Undergraduate Architecture Portfolio

JESS DANCER

PORTFOLIO

01INTERVENTIONS WITHIN THE CITY

Instructor Aarati Kanekar University of Cincinnati | Fall Semester | December 2015

based on If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino

Cincinnati is home to about 400 sets of steps that are used as hillside connections between streets and parks. Many of these steps are still used as a transportation mode for pedestrians, especially dog-walkers, however many are also dilapidated and closed off from the public due to their disrepair.

This particular redesign to a set of stairs balances four existing stair paths between Mulberry and Dorsey Street. Keeping in line with the book, the existing, straight-up path represents the Reader while the new, twisting path takes on the role of the Other Reader. The form of this new stair would serve as precedent to the other sets of existing steps, providing a slow, comfortable journey up the hillside instead of a direct route that leaves the user exhausted and out of breath.

The image to the right depicts the hillside view of all sections of the redesigned steps, demonstrating the dominant relationship between proposed and existing. The new passageway winds above and below the existing steps, often crossing over and linking the two paths , or Readers.

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The insertion is made of paneled corten steel, broken up by glass sheets as well as perforated panels. This image depicts the new path carving through the hillside beneath the existing stair. A glass nook unifies users with their surroundings, putting them at eye-level with the landscape.

At the top of the image, a dead-end private path breaks off from the main passage, providing a paused vantage point for users. This space sits above a carved-out portion of the course, and therefore reads as two-level space from the street.

TUNNEL + HOVER

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At times, the proposed design mimics its partner and in other instances ventures into its own direction, much like the Other Reader’s actions in the novel. Both the 2nd & 4th sections read smoother and more orthogonal when juxtaposed with the turmoil and twisting of the 1st & 3rd. The path is intended to be a relaxing journey from start to finish, with countless resting/viewing spaces as well as tunneling/hovering spaces. However, this up and down, in and out motion is an attempt to

disorient the user and cause him to question which path he is actually on.Above. Large perspective view of the city at a pause point where the path overhangs the landscape and users are placed at the height of the tree canopy.Below. Café program located in the middle of the hillside passageway. The path continues up and over the café onto a bride spanning over Goethe Street.Left. Section cuts at prominent points in the path showing the many overlapping levels of the path .

02INTERLACE

Instructor Aarati Kanekar | Group Project, partner Timothy WangUniversity of Cincinnati | Fall Semester | December 2015

based on If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino

The novel was then translated across another genre: the game. This game took on the concept of a dual partnership through the multiple journeys, dead ends, and split paths.

The game is intended to be played by 2+ players within a 10-15 minute time frame. Each participant has 12 cubes, consisting of either white or black slides. The player must use at least all 12 of his cubes (may use his opponent’s cubes as well) to create a path for a ball to roll through. The cubes have openings in either the top, middle, or bottom, so players must find a way to direct the ball across the board from the top to the bottom level using all of one’s pieces. The first to form a complete path that a ball can travel through wins.

A dice with sides of 1, 2, and blank (no turn) that players roll at the start of a turn add an element of luck to the strategic form. There is also opportunity to rotate or replace cubes on the board in order to create a complete path.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHARACTERS[FRAME STORIES]

I began my analysis of the book by studying the physical relationships between the characters of each of the ten stories. Each clearly is organized in a triangular form, but I wanted to further examine particular relationships that might correlate between the di�erent stories. By assigning each story to an equilateral, isosceles, or scalene triangle, I was able to notice a distinctive pattern in the setup of the novel. The �rst three stories involve a narrator on the outside of a more intimate relationship, making the connection scalene. The next story involved equal relationships among all three characters, thereby warranting an equilateral shape. The �fth story details a relationship in which the narrator has equal ties to two di�erent characters, with these two characters not having a strong relationship to each other, thus creating an obtuse isosceles triangle. This pattern of scalene:equilateral:isosceles mirrors itself after the �fth chapter,

however these relationships begin to be more involved and take on deeper meanings than the beginning �ve. This symmetry allows the reader to conclude that there is no hierarchical structure to the way in which the stories are organized, but rather forms an equal balance over the course of the novel.

Initial diagrams of the character relationships within the storied chapters of If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler. Each chapter consisted of a triangular relationship and was assigned either an isosceles, equilateral, or scalene form based upon the closeness of the narrator with the supporting characters. The narrator is represented with a dot; the thicker line depicts the most

prominent relationship between characters in the chapter.

The diagrams were transformed into a three-dimensional concept with the narrators located at the center and the mirrored triangles forming a pinwheel shape around. The outer triangle points hit the surface of the cube, intended to represent the numbered chapters of the story,

showing the correlation between characters in the storied and numbered chapters.

