2. Note: All architectural projects are academic and individual unless otherwise noted. All drawings and
representations presented are self-produced or collaborative when working with a partner.
3. Contents
1 Venice Residence
7 Everyville
11 34 Boulevard of the Allies
17 Frick Park Spa
23 Bloomfield Library
29 Prada Store / Soup Kitchen
35 Remaking Hazelwood
45 Bench for Two
49 Museum of Steel
55 Mobile Library
61 Freehand Sketches
4. Venicethe Palazzo
Deconstructing
Residence
What if the private courtyard of
the traditional Venetian palazzo
could become a main public space
encouraging interaction between
local Venetians and visiting
students? Based on the manipula-
tion and rotation of the classic
palazzo, the form of the residence
hall is conceived of by turning the
traditionally most private outdoor
space horizontally and celebrating
it as an open center for interaction.
The façade is comprised mainly
of two distinct parts – the interior
which is primarily translucent and
the exterior which is comprised of
a concrete skin. Along the water
the façade is organized in a grid
with dimensions set at 80 cm. The
variations in the elevation are then
implemented based on built in
furniture located along the exte-
rior walls providing transparency
when the activity requires light
and opaque fill where the function
is more private.
1 Summer ‘08
7. With bedroom dimensions of four
meters by four meters by four meters
high, the room becomes a space that
is dealt with utilizing all three dimen-
sions. Beds, drawers, shelves, closets
and ladders are all built within the
walls to utilize the height of the
space in addition to the typical floor
space. Looking more closely at the
typical unit the relationship between
the exterior and interior becomes a
point of focus and creates a strong
integration of interior and exterior.
With three beds, a full size closet, and
large desk space each apartment al-
lows enough room to house sixteen
students.
Lauren Connell 4
10. Everyville
Identity Through Anonymity
How do we define identity in 1. Each Everyville resident will be al-
terms of the modern day city? Cur- lotted space of 16 sq m regardless
rently the trend seems to be defin- of age, economic or social status.
ing place through iconographic
architectural form. In creating 2. In determining the distribution of
an image for Everyville, how- space, each citizen will be entered
ever, identity is created through in a lottery to determine location.
anonymity as an experiment in
community interaction. Rather 3. Every 5 years, each resident will
than looking at architecture as a receive an additional 8 sq m of
formal study of space, architecture space, the location of which will
is defined by a series of rules and again be selected through lottery.
guidelines that allow for commu-
nity response and growth. 4. Development outside of the build-
ing envelope is permitted and
The pristine white box, the most even encouraged.
basic form, is used as a response to
the overt formalism that typically 5. Expansion of space must result
used when attempting to create from bartering and/or purchase
identity. By implementing utopian from fellow residents, the munici-
ideals of equal space allocation pality can and will not sell spaces
for all residents and giving the under any circumstances.
form identity through undefined
character, the individual buildings 6. Integration of multiple spaces
begin to represent a monument must maintain at least one path
of, by and for the people. As the to any adjacent spaces not under
necessities of the community contraction of expanding party.
evolve and spaces begin to multi-
ply the idea of monument begins 7. Space is not intended for resi-
to disintegrate ultimately result- dential use; however, if occupants
ing in the “anti-monument.” The choose this route, they must be
paradox created by the implemen- accommodating in fulfilling the
tation of rules to a functionless steps associated with the needs of
space allows the building to grow residential occupancy.
as a form of structured chaos.
year 01 year 03 year 05 year 10
7 Summer ‘08
14. 34 Boulevard of the Allies
Synergistic Landscape
How can the desolate, under used
Pittsburgh Riverfront be re-linked
to the downtown community? By
creating a series of connections
under the highway to the water,
up to the adjacent courtyard, and
mitigating the transition from the
open parkscape of Point State Park
to that of dense urban fabric of
the city the site at the culmination
of the Fort Pitt tunnel is a nexus
for connections. The program of a
mixed use skyscraper with ground
floor retail, therefore must serve
to bridge the gap between public
urban space and private interior
space. Based on the low popula-
tion of residential and retail in the
area the program must establish
its own critical mass through a
series of connections to these
site assets. Retail lines two ramps
forming connections to the park
and waterfront. Pedestrian traffic
is draw in from the street and
guided through the ground floor
allowing public access to these
once inaccessible destinations and
allowing the building to become
a catalyst for further downtown
growth.
11 Spring ‘08
17. 5.
Building as Daylight: Opti-
mize living conditions with
southern facing balconies in
residential and office settings
to take advantage of exterior
space and light while shading
from harsh overheating.
4.
Building as Ventilation:
Optimize naturally ventilation
through atrium space by ori-
enting major openings to the
south-west to take advantage
of summer wind conditions
3.
