Architecture Portfolio - Robyn Whitwham

PORTFOLIOROBYN WHITWHAM

FALL 2011

FALL 2012

WINTER 2011WINTER 2012

WINTER 2011

FALL 2012FALL 2012

SUMMER 2013

WINTER 2013

1 i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l u r b a n i s m

2 p a r k i n g s t r u c t u r e + e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l

3 e v e n t b o x

4 i c e r i n k p a v i l i o n5 a r t i s t s ’ r e t r e a t

6 b r o n f m a n a d d i t i o n

7 m o c k - u p8 s u n s h a d e p r o p o s a l

9 a r c t i c r e s e a r c h s t a t i o n

X p r o f e s s i o n a l w o r k

r e s u m e

FALL 2011 14

FALL 2012 20

WINTER 2011 28WINTER 2012 30

WINTER 2011 36

FALL 2012 40FALL 2012

SUMMER 2013

46

52

58

60

WINTER 2013 6

Through an exterior design that takes a basis upon the solar analysis of the room, we engaged in a parametric design that pinpoints specific areas of maximum solar concentration. By separating a se-ries of slender panels, we allow for light to perme-ate through, and by utilizing the sinusoidal curve, and varying the width of the panels according to the extracted data, the areas of high concentration were consequently blocked.

In choosing materials we considered price, car-bon footprint, and how the materiality of the shade would affect the room and possibly McGill campus as a whole. We chose to use wood, a renewable re-source, to give a natural and organic quality to the studio and to harmonize the materiality of the room and McGill campus with its masonry facades, and wooden frames.

The construction of our prototype has led to many discoveries and ideas that can have countless ben-efits. The simplicity of the design and its aesthetics create a pleasant spatial experience that reduces

glare and sunlight exposure, while still preserving natural light penetration and views to the exterior. Its functionality is proven to be effective, and its de-sign will create a beautiful addition to any facade. Our experiments have proven the many benefits and attributes of our sunshade, as well as the improve-ments that are necessary if the installation were to be implemented on a larger scale.

The design of our installation is proven to be adapt-able, sustainable, and energy efficient. The script allows for the design to be applied to any window surface, anywhere in the world. As well, it allows for the design to be customizable and adjustable for the amount of sunlight allowed into the space. Our sunshade has also shown to reduce heat gains and energy consumption. Furthermore, its simple construction can be adapted to have a very minimal carbon footprint. Its functional design is very benefi-cial for any space, and its simplicity and adaptability make it easily reproducible and usable for any win-dow surface.

HIGH DINING: BARCELONA INFRASTRUCTURAL URBANISM

Develop a new form of urban landscape in Barcelona that will take advantage of the opportunity of the new city infrastructures. Propose a crossing hybrid structure whose content and shape will arouse from an understanding of the site and of the different infrastructures to be connected (circulation, water,) while insuring the compatibility with the use of the local trains. Redefine the southern boundary of Ciutadella Park and conceive a green corridor from the park, to Barceloneta Park and the beach.

PROF. JUDITH LECLERC + JAIME COLL WINTER 2013 01

6

sell

grow

process

fish

eat

cross

HISTORICGREENSPACEFOOD SOURCE

SEAGATHERINGFOOD SOURCE

COOKPRODUCEFOOD PREPARATION

NETWORKRESTAURANTSEAT

bridge to nowhere

7

97 044 m² = 24 acres[developable space]

13

A juxtaposition of programs. Exposing a child to ur-banity while emersed in an environment of learning and thought, and simultaneously exposing the city to the innocent imagination of a child. Generating interactions between the two creates an interesting space inbetween.

A child experiences a city in fragments, moments, or landmarks without necessarily understanding the space that connects these memories. Non-con-sistent in plan, the building attempts to play on the imagination of children and allow them to envision their own ideas of how these spaces connect.

Places of interaction are emphasized in the school-parking interface (visual, audible, vibrations), en-croachment of the entrance onto the sidewalk at street level, and the use of gathering spaces (court-yard on the top level, amphitheatre on the 6th floor, etc.). The intertwined car ramps produces obscure shapes that further creates unique moments and small spaces lending to the scale of children. A driver’s ascent is uniform and lands on parking floors alone, while the descent is not consistent and alternates between parking and school floors - col-lision of the two programs is stronger.

