THE ANTI-INSTITUTION

601 studio, Fall 2010

LEA OXENHANDLER

Architectural Portfolio

ART FOR ALL SEASONS

502 studio, Spring 2010

CAUSING AN EFFECT

501 studio, Fall 2009

A SPACE FOR PINNING UP

501 studio, Fall 2009

THE ANTI-INSTITUTION

Northern Liberties, Philadelphia

Elderly housing as it stands today does not consider the needs of its residents beyond pure practicality.

Through formal stategies, the building distorts on its narrow site to break the institutional mold of the long, double-loaded corridor and static, dark interior spaces.

Public programming is placed in the north end of the building to bring the vibrant, young Northern Liberties community into a program that is traditionally devoid of youthful visitors and informal interactions. >

n

NARROW SITING

How is Southern exposure maximized on the site?

EROSION OF FORM

Exposes maximum interior space to the South

TWO-SIDED EXPOSURE

Exposes both facades to the south while allowing different views to the East and West

PLAN DIAGRAM OF STRUCTURAL WALL SYSTEM

Stretching its body both East and West, Southern light is maximized in the interior of the building while privacy is maintained via the structural louver system on the facade.

As the building shifts, the floor plates are supported by load bearing structural walls that are arranged along radial lines throughout and create continuous vertical supports.

DISTORTION AND NATURAL LIGHT

1 residential corridors rhinoceros, grasshopper, maxwell, photoshop cs5

2 pathway and gardens rhinoceros, grasshopper, maxwell, photoshop cs5

3 southern elevation rhinoceros, grasshopper, maxwell, photoshop cs5

4 street view, cafe and retail rhinoceros, grasshopper, maxwell, photoshop cs5

1

23

4

14

2

3

1 massing study corrugated plastic and kitchen sponges

2 structure/skin relationship lasercut museum board, scaled lumber

3 materiality, massing, form baltic birch plywood

4 structural wall system lasercut museum board, scaled lumber

ART FOR ALL SEASONS

Kensington, Philadelphia

PLAN 1/16 = 1

garden site

food drop site

site

food donated to neighborhood

food donated to religious institution

food donated to homeless shelter

food donated to community organization

vacant property and food distribution from community gardens in philadelphia

5% or less

6 - 10%

11 - 15%

16 - 20%

21 - 25%

26 - 30%

31 - 35%

36% vacant

The growth of community gardening in the East Village of New York has helped revive the neighborhood within the last 30 years.

An increasing trend in using vacant lots to produce income-generating gardens in Northeast Philadelphia creates the possibility of a similar revival in Kensington.

The incorporation of gardening with community arts programming fosters interaction and the growth of an up-and-coming neighborhood.

PLAN 1/16 = 1

administrative

event planners

furniture designers

painters

photographers

sculptors

jewelry designers

children

adults

retirees

chefs

athletes

dancers

actors

gardeners

farmers

resident artists

community activists

local businesses

janitors

artist

employee

visitor

offices

lounge

open studios

divided studios

fabrication labs

artist homes

classrooms

library

artist store

exhibition

cafe / coffeeshop

amphitheatre

user who what how

indoor

outdoor

public

private

light

dark

tranquil

active

loud

quiet

transparent

opaque

work

live

play

above

below

exterior

central

permanent

temporary

seasonal

green growth

garden beds

hydroponic growth

vertical vines

flower beds

tree canopy

trellis

ornamental grasses

ground cover

coniferous plants

USER WHO WHAT

CANOPY > GARDEN WALL > STAIR > GARDEN

administrative

event planners

furniture designers

painters

photographers

sculptors

jewelry designers

children

adults

retirees

chefs

athletes

dancers

actors

gardeners

farmers

resident artists

community activists

local businesses

janitors

artist

employee

visitor

offices

lounge

open studios

divided studios

fabrication labs

artist homes

classrooms

library

artist store

exhibition

cafe / coffeeshop

amphitheatre

user who what how

indoor

outdoor

public

private

light

dark

tranquil

active

loud

quiet

transparent

opaque

work

live

play

above

below

exterior

central

permanent

temporary

seasonal

green growth

garden beds

hydroponic growth

vertical vines

flower beds

tree canopy

trellis

ornamental grasses

ground cover

coniferous plants

administrative

event planners

furniture designers

painters

photographers

sculptors

jewelry designers

children

adults

retirees

chefs

athletes

dancers

actors

gardeners

farmers

resident artists

community activists

local businesses

janitors

artist

employee

visitor

offices

lounge

open studios

divided studios

fabrication labs

artist homes

classrooms

library

artist store

exhibition

cafe / coffeeshop

amphitheatre

user who what how

indoor

outdoor

public

private

light

dark

tranquil

active

loud

quiet

transparent

opaque

work

live

play

above

below

exterior

central

permanent

temporary

seasonal

green growth

garden beds

hydroponic growth

vertical vines

flower beds

tree canopy

trellis

ornamental grasses

ground cover

coniferous plants

HOW GREEN GROWTH

The art center was created by crafting spatial relationships between plantings and the people who may occupy the spaces that they create. The temporal nature of plant growth, seasonal change and shifting light conditions was considered as a large part of the design process.