Building as Catchment: Take
Advantage of rainwater
catchment by collecting in
below grade cistern while al-
The typical pedestrian and vehicular lowing for natural daylight to
traffic path is reversed in the logi- enter parking structure
cal sense. The pedestrian path leads
downward toward the riverfront
while the parking ramps helically
upward. By reversing this dynamic
the parking is allowed to be naturally 2.
daylight and gives a visitor arriv- Building as Entry: establish
parking within building at
ing in Pittsburgh for the first time
the exterior portions of the
a unique first impression of the site reversing the dynamic
building and panoramic view of between pedestrian and
the city. A rainwater collection glass vehicular traffic – first impres-
funnel pulls additional light into sion of building
the interior garage space as well as
collects rainwater to be reused in the
building. The interior of the park-
ing ramp, lined with acoustic glass
and becomes a five story lobby and
1.
seating area at the first floor retail Building as Circulation: estab-
level providing natural daylight that lish connections to existing
is pulled down through the struc- site features including Point
ture while creating an interesting State Park, Westinghouse
relationship between inhabitants Courtyard, Riverfront
and the vehicular traffic entering and
exiting the building.
Lauren Connell 14
18. The main office floors are split in
two by a large central atrium with
a contoured grid-like structure that
wraps the interior of the space. The
12-storey atrium is formally ad-
dressed as a cut into the topographic
floor plates revealing the stratifica-
tion of the interior layers. Rotating
around the atrium at a variety of
floors the latice-like structure flat-
tens out to provide bleacher seating
and connecting a series of floors. The
main office lobby beginning at the
elevators is then located underneath
this structure creating a multi-storey
space with interesting patterns of
shadow and light. The south-west
orientation of the space is angled
to catch wind during the summer
months allowing the space to be
cross-ventilated and make use of the
stack effect. In the winter the space
is heated with radiant floors and
throughout the lattice-like concrete
structure.
15 Spring ‘08
19. Office Space Residential Greenspace Retail / Hospitality Vistor Center
Office Space 700,000 sq ft Residential 100,000 sq ft - 40 Condos Greenspace Retail / Hospitality 50,000 sq ft Vistor Center
Atrium Space Shared public space Programatic Integration Public Space Public Space
700,000 sq ft 100,000 sq ft - 40 Condos 50,000 sq ft
Ambient & Task
Atrium Space Lighting Ambient & Task Lighting
Shared public space Natural Daylight
Programatic Integration Natural & Accent
Public Space Natural & Ambient
Public Space
Mixed Mode Ventilation
Ambient & Task Lighting Mixed Mode Ventilation
Ambient & Task Lighting Natural Ventilation
Natural Daylight Mixed Mode Ventilation
Natural & Accent Mixed Mode Ventilation
Natural & Ambient
Weekdays 9-5
Mixed Mode Ventilation Mixed Mode Ventilation Natural Ventilation Weekdays, Weekends
Mixed Mode Ventilation Weekdays, Weekends
Mixed Mode Ventilation
Weekdays 9-5 Weekdays, Weekends Weekdays, Weekends
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
100
95
95 Office Space
Office Space
Residential
90 Residential
90 Park/Greenspace
85 Park/Greenspace
Retail/Hospitality
85
80
Retail/Hospitality
Visitor Center
80 Visitor Center
75
75
70
70
65
60
65
55
60
50 100
55 95
45 90
50 85
100
40 80
95
75
45
35
90
70
85
65
40
30 80
60
55
75
25
35 50
% utilization per utilization per activity
70
45
65
20 40
30 60
35
55
15 30
25 50
% activity
25
% utilization per activity
10 45
20
20 15
40
5 10
35
5
15 30
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 0 1 2 3
25 Time (24-hour day)
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
% utilization per activity
10 Time (24-hour day) 20
15
PROPOSED BUILDING EXISTING CONDITIONS
5 10
5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 0 1 2 3
Time (24-hour day)
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Time (24-hour day)
PROPOSED BUILDING EXISTING CONDITIONS
Lauren Connell 16
20. FrickPennsylvania Spa
Pittsburgh,
Park
What if a spa and recreation center
was able to integrate the dynamic
aspects of a workout into every
facets of its building? Through a
series of ramps connecting differ-
ent programmatic elements and
a play between the public-private
nature of space, the Frick Park
Spa is based conceptually and
physically on a series of dynamic
relationships.
Reflecting specifically on these
relationships and the concentra-
tion of human occupancy are the
spa’s pools. As the aquatic center
increases in use and the water
level in the main pool rises, the
water is allowed to flow over the
edge --creating a wall of water
along the ramp to the leisure pool
below. This creates a dialogue
between the three pools, each
flowing into the next terminating
with the children’s pool at the low-
est elevation.
Note: Project with Partner, all
pictured drawings collaborative or
self-produced.
