NIGEL FENTON

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE __________________________________________________________________________________________

As far back as I can remember I’ve always enjoyed creating things. As an only child being raised by a single mother, it was important to properly develop my imagination in order to keep myself occupied. My mother was always entertained by how I could transform games like Jenga into an unconventional form of self-expression. After completing my space-age compounds she would exclaim to her friends, ‘I don’t know where he gets it from but it keeps him busy for hours!’ After Win, Lose or Draw lost its charm my mother began to encourage my creative inclination through more conventional avenues. After attending a few art classes my life’s path became clear and a bigger world began to unfold. I found that I loved drawing and painting and had not only a natural ability for visual expression, but a desire to perfect my skills. As I continued into college and enrolled as an undergraduate into the art program at the University of Texas, my natural talents were able to sustain me for the first few semesters. However, after a year in college my mind eventually matured as I was exposed to what existed outside of my comfort zone. During this time it became apparent to me that something was missing in my artistic work. Eventually an opportunity to expand my mind arose when I discovered the option to study abroad in Europe. It was at this time that my love affair with Italy began. Living in Italy allowed me to experience a culture I was previously unaccustomed to. I began to learn, in depth, about the people, the language and the history of the country. After absorbing everything about the Renaissance and subsequent art movements a spark was ignited when I discovered that my favorite artists, including Michaelangelo Buonarotti, Sanzio da Urbino and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, were not only great painters and sculptors but also talented architects. My research on the Vatican exposed the fantastic architectural additions made by these artists, and thus began my evolution as an architect. Throughout college my fascination for architecture proceeded to blossom and I continued to embark upon a country-wide tour of Italy that encompassed several extended visits (and countless train rides). I became enamored by Filipo Bruneleschi, Andrea Palladio and Carlo Scarpa. These expeditions inspired me to visit other European countries including Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark. Once I completed my undergraduate collegiate career it was obvious to me that architecture was my true passion. I concluded my post graduation walk about with the realization that moving people by implementing three dimensional design elements into the built environment was something I desperately needed to master. This revelation allowed me to proceed and pursue my graduate degree in architecture. When considering where the professional innovations in architecture were taking place in the United States the firms in Portland, Oregon revealed themselves to be impressive in their implementation of sustainable green building techniques. The fact that top firms such as Sera Architects, Holst, and ZGF resided in Portland motivated me to move to Oregon and begin to establish myself by gaining knowledge about sustainable building practices. I enrolled at Portland State University (PSU) and under the tutelage of professors such as Sergio Palleroni and Barry Messer I learned about Net Zero buildings, sustainable energy, and the importance of developing community in the built environment through urban planning design methods. At this point in my education. I have developed an interest in learning about non-invasive building designs that are able to generate and sustain their own energy as well as integrate into their environment and socio-economic environments. I have also garnered an interest in cradle-to-cradle societies and have a desire to learn more about concepts pertaining to Eco Districts because it is my belief creating more natural systems is integral to architectural design.

As I move further along in the program at PSU a hunger to be further challenged has arisen. By continuing my studies in Architecture at the PSU I believe that I will be adequately stimulated by both the endowed professors as well as the dexterous student body that attend the university. The structure of the Architecture program at PSU is particularly intriguing to me. Sustainability involves recognizing the nature of

the built environment that is composed of architecture and planning and the coordination of these elements. I am eager to further my knowledge in the realm of environmental design and the opportunity to further my digital-design media skills truly excites me. Furthermore, I am interested to learn more about civic ecology and how I can implement the importance of the human experience in my work. It is my belief that buildings that do not weave themselves into their surrounding’s physical, socio-cultural, and environmental contexts are simply a collection of building materials that are never properly claimed, possessed, or wholly owned by the community. I have explored the programs at many universities and all of my research indicates that the program at PSU is the best place for me to build knowledge around sustainable architecture that will ultimately influence my career in the field. I look forward to beginning my studies amongst the prestigious faculty and students on the PSU campus and hope you will give me the opportunity to further perfect my skills.

pavillionthe final body of work in the trickster series includes the development of a site. a folly wasdesigned to manipulate the individuals progression along the path while the pavillion conceals the client.

threshold this design is also developed to suit the trickster’s qualities. individuals are manipulated through a series of hallways, masked by the threshold’s exterior, that transform after every turn.