2 SLOPE 3 STRAIGHT6 CURVE 1 INTERSECTION

My diagrams and those of my partner were then redesigned to create the game Interlace. All game pieces were fabricated using laser cutters and 3D printing technology. Applicant modeled, printed and painted slides while partner modeled and printed cubes. Both team members assembled the pieces of the cube. Applicant created the instruction sheet and partner created

box to hold all the pieces together.Above. Breakdown of the 12 cubes per player.

Right. Interlace instructions.

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PLAYERS CONTINUE ROLLING THE

DICE + ADDING CUBES TO THE

BOARD

ADD IN ALL EXTRA CUBES TO

COMPLETE GRID. SEND THE BALL

THRU TO WIN. IF THE BALL DOES

NOT COMPLETE ITS PATH, THE

PLAYER LOSES.

PLAYERS CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO

SWITCH THE PLACEMENT OF TWO

CUBES OR REPLACE ONE WITH

ANOTHER.

PLAYER WITH HIGHEST ROLL

BEGINS + ROLLS DICE TO PLACE

A CUBE IN THE TOP ROW OF THE

BOARD. PLAYER TWO REPEATS.

KEEP PLAYING UNTIL A PLAYER

HAS BUILT A COMPLETE PATH FOR

THE BALL TO ROLL THROUGH.

EACH PLAYER PICKS A COLOR.

MOVE CUBES FROM BOX TO

CORRESPONDING COLORED TRAY.

1. 2.

4.

3A.

5.3B.

BE THE FIRST TO BUILD

A COMPLETE PATH FOR A BALL TO ROLL

FROM THE TOP END OF THE BOX TO THE BOTTOM.

USE ALL OF YOUR CUBES,

& MAYBE SOME OF YOUR OPPONENT’S CUBES,

TO WIN THE GAME.

[1] INTERSECT

BALLDIE

[2] SLOPE

[3] FLAT

[6] CURVE

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03CELLULAR SUBTRACTION PAVILION

Group Project, members: Jerod Turner, Lauren Miller, Nathan EchstenkamperHonorable Mention, AIA Ohio Competition | Spring Semester | March 2015

The design brief for this competition called for a new CIAM that expanded on the thoughts originally presented by CIAM (International Congress of Modern Architecture--Corbusier, Aalto, Gropius, etc.) and applied to the architecture of today. The site was located on Miami University’s campus overlooking the Four Mile Creek.

A simple, concrete box was broken apart through the use of modern parametric design. Based on a simple grid, the pattern was distorted to create a natural, organic form to juxtapose the rigidity of the rectangle.

The harsh, concrete walls of the two opposite corners of the pavilion are complimented by the wave-like motion of the parametric pattern. The columns, which take their shape directly from the ceiling motif, form large wooden dividers as well as small storage spaces. Alternating glass and wood panels fill the voids between the parametric framework, creating an open, day-lit environment. The plan is an open concept, with walls that extend from the form of the ceiling to break off smaller programs such as bathrooms and offices. This group project consisted of three other members. Applicant contributed to the design of the pavilion and created the rendering to the right.

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Cellular parameters begin to manipulate the established form of the modern box, allowing for new spatial perceptions and variations in formal dialogue. The contrasting ceiling heights

denote the more intimate spaces from the large gallery, located closest to the water. A deck extends off of the gallery, forming

(mostly through plan) the other corner of the “modern box”.

DECONSTRUCTING THE MODERNIST BOX

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04SCHWARTZ’S POINT APARTMENTS

Instructor Robert BurnhamUniversity of Cincinnati | Spring Semester | April 2015

The site is located in the middle of Vine Street, Cincinnati on the dividing edge between deteriorated structures and vacancy and an up-an-coming downtown district. This project intends to merge the two environments by providing low-income housing as well as being stately enough to attract new young people into the area.

Because the site is located on a hill, all southern views above three stories (to see over neighboring rowhouses) have an uninterrupted view of the city skyline. Additionally, the design needed to work with this steep slope so as not to seem overbearing within its context. The jazz club located on the corner remained intact, so the design also had to negotiate size differences with its adjacent two-story structure.

The courtyard space in the center of the apartment complex allows for shoppers using the bottom level to mingle with upstairs apartment dwellers. The courtyard is open on two ends to allow a pass through of pedestrian traffic to the bus stop at the back corner of the site.

