architectural portfolio

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

2014

ELISE SELLS

contents

architecture 01b a t h h o u s e

m o d e r n h o u s e c o m p e t i t i o n

m a m m o t h m u s e u m

t h re s h o l d h o u s e

020304

design-build t h e t o n e y h o u s e 05

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architecture bathhouse 01

exercise in context and atmosphere2013

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master studio telluride, Co

“as We learn to read the land, We learn to Hear ourselves”

Peter stutchbury

the Colorado master studio was a one week design charette

that took place in telluride, Co. during the week, students were

placed into groups of 4 and were asked to analyze site conditions

and program with the intent of identifying specific connections to

the surroundings. our observations were then applied to a given

program and carried out into designs under the guidance of three

international recognized tutors, rick Joy, richard lepistier and

Peter Stutchbury. The week culminated in the final critique by the

tutors.

our group’s inspiration was taken from water’s powerful presence

in the valley where telluride rests. telluride sits in a box canyon

nestled below peaks to her North, south and east. Water

plummets down a 375 foot water fall at the head of the valley.

Bridal Veil Falls, fed by a glacier filled lake 10,000 ft above, is the

source for the san miguel river below. the san miguel begins its

journey to the Pacific Ocean in Telluride. It is here where the river is

its freshest, most youthful and most commanding.

Our goal with the Bathhouse was to showcase water’s influence

on telluride canyon, the town, it’s residents and visitors. telluride’s

existence, orientation and survival are all in-part determined by

water. the visual presence of Bridal Veil Falls accompanied by

the sound of the river echoing between the canyon walls evokes

a feeling of rejuvenation. our group insisted on designing a

Bathhouse whose architecture magnified water’s influence on the

land, on the town and on the people.

eNd oF sKi daY entry rendering

01b a t h h o u s e

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01b a t h h o u s e

final destination bird’s eye view of canyon

eValUatinG site

the site rests on the southernmost edge of

town trapped between the river and the urban

context. the town rises slowly towards the

north, following the softer slope of the southern

face. south of the river the mountains climb and

dominantly look back over the site.

there are moments on site where either the urban context dominates or where the natural

environment dominates. the border closest the town, the north property line, is the highest

point on the site. there the forest and the river seem irrelevant. entering the middle of the

site, the town slowly begins to disappear behind the sound of the river and the towering

mountain to the south. at the furthest edge, the town vanishes and the movement of the

river, the water fall and the steep slope of the canyon are all one notices.

point where river is heard and peaks come into view busiest urban corner strong up stream movement

path of least resistance path of greatest resistance first sketch of entry

7section sketch through valley

01b a t h h o u s e

snowy moon lit night bird’s eye view of site

01b a t h h o u s e

Overriding Concept: SUBTRACTED SOLID

The inspiration for our concept came from observing how water

moves and shapes Telluride. Water carves the valley out from

the surrounding mountains. The erosion can be quick and violent

and leave behind jagged scars. At other times, the erosion takes

thousands of years to softly shape rock into smooth glass-like

surfaces.

As the river tears down the mountain side and winds through the

valley bottom, it creates diverse tactile environments. The varying

textures, forms, sounds and sensual experiences inspired each

unique space in the Bathhouse.

Our group envisioned concrete as our building material. Concrete

can communicate a continuous solid mass and take on endless

textures. We imagined a simple solid form being pushed, pulled

and carved away by water to reveal a multitude of experiences

articulated by different textures, lighting, sounds, smells and

temperatures. Water was to remain the star of the building.

Preserving a subtractive language was paramount to displaying

water’s impressive nature.

