Nicolle Landowski2013 Selected Works

CONCEPT

LIQUIDITY

ACENTRICITY

HOUSING

FRAMED

FIFTY-PERCENT

DETAILS

CRYSTALIZED

KYBUN RETAIL

Explorations

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The two designs shown on the following pages are projects included for their conceptual strategies. The value in both projects lies not only in how the result was achieved but also in the architectural ideas each project proposes. These projects provide not only an introduction to my creative design process, but also are a sampling of my early years of education at USC.

CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

LIQUID (ity)An Urban Poolhouse exploring the idea of viscosity and �uidity in concrete forms.

Liquidity is an idea that centers around the exploration of certain liquid materails, such as water, being expressed via an opposite material, in this case concrete. The semester this three week project was developed in centered around the use of various materials in architecture both literally and as a generating design concept.

This project was generated from observations of daily objects and materials being cast, melted, aggregated and stressed. The resulting explorations were then converted into generative line diagrams, which then became the genesis of the liquid urban poolhouse concept.

The urban poolhouse seeks to mimic the qualities of surface tension in water via fluid concrete forms. The result is a plan that is completely contoured, a poolhouse completely accessible via ramps, and a program that is voyeristic.

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SECTION A-A

One2

Two842

SECTION B-B

Aerial842

Contour Model built at 1/8” scale, created with laser cutting and hand assembly.

ACentriCityA-centricity proposes a hyper-urban condition within which space is informed by behavior and activity by proximity. A, antecedent to the term “centric”, suggests an absence of center, an implied endless extension of forms and spaces within a pattern. This pattern introduces a field within which activity finds a “weighted” center thru variable internal densities while space remains non-hierarchical.

The generating concept behind this design was initially inspired by a photo collage created after a site visit. When viewing the site through the lens of a camera, interest was found in microscopic versus the macro. It was by analyzing the patterns of these microscopic functions of nature—particularly the special intricacies of tree bark—that the idea of informing activity thru spatial density was developed.

Since the pavilion was to be sited within the bounds of Elysian Park, a strategy had to be developed in order to allow the micro inspired pavilion to connect and merge again with the macroscopic scale of its new context. Several strategies were attempted, with the following proving to be the most effective.

A temporary pavilion exploring user-de�ned program spaces thru varying spatial density.

Images taken at site visit which informed the patterns used to create the pavillion

Resulting patterns found in the photos taken. These are three of the dozens of patterns drawn before making a final decision.

The initial three dimensional design resulting from the mixing of the patterns shown to the left.

The resulting patterns drawn from other site forces. The main idea was erosion as a macro-strategy for site integration as well as ground involvement.

Other site images used to make the final design.

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Sectional Axonometric showing the variety of unique spaces createdwith this pattern-generative approachto design, or Acentricity.

Model at 1/8” scale of pre-final design (left/top pictures): Museum board, basswood, and plastic; Model at 1/32” scale of initial idea (bottom right)

EXPLORATIONS IN HOUSINGThe following projects were completed during my most recent year of study during a design studio centered around housing. Both projects chosen demonstrate an alternate design strategy where multiple options and strategies were explored then the best options were mediated to create projects that are both financially and structurally feasible. The goal of the semester was to expore the current obstacles facing urban housing of various densities.

FRAMEDA temporary living shelter located on the coast of Japan that utilizes an additive framing system to subtract private spaces.

This design proposes an easily assembled framing system within which private programmatic spaces are displaced in section from loftier public spaces.

The generating concept behind this project came from a study of local building materi-als, particularly wood because of the humidity levels in coastal Japan. Weather conditions were also studied in reference to the way traditional Japanese architecture responded to these conditions. From these studies, a series of sketch models were made exploring various methods of aggre-gation and construction.

Once a framing system was established as most economical and spatially efficient, a nine-square grid was used in section to divide the shelter into private program areas and public program areas. The habitat was then enclosed using screens to allow for cross ventilation as well as buoyancy ventilation depending on the time of the year.

