architectural portfolio _ caleb white

cities - places - objectsa collection of architecture

Caleb White

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Shifting Hybrids

Hudson River Natatorium

Live/Work

Manhattan Arcology

Epitaph

Urban Stiches

contents

academic studio_University of Pennsylvaniainstructor_Hina Jamelle

academic studio_University of Pennsylvaniainstructor_Kutan Ayata

academic studio_University of Pennsylvaniainstructor_Simon Kim

thesis_University of Pennsylvaniaadviser_Annette Fierro

design build_University of Pennsylvaniadirector_Marcel De Lange

competition_Urban Land Instituteteam_Ramon PenaLindsay Loftin Rule

Paolo Soleri proposed a new urban model, the Arcology, in response to the danger that the ever-expanding city posed to the earth and the soul of the urban dweller. These autonomous megastructures were imagined as self-sustaining cities within a single architecture. The instinct behind the “megastructure age” and the turn to large scale structures as a way to address humanity’s large scale problems proved to be ineffectual. The desire to establish an urban autonomy, however, remains a compelling tool to resist the forces that shape our politically and physically homogeneous cities. Which not only have the ability to destroy our planet, alienate and isolate urban dwellers based on social and economic status, but also to restrict our capacity to create unseen futures and new urban lifestyles. The “urban artifact”, or the “urban object”, at a variety of scales, is an architectural object that is programmed to serve many city functions. Rather than relying on zoning, the urban artifact relies on the architecture itself to inscribe the footprint of urban activities - the user then occupying and re-negotiating the architecture imbues it with life and vitality. This can be called, “the urban effect”. This is the aspiration of the Manhattan Arcology project, to create an architectural urbanism that is critical of the assumed urban typology that has been forged by our post-industrial, capitalistic society and which goes entirely unquestioned as it has been propagated throughout the world.

Manhattan Arcology01

the vertical city and the vertical street_ one of the essential features of the Arcology is the three dimensional street space. On every level of the Arcology, the work and live spaces front the ramps that can be imagined as containing all the functions of a Manhattan street, only in multiple levels. This enables street life, the true “urban effect” to grow vertically.

academic thesis_University of Pennsylvaniaadvisor_Annette Fierro

01 Manhattan Arcology

layered urban phenomena map _ in order to search for a suitable location for the Arcology it was necessary to look for under-utilized urban areas, these provided the greatest opportunity for an autonomous live/work development. The chosen site is the city owned property surrounding the entrance to the Queens Midtown Tunnel. This site allowed for an independent and self sustaining development, but also encouraged specific transportation connections to material networks via the tunnel.

property value map _ the average propery value by block can be segmented into layers, allowing us to find the most undervalued zones of the city.

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urban void map_ the open areas of the city are mapped as a gradient, the lightest colors are the most open and the dark blue represents the densest parts of the city. Traditionally, the figure void map has been used to analyze a cities public space (see Noli map) but this seems to be an incomplete reading of the city as the plan denies the multilayered quality of the city.

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site plan _ The tunnel and the existing streets would remain operational and untouched, while a new layers of urban activity, work, and residences would exist above the existing urban fabric. Each of the coils hosts certain amenities (shown above) that belong to either the residents of the arcology or the general public depending on its ease of access, its proximity to the ground plane, and its function.

the coil_ the coil is a reinterpretation of the Manhattan street grid. It allows the city to grow in three dimensions but it does not rely on the simple extrusion of a block which creates a division between programs that are stacked vertically. Instead, the coil provides continuous vertical street space, preserving the qualities and connections of the street.

