Ragan Allen is an architectural student at the University of Kansas. She has experience working at Ankrom Moisan Architects through internships where she assisted with projects like a mixed-use development and high-rise apartment building. She is currently participating in Studio 804, a graduate design/build studio constructing a LEED Platinum home where she is responsible for acquiring siding and developing the kitchen layout. Allen has strong 3D modeling, drafting, and collaboration skills.

1. Ragan Allen
Architectural Collection | 2011-Present

2. Ragan Allen
Architectural Collection | 2011-Present
ragan.s.allen@gmail.com
503.708.1622

3. 1 Architectural Design 2Ragan Allen
Academic Works
Professional Work
Ankrom Moisan Architects_ pg 03
Personal Work
Singapore Malaysia_pg 69
DIGITALSKILLS
INTERESTS
ARTISTICSKILLS
3D Physical Modeling. Drawing: Ink, Charcoal, Graphite, Stained Glass, Photography
Running, Cooking/Baking, Traveling, Home Improvement Tasks
Proficient with Revit, Sketchup, Adobe Creative Suite , Microsoft Office Suite
Some Experience with Auto-CAD, Grasshopper, Rhino
Skills/Interests
Education
THEUNIVERSITYOFKANSAS,SCHOOLOFARCHITECTURE(2011-PRESENT)
U.S.GRANTHIGHSCHOOL(2007-2011)
STUDYABROAD(JANUARY2013)
Studied Singapore and Malaysian architecture, design, and culture
Cumulative GPA 4.0
Master of Architecture Candidate, Graduation 2016
Current cumulative GPA 3.83
STUDIO804-GRADUATEYEAR(2015-2016)
Design/Build Studio at the University of Kansas
Presently constructing a LEED Platinum Home in East Lawrence
INTERN,ANKROMMOISANARCHITECTS(SUMMER20142015)
ARCHITECTURE,CONSTRUCTION,ANDENGINEERINGMENTORPROGRAM(2009-2011)
INTERN,AMERICANBLIMPCORPORATION(SUMMER2013)
Worked with engineers to organize and archive construction documents
ACE is a national program for high school students interested in pursuing a career in building technology
Developed two separate buildings, a library in the Pearl District in Portland, and a boathouse on the waterfront. Collaborated with professional architects and engineers
2014 | Worked on mixed-use development on Naito Parkway within historic district. The six floors contain retail, offices, classrooms, apartments. Project is due to be completed summer of 2016.
Conducted site research, fabricated multiple chipboard models for presentations, assisted with developing graphic maps.
2015 | Assisted with 23 story high rise apartment complex in Los Angeles, CA. Worked primarily with the Revit lead to adjust graphics within the collaborative model. Additionally worked with the
interior designer to develop the amenity spaces in Sketchup and adobe software with regards to vegetation, furniture, and building qualities.
Work Experience
STUDIO804(2015-2016)
Design/build graduate studio where we designed then constructed a LEED Platinum (92.5/110pts pending) home. Primary responsibilities included siding acquisition, material research, kitchen
layout, and the creation of a final informational book.
Studio 804_pg 13
Armitage Pavilion_pg 59
Brown Education Complex_pg 29
Emerging Economies_pg 47
Ankrom Moisan Architects_ pg 09
Extra-Curricular/Accolades
ACADEMICHONORS
AIA Kansas Honor Award | Armitage Pavilion (October 2014)
Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design, Honorable Mention | Armitage Pavilion (January 2015)
AIAS KU Mark of Distinction Award | Best Study Abroad Photograph (November 2014)
COLLEGE
HIGHSCHOOL
Team Captain, Cross Country (2 years)
Published Photograph in 2010 WITS Student Anthology
Division 1 Cross Country (2 years) and Track (1 year)
Member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee
Honor Roll: 2011-2015
Named to the First Team Academic All Big 12 list 2012-2013
References
DANROCKHILL(ROCKHILLASSOCIATES)
TODDACHELPOHL
University of Kansas Lecturer
j539a212@ku.edu
J.L. Constant Distinguished Professor, Studio 804
rockhill@sunflower.com
MATTKELINMANN
University of Kansas Adjunct Professor
matt.kleinmann@gmail.com

