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R a c h e l W a t s o nUniversity of PennsylvaniaMaster of Landscape Architecture (second professional degree) expected 2014

Syacuse UniversityBachelor of ArchitectureMinor in Art History

This portfolio is the story of my academic development and interest in the building as a responsive artifact to the landscape.

C O N T E N T SC O N T E N T SC O N T E N T SC O N T E N T S

Fog Harvesterdesign collaboration with T. Marboe and B. Williams

Virgin Solair Charter Airportdesign collaboration with S. Jennings

San Frediano Piazzacommunity center located in florence, italy

Aquatic Fitness and Therapy Complexundergraduate architecture thesis project located in bridgeport, ct

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09

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Regional Rail Ecological Parklinear park located underneath the regional rail in Philadelphia, PA 21

35Resume

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:Transcontinental access through maritime shipping routes creates an interconnected global network. But how can this accessibility effect smaller communities in need of basic necessities such as food, water and shelter?Currently, 4 out of 10 people worldwide have no access to clean water or must walk to retrieve it. Many of those whom retrieve the water are women and children.

PROJECT SOLUTION:Traditional fog collectors are tall,vertical structures with set dimensions and parameters. The proposed fog collector is a tent-like structure that engages the community through the stages of construction, water collection and growing of crop material. The density of the fabric pattern changes depending on the type of crop, amount of water and light needed.

PROGRAM:Fog collector, pavilion,agricultural

FOGHARVESTERFOGHARVESTERFOGl i m a , p e r uFOGl i m a , p e r uFOG

The interior perspective depicts how different plant types can grow inside the fog harvester. The harvester becomes a system for agriculture, infrastructure, culture and education.

MESH DESIGN

MESH DESIGN

MESH DESIGN

WIND VELOCITY STUDIES

SECTION 1

SECTION 2

SECTION 3

SECTION 4

SECTION 5

SECTION 6

SECTION 9

Unrolled Surface

Mesh Pattern

Fabrication Rendering

Mesh Density Wind Velocity over Mountain Range

MODULES IN SITE

variation of a hyperbolic paraboloid

Fog hits the mesh and the liquid droplets fall down the material. Open-ings allows fog to pass through structure but are eventually caught the material. The fog that passes through gap can be caught be crops/trees grown in the agricultural area.

Fog harvesters along mountain ridge in a village 20km outside of Lima, Peru.

Study of hyperbolic paraboloid form and its relationship to wind direction and sun angle.

VIRGIN SOLAIRCHARTER AIRPORTb r o o k l y n , n y cVIRGIN SOLAIRb r o o k l y n , n y cVIRGIN SOLAIR

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:Richard Branson, the founder and chairman of the Virgin Group, values the idea of lightweight design and confront-ing gravity. Virgin Atlantic Airways, the epitome of Bransons creations, strives to give passengers a better in air experience. Siting the charter airport in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a partially abandoned shipyard, that at its height produced the majority of warship for the US Navy during both World Wars.

PROJECT SOLUTION:The Virgin Solair Airport addresses lightweight through the idea of compression and release which is inspired by the dynamics of an airfoil. In plan, different circulation routes allow for both optimal movement towards the charter flights and visi-tor interaction. Sectionally, the idea of compression and release is completely expressed through the formal language and theenvironmental implications of the design; the atrium allows for the stack effect and cross ventilation.

PROGRAM:charter airport

CHARTER AIRPORT

The users of the charter airport have a direct sightline to the hangar where larger airports are stored and maintenance of other planes. Arrivals and departures are separated by the tree path on the ground level atrium space.

Study model_site Study model_slice through waiting space, atrium and office zone

LEVEL 1 1/32 = 1

17 RESTRAUNT

18 KITCHEN

19 CAFE

20 GARDEN

21 BAR

22 SOLAIR RECEPTION

23 SOLAIR ADMINISTRATION

24 STAFF AREA

25 LECTURE HALL

26 SOLAIR OFFICES

27 BNY OFFICES

LEVEL 2 1/32=1

28 TICKETING | RECEPTION

29 GALLERY

30 SOLAIR SUITES

31 SOLAIR ACCOMODATION

32 OBSERVATION DECK

DETAIL C 1/4 = 1

STEEL COLUMN

SUPPLY VENTSUPPLY VENT

STEEL PLATESTEEL PLATE

I-BEAM

OPERABLE WINDOW

SUSPENDED CEILING

VAPOR BARRIER

TRUSS (4x4 steel tubing)

ALUMINUM PANELVAPOR BARRIERINSULATION

SUSPENDED CEILING CABLE

CONCRETE FOOTINGS

PYLON FOUNDATIONS

CONCRETE SLAB

STEEL CONNECTOR

The wall and floor section reveals that the aluminum panelled roof surface wraps around the entire envelope of the building. The density and dimen-sions of the openings vary depending on the function of the interior space.