How does attending an elementary school in the middle of an urban-scape affect a child’s perspec-tive? How does the presence of youth in the city affect the course of a business day? Old Montreal becomes a centre for interaction and community.

PARKING STRUCTURE & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Devise a strategic architectural intervention that aims to re-establish Old Montreal as an urban center in the context of the whole city. Combine a parking structure and a chosen second program that responds to programmatic needs of the area.

PROF. TALIA DORSEY FALL 2011 02

14

The Quartier de Spectacles is a vibrant mix of cul-ture; with its perpetual movement of festivals and events it has become an attraction for the masses of visitors the city receives each year. However, once the visitors leave, this area transforms to vacant and inactive. How do we attract the local Montrealers into a predominently tourist setting? Our solution is to create a family-oriented space that can support the festivals and exhibitions, but also the day-to-day social fabric of Montreal. The event tower is an adaptable space for children with the possibility of a multiple of changing pro-grams. The tower provides the framework for a va-riety of activities for. Among these: bungee jump-ing, rock climbing, diving, and trapezeing. Its skin is transparent, exchanging energy with the surround-ing city and culture.

The tower emerges from beneath the ground, through a surface reflecting pool, rendering an in-

finite structure in its mirror image. It becomes an object out of reach, untouchable, and only to be per-cieved from a distance. To enter, one must descend below the group by a ramp sunked into the water that submerges the visitor in the earth’s elements. Water spills down over the sides of the pool along the walls adjacent to the ramp; the visitor is com-pressed into the underground.

Upon entry, a grid of columns leads to the tower. Initially dense and dark, the columns progessively become more spaced out as they move towards the light tower. Evocative of a sort of excavation, the space decompresses to ultimately release into the infinite space of the tower.

By only experiencing the tower from far away and extremely close, a relationship of fantasy is estab-lished with the person: dreamlike and playful.

DECOMPRESSION: EVENT BOX

In an attempt to revitalize Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles, design a space for cultural gatherings of diverse programmatic opportunities; an event box.

PROF. MANON ASSELIN + KATSU YAMAZAKI + SINISHA BRDAR FALL 2012 03

20

1_ polished concrete floor with metal decking2_ supporting truss

3_ steel I-beam horizontal bracing4_ bolts

5_ insulated glass, double pane6_ mullion

7_ steel cross-bracing

8_30mm fiberglass flooring vapour barrier

200mm concrete slab

9_ insulated glass, double pane

10_300mm concrete slab with steel reinforcing rebar

40mm extruded polystyrene underslab insula-tion

polyethylene vapeur barrier compacted soil

11_ steel anchor plate12_ concrete foundation

23

With the recent addition of a second ice surface on McGill University’s lower campus, the need for a covered structure is even more evident. Students and other users of the space need a place to sit that is protected from the wind and snow, while still pro-viding visibilty.

The proposed site design separates the two ice sur-faces farther apart from each other (than the exist-ing design) with the pavilion in between.Evocative of McGill’s Roddick gates, a design of dichotomy gives the pavilion both functional and sculptural expressions. Facing both ice surfaces, the two curves provide a sheltered space to sit and put on skates, take a break, or spectate. Wood-en panels act as blinds that block the wind when closed, but allow for transparency through the structure when opened.

As a temporary structure, the hinges and select re-movable panels make a simple assembly and disas-sembly (as well as allows for compact storage).

ICE RINK PAVILION

Design a pavilion for McGill University’s seasonal ice rinks to provide a space where students can tie skates, sit, watch, socialize, etc. It is required to be able to disassemble and be taken down each spring.

PROF. DAVID COVO WINTER 2011 04

28

Robust concrete forms balance a heaviness that is absorbed into the landscape of the quarry. An in-sertion into the earth bridges the separation of the land where a sliver of water connects two bodies of water.

The sensibility of a strong, forceful structure emu-lates that of a fortress. Thick walls and narrow spac-es protect but also allows for a relationship with the exterior. One is alone with a single and direct view of the surroundings.

