megan emma matthews2012 b.arch candidate

megan emma matthews2012 b.arch candidate

contact [résumé in back]cell: [512] 431-7284e-mail: mematthews12@gmail.com

Table of Contents

WORK EXPERIENCE

hatch+ulland owen architects | Austin, Texas

702 San Antonio Street | Austin, Texas 900 Juniper Street | Austin, Texas The Goddard School | Round Rock, Texas Austin Woman’s Club 1102B East 8th Street | Austin, Texas

EXTRACURRICULAR

Global Architecture Brigades Design Competition 2010

Dos semanas en Honduras

Global Architecture Brigades Design Competition 2012

ACADEMIC

Austin Pottery Studio

Austin Center for Arts and Technology

Bird Blind | Austin, Texas

Expandable Bookcase

Zilker Park Lookout | Austin, Texas

Résumé

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The level of design experience I gained from working at h+uo architects ranged from completing signage details to designing small, single-family residences – each with their own level of detail. I also worked alongside the designers on larger projects of increased complexity, putting together construction documents and proposals for clients.

Aside from design, I gained experience working with the City of Austin on the permitting process, having sat at One Texas Center for hours waiting for permits that I applied for to go through. I also worked with the zoning department on the re-zoning of our office (702 San Antonio Street) to change the zoning for future renovation into a hotel.

The firm works with the City of Austin on many projects; one project being the Morris Williams Golf Course in East Austin. I compiled a complete, four-volume set of specs for the project and coordinated with Project Managers at the City and sub-consultants throughout the entire ordeal.

hatch+ulland owen architects | Austin, TexasResident Intern from June 2011 - January 2012

View of front porch

This building (home to hatch+ulland owen architects among others) is owned by Tom Hatch. At some point in the future, this building will be renovated and repurposed into a 20-room hotel, complete with roof deck and wine bar.

This project gave me experience with the City of Austin Zoning Department since the current zoning needed to change from GO-H to DMU-H in order to legally operate as a hotel.

702 San Antonio Street | Austin, TexasAutoCAD, SketchUp

Typical floor plan

Roof plan with deck

One of several homes in East Austin needing attention, 900 Juniper became my project for designing a new addition while adhering to the history of the neighborhood and surrounding homes. The re-design was driven by an existing roof pediment that the City of Austin wanted to re-use.

I designed a site plan, floor plan, elevations, and the streetscape rendering for review and approval by the City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission.

900 Juniper Street | Austin, TexasAutoCAD

Floor plan

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Front elevation

Side elevation

Rear elevation

After an unsatisfactory run with another architect, the owner of The Goddard School in Round Rock came to h+uo for a re-design. Armed with images of heavier, more traditional Texas architecture, I designed the façade for the annex and compiled a complete construction drawing set consisting of a site plan, floor plans, sections, elevations, reflected ceiling plans, finish floor plans, schedules, details and roof plan. This project is tentatively scheduled to begin early this year.

The Goddard School | Round Rock, TexasAutoCAD

West elevation

South elevation

East elevation

North elevation

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Wall sections

The Austin Woman’s Club (in need of serious renovation) has turned to the land they own behind them to develop a multi-family structure complete with parking and a great plaza to be shared by both the Austin Woman’s Club and the residents.

The goal of minimizing the mass of the structure when viewed from 8th Street and San Antonio Street is achieved through pulling the residential levels away from 8th Street and developing an open park-like plaza.

Austin Woman’s ClubSketchUp

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This home, located along an alley of a property that Tom Hatch already owns, was originally designed by a previous employee and is a prototype garage apartment for affordable housing in Austin.

My role included making adjustments to existing plans, sections, elevations and the creation of a SketchUp model to provide valuable marketing material for future homes like it. I also analyzed and applied Austin’s McMansion Ordinance to determine whether this structure complied.