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1. WRAPPING SITE PERIMETER 2. PUSH FRONT + PULL BACK FOR BEST SOUTHERN

EXPOSURE

3. CARVE FRONT FOR INCREASED COURTYARD

SPACE

4. ROTATE FRONT FOR OUTDOOR PATIO

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SINUOUS STRUCTURETop Left. Model images showing an iteration with a grand stair moving parallel to the front mass. Changes were made to the final design to allow the stair to open to the main street intersection, ultimately attracting more visitors.Above. Early massing studies.Left. Diagram showing the design steps for the building, creating a final structure that is carved from both top and bottom for optimal views and light.

5. LIFT MASSING FOR ADDED WINDOW LIGHT

6. FINAL BUILDING MASSING

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The program includes a sub-grade parking garage, ground level retail, and storage units and a fitness center for residents. All retail is located on the street level on the more-public Vine Street, allowing for more privacy for the residents. Each apartment unit, consisting of either 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms, is two stories to create space for a double height living room to enhance the quality of the apartment.

DOUBLE-STORY SPACES

GROUND LEVEL

FRONT ELEVATION

LEVEL TWO

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LEVELS THREE + FIVE LEVELS FOUR + SIX

1 BED2 BED3 BED

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

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GATHERING PLACEThe facade is made of perforated panels that break apart at the double-height living rooms exposing a glass curtain wall beneath to create large, floor-to-ceiling views. The folding in of the front mass along with the grand stair (both visible from the busy Vine Street intersection) invite pedestrians into the courtyard space. The raised edge of the perforated facade along Vine helps to make the building seem less like a daunting solid wall and more of a floating object, sitting on a bed of glass.

05KUNG FU CAMP

Instructor Renee MartinUniversity of Cincinnati | Summer Semester | August 2014

Suspended space is the key concept for the Mount Airy Pavilion, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Intended as a campground and training facility for kung fu athletes, the facilities were designed to physically engage participants with their surroundings. Specific programs are housed in different areas of the site to encourage either privacy or public interaction.

The design makes use of a stretchy perforated fabric that is strung between the trees located throughout the site. By utilizing the surrounding forest, users are subject to a personal relationship with the trees and can interact with and mold their surrounding environment. This system calls for constant movement resulting in tension while in use or relaxation during other parts of the day.

Housing for the participants are set up in small pods secluded from public view by a thick row of trees. The main arena space is visible from the parking lot so as to attract participants and guests into its spaces.

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The manipulation of paper was used to study the tectonic system of the umbrella shell curve. The paper forces a different way of thinking by using

folds to create a curved effect that is so dominant in the umbrella curve. The composition is created of four identical aggregates that touch on two sides

and all meet in the middle at the highest point.

FOLDED PAPER

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The digital 3D print was a progression of the folded paper model, taking the shapes created by the paper and giving them a true curve. This resulted in a multi-faceted

design with peaks and valleys located throughout. This model translated directly into the form of the pavilion and campsite, exchanging the hard, rigid edges for a softer

fabric that creates its own peaks and valleys when stretched to its limits.

3D PRINT

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The arena consists of four mats, two of which are used as practice surfaces and two of which are competition spaces. The largest mat is located beneath a suspended bridge that

allows guests to watch the performers from above. Another mat is located at the bottom of a hill, with seating carved into the hillside for optimum viewing. The versatility of the fabric structure allows mats to be opened or closed off depending

on the need. A series of trails wraps around and through, taking users from the arena to other areas of the site.

COMPETITION ARENA

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The shape and program of the site is fundamentally predetermined by the existing terrain. Pre-carved spaces and groves of trees as well as man-made trails existing when the project began help to intertwine all components and form the transition between public and private. New trails were added to existing to create paths throughout the site, leading users from the parking lot past bathrooms into the main arena space and the cooking area beyond. No trails lead to the sleeping

pods to add additional privacy beyond the wall of trees.Top. Model of the sleeping pods.Above: Model of the arena space looking up the hill from the west.Left Top. Site plan showing the multiple programmatic spaces and connecting paths: the restrooms in the southwest corner closest to the parking lot, the sleeping pods in the east corner, and the arena in the center to the north.Left Below. Early iteration where the netting was controlled / contained by a grid structure (instead of relying on trees).

06BLAKEHURST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Collaborative Office Work | Supervisor Beret DicksonHord Coplan Macht | Spring Semester | April 2014

Blakehurst Retirement Community is situated in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Towson, Maryland. Hord Coplan Macht was asked to design an additional two-story wing to add on to the existing building. One level was to provide more living space for residents while the other was divided into more public spaces, including a lounge, juice bar, fitness room and hair salon.

HCM needed the neighbors’ approval to begin work on these additions, so the following renderings and floor plans were done to show the neighbors the minimal impact the new additions would have. HCM wanted to display the large expanse of land that divides the retirement community with the rest of the neighborhood.