ARTISTS’ RETREAT

What happens when industry leaves substantial marks on the earth? The Wells-Lamson quarry in Barre, Vermont reveals the beauty of the rock from human intervention. Design an artists’ retreat that harmonizes with the substantial mark in the landscape, and use the quarry to seduce visitors and en-courage reflection on the environmental consequences of our activities.

PROF. MARTIN BRESSANI WINTER 2012 05

30

From offices to lecture rooms to social spaces, the programmatic requirements for the expan-sion amounts to a one-third addition to the existing school within McGill Univerity’s downtown campus. The essential element in the design is a large steel vierendeel truss that lifts the roof mass and creates an open, column-free space in which new program can be inserted. The exposed truss appears light-weight, yet provides a strong structural solution as it allows for circulation and versatile programmatic use.

The biomimetic concept draws its inspiration from the human nervous system. The communication and organization of neurons within this unified sys-tem can be translated into an architectural lan-guage by establishing a logical communication be-tween programmatic elements. This was achieved by analyzing the organization of the existing build-ing as well as that of the addition, and then linking

similar spaces together through location and circu-lation. On the north facade, a series of circulation staircases provides a web of paths, study platforms, and social spaces dispersed at various levels. The idea of communication is reinforced by penetrating the building at various points, permeating the inter-face of exterior and interior spaces. The nervous system serves an important role in stimulating the idea of communication, literally, through efficient circulation and planning of the innerworkings of the school.

BRONFMAN ADDITION

Design an extension to McGill University’s School of Managment Bronfman building that accounts for the programmatic needs of the faculty. Explore the potentials of steel construction and use biomimicry to inspire the design.

PROF. DAVID COVO WINTER 2011 06

New Existing

Adjunct Professor O�ces (8) Administrative O�ces (21) Doctoral Student O�ces (10)

Research Centers (3) Teaching Support O�ces (14)

Classroom 75 pers (3)

Student Discussion Spaces 15 pers (15)

Lounges/Reception Spaces (2)

Meeting Rooms 12 - 16 pers (6) Administrative and Program Space

Administrative Clusters

Public Space

Academic O�ces

Faculty Space

Administrative Space

Public Study

Private Study

Group Study

Public Space

Circulation

Service

920

2209 1600 1561

5400

2000

15200

1839

Computer Labs (2)

6th �oor

4th �oor

3rd �oor

Ground Floor

5th Floor

1500 2400 2400 2100 2500

Washrooms

4000

2415

36

Management Building

Street

Alley

Roof

Sight line

Lift

Insert

It’s Kind of a Big Vierendeel.

Site Plan Parti

Street View

Rear View

The project calls for a one-third expansion of an existing school of management within a downtown university campus. Diverse pro-grammatic elements are required, from more than 30 new offices, to social spaces and lecture rooms. The conceptual process is shown in the parti. The preliminary massing scheme occupies the roof space on the ex-isting building, as well as the alley between it and the adjacent hotel, and the lane behind the building. The massing is then altered by site constraints such as site lines and an ex-isting parking ramp. The essential element in the design however is a large steel vierend-eel truss which lifts the roof mass and cre-ates an open, column-free space in which program can be inserted. The exposed truss is lightweight, as well as strong, and there-fore provides an excellent structural solution as it allows for circulation through it and ver-satile programmatic use.

New Existing








Public Space

Academic O�ces

Faculty Space


Public Study

Private Study

Group Study

Public Space

Circulation

Service

920

2209 1600 1561

5400

2000

15200

1839

Computer Labs (2)

6th �oor

4th �oor

3rd �oor

Ground Floor

5th Floor

1500 2400 2400 2100 2500

Washrooms

4000

2415

New Existing








Public Space

Academic O�ces

Faculty Space


Public Study

Private Study

Group Study

Public Space

Circulation

Service

920

2209 1600 1561

5400

2000

15200

1839

Computer Labs (2)

6th �oor

4th �oor

3rd �oor

Ground Floor

5th Floor

1500 2400 2400 2100 2500

Washrooms

4000

2415

37

Front elevation1:200

Longitudinal section1:200

3rd �oor plan1 : 500

4th �oor plan1 : 500



2nd �oor plan1 : 200



38

rOBY

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HIT

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0608

1416

2022

26

30

3440

Top Right: Connection Detail, The vi-erendeel truss is constructed using double steel c-channels that are con-nected with rectangular steel mem-bers which are inserted in thei]r gaps and then bolted. C-channels are also placed on top of these members and bolted to provide stiffness.

