P O R T F O L I OK A T H E R I N E M E R C E R

B . D e s S t , M . A r c h

K A T H E R I N E M E R C E RB . D e s S t , M . A r c h

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONSMaster of Architecture University of Canberra 2009 (August)Bachelor of Design Studies University of Queensland 2004Senior School Certifi cate Brisbane Girls Grammar School 2000

PRIZES AND AWARDSScots-Australia Council Scholarship 2007-2008for Architecture Work Experience in Scotland 2nd Prize sona 24 hour Design Competition 2007ACTCommendation sona 24 hour Design Competition 2006ACT Deans Commendation for Academic Achievement 2002University of Queensland

ARCHITECTURAL WORK – SUMMARY Student Architect Cox Humphries Moss Oct 2008 – July 2009Scholarship Architect SMC Hugh Martin Partnership Jan 2008 – May 2008Student Architect Cox Humphries Moss Feb 2006 – Nov 2007Student Architect Bates Smart Jan 2005 – Feb 2006Student Architect Arkhefi eld Jan 2004 – Nov 2004Work Experience Donovan Hill July 2000

EXHIBITIONSCanberra Contemporary Art Space (CCAS) 2006Invited exhibitorBachelor of Design Studies Exhibition 2004University of Queensland

COMPETITIONSsona 24 hour Design Competition ACT 2nd Prize 2007 sona 24 hour Design Competition ACT Commendation 2006 sona 48 hour Design Competition NSW/ACT Entrant 2006

mercer.katherine@gmail.com

5/28 Woodroffe AveMain Beach Q 4217

(m) 0408 737 264(h) 07 5561 1105

DOB 24 May 1983

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ARCHITECTURAL WORK - DETAILS

Student Architect Cox Humphries Moss Oct 2008 – July 2009 (Canberra offi ce of the COX Group) 22 Jardine St, Kingston, CanberraFive months full time, 4 months part time 3.5 days per week.Revit 3D modelling and design documentation of multi-residential, mixed use, public, education, sporting, and government projects and temporary structuresRevit Elements training courseSun study analysis both manual and computer basedGraphic design of reports using Adobe suiteFeasibility and siting analysis for government infrastructureCoordination of competition entries and company marketingAttendance at client and consultant meetings

Scholarship Architect Scots-Australian Council Scholarship for Architecture Work Experience in Scotland SMC Hugh Martin Partnership Jan 2008 – May 2008 (now Archial Group) 18 Rothesay Place, EdinburghFive months full timePowerCAD documentation of offi ce, hostel, recreation and masterplanning heritage conservation and adaptive re-use Sketch design for commercial projectAttendance at weekly CPD seminars

Student Architect Cox Humphries Moss Feb 2006 – Oct 2007 22 Jardine St Kingston ACT 2604Six months full time, 12 months part time 2.5 days per weekProject Centre document control and fi le uploadingAutoCAD 2007 training courseAutoCAD documentation of interior elevations and custom joinery details BCA complianceSite visits during construction

Student Architect“year out” Bates Smart Jan 2005 – Feb 2006 1 Nicholson St, Melbourne 13 months full timeAutoCAD documentation of entertainment, public and commercial projectsAutoCAD drafting for local and international competition entriesInterior fi nishes schedules and sample boardsBCA complianceAttendance at CPD seminars and product information sessions

Student Architect Arkhefi eld Jan 2004 – Nov 2004 418 Adelaide St, Brisbane2 months full time, 8 months part time 2 days per weekConstruction of presentation modelsAutoCAD trainingAutoCAD documentation of large scale multi-residential complexes, sustainable townhouse prototype, single residences, commercial and mixed-use projectsFeasibility study and sketch design of multi-residential development

Work experience Donovan Hill July 2000 112 Bowen St Spring Hill, Brisbane Construction of presentation models

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OTHER EMPLOYMENT HISTORYCustomer service Little Sprout ‘Read Play Learn’ 2008 – 2009 Canberra CentreCustomer service K and K Creative Toys 2000 – 2005 260 Moggill Rd, Indooroopilly

OTHER INTERESTSRowing Member of the Canberra Rowing Club 2007 - 2009 ACT Rowing Association Regattas 2008 - 2009 Corporate Regatta 2006Dragon Boating Corporate Regattas 2004, 2006, 2007Music Piano AMEB grade 7 Clarinet AMEB grade 7 Theory of Music AMEB grade 5

REFEREES Mr Graham Humphries Director Cox Humphries Moss 22 Jardine St Kingston ACT 2604 02 6239 6255 canberra@cox.com.au

