LUKE MORRISPORTFOLIO

2012

Table of Contents

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Year/Topic PageIntroductory Statement

Second Semester Freshman Maison de Weekend Genoa: A Study of Space The Coffee Shop

First Semester Sophomore Pause Itenerary Threshold/Surface Door-Window-Stair Portfolio Case

Second Semester Sophomore Intervention Greenspine

First Semester Junior Analog Interpretation Clemson UBI and Bike Share Haiti All-Girls School

Trailgating: Studio South

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Introductory Statement

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This portfolio is a compilation of architectural work by Luke Mor-ris throughout his undergraduate work at Clemson University from 2010 through the summer of 2012. Each project presented was a major assignment given, and was included in this exten-sive portfolio of work to give the reader an overview, and hope-fully some insight, into the architectural style, and strengths of Luke Morris in the architectural field.

This project was an excercise in Photoshop and Auto-CAD. Le Corbusier’s building plan “Maison De Weekend” (1923) was represented as a floor plan, section veiw, and building in context with shadows.

Front View

Maison De Weekend

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Floor Plan

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Section View

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Genoa:A Study of SpaceThis project–titled “The City in Progression: Ge-noa, Italy–explored the use of space along a pathway in the Italian city. Points of interest such as nodes and pathways were marked. Ba-sically a series of “snapshots”, this project cap-tured the veiws seen by the common passerby.

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Overveiw of the City

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Snapshots through SketchesThese sketches were drawn by hand and paint-ed in Photoshop in order to show specific veiws of the use of space along the path. Showing the statue as the focal point, certain veiws–such as the second from the top–show that the surrounding architec-ture frames the statue.

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SectionsThese sections reveal a new layer of informa-tion for the project such as how space is actu-ally opened up. While the drawn and colored “snapshots” revealed spe-cific veiws, these sections show the entire veiw in order to show how space is revealed along the path-way.

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The Coffee Shop This project took a vacant lot on the pathway shown in the previous project in Genoa and involved designing the façade in context, but with a contemporary design. The first two floors–covered by win-dows extending both floors–is the actual coffee shop and eating/lounging area. The next three floors is an actual residential living space.

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In order to keep the cubic form throughout the building, but add dimension, rooms were extruded at different lengths. These extru-sions not only serve to add a visual appeal and space to the resi-dencies, but also provides shade for pedestrians on the street as well as cover from possible rain.

3D Model

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The main focus of this project that I wanted to convey was not just the traditional sense of what is there, but what kind of space is made by what is there. I wanted to focus of what the space would feel like to a person

inside of it and what they would feel inside of it or seem to be compelled to look at or go to within the

structure. In order to do this, I first constructed three simple study models (seen to the right) in order to be able to physically understand the space. I then made

multiple models in SketchUp that were more complex. I focused on where the inhabitant’s eyes would go and

why. I used the use of planes (both transparent and solid) in order to direct the view towards the intersec-tion of the lines in the middle; forming a main focus to

the structure.

Pause

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I designed the model to show the progression of events throughout the actual music video. The driving concept is that of a formal begin-ning which then goes to a broken path and a break in traditional rules of construction signi-fied by Christopher Walken flying at the end.

“Weapon of Choice” by Fatboy SlimSpike Jonze

Itenerary

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The three word-actions for my foils were Twist, Ball, and Scrunch. The word-action depicted below is Ball. For this foil I basically “balled” the foil square up with the top surface on the

outside. This created random folds, crevices, and canyons in the surface, making a completely random greyscale heightfield.

The far left image is that of the foil “Ball”. The middle image is a Photoshop rendition of the scanned “Ball” foil. The far right image is the displaced SketchUp rendering of the Photo-shop rendition using the smoove tool in order to create a terrain.

left image is one of your foilsmiddle image is photoshop manipulationright image is displaced (smoove tool) of that word-action

Twist and Ball

Threshold/Surface

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The driving concept for this project was to create space with the use of curved beams that individ-ually would not show any space at all. The incorporation of the landform was also very important in the design of this overall structure. The shadows formed by the tentacle-like beams was also considered. The movement of the sun throughout the day would ensure that the pattern cast on

the main support beams in the middle and the ground below would always be different.

Door-Window-Stair

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Process started with a look into how a beam, and more importantly a curving beam, could in-

fluence a person’s interest and movement within a space. The top model shows a beam framing a window, emphasizing where a person would

be drawm to look. The middle study model had curving beams framing a pathway, influencing movement. The final model (bottom) incorpo-

rates both principles at a larger scale.

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The driving concept of the design of this box was to mirror the concepts of design used in the projects done earlier and throughout this semester. This case was design to be a culmination of all of these

concepts, in a sense connecting them all not only within itself but through itself. Driving concepts include the thought that all parts have a purpose, the use of curves in conjuntion with straight beams, and the

thought that all of these functions create a form.

Portfolio Case

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Following from top to bottom, you are able to see the process by which the box is opened. With the curved beams at the top against the spine, the operator is unable to open the box. Once they are pulled out at the sides, the top of the spine is then able to be folded down. At this point, the operator is able to open the box, which will stay propped up. In this open posi-tion, the portfolio is now accessible and the presenta-tion display is now visable.

