environments in formation

ENVIRONMENTS IN FORMATIONSEAN MICHAEL DULA

ENVIRONMENTS IN FORMATIONA DESIGN PORTFOLIO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A CONTEMPLATIVE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN AN EXISTING URBAN FABRIC

A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOCUSED UPON VINIFICATION

A MEDITATIVE ENVIRONMENT OFF THE GRID

A TEMPORARY THEATER TO FUNDRAISE FOR CHARITY

A SOLUTION FOR PROLIFIC DEURBANIZATION

REPRESENTING ENVIRONMENTS

RESUMÉ

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HOW TO CREATE A CONTEMPLATIVE

ENVIRONMENT WITHIN AN EXISTING URBAN

FABRIC?

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THE SITEUsing the camera as an extension of the eye, photo documentation frames the site in a permanent manner. Here, I was able to capture characteristics of the site that drawings cannot.

A. View of the Mississippi River looking east from the site. Notice the change in grade and the state of the surrounding built environment, especially the levee.

B. Night view of the Eads Bridge, the southern boundary to the site.

C. View of the site looking south toward the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and the Gateway Arch.

D. Night view of the west, north, and east.

A

B

D

C

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The site is uniquely situated adjacent to the Jefferson National Expansion Museum and the famous Gateway Arch. The iconic piece of modernism is visible from the site, only separated by the Eads Bridge. The intention is to break the barrier between the park and urban environment by extending its reach.

Site Boundary

Aerial Flooding Map

Water Level

545-June

505-May470-July430-April

360-March

355-Aug.230-Feb.

214-Sept. 164-Dec.

155-Jan. 143-Oct.141-Nov.

Water Volume Velocity(1,000 FT3/SEC)

Lowest Record Level (1940)

Observed River Level (2012)NOAA Average Water Level

Flood Level (1979)

Flood Level (1993)

River Current

1993 Flood Level1979 Flood LevelNOAA Averaged River LevelAugust 2011

Observed River Level 9/8/2012

1940 Lowest Recorded Level

Plan

Section

site boundary

Site

East St. Louis

St. Louis

Aerial Flooding Map

(ft)

Jan. Dec.

30

20

10

Average Monthly Water Level (2011)

1993 Satellite Flood Map

As part of our studio we did extensive site research to better understand our challenge and to act more knowledgeably. Contributers: T. Bazil, M. Savala, Z. Hang, K. Hall, A. Balogh, S. Hecker, S. Silva, J. Tadlock, J. Lenard, R. Rebish, R. Greenberg

1875 View of Site

Site Boundary

Aerial Flooding Map

Water Level

545-June

505-May470-July430-April

360-March

355-Aug.230-Feb.

214-Sept. 164-Dec.

155-Jan. 143-Oct.141-Nov.

Water Volume Velocity(1,000 FT3/SEC)

Lowest Record Level (1940)

Observed River Level (2012)NOAA Average Water Level

Flood Level (1979)

Flood Level (1993)

River Current

1993 Flood Level1979 Flood LevelNOAA Averaged River LevelAugust 2011

Observed River Level 9/8/2012

1940 Lowest Recorded Level

Plan

Section

site boundary

Site

East St. Louis

St. Louis

Aerial Flooding Map

(ft)

Jan. Dec.

30

20

10

Average Monthly Water Level (2011)

1993 Satellite Flood Map

AA

BB

Level Zero A. East Entry RampB. Scandinavian BathsC. Women’s WashroomD. Men’s WashroomE. SaunaF. Outdoor TerraceG. Lift

A

B

C

D

G

E

F

Level One A. LoungeB. BathC. Cantilevered bathD. Women’s WashroomE. Men’s WashroomF. Operations OfficeG. KitchenH. Lift

C

B

A

A

F

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E

DH

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Level Two A. West EntryB. BarC. Cantilevered bathD. Lift

A

D

BC

East Facade

THE BATHSThe primary program of the space is the Scandinavian baths that fill the main space within the structure. Immediately upon entry the experience of the occupant is carefully orchestrated. According to bath custom, the bather first undergoes warm treatments to dilate blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, and increase blood flow. Following the warm showers, baths, and sauna, the bather enters the cold rinse baths. Then, they retire to the relaxation and social spaces outdoors or above in the lounge and bar. The experience of the bather is defined by interaction among others and the city. The idea of seclusion and retreat is brought to the urban environment.

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THE BARLaclede’s Landing, the sector surrounding the site, is an area dominated by nightlife and attractions. The bar serves a local gathering spot and allows for operation in the evening hours.

AA

BB

AA

BB

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Entry

Sectional model22

MODELINGAs an intensive studio,

our focus with this project was upon rapid

and professional output, primarily with styrene conceptual and architectural models.

