*The following architectural sketch work was selected for the 2014 AIA Center for Emerging Professionals Annual Exhibition, displayed at AIA National’s headquarters in Washington, DC. In addition, the work received the AIA Colorado Young Architect Award (YAAG) in the "Best Rendering Done By Hand" category.
Media: Ink, marker, colored pencil
The following hand sketches convey proposed Area Development Plans for the United States Army Reserve bases on the islands of Saipan and American Samoa in the Southwest Pacific. As the sketch artist for the projects, I was responsible for producing professional hand-sketched renderings of planning concepts for potential renovations, expansions, and overall site improvements to the existing bases. A variety of aerial views and street perspectives begin to tell a story for each proposed plan concept, in addition to communicating the visual character and architectural style of the overall sites.
One-week design and planning charrettes were conducted at the existing sites to gather data and client feedback. The charrette teams consisted of U.S. Army personnel paired with a diverse HDR staff including planners, engineers and architects. These diverse teams allowed for a variety of disciplines to join together and brainstorm options for a multitude of Area Development Plan design concepts. The sketches were incorporated into the Area Development Plans’ Capacity Analysis documents, intended to serve as visual tools to capture the client’s vision and design intent. In particular, the final proposed Area Development Plans call for new and renovated spaces for government offices, vehicle and equipment storage, unit formations and other training, parking, MEP spaces, helipads, exterior pedestrian and vehicular circulation and exterior vegetation.
In addition to the site and building renderings, sketch studies of native wildlife and local architecture were also produced to record the island’s visual character. Careful consideration was applied to the images to establish an architectural character that aesthetically unifies the buildings and creates a sense of place and community identity. The architectural style of the site is intended to harmonize and respect the island’s local architecture, while also creating a distinct Army destination unique to the site. The plans also proposed sustainable building techniques that respond to the local environment and can withstand severe tropical weather conditions. Proposed outdoor site amenities include pavilions, covered gathering areas, and landscaping with native vegetation.
The sketches were produced using marker, colored pencil, and pen and ink. The drawings utilize a consistent color palette, paired with the use of dark tones for shadow and contrast in order to achieve a sense of depth.
