Design Portfolio

Architectural Design Portfolio:

69 Erika LoopStaten Island, NY 10312

240.575.8490

[email protected]

Matthew Ruopoli

Matthew RuopoliArchitectural Design Portfolio 005

The selection of works shown within serve as an expression of my design ideologies. The ideas put forth focus on the belief that the function of any architectural response should serve both a physical, and experiential need, while maintaining a high level of overall efficiency. These functional needs and desires must be derived based on careful consideration of both of these functional demands while also paying close attention to the overall site realities. The following highlights these design beliefs in series of design problems, ranging in size and scope, from throughout my architectural education.

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Matthew Ruopoli69 Erika LoopStaten Island, NY 10312240.575.8490

[email protected]

HighlightsConfident, competent and motivated individual with a yearning and willingness to learn. Proficient in a number of design and presentation mediums ranging from sketching and hand drafting, to a variety of architectural software.

Character TraitsMotivated, reliable, and intelligent. Able to learn quickly and function efficiently. Excellent stress management skills and highly developed leadership capabilities. Experienced team and group collaboration skills.

Software ProficienciesAutodesk Applications:Highly skilled in AutoCAD 2012 (and similar).Some experience in 3ds Max .

Rhinoceros:Some experience in Rhino, Brazil, and Grasshopper.

Adobe products:Highly skilled in Photoshop and InDesign.Advanced skill in illustrator.

Google:Highly skilled in Sketchup, including Google earth incorporation.Highly skilled in SU Podium rendering plug-in.

Artlantis:Advanced skill in Artlantis rendering software, including day time and night-time renderings

Microsoft Office Suite:Highly skilled in Excel, Word, Publisher, and Powerpoint

Norwich UniversityNorthfield, VT

Master of Architecture August 2010 - May 2012

Norwich UniversityNorthfield, VT

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies Minor: Business Management August 2006 - May 2010

Walkersville High SchoolWalkersville, MD

High School Diploma (Highest Honors) August 2002 - June 2006

Summary

Educatio

n

Cara ArmstrongMentor and M.Arch Advisor

814.233.6358

David WoolfM.Arch Critic and Research Grant Advisor

802.485.2632

Bryan MitchellManager of Frederick County’s Department of Permitting and Development Review

301.600.1943

References

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• Provide excellent customer service, while also ensuring proper money and merchandise management.

• Served as Management personal, dealing with issues while also overseeing the daily operations.

• Promoted after 3 months

Relevant W

ork E

xperie

nce Busy Service Inc.

New Windsor, MD

Skilled Laborer March 2011 - January 2012

Marketing and Advertising Intern June 2010 - August 2010

Department of Permitting And Development ReviewFrederick County, MD

Permitting and Project Review Intern May 2010 - July 2010

Norwich UniversityNorthfield, VT

Research Grant Recipient Summer 2009

Olympia SportsNorthfield, VT

Management Staff (Key Holder) Summer 2009

• Traveled the United States for a personal research project entitled “Steven Holl: Phenomenology in Architectural Detailing,” in which I studied how Steven Holl’s phenomenological belief resolved itself through his detailing techniques.

• Presented my findings through a school-wide lecture and a self-published book.

• Performed secretarial duties as well as began reviewing and permitting small scale construction projects.

• Researched and updated systems, diagrams, and handouts used throughout the department.

• Completed various restoration and installation projects (in both civilian and governmental sectors) dealing with plumbing, drainage, and storm water management solutions.

• Performed secretarial duties as well as seeing to the revitalization of the company image as seen in their corporate website and mailings.

• Provided systems that allow them to function more efficiently both physically and economically.

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C o n t e n t s

A New Public Education ModelDesign Dates: August 2010 - April 2012Location: Frederick, MD

Course: Master of Architecture Thesis

A Mixed-Use SkyscraperDesign Dates: March 2009 - May 2009 Location: Boston, MA

Course: 4th Year Design Studio II

M. Arch

B.S

.A.S

. H

ighlig

hts

A Cochiti Pueblo ResidenceDesign Dates: September 2008 - October 2008Location: Pena Blanca, NM

Course: 4th Year Design Studio I

A Community CenterDesign Dates: October 2008 - December 2008Location: Cochiti, NM

Course: 4th Year Design Studio I

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Thesis question:How can architecture create an educational environment that accentuates the “hunter child” (those currently described as ADHD or ADD) characteristics, allowing for a setting that facilitates their unique learning style while also serving as a means of removing negative connotations commonly associated with ADD or ADHD diagnoses.