4. 3 Professional | Ankrom Moisan
historic review board members.
The building will include ground floor retail/
education space, rent-able office space on
floors 2-4, and affordable apartments on the
5th and 6th floors. Ankrom Moisan is also
planning to relocate to the 3rd and 4th floors
of the completed building.
This internship served as my first experience
workingatanarchitecturefirm.Ilovedcoming
into work each day and listening to how the
employees interacted and collaborated.
I aided the design development phase for
a mixed-use building sighted along the
Willamette River in Portland, OR. The project
was unique in that it is located in the historic
cast-iron district as well as along highly visible
Naito Parkway.
My role as an intern was to gather information
regarding the site and to construct models
that helped clarify the proposal for the
Summer Internship | ‘38 Davis’
LOCATION
DURATION
FIRM
Ankrom Moisan Architects
May- August 2014
Portland, OR
Above: Location of the site in relation to
Portland districts and transportation. I did not
graphically help with this diagram. It is included
for reference.
Above, Right: The first proposal for the facade
and building form. [1/4”=1’ scale]
Below, Right: Final proposal for the Naito
Parkway facade. [1/4”=1’ scale]
4Ragan Allen

5. 5 Professional | Ankrom Moisan
After meeting with William Hawkins, the Author of ‘The
Grand Era of Cast-Iron Architecture in Portland’, our
team decided to highlight existing columns that were
preserved after buildings were demolished. I created 3D
Sketchup models based on CAD elevations, which were
later placed along the main facade in a ‘grove’ pattern.
6Ragan Allen
Above: Concept rendering of the building with
surrounding context. I developed the adjacent
buildings in Sketchup.
Below: Single-bay facade studies during
the progression of design development. We
presented these during the DAR meetings.

6. 7 Professional | Ankrom Moisan
Above: Street frontage study to analyze how
much of the rooftop HVAC unit would be visible
along different points.
A zoning ordinance required any new
developments to be shorter than the
tallest historically registered building
within the district. I was required to
locate the tallest building in the national
register. If I had not discovered the
80’ tall New Market West building, we
would have had to remove a floor to be
within code, significantly lowering the
profitability of the project.
8Ragan Allen
Above, Left: To mediate between the existing
building and the proposed site, I produced
several models to demonstrate potential gates
Above, Right: A closer up view of the main model
I created as it would be viewed from street level.
Bottom: The final model that was presented to
the DAR board in August. It is now on display
across the street from the construction site.

7. 9 Professional | Ankrom Moisan 10Ragan Allen
realistic ones, create construction document
sheets, and edit a parking document for the
planning departments meetings.
In addition to helping within Revit, I also
worked alongside the interior designers to
create the floor plans in Sketchup for the
lobby, amenity deck, and exterior areas. The
renderings seen at right and on the following
page were outsourced to a different company,
but I created the furniture, vegetation, and
building qualities in Sketchup that became
the basis for the images.
DuringthissecondinternshipIgainedvaluable
experience in appropriately managing Revit
models with emphasis on visibility and
graphics settings, labeling drawings and
documents, and organization.
My second architectural internship was again
with Ankrom Moisan. I worked with a new
team to further develop a 23 story high-rise
apartment building in Los Angeles, California.
When I joined, the project was exiting
schematic design and entering the design
development phase.
I worked primarily under the Revit lead,
helping to clean up the model, adjust floor
plans, replace schematic design walls with
LOCATION
DURATION
FIRM
Ankrom Moisan Architects
May- August 2015
Portland, OR
LEVEL23AMENITYDECK

8. 11 12Ragan AllenProfessional | Ankrom Moisan
The floor plan below was created for the client to highlight
the exterior amenity deck’s hardscapes and softscapes,
as well as its relationship to the interior spaces.
Below: The rendering highlighting the 360 degree
views from the amenity deck. I suggested adding
the people at the edge looking out.
Above, Left: I contributed input during a meeting
with the client to discuss the exterior stone
cladding.
LEVEL02AMENITYDECK