Bottom Right: The open nature of the vierendeel truss and its lightness cre-ates a space that can be used effec-tively for circulation stairs and plat-forms.

Bottom Left: Grounding Detail. The steel columns which form the truss taper as they approach the ground, making them gracefully come to a point and therefore create more open space. This connection too is achieved by bolting two c-channels through a rectangular plate that ex-tends into the gap.

3/3




3/3




3/3

WIN

TER

2011

39

Translucency, movement and fluidity. These ele-ments drawn from a picture of corn are what in-spired the space created, a collection of fine ele-ments creating an opaque mass. The grouping of parts is meant to be a transitional space, an impor-tant connection between places. Directionality is a focal point of our project. By cre-ating a density from individual fibers and extracting a path through them we carved a link from one point to the next.

The space simulates passive interaction. When moving through the field the memory of your motion resonates through the fibers, similar to the attrac-tion present within the individual strands of corn. Situated on the north-south axis, our passageway acts as a device interacting with the sun path, filter-ing light throughout the day. The space becomes a transitory moment in time where one can connect with their surroundings and experience light from varying perspectives.

FIELDS: MOCK-UP

Drawing inspiration from a previous material exploration, build a 1:1 mock-up of a space to be inhabited; a wall, that evokes the material qualities discovered.

PROF. MANON ASSELIN + KATSU YAMAZAKI + SINISHA BRDAR FALL 2012 07

40

Through an exterior design that takes a basis upon the solar analysis of the room, we engaged in a parametric design that pinpoints specific areas of maximum solar concentration. By separating a se-ries of slender panels, we allow for light to perme-ate through, and by utilizing the sinusoidal curve, and varying the width of the panels according to the extracted data, the areas of high concentration were consequently blocked.

In choosing materials we considered price, car-bon footprint, and how the materiality of the shade would affect the room and possibly McGill campus as a whole. We chose to use wood, a renewable re-source, to give a natural and organic quality to the studio and to harmonize the materiality of the room and McGill campus with its masonry facades, and wooden frames.

The construction of our prototype has led to many discoveries and ideas that can have countless ben-efits. The simplicity of the design and its aesthetics create a pleasant spatial experience that reduces

glare and sunlight exposure, while still preserving natural light penetration and views to the exterior. Its functionality is proven to be effective, and its de-sign will create a beautiful addition to any facade. Our experiments have proven the many benefits and attributes of our sunshade, as well as the improve-ments that are necessary if the installation were to be implemented on a larger scale.

The design of our installation is proven to be adapt-able, sustainable, and energy efficient. The script allows for the design to be applied to any window surface, anywhere in the world. As well, it allows for the design to be customizable and adjustable for the amount of sunlight allowed into the space. Our sunshade has also shown to reduce heat gains and energy consumption. Furthermore, its simple construction can be adapted to have a very minimal carbon footprint. Its functional design is very benefi-cial for any space, and its simplicity and adaptability make it easily reproducible and usable for any win-dow surface.

WAVE: SUN SHADE PROPOSAL

Design and fabricate a sunscreen for the windows of the first year studios, at the Macdonald-Harrington Building of McGill University. Each team will need to design and fabricate a sunscreen to cover at least 2m long window area. A solar digital analysis via the use of algorithms in Grasshopper3D, and adapted to specific project needs, shall be used throughout the design phase.

PROF. MARIA MINGALLON FALL 2012 08

46

2.75O3.07O8.57O13.18O16.53O 18.41O18.73O17.49O14.74O10.62O

ANGLES OF JOINTS

48

Current circumstances in Northern climate, envi-ronment and political landscapes indicate chang-ing conditions in the near future. Shifting sea ice coverage, water levels, shipping routes, and rising temperatures will ultimately change the face of the North. These inevitable factors raise the need to monitor a more substantial part of the considerably uninhabited Canadian Arctic. Envisioning a system that can adapt to this environment is a main priority.

This vision aligns with the nomadic traditions of the Inuit people. Their traditional lifestyle allowed them to adjust to changing seasons, food sources and en-vironmental factors. In the North, having the ability to adapt to new conditions is paramount in order to thrive in its extreme environment.

