ut austin architecture portfolio

P O R T F O L I OA R C H I T E C T U R E

R Y A N R A S M U S S E NU N I V E R S I T Y O F T E X A S

C O N T E N T S

VISCOM 1DESIGN 1

FALL 2009 SPRING 2010

VISCOM 2

DESIGN 2

FALL 2010

VISCOM 3DESIGN 3

DESIGN 4 DESIGN 5

SPRING 2011 FALL 2011

V I S U A Lc o m m u n i c a t i o n 1

D E S I G N 1

2 0 0 9F A L L

JOYCE ROSNER | ELIZABETH DANZE

NICHOLE WIEDEMANN

V I S U A Lc o m m u n i c a t i o n 1P A T T E R N SIn order to gain a better understanding of perceptual continuation, we were asked to compose a series of patterns. On a 6”x6” white sheet of paper black rectangles were placed using void space to suggest a datum. A transparent overlay expressed lines of extension across the field.

Three black rectangles with fixed measurements were superimposed on a hand drawing following the same language.

F a l l 0 9 | S p r i n g 1 0 | F a l l 1 0 | S p r i n g 1 1 | F a l l 1 1

D A T U M C U B EBound to a 6”x6”x6” volume a contiunation of the previous two dimensional datum study was moved into the three-dimensional realm. Like in the previous two-dimensional study, there was consideration in hierarchical relation, and internal spatial configuration.

V I S U A Lc o m m u n i c a t i o n 1G R A D I E N TConsidering surface and scale, a black and white photo was taken of distressed wood in natural light. In order to gain a better understanding of light, the picture was then magnified to the point of abstraction and became the subject of a 20”x30” hyper-realistic drawing.

O B J E C TA mechanical object, in this case a lock, was the subject of this freehand analytical drawing. Significant geometries and orthographic projections helped increase the accuracy in rending the object.


E X E R C I S E SAssorted studies helped develop visual acuity and technical skill.

D E S I G N 1

Everyday actions, or microprograms were investigated. Three types of space were analyzed:

M I R C O P R O G R A M S

H I G H

W A S H I N GH A N D S

W A L K I N GD O W N

S T A I R S

F I V E

onE wEEk pRojECT

Physical - smallest envelope the action can be performed in.Perceptual - perceived space to comfortably perform the action.Visual - field of vision during the action.


C U S H I C L E

Three microprograms were located into a 14’ x 14’ x 14’ volume. Physical, perceptual and visual space carved the cube creating voids in the space tailored to those specific actions. Lighting considerations were also dictated by the microprograms ensuring enough light was adequate for each action.

Two wEEk pRojECT

D E S I G N 1

A R T H O U S E

D E S I G N 1A R T H O U S E

The Arthouse rooftop is located right in the heart of downtown Austin. With Texas weather in mind, much of the design stems from a series of brise soleil studies. The dappled light quality carries over and is redesigned to protect visitors from the unwelcome gusts of wind. From the street, the repetitious wooden members create a unique sculptural quality, which stands out among the city’s drab high-rise laden backdrop.

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D E S I G N

2 0 1 0S P R I N G

NICHOLE WEIDEMANN | DANELLE BRISCOE

SMILJA MILOVANOVIC2

V I S U A Lc o m m u n i c a t i o n 2B I R D S T U D YThe relationship between interior and exterior structure were explored heavily though a series of analytical bird drawings. Emphasis was placed on wing movement specific to the Red-winged Blackbird.


A portion of the bird wing was abstracted through a paper folding exercise. The abstracted paper was then used as the subject for a watercolor study.

T E S S E L L A T I O N


Glenn Murcutt’s Marika-Alderton House served as a case study for a series of technical drawing explorations. Orthographic drawings were recreated to help gain a better understanding of the main idea behind his design.

C A S E S T U D Y


P E R S P E C T I V E SThrough a newly introduced technique, constructed perspectives helped diagram the relationship between public and private space in the Marika-Alderton House.

D E S I G N 2B I R D B L I N D

An effective bird blind is one that conceals the viewer well, but also provides adequate viewing spaces. A series of folding studies inspired the solution to this paradoxical design challenge. The simplicity of the modular design provides a wide range of views allowing bird watchers to move from one bay to another, or to focus specifically on one point. The spacing between the slats is increases with height providing maximum view, but maintaining visual cover.

THREE wEEk pRojECT

D E S I G N 2B I R D I N G C E N T E R

D E S I G N 2

Hornsby Bend, located on a water treatment facility plant, is surprisingly one of the best birding locations in Austin. It is home to many birds as many of their migration paths pass over the site. In order to preserve the concealed nature of bird watching, the birding center is embedded into the landscape. From the footpath and bird blind, visitors would enter and descent into the birding center as not to disrupt any fellow bird watchers. From the nature trail, the birding center acts as a trailhead and gathering place.

B I R D I N G C E N T E RsIx wEEk pRojECT


D E S I G N

2 0 1 0F A L L

IGOR SIDDIQUI | MARLA SMITH

ALAN KNOX3


The basic geometry of a shoe was used in the transition from analog to digital. An analog orthographic drawing of the shoe was translated digitally in AutoCAD and then embedded into a series of cubes created in Rhino, creating a void. Through Revit, Illustrator and Photoshop, the cube was dissected and examined and even unfolded. With aid from the laser cutter a physical model, in addition to many digital models, was created.