9. 13 14Ragan AllenProfessional | Studio 804
My personal responsibilities for the project
included researching and acquiring siding,
fabricating concrete and marble counter tops,
developing the kitchen layout, and designing
the Schemata (the published book featuring
all aspects of the project).
I can confidently say that I have gained a
substantial amount of knowledge regarding
each component of the design and
construction of this home. I am comfortable
speaking with company representatives
about products, researching materials,
creating mock-ups and testing ideas, and
using tools and machinery. I am honing my
leadership and time management skills and
am able to work effectively in groups as well
as independently.
13
Studio 804: 1200 Pennsylvania Leed Platinum Home
Opposite: The house is bustling with activity as
preparation begins for the self-leveling, windows,
and interior wall placement.
LOCATION
DURATION
PROFESSOR
Dan Rockhill, 2015-2016
9 months
Lawrence, Kansas
The main reason I chose to attend the
University of Kansas was the opportunity
to participate in Studio 804, the acclaimed
design/build Graduate level studio led by
J.L. Constant Distinguished, Professor Dan
Rockhill.
During this 21st year of Studio 804, we are
constructing our programs’ 14th home; and
its 9th LEED platinum structure. The home
is located at the intersection of 12th and
Pennsylvania Street in Historic East Lawrence.
The home will feature an array of solar
panels, highly insulated windows, a large
southern facing courtyard to take advantage
of daylighting and solar heat gain, and cross
ventilation.
Studio 804 is unique in that it is not-for-
profit, entirely self-funded separately from
the University of Kansas. Students are
responsible for the entirety of the project
including scheduling, developing construction
documents, fundraising and budgeting, and
actually constructing the building.

10. 15 16Ragan AllenProfessional | Studio 804
Acquired Skills
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Meetings
HRC (historic resource committee) meeting presentation to gain neighborhood project app
Meetings with LEED specialists
Meetings with specific vendors regarding products (doors, lighting, lumber)
Construction Documents
Aided in developing the visibility/graphic standards for our project
Worked with one other student to develop the kitchen layout
Worked on developing potential wall sections and details for the rain screen and barn rail
Material Research and Acquisition
Responsible for locating materials to use as our rain screen siding material
Spoke extensively with suppliers about products and acquired samples
Calculated the volume of material needed for the exterior cladding
Researched sealant options needed for the wood siding to promote longevity and simplistic maintenance
Researched methods to polish and seal concrete and marble counter tops
Warehouse Experiments
Tested different ways to cast concrete for counter tops and accent pieces within home
Used wet saw on marble slabs stored in warehouse
CONSTRUCTION
Site Work
Participated in site excavation of existing foundation, and re-compaction of the resulting hole using AG3
Performed ongoing field survey using a transit to calculate heights and elevations of foundation form work
Relayed existing brick sidewalk using compacted AG3 and masonry sand
Concrete
Used come-alongs and shovels to pull material around form work
Helped screed, trowel, and edge surface
Helped cut and bend rebar for the footing and slabs
Used the transit to locate the high and low points in the slab for self-leveling, aided in pouring the compound onto the floor
Framing
Worked with the production team to cut the several hundred rafters and joists for the roof
Framed and sheathed the six gables that were lifted up onto the walls
Helped to attach the rafters to the ridge beam
Insulation, Waterproofing, and Flashing
Applied prosoco around the window openings to promote a better seal
Painted the exterior of OSB with prosoco to create a weather barrier
Attached 2” thick insulation to the gables
Added ice and water shield to the entire roof
Added revealsheild, a black self-adhering material, to exterior walls as final layer before batons and siding were attached
Attached insulation and hardiboard to base of walls near footing with carriage bolts
Developed the corner flashing detail for the base of house over hardiboard insulation, used nails and rivets to attach all flashing to house
Exterior Finishes
Squared and plumbed all corners of building before adding siding
Installed siding around all corners and along gable ends ensuring levelness and 1/8” spacing
Interior Tasks
Aided with some electrical wiring, drilling holes, pulling wire, installing boxes
Applied mastic to the seams in rigid ducts
Ragan Allen
Chris Crawford
James DeFries
Mike DeFries
Nolan Fike
Vincent Graceffa
Chandler Hanna
Alyssa Johnston
Michael LaVanier
Cammie Lewis Holiday
Kayleen Lindstrom
Justin Morgan
Suraiya Mymuna
Taylor Pickman
Peter Ryan
Kashish Syeda Naqvi
Allison Wilke
Max Wurster
Below, Left: The footing is poured using a
concrete pump and then is hand-troweled level
with the insulation.
Below, Right: The snap-ties are cut off after the
retaining wall has cured to allow for ease of
disassembly.
Above: The final pieces of siding are attached on
the east facade of the kitchen while the ridge cap
is installed simultaneously.
2016DESIGN/BUILD TEAM

