Molly KnightUniversity of Michigan | Portfolio 2015

Molly Knight

Master of Architecture candidate 2017Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

University of Michigan

molly.knight224@gmail.com925-457-3002

Contents

Architecture & Interiors

Braddock Gizmo Garage 1

The Aqua Tube 7

Occupy x3 11

Terrajoya Eco Resort 15

Design

Step: Responsive Tiles 19

Stretch|Warp 23

Fabric Design 25

Swimsuit Design 27

Furniture

Misfit Table 29

Gazelle Table 31

1 | Molly Knight

Braddock Gizmo GarageArchitectural Design II | University of Michigan

Braddock, Pennsylvania, home to Andrew Carnegie’s first steel mill, has lost over ninety percent of its population, homes, and businesses since the collapse of the steel industry in the 1970’s. In accordance with Mayor John Fetterman’s revitalization efforts, this project presents an opportunity to build a new creative community and restore energy to the once prosperous town.The Braddock Gizmo Garage exists as a center for research, design, education, communication, and performance, combining social activities with industrial and artistic expertise. It proposes to draw interest to Braddock by embracing new and emerging technologies with an emphasis on robotics and fabrication.

Clad in corten steel, the building is designed as a singular volume that blends into the surrounding environment while standing out as a dynamic addition to the city. A central core housing production, testing, and presentation areas is the center’s main feature. Strategically placed conical protrusions offer glimpses into the core, while translucent sliding walls allow its activities to merge with the surrounding program. Both visitors and passers-by are encouraged to experience and interact with design processes from beginning to result.

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presentationtestingfabrication

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first floor plan second floor plan third floor plan

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fourth floor plan fifth floor plan

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lobby fabrication area

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gallery lecture hall

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The objective of this project was to design a ride for a hyper-dense amusement park to be located on a vacant lot at the intersection of Lenox Avenue and 125th Street in Harlem. Inspired by traces of natural life sprouting from the desolate site, my proposal symbolizes the revitalization of a neglected area amongst an accumulation of infrastructures into a lively attraction. I wanted to create a ride that emphasizes both sunlight and water, as the site’s vegetation is fueled by little more than these natural elements. An interconnection of transparent fully enclosed waterslides and contrasting opaque panels creates a skin for the conceptual life form that is the Aqua Tube. Sunlight penetrates through the slides and casts a pattern of shadows onto the interior surfaces to simulate an underwater environment. Furthermore, movement of people and water through the organic formation provides the structure with a visible animate quality.

The Aqua TubeIntroduction to Architecture | Columbia University

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left aqua tube entranceright underground splashpool

below waterslide detail

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opposite process models exploring various ways of creating an animate form through visual representations of sunlight and water right final model

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Occupy x3 consists of a series of week-long modeling projects in which we incorporated a set of programmatic elements into three different sites. Each test site holds a temporary cultural and performance event, and is paired with a different modeling technique. The conversation between program and site provides a starting point for conceptual frameworks and organizational strategies.The site for the first iteration is the fifth level of a seven-story parking garage on South Thayer Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Inspired by the way the existing pavement markings create an understood program, we introduced a bold graphic of accumulating lines to visually distinguish between separate activities. The overlaid lines extend from the existing colorful façade detail to define a playful quality throughout.

Occupy x3Architectural Design II | University of MichiganTeam | Molly Knight, Eric Harman

modeling technique paper, pattern, reliefmaterial bristol board, foam board, mylar

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The second site is located in the pool area of the University of Michigan Central Campus Recreational Center. Expanding on the idea of accumulation from the previous model, we created an extruded hexagonal form that is repeated at various scales. Program is defined solely through the strategic arrangement of the modular elements, which are used as both object and structure.

modeling technique casting, moldingmaterial rockite

3D printed casting mold

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modeling technique found objectsmaterial matches, foam board

The final site occupies the “Apse” space at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. We once again reinterpreted the idea of accumulation, this time by producing a continuous sculptural form composed of wooden matches. While the matches themselves formally relate to the existing architecture, their aggregation introduces a contrasting organic aesthetic. Just as a match and its surrounding environment are altered when lit, the sweeping assemblage of matches transforms both object and space.

