MICHAELGORHAM

LEED AP

gorham.email@gmail.com412.523.9025

content Teacher Training CenterCultural Learning CenterMuseum of Modern ArtAmerica’s Second HarvestTrinity Episcopal ChurchRiver Landing ApartmentsDrawings

introduction My objective is to contribute in the collaboration of holistic design, in-novative thought, and quality work. Social and environmental sustain-ability are not an option in design but the quintessential force. The projects are presented in the following se-ries with the most recent work first. Through the course of these studies I have refined research, analytical, technical, and communication skills.

MICHAEL GORHAM, LEED AP

gorham.email@gmail.com

412.523.9025

The paramount issue in sustainable practices is harmonizing environ-mental stewardship with economic development. Education plays an important role as the fulcrum of this psychological and cultural tran-sition. Tanzania’s population relies directly on natural resources through subsistence farming and ecotour-ism. Located 13km south of Arusha, Tanzania, the teacher training cen-ter prepares educators to lead the nation’s primary schools towards a more prosperous future when the next generation takes stewardship over the land. The remote location of the site along a rough dirt road requires local materials and hand

Teacher Training CenterArusha, TanzaniaFall 2010-Spring 2011

rich soil

poor soil

admin/entry

athletic

cafeteria

scholastic

residential

agricultural

crop fields

Sisal is planted around the perimeter of the site to keep predators off of the land and livestock safely within the borders.

administration courtyard

construction. Passive design tech-niques reduce most needs for elec-tricity. Water is collected from pre-cipitation as well as an underground source, and it is stored in cisterns and towers. Buildings are designed with traditional skills and community or-ganization in mind. Structures on the site form around courtyards to create a shaded microclimate. The campus emphasizes the communal essence of learning, where a body of knowl-edge aids all who have access to it.

economy

education environment

economy

education

environment

economy

education

environment

economy

education

environment

view from administration building to scholastic space/ plan overlay

influential contextual factors

100’

>> corrugated translucent plastic roof>> welded steel rebar structure>> reinforced poured in place concrete

beam system>> adobe ceiling for thermal barrier

>> steel doors>> adobe load bearing walls with a

continuous concrete foundation>> interior furnishings

>> earth platform>> concrete edge strip

computer lab perspective and exploded library view

sloped roof for water drainage

angled curved surface reduces material

flat surface for blackboard

ramp for ease of access

platform for sitting and water protection

area for building1 _ translucent corrugated plastic

roof membrane2_gutter3_ steel rebar roof framing4_ adobe suspended ceiling 5_reinforced concrete ring beam 6_adobe walls

7_ reinforced concrete continuous foundation

8_concrete edge strip9_clay and stone filling10_compressed clay floor11_blackboard

The scholastic buildings comprise three classrooms and a shaded study space each.

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Space between the ceiling and roof allow for heat to escape from the classrooms.

classroom section

residential space

Residents can view Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro from the cafeteria.

cafeteria elevation

1_solar cooking2_preparing3_eating

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cafeteria plan

20’

watertower section

1_ 1,000 gal tank_potable water2_steel floor plate3_W-shape beam system4_adobe block structure5_ 16,667 gal tank_rainwater

for irrigation6_water pump7_edge strip_concrete8_ adobe block

perimeter seating9_clay and stone filling10_ adobe block

permanent formwork11_r einforced concrete

foundation12_compressed clay floor13_ inbound pipe_water

pumped from underground source

14_ outbound pipe_gravity fed to water fixtures

15_ inbound pipe_water pumped from underground tank

16_ outbound pipe_gravity fed to irrigation system

1_bedroom2_porch3_courtyard4_water tank5_shower6_toilet

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residential unit

1_workshop2_agricultural storage3_watertower

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Fences in between buildings enclose a workspace where tools and animals can be kept safe.

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50’

workshop group plan20’

Cultural Learning CenterSapelo Island, GeorgiaWinter-Spring 2010

The Cultural Learning Center forms a place to preserve the cultural and ecological beauty of the island while fostering economic and educational growth for participants. As archeolo-gists learn through the process of peeling back the layers of history and soil, the project shows the strength and charm of the Geechee culture as it both physically and metaphorically peels back the layers of the earth. The Cultural Learning Center embod-ies the idea of a welcoming commu-nity through its form, collaborative activities and embracing approach. Tabby, a historic building material mixed on the island, is used for the curvilinear structures on the site.

The facilities rely on trades that can be passed down generationally, the growth of edible and structural vege-tation, commerce, and tourism. Edu-cation through activities, observation, and interaction is encouraged for visi-tors as they move through spaces that reflect various periods of time.

daylighting study of welcome center

+ =community welcome embrace

The embrace form is experienced in primary, secondary, and tertiary spaces.

At the welcome center visitors can gather for large events or just get their bearings.

The primary structure is located near the road in the least dense area of trees in order to reduce the physical impact on the site.

