Ellyn BarkleyUndergraduate Architecture Portfolio
2 table of contents table of contents 3
spatial study
materiality
biomimicry
habitat
woven facade
4-7
8-11
12-17
18-27
28-43
perceiving and depicting surroundings
A setting of a unique and intricate fine arts library allowed for a closer look and awareness of surroundings. The first step in this mission was a critical examination of the space through a photographic lense, resulting in a a set of corresponding photographs that approach the same subject from different angles: moving through the space and then looking up at each space.After discovering the space, drawings helped to reach a higher level of understanding. The technical study examines the support systems and structures, while the figural examination studies the decorative objects. These result in a study of the exisiting elements of the library.The analyzation of an experienced space progresses to a space created using manipulation of photographs, resulting in a composite photograph, and a new space to analyze. The final set of drawings represent an unfolding of this new perceived space, as if it one is walking through it. This series reflects the same technique as the previous drawings, using the constant pattern of the fence to determine layers.
spatial study
4 spatial study spatial study 5laser-cut representation
up 1 up 2 up 3
through 1 through 2 through 3unfolding 1
composite photograph
unfolding 2 unfolding 3
figural drawingtechnical drawing
6 spatial study spatial study 7
final model final model, detail
materialitydiscovering material potential
Focusing on exploring and learning fabrication techniques, and creating drawings that accurately represent the fabrication process, the project began simply with one, solid, uniform piece of wood.The drawings focus on the actual process of the fabrication, beginning with a diagram of the wood cuts necessary to create the final product. It shows how the design strives to maximize the available wood and also maintain a subtle continuous curve by cutting from the same lines.The next set of drawings progress to the final product, after fabrication. The elevation view shows the curves that define the overall program, while the plan view exhibits the hidden thinness. The final perspective view, along with the models, finally demonastrate how the product is viewed after fabrication.
In a clear progression from the “re-cut” project, the “panel” project continues the focus on fabrication techniques and their drawings. Starting with only two requirements - the ability to separate two people and the ability to condense into one-third of it’s original size - the result was a panel that constantly engages visual and physical barriers.By limiting the control to one person, there is always some element of separation. If the controller opens up the panel, visual access is allowed, but there is a physical barrier. Conversely, a closed panel allows close physical proximity, but no visual access. The different lengths, orientations, materials, and other aspects were tested out through multiple models.The resulting drawings include orthographic views that show the rotaional aspects of the panel and a kinetic series that illustrates the relationship between the owner and the panel.
8 materiality materiality 9quarter-scale modelfull-scale model, detailquarter-scale model, detail
re-cut wood cut lines
re-cut elevation view re-cut plan view re-cut perspective10 materiality materiality 11
panel variations
panel orthographics
final model, locking mechanism final model
biomimicryutilizing a mechanism found in nature
When given the assignment of looking to nature for inspiration for a mechanism, the unique abilities of the hummingbird immediately came to mind. Research explained that the hummingbird’s ability to hover and fly in any direction is due to its ball-and-socket shoulder joint, which allows for full one hundred and eight degree rotation. Hand sketches of the wing motions and bone structure revealed the efficiency of the movements, how the hummingbird has the ability of full rotation but only moves for what is necessary. This discovery led to a hand drawing of the kinetic sequence of the bones during flight.These discoveries led to the core ideas of the prototype, which uses a similar ball-and-socket for the base, but then uses a gear mechanism to allow for limited motion and efficiency. Using laser-cut museum board, the prototype model was able to have small and intricate pieces. The ideas are further
shown in a kinetic series of different orthographic views and overlaping perspective views to show the range of motion.When the project moved from a prototype to creating a product to enhance a site, the prototype lent itself to creating a modular seating area with an adjustable shading device. The detailed drawings and models of the locking mechanism show the kinetic series of how unlimited motion becomes efficient, mirroring the hummingbird.The drawings of the orthographic drawings show how the modular seating can be arranged and how much, or how little space, is taken up depending on the shade’s orientation. The rendering and final models further explain the orientation of the product in the site and the user interaction.