01_exisitng street and block urban model

02_ traditional urban network structure

03_coiled network structure

hardware software

convention center

amphitheater

gallery and exhibition space

community center

community gardens

public park

community gardens

internal networks_ each of the coils requires different inputs and outputs depending on the programs they contain. The manufacturing spaces require access to the truck docks, the automated storage facilities, and the common work spaces. The retail requires access to the storage facilities but also require more common public spaces for store fronts and pedestrian access to the surrounding neighborhoods to sell their goods. Each of the coils connects horizontally and vertically accordingly. The various resulting coiled connections are shown above.

manufacturing

loading docks

retail space

shared automated storage facility

shared automated storage facility

shared work spaces

Three Bedroom Unit_ 1600 SF

Two Bedroom Unit_ 1600 SF

One Bedroom Unit_ 1600 SF

Studio Unit_ 1600 SF

water inputelectrical inputsewage / grey water output

Housing Units_

Digital Industry_

Retail_

Manufacturing_

Truck Loading Dock_

Automated Storage Facility_

community gardens

public playground

housing unit types _ a flat-rate module could contain all of the utilities of the home, the kitchen, bathroom, heating, cooling, and electrical needs would be housed in this standardized front piece of the housing unit. The back half of the unit would contain the living and sleeping spaces of the home. Defined by the occupant, it could be as expressive and expensive as the user desires, but could also be economical and minimal if need be. This would allow all social strata and family sizes to be accommodated within the Arcology.

typical coil 3D section_the modeling of a highly articulated chunk of the one of the coils (shown left) allows one to speculate on the architectural detail of each of the urban elements within this new vertical urbanism. So much our current urban vernacular is an architectural expression of a much larger urban system, determined by the parallelization of the city and the parcel’s relationship to the street and the city grid. When this grid is re-invented, the relationship between street and parcel changed, the resulting architecture must answer new questions. What is a house in this context? What is an office, a factory, a studio, a storefront?

T.O. floor structure

B.O. ceiling structure

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Section Elevation

T.O. floor structure

coated aluminium panel

mineral wool insulationsteel structure

5/8” interior sheathing

interior finishes per user

furring strips



upperupper

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typical 3 bedroom unit

private rooftop patio

typical studio unit

typical one bedroom unit

shared rooftop patio

shared rooftop patio

elevator core

typical work space

shared, flexible work space

ramp intersection, puclic space

shared public spaces below

elevator core

housing level plan (top left)_this plan shows the relationship of the housing units to one another and to the coil. Some of the housing units are integrated into the rooftop of the working units, allowing for shared, semi-private patio and garden spaces. Every housing unit contains a small rooftop patio space and plater space with views to the public amenity spaces below.

work level plan (bottom left)_the working spaces all front the coil, as was previously mentioned all the retail and manufacturing spaces that require the movement of goods and products are connected to an elevator core which also connects all the workspaces to shared workshops and overflow spaces in the center of the coils. These are shared workspace amenities.

typical coil section model_the 3D model (a.) highlights the idea of the “urban object”, a formalized architectural urban piece that serves many functions. (b.) shows the relationship of the housing units to the public spaces below. (c.) shows the shared workspace amenities in the center of each coil, with public green spaces on its rooftop and public athletic facilities below. (d.) shows the interlocking layers of the coil, acting as a “tissue” of street spaces and public areas stacking vertically.

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vertical streets_ An important aspect of this project that may be overlooked is the aspiration to stretch and increase the vibrant and valuable qualities that a city like Manhattan already has. (Shown right) the qualities of a Manhattan street are imagined multiplied vertically. This is the intersection of multiple coils.

typical coil section_ Shown above is the sectional relationship between the work spaces, public spaces, housing, and the existing city below. The primary aspiration for this project has not been to expand the scope of the architect to the scale of the city but rather to condense the qualities of the city to the scale of architecture.


02Live/WorkThe live work urban model is not a new model, it is an ancient one. One needs only to visit the Yeongdeungpo neighborhood in Seoul South Korea to witness a working version of this urban model. Over five hundred years old, the market in Yeongdeungpo weaves its way through craftsmen’s workshops and family owned store fronts that have been added on to traditional and historic Korean homes. With the new wave of large scale development surrounding the Yeongdeungpo neighborhood, the market and the assiociated way of life is at risk. The Live/Work project is an attempt to internalize the qualities of the market and to reproduce the lifestyle of its inhabitants.