Design Concept:Design and develop a mixed-use residential tower that would allow residents the opportunity to distinguish themselves from those around them and display their unique identity among the dense city environment.

Design Concept:Create an efficient residence for a Cochiti Pueblo tribesman, inspired by the sacred tent rock formations that exist in the area, that would serve as a link between sky and ground.

Design Concept:Revitalise the withering Cochiti Pueblo tribal community by creating a community center that would encourage communication while also serving as a teaching tool in passing down the ancient culture.

A New Public Education Model

A site and an InterventionLocation: Frederick, MD

Through careful consideration of the needs of the project, a site in Frederick, Maryland was deemed to be the most beneficial location for this project. With a higher then average ADD and ADHD diagnostic level, overall population density, and rapid growth and development rate, this city allowed for a larger reachable population. A micro site location was then found based on its close proximity to both natural elements and man-made ones, resulting in a site selection that offers a stimulating visual and physical connection to its surroundings. The relationship between the site and the local school board’s new administrative office (located west, directly across the street) was seen to be ideal due to the overall nature of the project, which aims to create a new school typology to accentuate (not simply replace) the public system that already exists. As the site currently exists among a more diverse community (where commercial, educational, and residential all reside) the resulting 200 student school can use the surrounding area to strengthen it’s program while also serving the city in a more profound manner.

Materiality and Movement PatternsMonitoring movement patterns throughout the project required study into how design elements can serve as a subconscious mediator to a programs occupants. In this design, various elements such as the 3’ window mullion spacing, relate to an average child’s 18” stride. By creating a repetition of these elements, the children inside can be monitor their speed and walking distance through a connection between the building elements and their bodies. This stride distance also relates to the 12’ square grid that flows through between the buildings, existing on the first floors and dissolving into the landscape.

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Subconscious behavior modification:Featured in each of the four building units are color coded stairways relating in hue to the experiential functions. As the children move throughout the spaces the resulting differences in hue can create psychological and physiological changes to assist in each buildings unique programmatic function. Upon leaving the stairways, a fainter hint of color remains noticeable in the dyed concrete flooring.

From the exterior, each vertical transition element serves as a glowing beacon, signaling each particular units function. The coloration of the elements when coupled with the vertical nature of channel glass (in comparison to the horizontal nature of the wooden slats and 2 x 12 poured concrete) offers true insight into how occupants feel and react within each space.

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Space Layout and Site Based Experience:Each element finds is specific location on site due to its unique experiential needs. The kinesthetic learning center (red) finds its place in the southern most part of the site, where it receives the most sun, wind, and external stimulation. In contrast, the linguistic/logic center (blue) resides to the north-east due to its demand for intimacy and limited external stimulation. On the northern most piece of the site, exists the music and art based learning center (green), placed in a location that allows for most interaction with the city around it, pulling its relation from the nearby performance hall.

1st floor plan

2nd floor plan

3rd floor plan

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The Need for Nature:The material pallet was chosen based on an inherent need for “hunter” children to connect with nature. Wood, rich visually with texture, was chosen in the more intimate spaces (such as the classrooms and library) while aggregate rich concrete allows for both an interaction with stone and a rich physical texture. The hub spaces (the gymnasium, library, and auditorium) blur the lines, and create a strong horizontality, through the use of offset 2x12 formed concrete (see below).

0 1 3 6

-12’-0”

-3’-0”

0’-0”

12’-0”

26’-0”

Wall Section D

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A Mixed Use Skyscraper

Location: Boston, MA

The designing of a mixed-use, residential skyscraper in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts afforded the opportunity to address the lack of individuality that can exist in a dense urban environment. As a response, a series of life cubes were set up to allow the strong repetition of similar elements to highlight the individuality of each. By setting each apartment complex in a cubed unit, residents would have the opportunity to customize the interior of their unit to heighten the sense of individuality when inside the space. Loft style apartments were deemed necessary as a way to maintain strict adherence to the individual living cube, so that the subtractive nature of the mass would allow for clear delineation between units.