The rendering on the right is intended to show the walking paths and abundant landscape being added in by HCM to appease the neighbors’ worries of encroachment. Applicant added all landscape, sky and entourage elements to the image; the building rendering was done by a coworker (unknown).

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LEVEL TWO

LEVEL ONE

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Above. This image is taken from the outer edge of Blakehurst’s land, demonstrating to the neighbors that the addition is not encroaching on their property. The main purpose for the rendering is to display the abundance of landscape that will be planted to block the view of the building from the homes of the adjoining properties. This wide expanse of land will include new walking paths for residents. Applicant added all landscape, sky and entourage

elements to the image; the building rendering was done by a coworker (unknown).

Left. The diagrammatic floor plans denote the public and private spaces that will be included in the new addition. All colored portions were created by applicant, floor plan was

created by coworker (unknown).

07ONE OAK STREET

Collaborative Office Work | Supervisor Matt BensSolomon Cordwell Buenz | Fall Semester | December 2014

Solomon Cordwell Buenz is working in collaboration with Snøhetta on a high-rise apartment building located at the intersection of Market Street, Van Ness Avenue and Oak Street, near San Francisco City Hall. SCB is designing the tower and Snøhetta is working on the public ground space/MUNI bus stop.

The design (not created by applicant) is a curved structure that, in plan, takes on the shape of a pinched ellipse. Three giant cuts split the building, providing large-scale amenity space for the residents as well as an outdoor deck to accommodate the lack of individual balcony units.

The image on the right and the line work on the next page are early studies of facade design, both created by the applicant. The clients prefer to have a glass-dominated structure to provide optimum views for the inhabiting residents. Also favored is a white material to compliment the large expanse of glass covering the building.

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Opaque panels break up the regularity of the curtain wall grid without sacrificing the outward view. These panels discreetly hide the vertical mechanical shafts with a

slightly denser pattern.

STAGGERED PANELS

Horizontal mullions are emphasized at various levels throughout the high-rise with an outward wave pattern to bring more movement into the structure. This allows

for a complete floor-to-ceiling view out of the units.

HORIZONTAL UNDULATION

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This design expands on the previous by adding vertical undulations that work with the horizontals to shade interiors during the most intense hours of sunlight. The

vertical waves also help to hide mechanical spaces.

SOLAR INTERSECTIONS

Trapezoid-shaped panels bend in and out throughout the facade, allowing for a complete view out of the building. The angled glass panels obscure direct views in by

reflecting surrounding buildings.

TILTED PANELS

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JESS DANCER

JESSICA

EDUCATIONUNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

DIGITAL

HAND

Cincinnati, OhioBachelor of Science in Architecture 2016Certificate in Historic Preservation 2016

3.86 GPA Dean’s List

HONORS + ACTIVITIESAIA Ohio Competition Charrette 2015,

Honorable MentionCincinnatus Scholarship Recipient

Carl Strauss + Raymond Rousch ScholarshipAmerican Institute of Architecture Students

DAAP Tour Guide

SKILLS

Adobe Creative Suite, Revit, Rhino, AutoCad, SketchUp, Grasshopper,

AutoPath, MakerWare, MeshLab

drafting, sketching, model making, 3D printing, laser cutting,

CNC milling, photography

EXPERIENCE

HORD COPLAN MACHT

EARL SWENSSON ASSOCIATES

KINGS ISLAND

MARCO’S PIZZA

Supervisor | April 2013 - August 2013

Associate | May 2011 - May 2013

Intern Architect | January 2014 - May 2014Modeled + printed 3D apartment units. Created site plans for new + existing projects.Project time line documentationSchematic design renderingsUpdated the in-house library for apartment units.

Intern Architect | May 2015 - August 2015Site + spacial planning Updated Nashville Bicentennial Master PlanDesigned building massing for an RFPRevised construction documents

Intern Architect | May 2015 - August 2015Site + spacial planning Updated Nashville Bicentennial Master Plan

Revised construction documents

SOLOMON CORDWELL BUENZ

Intern Architect | August 2014 - December 2014 Designed expansion joint system + waterproofing details RFI’s + submittals in the construction administration phase Communication with developer + subcontractorsBuilding skin/facade experimentation + analyzation

Intern Architect | August 2014 - December 2014 Designed expansion joint system + waterproofing details RFI’s + submittals in the construction administration phase Communication with developer + subcontractorsBuilding skin/facade experimentation + analyzation

DANCERPHONE | 937.287.3822

EMAIL | [email protected]

PORTFOLIO | issuu.com/jessica_dancer

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PHONE | 937.287.3822

EMAIL | [email protected]

THANK YOU

Undergraduate Architecture Portfolio

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