arch i tecture
P O R T F O L I O
Let us learn
from the
j o u r n e y
not just the
destination
m e g a nD O B R O T H
M . A R C H
U of Oregon
208 .284 . 8794
megan.dobroth @ g m a i l . c o m
p o r t f o l i o :i s s u u . c o m /m d o b r o t h
which creates an environment
architecture is a
continuing dialogue between
a c r o s s t i m e . Vincent Scully
me
ga
nDOBROTH
generations
This page + cover photographed at: Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art; Rivoli, Italy
208.284.8794
portfol io:issuu.com/mdobroth
Through studies in urban theory, exposure to architectural practices, and my experiences abroad in Italy, I have discovered the complex workings of community life in the presence of successful urban spaces. My new understanding of thoughtful urban development combined with my human scale focus have created a strong optimism in urban fabrics and alternatives to subdivision living. Creating meaningful spaces that respond to their context and thoughtfully incorporate light, materials, and sustainable living - this is the challenge for designers of my generation, and one that I feel compelled to address.
bio:
c o n t e n t st a b l e o f
2 C o m m u n i t y M e n ta l W e l l n e s s C e n t e r
M u lt n o m a h b r a n c h l i b r a r y6
urban hotel1 0
pdx mediatheque1 2
italian mixed-use corner1 4
Biketronics + FabLab1 8
multi-family courtyard housing2 2
visual arts school2 6
sri lankan woodworking workshop2 8
Through the development of a community mental health facility, the design explores the effects of the built environment on the psychological wellbeing of its users. More specifically, critical attention was given to the design community integration, user relationship with the natural environment, and the development of safe spaces as these aspects present a particular challenge in urban settings. Creating an iconic building to house this program also increases public awareness and gives a voice to an unspoken epidemic. By fighting for the mental wellness of Portland’s citizens, we are fighting for the health of the city as a greater whole.
# of people with serious mental illness who received minimally adequate treatment
less than 1 in 6
(Wang)
C O N C E P T
P o r t l a n d c o m m u n i t y m e n ta l w e l l n e s s c e n t e r[THESIS - 6th year of study] 2
COMMUNITYYoga, Self-Healing StrategiesArt TherapyLectures, Presentations, eventsExhibit, Art GalleryClassroomsAction Center, Advocacy Offices
CLINICReception, Waiting AreaGroup TherapyPsychiatryPsychologyMedication DispensaryCrisis Management, “Calm Room”Nurses Station / Staff Room
HOUSINGSingle Room ApartmentsCommunity RoomsAdmin. Office Case Worker Offices
P R O G R A M
Parking Entry
Clinic
Reception
Healing Art Gallery
Event Room
Cafe
Housing Commons
Main Entry
Waiting Rm
Meeting Rm
Housing Office
s u p p o r t i v e h o u s i n g27 Studio UnitsCommunity Kitchen Space7 Case Management Offices
Break up the solid face blockt o c r e a t e a v a r i e d s t r e e t e d g e
Insert nature into the voidsb o t h p u b l i c a n d p r i v a t e a c c e s s
P L A C E r o o f g a r d e n st o u t i l i z e s o u t h e r n e x p o s u r e
Pull Apart the dense blocka l l o w l i g h t a n d p r o g r a m s e p a r at i o n
floor plan2nd floor
section
01M u lt n o m a h b r a n c h l i b r a r y[sixth year of study] 6
Collection 1,000 sf 26
70 sf
Ser
vice (
30%)
700 sf Lounge Seating 625 sf Computer Seating
S e a t i n g
Info Desk 150 sf Staff Support 800 sf
S t a f f
Community Classroom 800 sfTeam Room 420 sf
G a t h e r i n g
Children’s Area 350 sfTeen’s Area 350 sf
A g e F o c u s e d
700 sf Technology Suite350 sf Printing Room
C r e a t i v e P r o g ra m m i n g
2 f o
ors (
gros
s are
a) al
lowab
le on site
Total Program 8,915 sfSite GROSS Area (2 floors) 9,200 sf
PROGRAM
com
m.
ed.
ad
ult
liter
acy
writin
g &
boo
k bi
ndin
gco
mpu
ters
au
dio
reco
rdin
g
Capitol
Hwy
Troy
site planportland, or
p r o c e s s m o d e l s
Based on a science-fiction literary passage, the project encouraged creative exploration of an altered reality through model making. The program, a ‘Cheap Hotel’, called for high intensity social spaces as well as individual accommodations. Set in an old warehouse, my design utilized the organizational grid of the existing brick shell as a grounding point to a more eccentric interior. A web of suspended cables allows program space to ‘float’ vertically through the shell’s interior. The stacking of individual rooms on the perimeter creates a display of light and shadows in the exterior wall while also providing a point for observation of the suspended interior social cubes.
u r b a n h o t e l[fourth year of study] 10
c o n c e p t
A mediatheque is a place of shared knowledge – It’s about the experience of coming together rather than accessing digital material from the private realm. The building is the culmination of the urban fabric – bringing the vitality of open public space to the interior. These programmatic platforms display an animation of activity and create a sense of being part of the larger whole. By keeping the programmed spaces flexible, the structure insures its ability to adapt with its users and remain relevant as a community icon.
public space
public space
view from square
visual connections
twist of the grid
responds to site angles
view from burnside
bridge
BU
RN
SID
E
process: public plaza
P D X M E D I AT H E Q U E[fifth year of study] 12
The corner site is located in a newly developing area of Torino, Italy. The building’s courtyard transitions the corner lot between the public park and the private residences, a collision of uses that structures the whole design. An urban project, the building also houses retail in a thin glass stack bordering the street.
