manipulations aggregation perforation distortion modulation subtraction insertion annexation consolidation intersection elongation addition extraction

a design portfolio by caitlin fisher

suffix meaning the act of, process of, result of

-tion

portfolio contents

source: Mosby’s Medical Dictionary 8th edition 2009 1

intersectionSCIENCE + ARTS DISCOVERY CENTER

additionSTATE STREET HOTEL + SPA

insertionTHE PLUG-IN BORDER EXCHANGESITE-ANALYSIS MAPS INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION FROM BORDER[LINE] PERSONALITY WINNER OF THE WALLENBURG STUDIO AWARD 2010

subtractionNINETY-SIX LAYERSHELIOTROPIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

pg 5-7

pg 10-13

pg 16-19pg 20-23

pg 26-27pg 28-31

2

INTERSECTION

3

2

The automobile industry may have intensified Detroit, but it is also the leading cause of the city’s current demise. It not only is ironic, but sad, that the car is no longer an efficient way to travel Detroit. The Discovery Center is located off of a main bus route—now one of the best ways to travel. The Center is also located in an area of Detroit with many places of interest—art and history museums, science centers and libraries— and the form of the Center aims to draw people from these places. The Center consists of three winding strands in which similar programs are housed: science and art, education and application,

and production and presentation. The space was designed with the belief that ideas can come from anywhere, and influence is essential inside of the building for the lab to function to its fullest potential. Multiple exterior spaces strive to bring influence from the public. The intersections of the three strands provide optimal opportunity for heightened collaboration. Two strands were given different materiality to represent the old and new Detroit, and symbolize the individual being free to form their own feelings about present day Detroit. It is not believed that this project will save Detroit, but it will help better the now.

4

science + arts discovery centerDETROIT, MICHIGAN

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1

5

3

site model (studio collaboration) museum board + acrylic + wood + paint

2

plan drawings digital drawing

1

study drawDELsshape and potential habitation models: clay + foam core drawings: graphite on mylar

3

section drawing digital drawing

4

4

46

57

drawDEL model: chipboard + museum board + bristol

drawing: graphite on mylar

8

ADDITION

9

10

The State Street Hotel + Spa serves as a space for rest and relaxation, and was conceived from a study of time capacity. A conclusion arrived through graphical axon study drawings concerning the many different programs on this corner of Ann Arbor—coffee shops, book stores, restaurants, parking, art galleries and theatres—and their perceived temporality. The Hotel + Spa aims to mimic the programmatic organization of State Street: programs considered to have permanence lie on a linear axis and the more ephemeral programs lie on the periphery. Other qualities of space correlate with a space’s observed time capacity— a space with a high occupancy time is discovered to produce less traffic, be more relaxing, and considered to be more permanent in time. The design of the hotel also gives priority to providing natural light to most public spaces and all hotel rooms, despite being surrounded by party walls on two of its sides.

1

state street hotel + spaANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN

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3

4

51 final model bass wood + acrylic

temporal study axons graphite on bristol

3

site photo joiner digital

2

final model bass wood + acrylic

4

section drawing graphite on strathmore + acetone text transfers

5

11

12

7

6

6 elevation drawing graphite on strathmore

plan drawings graphite on strathmore + acetone text transfers

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13

14

INSERTION

15

There could not be two more contrasting cities than Tijuana and San Diego. The French Philosopher Guy Dubord famously said, “We grasp reality through spectacle, and spectacle is real.” Immediately, there was the realization that the border could aim to make a spectacle out of the exchanges that were already occurring between the two cultures—the exchange of people crossing the border, the exchange of commuters loading and exiting the trolley, and the exchange of goods via the Mexican merchants— and make them more public and alive, thus activating the site. Many problems were identified with the current border crossing, and solutions were proposed. A common theme in the solutions was the use of manipulating the topography. Pushing the road into the ground created a site that is much more maneuverable by foot. Bridges, viewed as extensions of the landscape, keep pedestrians on-grade and help achieve spectacle. Canopies were peeled up from the landscape and program stuffed underneath. The ground plan was pushed down in order to let light into underground spaces, such as parking lots. A grid was laid over the entire crossing in order to create cohesion throughout. Merchants would be able to “plug-in” their bodegas to the grid when necessary, generating an ever-changing, alive, and spectacular public zone.