Subtraction 1 PUSHWhen the mass is pushed

in, the concrete texture changes from smooth to

rough

Subtraction 2 PULL

Subtraction 3 CARVEWhen the mass is carved out, the concrete texture changes from smooth to

rough

SUBTRACTED SOLID section perspective at entry

solid concrete mass diagram

subtractions diagram

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01b a t h h o u s e

saunaplunge pool

bath 3private bath

changing roomsreceptionentrycourtyard

bath 4roof topcovered bath

bath 1roof top bath

river roomsaunaplunge pool

program continued

In addition to the multi-sensual bathing experiences, the program called for a sauna and meditation

room. The sauna room takes on a completely different personality. Instead of a wet atmosphere created

by water and steam, the sauna is heated using coals allowing for the room to remain completely dry. It is

kept at 158 degrees Fahrenheit. The plunge pool is the highlight of the sauna room. It pushes through the

Southern facade and allows light to filter in. It is kept just above freezing and has a depth of 7’ allowing

for a full-body plunge. In the winter months, the pool is fed by recent snow fall. The sauna room along

with the plunge pool stimulate our bodies sensitivity to touch and extreme temperatures.

our group decided to call the meditation room, river rooms. There are three river rooms on the southern

most edge of the building, closest and parallel to the river. The rooms offer no exterior views and remain

mostly dark. The limited light that reaches the interior comes from tiny slights in the facade. These

apertures capture and amplify the sound of the rushing water. While lying on a river rock bed, surrounded

by darkness, the sound of the river becomes paramount. This space is truly meditative.

bath 2public bath

bath 2semi private bath

longitudinal section 2

floor plan

section perspective at river rooms

01b a t h h o u s e

entry processionformal receptionbath 2public bath


bath 1roof top bath

river room entry threshold

program

The bathhouse program consists of a variety of bathing experiences, unique rooms to stimulate user

senses and service areas including changing rooms and formal reception. Bath 1 dominates the roof. It

is public and entirely exposed to the elements. By sinking it down and elevating roof elements to create

forced views, users are unaware of the surrounding buildings and are instead face-to-face with nature.

Bath 2 is public and protected from the elements. This bath is illuminated from the skylights above.

There are semi-private pods scattered throughout offering a multi-dimensional bathing experience.

Textures vary where the semi-private volumes exist. Different from the smooth texture of the majority of

the walls, the semi-private pods take on a rougher texture intended to mimic a subtraction from the main

volume that has yet to be softened by the water. Bath 3 is private. This truly secluded, intimate bathing

experience allows for quiet meditation. Each private bath is illuminated from a low window at the height of

the ground, illuminating the water and allowing framed views out to the gardens.

bath 1 bath 2 bath 3

section perspective through baths


roof plan

01b a t h h o u s e

saunaplunge pool

bath 3private bath

changing roomsreceptionentrycourtyard

bath 4roof topcovered bath

bath 1roof top bath

river roomsaunaplunge pool

program continued

In addition to the multi-sensual bathing experiences, the program called for a sauna and meditation

room. The sauna room takes on a completely different personality. Instead of a wet atmosphere created

by water and steam, the sauna is heated using coals allowing for the room to remain completely dry. It is

kept at 158 degrees Fahrenheit. The plunge pool is the highlight of the sauna room. It pushes through the

Southern facade and allows light to filter in. It is kept just above freezing and has a depth of 7’ allowing

for a full-body plunge. In the winter months, the pool is fed by recent snow fall. The sauna room along

with the plunge pool stimulate our bodies sensitivity to touch and extreme temperatures.

our group decided to call the meditation room, river rooms. There are three river rooms on the southern

most edge of the building, closest and parallel to the river. The rooms offer no exterior views and remain

mostly dark. The limited light that reaches the interior comes from tiny slights in the facade. These

apertures capture and amplify the sound of the rushing water. While lying on a river rock bed, surrounded

by darkness, the sound of the river becomes paramount. This space is truly meditative.

bath 2public bath



floor plan

section perspective at river rooms

01b a t h h o u s e

entry court yard entry procession lobby sketch

suBTracTEd mass section perspective at lobby gETTINg Warm rendering of entry courtyard and lobby

entry procession

1615

LoBBY + courTYard rEcEpTIoN

after descending the path down away from the

built environment, visitors are slowly transitioned

from the town into the bathhouse. The exterior

courtyard acts as a place for pause where

visitors can reflect on where they came from and

anticipate where they are going. The lobby is

compressed and mostly dark except for the light

reflecting off of the courtyard wall and shafts of

light coming from the change rooms and bath 2.

