portfolio

william joseph trakasTULANE UNIVERSITY

DUTCH DIALOGS III - new methods for water management along orleans canal

GROW DAT YOUTH FARM - designbuild community farm project for city park

LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF CIVIL RIGHTS

MOULIN ROUGE DANCE STUDIO - shifting perspectives

ZSH COMPETITION - zombie safehouse design competition - Winner ZSHC Choice

SCULPTURE & DRAWING - collect of works culminating in a studio art minor

SIETCH ARCHITECTURE - new urban strategies for suburban expansion in tucson, az

SIETCH ARCHITECTURE - new urban strategies for suburban expansion in tucson, az

desertification is one of the most pressing ecological problems facing the world today. anthropogenic degradation in the from of suburban expansion is exacerbating the prob-lem. in contrast to the traditional architectural styles found in similar climates across the world. the planning of the American southwest has ignored climate conscious design, further degrading the fragile ecosystem. architecture has the potential to minimize desertification through redefining suburban sprawl. this the-sis creates an alternative vision for suburban living that works to contain the existing sprawl in a more environmentally sensitive manner. this solution will mediate the human induced causes of desertification and redefine subur-ban planning. with this new vision as a basis it is hoped that people can not only design and live en mass in a benign manner with natural eco systems, but begin to reverse some of the causes of desertification

DUTCH DIALOGS III - new methods for water management along orleans canal

In a continuation of Dutch Dialogs III this studio explored possibilities for accessing and inhabiting the edges of the Orleans Ave Canal. The studio developed spatial proposals around the Dutch Dialogues 3 idea to lower water levels in New Orleans’ outfall canals and remove the dangerous and unsightly concrete flood walls. The massing rises up to the central canal creating a unique urban edge. A smaller private canal is created to be a slower covered, area for residents and visitors. The units are housed in a bridge like form that cre-ates the secondarycanal. Project in collaboration with Leeland Berman.

Sections AA 1/32” scale

Sections BB 1/32” scale

A A

B B

N

Site Plan 1/64”

GROW DAT YOUTH FARM - designbuild community garden project for city park

The Grow Dat Youth Farm’s mission is to nurture a diverse group of young leaders through the meaningful work of growing food. On the farm they work cor-roboratively to produce healthy food for local residents and to inspire youth and adults to cre-ate personal, social and envi-ronmental change in their own communities. During the one semester I collab-orated with 25 other students to design the architecture and land-scaping for the farm facilities. Over the summer I was hired as an intern to assist in the first phases of construction, including site clearing, foundation work, and setting the containers.

EXIBITION PUBLIC COMMUNITY SUPPORT

LOUISIANA CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

During this semester the proj-ect involved the creation of a civil rights museum located along the historic O.C. Hailey Boulevard. The museum was an attempt at memorializing the past while embracing the present. The parti for this project centered around the raised central exhibition space. A central courtyard extends to engage the street front while the emotionally powerful exhibition space is raised to hover above. Public program sandwiches the exhibition space and provides second-ary support.

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

A A

BB

C

C

THIRD FLOOR PLAN

A A

BB

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C

GARDEN ELEVATION

MOULIN ROUGE DANCE SCHOOL - shifting perspectives

this semester’s design proposal involved the design of a new dance studio and theater complex for the moulin rouge dance company. the art of dance as expressed in movement through and creation of space. mimicking both the spontane-ous and orchestrated movements indance this design attempts to en-gage the user in a choreographed experience as they move through the building interacting with the spaces. the fluidity of the circulation system combined with the many facetted and folded façade work together to emulate the constant movement and creative expression of dance.

0 10 25

boulevard de clichy elevation

0 10 25

section AA

24’ 0”

40’ 0”

56’ 0”

72’ 0”

89’ 0”

24’ 0”

50’ 0”

66’ 0”

83’ 0”

A

B C

A

BC

0 10 25

first floor plan

museum

-10’

A

B C

A

BC

0 10 25

third floor plan

studio theater

+40’

gym

+48’

ZSH COMPETITION - zombie safehouse design competition - Winner ZSHC Choice

ZSH COMPETITION - zombie safehouse design competition - winner ZSHC choice

The second annual zombie safe house design competition spon-sored by architects southwest involved the design of a safe house to use during the impend-ing zombie apocalypse.For our teams project we chose to re purpose the statue of liberty as a beacon of hope. The statue would be renovated to contain the living pods and support facilities. The site itself would be cultivated for growing crops and power would be provided by offshore wind turbines. To help combat the spread of the zombie virus a contamination research facility is located on the north edge of the site. Team collabora-tion with Jade Jiambutr.

SCULPTURE & DRAWING - collection of works culminating in a studio art minor

During my time at Tulane I have been able to pursue a mi-nor in studio art with an emphasis on sculpture.

The first project is a create constructed entirely out of found driftwood. The sculpture resided in the Tulane sculpture garden until it decayed and went back to the earth.

The next project is a self portrait bust. The bust was first sculpted in clay and then a plaster mold was made. The final product is a concrete cast self portrait.

The third project is a metal creature showing dual sides of armor and skeleton. This project introduced me to torch work and further honed my welding skills.

The fourth project is the beginnings of a study on crafting a suit of medieval armor. This project is ongoing.

Drawing has also been an integral part of this minor.