RTRachel Tobe

Ludlow Literary CenterImmersion StudioProgramming and DesignYear 2, Quarter 1

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Eden ParkStudioLandscape and ArchitectureYear 3, Semester 2

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Macy’s by AppointmentArchitectural InternshipInterior Design June 2014 - December 2014

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Columbus AthenaeumIntegrated Technology StudioHVAC, Plumbing, and ProgramYear 1, Fall Semester (Grad)

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Pedestrian WalkwayChicago StudioDesign and Urban ScaleYear 4, Semester 1

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Tinker HubCapstone StudioDesign for Hacker MackersYear 4, Spring Semester

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Travels3 Continents18 Countries23 years

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ArchitectonicsArchitectonics StudioLine, Plane, and VolumeYear 2, Quarter 2

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Unit into SpaceSpatial StudioDesign the Unit, then Design SpaceYear 1, Quarter 3

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GBBN Co-opCincinnati Childrens Hospital:Family Resource CenterLocation T Research Center

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01GBBN Co-opWhile at GBBN I worked on multiple projects. The most significant of which included: The Family Resource Center, Location T Research Building, and a proposal for a potential project. The Family Resource Center and the Location T Research Building were projects for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

For the Family Resource Center I produced a physical model for use in the final design phases of the project. This project is featured in the following pages.

For the Location T Research Building I was a member of GBBN’s very first Integrated Process Design (IPD) team. My role within this team was varied, but my most common contribution was to edit the Revit model and the sheets therein for final construction documentation.

Left: Children’s Hospital Model, built using original linework created by GBBN ArchitectsTop: View of the Family Resource Center additionBottom: View of Family Resource Center addition

02Unit into SpaceAs a group, we designed, built, and mass-produced a unit. Then, with hundreds of these units, we designed and built a space that contained an entrance, an exit, and a place for repose. With 2 x 4” poplar and wood glue, we took this simple, average, everyday material and transformed it into an intriguing space. This experience also gave us further practice with working as a team, or rather, like a well-oiled machine. To mass-produce these units took a lot of strategic planning and great time-management. Our group was able to do this well and was also able to do this with time to spare to try out different iterations of the space.

Below, Top: Drawing of UnitBelow, Bottom: Second Space created, studio photoRight: Group Collaboration and participation for space one

03ArchitectonicsFor this studio, we used the basic forms: line, plane, and volume, to create space. We used these forms to create dynamic space for a multi-use building. The program for this building: a fashion-design school, a culinary school, a runway, a school shop, and a restaurant. We used multiple design tools as well as modeling techniques. For computer modeling we used Rhinoceros and Autodesk Revit. For physical modeling there was a combination of laser-cut, 3D Print, and hand-modeling.

Plate Tectonics: Compression and Releaseby Rachel Tobe

Using the concept of compression and release, I aimed to draw from the the lines of the surrounding site to create a beautiful composition. The program: a fashion school and culinary school combined into one with multiple areas of interest that are display to the public.

Left: Site Plan with site lines includedTop: Physical Model, view of the on-display fashion studiosBottom: Physical Model, view of the diagonal axis, drawing people into the site

Plate Tectonics: Compression and Releaseby Rachel Tobe

Using the concept of compression and release, I aimed to draw from the the lines of the surrounding site to create a beautiful composition. The program: a fashion school and culinary school combined into one with multiple areas of interest that are display to the public.

Top: Section Cuts through the Site; North, South, East, and WestRight: Revit Model interor of design studios

The Revit Model really gave me a chance to delve into what the design would feel like as an actual construction. This gave my final model a huge amount of detail and personality.

04Ludlow Literary CenterThe objective was to design a Literary Center based in the urban fabric of Ludlow Avenue. The design had to be integrated into the surroundings, and was required to incorporate environmental practices. It was also important to consider the program and work out how to contain a public literary center that also had private research areas for visiting artists, authors, or professors. The simplest way to do this, for me, was to make each level more and more private.

Top: Front of Facade in surrounding context of LudlowBottom: Design Parti; Centralized presentation space where the solid and void play.Right: Physical Model

05Eden Park:Within Eden Park in Cincinnati, Ohio there is a hillcrest that overlooks Mt. Adams. This overlook was the site for two different programs that inherently spoke to each other: a Culinary School and an Event Pavilion. This project presented many possibilities to consider the site, the relationship of the two programs to Mt. Adams, and the Architectural Vocabulary of the buildings. The folding nature of the roof give a cohesive vocabulary for the two programs while the site provided the needed separation.

Culinary School and Event Pavilion

Top: Site Plan, Eden ParkBottom: Section through Entertainment PavilionRight, Top: Program Diagrams for both buildingsRight, Bottom: Section through Culinary School

Left: Entertainment Pavilion idea collageTop: Entertainment Pavilion exterior idea collage

Lower Level of the Entertainment Pavilion is the loading dock for the kitchens and potentially for set designs.

