Carli Sekella

Portfolio Practice: Port Columbus International Airport

2007-11-02T16:58:00.000-04:00

The addition to the Port Columbus International Airport Ticket Lobby consists of a new public men's and women's restroom, family restroom, new future tenant spaces and a remodel of the ID office, which handles all screening and badging of airport employees.

As Project Manager for the permitting, bidding and construction phases of this project, there have been many issues dealing with the nature of an aiport and the necessity to keep open access to all areas of the building during construction. With limited distractions to the daily operations, creativity in problem solving is a must. The current completion date for this project is December 23.

Portfolio Practice: Tremont Place

2007-11-02T16:48:00.000-04:00

Tremont Place is a two-building mixed use development in a deteriorating Planned Mixed-Use District in Upper Arlington, a suburb of Columbus. The first floor consists of 7 retail spaces, including Starbucks, Robeks Juice, and a barber. The second and third floor consist of 6 rental townhouses with private entrances and exterior patios. I am Project Manager for this project, and managed construction document production as well as assisting in their completion. I also lead the project through permitting and into construction. The current completion date for Tremont Place is January 1.

Portfolio Practice: Broadview Mews

2007-11-02T16:20:00.000-04:00

Broadview Mews is a 20-unit condo project in three buildings in Columbus, one block from the Grandview Avenue shopping and entertainment. As Project Manager for this project, I oversaw the production of the contract documents, which took about 6 weeks from start to finish. Currently in for building permit, I will continue to manage the project through the construction phase. Broadview Mews is set to begin construction November 15.

Portfolio S2: Vision and Intent

2007-11-02T15:52:00.000-04:00

Portfolio S2: Research

2007-11-02T15:41:00.000-04:00

Portfolio S2: Site and Roof Plan

2007-11-02T15:39:00.000-04:00

Because of the proximity of the site to the Boston Architectural College, Berklee School of Music and Fenway Park, the site is organized around the idea of giving green space to the public. This is accomplished through an exterior amphitheatre that rises onto and over the exhibit space of the building, providing views of the Prudential building and towards downtown Boston. The south side of the site is articulated with built-up planters of locally-quarried and recycled stone and brick, providing seating and reinforcing the articulation of the facade above. In the planters are small shade trees and tall grasses for shade and privacy, and the planters are dissected by entrance paths to and from the building. An exterior patio for dining, class, studying or relaxing is located on the east side of the lawn, to provide light through the late morning into the evening and is stepped to carry on the datum of planters. The main entrance to the building is from the center of the exhibit space, under the green amphitheatre. A second entrance from the exterior patio provides easy and more private interior-exterior access for students and faculty, as well as any public who would dine there.

Portfolio S2: Program

2007-11-02T15:26:00.000-04:00

The concept for the program evolved into one of immediate immersion, with a blurred line between public and private. Large, open, flexible spaces seem to best fit the site because of, one, the nature of a distance program, and two, because of its location in such close proximity to Berklee School of Music and the Boston Architectural College, as well as the highway and commuter rail. Public access to the ground floor and green spaces are a high priority, as is natural lighting in as many spaces as possible.

Portfolio S2: Building Plans

2007-11-02T15:24:00.000-04:00

The building is pushed to the northern boundary of the site to provide green space at the street front of the site for public and for students and faculty. As green space is very important to the program, I don't feel that green space near the highway is a particularly desirable place to be. This also allows for minimal regrading of the site. The ground level of the building extends partially to the street frontage, to recreate the urban edge of the streetscape and also have a prescence on the sidewalk for visitors to peer into the exhibit space.

The lower level is a natural level below ground, due to the slope of the site, and presents itself for parking and mechanical access. Due to its adjacency to the highway and rail lines, thick concrete walls act as a sound and thermal barrier.

The ground floor is a mostly open plan cafe and exhibit flex space. The exhibit space is partially below ground, and the wide stairs to access the space provide opportunities for seating, stepping, and generally milling around. The exhibit space can then be used not only for display but for lectures, concerts, and large presentations. Adjacent to the exhibit space is the cafe, open to students, faculty and public. A portion of the cafe has storefront windows to allow light into the space, but the majority of the cafe is within concrete walls for thermal and sound resistance. A secondary entrance opens directly into the cafe for access to the patio or front lawn with table seating and natural seating. The elevator runs roughly through the center of the building. Adjacent to the elevator, the ceiling is open to above through the entire building.