SECTION C-C 1/8= 1

TOP OF WING

TOP OF ROOF

SPLIT LEVEL

SPLIT LEVEL

SPLIT LEVEL

BASEMENT LEVEL

Professor M Pelken ARC 308

Wings | Site Impact

Perspective View

Wing Goals: - To recall the site history of the it being a major place for industrial manufacturing- To capture wind current-To be a responsive component- responds to sun and wind - captures wind current for natural ventilation -maximize natural daylight and capture solar in the winter -minimize solar gain and provide sunshade in the summer-create new programming for the site and recall contemporary visual connections-to provide a new iconic symbol for the Brooklyn Navy Yard-to understand the visual connectins between heavy vs. light and static vs. dynamic

Design Concept | Environmental Conditions

- Solar -solar orientation -natural daylighting -passive solar heating and cooling

-Wind -natural ventilation -wind direction

Runway Zone

Sloped GreenSpace/Entrance

Water Taxi Zone

Covered Parking

Responsive Wing

SAN FREDIANOPIAZZAflorence,italy

SAN FREDIANOflorence,italy

SAN FREDIANOPROJECT DESCRIPTION:San Frediano, a neighborhood in Florence, has an extensive history, ruins of the Roman wall and gate still remain intact. And today it is a cultural center for Florence, hosting many local artisans. The community center located on the banks of the Arno River allows for gathering for this tightly knitted neighborhood but needs to be expanded and redeveloped.

PROJECT SOLUTION:The Roman wall acts as a the spine in which new programs are attached. The design moves from the leg to the head, programs such as the cafe, piazza and exhibition space form the legs and ribs that support the main program of the community center (the head). The community center not only includes gathering spaces but also a outdoor theater and accessible green roof park.

PROGRAM:Circolo (community center), outdoor theater, restaurant, outdoor school extension, exhibition space

PIAZZA

Diagram of program allocation along spine of the Roman Wall Diagram of impact of each of the part of the spine.

The connection of the Roman wall to the community center reacts to a larger strategy of restitching the adjacent neighborhoods.

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ON S

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PARK

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SCHO

OL S

PACE

CAFE

CIRC

OLO

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nter

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The supporting programs are structured based upon the existing grid located on the Roman wall. The interstitial zones are landscaped spaces that have multiple functions. The piazza can be used for farmers markets, parking or outdoor seating for nearby restaurants.

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ECOLOGICAL PARK

REGIONAL RAILECOLOGICAL PARKphiladelphia,paREGIONAL RAILphiladelphia,paREGIONAL RAIL

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:Girard Avenue is a percieved barrier between neighborhood identities and between North Philadelphia and Center City. The perception creates the notion of where Philadelphia ends. The active, elevated regional rail is an infrastructural barrier running north-south. While Girard Avenue itself is a strong commercial and transpor-tation corrior, underneath and adjacent to the regional rail are vacant and underutilized parcels and buildings.

PROJECT SOLUTION:The Regional Rail Ecological Park utilizes different methods of collecting, treating and distributing water. A primary pedestrian pathway connects these different sys-tems. The park becomes a lowline that eventually connects to development of the Reading Viaduct.

PROGRAM: Ecological park, agricultural fields, greenhouses, research centers and commercial development

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Fairmount Park and Rail

Girard College Girard College SEPTA rail

Broad Street Germantown Avenue

Market Frankford Line

I 95

Section AAgathering space community orchard

community garden

REGIONAL RAIL ECOLOGICAL PARK_infrastructure as catalyst

Existing Ground Figure

Existing Figure Ground

Proposed Ground Figure

Precedents

Delancey Underground,NYC

The Ecorium ProjectToronto Underpass Park

St. Louis Iron Horse Trestle

Vacancy Condition

Actors_Education and Community

Vacancy + Division Vacancy + Reactivation

Transportation_Corridors Water Flow

Poplar trees and low height plants for stormwater filtration and metal removal

The collection, treatment and distribution of water both stormwater and wastewater are essential to the functioning of the ecological park. Each water system is connected by a canal that eventually culminates in an underground cistern.Beginning with the northern section of the park, a terraced constructed wetland (pictured to the right) treats wastewater from the nearby residenital neighborhood and hospital. In the middle of the park, a series of stormwater ponds and living machines treat stormwater and greywater.