01b a t h h o u s e

INTERIOR BATHS

Baths 1, 2, 3 and 4 allow visitors to relate to

water through touch. The water temperature

remains between 68 and 73 degrees

Fahrenheit. The warm water creates steam

in bath 2 area and on the roof top deck in

the winter months. Baths 1 through 4 allow

visitors to be fully submerged either by

swimming in the pools or feeling the steam

and condensation on their skin. deck serving bath 4 windows to bath 3

private bathsbath 4roof top covered bath

slice model throughbaths 1 through 3

suBTracTEd mass section perspective at baths WaddINg IN rendering bath 2

1817

01b a t h h o u s e

sauna room and plunge pool

The sauna room is reached by following the

stepping stone path past baths 2 and 3 to the

southernmost edge of the building. a vertical

shaft of light guides visitors into the sauna room.

This shaft of light originates from the plunge pool

which punctures through the facade and allows

visitors of the bathhouse to literally, step outside

and plunge their bodies into frigid cold water. our

group imagined a passersby witnessing this cold

water plunge and wanting to try it themselves. exTreme TemperaTures rendering sauna room + plunge pool

01b a t h h o u s e

INFINITY baTh bath 1, roof top bath rendering

01b a t h h o u s e

mind at work process page from sketch book

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architecture modern housecompetition

modern - a moving target2011

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STAPLETON NEIGHBORHOOD, CO

In 2011 our studio decided to take part in a competition to

design a Modern House in the Stapleton neighborhood of

Denver Colorado. The competition was hosted by The Denver

Architectural League. The project brief challenged designers to

consider what Modern looks like today and more specifically it

required them to devise an architectural response to the idea of

Modern as a moving target. The clients/inhabitants were outlined

as a husband and wife in their mid to late 60’s whose children,

having just graduated college, were moving home. Designers

were encouraged to consider social, economical and cultural

circumstances and formulate a response that challenges what a

Modern Home could be in our era.

I chose to address the question of what modern living looks like

today by making a social commentary on the status of families

in our society. The subtle design decisions were purposeful. I

decided to separate the living quarters for the parents and the

children. This decision was based off our societies stigma attached

to middle aged men and women living with their parents. The

attitudes are most often negative. Most parents and 20 some

things would prefer not to live together. By separating the floor

plan into two volumes, I hoped to simulate this attitude. Additional

design decisions including burying the children’s volume and

elevating the parents volume were intended to further distinguish

the two forms.

The main commentary is illustrated at the only point of connection

in the home, at the dining table. I found this exercise to be

nostalgic and wanted to offer a bit of optimism for the status of

families today. Despite the challenges faced by many families, the

dining table remains a place where differences aside, everyone

comes together. The dining table acts as the threshold between

the two volumes. It should be viewed as both the physical

separation between the architectural volumes as well as a

remaining social connection between the modern family.

TABLE THRESHOLD west elevation

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c o m p e t i t i o n

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teaser page

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c o m p e t i t i o n

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more spreads coming soon

see website for drawings

architecture mammothmuseum

DEA people’schoice2013

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douglas county, co

the comprehensive studio challenges students to think

beyond conceptual design and to practice “real-world” project

considerations such as ada, emergency exits, additional code

requirements, structural concerns and budget. the studio was

an exercise in maintaining the elegance and clarity of our initial

designs while incorporating real-world applications.

We worked in pairs for the 12 week studio. the project brief

outlined a 32,000 sF Interpretive center/Museum and a 6,000

sF dig observation Facility on the lamb springs archeological

Preserve, an actual dig site in douglas county. In 1960 charles

Lamb discovered mammoth bones while plowing his field. The site

was excavated and more fossils were discovered including tools

used by pre-historic man. We were allowed to tour the site before

starting our designs. The importance of these findings and the

excitement of future discoveries guided my partner and I’s design

decisions. DISCOVERY became a significant term throughout our

project.

the program consisted of two opposing dynamics. We derived

the from these two distinct groups. two boxes, each housing their

respective program, took on a persona, materiality and nature

relevant to their content.

the idea of discovery shaped and informed the majority of our

design decisions. our ultimate goals was for visitors to feel the

excitement and wonder felt by those uncovering the stories of our

past. We imagined a visitor, a student, visiting the museum and

witnessing archeologists finding the earliest known human fossils,

or unearthing a new species. We wanted their experience to feel

adventurous, unique and allow them the opportunity to witness

history being unveiled.

day at tHE MusEuM entry rendering

03m a m m o t hm u s e u m

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teaser page

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m u s e u m

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architecture threshold house

exploring threshold2011

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HIGHLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD, DENVER

Studio II took place in Fall 2011. The studio consisted of 3

projects, all residential but each with a unique site and context.