On the upper floors, the one studio per floor runs the length of the building on the north side. A curtain wall with alternating insulated metal panels, stone panels and insulated glazing creates the northern wall of the studios. At the east side of the studios, there is a private balcony for students and faculty use. A line of columns and the sleeping rooms create the idea of a corridor without an actual corridor. At each end of the corridor is a stair. Without walls, students will be immediately immersed into the intensive experience as they leave their sleeping rooms, and although they may not sleep on the same floor as they work, the intensive experience will be surrounding them. Floor openings enhance the idea of collaboration. The sleeping rooms are angled to make most use of the morning light from the south east.

Portfolio S2: Sections

2007-11-01T21:04:00.000-04:00

Portfolio S2: Elevations

2007-11-01T21:02:00.000-04:00

Portfolio S2: Exterior Perspectives

2007-11-01T21:00:00.000-04:00

Portfolio S2: Structural

2007-11-01T20:59:00.001-04:00

Portfolio S2: Code Analysis

2007-11-01T20:57:00.000-04:00

Portfolio S2: Building Services

2007-11-01T20:55:00.000-04:00

Technical Difficulty

2007-10-02T14:54:00.000-04:00

Sorry everyone, but my images keep disappearing and reappearing! I am trying to fix this.

Studio Final: Concept Statement

2007-10-01T02:04:00.004-04:00

Studio Final: Research and Exploration

2007-10-01T02:04:00.003-04:00

Studio Final: Site and Roof Plan

2007-10-01T02:04:00.001-04:00

Studio Final: Program

2007-10-01T02:03:00.004-04:00

Studio Final: Plan

2007-10-01T02:03:00.003-04:00

Studio Final: Section

2007-10-01T02:03:00.001-04:00

Studio Final: Elevations

2007-10-01T02:02:00.003-04:00

Studio Final: Model and Perspectives

2007-10-01T02:02:00.001-04:00

Text

Studio Final: Structure

2007-10-01T02:01:00.003-04:00

Text

Studio Final: Code Analysis

2007-10-01T02:01:00.001-04:00

Studio Final: Building Services

2007-10-01T02:00:00.000-04:00

Studio Final: Detailing

2007-10-01T01:59:00.000-04:00

Ground Floor Framing Plan

2007-09-26T23:35:00.001-04:00

Details to follow!

Test post

2007-09-26T20:30:00.001-04:00

Updated Site Plan

2007-09-26T00:10:00.001-04:00

I am working on getting the image to enlarge.

Updated Site Plan

2007-09-26T00:10:00.000-04:00

I am working on getting the image to enlarge.

Updated Floor Plans

2007-09-25T20:34:00.001-04:00

Adding text...

Floor Plans

2007-09-23T23:57:00.000-04:00

Ground floor:

Upper Floors:

Site Plan - Prelim

2007-09-21T00:56:00.001-04:00

Clean Energy

2007-09-20T22:43:00.001-04:00

Iceland's Green Dream

Preliminary First Floor / Site Plan

2007-09-19T00:08:00.001-04:00

Entrance from Boylston directly into exhibit space, which steps down like an amphitheatre to attempt to follow the slope of the site, although the site slope is much steeper than the interior.

I am struggling with pushing the idea of public vs. private green space on the site. The direction I have been going is to have the public spaces slightly underground so when you enter the building, you move down into the building and the green space rises onto the roof. I am still working with this site plan and will have an update tomorrow.

Building Section / Mechanical - Preliminary

2007-09-16T22:00:00.000-04:00

My thoughts are that a double wall between the sleeping rooms and classrooms can act as a vent stack for the building. Fresh air can be brought in and exchanged through the south elevation windows and upper north elevation windows. Natural northern daylighting is prevalent throughout the studio spaces from the curtain wall of metal panel, insulated glass and stone panels. The south-eastern windows in the sleeping rooms provide morning light, while a brise-soliel above the glazing provides shading from the high summer sun but allows low winter light in throughout the day. The exhibit space is partially underground and constructed of concrete with a green roof to keep the temperature much more steady, and storefront windows along Boylston Ave allow direct light and solar heat into the public entrance of the building.

