architectural expression that is revealed by not concealing the buildings structural systems. It gives a truthful aestetic which relates directly to the design.

Carpenter Center


The S WalkwayLe Corbusier uses a large ramp/pathway to cut across his building providing persons to experience the buuildings without having to use it. Programmatically this divides the structure into 2 parts which can then have additional natural light. His uniformity with smooth concrete gives a light feeling for a heavy building material.

Minoan Palaces


Building from HistoryThe Minoan palaces were designed to fi t the program spaces it needed. As the king/queen became more powerful the structure was able to be added onto and serviced. It became an adaptable city which used local building materials and allowed for natural light to penetrate the multiple levels it had.

History A


Egypt, Rome, & CreteScale became a very important thing for the Egyptians and Romans for they were building for the Pharoahs and Gods. There structures all used local materials and allowed light to enter the spaces. A series of spaces is woven together through there structures.

Paul Rudolph


Drawing to PerfectionI do not know much about Paul Rudolph but I did use some of his hand renderings as design references. His drawings are very compelling and portray the building from a very important view.

C-2 Inspirations


Inspiration Through Case StudiesBelow is a collection of random images I used as design references. The show how forms can be pushed and pulled to create additional spaces which are unique to the forms that surround them. Courtyards and green spaces become large features of these spaces as well.

Richard Meier

Architectural Case Studies

Unadorned,Opaque & MaterialityI do not know much about Meier’s functional usages in his structures but I do see a common pattern with the materials he tends to use. I enjoy the unadorned surfaces which are expressed by the acceptance of light.

Rem Koolhaas


Form & FunctionRem seems like an old dog who is still kicking. I enjoy the types of forms that he uses which tend to house his program well. It seems like a constant dialogue between form & use, in which they fi nd balance. He tends to frame views and make a critical moment within his structures that then publicly defi ne them. I enjoy his international infl uence with designing to many diff erent climates and cultures.

CHURTICHAGA AND QUADRA-SALCEDO


Regional RootsAfter completing a semesters long study on the library above, as well as, meeting the designers. I found that they took reference in the historical context of the site and culture along with the modernistic use of materiality. Brick was used as a structural means to express the regional building techniques. Natural lighting was another large design infl uence within the library.

BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group


Cutting EdgeI was able to visit the image above and it was one of the fi rst sucessful adaptive/integrative uses of form I have experienced. You are able to interct with the architect not just for the sole purpose that the program off ers. BIG is a fi rm I like because it was created by a young designer who is taking form and use to a new level within this modern world.

Louis Kahn


Simplicity & FuctionalI have always enjoyed how Kahn used heavy building materials and made his spaces feel light. Framing views and allowing light to highlight a space is some of the design features he uses. His use of incoporating natural elements has also been a nice addition to his overall designs. Similiar to calatrava, Kahn allows the raw material to show the fl aws in his architecture.

Santiago Calatrava


Architecture Expressed by StructureCalatrva’s architecture is expressed by geographical forms which infl uences the spaces within his architecture. This relates to a tectonic level of repetitiveness which all relates to a larger network of elements creating a whole. Also the simplicity in form is what makes his pieces rather compelling.

Ski Resort

INVESTIGATIONAL USE

Winter & Summer UsageAfter taking up skiing last season I shortly fell inlove with the activity. The culture of experiencing the great outdoors. This was my fi rst intro to ski lodging which I found to have a very specifi ed atmosphere and feeling to them. Also it was great to see that the developments tend to have a golf course in the summer time along with hiking and mountain biking.

Golf Resort

INVESTIGATIONAL USE

Landscape & BusinessGolf is an activity I have been playing now for over 10 years. It is an escape into the “developed natural” environment. Almost like a meditative experience, a walk through 18 holes of golf is Bliss. I wonder how this experience can be translated into the club house or even the surrounding housing developments. Maybe the use of the landscape can be incoporated into the architecture.

Assisted Living

INVESTIGATIONAL USE

Growing in NumbersAfter working through some studios based on alderly care. I fi nd that it is going to become a new building type as the number of baby boomers will begin to retire in the next 20 years. Technology and ammenities are all things that need to defi ne this new building type. The changes that this generation has experienced must then begin to inform the architecture.

Rehabilitaion Center (Drug & Alcohol)

INVESTIGATIONAL USE

Designing for Critical MassBeing 25 years old I have begun to notice and learn the diffi culties my family experienced with substance abuse. I learned that it is one of the hardest and life threatening things to do is detox. I fi nd it to be an excellent challenge to design a space which can comfort a human throughout this process.

Film Production Design

INVESTIGATIONAL USE

Design of ImageryBecoming an actor was a sort of fantasy I always had for myself, and with the uprise in fi lms being created on the eastcoast I tend to wonder how certain scenes are created. Willy Wonka is an example of taking a napkin sketch for a 6 year old and building it to be fi lmed. Its almost like faking a completely 3D world to be hidden and revealed from within the cameras lens.

Planes & Boats

INVESTIGATIONAL USE

CompartmentalizationThe design of aircrafts and aquatic transportation & luxury ammenities have always been facinating. The engineering defi nes some of natures raths. Adaptability and concealing are the two inspirations behind the majority of the necessary features.

Documents

Thesis Topic Portfolio