Molly KnightUniversity of Michigan | Portfolio 2015

Molly KnightMaster of Architecture candidate 2017

Taubman College of Architecture and Urban PlanningUniversity of Michigan

molly.knight224@gmail.com925-457-3002

ContentsArchitecture

Braddock Gizmo Garage 1

Louver House 7

Occupy x3 11

Undo 15

Redo: Continuity 17

Furniture

Misfit Table 21

Gazelle Table 23

Art & Design

Fabric Design 25

Swimsuit Design 27

Human Life Studies 29

Hand Drawings 31

1 | Molly Knight

Braddock Gizmo GarageArchitectural Design II | University of Michigan

Braddock, Pennsylvania, home to Andrew Carnegies first steel mill, has lost over ninety percent of its population, homes, and businesses since the collapse of the steel industry in the 1970s. In accordance with Mayor John Fettermans revitalization efforts, this project presents an opportunity to build a new creative community and restore energy to the once prosperous town.The Braddock Gizmo Garage exists as a center for research, design, education, communication, and performance, combining social activities with industrial and artistic expertise. It proposes to draw interest to Braddock by embracing new and emerging technologies with an emphasis on robotics and fabrication.

Clad in corten steel, the building is designed as a singular volume that blends into the surrounding environment while standing out as a dynamic addition to the city. A central core housing production, testing, and presentation areas is the centers main feature. Strategically placed conical protrusions offer glimpses into the core, while translucent sliding walls allow its activities to merge with the surrounding program. Both visitors and passers-by are encouraged to experience and interact with design processes from beginning to result.

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presentationtestingfabrication

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first floor plan second floor plan third floor plan

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fourth floor plan fifth floor plan

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Louver HouseSustainable Systems I | University of Michigan

The Louver House is a single-family sustainable residence located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The design takes advantage of the local environment through a combination of passive and active design features to provide both heating and cooling effects. This minimizes energy consumption and maintains a comfortable environment during Michigans cold winters and warm, humid summers.The house is elongated on an east-west axis to benefit from the sites broad south exposure. Large glazed openings on the south-facing faade optimize solar gain in the main living areas, where a ceramic

tile floor acts as a thermal mass to store and release heat energy. The combination of thermal mass and a radiant floor system minimizes fluctuation in temperature.

To meet cooling loads with minimal use of mechanical systems, operable windows are positioned to enhance air movement and cross ventilation. Adjustable wooden shutters offer selective shading and protection from the summer sun. The design additionally includes a ground source heat pump and heat recovery ventilation unit to enhance the use of ambient energy sources.

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mechanical heating

supply vents

solar gain

return vents

radiant floor heating

Entry

Supply Vents

Return Vents

N

Supply Vents

Return Vents

Supply Vents

Return Vents

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An operable exterior shading system was designed to allow occupants to control the amount of solar radiation entering the building. Wooden louvers can be completely closed, partially open, or fully open, allowing for varying levels of illumination, heat gain, and privacy.

east south west

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radiant floor heating

solar water heating

vertical ground loop

return air

outside air intake

supply air

1 clear above insulation for ventingrecycled slate shingles

continuous metal guttervent hole

vapor retarder

triple-pane, low-e windows

structural insulated panels

vented air spacerigid foam insulation

pressure treated sill plateflashing

drainage composite w/ filter fabric

subsoil drainage

operable clerestory windows allow for stack ventilation.

the building enclosure is designed to control thermal transfer, air leakage, vapor

migration, and rain water

operable windows on both sides of the building envelope allow for cross ventilationnorth

11 | Molly Knight

Occupy x3 consists of a series of week-long modeling projects in which we incorporated a set of programmatic elements into three different sites. Each test site holds a temporary cultural and performance event, and is paired with a different modeling technique. The conversation between program and site provides a starting point for conceptual frameworks and organizational strategies.The site for the first iteration is the fifth level of a seven-story parking garage on South Thayer Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Inspired by the way the existing pavement markings create an understood program, we introduced a bold graphic of accumulating lines to visually distinguish between separate activities. The overlaid lines extend from the existing colorful faade detail to define a playful quality throughout.

Occupy x3Architectural Design II | University of MichiganTeam | Molly Knight, Eric Harman

modeling technique paper, pattern, reliefmaterial bristol board, foam board, mylar

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The second site is located in the pool area of the University of Michigan Central Campus Recreational Center. Expanding on the idea of accumulation from the previous model, we created an extruded hexagonal form that is repeated at various scales. Program is defined solely through the strategic arrangement of the modular elements, which are used as both object and structure.

modeling technique casting, moldingmaterial rockite

3D printed casting mold

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modeling technique found objectsmaterial matches, foam board

The final site occupies the Apse space at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. We once again reinterpreted the idea of accumulation, this time by producing a continuous sculptural form composed of wooden matches. While the matches themselves formally relate to the existing architecture, their aggregation introduces a contrasting organic aesthetic. Just as a match and its surrounding environment are altered when lit, the sweeping assemblage of matches transforms both object and space.

