David Bransfield

M. Arch 1 Applicant

Fall 2016

David BransfieldNYU BFA Graduate 2015Senior Honors Recipient & Student Excellence RecipientMaster of Architecture I Applicant:Fall Semester 2016bransfield.david@gmail.com

01 Form as Function: Units of Aggregation and Partition Columbia University Introduction to Architecture program comprised of: A) Material Study: Interpreting the Unit B) St. John the Divine Cathedral: Developing the Unit

09 Urban Design for Public Health Redesigning Macri Triangle park: a public park and World War II memorial in Brooklyn, NY

13 Independent Projects A) Ingrained Beauty: Advanced Projects in Sculpture Final B) Commissioned Works

17 Feels Like Home An independent painting exhibition at the NYU Broadway Windows Gallery

Contents

1 Form as Function

Form as FunctionIntroduction to Architecture at Columbia University, Summer 2015Material Study: Interpreting the Unit

My first assignment at Columbia was to choose two common materials that could yield interesting spatial and structural results. I chose wooden tongue depressors and string, and focused on creating a variable or unit with these materials that could build upon one another to create a dynamic and functional model. My objective was to take a standard shape and, through combinations and aggregations, create an original design.

Individual tongue depressors are oriented and tied perpendicular to one another to form the cross-joint.

The cross-joint is then tied to two more individual pieces hinged at a 45 degree angle to increase dimensionality between units. These 4 individual pieces form one unit.

Each piece must be cross-tied to ensure structural integrity when combining units. Holes are created in both ends of the parallel pieces and tied from unit to unit to increase the strength of the whole structure. Units can then be combined to create countless variances.

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The final model is a dense, flexible and dynamic structure that has no orientation and can incorporate movement without losing its overall shape.

A closeup of joint-to-joint interaction shows the possibilities of connection.

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Projective illustration helps identify structural characteristics not immediately apparent in design. The plan view identifies the aggregation of units along the periphery as well as the creation of substructures within the larger structure.

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St. John the Divine Cathedral: Developing the Unit

After completing material studies I continued to analyze themes of aggregation and partition further in our final project: the creation of a civic center next to the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. Spatial observations and tactics were to be translated from material study to final site plan, focusing on the exterior of the site and the transition between site spaces. I began by experimenting with new unit forms and investigating spatial opportunities within the current site. My objective was not to solve site problems, but to incoporate the negative space of the Church within my own site as an opportunity for an uncanny public space.

The current site contains units of its own, as the periphery of the Church creates unique and engaging negative spaces. The site reaches peak elevation at the center, making this the ideal apex point of the site. I chose to create a site resembling the height and length of St. John the Divine, but one which consists of sharp and dramatic structures and spaces to contrast the tall walls and arches of the cathedral.

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Analyzing Space: Unit Prototypes and Drawings

I began the transition from material study to site plan by creating a triangular unit and studying possible aggregations. The triangle proved to be a rewarding unit because the multiplication of triangular units is possible in almost any direction or angle, and because these combinations can yield irregular relationships and negative spaces. Before constructing my final model, I did several prototype studies in order to observe these spatial effects and note the spaces most desirable for my site.

My civic center pairs spaces that would not normally be found together. These pairs include a protest plaza and a banquet hall, a board room and a library, and a gallery on top of an auditorium. By mixing civic and political spaces directly next to a monumental religious structure, the open and interactive design scheme would create uncanny relationships between each space.

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Protest Plaza

Banquet Hall

Bathroom

Classrooms

Green Room

2nd Floor Gallery Bathroom

Research LibraryMeeting RoomsBoard RoomAuditorium

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The auditorium and gallery in the center of the civic center feature clear triangular units. In the spirit of civic design, the site illustrates a sense of community and openness through large visible spaces and several circulation options. Auditorium processions can be viewed from outside or inside the auditorium, and the second floor gallery provides a 360 degree view of the entire site.

Site elevation

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Partial section: site entrance and banquet hall

Visitors are given the option of exterior or interior circulation. Individuals can travel around or through the site infastructure, with the aggregation of triangular units creating engaging exterior partitions.

Site section showing individual spaces

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Urban Design for Public Health: Macri Triangle ParkUrban Design and Health Final, Spring 2015

Macri Triangle Park is a small urban park and World War II memorial situated directly next to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Wlliamsburg, Brooklyn. The space has extreme potential in affecting urban health, but has fallen victim to poor planning and little maintenance. Circulation throughout the park is non-existent, and much of the current layout is occupied by an unused bocceball court. The lack of foliage and trees give visitors no respite from their urban surroundings, and the actual war memorial consists of a small stone incscription hidden in the corner of the park. My site plan seeks to remedy these problems by further incorporating nature as well as communal aspects that would enhance local urban health. I also introduce circulation in the space by creating fun and engaging paths through the space. Most importantly, I designed a new war memorial and park installation that would become the heart of the park and would bring a new vibrancy to the community.