Poplar trees and low height grasses for stormwater filtration

Submerged aquatic plants Aquatic reed plants Tertiary water catchment area, used for

aquaponics and new habitat for migratory birds

CENTERS

GREENHOUSES

AGRICULTURAL

RECREATION

research center 5000sf

distribution center 8000sf

visitor center 2000sf (3)

transit center 2500sf

nursery 6000sf

hydroponic 6500sf

conservatory 4000sf

orchard 500sf per tree commercial

community garden 400sfmultiple

soccer 5400sf

baseball 11430sf max.

basketball 3700sf

ice skating 5000sf max.

swimming 5000sf max.

rain garden

cistern

stormwater pond

living machine

constructed wetland

canal

Park Acreage_ approx. 121

orchard 100sf per tree backyard

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GR

AM

SQU

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TAG

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WATER

SYSTEMS_SIZES VA

RY

Actors

Girard Avenue

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Fairmount Park and Rail

Girard College Girard College SEPTA rail

Broad Street Germantown Avenue

Market Frankford Line

I 95

Section AAgathering space community orchard

community garden

REGIONAL RAIL ECOLOGICAL PARK_infrastructure as catalyst

Existing Ground Figure

Existing Figure Ground

Proposed Ground Figure

Precedents

Delancey Underground,NYC

The Ecorium ProjectToronto Underpass Park

St. Louis Iron Horse Trestle

Vacancy Condition

Actors_Education and Community

Vacancy + Division Vacancy + Reactivation

Transportation_Corridors Water Flow

CENTERS

GREENHOUSES

AGRICULTURAL

RECREATION

research center 5000sf

distribution center 8000sf

visitor center 2000sf (3)

transit center 2500sf

nursery 6000sf

hydroponic 6500sf

conservatory 4000sf

orchard 500sf per tree commercial

community garden 400sfmultiple

soccer 5400sf

baseball 11430sf max.

basketball 3700sf

ice skating 5000sf max.

swimming 5000sf max.

rain garden

cistern

stormwater pond

living machine

constructed wetland

canal

Park Acreage_ approx. 121

orchard 100sf per tree backyard

PROGRAM SQUARE FOOTAGES

WATER

SYSTEMS_SIZES VA

RY

Actors

Natural Water Flow Overow and Distribution Channel

Pavilion divides Tilted roof structure

Roof as watershed Lifting Landform Form and Function

Cistern

OrchardOrchard

Rain GardenRain Garden

Section BB_ orchardbasin commercial orchards greenhouse access farmers market community orchardtrail

PROGRAMMATIC INTERVENTION + SCALABILITY

Plan_1:500 N

Typology

Project Zoning

Greenhouse Pavilion

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

23

4

56

7

Agriculture + Learning

Research + Commercial

Recreation

Commercial + Centers

AQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAND THERAPY AND THERAPY AND THERAPY AND THERAPY AND THERAPY AND THERAPY AND THERAPY AND THERAPY AQUATIC FITNESSAND THERAPY AQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAND THERAPY AQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAND THERAPY AQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAND THERAPY AQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAND THERAPY AQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSAND THERAPY AQUATIC FITNESSb r i d g e p o r t , c tb r i d g e p o r t , c tb r i d g e p o r t , c tAQUATIC FITNESSb r i d g e p o r t , c tAQUATIC FITNESSAQUATIC FITNESSb r i d g e p o r t , c tAQUATIC FITNESS

[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization

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SISPROJECT DESCRIPTION:Aging water infrastructure and dwindling water resources is major problem for many devleoping cities. But since the water infrastructure is buried underground, there is a out of sight, out of mind mentality. How can people be confronted with the processes of water systems? And how

can these processes be more evident in our daily lives?

