2. NATURALLY URBAN--
THREE RIVERS,
MILWAUKEE WI
Rivers are an amenity that enhance
the social, economic and
SPRING 2003 THESIS PROJECT
recreational value of any city.
Milwaukee is blessed with three:
the Milwaukee, Menomonee and
Kinnickinnic. All three contribute to
the greater Milwaukee River Basin.
Each occupies its own watershed,
which combine to form an
interconnected system of natural
features that can be enjoyed in
multiple ways. While the rivers BOAT LAUNCH, CLIMBING TOWER
bind the region together in a sense,
the potential of the river system to
serve as a recreational resource for
southeast Wisconsin has been
untapped for many years. This
project provides a link between the
urban setting and the serene
atmosphere of the river valleys.
The project stems from a
major crossroads between city and
natural elements. Utilizing the piers
of highway I-94 as an amenity for
climbing, the facility reaches out
along the banks of the river,
embracing the city grid at Canal NATURAL-LIKE LINKS
Street and an unused open space
that is currently isolated from
pedestrian activity. A simplified
pallet of materials enhances cost
effectiveness and users gain an
opportunity to experience natural-
like settings while constantly aware
they are in an urban location.
TRANSITION
4. AN ADDITION TO ST. JOHN’S
CATHEDRAL AT THE CORNER
OF WELLS AND JACKSON,
MILWAUKEE WI
Designed to showcase a small
FALL 2002 TECHNOLOGY STUDIO
chapel inside a primarily glass box
gathering space, which is heavily
louvered with extra deep mullions
acting as shading devices.
A solid volume housing the main
entry, services, administration and
classrooms holds the transparent
volume that is the attraction for
visitors. INTERLOCKING VOLUMES
The blessed sacrament chapel of the
cathedral is the backdrop for the
entry showing the connectedness of
the two structures.
The façade of the cathedral remains
untouched except for only two small
transparent vestibules.
Model accompanied by a set of
construction documents.
LOW PROFILE CONNECTEDNESS
AN “ANCHOR” FOR ADMINISTRATION AND LEARNING
6. MENOMONEE VALLEY
INTERPRETIVE CENTER,
MILWAUKEE WI
The Menomonee Valley has become
a series of industrial lots and brown
SPRING 2002 GREEN BUILDING STUDIO
fields that are in dire need of repair.
This site at the far eastern end,
between 6th Street and shipping slips
off of the Menomonee River, will
become a vital location for A VARIETY OF SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS
development that will draw people
from downtown, the 3rd and 5th
Wards and the area immediately
south of the valley.
This project had a focus on
environmental and sustainable
structures. The actual function of the
center was left unsaid, so I chose to
demonstrate architectural
possibilities, building systems and
alternate means of energy.
The central area is constructed of
wood chip glue laminated structural
elements encased in glass, while the
extensions are recycled steel light-gauge
framing with a sheet steel cladding that is
coated with copper colored aluminum. A
cable-supported fabric shading device
finishes off the structure as a daylight
control along with the narrow downward
tilted windows.
A “HUB” WITH RADIATING ACTIVITY
7. SYSTEMS
SUN STUDIES
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
BRIDGE PIER
UNIQUE STRUCTURE IN A GREEN LANDSCAPE
SYSTEMS