In the challenging topography and climate, air travel is the only viable option for transportation to remote locations. Not only does air travel have a strong his-torical presence in the identity of northern inhabi-

tation and research, as the North becomes a new frontier of development there is now a renewed fo-cus on the need to develop more efficient, reliable and safe means of transportation.

The Arctic Airship is the paragon of this future vision for inhabitation of the rapidly changing parameters of the North. It provides a patrolling presence in the Canadian Arctic, as the need to establish sover-eignty and advocate for the protection of the already fragile environment should be of the utmost priority. Researchers live on the Airship and travel between stations to collect data and maintain equipment.

As with Inuit nomadic dwellings, our research dock-ing stations leave almost no trace on the land, as they require little intervention on the landscape. They are erected quickly and as one pre-assembled structure, and are removed in the same manner. Research equipment is left unmanned to monitor conditions.

ACROSS THE ARCHIPELAGO

It is up to our generation of architects to propse new forms and systems to answer the future and exist-ing challenges of Arctic development and research. Design a research station on the existing Alert site in Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, thats general function is to monitor the earth’s atmosphere.

PROF. AARON SPRECHER + ELISABETH BOUCHARD SUMMER 2013 09

52

1 The collapsed Research Docking Station and Airship preparing for Deployment in Alert.

4 The Airship flies to the location of the new Research Docking Station.

2 The Airship is inflated from the underground Helium storage facility and the interior structure is assembled. Research crew board the Airship.

5 The Airship places the Docking Station at the research site. Ground crew exit the Airship for Docking Station Assembly.

3 The Airship takes off with the collapsed Research Docking Station as an external load beneath the Airship.

6 The Airship lifts the top of the Docking Station into place while ground crews secure the structure and tensile membrane.54

As both projects are currently in progress, these im-ages are basic and preliminary concept renderings for the purpose of presenting form, materiality, and spatiality to the client.

The Lakeshore Boulevard project design was an amalgamation of the best qualities in various dif-ferent iterations our design team produced. With a retail and cafe space on the first floor and a bal-let academy on the second and third floors, the program calls for an open but private facade that responds to the different interior spatial configura-tions. The ballet academy wants to achieve an ex-clusivity to its members, while the retail and cafe space requires an entrance open to the public.

PROFESSIONAL WORK - C& PARTNERS ARCHITECTS INC.INTERN ARCHITECT 2013 X

58

As the new office for C& Partners on the third floor and a medical clinic on the first two floors, the design of the Queen/Woodbine project proposed a challenge. Working individually on these inital design iterations, I wanted to convey a particular language to the passerby: a safe and welcoming facade to attract patients to the clinic while retaining an innovative, yet timeless exterior to commu-nicate the relevance of our architecture office. This re-

quired much back-and-forth collaboration with the client to develop the design into an optimized solution. While the entrance to the architecture office is discreet and shapes the visitor’s path with concrete walls, the entrance to the medical clinic is transparent, open, and encroaching into the public space. This concept was used to treat the inte-rior layout as well as the second and third floor facades.

Scale

Project numberDateDrawn byChecked by

A B C D E F G

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

C& Partners Architects Inc1 Palace Pier Court, Toronto,Ontario, Canada, M8V 3W9T 416-825-9650E info@ candpartnersinc.comW www.candpartnersinc.com

This drawing, as an instrument of service, isprovided by and is the property of C& PartnersArchitects Inc. The contractor must verify and acceptresponsibility for all dimensions and conditons onsite and must notify C& Partners Architects Inc. ofany variations from the supplied information. Thisdrawing is not to be scaled. The architect is notresponsible for the accuracy of survey, structural,mechanical, electrical, etc., information shown onthis drawing. Refer to the appropriate consultant'sdrawings before proceeding with the work.Construction must conform to applicable codes andrequirements of authorities having jurisdiction. Thecontractor working from drawings not specfiicallymarked "For Construction" must assume fullresponsibility and bear costs for any corrections ordamages resulting from his/her work.