Yeongdeungpo _ the internalized and layered markets of yeongdeungpo.

academic studio_University of Pennsylvaniainstructor_Simon Kim

02 Live/Work

site strategy _ the existing historic Yeongdeungpo market(1.) is a unique urban confluence of retail, residential, and manufacturing spaces that produce an urban island in a rapidlychanging urban context. The existing market winds through a dense residential area that also hosts small manufacturing and light industry. In this project, the irregular dispersion(2.) of these existing live work spaces is reorganized into a heirarchy of paths(3.) and grouped by similiar scales and program types in a three dimensional verison of the existing urban fabric(4.).

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ground level plan _ on the ground level, the towers are separate programmatic entities. Manufacturing spaces (1.) and retail spaces (2.) front the market (3.) while the residences(4.) can be found in the internal semi-private court yard spaces(5.).

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live and work _ the market spaces act as a connecting component to the various vertical live/work spaces. In section, the woke spaces, which front the market, are a buffer to the interior of the towers which are domestic in nature.

upper level plan_ the upper level of the building is where the inter-mixing and hybridization of the programmed live/work spaces occurs. The market (3.) no longer follows the city grid, but instead serves to connect disperate programmed spaces. The courtyards (5.) remain a semi-private access to the residences (4.)

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work spaces_ the stores and workshops (1.) vary in scale and type depending on the program, each one has an associated residence (2.) or residences depending on the scale of the work space.

19’ 0” storage level

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long section_ the market spaces(3.), acting as retail program and as primary circulation through the building, exist in many different conditions. Acting as bridge, as tunnel, and as intersticial space, they connect all of the work spaces throughout the building. The semi-private internal courtyard spaces(5.) are entirely domestic. This dileniation between work and life happes in section, between the thickened skin of the towers.

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02 Live/Work

market spaces _ these spaces unify the towers which have different programs and uses, the market is both exterior and interior, connecting different parts of each tower on each level.

market spaces_ these spaces are places of commerce, but more importantly they aspire to the street qualities of the existing Yeongdeungpo markets.

southern elevation _ the warm tones of the aging corten cladding complements the abundant foliage that surrounds the site.

This large scale redevelopment proposal of the New Orleans Lafitte greenway corridor attempts to hybridize the landscape features with neighborhood amenities that allow a localized development of the greenway in each neighborhood rather than imposing a master plan. From the Treme neighborhood where a public library and swimming pool will inhabit the greenway to the French Quarter where an outdoor music venue will be developed, the amenity being proposed is accompanied with site specific landscape features that address the water treatment needs and provide additional capacities. In the neighborhood areas there are spaces for community gardens and athletic fields while the commercial areas provide needed public green space and hardscaping to compliment the performance area and commercial street fronts. The greenway can be seen as a flexible and adaptive space meeting neighborhood specific needs.

Urban Stitches

competition_Urban Land Instituteteam members_Caleb White, Ramon Pena, Lindsay Rule

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03 Urban Stitches

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Site Plan _ both the amenities in the greenway and the built development along its edge are different depending on the neighborhood and it’s needs.

1. hydrology and education center

2. boutique hotel

3. museum / cultural center

4. market

5. grocery store

6. athletic facilities

7. public library

8. residential

9. mixed use residential / retail

10. office

11. parking structure

12. retail

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section C (top) _this section cuts across the elevated highway, showing the open air market below (1.). The museum plaza (2.) and the grocery store (3.) are on either side of the market.

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Development Phasing _ phasing of the development corisponds to the amenities that are introduced in the greenway.

Phase I

Residential: 300,000 SFRetail: 450,225 SFComercial: 0 SF

Phase II

Residential: 426,950 SFRetail: 100,000 SFComercial: 125,000 SF

Phase III

Residential: 125,000 SFRetail: 0 SFComercial: 0 SF

Phase IV

Residential: 0 SFRetail: 0 SFComercial: 0 SF

educationperformance

libraryswimming pool

office space

hotel museum grocery store

residential

retail

residential

retailretail

residential

03 Urban Stitches

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section B (bottom) _ this section highlights the transition from the new comercial district(1.) to the water retention areas(2.) and the boutique hotel(3.) across the park.

