The document presents Ellyn Barkley's undergraduate architecture portfolio, showcasing various spatial studies, fabrication techniques, and design projects. Key projects include a spatial study of a fine arts library, a re-cut wood project demonstrating fabrication processes, a panel project exploring separation and proximity, biomimicry inspired by hummingbird motion, and a habitat study that maps personal routines like coffee preparation. Each section includes drawings, models, and theoretical examinations that reflect her understanding of space and interaction.

1. Ellyn Barkley
Undergraduate Architecture Portfolio

2. spatial study 4-7
re-cut 8-11
panel 12-15
biomimicry 16-21
habitat 22-27
1 table of contents table of contents 2

3. spatial study
perceiving and depicting surroundings
A setting of a unique and intricate fine arts library allowed
for a closer look and awareness of surroundings. The
first step in this mission was a critical examination of the
space through a photographic lense, resulting in a a set of
corresponding photographs that approach the same subject
from different angles: moving through the space and then
looking up at each space.
After discovering the space, drawings helped to reach
a higher level of understanding. The technical study
examines the support systems and structures, while the
figural examination studies the decorative objects. These
result in a study of the exisiting elements of the library.
The analyzation of an experienced space progresses to a
space created using manipulation of photographs, resulting
in a composite photograph, and a new space to analyze.
The final set of drawings represent an unfolding of this new
perceived space, as if it one is walking through it. This series
reflects the same technique as the previous drawings, using
the constant pattern of the fence to determine layers.
3 spatial study spatial study 4

4. composite photograph technical drawing figural drawing
up 1 up 2 up 3
through 1 through 2 through 3 unfolding 1 unfolding 2 unfolding 3
5 spatial study spatial study 6

5. re-cut
finding the potential of one piece of wood
Focusing on exploring and learning fabrication
techniques, and creating drawings that accurately
represent the fabrication process, the project began
simply with one, solid, uniform piece of wood.
The drawings focus on the actual process of the
fabrication, beginning with a diagram of the wood
cuts necessary to create the final product. It shows
how the design strives to maximize the available wood
and also maintain a subtle continuous curve by cutting
from the same lines.
The next set of drawing progresses to the final
product, after fabrication. The elevation view shows
the curves that define the overall program, while
the plan view exhibits the hidden thinness. The
final perspective view, along with the models,
finally demonastrate how the product is viewed after
fabrication.
final model final model, detail
7 re-cut re-cut 8

6. wood cut lines
elevation view plan view
perspective
9 re-cut re-cut 10

7. panel
establishing a relationship between two people
In a clear progression from the re-cut project, the panel
project continues the focus on fabrication techniques and
their drawings. Starting with only two requirements - the
ability to separate two people and the ability to condense
into one-third of it’s original size - the result was a panel that
is always utilizing visual and physical barriers.
By limiting the control to one person, there is always some
element of separation. If the controller opens up the panel,
visual access is allowed, but there is a physical barrier.
Conversely, a closed panel allows close physical proximity,
but no visual access. The different lengths, orientations,
materials, and other aspects were tested out through
multiple models.
The resulting drawings include orthographic views that
show the rotaional aspects of the panel and a kinetic series
that illustrates the relationship between the owner and the
panel.
quarter-scale model, detail full-scale model, detail quarter-scale model
11 panel panel 12

8. front elevation, side elevation showing rotation, and plan view kinetic series
13 panel panel 14

9. biomimicry
utilizing a mechanism found in nature
When given the assignment of looking to nature for shown in a kinetic series of different orthographic
inspiration for a mechanism, the unique abilities of the views and overlaping perspective views to show the
hummingbird immediately came to mind. Research range of motion.
explained that the hummingbird’s ability to hover When the project moved from a prototype to creating
and fly in any direction is due to its ball-and-socket a product to enhance a site, the prototype lent itself
shoulder joint, which allows for full one hundred and to creating a modular seating area with an adjustable
eight degree rotation. shading device. The detailed drawings and models of
Hand sketches of the wing motions and bone the locking mechanism show the kinetic series of how
structure revealed the efficiency of the movements, unlimited motion becomes efficient, mirroring the
how the hummingbird has the ability of full rotation hummingbird.
but only moves for what is necessary. This discovery The drawings of the orthographic drawings show
led to a hand drawing of the kinetic sequence of the how the modular seating can be arranged and how
bones during flight. much, or how little space, is taken up depending on
These discoveries led to the core ideas of the the shade’s orientation. The rendering and final
prototype, which uses a similar ball-and-socket for models further explain the orientation of the product
the base, but then uses a gear mechanism to allow in the site and the user interaction.
for limited motion and efficiency. Using laser-cut
museum board, the prototype model was able to
final model, shade detail final model have small and intricate pieces. The ideas are further
15 biomimicry biomimicry 16

10. prototype models kinetic series
bone structure
wing movements kinetic sequence perspective views
17 biomimicry biomimicry 18

11. final model, locking mechanism locking mechanism
rendering side elevation showing rotational shade variations plan view and front elevation view
19 biomimicry biomimicry 20

12. habitat
transforming a habit into a three-dimensional space
My routine of coffee preparation, while originally space, I realized that it was necessary to expand my
rigorously tested, has now become a process that program from simply the preparation of coffee to
can happen completely subconsciously. Without activities that are directly effected by it, resulting
fail, my body quickly responds to a cup of hot black first in programatic rules and then a programtic
coffee, with each step broken down into smaller steps diagram. As with the preparation, this new program
themselves: sugar, cream, stirring, drinking. The also became divided into four distinct spheres: coffee,
subconsious actions continually elevate the simple cup study, relax, sleep.
of coffee from an inanimate object to something that By realizing and defining the programmatic rules
provides a much larger purpose. of coffee preparation, and new program is formed.
I have chosen to analyze the effects of these actions I used these rules to define a three-dimensional
based on both the movement and spatial impacts. The space where physical and visual access act to allow
movement analysis studies whcih parts of my body and prohibit these interactions in space. The spaces
are actually performing each individual step, and how are experienced through a visual and physical walk
these steps relate to each other. The spatial studies through and corresponding photographs of the
focus on the amount of space necessary for these model. For a person inhabiting this space, the rules
movements to occur, examining where the spaces become clear simply by interacting and living in the
overlap the most or deviate for certain steps. structure.
While progressing from a theoretical two-dimensional
habitat models study to a physically-inhabitable three-dimensional
21 habitat habitat 22

13. kinetic mapping, movement and spatial
programatic rules
programatic diagram
movement mapping, cumulative spatial mapping, cumulative
movement mapping by step exploded axonometric and renderings
23 habitat habitat 24

14. visual and physical walk through of habitat
model, stepping down from sleep modle, looking down in sleep model, top view of study and relax
section views model, top view of coffee model, looking out from relax model, looking at coffee from study
25 habitat habitat 26