Reid Rutledge Portfolio

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u r b a n g a r d e n

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y o u t h h o u s i n g

m i x e d h o u s i n g

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A large portion of the urban fabric of Barcelona is divided up into regular blocks. This area is called

l’Eixample, which literally translates to the extension, which calls back to the fact that when it was fi rst built the region was an addition to the medieval city limits.

While abroad, my classmates and I were charged with the task of redesigning one of these blighted blocks and turning it into a public garden/farm,

complete with teaching amenities, a greenhouse, photovoltaic panels, and a system for rainwater

harvesting.

This city block happens to be unique in that a major avenue runs straight through it, resulting in an oblong

and awkward plot. I maximized on this characteristic and carried the angle of the street

across the site iteratively to break up the space. This became the source of integrity for the design and any moves that broke the rule needed purpose.

the defi ning feature on the site was the diagonal avenue

sketches of the design in horizontal layers

Upper Level Plan

Lower Level Plan

site sketches assessing access

street access greenhouses

e v o l u t i o nd e s i g n f u n d a m e n t a l s I Ii n s t r u c t e d b y b e n j a m i n i b a r r a - s e v i l l as p r i n g 2 0 1 0

I cannot help but think of the idiom, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” when thinking about

this project; however in this case we were given knots and asked to make architecture. First the knot was

transformed into a path, then interpreted orthogonally, and fi nally as massing. I explored the

various forms these iterations could take through modeling and constructed drawing. What was at fi rst a rope evolved into a wireframe-model, a

two-point perspective, and several axonometric drawings, all aiming to uncover a dynamic design of

solid and void.

In order to better view the design as a work of architecture, I applied shadows in drawing as they

wouled appear in the real world, and then sought to materialize the design through models. At fi rst the design was a hollow shell comprised of only two

pieces that folded into each other but it evolved into a solid grid of pieces that fi t together like a

three-dimensional puzzle.

This project instilled in me the skills of process and craft through the experience of design

transformation through iteration.

phases of transfromation from a knot to massing

axon of massing assessing shadows

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On the University of Minnesota campus, the architecture program is housed in Rapson Hall; a

building named after its designer. Despite the beauty of Rapson’s design, it received an addition from Stephen Holl that brilliantly compliments and contradicts the structure, providing students with a

wealth of material to study.

I have investigated Rapson Hall through artistic value drawings, diagrammatic sketches,

constructed hand-drawings, and fi nally a hybrid of all of the above. The process asked to look around you and assess the beauty inherent to the structure

while also documenting the investigation in a variety of methods. The process looked at the phenomenal qualities of light, the structural qualities of mass, and

inevitably how we as inhabitants experience architecture. The spaces I thought best articulated

these characteristics of architecture were the elegant corner windows and concrete sprial

staircase.

sketches investigating the most effective diagram of the window

white-on-black renderings of moments

looking at the corner

plan and refl ected ceiling plan

the section oblique best depicted the space

exploded axon of the east staircase paired with a shadow rendering

one-point perspective looking up the shaft of space with exploded railing detail

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Until recently, it was typical for Barcelonese youth to continue to live in the homes of their parents

until they had earned enough money and gathered enough possessions to move out into their own home. Within the last 10 years the youth has begun to break from this trend and live with roommates. In order to

facilitate this trend, I designed a housing complex for 7 tenants.

The challenge was that we were only given a 10 x 10 square meter plot and we were to have as many

units as possible. I chose to have these units spiral around a core for transition and provided

communal balcony space, studio space, and a roof garden along the way. This project dealt with experimenting in compact living spaces and

familiarizing oneself with the dimensions of everyday objects.

sketches assessing dimensions of space and everyday objects

preliminary massing rendering

South Elevation East Elevation

Unit Elevations

Top Floor Unit Plan

Bottom Floor Unit Plan

Communal Space

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This project asked for the transformation of a block and a half of parking lot in Minneapolis to be

redesigned for a housing complex. A knowledge of the surrounding neighborhood, the neighboring

building typologies, and successful housing case-studies served as excellent tools to address the

project, and the result was fruitful.

After several iterations of massing possibilities, I settled on utilizing the preexisting typology of row houses

and made alterations to fi t the specifi c unit requirements. In an effort to create a dynamic public space that connected the two blocks, I

emphasized a linear connection across the plot and made transitory paths. To further encourage

residents to communicate with their fellow cohabitants, I opened up the facades with large

pockets of balcony and glazing. This design allowed for all residents to have close street access, small

groups for sharing entryways, and large public spaces. The design also allowed for a variety of

housing sizes and needs.

module in sections axons of facade voids

module in sections

module facade as void module facade as solid

pushing and pulling the facade

aerial view of site demonstrating linear nature of complex

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