Hudson River NatatoriumThe natatorium on the Hudson could be seen as an extension and an invasion of Manhattan’s urban parts into the Hudson river, but it could also be viewed as an internalization of the water in the Hudson, an architecturalization of the natural features that surround the island city. Within a series of articulated modules, there are a variety of aquatic programs extending the Hudson River Greenway amenities onto pier 26. Each module is internally articulated for the specific auquatic program that occupies it. Of the aquatic amenities there are two lap pools, a dive tank, a series of leisure pools, hot tubs, and a sauna.

inhabiting the Hudson _ the surface of the pier, which is always open to the public, becomes an extension of the park and pathways that run along the Hudson River Greenway.

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academic studio_University of Pennsylvaniainstructor_Kutan Ayata

assembly diagram _ the blue volumes contain the featured aquatic programs while the green volumes are support spaces for these programs, including circulation, mechanical spaces below, and storage.

dive tank support volume

lap pool volumes

support volume

cafe volume

spa volume

programmed pier surface

complete assembly

existing pier structure

04 Hudson River Natatorium

joined “super panels”

exterior sheathing

structural frame

unit assembly model_ Each module consists of a concrete tube that caries the weight of the module to the foundations below the pier, precast pool parts sit on top of this tube, and steel frame rests on top of these concrete parts.

main level plan _ the main level features a leisure pool with seating alcoves (1.) as well as a leisure pool that weaves its way through multiple modules and merges with the dive tank(2.). Also seen on this level are the changing rooms(3.) and a cafe for use by the general public with views over the Hudson River (4.).

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section A_ the long section reveals how the ground level of the pier becomes an articulated landscape allowing users to move under and around the featured programs on the site. the leisure pools(1.) are generally suspended above the ground level while the dive tank(2.) goes below the pier to the foundations.

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elevation_ the panelization of the modules is hierarchical in that there are a series of super panels based on the curvature of the surfaces, each of these super panels has a grid of smaller panels within it.

section B _ the transverse section of the module shows the relationship of the support spaces, circulation(1.) and mechanical(2.), to the primary aquatic features (3.)

Lower Level Window

Existing Pier Level100' 0"

T.O. Piers

Elevation 1/4” = 1’

59' 6"

130' 0"

116' 0"Changing Level

Pool Level

Concrete Pier

Precast Concrete Structure

Metal Panel Type II

Metal Panel Type I

Skylight

southern elevation _ the warm tones of the aging corten cladding complements the abundant foliage that surrounds the site.

This small storage facility was designed to house historic tombstones which were unearthed over the years within Boulder’s most historic burial ground, Columbia Cemetery. With nowhere in the cemetery for these stones to be stored, they were held off site. This building allowed the stones to be brought back to the site and to be permanently on display for preservationists and the general public to visit. In addition to housing the stones, the project was imagined as a destination from which to explore the historic and beautiful site. The space between the stone storage area and the tool storage area was left open as a covered space to provide cover as visitors view the listing of all the stones that were present and also as a spot for tours (which regularly pass through the site) to meet.

Epitaph

extra-curricular design build_University of Coloradoinstructor_Marcel De Lange

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05 Epitaph

(1.) plan _ The building is split into a storage area for the historic tomb stones, and a storage area for the cemetery’s tools.

(2.) section _ The structural bays are aligned to a 4 foot grid, allowing the 12 foot cavity between the programs as well as the 8 foot expanded bay for tool storage.

(3.) programming _ The cavity between the tool storage area and the historic tomb stone display area is utilized as a gathering space for historic site tours and as a viewing area for the general public to see the historic stones.