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This project involved a close interrogation of Frank Lloyd Wrights Jacobs House, a Usonian style house built in 1936 in Madison, Wisconsin. My study resulted in a three-dimensional diagrammatic model representing Wrights methods of spatial integration and overlap. By exploding the Jacobs House into four separate componentsfamily space, communal space, shared space, and utility spaceI was able to further understand and visually represent the architecture. The final form is composed of four stacked units, each relating to one specific component, which penetrate into one another to suggest a harmonious whole with ambiguous boundaries. Overlapping areas are emphasized through a transparent skin.

UndoArchitectural Design I | University of Michigan

the components are stacked according to frequency of occupation and are

sized based on activity level

jacobs house model

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IMPLIED SPACESJacobs House

IMPLIED SPACESDiagrammatic Model

spacial overlap site integration

communal, family, & shared spaces

spacial activity

spacial overlap1 house & site2 kitchen & dining3 family entrance & bedrooms4 bedrooms & bathroom5 carport, family entrance & communal entrance6 communal entrance, living & dining

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4

2

5

3

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SPATIAL OVERLAP SITE INTEGRATION

SPATIAL USAGE AND ACTIVITY

COMMUNAL, FAMILY, ANDSHARED SPACE

SPATIAL USAGE AND ACTIVITY

COMMUNAL, FAMILY, ANDSHARED SPACE

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My previous investigation of the Jacobs House enabled me to design a modern day residence responding to Frank Lloyd Wrights techniques of spatial integration. Focusing on continuity in creating spatial relationships led to a design based on the idea of a paperclip, which forms a series of distinct spaces within one continuous boundary. In response to the narrow site, I organized the components defined in the Jacobs house in a vertical manner while maintaining functional and logical relationships.

Redo: ContinuityArchitectural Design I | University of Michigan

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family/communal continuity spatial continuity

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separate wrappers serve to maintain privacy while still allowing a relationship with the outdoors.

above process modelsopposite final model

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21 | Molly Knight

Misfit TableWood: Making Things | University of Michigan

This table exhibits a dual personality combining clean lines with exaggerated curves. The single turned leg, a play off traditional styles, adds humor and whimsy to an otherwise minimalistic piece. From one angle, the table appears to be a simple box, but as the eye travels around the piece it takes on an entirely new form. The three sides of the solid cherry table are constructed with reinforced miter joints. A short peg carved into the top of the leg fits into a hole in the tabletop, allowing the leg to be removed and interchanged. The table stands 18 tall, 20 wide, and 20 deep, and is finished with 3 coats of clear lacquer.

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23 | Molly Knight

Gazelle TableWood: Making Things | University of Michigan

This table explores the potential of animalistic form and is marked by its graceful sense of motion. Curved joints support the solid walnut table top, which appears to float above hand-sculpted cherry legs to create a vision of airiness and delicacy. The legs and joints are fitted together using hand-cut through tenons, lending a subtle graphic element and uniting the contrasting materials. Construction consists of 9 individual pieces. Joinery consists of 4 through tenons and 8 dowels. The table stands 30 tall, 36 wide (including legs) , and 14 deep, and is finished with 3 coats of clear lacquer.

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Fabric DesignValley Forge Fabrics Pattern Design Competition

These designs were made for the 2014 Pattern Design Competition sponsored by Valley Forge Fabrics, the worlds largest supplier of decorative fabrics for the hospitality industry. Considering Valley Forges commitment to creating products with minimal environmental impact, I chose to create designs that reflect unique shapes, patterns, and colors found by taking a closer look at nature.

This pattern, inspired by eucalyptus bark in cross section, was awarded second place Best Overall Design.

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27 | Molly Knight

These are examples of synchronized swimming costumes that I have designed for various competition routines. I work in collaboration with clients to create thematic swimsuits that will stand out and enhance a swimmers performance. (Suit construction by seamstress Sheryl Velez)

Americana | 2012

Swimsuit DesignPersonal Works

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Light | 2011 Unstoppable | 2009

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Human Life StudiesFigure Drawing Studio | University of the Incarnate Word

A basic representation of the human figure was constructed using spheres and cylinders, which were then refined to describe a more lifelike form. Awareness of three-dimensional masses are illustrated through shading and hatching techniques with charcoal pencil.

these simplified life studies capture the

movement of the human body through

a series of poses, each one held for only

ninety seconds

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31 | Molly Knight

Creative Process | graphite pencil, 2011 Hands and Spheres | charcoal, 2011

Hand DrawingsPersonal Works

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Balancing Act | scratchboard, 2012

Braddock Gizmo GarageLouver HouseOccupy x3UndoRedo: ContinuityMisfit TableGazelle TableFabric DesignSwimsuit DesignHuman Life StudiesHand Drawings