1102B East 8th Street | Austin, TexasAutoCAD, SketchUp

Second level floor plan

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Side elevation

Starting in August of 2010, the University of Texas at Austin chapter of Global Architecture Brigades embarked on a design competition with five other schools across the nation to design a secondary school for a community in Honduras. The final design became a collaboration of components from all six schools based on what the community wanted.

Our school approached the project with the intent of creating an engaging environment for students and community members that fosters sustainability through passive systems. The program is divided into two volumes: one is a classroom volume while the other houses other program elements. The classroom volume is oriented along the Cartesian axes to take advantage of northern light and prevailing winds. The second volume, lying perpendicular to the existing primary school connects the old with the new and houses a community center, library and service spaces. The angle formed between these structures frames a courtyard with the existing building while providing a prominent point of entry.

site plan

1 existing primary school2 cistern3 open exterior space4 covered exterior space5 site entrance

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Global Architecture Brigades 2010Collaborative Design Competition 2010

1 Existing School2 Rainwater Cistern3 Courtyard4 Covered Exterior Space5 Site Entrance

1 library2 bathrooms3 pilas4 kitchen

plan

5 offices6 cafeteria / community center7 covered exterior space8 classroom

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Plan

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community center1:75

community center1:75

Elevations

1 reinforced concrete frame2 CMU infill3 reinforced concrete slab

wall system

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Exploded axonometric

In January of 2011, all of the participating universities traveled to the Honduran community of Santa Rosa to begin construction on the school (pictures above). During the course of the week, the groups combined efforts to dig trenches for foundation footings, manually saw and bend rebar for reinforcement, and mix, haul and pour concrete to make the mampostería foundation. The hands-on experience and involvement in the design-build process from beginning to end provided an invaluable educational experience in architecture and construction.

Again in January of 2012, the University of Texas chapter of Global Architecture Brigades traveled back to the community to continue work on the school (pictures at right). After a year of construction, one of the three classrooms had reached completion with the second and third following closely behind. The group worked on the construction of the roof on the second classroom, built the masonry walls for the kitchen and continued digging trenches for the offices and bathrooms.

Dos semanas en HondurasTwo weeks in Honduras - January 2011 and January 2012

In February 2012, the University of Texas at Austin chapter of Global Architecture Brigades entered their second design competition for a health care facility in El Canton, Honduras, competing with 15 other universities from across the nation.

After participating in two construction brigades in Honduras, one of the main focuses of this design became ease of construction. CMU blocks, wood and concrete round out the range of materials used to create this important structure for the community of El Canton. Passive systems for lighting, ventilation and rainwater collection also make this project very sustainable.

A prominent entry at a lower level from the rest of the complex divides the public spaces of the reception and gathering deck from the private spaces of the examination rooms.

*The above renderings and passive systems diagram at the right were done by other team members. The site plan was completed by me.

Global Architecture Brigades 2012Collaborative Design Competition 2012

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winter sun

Site plan

Passive systems diagram

Based on an excerpt from Bill Strickland’s book, Make the Impossible Possible, this project and studio sought to analyze the relationship between psychology and architecture and its influence on the developmental capabilities of those who interact with the built environment.

“If ever in life there is a clairvoyant experience, I had one that day,” says Strickland, now 51. “I saw a radiant and hopeful image of how the world ought to be. It opened up a portal for me that suggested that there might be a whole range of possibilities and experiences that I had not explored. It was night and day - literally. I saw a line and I thought: This is dark, and this is light. And I need to go where the light is.”

Seeking to invoke an honest repurposement of a previously inhabited space, the pottery studio’s site was selected to be the Austin Fire Station #3, built in 1906. The inherent character of the space provides an inspiring environment for artistic minds exploring their talents and abilities.

Austin Pottery StudioInstructors: Elizabeth Danze and Stephen Sonnenberg

Street view of fire station

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First level floor plan

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Second level floor plan

As a continuation of the pottery studio project at the beginning of the semester, the Austin Center for Arts and Technology further sought to develop upon the ideas of Bill Strickland, the client for the project.