11. 17 18Ragan AllenProfessional | Studio 804
Site excavation
One of the most unique aspects of our project is that the house
is located on a beautiful tree-filled corner lot-and-a-half (75’x
115’) in historic east Lawrence. This allowed us the ability to
design the home around a large southern courtyard, promoting
cross ventilation, privacy, and natural daylighting.
Before we could begin construction, we had to excavate the
debris from the old foundation that had occupied the site from
1932-2010.
Above, Middle: While waiting for our building
permit, we proceeded with relaying the existing
brick sidewalk that had been neglected.
Above, Right: To level off the AB3 base we shot
points periodically, placed a 2x4 across them,
and screed to that level.
Above, Left: After removing the old foundation,
we had to compact AB3 in small layers to create
a stable base for our foundation.
FLOORPLAN (OUTDATED)

12. 19 20Ragan AllenProfessional | Studio 804
Pouring Concrete
Above: The shed was poured in three batches,
foundation and floor, walls, and then roof. The
structure can be used during severe weather.
Below, All: Concrete work continued; after
pouring the initial slab, we proceeded to pour
the exterior walkway, interior self-leveling layer,
and shed.
Left: The studio surveys the result of pouring the
concrete footing.

13. 21 22Ragan AllenProfessional | Studio 804
Framing
Above, All: The framing was constructed in 20’ or
smaller sections to allow for easier handling.
Left: The window span was created using 17’
LVL lumber that was re-purposed from a previous
project.

14. 23 24Ragan AllenProfessional | Studio 804
Sheathing
Exact sheathing of the building was critical to
achieving the appropriate R-values to comply with
LEED standards. During the initial design phase,
the team intently discussed management of the wall
section, placing the gutter behind the rain screen,
adding siding to the roof, and adjusting the insulation
around the footing. Ultimately we did not pursue
siding on the roof or hiding the gutter due to time
restrictions.
Above, Right: Self-adhering ice and water shield
are applied over the insulated roofing panels.
Below, Right: The metal standing seam roofing
is the final phase of roofing before the gutter and
ridge cap are attached.
Above, Left: The 2 inch thick insulated roofing
panels were fastened to the base OSB layer.
WALLSECTION

15. 25 26Ragan AllenProfessional | Studio 804
My primary responsibility for the project was to acquire
the exterior wood siding. After contacting many lumber
distributors, we decided on reclaimed Western Red Cedar
from Ancestral Wood Products, a small Idaho business. The
logs were originally bridge trusses from within the Pacific
Northwest coastal mountains and they provided loggers
access to remote areas.
• Researched into sustainable and affordable wood
species
• Contacted vendors, suppliers, mills, reuse facilities
• Calculated the Board Feet we need for houses’ exterior
• Collaborated with vendors to negotiate a reasonable
price
• Worked with vendors on the lumber dimensions needed
• Researched different methods for treating lumber
• Helped calculate the fastener needs and spacing
• Helped arrange the freight from the mill to the site
• Determined the board width, height, and bevel based
on the option with minimal waste
• Recalculated board size into linear feet
• Installed siding on the house, ensuring correct spacing
• Verified and corrected the batons of the house to
ensure they were plumb, level, and square to create a
crisp edge when sides wrapped corners
• Managed siding installation crews
Rain screen
Below: The siding was installed at the corners
first to ensure they were square, then the siding
was in-filled between the two ends.
Above, All: The lumber during all stages of
processing; reclaimed logs in Idaho, 2” x 6”
bunks, and finally milling in our warehouse.

16. 27 28Ragan AllenProfessional | Studio 804
As of early February we have nearly completed installing
the exterior western red cedar siding on the main form, we
have framed the interior walls, installed HVAC, electrical,
plumbing, and are about to start interior insulation and
drywall. We have been beating every deadline that we set,
and the home is scheduled to be completed no later than
Graduation, May 13th 2016.