17 Fall ‘06
26. Bloomfield Library
The Urban Tree
What if a public library in a dense,
congested area could have the
qualities of a tree? With a small
ground floor footprint, the
Bloomfield neighborhood library
touches the ground as lightly as
possible and helps to create public
open space in the dense commer-
cial district of the city.
Growing from movement patterns
across the site, the library provides
an exterior courtyard with a cafe,
shaded patio area and second
floor reading area. The ground
floor with patio and small research
area responds to the long cher-
ished virtue of reading under the
shade of a tree. Similar in nature
to the effort and reward of climb-
ing its branches, the ground floor
of the building is met with a ramp
that winds along the periphery
engaging its visitors in a journey
to the main floor reading space
above.
The main floor of the space is clad
with step-like folds in the ground
plane that provide seating as well
as shelves to house books. This
more dynamic space gives the
visitor a place to read in solitude.
Another ramp continues upward
to the green roof where, much
like the top of a tree, the visitor
can enjoy the view of downtown
Bloomfield as well as an area to
relax and read.
23 Spring ‘06
32. Prada Store / Soup Kitchen
Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA
What happens when two seemingly
incongruent programmatic typologies
collide? The apparent architectural
disparity arising from the combina-
tion of a Prada store and soup kitchen
predominately arises when looking
at the quality and atmosphere of the
each space. The Prada store, tradition-
ally cold and materialistic stands in
stark contrast to the warmth—both
conceptually and literally—of a soup
kitchen. Instead of masking this differ-
ence, however, one space is allowed to
diffuse into the other at the threshold.
The soup kitchen is therefore placed
below allowing the warmth to diffuse
into the Prada store. Through warm
colored lights and steam within the
walls, the warmth of the soup kitchen
is diffused into the typically cold Prada
store. From the soup kitchen one can-
not look up and see the prada store,
not because the idea of riches and
prosperity is unattainable, but simply
unimportant. The focus is placed on
the warmth from the volunteers, the
food and hope for a better future.
29 Fall ‘05
38. Remaking Hazelwood
Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA
How can a Brownfield reclamation
site along Pittsburgh’s riverfront
be utilized to accommodate the
struggling local community as well
as support profit-making infrastruc-
ture? The Remaking Hazelwood
urban plan utilizes a balanced
infusion of green space, commercial
infrastructure, housing, industry
and attraction. Through integration
with the existing neighborhood
and flooding the area with much
needed capital, community, local
jobs, and housing growth can all be
supported.
The technological economies of
Carnegie Mellon University and the
University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center provide the initial capital and
population for development. Using
the site for much needed expansion
of research facilities supported by
the existing LTV steel building, the
Hazelwood site is reinvented as a
mixed use destination containing a
hotel, live/work housing, conference/
meeting facilities, fitness and leisure
space, and light retail/commercial
infrastructure. The existing round-
house, once used for storage of lo-
comotives, is re-adapted as a public
exhibition and display of Carnegie
Mellon’s robotics technology. The
open nature of the existing archi-
tecture creates a dialogue with the
LTV building and forms an interstitial
space used for public demonstra-
tions and robotics testing.
Note: Project with Partner, all
pictured drawings collaborative or
self-produced.
35 Fall ‘07
41. With more technological and
government entities moving
in to support CMU and UPMC,
housing for students, research-
ers, and professors will migrate
farther southward on the site. As
these populations reach critical
mass, they will begin to support
re-growth and expansion of the
Second Avenue central business
district. The original north-south
corridor will be supported by
nodes of east-west growth, linking
Second Avenue to the newly cre-
ated parks and boardwalks at the
edge of the river.
Roundhouse
Lauren Connell 38
44. Overlooking the river’s edge, a
complex of mixed-income hous-
ing units serves as a terminus to
the newly developed nodes of
east-west growth. Continuing this
concept of growth, the apartment
units are designed as an open sys-
tem of nodes with combinations
of one-, two-, and three-bedroom
units repeated in plan and section.
As population increases over time,
these nodes can be repeated infi-
nitely down the shoreline.
41 Fall ‘07
48. Bench for Two
White Oak
How can the static form of a
bench respond to the dynamic
interaction between two people?
Tension is created when two
things come very close to touch-
ing, but never actually touch.
When two strangers sit together
on a bench that same tension
is created. They sit next to each
other somewhat unwillingly and
the tight space forces them to be
close without actually touching.
This tension created between
two people is reflected through
a series of rectilinear planes that
come close to touching, but never
actually touch.
45 Spring ‘05
52. Freehand Sketches
Carnegie Mellon University
A series of blind contour drawings,
black and white pencil sketches
exploring highlight and shadow,
and constructed perspectives
from models and around the
Carnegie Mellon Campus.
61 Fall ‘04 - Spring ‘06