Structural Framing Plans and Details - Updated

2007-09-15T19:47:00.001-04:00

Structural Framing Details

2007-09-13T23:33:00.001-04:00

Structural Framing Plans - Updated

2007-09-13T22:06:00.000-04:00

Instead of steel W columns, I am using 8" square TS. I kept to the 3/5 ratio for the cantilevers at the south side of the building. Working on finishing the three details to post tonight also.

Structural Framing Plans

2007-09-11T22:04:00.000-04:00

In progress...

With a slightly irregular column grid, the 20' spans are divided into two 10' spans bolted to the main column lines. Framing this way also allows for the small cantilevers on the south side. The W-beams are spanned with 3-1/2" metal decking and 3-1/2" concrete with WWF.

Elevations

2007-09-10T22:03:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the delay. Will add more description after the 11PM outage.

Reworking

2007-09-03T11:26:00.000-04:00

Ground Floor - small changes here. The exhibit space is still underground but I plan to manipulate the ground in a way that can relate to Boylston Street and the building, to bridge the gap between them so it isn't so suburban. This will be one of my details.

On the upper levels, I created a circulation bar between the sleeping and studio spaces. I don't think this is an ABRUPT TRANSITION and will also detail this. The sleeping spaces aren't "containers" so much as a bar like the studio space, shifted to gain as much morning light as possible.Kyle and I have been looking at kalzip products. I think something like this and their nature roof could start to better articulate the ground plane. Copper or a similar product that would age and maybe become part of the changing landscape could be interesting.

CS - Intensive Week Final Review

2007-08-27T22:03:00.000-04:00

Comments to come later - feel free to add more.

CS W3 D1: Vision and Intent

2007-08-20T15:14:00.000-04:00

I have fairly broad goals for the project, and they all seem to flow between categories. Most important to me is to address the pedestrian scale, to invite the public, and to provide daylighting.

CS W2 - Programming

2007-08-15T22:30:00.001-04:00

The bubble diagram reflects the adjacencies I see as crucial:
1. Sleeping rooms away from the rest of the program
2. Dining/Break Room as flex space for the exhibit space
3. Exhibit space as almost a lobby extension, where students/faculty will travel through on a daily basis.

Space efficiency is key, as students will be sequestered in the classroom wing for most of the day but will need minimal travel distance to computers, food, lounge, etc. A secured storage room solely for students will save them lugging laptops, supplies, purses etc. everywhere with them. Lounge rooms in the dorm area are important not only for relaxing but also for late night group study or chats. The rooms themselves should be very utilitarian but comfortable, providing ample space to not be bumping into your bunk mate.

AT W2 - High and Low Priorities

2007-08-15T21:56:00.000-04:00

3 High Priorities
- Renewable Material Construction
- Natural Indirect Daylighting
- Environmental Impact on Neighborhood

3 Low(er) Priorities
- Sustainability of Building Materials (last a long time and do not soon need replaced or repaired)
- Indoor/Outdoor Spatial Relationships
- Easy Adaptability for Future Use

One thing that I see so often, especially in Ohio, is that old schools that have been in use for nearly 100 years are being torn down and replaced. These buildings are still beautiful but have unfortunately reached the end of their life-span as school buildings due to new requirements for schools. The down side is, that the buildings they are replacing them with are barely made to last 30 years - single ply roof systems, kynar gutters and downspouts, split-face block that will hold onto all graffiti - because of such tight budget constraints. The schools are built to the inch with the "ideal" square footage per student per classroom, but the world doesn't work that way. One year there may be the ideal 25 students per class, the next there could be 33.

I think it is important that buildings are built with renewable materials and with a deisgn that makes it simple to change use of spaces from year to year. Also, sites should not be clear cut or impose on their neighbors, as the energy-efficient effects of one building may counter-act another.

