Portfolio (MCP program)

P O R T F O L I OF R A N C I S F O OM A S T E R I N C I T Y P L A N N I N G

Contents

Cube

Library at 8th Street, auStin

Lumiere de L’enfant

SeLeCted artworkS

01

07

15

19

The Cube

1 Early sketches to study the form of a cube and how it can be defined by various elements on different planes to give a visual representa-tion of the cube form

Concept models studying the construction of a cube and the interaction between void and discernible spaces 2

University of Texas at AustinSummer Academy in ArchitectureInstructor : David Branch

01 | Francis | the Cube

3 Completed cube model punctuated with random apertures on façade. Variation in size of squares and use of material with contrasting opaque and translucent properties allow greater permeability of air and light to fill the interior of the cube

sections

plans

| 02

4 Inhabitation of the interior spaces. As a scale-less representation, the cube is defined by the inhabitants and activities that occupy the space within.


5Watercolor painting showing the imaginary reflection of an interior wall on a curved surface

| 04

| 03| 07

| 06

Library at 8th Street, Austin

The site along 8th Street is nested in a rich urban setting - commercial build-ings rise up from downtown below, apartments lined the street and several important civic buildings in the vicinity al-lude to Austin’s position as a capitol city.

The program called for a community li-brary to be designed within an infill site measuring 100 x 50 ft. My proposal was to create a public building with interior spac-es that could connect with both the exte-rior as well as the community that it was intended to serve, in a form reminiscent of and harmonious with its surroundings.

07 | Francis | Library at 8th Street

University of Texas at Austin

Summer Academy in Architecture

Instructor : David Branch

Site Observations

| 08

Sketches documenting the site profile and its surroundings

a. Elevation b. Façade studyc. Depth of field

a

b

c

Proposed Scheme for a Listening Carrel

section of listening carrel

a

Proposed Scheme for Library Stacks

Preliminary idea sketches

b

c

d

a. For the student who needs a space for quiet revisionb. For the casual 5-min browser c. For young kids d. For the disabled on wheelchair

Variation in height of shelves to break up massing and inject an element of rhyth-mic arrangement to the library interior

Being a community library, the library furni-ture plays an important role in enhancing the experience of various users - from the young to the old, from the ca-sual 5-minute browser to a serious reader and from the able-bod-ied to the handicapped.


Investigation of entrance location and distribution of the various library programs

Entrance from alley adjacent to 8th Street with majority of pro-grams on one side Entrance from alley adjacent

to 8th Street, with commonly frequented programs located furthest away from entrance

Direct access from 8th Street with an almost equal distribution of spac-es across all programs

Direct access from 8th Street with segregation of commonly frequented pro-grams from restricted ones

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Concept models

Massing

Form


Cladding

The use of trellises and sky-lights create a conducive and comfortable dappled light quality in the library interior

The upper floors were can-tilievered off the building façade over the busy streets below to inject a sense of fun into the monotony of downtown living and inspire the love of learning

The open-air terrace pro-vides an alternative space for library activities

Cladding and building form were inspired by the rhythm of openings on surrounding buildings and by the sloping terrain of streets in Austin

The use of trellises and sky-lights create a conducive and comfortable dappled light quality in the library interior

The upper floors were can-tilievered off the building façade over the busy streets below to inject a sense of fun into the monotony of downtown living and inspire the love of learning

The open-air terrace pro-vides an alternative space for library activities

Cladding and building form were inspired by the rhythm of openings on surrounding buildings and by the sloping terrain of streets in Austin

fLoor PLan Legend

1. Circulation Desk2 Main Lobby3. General Stacks4. Special Collection5. Listening Carrels6. Reading Room7. Terrace8. Lounge9. Librarian Office10. Rest Room

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Level Three Plan

4

10

8

7

Mezzanine Level Plan

56

3 3

Level Two Plan

7

6

3

5

110

Ground Level Plan

21

9

6

35

10

E-W Section of library

Perspectives showing proposed library building along 8th Street

LumIere de L’enfAnT

Initiated by the Rotary Club, this was a design project that called for ideas of home fittings to engage kids with attention deficiency disorder.

I approached this program through an investigation of first influences on children in the initial stages of their development from a baby to a tod-dler - as a baby, they are most intrigued by the swinging playtoys that hung from their cots; as a toddler, they are usually taught how to rec-ognize numbers, shapes and alphabets. Through a fusion of the ideas of a square, swinging playtoy and numbers, it is my hope that this idea of an ornamental pendant lamp will be as intriguing to young kids with fleeting concentration span as it is beautiful in their rooms.

15 | Francis | Lumiere de L’enfant

PROTOYPE OF AN ORNAMENTAL LAMP

A concept model was assembled to investigate the structural stability of the frame and properties of the selected materials.

The model was observed to droop at its ends due to the cumulative weight that pulled down the arms of the frame. The single cardboard strip was also too weak to maintain the desired form of the lamp. Adjustments were made to use a harder material (plywood), coupled with a change in the ori-entation and thickness of the arms of the constructed frame.

ConCePt

ConCePt modeL

• A unit square forms the basic building block of each number

The ornamental lamp consists of 2 components

• A frame with arms of varying length radiating from various angles

materiaL SeLeCtion

• Acrylic sticks were selected for its inherent strength and transparent qualities

• Numbers were carved out of bleached 4-ply chipboard which was heavy enough to exert downward pressure on the acrylic strips but light enough for suspension

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• Allows overlapping of numbers to create perception of depth

• The weight of each number is simply defined by the total number of squares required for its construction• Difference in weight alters its natural suspension level in air

DECORATIVE NUMBER PIECE

STRUCTURE

ConStruCtion

The ornamental lamp was designed to resemble a fountain spray. This effect was achieved by attaching different weights to varying lengths of acrylic strips, on a frame with arms extending outwards in different directions on various planes. Due to the relatively light weight of each suspended strip, the slightest air movement will keep the numbers in motion, lending a dynamic yet light and airy feel to the lamp.

Arches are produced when the acrylic strips are in tension due to weight of the attached number pieceArms radiate in various direc-

tions to achieve a 3-dimen-sional fountain spray effect

Different weights exert varying pressures on the acrylic strips to produce interesting arches Multi-faceted shadows

17 | Francis | Lumiere de L’enfant

Streetview of ParisGraphite

2008

19 | Francis | SeLeCted artworkS

Passageway to City Hall, GrenobleCharcoal and chalk

2008


Nurse and child, BoksburgCharcoal

2008

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Streetview of StrasbourgWatercolor2009

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Trunk of Tembusu treeGraphite

2010


RocksGraphite2010

| 26

Ficus treeGraphite

2010


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Portfolio (MCP program)

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