Study models demonstrating how local materialscould be used to create a distinct form.

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BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

Sleeping Bed

Napping Bed or Couch

Bathing Bathroom (Given)

Cooking Burner, Small Oven, Flat Surface, Refridgeration, Storage

Eating Larger Flat Surface, Chairs, Trash Receptical

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Light Lab Testing Flat Surface, Equiptment Storage, Water Holder

Weather Data Collection Equiptment Storage, Workstation, Chair

AutoCAD/ Data Processing Workstation, Chair

Collaborating Large Surface, Chairs

Conducting Surveys Surface area, Organized Paper Storage, Chair, Workstation

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Jogging Storage for Shoes

Skyping and Phone Time Couch, Chair, Outlet

Reading Couch, Chair, Bookshelf

Board Games/Card Games Coffee Table, Chairs

Basketball Large Paved Area, Hoop

Climate Researcher

Architect/Urbanist

Public Health Researcher

Alone 1 + 1 All Inside Outside In & Out LayingDown edahSgnidnatSgnittiS Moderat

e TempCrouchingLounging Darkness Daylight Quiet Sun

Program analysis to inform spaces created.

ELEVATIONS

SECTIONS

Renderings showing the temporary shelterin its intended context.

1/2” = 1’ Final Model made from basswood andmuseum board. Context not modeled.

Fifty Percent“50%” is a proposed solution to the pre-existing limitations of the site: a fifty percent lot coverage maximum ordinance in the city of Pasadena as well as neighborhood context that very rarely exceeds sixteen feet tall. By starting with a massing that was 50% solid “interior” space, and 50% void “exterior” space, a series of explorations were made to determine how this massing could be divided in order to still provide desirable living spaces for couples.

The result was a design that pulled apart the interior massing to encapsulate pockets of exterior space. By linking the interior and exterior spaces programmatically, the interior of the living units are able to com-pletely utilize the 50% open space as well as the 50% interior space. While a single story design was decided upon, high ceilings were utilized to allow light as well as give the illusion of larger spaces.

A low density housing project that links internal and external spaces thru the use of program.

Study Models at 1/16” scale exploring different site massing strategies. Ultimately a single story scheme was chosen for its effective use of land.

EXPLORATIONS IN DETAILSArchitecture is increasingly becoming the result of multiple systems that are inde-pendently studied and optimized yet joined together to form habitats for living. These systems have been a personal interest of mine, studying interiors and how those interact with structure and structure with building skins. The following projects were done outside of class requirements and studies.

“Crystalized” is a proposed building skin solution to transform an imaginary existing high school into a treasured community monument. This skin tackles the issues of blurring indoor-outdoor space through the use of glass, as well as the idea of mirage by incorporating water into the design. Reflection pools to collect water both on the roof of the high school and below were proposed to provide a waterfall system on the south facing façade in order to prevent heat build-up.

CRYSTALIZED

Reinforced Concrete with #4 rebar

Water Collection Pond

Wide Flange Steel Beam

Ceiling Finish: Metal Plating

Channel Edge Beam

9” Structural Pipe

Standard Window Mullion with Rubber Sealant

Secondary Steel Framing: Pipe

Steel Column covered in Gypsum Board for fireproofing

Light Gauge Steel Framed Wall (non-load bearing)

Concrete Floor Finish

HVAC/ Water Pipe

6” Concrete, unreinforced, over3” corrugated metal decking

Steel Truss, bolted with connection plate

Insulated Glass Pannels

Gypsum Board Ceiling Finish6”- 4” diameter aluminum alloy pipe

Double Pane Glass, Insulated

Aluminum Window Mullion

Custom Steel Mount for Pipe

A potential location on Santa Monica Boulevard for a Kybun Shoe Store was explored by two partners and myself. The concerns approaching the proposal included being able to store enough merchandise in the limited footprint as well as being able to attractively use the window façade as storage. The resulting proposal was simple, at the client’s request, and met all storage requirements.

KYBUN