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HOW TO CREATE A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOCUSED UPON VINIFICATION?

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PERCEPTUAL AUGMENTATION CONTAINER This object demonstrates the tactile quality of the site-based texture: slate. The user slides the piece into the uniquely sized slot in the brightly colored object. While in the case, two distinct textural experiences are felt from either the ergonomic relief on top or the side opening. On top, the user experiences the slick, planar qualities of the slate - a characteristic that allows billiards to be possible. On the side, the user feels the coarse, rigid part of the slate.

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SITEThe location is on the corner of a busy corridor in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood, directly east of Forest Park.

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ASSEMBLY

To visually comprehend the grade of the site, we measured and modeled the result using a texture derived from the site. Then, we made a second, biased iteration to begin programming the site.

First Level

A. EntryB. Art

C. KitchenD. Lift

BC

DA

A

B

CD

Lower Level

A. Wine CellarB. FermentationC. Bottle StorageD. Lift

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Roof Level

A. Ramp B. Rooftop Bar

C. Organic Garden

DB

A

A

E HF

C

Second Level

A. DiningB. Wine BarC. Wine Tasting

D. Ramp to RooftopE. Women’s WashroomF. Men’s Washroom

A

C

B

B

36 Entry shown with adjacent public bus shelter

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HOW TO CREATE A MEDITATIVE ENVIRONMENT

OFF THE GRID?

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To examine the natural resources of the site, we excavated sandstone and utilized it to investigate an

architectural principle. The rock was broken along an existing fracture, resulting in the three volumes seen here. The arrangement articulates the fundamental discrepancy between

the natural horizontal orientation of stone and its excavation to create

vertical structures by man.

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REFINING ENVIRONMENT:MATERIAL RESEARCH

Natural grain of rock along fracture

Raw lumber

Debarked

Work

Transit

Rest

Private

Public

Work

Transit

Private

Public

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Plan view of site-installed model

=+

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Dynamic

Static

Meditation

Yoga

Bunks

S

+

Bunk

Bunk

Bunk

Storage+

Mechanical

Meditation Loft

Entry

Kitchenette

Meditation Loft

YogaStudioLower Level

Upper Level 50

Styrene model, day

Night

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HOW TO DESIGN A TEMPORARY THEATER TO FUNDRAISE FOR CHARITY?

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CHARITY KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public charter schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life.

Our goal was to raise the highest amount for KIPP St. Louis. To do so, my partner, Kristen Nowotarski, and I designed a simple structure that used minimal material while maximizing impact. We recycled much of the wood used for the structure. Plywood was pulled from trash piles and siding removed from a barn that was being demolished.

For our efforts we were able to raise nearly $10,000 in donations over a two-day period.

COL·LAB·O·RATEThe design for the theater was a lesson in collaboration. My partner and I had to work with several interest groups to create a cohesive environment: playwrights for the stage design, construction managers for the modularization, the treasurer for the budget, an architect for structural approval. The outcome from this process was an award-winning design.

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HOW TO FIND PURPOSE IN PROLIFIC

DEURBANIZATION?

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DEURBANIZATION

Currently, the city of St. Louis has over 10,000 vacant lots of land. The unprecedented

deurbanization of St. Louis has presented several problems, one being: what to do with this land? One solution that has been working for residents is urban farming. For this project, I designed a structure that harnesses rainwater and provides shelter for the neighborhood garden. The site,

seen here, is in an incredible state of disrepair along a once famous commerce street in St. Louis,

Martin Luther King Drive.

INVESTIGATING SCALE

A. Overall view B. Detail of wall joint

C. Insulation detailD. Hand-drawn linear translation of

insulation

A

B

C

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D

EXAMINING VEGETATION: ZUCCHINI WIRE MODELHere, my partners, T. Bazil and J. Yong Lee, and I constructed a wire model to examine the geometries of the Zucchini flower.

The wire model in stop-motion

+ + Light

INVESTIGATING ENVIRONMENTS: SPACE BRICKWith this construct I examined light and space using adjustable partitions in a dove-tail spine; hand drawing illustrates the different positions

In the first semester of my architecture career, the faculty stressed the importance of drawing by hand; to the left is the first drawing I did. It pictures the floor plan below a section cut, a second cut looking the

opposite way to the left, and an elevation at an

oblique angle. Within the section cut, you see the inside of the cistern. To the right are photos of my final model at 1/2”

scale.