17. 29 30Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex29
create a building that really immersed one
within the topography. Rather than keep the
visitors within one specific area, we enabled
them to experience more of the land. We
were inspired by the cracking fissures of the
prairie that happen during summer droughts.
We chose to plant local prairie grass on the
top of the structures to remove the emphasis
from the built environment and divert
attention back to the fields. The greenhouse
was strategically located to take advantage
of daylighting, utilizing thermal mass, and
providing excellent sweeping views.
Brown County Farm Education Complex
Opposite, top: The approach to the education
complex winds along a gravel road and around a
pond, immersing one within the landscape.
Opposite, bottom: The entrance to the complex
is a sloped pathway that branches off in multiple
directions to allow the occupant to explore freely.
LOCATION
DURATION
PROFESSOR
Todd Achepohl, 2015
Four Months
Horton, Kansas
The semester-long comprehensive studio
was intended to gather and employ all
the knowledge we gained throughout our
architecturaleducation,includingmechanical,
plumbing, acoustics, lighting, model building,
and graphic design. The most enjoyable part
of this project was the freedom to develop a
building around what interests me.
We decided to focus on Horton, Kansas due to
its remote location and declining population.
The town has the potential to become a
destination for dining, education, day trips,
or permanent employment.
The studio was split into three different sites
and programs; mine consisted of a farm
complex outside of town. The programming
for this project required space for a organic
farming plot, dormitories, classrooms, an
event space, barns, and a large greenhouse.
My partner, Alex Frost, and I decided to
take the project to a fairly abstract level by
echoing the landscape and recessing the
structures into the earth. Our goal was to

18. 31 32Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex
MAPOFHORTON
Top: The view from the top of the site looking
south out toward the lake.
Bottom: Existing structures located within the
current site, including an old dairy barn and old
pony express stop.

19. 33 34Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex
RECESSEDPATHWAY
RAISEDPATHWAY
TERRACEDPARKING
Opposite: The path surrounding the organic
farmland varies from recessed to elevated to give
multiple vantage points of the site.
MISSIONLAKE
ORGANICFARMLAND
DORMITORYCOMPLEX
CARETAKERSRESIDENCE
GREENHOUSE
EDUCATIONCOMPLEX
BARNS
HISTORICPONYEXPRESSSTRUCTURE
REALESTATEORGANICFARMLAND
HIGHWAY159/73
REALESTATECOMPLEX
130THSTREET

20. 35 36Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex
DN
DN
UP
UP
DN
DN
DN
UP
DN
DN
DN
MAINFLOOR
LOWERLEVEL
Below: There are several ways to enter the
complex by way of ramps and stairs. A bioswale
collects water from the greenhouse roof.

21. 37 38Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex
VERTICALPLENUMSYSTEM
STRUCTURALGRID
All of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
systems are combined behind a panelized wall
to allow maintenance access and also provide a
more visually appealing interior space.
Our project’s structure was composed of steel-
reinforced concrete; concrete complemented our
aesthetic goals.
Top, left: View from the mezzanine deck looking
toward the event space. Classrooms are below.
Top, Right: Ascending the central staircase
toward the front entrance. A light-well brings
additional views of nature into the building.
Below: View looking out over farmland from the
observation deck. The greenhouse is located
within the structure on the left.

22. 39 40Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex
A section looking through the vertical plenum,
light well, hallway, exterior deck, and lower level
classroom. The visitor is constantly reminded of
the natural world throughout the entire building.
Above, All: The final model was roughly 3.5’ x 5’
and helped to delineate the topography.

23. 41 42Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex
The greenhouse offered the researchers many
different ways to grow plants, including hanging
baskets, planter boxes, and in-earth beds. The
north side of the greenhouse was embedded
within the earth to utilize the thermal properties
of the earth.
Operable windows along the roof edge and
below provide an option for passive cooling in the
summertime.
Above: An observation deck contains informative
displays about the farmland as well as a view
directly down into the greenhouse.

24. 43 44Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex
DETAIL OFPOLYCARBONATESYSTEM
Above: The greenhouse’s structure is a
combination of concrete and lightweight steel
which provide an open and visible atmosphere.

25. 45 46Ragan AllenAcademic | Brown Education Complex
UP
DN
UP
DN
DN
DN
MAINFLOOR
LOWERLEVEL1
LOWERLEVEL2
AA BB
Top, Right: The private dormitory is separated
from the main complex and is terraced to allow
privacy.
Bottom: The circular pathway allows for visitors to
utilize the exterior lecture space for classes. Main
complex is seen in the distance.
AA
BB