After meeting with Bill, it became apparent that above all else this building would need to be a nurturing space and a place of refuge for the users. To achieve this, the architecture must address each of the five senses: abundant (just shy of excessive) amounts of sunlight, durable and sustainable materials, a connection with the outdoors, the scent of nutritious food in the air, vivid colors, live plants and adequate furnishing all must come together to invite guests in and encourage them to stay.

The building’s scale should be derived from human proportion, consequently making it manageable and accessible at the human scale. Despite the given necessity of differentiating public and private, limiting the architectural constraints of which areas one can and cannot enter should be enforced. The spaces should develop a character all their own (either refined or unrefined) and express the truth behind their construction by exposing structure.

Austin Center for Arts and TechnologyInstructors: Elizabeth Danze and Stephen Sonnenberg

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Section through proposed music pavilion and lobby

Section through hallway

Light studies in graphite

1 Lobby2 Office3 Conference Space4 Men’s Restroom5 Women’s Restroom6 Cafeteria7 Kitchen8 Culinary Lab9 Storage10 Pottery Studio11 Medical Technology Lab12 Gallery 13 Site for Future Music Venue

After reading Bill Strickland’s book, Make the Impossible Possible, and after understanding the power of architecture (specifically his visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater) over his ability to achieve his dreams, it becomes apparent that above all else this building will need to be a nurturing space – a place for refuge. Students must feel as though they have arrived at a special and very important place when entering the building.

To achieve this, the architecture must address each of the five senses. Abundant (just shy of excessive) amounts of sunlight, durable and sustainable materials that are easy to maintain and evoke a sense of importance, connection with the outdoors, the scent of nutritious food in the air, vivid colors, live plants and flowers and adequate furnishings all must come together to invite guests in and encourage them to stay.

The building’s scale should be derived from human proportion, consequently making it manageable and accessible at the human scale. Despite the given necessity of differentiating public and private, limiting the architectural constraints of which areas one can and cannot enter should be enforced. The spaces should develop a character all their own (either refined or unrefined) and express the truth behind their construction by exposing structure.

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Exeter Library Warehouse in Brighton, England

Light studies

916 Springdale RoadProcess, Sections and Perspectives

Entrance

Hallway ramp toward gallery Bathrooms and of ces

After reading Bill Strickland’s book, Make the Impossible Possible, and after understanding the power of architecture (specifically his visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater) over his ability to achieve his dreams, it becomes apparent that above all else this building will need to be a nurturing space – a place for refuge. Students must feel as though they have arrived at a special and very important place when entering the building.

To achieve this, the architecture must address each of the five senses. Abundant (just shy of excessive) amounts of sunlight, durable and sustainable materials that are easy to maintain and evoke a sense of importance, connection with the outdoors, the scent of nutritious food in the air, vivid colors, live plants and flowers and adequate furnishings all must come together to invite guests in and encourage them to stay.

The building’s scale should be derived from human proportion, consequently making it manageable and accessible at the human scale. Despite the given necessity of differentiating public and private, limiting the architectural constraints of which areas one can and cannot enter should be enforced. The spaces should develop a character all their own (either refined or unrefined) and express the truth behind their construction by exposing structure.

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Exeter Library Warehouse in Brighton, England

Light studies

916 Springdale RoadProcess, Sections and Perspectives

Entrance

Hallway ramp toward gallery Bathrooms and of ces

After reading Bill Strickland’s book, Make the Impossible Possible, and after understanding the power of architecture (specifically his visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater) over his ability to achieve his dreams, it becomes apparent that above all else this building will need to be a nurturing space – a place for refuge. Students must feel as though they have arrived at a special and very important place when entering the building.

To achieve this, the architecture must address each of the five senses. Abundant (just shy of excessive) amounts of sunlight, durable and sustainable materials that are easy to maintain and evoke a sense of importance, connection with the outdoors, the scent of nutritious food in the air, vivid colors, live plants and flowers and adequate furnishings all must come together to invite guests in and encourage them to stay.

