SELECTED WORKS 2007-2012karrah lynne vila, m. arch

contents | SELECTED WORKS from Tulane University, Rome [Italy], and my home community of New Orleans. These works best express the studio, construction, and artistic education I received from 2007-2012.

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contentsp2-3

thesisalgiers, la

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rome programrome, italy

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urban build 6central city, new orleans

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bayou housedelacroix, la

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resume/contactp30-31

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thesis |SACRED: THE TRANSCENSION OF ARCHITECTURE THROUGH SENSES AND REFLECTION. This project is the culmination of my studio career. Its existence is in my mind, in my computer and in model form; but would like to be in Algiers, LA. This building represents all of the qualities I believe architecture should have, as well as testing the idea that spiritu-ality can be instilled in a form without deity.

meanders industrial figure boat channelriver path change

site analysisriver courses

topographyindustrial figure

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orientation light sound nature colors social aspect language

SIGNS

_maze _short vision lines

_repetitive / sporatic_artificial

_”playground”

_personal _increase in gambling

_social_decrease in gambling

_explicit_ephemeral / veiled

elements

?

_focus upon object of reflection_perspective

_focus / contrast_continuous _water as “cleanser” _water as “cleanser” _social in physical realm

_personal in mental realm

_sacred realm left open for personal reflection

THESIS STATEMENT | Architecture as a physical, visible manifestation of space can inspire the mental, invisible realm of the Sacred. With a non-denominational program, a spiritual experience can be evoked through design, form, lighting, sounds, materiality: all sensory qualities. Traditionally, religious spaces are deemed “holy” as they are defined by activies (rituals, prayers) and objects (altars, shrines) reflective of the represented religion. Our new idea of “faith”, other than religion, can be directly tied to an architecture that allows the physical to impact our mental state through engagement of the senses. The building as the manifestation of a reinterpreted material realm inherently becomes holy in its “being”ness, with secular programming engaging and immersing the unsuspecting visitor in an abstract concept and the physical site. The proposed project tests this goal in close relation to the intensity and mystery of the Mississippi River, in search of faith and reflection.

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orientation light sound nature colors social aspect language

SIGNS

_maze _short vision lines

_repetitive / sporatic_artificial

_”playground”

_personal _increase in gambling

_social_decrease in gambling

_explicit_ephemeral / veiled

elements

?

_focus upon object of reflection_perspective

_focus / contrast_continuous _water as “cleanser” _water as “cleanser” _social in physical realm

_personal in mental realm

_sacred realm left open for personal reflection

meanders industrial figure boat channelriver path change

site analysisriver courses

topographyindustrial figure

THIS SITE ANALYSIS diagram was extremely valuable for the project. It shows context, the contours of the river bed, the industrial figure of the river [barges, etc], the channels of boat travel, and most importantly: the courses the river took throughout history [shown in light gray]. These courses layered directly on top of the site, building it up and carving it away over the years. The site was charged with so much rich spirit that it became the perfect site for a spiritual building.

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Karrah Vila 11The Transcension of ArchitectureA Sacred proposal at the the Algiers-Mississippi River bend

Architecture as a physical, visible manifestation of space can inspire the mental, invisible realm of the Sacred. With a non-denominational program, a spiritual experience can be evoked through design, form, lighting, sounds, materiality: all sensory qualities. Traditionally, religious

religion. Our new idea of “faith”, other than religion, can be directly tied to an architecture that allows the physical to impact our mental state through engagement of the senses. The building as the manifestation of a reinterpreted material realm inherently becomes holy in its “being”-ness, with non-secular programming engaging and immersing the unsuspecting visitor in an abstract concept and the physical site. The proposed project tests this goal in close relation to the intensity and

PROCESS MODEL A was a projection of New Orleans’ city lines across the river onto the site. It also shows the angle of Algier’s main transportation via the black string. PROCESS MODEL B was an initial study of historical layers the site wasmade up of [ie. originial settlement lines, river boundaries over time, and the abstract lines of the river’s constrictions.

PROCESS MODEL B

TWO SKETCHES show the process of the building’s formation, both in plan and section. In both, the building reflected the past river courses organically. With this inspiring the building’s form spiritually, it was left to decide on the appropriate program. Inserting a spiritually based program [such as spa] into this building would have been too like a church or temple. In short, it would have been too easy. Therefore, the BUILDING’S inherent ability to be spiritual was tested through the program of a casino. In this way, we can really see the results.

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Karrah Vila 11The Transcension of ArchitectureA Sacred proposal at the the Algiers-Mississippi River bend

Architecture as a physical, visible manifestation of space can inspire the mental, invisible realm of the Sacred. With a non-denominational program, a spiritual experience can be evoked through design, form, lighting, sounds, materiality: all sensory qualities. Traditionally, religious

religion. Our new idea of “faith”, other than religion, can be directly tied to an architecture that allows the physical to impact our mental state through engagement of the senses. The building as the manifestation of a reinterpreted material realm inherently becomes holy in its “being”-ness, with non-secular programming engaging and immersing the unsuspecting visitor in an abstract concept and the physical site. The proposed project tests this goal in close relation to the intensity and

PROCESS MODEL A

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rome program | MY ADVENTURES IN ROME, ITALY were unfortunately condensed into these few pages. Shown are one of the projects we completed as well as some sketches. But whether they be based in the studio near the Pantheon; sketched atop a lonely curb, or along the cobblestone streets, these and more contributed greatly to the designer and person I am today.*piece of sky

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LANDSCRAPER A one week project in a Roman suburb in which the neutral ground was transformed into urban use.

music clubs and areas in rome

pur i fy ing musiclivingworry

stress enjoyingcriticismstudying

hearinggenres

chordsnotes

practicing

pre-bombing 1943 post-bombing 1943

laborsettlementbasepracticality

nightliferestaurantsdrugsentertainmentprotest

URBAN COLLECTOR A project based in a small suburb of Rome, Italy. We visited the site many times but were given program parameters of housing and community service together. After noticing a large musical inspiration in the neighborhood and a large univer-sity nearby, this project is a musical university with performance spaces for learn-ing and the community. [RIGHT] The thesis statement in diagrammatic form.

