arch i tecture

P O R T F O L I O

Let us learn

from the

j o u r n e y

not just the

destination

m e g a nD O B R O T H

M . A R C H

U of Oregon

208 .284 . 8794

megan.dobroth @ g m a i l . c o m

p o r t f o l i o :i s s u u . c o m /m d o b r o t h

which creates an environment

architecture is a

continuing dialogue between

a c r o s s t i m e . Vincent Scully

me

ga

nDOBROTH

generations

This page + cover photographed at: Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art; Rivoli, Italy

208.284.8794

megan.dobroth@gmail.com

portfol io:issuu.com/mdobroth

Through studies in urban theory, exposure to architectural practices, and my experiences abroad in Italy, I have discovered the complex workings of community life in the presence of successful urban spaces. My new understanding of thoughtful urban development combined with my human scale focus have created a strong optimism in urban fabrics and alternatives to subdivision living. Creating meaningful spaces that respond to their context and thoughtfully incorporate light, materials, and sustainable living - this is the challenge for designers of my generation, and one that I feel compelled to address.

bio:

c o n t e n t st a b l e o f

2 C o m m u n i t y M e n ta l W e l l n e s s C e n t e r

M u lt n o m a h b r a n c h l i b r a r y6

urban hotel1 0

pdx mediatheque1 2

italian mixed-use corner1 4

Biketronics + FabLab1 8

multi-family courtyard housing2 2

visual arts school2 6

sri lankan woodworking workshop2 8

Through the development of a community mental health facility, the design explores the effects of the built environment on the psychological wellbeing of its users. More specifically, critical attention was given to the design community integration, user relationship with the natural environment, and the development of safe spaces as these aspects present a particular challenge in urban settings. Creating an iconic building to house this program also increases public awareness and gives a voice to an unspoken epidemic. By fighting for the mental wellness of Portland’s citizens, we are fighting for the health of the city as a greater whole.

# of people with serious mental illness who received minimally adequate treatment

less than 1 in 6

(Wang)

C O N C E P T

P o r t l a n d c o m m u n i t y m e n ta l w e l l n e s s c e n t e r[THESIS - 6th year of study] 2

COMMUNITYYoga, Self-Healing StrategiesArt TherapyLectures, Presentations, eventsExhibit, Art GalleryClassroomsAction Center, Advocacy Offices

CLINICReception, Waiting AreaGroup TherapyPsychiatryPsychologyMedication DispensaryCrisis Management, “Calm Room”Nurses Station / Staff Room

HOUSINGSingle Room ApartmentsCommunity RoomsAdmin. Office Case Worker Offices

P R O G R A M

Parking Entry

Clinic

Reception

Healing Art Gallery

Event Room

Cafe

Housing Commons

Main Entry

Waiting Rm

Meeting Rm

Housing Office

s u p p o r t i v e h o u s i n g27 Studio UnitsCommunity Kitchen Space7 Case Management Offices

Break up the solid face blockt o c r e a t e a v a r i e d s t r e e t e d g e

Insert nature into the voidsb o t h p u b l i c a n d p r i v a t e a c c e s s

P L A C E r o o f g a r d e n st o u t i l i z e s o u t h e r n e x p o s u r e

Pull Apart the dense blocka l l o w l i g h t a n d p r o g r a m s e p a r at i o n

floor plan2nd floor

section

01M u lt n o m a h b r a n c h l i b r a r y[sixth year of study] 6

Collection 1,000 sf 26

70 sf

Ser

vice (

30%)

700 sf Lounge Seating 625 sf Computer Seating

S e a t i n g

Info Desk 150 sf Staff Support 800 sf

S t a f f

Community Classroom 800 sfTeam Room 420 sf

G a t h e r i n g

Children’s Area 350 sfTeen’s Area 350 sf

A g e F o c u s e d

700 sf Technology Suite350 sf Printing Room

C r e a t i v e P r o g ra m m i n g

2 f o

ors (

gros

s are

a) al

lowab

le on site

Total Program 8,915 sfSite GROSS Area (2 floors) 9,200 sf

PROGRAM

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acy

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ters

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Capitol

Hwy

Troy

site planportland, or

p r o c e s s m o d e l s

Based on a science-fiction literary passage, the project encouraged creative exploration of an altered reality through model making. The program, a ‘Cheap Hotel’, called for high intensity social spaces as well as individual accommodations. Set in an old warehouse, my design utilized the organizational grid of the existing brick shell as a grounding point to a more eccentric interior. A web of suspended cables allows program space to ‘float’ vertically through the shell’s interior. The stacking of individual rooms on the perimeter creates a display of light and shadows in the exterior wall while also providing a point for observation of the suspended interior social cubes.

u r b a n h o t e l[fourth year of study] 10

c o n c e p t

A mediatheque is a place of shared knowledge – It’s about the experience of coming together rather than accessing digital material from the private realm. The building is the culmination of the urban fabric – bringing the vitality of open public space to the interior. These programmatic platforms display an animation of activity and create a sense of being part of the larger whole. By keeping the programmed spaces flexible, the structure insures its ability to adapt with its users and remain relevant as a community icon.

public space

public space

view from square

visual connections

twist of the grid

responds to site angles

view from burnside

bridge

BU

RN

SID

E

process: public plaza

P D X M E D I AT H E Q U E[fifth year of study] 12

The corner site is located in a newly developing area of Torino, Italy. The building’s courtyard transitions the corner lot between the public park and the private residences, a collision of uses that structures the whole design. An urban project, the building also houses retail in a thin glass stack bordering the street.