WHEN PLANTING BECOMES ARCHITECTURE

WALL > STAIR > GARDEN PUBLIC > PRIVATE

SPRING

spring

winter

spring

winter

WINTER

SPRING

SEASONAL GROWTH SCHEDULE

trees

bush

flower

1 74 102 85 113 96 12

TREE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

BUSH

FLOWER

CAUSING AN EFFECT

Installation, University of Pennsylvania School of Design

The nature of interactivity is not a product, but a process.

As a surface form, this system acts as an interactive light-filtering screen that engages the body by allowing users to morph its form.

Through various pulling mechanisms, the nature of cause and effect is explored as the device responds by opening and closing its apertures.

sleeve score fold rotate bind group string

GROUP TRANSFORMATION

MANIPULATION AND ASSEMBLY

UNIT TRANSFORMATION

EFFECT

ACTION

REACTION

A SPACE FOR PINNING UP

Pavilion, University of Pennsylvania School of Design

PLAN 1/16 = 1

This dynamic component-based system provides a multifunctional and experiential exhibition space for the University of Pennsylvanias School of Design.

Folds in the surface of the structure create louvers and apertures to filter natural light and air between the spaces.

Highly lit spaces are where work is displayed and presented. These bright corridors also represent paths of movement throughout the pavilion. Spaces with a more filtered lighting condition are intended for resting states of occupation and relaxation.

12

3

1 interior gallery physical model photograph, photoshop

2 exterior view physical model photograph, photoshop

3 interior social spaces physical model photograph, photoshop

ROOF PLAN 1/16 = 1

LIGHTING DESIGN

Design of Contemporary Products Studio

A versatile, flexible and soft lighting design that can wrap, hang or coil up anywhere.

Using felt to envelop the lights fixture and cord creates a unique ambiance that can be taken anywhere.

The dependent relationship of the light to furniture, doorway, shelf, ceiling, or even floor reinforces both the playful and parasitic nature of the design.

EDUCATION

The University of Pennsylvania Candidate, Master of ArchitectureCandidate, Master of Science in Engineering, Integrated Product DesignExpected Graduation Date: December 2012

Cumulative GPA: 3.71

Washington University in St. LouisBachelor of Arts in ArchitectureMinor in AnthropologyGraduated with Service Honors in May 2009

Cumulative GPA: 3.64

ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

E. Lewis Dales Memorial Traveling Fellowship 2011Awarded funds for travel in Summer of 2011 in juried student portfolio competition for second year of M. Arch I program at PennDesign.

Disaster Relief Housing 2010Grant research chosen for publication in Via, PennDesigns publication.

WORK Publication 2010Four design projects selected to be published in WORK, PennDesigns student work publication.

PennDesign Scholarship Recipient 2009 - presentReceived four-year grant for study at PennDesign.

Lock & Chain Honorary 2006 - ongoingOne of 15 students selected to lead the Class of 2009 in prestigious honorary in its 103rd year on Washington Universitys campus. Organized participation in philanthropic and community-oriented service activities. Awarded Service Honors upon graduation.

Washington University Scholarship Recipient 2005 - 2009Presented with the Deans Award merit scholarship, as well as named scholarships in 2007 and 2008. Awarded Deans List in Spring 2006 and Fall 2008.

LEA OXENHANDLER

2216 Lombard Street Apt 4 Philadelphia PA 19146leaoxenhandler@gmail.com / leao@design.upenn.edu

www.leaoxenhandler.com

INTERESTSCommunicating with images, streetscapes and public spaces, natural light and ventilation. The design and evolution of innovative furniture and products. Experimentation with unconventional materials. The juxtaposition of antique and modern. Typography, graphic design and architectural publications. Anthropology and archaeology.

SKILLS

WORK EXPERIENCE

Digital and manual fabrication of models, products, prototypes and furniture. Graphics and information design, website development and digital animation. Proficient in AutoCad 2011, EcoTect, Rhinoceros, V-Ray, Maxwell, Maya 2011, Grasshopper, Adobe CS5 Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and AfterEffects. Microsoft Office, Powerpoint and Keynote. Both Mac and PC platforms.

Core 11/A Creation Studio St. Louis, MO May - August 2008Designed and developed conceptual retail display installations for Core 11 product lines. Collaborated with renowned fashion designers Karl Lagerfeld and Zac Posen to create a photo booth installation for New York Fashion Week Fall 2008.

www.core11.com

Gresham, Smith & Partners Miami, FL May - August 2007Worked between architecture and interior teams to design innovative and beautiful healthcare spaces, turning limited budgets and stringent code regulations into opportunities for creativity.

www.gspnet.com

Trio Design Group Miami, FL May - August 2009Interacted directly with clients and developers, doing on-site measurements and as builts for residential and commercial projects in a dynamic and collaborative small architecture firm.

www.trio-design.net

Gregs Market Middlebury, VT July - August 2010Development of current and future branding strategy for local grocery in Vermont, including graphic, website, packaging and environmental design as well as implementation.

www.gregsmarket.com

Rittenhound Philadelphia, PA April 2010 - presentCo-founder and CEO of Rittenhound Dog Walking & Pet Sitting, LLC. Responsible for website design, graphics, branding, marketing, social media, accounting, employee hiring, training, scheduling and management of clients and employees, as well as the occasional dog walk!