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livediscussionpractice listenlearn

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PRACTICEPRACTICE

PRACTICE

PRACTICEPRACTICE

PRACTICEPRACTICEAUDITORIUM

L I V ECOMMUNITY

C O M M U N I T YE

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ground floor

third floor

second floor

livediscussionpractice listenlearn

spatial diagram

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[LEFT] The second floor plan, showing perfor-mance, living, and common spaces all connected by a practicing bar which ‘filters’ music daily. [ABOVE] shows this space in a simple rendering.

SKETCH

Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza

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[LEFT] SKETCHED a block away from the church, is a gem to see considering the facade is so hidden. The church is only open sparingly throughout the week. [RIGHT] was sketched during one of these times. Both of these views are special to me as this churches exhudes Roman simplicity.

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SKETCH

Santa Maria della Pace

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SANTA MARIA intrigued me because of its unique approach. It, like Sant’Ivo, is one of Rome’s more hidden churches and has a hide/reveal view as you walk down the street. It is never open to the public; and as this was sketched while sitting outside my favorite cafe, this is a special church.

SKETCH

il Pantheon, coffers

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I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER that I sketched this sitting on a pew on a rainy day, with my head bent all the way back, sketchbook up in the air.

urban build 6 | IN COLLABORATION WITH BILD DESIGN, Tulane’s URBANbuild chose a lot in Central City, a small close-knit community in New Orleans, LA. to establish the sixth house. This is where I had the exciting opportunity to physically form what architects usually imagine. Everything from pouring the founda-tion to framing walls, and painting on 40 ft. scaffolding to installing new flooring was achieved in 4 short months of Spring 2011. p20

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urban build 6 |

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bayou house | STILT HOUSES make up the infrastructure of Delacroix, LA - a small fishing community. Throughout my life, I fished the waters of this area, but during this project I designed a home for a family who lives off its land.

longitudinal section1/8” = 1’-0” 0 8 16

insulated corrugated metal panel

piling

heavy timber beams (14” deep)

heavy timber studs (8” deep)

3/4” plywood

drywall/interior cladding

spray insulation

callout1/2” = 1’-0”

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longitudinal section1/8” = 1’-0” 0 8 16

insulated corrugated metal panel

piling

heavy timber beams (14” deep)

heavy timber studs (8” deep)

3/4” plywood

drywall/interior cladding

spray insulation

callout1/2” = 1’-0”

structure ventilationone house

people house + fish house

THINKING OF THIS PROJECT in a prototypical way, the ease of construction and reduction of materials while retaining strength needed to combat hurricanes, a structural diagram was conceived in the form of a bridge-like structure with triangulated heavy timber. Not only does this allow for flexible interior spaces (as interior walls can be places anywhere) but since the two open ends are enclosed with sliding glass doors, the entire house can be opened up for cross-ventilation. A natural vernacular was envisioned for this area - and designed in the form of two buildings: one for the people and one for the fish - a large if not whole part of this fishing community. the fish house is slightly rotated to provide views of the bayou and lake borgne (to the north of house).

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site + mezzanine plan1/8” = 1’-0” 0 8 16

site + mezzanine plan1/8” = 1’-0” 0 8 16

site + mezzanine plan1/8” = 1’-0” 0 8 16

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resume | OBJECTIVE: To sharpen my skills in the field of archi-tecture in a firm that pushes me to do so; through similar interests and missions, and abundant respect for peers and executives.

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karrah lynne vila504.884.6516 | karrahvila@gmail.com | 1608 N. Upland Ave. | www.issuu.com/karrahvila

EDUCATION

Tulane University May 2012School of Architecture, Undergrad New Orleans, LA Master of Architecture [M.Arch]

East Jefferson High School May 2007 Metairie, LA Diploma | Honors & Gifted/Talented

EXPERIENCE

HR Personnel & Assistant to Timekeeper January - May 2013Wyatt Field Service Chalmette, LA Phoned, met, and hired hundreds of employees Maintained applications and employee records Assisted timekeeper with daily duties and contacts Sales Associate May 2010 - January 2013Tomato New Orleans, LA Opened, closed, and ran store solely Tended to phones and social media pages Performed office work and inventory

Sales and Baker August 2009 - August 2010Be Sweet Cupcake! New Orleans, LA Opened, closed, and ran shop solely Cleaned and re-stocked nightly

SKILLS

Autodesk | AutoCAD 2007+, RevitAdobe | Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, Acrobat Pro Rhino 3D version 4.0+Google SketchupV-ray | for Rhino, SketchupHand draftingPhysical modeling

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Rome Program August - December 2010Rome, ItalyStudies in public spaces [piazzas] Studio Drawing Materials & Methods Contemporary City Italian Language

CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE

Tulane URBANbuild January - May 2011Central City, New OrleansBuilding a single family residence - 1,200 sq. ft.

PERSONAL SKILLS

Motivated and hardworkingPatient and respectfulResourcefulOrganised and a problem-solver

REFERENCE

Nina P. L’HosteOwner of Tomatotomatogirls@gmail.com

Metairie, LA 70003

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