10 minute walk radius

2000 ft

SUMMER SUN

WINTER SUN

Typical Unit Section

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Sustainability:As skyscrapers typically require a great deal of energy for cooling, sustainability measures were needed to help reduce the overall impact a new residential tower would have on the environment and on the city. A double wall facade system was used to create ever-present buffer between the outside air temperature and the inside climate. Automated louvers serve as solar shading devices to help reduce the cooling load that typically plagues glass skyscrapers. Green roofs and outdoor terraces were added to help create thermal mass in the design while also giving greenspace back to the residence and the community.

Louvre SystemDouble Wall Facade

Green Roof Terrace

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Space layout:The material choices, when coupled with the louvre system, create a unique reaction in the building skin as the function transforms from day to night. During the day, when the sun is out, and the residential units are typically empty, the building facade seems opaque, with translucent walls, dark reflections from glass and louvres allowing little opportunity for views inward. At night, however, the building form shifts, in relation to its use. As residents arrive home and begin to occupy the space, the brightness of each units occupancy creates levels of transparency. While translucent walls allow for only views of ghosts and shadows of movement, the louvered walls begin to form glimpses of reality. The large transparent walls then serve as the highlights of the individuals as truer views inward can be monitored by occupants, passers by can read the walls as clearly as they read the units and can have glimpses of each event that could be occurring inside, if allowed by the resident. Monitored by electro-chromic glass, switches would monitor the level of transparency that would exist.

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Systems:Though assisted by the sustainability measures, the cooling load facing high rise glass structures still creates the need for active system integration. In this design active chilled beam system, linked to geothermal heat pumps allow for an efficient cooling and ventilation system. To further increase the overall efficiency of the design, the necessary piping for the geothermal pump runs through the pile foundation allowing for fewer holes to be drilled during excavation while also serving as rebar in the concrete.

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A Community Center

Location: Cochiti, NM

To reunite a tribe through the revitalization of language. This was the goal when redesigning a community center for the Cochiti Pueblo tribe in New Mexico. Faced with the fear of losing their language and their community, due to urban sprawl, the commu-nity elders needed a place to gather, teach, and inspire their com-munity. This required a multi-use, multi-functioning design that also minimized the need for building systems.

This project, located amongst the other community buildings in the area, was deemed to require of a large community gathering area, three classrooms, a room for teens, and a nursery, all to exist in a form no more than 5000 square feet.

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Color as a Connection to the Past:Throughout the design, colored glass was used as a reference to the tribal folklore. The colored circles which exist on the outside wall of the day-care and learning center (above) relate to the Cochiti Pueblo story of the stars, in which a young child is given a bag and told not to open it until reunited with her tribe. During her journey, she finds herself unable to resist temptation and opens the bag, releasing colored orbs that float into the heavens becoming stars.

The entry to the site features a large tower, serving as a lantern to the community; calling those leaving the town to return and reunite the tribe. The colorations in this instance, serve as measures of time. Each color relates to the equinox and solstices, necessary dates in any farming community. Inside this tower each color would exist until either sunrise or sunset of a solstice was reached. When this occurs, the fenestration has been tuned to exclude a particular color. Rays of light during sunrise of the summer solstice, for example, would pass through the violet openings on the east and west so that no level of violet would exist on the interior.

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A Cochiti Pueblo Residence

Location: Pena Blanca, NM

Designing for a Cochiti Pueblo tribesman and his family required insight into a specific set of needs and desires; unique in that it must fit the requirements of human interaction as well as cultural connection. Inspired by the sacred tent rock formations found in the area, a solution was then designed that could heighten the relationship between ground and sky in both physical form, as well as functional experience. The approach to the residence allows occupants the chance to sink into the ground only to rise well above it, allowing the juxtaposition of experiential perspectives to be heightened by each other.

The Influence of Water:A reflecting pool serves as a moderator between earth and sky while also blurring their relationship. The effected view from above ground level features skewed representations of built form, sky, ground, and nature; a view that rarely captures all and never captures them in true form. When viewed from underground (as one continues along the entry pathway), light patterning washes down the walls creating a merging of water and earth. Distorted views of the sky are offered through slots in the pool’s floor, framed by earth and skewed by water.

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Materiality:Rammed earth construction was chosen to create a direct relation to the surroundings, allowing the building to grow from out of the ground around it, while also creating a use for the excavated clay and dirt. The high thermal mass of the earthen walls limits the need for mechanical systems creating a more energy efficient home.