2 bodegas (MX) photograph

6 site model museum board + mylar + acrylic

shape progressive study models foam core + painted foam

4

linear study modelstudy of circulation density etched acrylic + colored string

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the plug-in border exchangeSAN DIEGO/TIJUANA

current site plan digital drawing

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commuters’ trolley (US) photograph

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21

3

17

6

54

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up

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8 sub-level plan drawing digital drawing

ground-level plan drawing digital drawing

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section drawing digital drawing

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dining

POPULATION density

1110 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Source: Censo de Poblacion y Vivienda VII

ProportionCity Persons per sq. mi. State Persons per sq. mi.

Cities are known for their density; their ability to �t and accommodate millions of people into such a small area is part of what makes them so impressive.

Population density by itself does not say much about a city until it is contrasted to the population density of the surrounding area. A city whose density is much larger than the state it is associated with is much more amazing than a city whose density is similar to its state.California is a great example of this. It is a much denser state, and although the individual cities of Los Angeles and San Diego are much denser than most, California is really what is drawing people to live there.

On the other hand, the city of Minneapolis’ population density is about a hundred times greater than Minnesota’s. This situation is much more intriguing: what factors are drawing all these people to this particular area?

PERSONS PER SQUARE MILE

California California

Texas Minnesota

Illinois Michigan Maryland New York

Baja CaliforniaMexico City

234 234

8065

223179542409105

1699

San DiegoLas Angeles

AustinMinneapolis

ChicagoDetroit

Washington D.C.New York City

TijuanaMexico City

1612820525586722488465719776

274404155

15420

1.483.343.205.722.643.422.404.622.58

1.7

0 - 6.4

6.5 - 11.6

11.7 - 16.0

16.1 - 21.0

21.1 - 27.7

27.8 - 35.7

35.8 - 44.4

44.5 - 54.7

54.8 - 65.7

65.8 - 79.2

79.3 - 93.0

93.1 - 106.2

106.2 - 121.0

121.1 - 138.5

138.6 - 161.2

161.3 - 189.4

189.5 - 224.4

224.5 - 270.4

270.5 - 338.9

339.0 - 432.2

432.3 - 541.1

541.2 - 709.7

709.8 - 964.4

964.5 - 1,369.0

1,369.1 - 2,144.4

2,144.5 - 3,542.2

3,542.3 - 6,025.6

6,025.7 - 9,264.3

9,264.4 - 19,479.7

19,479.8 - 35,394.1

35,394.2 - 50,747.8

50,747.9 - 89,565.0

MINNEAPOLIS

DETROIT NEW YORK

AUSTIN

LOS ANGELES

CHICAGO

WASHINGTON DC

MEXICO CITY

SAN DIEGO

TIJUANA

ratio- city population density: state population density

city population density

PROPORTIONCITY POPULATION DENSITY:

STATE POPULATION DENSITY

20

exerpt from site analysis publication BORDERLINE PERSONLITYcomparison of population densities at the national scale

digital drawing

POPULATION density

1110

municipality denser than state average

municipality less dense than state

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Municipality Persons per sq. mi.StatePersons per sq. mi. Proportion

CaliforniaCalifornia

ArizonaTexasTexasTexasTexasTexasTexas

234 234

56 8080 8080 8080

San DiegoYuma

Santa CruzEl Paso

BrewsterWebb

ZapataHidalgo

Cameron

16123535

7121

5812

363370

1.48.62.62

8.94.02.72.15

4.564.64

UNITED STATES

1051053434.234.243999999

39.431.5317.4020.50.809.4621.132.973.04

Proportion

Baja CaliforniaBaja CaliforniaSonoraChihuahuaChihuahuaCoahuilaTamaulipasTamaulipasTamaulipas

TijuanaMexicaliNogalesJuarezPraxedis GuerreroPiedras NegrasNuevo LaredoReynosaMatamores

4155162593701274082085293300

PROPORTIONMUNICIPALITY POPULATION DENSITY:

STATE POPULATION DENSITY

MEXICOMunicipalityPersons per sq. mi.StatePersons per sq. mi.