The first project was located in the urban context of the Highlands

Neighborhood. Students visited an empty lot on 32nd and Umatilla

that they used as the site for their project.

The site was a long narrow urban lot with spectacular views

to downtown. The location’s true charm stemmed from the

charismatic, historic neighborhood. The design challenge was

“fitting” a residents, literally and figuratively, into the fabric of the

neighborhood.

I decided I wanted my project to acknowledge the existing

neighborhood in some way. The existing homes nestle into a

very organized grid. All the plots are long, narrow East to West

facing properties. The houses are consistently tucked as far East,

towards the street as possible. They stretch West to the same

point creating a line at their backs that expands the entire block.

The “threshold house” emphasizes the significance of that

moment. At the core of the house, there is a void where you briefly

pass from inside and outside. Pausing to look North and South,

you are suddenly aware of the history of the neighborhood and the

fabric the house is joining.

VOIDED THRESHOLD south elevation

04t h re s h o l d h o u s e

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teaser page

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designbuild the toneyhouse

shelter a family2012

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DESIGN-BUILD STUDIO BLUFF, UT

“I want a home that my children will be proud to call their own and

where we can grow together as a family.”

Lorraine Toney

More than 2.4 million Native Americans live on or near tribal land.

They face some of the worst housing conditions in our country.

Over 40% live in overcrowded or dilapidated housing. Basic

infrastructure, including water, sewer and roads, are often severely

inadequate.

DesignBuildBLUFF, a cooperation between the University of

Utah and University of Denver Master of Architecture programs,

gives architecture students the chance to design and build a new

home for a deserving Navajo family. They do this with a focus

on sustainability and respect to the unique social, cultural and

environmental needs of the region. Students are encouraged to

explore alternative building methods, unique building materials and

innovative solutions.

Between the summer and fall semesters of 2012, 22 University

of Denver students built Lorraine Toney and her 5 children a

home, 45 minutes South East of Bluff Utah on the Navajo Indian

Reservation. The students spent the summer months in Denver

designing the home. In the fall, they lived and worked in Bluff

constructing their project form the ground up.

Their meeting with Lorraine at the start of the project, drove much

of the design. She asked for privacy for her bedroom, her own

bathroom, separate boys and girls rooms, and most importantly, a

large central area to do homework, cook, eat and be a family. Our

groups goal was to give her just that. We also wished to create a

home that was self-sustaining and could heat and cool itself with

few additional sources.

THE TEAM group photo

05t h e t o n e y h o u s e

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Population: 180,462 Median Age: 24 Labor Force: comprised of 28% of the population Median Household Income: $20,005 Unemployment: 42% Poverty: 43% lives below the poverty rate Education (for ages 25+): 56% high school degree, 7% college degree


the toney house

LAT. 37 7’59.96” N

LONG. 109 21’16.12” W

ALL ALONE site information

1 mile

Navajo Nation Reservation

AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE panorama of site


49 REMINISCENT OF OLD inspiration sketch

“We love being out here, removed from the distractions of a city.

It’s quiet but we like it that way. Watching the sunrise and sunset

are my favorite. Seeing the sun stretch across the land without

interruption reminds me of how small we are but that we still have

a place on this Earth.”

