Design Portfolio
Myles McNamara

Orthogonal Drawing (2009) [1]
Subject: Alvar Aalto’s House & Studio at Munkkiniemi (1935-36)
Purpose: Use conventions of orthogonal drawing to explore the characteristics of an existing historic residence.
S outhwest Elevation
S outhwest Section

L
iving Room Exploded Axonometric
S ite & Ground Level Plan
[2]

Concept Development (2008) [3]
Subject: Time-Sensitive 12-Hour Design Charette
Purpose: Design an artist’s studio from concept sketches
to a presentation-quality model in 12 hours. Develop both
innovative skylighting & integrated solar water heating.

[4]

Rhino 3D CAD Documentation (2009) [5]
Subject: Design Charette Artist’s Studio Concept
S outheast Aerial Roofless Interior
Purpose: Use 3D CAD to explore the interplay of
materiality & temporal light conditions.
N orthwest Ground-Level @ Sunset
S outhwest Aerial @ Sunrise

Rhino for Expressing Form (2009)
A
Purpose: Use 3D CAD to accurately capture and express
coustic Guitar
the form and materials of complex built subjects.
A
b) Northeast Facade at Sunrise
dirondack Chair
G uitar Detail:
The behavior of strings
[6]

Site-Sensitive Design (2009) [7]
Subject: Boathouse Design on the Charles River, Memorial Drive, Cambridge
Purpose: Use existing site conditions to inform design for a public-access rowing facility
I nterpretive Perspective Sketch Method of Inquiry
U rban-Scale River Plan
P
hase One: 2D Existing Site Condition Analysis
Observations:
1) Natural landscape is defined by 3 meandering rivers.
2) Sightlines of intent & building facades @ Mass Ave
reinforce an urgency of linear, efficient cross-town travel.
3) Bending of these lines is rare but integral to movement.

1) A Memorial Drive automobile underpass gains efficiency
by breaking grade beneath the intersection @ Mass Ave.
2) Where lanes converge, median greenspace is lost, but a
graded beachfront emerges, granting pedestrian access.
P
hase Two: 3D Investigation: How Lines Are Bent
3) Alvar Aalto’s Baker House maintains the primacy of
line in its streetfront walls, but uses a curvilinear facade to
establish a retreated, publicly-accessible garden.
4) Thesis: Urgent travel lines (blue) are mediated by grade change &
greenspace (green) or facade (orange) to permit vital rest & recreation. [8]

[9]
P
hase Three Part I: 2D Building Concept Development
Exploring Design Objectives:
1) Select a site where urgent linear intent can be ‘bent’ & transformed.
2) Use the change of intent in the auto turnabout on Memorial Drive as
a ‘bending point’ from which to allow transition into a ‘meander’.
3) Break grade into the riverside retaining wall in order to sculpt
gradually curvilinear spaciousness, and resist the compaction of line.

P
hase Three Part II: 3D Building Concept Development
Refining Design Objectives:
1) Develop a ramped circular ‘hub’ as a means to bending street lines inward.
2) Use circumerferential movement along hub to coax movement up & down.
3) Differentiate light & shadow to reawaken in guests a sense of wonder.
[10]

P [11]
hase Four: Rough Draft Full Iteration
Refinements:
1) Develop a ‘harder’ linear streetfront datum with gradual passage into curvilinear release within.
2) The invitation of glimpses & gradual immersion should revitalize guests & athletes from the urgency of the street.

P [12]
hase Four Highlight: Unfolded Section Drawing. Focus: Experience of Entry Sequence Circulation

P [13]
hase Five:
Final Design 2D Series
Clockwise:
1) Urban-Scale
Site & Roof Plan
2) North Streetside & South
Riverside Elevations
3) Circulation Axonometric

P
hase Five: Final Design 3D Model
‘Clocking’ Aerial Perspectives Series:
Clockwise: northwest pedestrian street approach to
athlete’s descending entry sequence, finishing at interior lockers
[14]

Freehand Drawing (2008) [15]
Comic Book Illustration:
“Boogerkin”: Chapter 3 (2001)

Miscellania
M anual Arts: Stained Glass
2004: Copper Foil Technique
C ommissioned Illustrations
© Modern Love 1999-2000
M anual Arts: Woodworking
2009: Eastern Pine
Traditional English Candlebox
B&W Line Art for retail cards Finished w/ Tung Oil
Miscellania [16]