GAVIN SHARP

The following renderings convey proposed designs for custom single-family residential projects that were produced in collaboration with highly reputable Chicago area firms. The renderings focus on design elements ranging from exterior materials and massing studies to interior furniture and finishings.

The following images convey the design for a proposed addition to the existing Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology academic building on CU Boulder’s east campus. The original premise of the design of the existing Biotechnology building was developed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects’ office. The E-Wing addition proposes three levels including offices, laboratory spaces, and state-of-the-art active learning classrooms. The design utilizes a cost-effective, efficient plan layout along with an overall scale and exterior aesthetic that is consistent with the original building. 

Media: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketchup, ink, marker, colored pencil

*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.

The following illustrations were created to convey the science behind “land subsidence” and the effects that groundwater can cause on the land’s surface.

*Nominated for the Chicago Award

Graduate Design Studio - Fall 2011 Semester

Two-person Team Project

Media: Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator, ink, marker, colored pencil, chipboard, plexiglass, basswood

Program: The graduate design studio involved of a two-person team project conducted in two phases. The first phase called for the design of a large, mixed-use urban complex in Chicago, just south of the loop and Congress Parkway adjacent to the Chicago river. The program includes high-rise condominiums and rental apartments, offices, public functions, commercial spaces, entertainment, recreational facilities, a shopping arcade, and a full-fledged cultural (performing) arts center for 1,000 spectators. The second phase required the designs of a contemporary urban art museum/gallery of approximately 40,000 to 45,000 sq. ft.

Site Parameters: Chicago, Illinois. A two city-block size site bounded by the Chicago River, Harrison Street, and S. Wells Street, extending to S. Polk Street to the south. The site is currently empty. Its size is: N=536’ E=800’ S=400’ W=840’

Part I. Waterfront Vista - Urban Scheme: The first half of the semester focused on the overall site design, which tailors to Chicago’s world-famous lakefront system and green-roof initiative. Green roofs, reflection pools, and balconies are integrated throughout, with a large outdoor educational space for children located on the base of the Office tower. An organic pathway breaks up the grid-like orientation in plan, running from Harrison Street down to the River City apartment complex to the south. The urban sheme also aesthetically and functionally responds to Chicago’s rich urban fabric. The high-rises are placed strategically in progression from tallest to shortest, both to maximize southern sun exposure during the winter months, and contextually resemble the varying heights of Chicago’s rich skyline.

Part II. Art Gallery: The art gallery consists of two building masses that conform to the overall organic curvature of the site’s urban scheme. These two masses are unified by a large glass atrium that “floats” above the river water feature from beneath. The art gallery creates a space both for the public and for the site’s residences. It also serves as an extension of the educational spaces directly to the east, and features a boat tourist destination on the river. The art gallery’s architectural experience encourages exploration, stimulation of the senses, and a connection with the Chicago river and the local site.

Sustainability: To address environmentally sensitive design practices, rainwater collection is integrated in the building’s two glass cores. Greywater drains from the sloped roofs down through the cores and into a cistern below-grade for sustainable re-use. Solar energy is collected through the glass cores and exterior glazing system.

*Nominated for the Chicago Award

Graduate Design Studio - Spring 2012 Semester

Three-Person Team Project

Media used: Revit, Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, chipboard, plexiglass, basswood

Problem Statement: The McPier site on the south side of Chicago provides many opportunities, as it is along Lake Michigan, located close to the Loop, directly south of McCormick Place, and near the Illinois Institute of Technology. This challenging yet distinctive site is situated in the Bronzeville area of Chicago, which has a strong identity but is in need of revitalization. The primary challenge is to design a new high-density development for the air rights over the existing McPier parking site. Initial considerations must include identifying a datum, spanning the parking area, engaging the existing Metra line, bringing people to the site, and complementing the overall character of Chicago and its enchanting skyline. 

Design Concept:

The New Metropolis development is ecologically responsible, transit-oriented, economically viable, culturally vibrant, and visually cohesive. Strategies for achieving an ecologically responsible and transit-oriented site include using local energy sources, encouraging innovation, planning for future growth, and providing various access points to the site based on user types. In order to be economically viable, culturally vibrant, and visually cohesive, The New Metropolis will contain an entertainment district, strong economic core, landmark buildings, arts initiatives, a lakefront character, and a plan that revitalizes the Bronzeville neighborhood. Our development includes three main east-west axes and a major boulevard running north-south through the site. This development connects with and draws in the surrounding neighborhood through public park spaces and retail storefronts along the transit hub and other major building podiums. The transit hub serves as a new major node for Chicago, providing connections to Lake Michigan, the Metra, CTA, bike paths, and our in-site Tram System. With a multitude of transit options, The New Metropolis is a completely car-free zone, with parking situated below the platform, separate from pedestrian thoroughfares. All street types in The New Metropolis are designed for pedestrian and bike traffic, with deep sidewalks and an array of green boulevards. Small city blocks increase the number of corner retail spaces and pedestrian routes, encouraging diverse social interaction. A Great Lakes Ecological Center is positioned east into Lake Michigan. The center is designated to house public conventions and educational facilities that reflect both local and global ecological research and innovation. Public and private green spaces throughout the site supply unique opportunities for outdoor meeting areas and allow for natural night to enter in within the dense, urban fabric.