The portfolio contains 4 years of Devon Ayers' undergraduate architectural design projects. It includes 8 design studios covering a diversity of projects including a Caribbean Music Hall of Fame in Jamaica, SRO housing in Cleveland, a housing complex with shops in Kent, Ohio, and a "Fast Good" restaurant and market in Cleveland. The portfolio illustrates how architectural design can enhance life by serving societal needs through applied science and interdisciplinary art forms.
1. 1
Poetics
of Space
A Portfolio of Creative Work By:
Devon Ayers
dayers1@kent.edu
Bachelor of Science
in Architecture
Kent State
University
2. The portfolio you are about to view is a representation of four years of
undergraduate study in architectural design. The projects shared in these
pages represent a diversity in design theory as experienced in eight design
studios. This blending of interdisciplinary art forms and applied science
illustrates how architectural design can be used to serve the ever changing
needs of society. And with inspiration grounded in logic, I believe we can
enhance the experience of life.
January 1, 2011
4. Contents
L4 Caribbean Music Hall of Fame
L2 SRO Housing
The Caribbean Music Hall of Fame challenges the idea of
site and program. The site itself drops a total of 140’just
within the boundaries.
The stepping effect and repetition was the theme in Cleveland.
I was able to mimic the neighborhood design since it was
located in a residential neighborhood.
6
18
5. L2 Housing Complex
L3 El Bulli / “Fast Good” Restaurant
C
In the quant town of Kent, Ohio, the project parameters
included to develop a housing complex with the bottom
level being elegant little shops.
El Bulli and fast health are boutique restaurants that offer a
special experience with food preparation and presentation.
A growing trend is to use restaurant design to enhance the
connection between customer and the eating experience.
26
38
DesignStudio
6. L4
Caribbean Music Hall of Fame
Program: Museum / School / Offices
Location: Trelawny, Jamaica
Project Duration: 7 Weeks
Professor: Charles Harker
16. 16
L4
CaribbeanMusicHallofFame
16
The walkway that overlooks the
lobby is interrupted by the interior
louvered wall. It provides for an open
environment feeling while selectively
obstructing a view of other parts of the
building. A layering of materials and the
design layout are used here to create
the feeling of openness.
42. 42
L3
ElBulli/“FastGood”Restaurant
42
Plans for the restaurant
reflect different levels
where eating pods could
be placed. The open air
design allows the pods
to be connected by the
same path or site.Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
43. 43
L3
DesignStudio Level3
43
Developing a 3D model was the
logical next step. This approach
allowed me to develop a real
world example confirmed
that regardless of which pod
a customer sites at they can
enjoy an open line of site to the
outside world.
45. 45
L3
DesignStudio Level3
45
These perspectives
show views of the visual
experience while sitting
inside the restaurant. The
top photo shows what
a customer will see by
looking toward the roof
level. The bottom photo
shows how the lower
pods interact with the
entrance of the building.
46. 46
L3
ElBulli/FastGood
46
The open air market was ready for a new
experience and therefor required some
basic research. As I learned in my research to
determine the best restaurant design, many
elements overlap. In order to create a visual of
the overlapping elements I used the mapping
process shown to the left.
I took what I learned from the research and
mapping process to strategically locate
repetitive items. Therefore as one passes
down the center aisle repetitive elements
complement each other. This approach
provided the basis for the entire market layout.
47. 47
L3
DesignStudio Level3
47
The same pod concept that was
used in defining the elements
in the restaurant, in it became
the driving force designing
behind the rest of the market
complex. The photo to the right
provides a perspective shows
how overlapping levels can
complement repetition.
The diagram below shows a color
coated layout of strategically
located pod elements. These
‘pods’were developed from taking
multiple sections of the restaurant
unit developed earlier.
48. 48
L3
ElBulli/“FastGood”Restaurant
48
The pods were designed to make use
of the entire site. The section below
shows their orientation. The opposite
side of the market complex is a mirror
image of this pod layout.
49. 49
L3
DesignStudio Level3
49
This longitudinal section shows the relationship between levels and their staircases. The sections from the
restaurant, as shown in the previous diagram, are easily seen here. These sections were turned in 3D forms
providing a realistic model from which I developed the market complex.
52. 52
L3
ElBulli/“FastGood”Restaurant
52
In the foreground of the perspective below, the element of
moving water was built into the program. It was designed
as multiple connecting waterfall pods at various levels.
The water also circulated at strategic points in the market
adding an element of fresh outdoors.
53. 53
L3
DesignStudio Level3
53
The perspective below shows the
relationship of the surrounding
buildings and between the two
new developed areas: the fast
health restaurant the newly
developed market space.