Unused Walking SpaceOversized Sidewalk

Unused Bocce Court

Park Gate

Peripheral Seating

Memorial

Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

Urban Design for Public Health

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Project Proposal

My park re-design begins by extending the outer fence, opening the park by several feet on each side. Lines of trees and peripheral seating lie directly behind the outer fence, creating a sense of encolsement and quieting the sounds of the city. The North and South sides of the park feature communal gardens, where local citizens interested in farming and health can volunteer and learn valuable farming skills. The food grown would be given back to the community and used in local soup kitchens. A dog park (currently main usage of the park) occupies the East side, and the West would incoporate trees and green space. The trees within this green space would feature circular tree seating, a design which saves space while creating relaxing and shady seating. At the center of the park lies the war memorial, with seating both around and in the memorial space. Visitors are given the option to pass directly through the space or travel along the outer path.

Periphera

l benches

Circular

Tree Seat

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Outer Path Sidewalk Community Garden

Entrance Gate

Entrance Gate

Entrance Gate

Open Green Space

Memorial

Park Lamps

Dog Park

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The Heart of Macri Triangle

Composed of 6 outward increasing square roofing units, the World War II memorial at Macri Triangle Park features a series of tinted glass solar panels. These roofing units provide convenient shade during the day, and each individual solar panel illuminates in the shape of a military star (visible from underneath each roof). The structure is composed of 4,325 of these solar units - one for each 10 New York citizens killed in action during World War II. The memorial would also provide electricity to the park, creating a self-sufficient environment.

The memorial site contains the solar roofing and accompanying structural components, as well as steps which could also be used for seating. At the center of the structure lies the physical memorial: a large illuminated glass box lifted several feet off of the ground. The glass memorial is inscribed with the names of each Brooklyn citizen lost during World War II.

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Ingrained Beauty13

Ingrained beautyCNC-carved and handcut wooden and glass tableAdvanced Projects in Sculpture Final, Spring 2015

Inspired by the geometry and monumentality of the ancient Mayan pyramids, my objective for Ingrained Beauty was to create a functional piece of art which appeared so articulate that users would be hesitant to place objects on it. The inside of the tabletop is carved and overlayed with glass, hiding the true beauty of the table within the intrinsic design. Having no prior experience in 3D-modelling, I used my available resources at New York University to 3D-carve a tabletop using our new CNC router. I then constructed the base by hand. Users are aware of the intensive geometric design until they interact with the piece, resulting in a beautifully suprising design aspect that draws unanticipated interest.

Elevation showing glass, top, & base Exploded illustration of table top

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Commissioned Works15

Seafood Market: Acrylic on Canvas, 24 x 18 inches. 2014.

Lower East Side: Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 24 inches. 2014.

Commissioned Works, 2014-2015

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Connections: Pencil and watercolor pencil on bristol board, 70 x 54 inches. 2013.

Urban Evolution: Watercolor on paper, 50 x 36 inches. 2015.

Feels Like Home17

Feels Like Home was my first independent art exhibition, held at the New York University Broadway Windows graduate gallery on 10th Street and Broadway in New York City from August 20th to November 1st, 2015. The exhibition was on view 24/7 from both 10th Street and Broadway.

Artist Statement:As a native New Yorker I have always had an interest in exploring authentic neighborhoods and the different cultures that created each urban scene around the city. The steady transformation of many of these neighborhoods due to gentrification has inspired my recent work of documenting and celebrating remaining culturally vibrant spaces. I am intrigued by the communal urban structure that ensues in these insular and somewhat disordered spaces such as Chinatown and the Lower East Side, and the original characteristics that result within each. The scenes I choose to paint symbolize a vanishing cultural authenticity and artistic freedom. My hope as an artist is that my revives a memory or sparks a conversation with the viewer; one that does not necessarily correlate with my own but is special to the individual experiencing it.

Feels Like Home An independent painting exhibition at the New York University Broadway Windows Gallery, June-November 2015

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Give & Take: Oil on Canvas, 100 x 67 inches. 2015.

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Take & Give: Oil on Canvas, 105 x 64 inches. 2015.

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Urban Respite: Oil on Canvas, 92 x 66 inches. 2015.

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Grand Opening: Acrylic on glass installed in lightbox, 38 x 26 x 7 inches. 2015.

23 Feels Like Home

Wash, Dry & Fold: Oil on Canvas, 38 x 30 inches. 2015.

Coffee Shop: Oil on Canvas, 50 x 38 inches. 2015.

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