Shelter Study | Part 2

As the final project marking the end of our first year at IIT, we were given a “Second Shot” at creating a shelter. Using all the knowledge we learned in our first year, this is what my studio came up with.

Located in front of Mies’ Crown Hall, this life-size model explores what it means to create a shelter that integrates into its surrounding environment. The shelter features slender columns that provide structural support and a tailored cloth that gracefully drapes over the sides, creating a visually appealing and functional cover for a bench. Additionally, the project incorporates flooring to enhance the overall comfort and usability of the shelter. By embedding the structure into the circulation path, the shelter becomes an integral part of the movement and flow within the space.

Spring 2022 Group Studio Shelter

Hand-drawn architectural sketch of Crown Hall with curved pathways, buildings, trees, and directional arrows. Includes sectional diagrams at the bottom.
Wooden model structure with cardboard base and paper canopy
Architectural model made of wood and cardboard
Group of people interacting in a wooden outdoor structure, with some seated and one person in a wheelchair. Others are standing, and one person is pointing towards something. Trees and a building are visible in the background.

Initial Design Sketches and Models

Wooden framework structure with plywood floor and bench, partial fabric covering on one side.
Wooden structure with a curved slat bench, partially constructed, on a grassy surface.
Wooden frame structure under construction outdoors with bare trees and building in the background.
A close-up of a wooden structure featuring light-colored timber. The structure includes vertical and horizontal wooden beams with a section of gray fabric attached. The background shows grass.

Shelter Construction Details

Shelter Study | Part 1

As the first assignment of my education at Illinois Institute of Technology, freshman architecture students were tasked with creating a shelter. We were given a limited amount of materials, including wood with pre-drilled holes, twine, a tarp, and the option to pick a final material. This was a group effort, with about 13 students in each studio group. After a few days of sketching and creating idea, the group voted and chose my sketch.

Fall 2021 Group Studio Shelter

The shelter would use the optional material of a plastic sheet, and create a structure with two contrasting sides: Light and Dark.

Initial Design Model

Construction Details