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REPRESENTING ENVIRONMENTS

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Viewfinder, constructed fall 2012

REPRESENTING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT:US BANK SKYWALK IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS5” x 8.5” sketches

REPRESENTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT:FOREST PARK, ST. LOUIS5” x 8.5” sketches

GRAPHIC REPRESENTATIONSExamples from the LLC I co-foundedMain responsibilities include public relations and media, including web presence and retail graphics

check out our new smartphone and tablet enabled website:

www.giggle-tree.com

Don’t be too frightened!

...they’re only toys!

Trick or Treat Photo Contest

GiggleTree Toys announces the first annual

Snap a photo of your little one (up to age 8) dressed in their Halloween costume

Get your friends and family to like the photo

The Ghoul with the most likes on Monday, November 5, at 12:00pm will have their choice of any one of our toys

Post the photo to the GiggleTree Toys Facebook page

Braille designed by Louis Braille in 1825

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What is KUYO?

Board of Directors

Youth Profiles

How to Apply for Funding

What is kü-’yō?

kü-’yō is short for the Coalition for Urban Youth Opportunity. We are a 501(c) non-profit organization that promotes awareness, raises funds, and conducts opportunity for the urban youth of America.

What is “ōpportunity”?

Opportunity, in our eyes, manifests itself in many ways. Here are just a few examples:

-Higher Education -Organized Atheltics -Mentorship

Many of these are conducted through either programs run by kü-’yō or other organizations such as:

-YMCA -Big Brothers, Big Sisters -Universities

Various communication design projects

Daniel B. GrimmPrincipal

### Shelbyville RoadSuite ###

Louisville, KY 40222

###.###.####danielgrimm@####.###

www.grimmarch.com

NCARB ICCARCHITECT

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EducationWashington University, BS Arch + Communication Design Minor | St. Louis, Missouri | 2010-2014 Professional Experience GiggleTree Toys, LLC | Nashville, Tennessee | 2011-PresentCofounderEstablish and guide Limited Liability CorporationDesign and manage public relations including brand identity, advertisements, and internet presenceMaintain retail product documentation

Contracted Design + Build | St. Louis, Missouri | 2012Chartered design process for residential project with budget exceeding $75,000Produced renderings for client and construction documents for contractorsExecuted on-site design and construction

Alberti Program: Architecture for Young People | St. Louis, Missouri | 2012InstructorCollaborated with fellow instructors to create problem-based studio curriculumGuided students individually through the design processDesigned, printed, and bound weekly textbooks pertaining to curriculum

St. Louis Art Museum | 2012Museum InternEvaluated the community involvement and educational relevancy of the museumResearched new methods for active visitor experiencesImplemented research through transformative exhibit experience entitled Gallery Diving

Washington University in St. Louis Architecture School Council | 2011-2012President Served as the primary representative for the architecture student body Restructured a university community dance into a philanthropic event to raise $4500 for a school initiative benefiting inter-city youth Managed a $29,000+ budget, prioritizing projects and allocating funds where most appropriate

ThurtenE Carnival | St. Louis, Missouri | 2011-2012Design Chair Created structural, electrical, and aesthetic design for temporary carnival facade structureConsulted with architect to approve design & construction documentsFacilitated construction of temporary carnival facade

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Daniel Grimm, Architect | Louisville, Kentucky | 2011Architectural Intern Developed computer and hand-drawn renderings for residential and commercial projectsCollaborated with principal architect to create alternative designs per clients’ requests Engaged in many aspects of running a small architecture office including site visits, client and contractor meetings, and preconstruction document management SkillsDigital Modeling (Revit, Rhino, VRay, Google SketchUp, & AutoCad)Physical Output (Museum-grade plastic modelling, lasercutting, and 3D printing)Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, & InDesign)Word Processing (Microsoft Office, iLife) Distinctions & Honors Danforth Scholar, Washington University in St. Louis Kentucky Governors School for the Arts | 2009 Leadership & ServiceSpring Break Service Trip to Mississippi | 2009, 2011, 2012Group Leader, Catholic Student Center’s FreshmenFive Initiative | 2011-2012Student Union Senate, Washington University in St. Louis | 2010-2011Manager of Pool Operations, Kentuckiana Pool Management | 2009-2011Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership | 2008

ReferencesGay LorberbaumProfessor of Architecture | Washington University in St. Louislorberbaum@samfox.wustl.edu | 314.935.9299

Daniel Grimm, NCARB, ICCPrincipal | Daniel Grimm Architect danielgrimm@bellsouth.net | 502.744.8716 Igor MarjanovicDirector | Undergraduate Program | Washington University in St. Louis marjanovic@samfox.wustl.edu | 314.935.6262

ENVIRONMENTS IN FORMATIONSEAN MICHAEL DULA

Architecture is a process...

about much more than just built form; encompassing time, place, emotion, etc.