N

under-ground parking ramp

apt 1

offices

cors

o bo

lzan

o

corso giacomo matteotti

apt 2

park

+un

derg

roun

d ra

il

(und

er c

onst

ruct

ion)

site

corso giacomo matteotti

PROCESS

I ta l i a n m i x e d - u s e c o r n e r[third year of study] 14

--of television, of time clocks, of traffi c on the freeway

everyone is looking, not many are seeing.--but few are o b s e r v e r s .

Peter M. Leschak

p h o t o g r a p h y o f l i g h tItaly

all of us are watchers

floor planN

Working with 2 other students, we designed an industrial structure: Biketronics and a membership Fabrication Laboratory. To this unique program, we applied the goals of the 2030 Challenge to achieve carbon neutrality. The form of the building was dictated by sun movement, distant views, wind direction, and passive design strategies. Located in north Idaho with cold, snowy winters and summer temperatures reaching into the 90’s, both heating and cooling were addressed. Design considerations were group decisions while graphic responsibilities were distributed. My individual roles focused on systems research/design and group management.

fabrication laboratory

atrium 2nd level

b i k e t r o n i c s + f a b l a b[fourth year of study] 18

atrium 1st level

permeable paving

2 0 3 0 c a r b o n n e u t r a l i t yc h a l l e n g e :

constructed wetland

bioswale

water collection

earth tubes

straw bale + rammed earth

Passive design strategies implemented:

heat stack affect

earth tubes to temper outside air

natural day lighting with proper shading

direct solar gain

thermal mass (concrete floors and rammed earth)

super insulation (straw bales)

clerestory windows

night insulating curtains

hybrid PV panels

radiant floor heating

solar hot water

rainwater collection

constructed wetland (treat gray water)

composting toilets

bioswales (storm water)

Permeable paving

Xeriscaping radiant floor heating

COURTYARD COMPONENT

The entrance serves as a physical boundary between the street and the courtyard. However, it frames the view to

the water feature and the central court, compelling people to venture deeper into the site. It also serves as a

lingering point, with the bench and mailboxes to encourage interaction. The design embodies the

concept: layered space, interlocked components, and the importance of light (through the play of shadows

throughout the day).

COURTYARD COMPONENT

The entrance serves as a physical boundary between the street and the courtyard. However, it frames the view to

the water feature and the central court, compelling people to venture deeper into the site. It also serves as a

lingering point, with the bench and mailboxes to encourage interaction. The design embodies the

concept: layered space, interlocked components, and the importance of light (through the play of shadows

throughout the day).

entry component

In an effort to address Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), both day lighting and community were priorities in this design in North Idaho. As the courtyard spaces collide so do the activities and lives of the residents. In the winter, southern and western sun exposure maximizes daylight while seasonal vegetation helps filter the summer sun. Daylight is brought into each unit through strategic roof height variations.

street facade

Bump-out spaces provide extra exposure to sunlight. Nano-walls are utilized in the sunroom to allow fresh air during warm days. The ceiling above the workout space has been pushed back to allow sunlight to enter on the North side of the building.

BUMP-OUTS

day lit spaces

apt courtyard facades

m u lt i - f a m i ly c o u r t ya r d h o u s i n g[third year of study]

a s b u r y s t r e e t

a l l e y

22

Life is rich, always changing, always challenging,and we architects have the task of transmitting into

wood, concrete, glass and steel,of transforming h u m a n a s p i r a t i o n s into

habitable and meaningful space.arthur erickson

2008

Baroq

ue Be

nch

The site for Visual Arts Northwest (in NW Portland) straddled the industrial rail lines and stood isolated from the core of downtown. The urban plan connects the district with its surroundings, focusing on carrying vehicular access through the grid and creating a pedestrian plaza stepping down to the river’s edge. The program bridges across the tracks and creates a public gallery front on the square, with the student studios exposed to Naito and Glisan. The push and pull of space creates nodes of activity within the building, plays with the entrance of daylight, and self-shades the south side of the structure.

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V i s u a l a r t s s c h o o l[fifth year of study]

ra i l road

ra i l road

26

S2

Sited along the river, this woodworking institute served the local community as an institute for traditional woodworking craft. Aimed at revitalizing the town’s economy & continuing handcraft knowledge, the open-air architecture took advantage of the warm climate, site winds, and local materials. Particular attention was applied to the screening of views, definition of space, and light qualities that the wooden screens created.

section

S r i l a n k a n w o o d w o r k i n g w o r k s h o p[fifth year of study]

visitors

goods bioswale

outdoor spaces views movement SW breeze water collection

28

DN

DN

A106

1

1long section

1A107

structural components

passive cooling

me

ga

nDOBROTH

208.284.8794

megan.dobroth@gmail.com

portfol io:issuu.com/mdobroth

M . A R C H U of Oregon

208 .284 . 8794

megan.dobroth @ g m a i l . c o m

p o r t f o l i o :i s s u u . c o m /m d o b r o t h

m e g a nD O B R O T H