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15 | Molly Knight

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development ensures minimal impact to the existing environment

large windows oriented for optimal natural daylight reduce the need for supplementary electric lighting

Costa Rica, one of the world’s most sustainable countries, is dedicated to preserving its main tourist attractions by emphasizing eco-friendly accommodations that do not result in overdevelopment. The parameters of this project were to design a tropical resort located at the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula responding to the value of preservation as tourists are drawn to protected areas. My goal was to support a harmonious relationship between nature and man while minimizing environmental impact from human alteration. The layout of Terrajoya is inpired by the endangered Costa Rican Mangrove Hummingbird as a symbol of wildlife conservation and appreciation. The structures making up the hummingbird form are spread amongst the existing landscape, enabling visitors to experience a close contact with the outdoors. Considering the tropical rainforest climate, elevated and covered walkways ensure protection from frequent rainfall while structures are designed to take advantage of natural ventilation from the constant breezes coming off the Pacific Ocean.

Terrajoya Eco ResortInterior Design Capstone | University of the Incarnate Word

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lsnative plant landscaping eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides

large overhangs help with temperature control by keeping direct sunlight from interior spaces

local and renewable construction materials including bamboo, teak, stone, and palm leaves are used to the extent possible

open structures and high pitched ceilings encourage maximum airflow, minimizing the need for electrical cooling appliances

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lobby gift shop

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guest bungalow cooking school

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Step: Responsive TilesResponsive Surfaces | University of MichiganTeam | Molly Knight, Diana Tsai

Step envisions what might happen if we could interact with the floor beneath us. It consists of a series of responsive and reconfigurable floor tiles designed to explore the relationship between architecture and interaction design. Inside each tile is a mechanism that blossoms and contracts as a person comes in contact with it. This creates a dynamic walkway suggesting a physically responsive environment that acknowledges human presence.

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each mechanism is attached to a servo, which is controlled by an arduino that

receives data from a light sensor

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5/8” glass top

arduino powered mechanism

wood frame

glass sits on rabbet

foam base

base sits on ledge

hidden wiring

foam backing

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23 | Molly Knight

Stretch|Warp is a pressure sensitive textile interface created as a tool for building fine and gross motor skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It responds to the difficulties that these children often experience in understanding the position of their body in space. The interactive morphing grid encourages full body movement, providing visual feedback consistent with the location and degree of interaction. Flat-bed weft-knitting technology was used to create a custom textile surface with an optimal balance of opacity and stretch. The interaction design was created using Processing and a Kinect.

Stretch WarpTOUCH | University of MichiganTeam | Molly Knight, Bing Sun, Sam Cui, Tommy Kyung Tae Nam

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future research will focus on creating contoured and 3-dimensional textile interfaces

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Fabric DesignValley Forge Fabrics Pattern Design Competition

These designs were made for the 2014 Pattern Design Competition sponsored by Valley Forge Fabrics, the world’s largest supplier of decorative fabrics for the hospitality industry. Considering Valley Forge’s commitment to creating products with minimal environmental impact, I chose to create designs that reflect unique shapes, patterns, and colors found by taking a closer look at nature.

This pattern, inspired by eucalyptus bark in cross section, was awarded second place Best Overall Design.

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27 | Molly Knight

These are examples of synchronized swimming costumes that I have designed for various competition routines. I work in collaboration with clients to create thematic swimsuits that will stand out and enhance a swimmer’s performance. (Suit construction by seamstress Sheryl Velez)

Americana

Swimsuit DesignPersonal Works

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Light Unstoppable

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Misfit TableWood: Making Things | University of Michigan

This table exhibits a dual personality combining clean lines with exaggerated curves. The single turned leg, a play off traditional styles, adds humor and whimsy to an otherwise minimalistic piece. From one angle, the table appears to be a simple box, but as the eye travels around the piece it takes on an entirely new form. The three sides of the solid cherry table are constructed with reinforced miter joints. A short peg carved into the top of the leg fits into a hole in the tabletop, allowing the leg to be removed and interchanged. The table stands 18” tall, 20” wide, and 20” deep, and is finished with 3 coats of clear lacquer.

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31 | Molly Knight

Gazelle TableWood: Making Things | University of Michigan

This table explores the potential of animalistic form and is marked by its graceful sense of motion. Curved joints support the solid walnut table top, which appears to float above hand-sculpted cherry legs to create a vision of airiness and delicacy. The legs and joints are fitted together using hand-cut through tenons, lending a subtle graphic element and uniting the contrasting materials. Construction consists of 9 individual pieces. Joinery consists of 4 through tenons and 8 dowels. The table stands 30” tall, 36” wide (including legs) , and 14” deep, and is finished with 3 coats of clear lacquer.

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