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Intervention

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Greenspine

For this project, our studio was asked by the city of Columbia, SC to design a section of the city between Arsenal Hill and The Vista along an old railway path. The path contained an old railroad cut-through (which is no longer used). The purpose of the project was to make a bike and pedestrian pathway--formally known as the Rails-to-Trails Initiative. My group of three--myself included--was responsible for the tunnel. We had a sustainable ap-proach to the project which shows through the entire concept.

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Following a sustainable approach, we used water to regulate temperature inside of the tunnel, as well as light. By running the water along the top of the tunnel and allowing it to run into an oculus in the rough middle of the tunner through scuppers, the temperature within the tunnel is regulated (water heated in the winter by the sun). During the summer, the Venturi effect is utilized to push air through the tunnel. The plexiglass allows light in, as well as adding an interesting light effect by the rippling water. A catwalk is also utilized within the tunnel. This seperates the pedestrians from the bikers, since both would be using the path. Nothing in the tunnel is meant for the user to stop due to fire hazards, but rather gives the commuter a reason to enjoy the journey.

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Analog InterpretationThis is an artistic/architectural interpretation of “My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane. The physical pieces are meant to capture the feelings as portrayed through the music. Emotions are conveyed through color, as well as interpretive shapes. The model (top) is a rough 3D representation of the painting (bottom).

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Clemson UBI and Bike Share

This project was an investigative analysis of a possible bike share/UBI building which would also serve as a hostel for the students of the UBI. This project served the purpose of not only an investigation into the building, but the idea of a campus/city-wide bike share program, which would use this location in downtown Clemson as the central hub to the system.

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Haiti All-Girls SchoolThis project was focussed on a lot in Port au Prince, Haiti--effected by the earthquake in 2010. This project was done in groups of two. On the lot, an all-girls school (for 300 girls) was to be designed. A gym, administration building, academic building, auditorium, and on-site housing for students and employees was to be set on the site. The back half of the site was not to be touched. My partner and myself focussed on designing to the site. We also looked into solving problems that Haiti has environmentally. Things like rapid defor-estation and a poor electrical grid were brought to consideration. We looked to implement native plants--maximizing green space--as well as buildings which used building tech-niques to minimize energy consumption (such as high ceilings).

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Site

The pink is the site (the top half being the only part that can be developed. The yellow is residential and the brown is commercial. The green are existing trees and the blue is the water run-off (as interpreted by the topographical lines included).

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Final Site PlanThe overall idea for the site intervention was to allow the buildings to come second to the site. The locating of natural water run-off allowed for a naturally forming reflection pond, which also served as a resevoir for grey water. The reflection pond serves as a focal point, drawing attention to the audito-rium (middle building) as a main gather point for the children.

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t r a i l g a t i n g

s u s t a i n i n g

e x p e r i e n c e

t h e

Trailgating: Studio South

This project was funded by the Clemson University Student Council. We carried the proj-ect out in a group of five as a design-build studio. The concept was to design a unit that can be towed by a bike and contains all the essentials for the typical college gameday tailgate experience. The project has been researched for over a year prior to my group, and will continue in creative inquiries. The future goals of the University are to reach two main functions: sustainable as well as marketable.

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Working off of a previous models, my group quickly worked to identify the weaknesses of the previous model. Weaknesses in-cluded being too heavy, too tall, not enough table space, and not being flexible to the user.

Previous Prototype

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Site and MarketingAs a group we delegated tasks. I took over marketing and most of the fabrication. Below are site maps. The top map shows dona-tion levels (lower amounts needed to acquire a tailgating spot as you radiate away from the stadium), and the bottom map shows prospective tailgating spots, accesible only to those with a Trailgater. Using the bubble diagram I was able to come up with pricing for prospective sites, and through simple geometry, I was able to estimate the number of Trailgating spaces proposed. This gave me how much the school could receive per year for these new spots. I also wrote up multiple business plans for the school as to how to market the Trailgater unit. In the end, due to Clemson’s practice of giving spots through donation level, instead selling them in the traditional sense, generation of revenue could only be relied upon through increased ticket sales (current practice requiring spot owners to pur-chase atleast two season tickets at minimum $350 each), unit sales, school recognition, and patent protection.

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Concepts

My original ideas showed a self-con-tained unit which would “unfold” in some manner. I was also interested in alterna-tive energy. I was most fascinated by the Dyson air fan concept which I explored in sketches (upper left). Using the same idea as an airplane wing to create lift, this form creates increased air flow. My hope was that (while the operator was towing the unit behind the bike) small wind tur-bines would pick up the wind and collect energy on the way to the tailgating spot. Energy collected would be increased by wind speed, which I would hope to in-crease through placing the low pressure air accelerator in front of the fan. Due to time and fabrication constraints, we were not able to implicate this idea. We also opted for a unit that was more of a table which contained seperate units (like tents and chairs) instead of the fold out method in order for the unit to be less complicat-ed, and to help with the flexibility of the user for the unit.

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Unit Frame

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Fabrication

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Final Prototype

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