Border conditions cannot be generated by only looking at the municipalities lining this political division. A comparison must be drawn between these municipalities and their surrounding area in order to answer the question of what makes them so unique?

In order to generalize the density of inhabitance along the border for the United States and Mexico, a proportion must be set up between the population densities of the municipalities and the population density of the state in which it is contained. A proportion less than one demonstrates that the state’s population is more concentrated away from the border. A proportion greater than one demonstrates that the state’s population is more concentrated near the border.

For the most part, it seems that Mexico’s population seems to crowd near the border, while the people of the United State’s appear to be avoiding the border area. Of course, there are exceptions on both sides, such as Anahuac, Nuevo Leon and El Paso, Texas, but these numbers help provide an image as to how the two countries view one another and how this view a�ects where its people congregate.

Source: Censo de Poblacion y Vivienda VII

0 - 6.4

50,747.9 - 89,565

PERSONS PER SQUARE MILE

Note: this table is a side-by-side comparison of neighboring municipalities from each side of the border.

21

exerpt from site analysis publication BORDERLINE PERSONLITYcomparison of population densities at the border scaledigital drawing

DEMOGRAPHICS poverty

1312 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Source: Censo de Poblacion y Vivienda VII

PROPORTIONCITY % POVERTY

Urban poverty is one of the most major consequences of living in such a dense area. The poverty level in the United States is $20,614 and 12.4% of Americans are living below this line. In all of the U.S. cities shown, the poverty level is almost double the national average. On the other hand, Mexico’s poverty level is 10.42 pesos/day which is equivelent to an annual salary of $292. The Mexican cities shown lie generously under the national line.

Mexico’s poverty rate is based on the United Nation’s standards, about a dollar a day, and these standards are much less than the United State’s. Therefore, it is not reasonable to compare the Mexican percentages to the American percentages, but instead comparing the ratios of each city’s level to the national level. It is obvious that Mexico’s quality of life in urban areas is far di�erent than that of the U.S. This is because cities o�er so many more opportunities, there-fore Mexico has a huge rural poverty problem that they have yet to resolve.

PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN POVERTY

San DiegoLos Angeles

AustinMinneapolis

ChicagoDetroit

Washington D.C.New York City

TijuanaMexico City

15.0%22.0%14.0%17.0%20.0%26.0%20.0%21.0%2.34%

9.2%

1.171.781.161.361.582.101.621.71.169

.67

0%-10%

MINNEAPOLIS

DETROIT NEW YORK

LOS ANGELES

WASHINGTON DC

SAN DIEGO

TIJUANApoverty level of city is below national average

poverty level of city is above national average

PROPORTIONCITY POVERTY LEVEL:NATIONAL POVERTY LEVEL

10%-15%

15%-20%

20%-25%

25%-30%

30%-35%

35%-40%

40%-100%

AUSTIN

CHICAGO

MEXICO CITY

22

exerpt from site analysis publication BORDERLINE PERSONLITYcomparison of poverty levels at the national scale

digital drawing

DEMOGRAPHICS poverty

PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN POVERTY

0%-10%

40%-100%

municipality’s poverty level more than national poverty level

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Municipality % Poverty ProportionSan Diego

YumaSanta Cruz

El PasoBrewster

WebbZapata

HidalgoCameron

12.4%13.9%24.5%23.8%18.2%31.2%35.8%35.9%33.1%

1.01.121.971.911.462.512.882.892.66

39.431.5317.4020.50.809.4621.132.973.04

ProportionTijuanaMexicaliNogalesJuarezPraxedis GuerreroPiedras NegrasNuevo LaredoReynosaMatamores

2.34%2.76%3.02%2.98%8.52%5.25%5.49%5.24%5.76%

PROPORTIONMUNICIPALITY POVERTY LEVEL:

NATIONAL POVERTY LEVEL

MEXICOMunicipality

The border represents both the best and the worst in terms of poverty. On the Mexican side, some of the country’s richest people live in the municipalities lining the border. Almost every municipality’s poverty level is less than that of Mexico.