26. 47 Academic | Emerging Economies
Emerging Economies: Cherry Pit Kitchen
Opposite, top: Rendering of the building and the
adjacent courtyard space.
Opposite, bottom: Sectional perspective within
the restaurant and stairs.
LOCATION
DURATION
PROFESSOR
Matt Kleinmann, Fall 2014
Three Months
Kansas City, Missouri
48Ragan Allen
venue for local chefs or those successful in
the food truck business to open a restaurant.
The restaurant could be flexible and change
depending on the week to allow a greater
diversity of foods within the neighborhood.
The second floor would house an educational
kitchen that could be utilized by chefs,
neighbors, or students.
The entire complex would promote healthy
and diverse food options, which was lacking
within this neighborhood.
The focus of this studio was on ‘maker-spaces’
and ‘makers’, which are creative classes of
people who follow their interests and develop
products with their hands, either full time or
as a hobby. We interviewed several types of
makers within the first several weeks of our
studio.
After the studio grasped the concept of a
maker-space, we began to analyze Kansas
City and located an area in need of a maker
space to boost its local economy. I chose to
create a building along 31st Street to act as a
bridge between the bustling Main Street and
the more ethnically diverse Troost Avenue.
My goal was to fill a hole missing within the
urban fabric in that area, and to draw people
from all social classes and cultures together
in one space.
The result was the Cherry Pit Kitchen, which
would act as a ‘food incubator’ and provide a
place for chefs and locals to mix together and
experience food in a creative environment.
The goal of the building was to provide a

27. 49 Academic | Emerging Economies
LARGE-SCALEANALYSISOFSURROUNDINGS
SITE
Schools
Restaurants
Social Draws
Parks
50Ragan Allen
Above: 31st Street experiences constriction due
to the neighborhood encroaching on the main
thoroughfare.
The site was selected to increase the flow of
circulation between Main Street and Troost
Avenue along 31st Street. The surrounding
neighborhood has many vacant lots that can
be utilized for future development as the area
becomes more populated.
PARKING,GREEN-SCAPE,BUILDINGCONTEXT

28. 51 Academic | Emerging Economies
A. House of Flowers_50’ B. Unkown_61’ C. Sol Cantina_45’
D. Acme Dock Specialists, Inc_ 40’ E. Haus Restaurant_45’ F. 816 Bike Collective_52’
G. Unknown_50’ H. Velvet Dog Bar_ 50’ I. Unknown_51’
52Ragan Allen
B F
AC
EH
I
G
D
Left: Surrounding building facades of similar
scale were analyzed for defining features.
Above: The proposed design blends in with the
surrounding scale of the neighborhood.

29. 53 Academic | Emerging Economies
GROUNDFLOOR SECONDFLOOR 1. Lobby
2. Restaurant
3. Restaurant Kitchen
4. Restaurant Refrigerator
5. Restaurant Freezer
6. Bathrooms
7. Event Space
8. Event Storage
9. Flex / Pin-up Space
10. Casual Seating
11. Office Meeting Space
12. Rent-able Offices
13. Event Space
14. Teaching Kitchen
WH
UP
12
3
4 5
6
7
89
DN
10
1112
12
12 13
14 4 5
54Ragan Allen
Above: The landscape design for the central
courtyard incorporates food trucks and built-in
seating to allow for increased flexibility.

30. 55 Academic | Emerging Economies
Throughout the building, the party wall acts as a backbone
for the space as room conditions change. As the inhabitant
moves through the building they encounter the wall from
different vantage points and weave through it to the
opposite side. The building’s functions are expressed by
the precedents seen at right.
56Ragan Allen
Above, Right The Edible Schoolyard. School
education through food with a focus on science,
history, chemistry, and language.
Below, Right: Lazat Malaysian home cooking
classes. Public classes for tourists using local
recipes.
EVENTSPACE 2NDFLOORLOUNGE RESTAURANTSEATING
Above, Left: Sunday Soup Network. Funding
creative projects with community meals.