PROJECT SOLUTION:Steel Pointe Harbor in Bridgeport,CT is a post industrial peninsula that was a former steel mill. Situated near major cities such as New York City and other major coastal cit-ies in Connecticut, Steel Pointe has the ability to reduce reliability on other water resources and utilize Long Island Sound, a saltwater water body. Passive desalination relies on natural systems since tradi-tional desalination is expensive and is not energy efficient. The complex embraces the process of passive desalina-tion while simultaneously generating a new space where people are confronted by water infrastructure and are allowed to interact with it.

PROGRAM: Aquatic fitness and therapy complex,passive desalination center, agricultural fields, park and beachfront

[re]claiming water infrastructure through hybridization

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:Aging water infrastructure and dwindling water resources is major problem for many devleoping cities. But since the water infrastructure is buried underground, there is a out of sight, out of mind mentality. How can people be confronted with the processes of water systems? And how can these processes be more evident in our daily lives?

PROJECT SOLUTION:Steel Pointe Harbor in Bridgeport,CT is a post industrial peninsula that was a former steel mill. Situated near major cities such as New York City and other major coastal cit-ies in Connecticut, Steel Pointe has the ability to reduce reliability on other water resources and utilize Long Island Sound, a saltwater water body. Passive desalination relies on natural systems since tradi-tional desalination is expensive and is not energy efficient. The complex embraces the process of passive desalina-tion while simultaneously generating a new space where people are confronted by water infrastructure and are allowed to interact with it.

PROGRAM: Aquatic fitness and therapy complex,passive desalination center, agricultural fields, park and beachfront

Twins from Parent Programs

Hyrbid A _Program Hybrid B_Site

Bus Station Users

Program Parameters- User Interaction - Integration of Passive Desalination- Seamless fusion of desalina-tion process and aquatic center

Site Parameters- 100 Year Flood Plain- Prevailing Winds- Application of Passive Desalinaton

Hybrid Twin Interaction

Duality Creates:- Optimization of program and site- Adaptation for future conditions and site context

Park Users

Outdoor Pool Users

Hierarchy of UsersHierarchy of Users

Olympic Pool Users

Family Pool Users

Therapy Pool and Spa Users

RESEARCHinitial My initial research drew me to explore options of how people interact with water infrastructure such as ancient aqueducts, modern aqueducts and wastewater treatment facilities. And looking at the historical context at which water infrastructure took on the quality of out of sight, out of mind. And I concluded that since there is a negative connotation of water infrastructure being unsanitary and ugly. But there are instances of more successful water infrastructure such as the stepwells in India and Pakistan (pictured below) had a strong role in the daily lives of people, being both a ritual, neccessity and gathering space. Hybrid programming was essential to developing water infrastructure as an important part of daily life.

Chand Baori Stepwell, India

Ramp up to entrance plaza

reverse osmosis desalination plant

locker room

cistern

locker room

thermal bath

ramp up to olympic pool and park

sauna

private float pool

thermal bath

Ground Floor Plan_ 1/32 = 1

Below Grade Plan_ 1/32 = 1

Desalination Wall Perspective

Cross Section

Systems Section

Long Section

mesh surface panel system

clear plastic pipes

double facade systemsraised floor system

The particular site is located at the intersection of East Main Street and Stratford Avenue. The total site is 18 acres but that amount is constrained due to 100 year flood plain line. The flood plain line redues the site to 7 acres, and I will locate my design in this portion,closer to the roadway.The rest will be used for landscaping and the terraced park. The site has evolved since the construction of the highway in the late 1950s,and before the highway much of the land was covered with water but as the year progressed the site was filled in.

Seawater Intake

Pretreatment

Pump

Membrane

Post-treatment

Delivery to the City

Brine Disposal

Pretreatment

Outlet back to Sea

desalination wall

SWSystems Section_ 1/4= 1

clear plastic pipes

vertical living wall

water wall reverse osmosis desalination

water cisternraised floor system

nursery_phytoremediation plants

porous concrete pavers

rainwater collection

water channel indoor water park double facade systemolympic size swimming poolhyperaccumulator zone_pine

market space_ brine re-usebus route

pipe to desalination plant pipe to water cistern + filter

DESALINATIONpassiveThe process of desalination conducted in large facilies require an enormous amount of energy and expense. While passive desalination, uses a natural pro-cess provided by the prevailng wind current and temperature to extract salt from saltwater. The primary structure for this separation is a membrane fabric, which also helps treat the saltwater. The Aquatic Fitness and Therapy Complex implements a membrane fabric on southwestern facade, which faces the prevail-ing winds and the eastern membrane fabric is used as a living wall.