Notes:

A501

132811/15/13RWAC

VIEWS

QUEEN & WOODBINE

No. Description Date

1 3D View 1

2 3D View 2

Scale

Project numberDateDrawn byChecked by

A B C D E F G

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

C& Partners Architects Inc1 Palace Pier Court, Toronto,Ontario, Canada, M8V 3W9T 416-825-9650E info@ candpartnersinc.comW www.candpartnersinc.com

This drawing, as an instrument of service, isprovided by and is the property of C& PartnersArchitects Inc. The contractor must verify and acceptresponsibility for all dimensions and conditons onsite and must notify C& Partners Architects Inc. ofany variations from the supplied information. Thisdrawing is not to be scaled. The architect is notresponsible for the accuracy of survey, structural,mechanical, electrical, etc., information shown onthis drawing. Refer to the appropriate consultant'sdrawings before proceeding with the work.Construction must conform to applicable codes andrequirements of authorities having jurisdiction. Thecontractor working from drawings not specfiicallymarked "For Construction" must assume fullresponsibility and bear costs for any corrections ordamages resulting from his/her work.

Notes:

A501

132811/15/13RWAC

VIEWS

QUEEN & WOODBINE

No. Description Date

1 3D View 1

2 3D View 2

59

ARCHITECTURE EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Intern Architect | C& Partners Architects Inc.• Independently developed design proposals, conceptual work, prepared working set drawings, and OBC specifications• Applied artistic skills to design both new constructions and renovations of projects, predominantly in the field of healthcare• Collaborated with our creative team, working iteratively to engage and respond to the client’s design and practical needs• Extensively researched materials to achieve optimized selections based on cost, aesthetics, LEED performance, and quality

Research Associate in the Affordable Housing Research Group | McGill University School of Architecture• Research assistant for Dr. Avi Friedman, internationally recognized expert in housing innovation• Conducted research in the area affordable housing design • Co-authored several papers on the topic of narrow front housing, including “Design Principles of Narrow Townhouses: for

Affordability and Adaptability”, published in the journal Open House International (September, 2012 issue)

Summer school in Greece | McGill University School of Architecture• Extensive travel throughout Greece, visiting cities and sites of architectural significance.• Explored themes of topothesia, limits, and memory in the context of ancient Greek architecture, landscape, and myth.• Created and presented an installation in the landscape to demonstrate interpretations of the studied themes.

McGill University | Montreal, QuebecM. Architecture

BSc. Architecture

2012 - 2013

2008 - 2012

2013

2011

2011

• Alpha Rho Chi Medal | for leadership, service, and professional merit

ROBYN WHITWHAM T: 647 633 [email protected]

• Spectra Energy Scholarship | for academics, leadership, and community involvement • Engineers Nova Scotia Scholarship | for academics and extra curricular activities• Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor’s Medal | for academics and leadership

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SKILLS

ACADEMIC EXTRA-CURRICULARSVice President of Academic AffairsGraduate Architecture Students Association | McGill University

• Concerned with active involvement of the graduate students within the school of architecture

• Organization of academic events such as guest lectures and software tutorials

Student representativeSchool of Architecture Curriculum Committee | McGill University

• Represented students in matters related to structure and content of both undergraduate and graduate architecture programs.

• Contributed to the preparations for accreditation of the School of Architecture by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).

Vice President of Academic AffairsArchitecture Students Association | McGill University

• Acted as the liaison between the students and the university administration. • Responsible for resolving issues and concerns of the students relating to the curriculum and faculty policies.

School of Architecture representative Engineering Students Academic Committee | McGill University

• Collaborated with other Faculty of Engineering departments to resolve academic-related issues and make recommendations related to improving the efficiency of academic programs.

• Promoted a “unique voice” of architecture students while being integrated into the Faculty of Engineering.

2012 - 2013

2011 - 2013

2011 - 2012

2011 - 2012

Computer and Technology• Revit• AutoCAD• Rhinoceros• V-Ray• Grasshopper

Model making• 3D Printing• Lasercutting • CNC machine• Soldering

• Various materials including wood, metal, concrete, plaster, resin, cardboard, wax, wire, etc.

Languages• English • French

• Autodesk 3ds Max• Adobe InDesign• Adobe Illustrator• Adobe Photoshop

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Architecture Portfolio - Robyn Whitwham

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