31. 57 Academic | Armitage Pavilion
single-handedly determined the ratios of fly
ash, cement, dirt, and pigments for every
wall. Without careful calculations and testing,
the stability and lifespan of the rammed earth
would be severely compromised.
I had not assumed a leadership role before
of this magnitude before, and knowing
that my calculations would permanently
affect how the wall appeared was a weighty
responsibility. I was completely dedicated to
the project and flattered that my classmates
looked to me for direction. I gained
confidence in my abilities as an architect and
team-member during this semester.
This design/build project was my first hands-
on architectural experience. The studio
consisted of 19 students, a real client, a
$3,000 budget, tight site constraints, and a
short four months to design and construct.
Despite the difficulties requiring an entire
studio to agree on a design, solicit donations,
and navigate successfully through unforeseen
construction process setbacks, this project
remains one of my proudest achievements.
The architectural inspiration for the pavilion
came from the natural Kansas landscape
surrounding the site. The solid rammed-earth
walls rise up from the ground to guide visitors
toward the Armitage Center, the red ribbon of
material running through acts as a directional
tool and references the natural layering of
the earth. The wooden canopy cantilevers
over the existing patio and the underside of
the wooden members are carved to mimic
the dancing prairie grasses.
My role was to serve as a Construction
Manager. During the wall construction, I
Dirt Works Studio: Armitage Pavilion
Right: The final result with the main elements
highlighted below, including wood undulation,
prairie grass, and the organic layers of earth.
LOCATION
DURATION
PROFESSOR
Chad Kraus, Spring 2014
Four Months
KU Field Station
SHAPEEXTRUSIONOFTHEWOODENDECKS
58Ragan Allen

32. 59 Academic | Armitage Pavilion
SITEPLAN
60Ragan Allen
Above: The solid earthen walls rise from the
prairie, guiding the inhabitant toward the covered
patio containing seating.

33. 61 Academic | Armitage Pavilion
WALL#4DETAIL
LIFTPATTERNS
62Ragan Allen
Right: Progression from testing, pigmentation,
mixing components, to ramming.
Above, Left: The site during the first wall’s
construction, dirt being processed near the form
work for easy access.
Below, Left: Long hours from 7am to 8pm were
needed to complete a single wall and produce a
seamless finish without cold joints.

34. 63 Academic | Armitage Pavilion
EXPLODEDAXONOMETRICOFCANOPY
Cables, Turnbuckles, Lanyards
Welded Steel Straps
Carved Wood Louvers [reclaimed telephone poles]
Sistered Wood Beams [reclaimed telephone poles]
Wood Columns [reclaimed telephone poles]
Welded Steel Knife Plates
Rammed Earth Walls
Concrete Bell Foundations
64Ragan Allen
Above: Canopy assembly and simultaneous deck
construction.
Below: Detailing the cantilever for the canopy and
the attachment points for the top of the wall.

35. 65 Academic | Armitage Pavilion
CONSTRUCTIONMANAGERS
ACQUISITIONSMANAGERS
Connor Crist
James DeFries
Erin McFarland
Ariel Peisen
Ragan Allen
Vincent Graceffa
Shira Kohn
Michael LaVanier
Taylor Pickman
Team Roles
PROJECTARCHITECTS
Nick Colbert
Chandler Hanna
Brittany Hodges
Jared Pechaur
VISUALCOMMUNICATIONS
Corey Boucher
Matt Everest
Andrew Kloppenburg
PROJECTMANAGERS
Mike DeFries
McKenzie Liebl
Chloe Lockman
66Ragan Allen

36. 67 Personal | Study Abroad
completed an urban design scheme that
focused on maintaining local culture while
instituting new design elements to encourage
tourists to visit Kuala Terrenganu.
Overall, I was most impressed population
density, and the advanced quality of the
transportation networks. I also loved that
we had students from Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia with us as guides while we were
touring. They provided insight into how locals
think with regard to architecture, and they
also aided us in experiencing the local cuisine
and social activities.
Overthe2013winterbreak,Ihadtheprivilege
to participate in a study abroad program
focusing on the architecture and culture of
Singapore and Malaysia. We spent one week
in Singapore, 4 days in Kuala Lumpur, 5 days
in Kuala Terrenganu, and 4 days in Melaka.
While abroad, I was able to see highly
advanced architectural structures and also
vernacular buildings. While overseas, we
Study Abroad
LOCATION
DURATION
PROFESSOR
Kapila Silva
Three Weeks
Singapore Malaysia
Opposite: Photograph from the top of the Petronas
Tower. This photograph won Best Study Abroad
Photograph for AIAS KU, Mark of Distinction.

37. 69 Personal | Study Abroad
Above, Left: Our hotel in Melaka, Malaysia Above, Right: A staircase in Singapore that was
detailed in a beautiful way.
Bottom, Right: Our design proposal for Kuala
Terrenganu. It included a restaurant, space for
social activities, and a hotel.
70Ragan Allen
Above, Left: My favorite train station in
Singapore. The entrances can be seen under the
yellow lights.
Above, Right: A traditional Malaysian village,
converted into a spa retreat.
Bottom, Right: Our study abroad group in front of
the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.