The building’s scale should be derived from human proportion, consequently making it manageable and accessible at the human scale. Despite the given necessity of differentiating public and private, limiting the architectural constraints of which areas one can and cannot enter should be enforced. The spaces should develop a character all their own (either refined or unrefined) and express the truth behind their construction by exposing structure.

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Exeter Library Warehouse in Brighton, England

Light studies

916 Springdale RoadProcess, Sections and Perspectives

Entrance

Hallway ramp toward gallery Bathrooms and of ces

After reading Bill Strickland’s book, Make the Impossible Possible, and after understanding the power of architecture (specifically his visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater) over his ability to achieve his dreams, it becomes apparent that above all else this building will need to be a nurturing space – a place for refuge. Students must feel as though they have arrived at a special and very important place when entering the building.

To achieve this, the architecture must address each of the five senses. Abundant (just shy of excessive) amounts of sunlight, durable and sustainable materials that are easy to maintain and evoke a sense of importance, connection with the outdoors, the scent of nutritious food in the air, vivid colors, live plants and flowers and adequate furnishings all must come together to invite guests in and encourage them to stay.

The building’s scale should be derived from human proportion, consequently making it manageable and accessible at the human scale. Despite the given necessity of differentiating public and private, limiting the architectural constraints of which areas one can and cannot enter should be enforced. The spaces should develop a character all their own (either refined or unrefined) and express the truth behind their construction by exposing structure.

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Exeter Library Warehouse in Brighton, England

Light studies

916 Springdale RoadProcess, Sections and Perspectives

Entrance

Hallway ramp toward gallery Bathrooms and of ces

After reading Bill Strickland’s book, Make the Impossible Possible, and after understanding the power of architecture (specifically his visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater) over his ability to achieve his dreams, it becomes apparent that above all else this building will need to be a nurturing space – a place for refuge. Students must feel as though they have arrived at a special and very important place when entering the building.

To achieve this, the architecture must address each of the five senses. Abundant (just shy of excessive) amounts of sunlight, durable and sustainable materials that are easy to maintain and evoke a sense of importance, connection with the outdoors, the scent of nutritious food in the air, vivid colors, live plants and flowers and adequate furnishings all must come together to invite guests in and encourage them to stay.

The building’s scale should be derived from human proportion, consequently making it manageable and accessible at the human scale. Despite the given necessity of differentiating public and private, limiting the architectural constraints of which areas one can and cannot enter should be enforced. The spaces should develop a character all their own (either refined or unrefined) and express the truth behind their construction by exposing structure.

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Scale: 1/16” = 1’-0”

Exeter Library Warehouse in Brighton, England

Light studies

916 Springdale RoadProcess, Sections and Perspectives

Entrance

Hallway ramp toward gallery Bathrooms and of ces

View down hallway

View toward entrance and offices on the left

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View toward restrooms and offices

Bird blinds are strategic enclosures designed to conceal birdwatchers from the object of their attention and passion. In this project, the objective was to design a bird blind which would blend in to the surroundings of the environment while also providing a functional space for birdwatchers to remain screened while performing their hobby.

This bird blind system, placed along the shore of Hornsby Bend in Austin, Texas, camouflages the entire act of bird watching from arrival to departure. Inspiration for the form of the blind is derived from Richard Neutra’s “Kaufmann Desert House” after studying the house as a precedent earlier in the semester. The prominent linear axis directs the movement of the birdwatchers from the road and into the actual blind. Characterized by strong vertical elements, the blind mimics the verticality of the surrounding trees, providing a similar formal composition of the environment to easily disturbed birds.

Bird Blind | Austin, TexasInstructor: Smilja Milovanovic-Bertram

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Study of a bird skeleton

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Cross section

After an intense five week introduction to woodworking techniques, the final project of designing a piece of furniture began. With a need for saving space, but a desire for something larger in the future, an expandable bookcase became the only logical solution.