Windowa project based on the development of a body of work designed specifically for a fictitious client called ‘the trickster’. this design is inspired by the clients qualities including manipulation,transformation, and concealment.

wonderland a series of work based on the popular Lewis carrol novel ‘alice and wonderland’. This body of work is a compilation of paintings, watercolors and sketches that explore the expansive world of wonderland.

table of contents

the bowlThis project is an investigation of a real site in portland, oregon. through extensive research a project is developed that accentuates the natural qualities of the site in order to develop architecture for the inhabitants of the space.

1a wonderland

1b wonderland

1c wonderland

2a window

final design sketch the functionality of the window includes a 360 degree rotation and transparent

openings.

elevation sketchoriginal design sketch depicts the elevation concept that includes moveable drawers to mask differerent views.

Perspective sketchconcept of windows functionality is further developed.

plan sketch360 degree rotation is roughed out to determine

dimensions

2a window 2b window

2c window

these slides depict the 360 degree rotation of the window

all views through the window are different

including views that are completely or partially concealed

all views through the window are different

including views that are completely or partially concealed

plan / elevation sketch the threshold’s progression and entry are determined by design conceptions

plan sketch the dimensions of the hallways width is further develeoped

elevation sketchoriginal design sketch depicts the elevation concept that includes an infinite concrete wall with small entry into threshold

plan sketchdepicts original progression concepts

4a threshold

perspective

detail of the construction of the threshold’s roof construction

rooftop

ellevation

4b threshold 4c threshold

3a thresh-old 4b threshold

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the final threshold drawing includess renderings of the threshold’s elevation and axiometric perspective. By rendering certain areas in watercolor the plan can be perceived in the foreground

4c threshold

4a pavillion

site sketches

used to help orient views from inside the pavillion

The soundscapea landscape made of plastelina based on a musical score. These watercolors were rendered from the future site of the pavillion.

4b pavillion

concept sketch

1/4 scale model

perspective view

elevation view elevation

perspective

based on thesurrounding features of the site a concept sketch is designed.

this detail shows the path leading to the pavillion as well as the folly.

the relationship between the pavillion, the folly, and their relationship to the path, can be seen.

elevation sketch the pavillion was designed to reflect its surroundings. the elliptical shape of the structure resembles the mountainous cone shaped forms found on site in the soundscape. The folly’s design has similar influences. its purpose is to mislead people off the path away from the pavillion

the final pavilion drawing includess rendering of the site in plan, elevation and perspective.

By rendering certain areas in watercolor the elevation of the

folly can be perceived in the foreground.

4c pavillion

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5a the bowl

SITE MAP this plan map drawing depicts typical movements around the site including car, public ransportation, bike, boat and pedestriant traffic. this research helps to inform the specific use of the site. this map study indicated that the majority of use directly on the site was almost exclusively for human pedestrian use. this included walkers, joggers, and people that came to the site to watch various shows for performers that use the site as a venue throughout the year.

5b the bowl

SITE MAP

this map study indicates the other inhabitants of the site, birds, including types. It also includes a conceptual placement for future developed space.

SITE MAP

this map shows the bird activity on the site from least to most active areas. the bird feeding device helped in attaining this information. the study showed that birds were most active along the beach area of the site. this map helped to inform where the most succesful area for development would be.

5c the bowl

DEVICE DRAWINGthe final drawing of the device shows it in plan and section view.

DEVICE DRAWINGthis drawing depicts the device in on site as it records bird activity.

DEVICE SKETCHinitial sketches help to inform what the recording device will look like.

DEVICE SKETCHfurther sketches help inform the exact dimensions of the device.

5d the bowl

5e the bowl

SITE TOPOGRAPHYthis topography model shows the natural arena like shape of the site.

SITE TOPOGRAPHYthis topography model detail shows the proposed development of pavillions built along the beach area.

SITE TOPOGRAPHYthis model details the perormance space of the pavillions along with the natural canopy that the green roofs will provide.

5f the bowl

FINAL BOWL PAVILLION DRAWING this drawing shows the proposed specs for the pavillion in plan and section view. included in the proposal are green roofs that pro-vide a natural canopy to attract rare birds local to the portland area. the pavillion also institutes permeable water paths to promote water flow to plants on the roof as well as to the green walls along the side and back of the structure. also included in this drawing are the necessary pollinator birds that would need to be attracted to the pavillions in order to be sustainable. they include the american pipit, the common yellow tail and the hummingbird.