MISSION:CATALYSTrhino | revit | autocad | illustrator | photoshop

This is my Final Study; the final project in the M.ARCH program at Texas A&M in which each student has the freedom to develop a unique project specific to their personal interests.

WRITTEN PROPOSAL | ABSTRACT

“San Antonio, Texas is a city founded on rich history and culture dating back to precolonial times. Still today, this vibrant mix of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican heritage makes San Antonio a popular destination for American tourists. The recent nomination for the designation of the San Antonio Missions as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will attract more international visitors. Since this nomination, attention has been turned away from the major attractions of the River Walk and the most popular Mission, the Alamo, and refocused on the other four Missions. Unfortunately, they are disconnected from each other and the rest of downtown, and are surrounded by an under performing portion of the city. This final study project will serve as a catalyst for future redevelopment of the area surrounding the San Antonio Missions – creating an urban environment more conducive to cultural and family-friendly activities, thereby promoting a sense of local community, tourism, and economic prosperity.”

1000 ft

~2.9 mi

5.7 mi4.6 mi2.0 mi0.0 mi2.4 mi

2700 ft

~2.5 mi

3.6 mi2.5 mi0.0 mi2.0 mi4.4 mi

1000 ft

~3.0 mi

1.2 mi0.0 mi2.5 mi4.6 mi6.7 mi

800 ft

~3.5 mi

0.0 mi1.2 mi3.7 mi5.7 mi7.8 mi

The Alamo Concepción San JuanSan José Espada

River Proximity

Mission Proximity

The Alamo Concepción San JuanSan José Espada

River Proximity

Mission Proximity

The Alamo Concepción San JuanSan José Espada

River Proximity

Mission Proximity

The Alamo Concepción San JuanSan José Espada

River Proximity

Mission Proximity

missionCONCEPCION

missionS A N J O S E

missionS A N J U A N

missionE S P A D A

From the data on the left, I chose to locate my project near Mission San Jose based on its centrality to the other three missions, access to the Mission Reach portion of the San Antonio Riverwalk, and its catalytic potential on the surrounding urban context.

Riverwalk: Mission Reach

Mission: Catalyst

MissionSan Jose

librarydrive-in

site context

masterplanrefurbish existing parking lot and plant trees

extend boulevard through site connecting Padre Drive and Roosevelt Avenue

develop mixed-use commercial and residential projects

connect the Mission Drive-In to new boulevard

MISSION CENTER

bridge and trail connection to Mission San Jose

thin trees in Mission view shed

restore Ethel Wilson Harris house into small museum and relocate existing offices and storage

close off a portion of San Jose Drive for pedestrian and biker use only

flip main entrance to Mission San Jose to the North side

remove portable buildings and relocate uses

relocate visitors center to MISSION CENTER and bring other relocated functions here

Like my project, the historic missions were mixed use complexes. All public buildings for the community were contained within the fortification wall. A super roof will create a similar affect by uniting several independent buildings beneath and providing flexible space for the community.

An undulating surface inspired by the mission domes is constructed from a system of inverted bowstring trusses and supported by only six columns. The super roof’s structure is independent from the buildings below, allowing it to hover above them.

longitudinal section

site section

level -1

west elevation

parking

artist studio

lobby

restaurant

mechanical

exhibit

north elevation

level 1

east elevation south elevation

level 2 level 3

exhibit banquethall

roofterrace

exhibit

brid

ge

The ceilings of the banquet hall and the museum lobby open up to the domed superstructure above with the use of clerestory windows. These clerestories allow for views of the roof and structure beyond the confinements of the buildings below.

The central core of the museum is wrapped with reproductions of the historic Spanish tiles designed by Ethel Wilson Harris, who was the first to preserve the Missions in the 1930s. Her tiles are a symbol of San Antonio culture and can still be seen on the Riverwalk.

view of covered plaza

view walking back from the mission

This project serves as a window to the San Antonio Missions figuratively and literally. Its program showcases the history and culture surrounding the historic Missions, while its form frames views of Mission San Jose from almost every room.

Multiple levels of outdoor spaces respond to the surrounding context, but all shift the visitors’ attention towards Mission San Jose and the path leading towards it.

level 3 | roof terrace

level 2 | bridge

RIVERWALKLIBRARYrevit | photoshop

street level | view from main plaza

generic site specific join street & river increase river walk outdoor patios atrium develop

The proposed library is on the San Antonio River Walk, an area with rich history and culture that make it a popular tourist destination. For this reason, this library will specifically house art and literature from local San Antonians and South Texans. The library will also offer technology rentals and support that will serve the local community as well as visitors.

The specific site for this library is on a prominent corner facing Main Plaza and serves as the termination point for the popular River Walk. The two existing buildings are dilapidated and completely ignore the river level. This library will join the street and river levels by means of a grand stair that is both inside and outside of the library.

The main form of the library was driven by the trapezoid shape of the site, centered on an axis connecting Main Plaza and the River Walk (see diagrams below). A custom louver system is inspired by the pattern created by wet book pages. This system provides diffused lighting that is ideal for reading while adding a unique architectural identity.

site plan

level 0 level 1

level 2 level 3

longitudinal section

transverse section

level 3 | technology services

level 2 | children’s area level 1 | lobby & art gallery

level 2 | reading space

river level | view from river walk

MAKANIMONTESSORI autocad | revit | illustrator | photoshop

The client for this project is Makani Power, an innovator in wind power. The school’s site sits within a masterplanned community in College Station specifically designed for Makani employees and their families. The school was designed to promote the company’s goals of sustainability and discovery.