Desalination Process

desalination wall

SWSystems Section_ 1/4= 1

clear plastic pipes

vertical living wall

water wall reverse osmosis desalination

water cisternraised floor system

nursery_phytoremediation plants

porous concrete pavers

rainwater collection

water channel indoor water park double facade systemolympic size swimming poolhyperaccumulator zone_pine

market space_ brine re-usebus route

pipe to desalination plant pipe to water cistern + filter

Membrane

Saline Water

Brine

DrawSolution

DrawSolution Recovery

ProductWater

POROUS

Dense Thin Film Composite

Symmetric Asymmetric

Movement of saltwater through membrane Membrane pattern configuration

Sunflower Field

Porous Concrete Pavers

Masonry Retaining Wall

Rapeseed Field

Landscape Detail_ 1/2= 1

Cross Section_ 1/8= 1

Long Section_ 1/8= 1

Long Section_ 1/32 = 1

Bridgeport Train Terminal

Pequonnock River

Interstate 95

Existing oil drums Re-used for phytoremediation disposal

Thermal Bath Perspective

Sunflower Field

Porous Concrete Pavers

Masonry Retaining Wall

Rapeseed Field

Landscape Detail_ 1/2= 1

Cross Section_ 1/8= 1

Long Section_ 1/8= 1

Summer

EquinoxWinter

Long Section_ 1/32 = 1

water channel to pond ritual foot washing station

water channel to foor washing station

cistern water storage for greenhouse

private float pool

therapy pool thermal bath

ferry route stop

wave energy bouys

water channel to outdoor thermal bath

Thermal Bath Perspective

Long Section_ 1/32 = 1

Thermal Bath Perspective

thermal bath

desalination plant

cistern

greenhouse nursery

indoor water park

living wall

waterwall

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B

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D

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A

BC

D

E

F G

Ramp up to entrance plaza

reverse osmosis desalination plant

locker room

cistern

locker room

thermal bath

ramp up to olympic pool and park

sauna

private float pool

thermal bath

Ground Floor Plan_ 1/32 = 1

Below Grade Plan_ 1/32 = 1

Desalination Wall Perspective

Cross Section

Systems Section

Long Section

mesh surface panel system

clear plastic pipes

double facade systemsraised floor system

Education

Experience

InternEngineering Department for the City of New Haven, CT Collected data on New Haven sewer system throughon- site visits and previous researched filesAssessed conditions and provided reportsAssisted engineers and architects on field workTranslated city information into digital database, scannedmaps and maintained map vault

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven,CT Installed roofing and second floor frameInstalled first floor windowsOrganized electrical wires

Syracuse University School of Architecture Bachelor of Architecture Minor in Art HistoryThesis: [RE]claiming Water Infrastructure through HybridizationInternational Study : Florence,Italy | London, England

InternCity Plan Department for the City of New Haven, CT Redrew plans for model green home using AutoCADMontaged site photographs using PhotoshopResponded to customer inquires

2012

Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden, CTHigh Honors, Art Editor of Prism, Unity

Diploma 2007

Summer 2009

Summers 2006 - 2008

Summer 2005

2010 - 2011

University of Pennsylvania School of DesignMasters of Landscape Architecture Deans Diversity Scholarhsip

Expected 2014

R E S U M ER E S U M ER E S U M ER E S U M ER E S U M ER E S U M ER E S U M E

Affiliations

Volunteer

Skills

Manual | Laser Cut, Plexiglass, Paper, Copper, Basswood, Watercolor, Oil, AcrylicDigital | Rhino,V-Ray, Grasshopper, AutoCAD, ArcGIS,Adobe Creative Suite; Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe AfterEffects

Society of Multicultural Architects and Designers Participated in lectures and discussions

2007 - 2009

Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven,CT Assisted curators in display designCurated dried plant specimens in the herbariumTaught visitors about the live specimens in the Discovery RoomProvided daily care for reptiles and amphibians

Winter 2010, Summer 2011

Syracuse University Abroad Peer AdvisorPresented information to classes and organizations on campusOgranized information tablesAttended training sessions for peer advisors

2011- present