AT W2 - Ecological Footprint

2007-08-14T14:39:00.000-04:00

Ecological Footprint

I have taken this quiz before, and I really think that even with just a few short questions it has a strong impact on thinking about the way you live. I live in a small brick house and drive 15 miles a day, create just 1 average size bag of trash per week and yet if everyone lived like me we would need 3.9 planets! My total footprint is 18 acres, with the average in the US being 24 and with just 4.5 biologically productive acres per person worldwide.

I live in a walkable neighborhood with grocery, restaurants and bars all within walking distance. I mow my small lawn with a push mower with no motor, drive a fuel-efficient vehicle, and rarely water my plants or lawn. I recycle just about everything I can, at work and home. I could improve my score by eating less meat and dairy, but I love cheese! I would love to travel by motorbike, but I am not quite ready for that kind of commitment. I don't really need to use air conditioning, but my boyfriend works from home and I think he would have gone insane if he had no AC these past few weeks! We do have a programmable thermostat.

I am so interested in everyone's scores! Can't wait to see them.

CS W2 - Initial Program

2007-08-13T22:42:00.000-04:00

For comparison - will add more as I think more about it.

AT W1 - Climate Analysis

2007-08-12T20:36:00.000-04:00

Boston, Massachusetts is located at Latitude 42.35, Longitude -71.07.

Sunpath:
At the Fall and Spring Solstice, the sun rises just before 6:00 AM and sets just after 6:00 PM and rises to an ultimate height of 47 degrees above the horizon. At the Winter Solstice, the sun rises at approximately 7:30 AM and sets at approximately 4:30 PM, rising to 24 degrees above the horizon. At the Summer Solstice, the sun rises at approximately 4:30 AM and sets at approximately 7:30 PM, rising to 72 degrees above the horizon.

Wind Rose:
Boston seems on average to have wind consistently from all directions over the year. In the winter months (January through March), most wind comes from the East and West, with the majority coming from the northwest. In the spring (March through June), the wind is mostly from the west. In summer, June through September, the wind comes from all directions, with strong winds from the northeast. In fall, September through December, the wind is very strong from all directions except the southeast.

The wind temperature year-round is between 35 and 70 degrees. Monthly, the wind temperature is between 35 and 70 from the east except for July, when it raises to 70 to 75 degress. The temperature from the west varies throughout the year, from below 32 degrees in January to 75 to 100 degrees in June, July, and August. Most humidity comes from the east winds, due to the Atlantic Ocean.

Temperature and Relative Humidity Range:
The January design temperature low is 5 degrees, and in July the design temperature high is 92. The monthly means of relative humidity hovers around 67% for all but 3 months of the year, February, March and May, when it is around 60%.

Wind Speed and Direction:
Wind speeds are fairly consistent year round, monthly means staying between 10 and 15 mph, with the stronger winds in the winter months. Mean wind direction is from the south west.

Sunshine:
Annually, Boston sees an average 58% sunshine, although the average low percentage of sun is approximately 22% and the average high percentage of sun is 92%.

Psychrometric Chart:

CS W1 - Process Sheets

2007-08-12T19:25:00.001-04:00

The Source

2007-08-10T09:26:00.000-04:00

Zero Carbon, Zero Waste , brought to you by Foster + Partners

What the article doesn't mention is that the biggest investors, including British Petroleum, Mitsubishi, and Fiat, will receive major carbon-credits for their investment.

It fascinates me that the layout of this city is so opposite any development going on in the US. It is so reminiscent of ancient cities, with buildings close together with interior piazzas. This development is taking place in one of the most oil-rich nations in the world. It is not entirely self-sustaining, although I don't know that any land in the UAE could be. Since the development seems to allow no agricultural land, is being "only" carbon neutral enough?

CS W1 - Revision 1

2007-08-09T21:41:00.000-04:00

OK, so I took the comments and thought about it more. I kept the simplicity of the original but tweaked the gradual transition and the separation of 1A and 1B.

CS W1 - First Draft

2007-08-08T22:16:00.001-04:00

First draft below. I don't know that the spaces created are very interesting, but I tried to create the necessary transitions with the least moves possible for simplicity.