S H O E C U B E

D E S I G N 3

The bus stop was developed through section with three primary actions in mind: sit, stand and obtain information. Generally people want to be sheltered and want a place to rest while waiting for the bus. A bus stop also needs to provide bus routes and can also be a medium for community announcements. During the day the bus stop acts as a shelter and at night transforms into a beacon. A soft glow provides patrons with a sense of safety as they wait. A blue glowing light indicates the next bus is minutes away.

B U S S T O PsIx wEEk pRojECT

D E S I G N 3

For many years I-35 has been notorious as the cultural dividing line in the Austin area. In order to promote unity through the community the City of Austin has taken many steps to try and develope the area. A public library placed on East 5th street would serve not only as an educational node for the surrounding residential areas, but also provide a place to gather and foster a stronger sense of community. With community in mind, the library is designed to draw people in from the streets and through the site.

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In order to promote a sense of community the large windows create a porch-like feel as people can visually engage the interior and feel a sense of welcome. Also provided are activity rooms that community members can rent, an information center, a children’s reading area, stacks, and an outdoor performance space.

D E S I G N

2 0 1 1S P R I N G

CHARLTON LEWIS4

D E S I G N 4

In groups, at various sites along Airport Blvd. we were assigned to examine and analyze the area for future growth and development. Geographically this site is at the center of Austin with great potential for growth. Through multiple site visits and GIS programming careful analysis was drawn and a development plan was designed with the goal of reviving the surrounding community. During analysis we found a pattern that seemed to facilitate growth that our site was missing. The connections between residential and commercial districts were divided by heavy traffic, thus impeding future growth. We proposed to bury Airport Blvd., create a tunnel for traffic and a linear park for pedestrians in order to bridge the separated districts. We were then asked, in groups, to further develop our proposed site redesign by creating a mixed use housing complex

U R B A N D E N S I T YsIx wEEk pRojECT

Mixed use and Unit studies


Proposed traffic redesign

D E S I G N 4

According to our proposed redesign, it was necessary to provide a mixed use complex that would help foster the growth of the community. A dry creek bed that is currently desolate borders the site. Part of the redesign was to convert the creek bed into a hike and bike trail. The path cuts through the center of the site and divides the two mixed use complex buildings. The path opens up to an inner courtyard with a large green space and cafe where denizens are free to do as they please. The main walkway branches off and connects to the two adjacent streets so that there’s a sense of enclosure, but not a sense of entrapment. These double height walkways cut through the buildings and act as entry points to the interior of the complex.

M I X E D U S E C O M P L E XsIx wEEk pRojECT


M I X E D U S E C O M P L E X

Units are staggared in order to ensure maxiumum privacy.

Two types of units ensure that lower income housing needs are met.

D E S I G N

2 0 1 1F A L L

JACK SANDERS5

D E S I G N 5

Inspiration for the tube screen came from the semester’s first design build challenge: in groups, create a chair, bridge or tower out of limited materials. As a group we were fascinated with the potential for using tensegrity as a chair. After successfully constructing the tensegrity chair we carried the idea through on a larger scale to the video installation project. The Trans Pecos Festival of Music and Love in Marfa, Texas was the site of our installation located 8 hours away, we were to design, build, and transport our installations on site. On a limited student budget we needed to find a cheap material that could act in tension, like a rubber band, and be relatively easily transported. This soon led us to the discovery of the abundance of free recycled bicycle tubes. We soon became fascinated with the strength, abundance and flexibility of the material and hoped to use that to our advantage to create an interactive experience. After many small scale and life scale iterations, prefabricated webs were created and deployed to create the tube screen experience.

T U B E S C R E E NsIx wEEk pRojECT


Careful attention to detail was extremely important as the connections between the net and the solid members became crucial in finalizing the project. Continually we were surprised with the strength of the material, it was even able to support the weight of three people.

D E S I G N 5

The goal of this project was to create a sense of wonder for the Bastrop Fire Benefit Relief, a fundraiser held in Taylor, Texas. Inspired by Ant Farm, the potential for inflatables seemed endless. In order to prove it could be done, a 5’x5’x5’ cube was constructed out of duct tape, reclaimed plastic drop cloth and a 7” fan. In constructing the cube the seams proved to be the most crucial point of having the inflatable be successful. Materiality, pattern forming, and seams were thoroughly studied.

I N F L A T O - W O N D E RsEvEn wEEk pRojECT


After many small iterations and experiments the most interesting aspect of the form was bringing a 2-dimensional star for into a 3-dimensional donut, or torus. Seams were made by simply folding the 4-ply poly drop cloth, duct taping and grommeting two pieces together. This not only created a tight seal but the grommet holes provided the potential for a lighting system to be implemented.

D E S I G N 5

The materials used were light and easy to transport with potential to be redeployed anywhere. The idea of a temporal structure that would appear and disappear on the landscape added to the sense of wonder. Packaging, deploying and inflating the structure soon became just as crucial as the structure itself. The element of wonder is derived from structure’s strict lifecycle: Deploy, Inflate, Experience, Deflate, Relocate.

dEploy InflATE ExpERIEnCE dEflATE REloCATE

I N F L A T O - W O N D E R

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