On the other hand, the poorest municipalities in the United States are along the US/Mexican border. When comparing the municipality’s poverty level to the national poverty level, all municipalities lie below the national, with the exception of San Diego, whose poverty level is equal to the national. Starr county in Texas is over four times larger than the national poverty line.

The border provides Mexicans opportunities that are not available elsewhere in their country. Unfortunately, the border o�ers Americans poverty and hardship.

Source: Censo de Poblacion y Vivienda VII

Note: this table is a side-by-side comparison of neighboring municipalities from each side of the border.

municipality’s poverty level less than national poverty level

% PovertyUNITED STATES

1514

23

exerpt from site analysis publication BORDERLINE PERSONLITYcomparison of poverty levels at the border scaledigital drawing

24

SUBTRACTION

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Franz Kline’s Probst 1 provided the inspiration for constructing a model by carving through 96 layers of 4-ply museum board. The final model serves as a 3-dimensional response to a 2-dimensional image. When viewing the painting, one cannot help but notice the way in which the black strokes constrain and overpower the other colors. The model strives to answer the question how does one control space? and displays this theme of dominance and submission through carving. Large geometric subtractions represent the controller, while thin subtractions embody the controlee. The voids become a solid where the two collide— the way two negatives produce a positive. The result is a space of control and a symbol of structure and power.

1 2

3

26

ninety-six layers ABSTRACT

4 5

6 71 final model museum board

inspiration paintingProbst I by Franz Kline

submission vs. domination study model chipboard

axonometric drawings of the collision of voids graphite on strathmore

final model museum board

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3

4

527

heliotropic elementary schoolCHICAGO, ILLINOIS

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4

5

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1 public tram systembordering site photograph

shadows casted on site by surrounding skyscrapers photgraph

2 plans of shadows casted on site digital drawing

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sections of shadows casted on site digital drawing

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9 axonometric drawing resultant of overlapping section and plan drawings digital drawing

available “light” model 3D print

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shadows on site model etched acrylic + paint

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circulation model chipboard + acrylic

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hanging floorplate height differentiation model chipboard + fishing line

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1

1

The Heliotropic Elementary School is located in downtown Chicago and is surrounded by some of the tallest buildings in the city. Based on a study which shows that a school’s access to natural light increases student learning and decreases behavioral problems, much attention was given to bringing natural light into the school. Shadows from the surrounding buildings were studied at different times of the day and year; then, plans and sections were cut through these hundreds of shadows. By calling out the lightest parts of these plans and sections, and then placing them on the site, a volume of light was created. This volume is what we would want to preserve on our site, in order to draw its light into the school. A light well was carved through the core of the building using the angles from the most extreme solstice shadows. This in-depth shadow study resulted in 80% of the building being classifiable as well-lit from natural light. The entire project is brought together by a circulation band which wraps around the program of the building, ramps from floor to floor, and provides natural light to every classroom.

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shadows on site: plans

shadows on site: cross sections and longitudinal sections

cross sections longitudinal sectionsplansplans 29

shadows on site: plans

shadows on site: cross sections and longitudinal sections

cross sections longitudinal sectionsplans

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plans of shadows cast on siteshadows on site: plans

shadows on site: cross sections and longitudinal sections

cross sections longitudinal sectionsplans

cross sections of shadows cast on site

shadows on site: plans

shadows on site: cross sections and longitudinal sections

cross sections longitudinal sectionsplans

shadows on site: plans

shadows on site: cross sections and longitudinal sections

cross sections longitudinal sectionsplanscross sections

shadows on site: plans

shadows on site: cross sections and longitudinal sections

cross sections longitudinal sectionsplanslongitudinal sections

+ + =

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8

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longitudinal sections of shadows cast on site

8 plan drawings digital drawing

hallway at 3pm rendering

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cross section drawing digital drawing

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longitudinal section drawing digital drawing

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hallway at 10 am rendering

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addition interjection aggregation perforation distortion modulation subtraction insertion annexation consolidation intersection elongation addition extraction