Main Floor of the Entertainment Pavilionis the floor that has the:

Entrance and Coat Check AreaDining AreaKitchensStageBackstage

Entertainment Pavilion

Lower Level:

Large Lecture HallRestroomsStorage AreaFreight Elevator

Ground Floor:

Bus Drop offClassroomsResource LibraryOfficesMain Office

Second Floor:

Classroom KitchensConnection to Vegetable GardensStorageDelivery Drop OffWine Tasting

Culinary School

06Tinker HubTinker Hub is a space that attracts, collects, and provides a safe place for hacker makers of all ages to design, collaborate, and create. Within the maker space there are many different areas that are essential to this process, but most importantly, a feeling of freedom must be allowed. This space is meant to foster crazy ideas and store the tools needed to make those ideas a reality.

These tools include the standard definition of tools like saws, screwdrivers, hammers, and more; but they also include tools such as: an open and inviting dining area, a library of materials, a safe workspace, a daycare center, a materials library, and a major equipment shop.

Beyond that, the main identifier of the space, the roof, is a simple, yet interesting piece meant to intrigue and inspire the hacker makers. This roof contains an operable louver system that allows light to bounce down and into the space. This provides the makers with ample ambient light, perfect for working.

Hacker Makers, Tinkerers, Makers, etc. are innovative, creative, intelligent, and resourceful people. They are original thinkers who refuse to be bound by convention. If they have an idea, they don’t wait for something to be created/built/sold that is similar to that, they make it themselves. Makers make anything from fashion to complex robotics. They choose to delve into their own areas of interest and from there, within the hacker maker culture, they might broaden their horizons and learn new crafts.

Left: Floor Plans of the Tinker HubTop: Precedence (Left - Paris Subway Entrance; Middle - Renzo Piano reflective roof system; Right - edited metal beam)Middle: Detail of Roof SystemBottom: Section

07Macy’s By AppointmentThe goal for this project was to provide a fashionable, forward-thinking space for Macy’s By Appointment locations. While there were many stores that were included in this renovation and branding project, the following pages focus specifically on the model project, Northpoint. The design was meant to attract many new customers to Macy’s by Appointment. This department is a free service that allows shoppers to set up an appointment, describe their tastes to a Macy’s employee, and come in to try on clothes without the hassle of scouring the racks. Macy’s wished to create an atmosphere that would say “modern, simple, and elegant” but with an edge that would attract the largest age group in America: Millennials.

The largest median age within this age group is 23, exactly my age. This made me a huge asset as the Macy’s Design and Construction team moved forward with this project. While working on this project I assisted the Macy’s Design and Construction teams with creating iterations, selecting materials, creating presentation boards, and drawing construction documents.

Left: Collage of Precedence; Images used to begin a dialogue as to what environment we were attempting to create (images not original work)

Top: Rendered Interior Elevation Through Front Waiting AreaRight: Floor Plan of Northpoint Location

Top: Rendered Interior Elevation of Dressing Room

08Pedestrian WalkwayWithin this project we were able to choose our own program and vocabulary. The site: the surrounding area of the Tribune Tower in downtown Chicago.

To bring more foot traffic and shoppers from Michigan Avenue toward the Lakefront, I designed a complex that centered on a semi-covered pedestrian walkway. This geode of a complex would have a uniform exterior, matte black metal paneling with large windows to continue to feature many individual stores, with an interior of variation. The main interior stretch of the pedestrian walkway would have storefronts that are not uniform, that have their own individual designs based on a set of design recommendations. This creates a welcoming, varied, exciting, and active environment that shoppers would consider a great destination.

Left: Site PlanTop: Elevation along Chicago River, the geode nature of the buildings exterior can be foundBottom: Elevation study. Provides a few design recommendations for interior storefronts.

Above: Afternoon Summer rendering of the street. The storefronts all have a connection to the streetlevel on the ground floor as well as from above, providing ample opportunities for people to see and be seen. Each store or restaurant has a balconey.

Above: Night time winter rendering of the street. The street is alive with the holiday spirit and despite the cold weather, shoppers can still be found in ample supply. The overhead telescoping glass roof provides protection during bad weather, and is in use occasionally.

09Columbus AthenaeumThis project focused on creating an Architectural Cultural center in the midst of a highly historic and significant city of America: Columbus, Indiana. This center would be used to house many artifacts such as scale models, drawings, and photographs. The project would hold interesting talks and display curated pieces of work, and it would house influential guests.

With this design we were also asked to create an integrated solution: one that incorporates structure, HVAC systems, plumbing, code, and program. The solution for this has been carefully thought out and articulated as well as artfully implemented. HVAC, Plumbing, even Circulation has become a design move within itself with the single design idea of Punch and Slide.

N

Glass

Limestone

Brick

Left-Top: Site PlanLeft-Bottom: Longitudinal Section CutTop: Isometric view of Exterior. Material Study

Left: Circulation DiagramMiddle: Structure DiagramRight: HVAC Diagram

10TravelsI have traveled to eighteen different countries in my twenty-three years of living. In all these travels, I have gained much experience and perspective. The visceral reactions I had within all of these different environments helped expand my understanding of world history, politics, sociology, art, and architecture with each new country I visited. This depth of knowledge and understanding that comes from traveling is one of the big reasons why I will always seek new opportunities to travel and to see the world.

Link to Sustainable Urbanism Book:

http://www.blurb.com/books/4640674-uc-urban-sustain-new