In order to go back to school to get my Master of Architecture degree I had to make a design portfolio to send the prospective schools. The only problem was I had never made a design portfolio before. All of the ones before were just based off of my current work but the schools made it apparent they wanted portfolios that showed off creative conceptual designs. So I had to get to work creating stuff. I solicited programs from people I knew and that’s when I got a house request. I told them it wasn’t going to be what they wanted because I had to make something crazy.

The program was they wanted the following:

• Four Bedrooms
• An open kitchen
• Kitchen leading to the exterior
• Primary Bedroom leading to the exterior
• Separate dining room
• Office

There were some others, but they were immaterial for what I needed. With those parameters in mind, I got to work.

The initial concept started from the Torii Gates in Japan. I had just come back from a trip from there and was inspired by this standout traditional shape. I didn’t want to appropriate it so I chose to just use the idea of it. I couldn’t figure out a way to seal the underside of the roof and the top side of the ceiling so, for the portfolio I left it open. In hindsight I’d probably use spandrel glass or louvers with screens to keep it enclosed but open at the same time.

With these set, I started to make the rest of the house based on the requests from the client.

At the entrance of the house I incorporated heavy timber beams in a wave pattern to give shade to the south facing entrance. This could also be covered with a mesh or tarp to give it even more shade. The entrance also has two rows of planters because the family loves plants.

The main feature, I feel, is the cylindrical North facing living room with clerestory windows all around. This will allow even natural light to come through the floor to ceiling windows throughout the day while also adding a splash of direct sunlight only at the top.

Project Information:

Portfolio Design Project

Fall 2021