12 biomimicry biomimicry 13
final model, locking mechanism detialfinal model, shade detail
bone structure
wing movements kinetic sequence perspective views
kinetic seriesprototype models
14 biomimicry biomimicry 15
final model, locking mechanism
rendering side elevation showing rotational shade variations
locking mechanism
plan view and front elevation view
16 biomimicry biomimicry 17
habitat models
habitattransforming a habit into a three-dimensional space
My routine of coffee preparation has become a subconscious process that elevates a simple cup of coffee from an inanimate object to something that provides a much larger purpose.A movement analysis studies whcih parts of my body are actually performing each individual step and how these steps relate to each other. A spatial study, focuses on the amount of space necessary for these movements to occur, examining where the spaces overlap the most or deviate for certain steps.Progressing from a theoretical two-dimensional study to a physically-inhabitable three-dimensional space, results first in new programatic rules and then a programtic diagram. As with the preparation, this new program also became divided into four distinct spheres: coffee, study, relax, sleep.These rules define a three-dimensional space where physical and visual access allow and prohibit these
interactions in space. The spaces are experienced through a visual and physical walk through and corresponding photographs of the model. The transformation to a public space is formed by moments of visual access in site formed by walking on the bridge above and the running path. These areas became physical qualities which reshape the landscape through main axes for the space and its movement.The tracks allow the individual spaces to move into two configurations. In the summer formation the individual spaces are extended and form small, individual pavilions. In the winter condition the spaces are condensed and provide shelter. As seen in the exploded axonometric and sections, the main excavation and tracks remain a constant visual queue.By combining the specificity of the individual spaces and the site, the addition of this space is benefiical to the river bank.
18 habitat habitat 19closed modelopen model
closed model open and closed cut-outs
abstract model
legend
su = adding sugarcr = adding creamsp = stirring with spoonmu = drinking from mug
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kinetic mapping, movement and spatial
movement mapping, cumulative spatial mapping, cumulative
movement mapping by step
co�ee
study relax
sleep
entrance
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exploded axonometric and renderings
programatic diagram
programatic rules
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visual and physical walk through of habitat
model, stepping down from sleep modle, looking down in sleep model, top view of study and relax
model, looking at coffee from studymodel, looking out from relaxmodel, top view of coffee
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in-site plan views open and closed rendered viewsexploded axonometric24 habitat habitat 25
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open and closed section viewsplan and section views26 habitat habitat 27
woven facadetransforming a weave to an urban facade
The most striking feature of my chosen weave was revealied in the weave notation, which demonstrated how the volumes and relationships between vertical and horizontal elements transformed a technically basic weave into a three-dimensional object. It was these elements that were abstracted and amplified in the creation of the sunscreen. The transformation from sunscreen to facade was developed involving three factors: aesthetic qualities, a civic relationship, and effectiveness.The process began with a comfort diagram that explores and defines which qualities the facade will mediate. The results were to block direct sunlight while allowing for maximal control of vision as the primary functions of the facade. Once the optimal conditions were defined, testing using Ecotect was utilized to gurantee that the results would perform in site. The results led to funtions being separated by layer, with the exterior layer designed to block
direct sunlight year round without eliminating all light, while the interior layers control vision without blocking extraneous light. The interior layers allow for variations depending on personal preference.After confirming the functionality of the facade, the rest of the design was formed by its civic and aesthetic intentions. The physical civic intervention is accomplished directly through function as an awning. Indirectly, the civic intervention is seen best through its aesthetic contribution. The facade is designed to simultaneously connect with the surrounding architecture and interior spaces through the exterior and interior horizontal bands. The variable modules are defined by their verticals, and provide a constant variation to the overall facade.
28 woven facade woven facade 29
original weave; weave notation perspective weave notation30 woven facade woven facade 31
sunscreen orthographics sunscreen perspective; sunscreen renderings32 woven facade woven facade 33
Under Screen: Close, Middle, FarBottom Edge: Close, Middle, FarMiddle Height: Close, Middle Far
December 25: 9am, Noon, 4 pmMarch 25: 9am, Noon, 4pmJune 25: 9am, Noon, 4 pmSeptember 25: 9am, Noon, 4pm
26.7˙
72˙
June 21 - Sunny; June 21 - OvercastDec 21 - Sunny; Dec 21 - Overcast
June 21 - Sunny; Dec 21 - Overcast June 21 - Sunny; Dec 21 - Overcast
June 21 - Sunny; Dec 21 - Overcast June 21 - Sunny; Dec 21 - Overcast
Vision
Direct Sunlight
Maximum Vision
Direct Sunlight
Fully Blocked Vision
Direct Sunlight
Narrow Vision
Direct Sunlight
Filtered Vision
Direct Sunlight
26.7˙
72˙
ecotect analysis and process34 woven facade woven facade 35
su�cient lightindirect light
gradual changereadily available
no glare consistent inspiringmovement not distracting
manageablescenic
consistent temperatureoutside inside
maximum de�ned temperature
minimum de�ned temperature
light temperature vision
67”
64”
61”
48”
44” 26.7˙
outside
72˙
comfort diagram facade in site36 woven facade woven facade 37
facade elevation facade module variations38 woven facade woven facade 39
facade exterior elevation, section, interior elevation
interior view birds’ eye view
in-site perspective view
40 woven facade woven facade 41