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assembly_ (1.)corrugated corten steel (2.)10mm polycarbonate panels (3.) 2X8 LVL Engineered Lumber (4.) 1/4” steel stress plate (5.) concrete mat-slab foundation (6.) 2X6 pressure treated lumber (7.) reclaimed beetle kill lumber

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1/4” steel plate

1/4” steel platecorrugated corten steel

2X8 LVL Engineered

Lumber

2X8 LVL Engineered Lumber

2X8 LVL Engineered Lumber

#4 Rebar

1/4” A36 stainless steel bolt

1/2” steel base plate

translucent ends _ polycarbonate panels cap the ends of the shed illuminating the space with daylight during the day.

connection details _ 1/4” laser cut steel plate components connect the LVL trusses together - the steel tension rod completes the assembly.

06Shifting Hybrids

undulating surface _ the seam as programatic device. Apartments, hotel rooms, and shared spaces scale on a gradient from studio apartment to lobby.

This hotel, residence, and music venue, in TriBeCa New York challenges typical mixed-use architectural typologies through the hybridization of its parts from one programmatic feature to the next. A seam on the facade, the line that was a simple material break, becomes surface, and surface becomes volume - which can contain an entire apartment. Some of these seems, those between the residences and the hotel rooms, contain shared spaces such as recording and practice spaces for visiting musicians. The maximum expression of these shared spaces is the small music venue in the lower levels of the building. As hotel guests and residents move through the building they are given the opportunity to sample the musical performances that occur within these hybrid spaces.

academic studio_University of Pennsylvaniainstructor_Hina Jamelle

level 1

level 2

level 3

level 4

level 5

level 6

level 7

level 8

level 9

Hotel Room - Single250 SF

Residence - One Bedroom375 SF

Hotel - Suite600 SF

Residence - Studio300 SF

Total: 54 units Public Spaces

hotel suite600 SF

hotel double375 SF

hotel single250 SF

H3

Hotel Units Residential Units

H2

H1

two bedroom600 SF

one bedroom375 SF

studio250 SF

R3

R2

R1

R3 R3

R3

R H

R2

R1 R1

R1

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H1

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H2 H2

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Total: 54 units Public Spaces

hotel suite600 SF

hotel double375 SF

hotel single250 SF

H3

Hotel Units Residential Units

H2

H1

two bedroom600 SF

one bedroom375 SF

studio250 SF

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R3 R3

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program diagram _

06 Shifting Hybrids

inter-relationship _ the gradient scale of units stack vertically, creating a seam of expansion, showing the transformation from one unit type to the next

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level 2

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level 9

Hotel Room - Single250 SF

Residence - One Bedroom375 SF

Hotel - Suite600 SF

Residence - Studio300 SF

facade _ the undulating seems of the facade depict the programmatic transformations from one part of the building to the next.

06 Shifting Hybrids

12°Typical Floor Plan

level 91’=1/8”

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(top) typical floor plan _ this plan depicts a typical floor of the building with a distribution of hotel rooms(1.) and apartments(2.). On each floor, there is a shared sound controlled space that can be used for practice or recording(3.). This area doubles as an elevator lobby so that hotel guests and residents can sample the music as they move through the building.

(bottom) ground floor plan _ the entry to the performance venue and the hotel(1.) are along Greenwich Street. The apartment entrance(2.) fronts Vestry Street.

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06 Shifting Hybrids

(1.) typical residence interior _ the seam of the facade define the division between units and materials, the seems also define the interior

conditions of the unit - hard versus soft, wet versus dry.

(2.) one bedroom residence_

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3D section _ the cut through the seam reveals a stack of the practice and recording spaces(1.) that are accoustically isolated by the thickened walls of the seam. Adjacent to these spaces on each floor are the elevator lobbies(2.). As you move vertically through the building, these practice and recording spaces increase in scale, culminating in the auditorium(4.) in the lower level of the building.

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cities - places - objectsa collection of architecture

Caleb White

architectural portfolio _ caleb white

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