The service paradigm of interaction is replaced with an egalitarian model.

welcome center

museum

bicycle shop

kitchen

1_welcome center2_museum3_bicycle shop4_kitchen5_restrooms6_storage

primary spaces west wall section of welcome center

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100’

Bamboo bicycles are built, repaired, sold and rented in the bicycle shop. The space opens out to the nature trails that traverse the site.

Sloped green roofs form around a courtyard in which activities take place throughout the day and night.

The Geechee history and art museum benefits from diffused natural light through the north facing windows.

section of bicycle shop

Design work, sections, and plans completed in collaboration with Karly Wormworth and Jihye Park.

Museum of Modern ArtJacksonville, FloridaFall 2009

The Museum of Modern Art acts as a keystone to the reconstruction of Jacksonville’s city center. The exist-ing premise is focused around a commuter culture that reserves half of the real estate for vehicles and drains the city of life after business hours. The proposed cultural district increases density, public space, and mixed use. A pedestrian walkway permeated by local businesses leads up to the activity-infused museum. Performance spaces, classes, gal-leries, and restaurants meet the public at the base of the building. Stairs leading up the south face of the museum act as outdoor seat-ing and louvers for the café within

the museum’s body. Overlooking the museum and pedestrian path are collaborative studio spaces in which people and ideas can continue to converge. The building is in constant use with a residential community on the top floors. The cultural corridor is accessible to both the east and west sides of town and stimulates growth along the core of the city.

Archways with lights mark the roads crossing the pedestrian walkway. Vegetation reduces the heat island effect and allows people to gather outdoors. The increased time people spend on Main Street improves local business.

Outdoor seating breathes life into the corridor.

residential

commercial

museum

museum sketch design

A stage opens towards the museum’s stairway.

parkingbuilding

Above and left are existing examples of successful streetscapes in Jacksonville. They include ample sidewalk space with shade, rhythm, and protective barriers between vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Material variation occurs where different modes of transportation cross.

Existing parking lots cover valuable urban land and present an opportunity to increase the city density.

riverfront district

west district

east district

cultural corridor

proposed urban districts

revitalized cultural corridorThe model construction and urban analysis were completed with Dan Nowak and Brian Ziff.

stairway study model

building conceptual model

circulation

performance space presentation space

concert space film spacesouth elevation

top of stairway with view of outdoor gallery and dining space

Room Legend

Back of House

Cafe

Circulation

Class Room

Computer Lab

Elevator

Freight Room

Janitorial Closet

Kitchen/ Cafe Pick-Up

Lab

Lecture Hall

Rest Room

Service Elevator

Stair

Storage

Vertical Mechanical

Workshop

west elevation north elevation east elevation

third floor outdoor sculpture gallery with view down pedestrian walkway to civic building

Room Legend

Back of House

Circulation

Coffee Shop/ Bar

Elevator

Gallery

Janitorial Closet

Lecture Hall

Office

Rest Room

Service Elevator

Shop

Showers/ Changing Room

Sound/ Light Booth

Stage

Stair

Vertical Mechanical

Room Legend

Circulation

Elevator

Installation Art/ Video Room

Janitorial Closet

Rest Room

Service Elevator

Sound/ Light Booth

Stair

Storage

Temporary Gallery/ OutdoorSpace

Vertical Mechanical

floor 1

floor 2

floor 3

floor 4

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balcony over café with view through stair risers

Room Legend

Elevator

Janitorial Closet

Rest Room

Service Elevator

Stair

Temporary Gallery/ OutdoorSpace

Vertical Mechanical

Room Legend

Elevator

Gallery

Janitorial Closet

Rest Room

Service Elevator

Stair

Vertical Mechanical

Room Legend

Commercial Office

Elevator

Janitorial Closet

Meeting Room

Rest Room

Service Elevator

Stair

Vertical Mechanical

Room Legend

Bath Room

Double Residential

Elevator

Level Community Space

Outdoor Space

Service Elevator

Single Residential

Stair

Vertical Mechanical

floor 14

floor 7

floor 6

floor 5

1_back of house2_book store3_café4_circulation5_classroom6_coffee shop/bar7_common office8_common space9_computer lab10_double residential11_elevator12_freight room

13_gallery14_installation art/video room15_janitorial closet16_kitchen/café pick-up17_lab18_lecture hall19_meeting room20_office21_outdoor space22_restroom23_resturant24_service elevator

25_shop26_shower/changing room27_single residential28_sound/light booth29_stage30_storage31_temporary gallery32_vertical mechanical33_workshop

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100’

America’s Second HarvestSavannah, GeorgiaSpring 2009

America’s Second Harvest is a non-profit organization with its Savan-nah location in need of more space. The facilities consist of warehouse, office, and distribution areas. The design focus includes clarity through circulation and natural lighting. The warehouse typology involves large unobstructed spaces. Goods conceal the wall surface area in the store-rooms, so clerestory windows be-come a valuable daylighting strat-egy. A combination of custom and prefabricated structural systems are employed to span rows of shelving. The occupancies of the spaces ne-cessitate various levels of fire safety to comply with national codes. Cre-

ating separate exits and entrances improves circulation by providing a clear path for products being pro-cessed through the space and for visitors of the distribution center.