Constructed out of White Ash, this bookcase becomes an expandable, organic piece of furniture which can move with the owner from an apartment where space is tight, to a house where there is more room to spread out. Scaled to fit the tallest book in my collection, each space became an adequate size for textbooks, DVDs or stacks of computer paper.

The shelves are 1.5 inches thick and connect to each other using a total of 168 biscuits to help reinforce the cantilevers. The wood is finished in a clear polyurethane finish. Two concealed pegs control the sliding motion and ensure that the three shelving pieces line up with one another and retain proper spacing.

Expandable BookcaseInstructor: Mark Maček

A community center’s purpose is to provide space for a large number of people to gather for a social or cultural function.

Aimed at replacing the current Zilker Park Clubhouse in Austin, Texas, this new community center provides three meeting spaces with grand views of the downtown Austin skyline. The inspiration for this design project came from the strong circulation diagram of “Casa Poncé”, a house designed by architect Mathias Klotz.

One of the only qualifying factors of the site is the view toward downtown Austin. In an attempt to reach a height to appreciate the view even more, the entire building is lifted off the ground. This also creates a lightness to the building and removes the visitor from the surrounding context, emphasizing the procession of entering the building. By having the building lifted off the ground around a central core of circulation, it exaggerates a reaction to the site.

Zilker Park Lookout | Austin, TexasInstructor: John Blood

View from site toward downtown Austin at night Photo by Tyler Stowell

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View on walkway toward entrance

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Basement level floor plan

First level floor plan

Second level floor plan

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Site plan

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Longitudinal section

Longitudinal elevation

Bay model

Bay model detail

Model of community center

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Cross section

Front elevation

EDUCATIONThe University of Texas at Austin School of ArchitectureBachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) Candidate, May 2012 with The University of Texas Business Foundations Program CertificateGPA: 3.38/4.00

RELATED EXPERIENCEhatch+ulland owen architects | Austin, TexasResident InternJune 2011 – January 2012• Made significant contributions to a wide variety of project types ranging from

single- and multi-family residential (with a focus on affordable housing) and civic and commercial projects through work on construction documents, specifications, modeling and construction site visits

• Collaborated with coworkers to create digital models of projects for presentations, client meetings, and proposals using SketchUp and AutoCAD

• Secured permitting and zoning approvals from city government (specifically the City of Austin) and achieved a thorough understanding of the permitting process

• Scheduled and coordinated weekly Continuing Education seminars given by suppliers and others in the architectural community

Foundation Communities | Austin, TexasCapital Audit InternMay 2010 – current• Created a database of building inventory for each Foundation Communities property

in order to assess the value of all components to determine a financial plan for replacement projected ten years into the future

• Executed and completed the database through site visits and meetings with property managers to gather information

• Contributed to weekly construction meetings at M Station, the newest affordable housing addition of Foundation Communities

University of Texas at Austin Global Architecture Brigades Co-Founder and Vice PresidentMay 2009 – current• Competed in two design/build competitions for a secondary school and community

center in Santa Rosa, Honduras and a health care facility in El Canton, Honduras• Managed 50 brigade members in weekly meetings pertaining to fundraising, as well as

the design and build process• Traveled to Santa Rosa, Honduras in January of 2011 and 2012 to work alongside

community members in the construction of their new secondary school and community center

SKILLSAutoCAD 2011, Photoshop CS3, InDesign CS3, SketchUp, Revit Architecture 2010, Microsoft Office 2007, Woodworking, Model Building

HONORS & ACTIVITIESUCREW Participant: Women’s Commercial Real Estate ChallengeGlobal Architecture Brigades: University of Texas Chapter, Co-Founder and Vice PresidentAustin Habitat for Humanity and Bay Area Habitat for Humanity, VolunteerUndergraduate Architecture Student Council, MemberTexas Exes Student Chapter, Member

megan emma matthews3702 Rock Terrace Drive, Lago Vista, TX 78645

(512) 431-7284mematthews12@gmail.com

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