For this school, I chose the unique Montessori Method which allows for mixed age classrooms, an emphasis on student decisions, uninterrupted blocks of work time, a constructivist or discovery approach to learning, and freedom within the classroom.

multipurposeadministrationlibraryprimary learningsecondary learning

view of a secondary learning space

My main concept for the school is a cluster of buildings surrounding a large, central playground and opening up to the nearby pond on the west side. The central playground consists of a level playing field surrounded by terraced steps and seating on the east side. In contrast, the west portion includes an organic adventure playground surrounded by a ramped bicycle trail. Each building follows the same design principal of two intersecting volumes, one open for activity, and the other closed for support services. The use of timber and steel to support the shed roofs speaks to Texas vernacular architecture.

structurevolumes

rainwater collectionheating & cooling

multipurpose building | longitudinal section

multipurpose building | transverse section

multipurpose building |wall section

return

uplighting

diffusers

door

multipurpose building | used as gym multipurpose building | used as cafeteria

site section through playgrounds and library

FITNESSLAB revit | rhino | autocad | photoshop

two person collaboration

elevationsectionplan

12 pm11 am10 am9 am8 am7 am

north

wes

tso

uth

east

transparenttranslucentopaque

The goal for this project was to design a community sports recreation center in downtown Bryan, TX. The site consists of an existing building and small park flanked on the east and west by train tracks. We extended the adjoining park into the building with an open air public corridor (far bottom right). Here, the hanging gardens and cafe welcome the community into the site even if they do not want to work out.

The initial design concept stems from the integration of a passive cooling system and structure in one building envelope. 5 ft cube modules provide passive shading, cooling, structural support, and opportunities for concealing mechanical systems.

I developed a unique module for different facades and spaces within the building. Through a ray tracing process I calculated the angles and material of each panel (right) and tested physical models in the heliodon (below). These configurations allow reflected and diffused light into the building during the summer while minimizing heat gain and glare.

Team ResponsibilitiesI developed the modules using the heliodon, autocad, and Rhino. My partner imported them into Revit to create a family. We worked through most of the space planning and floor plans together. I did all of the Photoshoping in the renderings.

view of Fitness Lab from S Main St

E 28th St

E 29th St

view of open corridor

S M

ain

St

section rendering through multicourt

section rendering through pool

site plan

site plan

lockerrooms& restrooms

lockerrooms& restrooms

lowerlobby

uppe

r lob

by

bridge

open

cor

ridor

cafe

pool

mec

hani

cal

open to belowha

ngin

g ga

rden

s

outd

oor s

unke

n pa

tio

mec

hani

cal

loun

ge

boul

derin

g w

all

raquetball

raquetball

multicourt

storage

level 0 level 1

weights &machines

track

track

open tobelow

open tobelow

hang

ing

gard

ens

track

open airsoccer

spinning

step

lounge

yoga

yoga

offic

eof

fice

offic

est

orag

e

track

level 3level 2

transverse section

longitudinal section

THEFIRMrevit | illustrator | colored pencils

level 1

1

2

9 10

11

12

9 10

3

3

3

4

56

7

8

3

1 reception2 elevator3 principal offices4 studio5 rainwater cistern6 reference library7 breakroom8 maintenance

9 office managers10 accountants11 conference room12 archives

level 2

This project is an office building for my own architecture firm located on a busy street corner in College Station, TX. The program requirements accommodate four principals, twelve architects, two office managers, and two accountants.

I oriented my building to take full advantage of the northern light entering the studio space. Double height glazing is framed by the load bearing rammed earth walls. The butterfly roof serves to collect rain water in the adjacent cisterns. The central staircase and elevator that lead to the catwalk become a sculptural focal point that can be seen from both the interior and exterior.

section a section b

view from street corner approaching main entrance from parking lot

section c section d

entering the reception lobby view of the main studio

MOUNTAINHOUSEautocad | illustrator

This house sits on a quarter acre on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO. As a weekend home for a retired couple, it is very compact but allows for everyday comfort, small entertaining, and majestic views of the surrounding landscape. I took advantage of the steep terrain by carving out the first level. The curved roofs are inspired by the rolling hills and mountains, while providing shelter from the sun and snow.

roof plan

level 1 level 2

This house is oriented to the South with 180 views of the mountains and lake below. I calculated the depth of the roof overhangs and length of the windows to provide passive solar heating and cooling during the winter and summer respectively.

bedroom overhang

longitudinal section

great room overhang

great room overhang

CAVE-DIVINGSHOPmaya | rhino | illustrator

two person collaboration

To gain a deeper understanding of the physical formations of caves, I analyzed surface textures and patterns (left) as well as spatial sequences (right) of Inner Space Caverns located in Georgetown, TX. This abstract study promoted further understanding of cave formation and drove the initial concepts for the diveshop.

This project was designed as a live/work space for a scuba diving couple that give lessons and sell equipment out of their dive shop. The site is situated above a popular underwater ice cave in Alaska. The overall concept juxtaposes hard and soft tesselations derived from the initial cave studies. The geometry of the outer shell transitions from being rigid to smooth, as if it was melting into the sea below.

level 1

section b

level 0

section a

Team ResponsibilitiesI did the initial cave studies and developed the concept for this design. My partner and I worked in tandem throughout the entire design and production process.

level 2

section c

THANK YOU

julie980@gmail.comissuu.com/julie980/docs/jwrightportfolio2015210.367.6670