street view

The site is located in an industrial zone east of downtown Savannah.

distribution center

circulation/ datum/ ventilation/ diffused daylight

warehouse

3 pm daylighting study of warehousewinter solsticesummer solsticeequinox

east wall of warehouse

truss

steel girder

polycarbonate hollow core panels

steel column

steel beam

concrete slab on grade

portland cement stucco

cmu reinforced

rigid insulation

interior wall finish

concrete footer

north wall of warehouse

north elevation south elevation

section through warehouse

section through entry

1_office2_conference room3_restroom4_mech/electrical closet5_storage closet6_reception7_distribution office8_distribution center9_delivery storage10_staging area11_temperature seal12_cool storage13_frozen storage14_warehouse15_warehouse office16_industrial scale17_parking

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major product circulationmajor visitor circulation 100’

Trinity Episcopal ChurchPass Christian, MississippiWinter 2009

Katrina surgeAugust 29, 2005

Hancock

county

Harrison

county

Jackson

county

MississippiCoastal Population

Hancock

county

Harrison

county

Jackson

county

The areas that are the lightest shade correspond to marshland, estuary, and river basins. These zones are also least populated. The darkest regions are the most populated.

Pass Christian, Mississippi was overtaken by the largest surge of the state when Hurricane Katrina came into contact with the south-ern United States. Trinity Episcopal Church was stripped down to the frame from the high waters. Site analysis combined with client inter-views guided design decisions. Land-scape design created an enticing environment for both humans and other species to return, while provid-ing greater protection from the Gulf Coast. The site required better water management. The land’s gradient influenced the placement of a pond and filtering vegetation. Excavated soil created a natural habitat for local

plants and wildlife, as well as a line of protection from the Gulf. Site circula-tion radiates from the tree that aided in protecting the church from the surge. The proximity of the Mississippi River, and affordability and strength of shipping containers made for their use in design appealing.

The fellowship hall is raised above the flood plane on open shipping containers.

water drainage patterns

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642 Gulf coast

existing area topography

view of fellowship hall from the protecting tree

north elevation south elevation west elevation east elevation

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3C

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2C2B

2B

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1B

8’10’12’14’16’18’

churchprotecting treecirculationfellowship hall

third floorpastor’s office_3A

office_3Bmeeting room_3C

second floorlarge classroom_2A

classroom_2Bbathroom_2C

first floorkitchen_1A

hall_1B

elevator_E15’

community garden

protecting tree

pedestrian circulation

parking

outdoor church service area

altar with baptismal font

natural habitat for vegetation

and other life

pond

salt marsh

bell tower

back dune

secondary dune

trough

primary dune

sculpture to mark site and

protect against storm debris

Buildings are contained on the north half of the lot to allow for a buffer from the Gulf of Mexico.

Water physically and symbolically plays a major role in the experience of the site.

B_dune section showing topographic change

A_section of pond and Church Avenue

A A

B

B

St. Louis Street

Highway 90

Ch

urc

h A

ve

nu

e

150’

12’10’8’6’

12’10’8’6’

14’

River Landing ApartmentsSavannah, GeorgiaFall 2008

The apartment complex is designed to be experienced beyond the realm of sight. The hypothetical client, a visually impaired woman who was new to the area, was looking for a home that created a community atmosphere. Aromas and textures were used as navigational aids throughout the spaces. Window boxes line the exterior walls leading the homeowner through the space with scents of various herbs and flowers adjacent to each room. A central courtyard connects the four private units while potentially con-necting the inhabitants through the vertical gardens and shared space. In addition to nourishing the residents,

the vegetation shades the enclo-sure throughout the hot summer months. Modular units based on standard material dimensions allow for minimum construction waste and time. The grid formed through the patterned use of units aids the client in visualizing her surroundings.

Circulation spans around the perimeter of the rooms.

conceptual sketch of plan organization

Sited on the end of a block adjacent to a city square, the apartment building has a wide range of solar access.

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C

The north end of the site has three single bed-room apartments. On the opposite side of the courtyard there is a two-bedroom apartment.

The first floor is elevated off of the ground to reduce flood risks from the Savannah River.

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B

B

C C

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B

D

first floor

second floor

third floor

roof plan10’

DrawingsSavannah, GeorgiaWinter 2007-Spring 2008

Right: Liberty Squaregraphite on vellumRetained by professor as an instructive tool

Opposite top: Mausoleumgraphite on vellumRetained by professor as an instructive tool

Opposite bottom: Linoleum Landscapemixed mediaPrize winner in Foundation Studies Honors Show