Lorraine Toney


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READING THE SITE site analysis

single bar partidiagram 1



single bar partielevation diagram

single bar partisection diagram

coNcEpTuaLIZINg parti diagrams

private privatepublic

private privatepublic

utilitybox

utilitybox

utilitybox

utilitybox

coNcEpT parTI

The site for Lorraine Toney and her family’s house

at first glance seems barren and blank. But it

quickly became evident to our group that the lack

of objects in the foreground afforded dramatic

expansive views to the distant valleys and

formations. our concept, therefore was derived

from sun orientation, views to the North and

South and Lorraine’s programmatic requests.

starting with a single bar orientated with its

long axis biased to true North in order to take

advantage of southern sun in the cool winter

months, we divided the bar into public and

private spaces. We used boxes within the bar

to separate the two. We anchored the private

ends with a public center that we imagined as an

opportunity to showcase the views to the North

and south and be the heart of family activities.


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SIMPLICITY

Our goal throughout design development

was to keep the floor plan and the form of the

building simple. By doing so, we could focus

on the quality of construction, the effectiveness

of materials and the performance of the self-

sustaining heating and cooling systems.

The house provides privacy for each family

member as well as achieves their desire for a

large central gathering space. By keeping the

private areas enclosed for the most part, the

floor-to-ceiling curtain wall in the gathering space

acts as the dramatic heart of house for which the

family can be together.

Lorraine’s Room Lorraine’s Bath Living Dining Kitchen Kid’s Bath/Laundry Boy’s Room Girl’s Room

North Elevation Section

Plan


55 North Perspective Model

corrugated corten steel

HEATING AND COOLING CONTINUED....

The majority of the exterior walls on the North,

East and West elevations are built using 9” of

concrete and 3” of insulation. In the summer

months these walls act as a insulated barrier

from the outside heat and wind. The bedrooms

are surrounded by these walls keeping them a

comfortable temperature and quiet. In the winter,

the concrete walls and slab act as a thermal

mass that at night radiates heat gained from the

sun during the day. Other features keeping the

house cool are the deep concrete window sills

and the roof overhang which provide shade on

the Southern facade. The summer sun simply

does not reach the interior of the house. In the

winter however, direct sunlight extends all the

way into the house reaching the back wall. And

finally the central curtain wall can be opened to

allow for cross ventilation through the center of

the home during the summer. On a cool night

with a light breeze this area opened up acts as a

vacuum sucking any hot air out from the rest of

the house.

THE TONEY HOUSECONCRETE HOUSE

STAYING WARM winter section perspective

COMPARISON energy modeling

SELf-SUSTAINING HEATING AND COOLING

The average summer temperature from June

to August in this region of Utah is 94 degrees

with less than an inch of precipitation. The land

is scorched by the sun during this time of the

year. The very little vegetation that survives clings

to the dusty earth but loses its battle to the

unrestrained winds which kick up massive sand

storms and tear away at everything in their path.

The average winter temperature from December

to March is 25 degrees, again with very little

precipitation. The Toney House was designed to

handle these extreme weather conditions and

stay an average 68 degrees year round. There

are several design attributes that make that

possible.

wall section

3/4” exterior grade plywood sheathing

top of concrete wall 10’- 0”

11 7/8” TJI at 16” or 24” OC

5/8” gypsum board

1 x 6 wood nailer

2 x 6 wood top plate

STAYING COOL summer section perspective

top of window 7’- 0”

3” layered concrete veneer

metal mesh

top of window 3’- 0”

3” insulation board

6” layered concrete

expansion joint

4” concrete foundation

bottom of foundation footing -30”

anchor bolt

exterior interior


BACK DECK north perspective

HEART OF THE HOUSE north elevation

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GETTING OUR HANDS DIRTY construction photos

SESSION 1 digging + pouring the slab August 2012

SESSION 2 first 24” of concrete wall September 2012

SESSION 3 + 4 walls go up, up and up

SESSION 5 + 6 framing starts, roof goes on + interior is finished

October + November 2012

December 2012

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EVERY LINE DRAWN MATTERS completion photos

North Elevation North Elevation Night

South Elevation

North Elevation Close Up

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EVERY LINE MATTERS completion photos

South Elevation Living Room

Kitchen

Kids RoomLorraine’s Room

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FRIENDS FOR LIFE last day on site

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architectural portfolio

Documents

t h h o u s e501b

t h e t o n e y h o

u s e u mt h

d h o u s e020304design

p e t i t i o nm

telluride canyon

site rests

san miguel river