N
under-ground parking ramp
apt 1
offices
cors
o bo
lzan
o
corso giacomo matteotti
apt 2
park
+un
derg
roun
d ra
il
(und
er c
onst
ruct
ion)
site
corso giacomo matteotti
PROCESS
I ta l i a n m i x e d - u s e c o r n e r[third year of study] 14
--of television, of time clocks, of traffi c on the freeway
everyone is looking, not many are seeing.--but few are o b s e r v e r s .
Peter M. Leschak
p h o t o g r a p h y o f l i g h tItaly
all of us are watchers
floor planN
Working with 2 other students, we designed an industrial structure: Biketronics and a membership Fabrication Laboratory. To this unique program, we applied the goals of the 2030 Challenge to achieve carbon neutrality. The form of the building was dictated by sun movement, distant views, wind direction, and passive design strategies. Located in north Idaho with cold, snowy winters and summer temperatures reaching into the 90’s, both heating and cooling were addressed. Design considerations were group decisions while graphic responsibilities were distributed. My individual roles focused on systems research/design and group management.
fabrication laboratory
atrium 2nd level
b i k e t r o n i c s + f a b l a b[fourth year of study] 18
atrium 1st level
permeable paving
2 0 3 0 c a r b o n n e u t r a l i t yc h a l l e n g e :
constructed wetland
bioswale
water collection
earth tubes
straw bale + rammed earth
Passive design strategies implemented:
heat stack affect
earth tubes to temper outside air
natural day lighting with proper shading
direct solar gain
thermal mass (concrete floors and rammed earth)
super insulation (straw bales)
clerestory windows
night insulating curtains
hybrid PV panels
radiant floor heating
solar hot water
rainwater collection
constructed wetland (treat gray water)
composting toilets
bioswales (storm water)
Permeable paving
Xeriscaping radiant floor heating
COURTYARD COMPONENT
The entrance serves as a physical boundary between the street and the courtyard. However, it frames the view to
the water feature and the central court, compelling people to venture deeper into the site. It also serves as a
lingering point, with the bench and mailboxes to encourage interaction. The design embodies the
concept: layered space, interlocked components, and the importance of light (through the play of shadows
throughout the day).
COURTYARD COMPONENT
The entrance serves as a physical boundary between the street and the courtyard. However, it frames the view to
the water feature and the central court, compelling people to venture deeper into the site. It also serves as a
lingering point, with the bench and mailboxes to encourage interaction. The design embodies the
concept: layered space, interlocked components, and the importance of light (through the play of shadows
throughout the day).
entry component
In an effort to address Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), both day lighting and community were priorities in this design in North Idaho. As the courtyard spaces collide so do the activities and lives of the residents. In the winter, southern and western sun exposure maximizes daylight while seasonal vegetation helps filter the summer sun. Daylight is brought into each unit through strategic roof height variations.
street facade
Bump-out spaces provide extra exposure to sunlight. Nano-walls are utilized in the sunroom to allow fresh air during warm days. The ceiling above the workout space has been pushed back to allow sunlight to enter on the North side of the building.
BUMP-OUTS
day lit spaces
apt courtyard facades
m u lt i - f a m i ly c o u r t ya r d h o u s i n g[third year of study]
a s b u r y s t r e e t
a l l e y
22
Life is rich, always changing, always challenging,and we architects have the task of transmitting into
wood, concrete, glass and steel,of transforming h u m a n a s p i r a t i o n s into
habitable and meaningful space.arthur erickson
2008
Baroq
ue Be
nch
The site for Visual Arts Northwest (in NW Portland) straddled the industrial rail lines and stood isolated from the core of downtown. The urban plan connects the district with its surroundings, focusing on carrying vehicular access through the grid and creating a pedestrian plaza stepping down to the river’s edge. The program bridges across the tracks and creates a public gallery front on the square, with the student studios exposed to Naito and Glisan. The push and pull of space creates nodes of activity within the building, plays with the entrance of daylight, and self-shades the south side of the structure.
ex
ten
d p
ark
blo
ck g
rid
nw g l i san st
nw nai to pkw
y
2n
d a
ve
3rd
av
e
4th
av
e
nw
bro
ad
wa
y
s tee l br idge
u r b a n p l a nnw por t land
N
V i s u a l a r t s s c h o o l[fifth year of study]
ra i l road
ra i l road
26
S2
Sited along the river, this woodworking institute served the local community as an institute for traditional woodworking craft. Aimed at revitalizing the town’s economy & continuing handcraft knowledge, the open-air architecture took advantage of the warm climate, site winds, and local materials. Particular attention was applied to the screening of views, definition of space, and light qualities that the wooden screens created.
section
S r i l a n k a n w o o d w o r k i n g w o r k s h o p[fifth year of study]
visitors
goods bioswale
outdoor spaces views movement SW breeze water collection
28
DN
DN
A106
1
1long section
1A107
structural components
passive cooling
M . A R C H U of Oregon
208 .284 . 8794
megan.dobroth @ g m a i l . c o m
p o r t f o l i o :i s s u u . c o m /m d o b r o t h
m e g a nD O B R O T H