Mr Paul Millwood Cox Humphries Moss 22 Jardine St Kingston ACT 2604 02 6239 6255 paul.millwood@cox.com.au

Mrs Jane Campbell 20 Charlane Ave Indooroopilly Qld 4068 07 3371 5958 / 0403 042 545 janecampbell@bigpond.com

SERVICE WITHIN ARCHITECTUREAustralian Institute of Architects and Student Organised Network for Architecture (sona)

University of Queensland student representative to sona 2004

sona National Vice-President 2004

Student representative to RAIA Queensland Chapter Council 2004

Student representative to RAIA Queensland Chapter 2004Education Committee

Student advisor to the Tertiary Accreditation Visiting Panel 2004

Member of sona and RAIA 2002 - 2009

University Organisations

“RE:HAB” Australa / New Zealand Student Design Congress 2009Organising committee, University of Canberra

Sponsorship Manager and Master of Ceremonies 2007 University of Canberra Graduating Exhibition

Member of “Arclub” Architecture Students Club 2007 - 2009University of Canberra

Student representative to the Architecture Department 2004Academic Advisory Committee, University of Queensland

President of “Bruce” Architecture Students Club 2004University of Queensland

Treasurer of “Bruce” Architecture Students Club 2003University of Queensland

Member of “Bruce” Architecture Students Club 2002 - 2004University of Queensland

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BLACKMOUNTAIN

LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

UCCAMPUS

LAKE GINNINDERRA

LAKEGINNINDERRA

TO CITY

EXIS

TING

CO

NCOU

RSE

AXIS

PROPOSED GREEN

AXIS

The project explores the architectural development of a large scale iconic building in the form of a new Great Hall for the University of Canberra, within a revised campus masterplan.

The hall will accommodate 1100 people for graduation ceremonies, 1000 for theatrical performances, and 450 for Alumni dinners and other functions. The total gfa is approx 2500sqm.

The proposed scheme addressing the aspirations of the University outlined in their strategic framework for the campus:“engaging and connecting with the surrounding community”“being at the heart of Belconnen’s cultural, recreational & educational hub”“creating a strong campus brand & identity with a distinct sense of place”“encouraging a mixed use community that is cohesive, vibrant & safe”“creating a public domain used by the University & the community”

The proposed masterplan for the University of Canberra extends and enforces the “green axis”, perpendicular to the existing campus concourse. The green axis connects the formal eastern entrance and the western pedestrian entrance, drawing people into the heart of the campus.

The Great Hall is colocated with a new Sports Hall and a Piazza which is elevated at the same level as the University Concourse, the heart of the Campus. Elevated walkways link the Piazza with the Concourse via a new Alumni Sculpture garden, new library and the existing Engineering building.

This forms a new cultural precinct on campus for students, staff and the greater community, thus fulf illing the aspiration of the University to have “a campus community with a vibrant cultureal and recreational life” and a place renounded for its musical events and festivals.

The Great Hall is envisaged as a hive of activity with a ceremonial core, a grand internal space wrapped in social and support spaces, based on the concept of two overlapping boxes; the anchor and the lantern.

The “anchor” contains the support spaces and sets the datum for the surrounding Sports Hall and Library.

The “lantern” envelops the social spaces and is elevated, appearing to f loat above the Piazza and the campus. The “lantern” holds a prominent, elevated position creating a beacon for the University visible to the greater community.

The immediate and open relationship between the grand internal spaces of the Great Hall and the Sports Hall and the public Piazza between them allows for multifunctionality, setting the stage for large scale events, fares and festivals, whilst allowing separation for smaller, more intimate performances and ceremonies.

T H E G R E A T H A L LA N D U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A N B E R R A M A S T E R P L A N

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STAGESUPPORT

UPPERFOYERMEZZANINE

FOYER PIAZZA

THE GREAT HALL

SPORTS HALL

LIBRARY

B11EX

LIBRARY

THE CAMPUS GREEN

CAMPUS RESIDENCES

AIKM

AN D

RIVE

UNIVERSITY DR NORTH

UNIVERSITY DR SOUTH

HAYD

ON D

R

TO C

ITY

ALT

ROUT

E TO

CIT

Y

TO BELCONNENTOWN CENTRE

CONC

OURS

EEX

ISTI

NGCO

NCOU

RSE

AXIS

PROPOSED GREEN

AXIS

PROPOSEDGREEN

AXIS

TO AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF

SPORT

PIAZZA

SCHOOL OF

DESIGN

PROPOSED PARKING

EXISTINGPARKING

25m 100m

THE GREAT HALL

SPORTS HALL

ALUMNI SCULPTURE

GARDENPIAZZA UNIVERSITY DR EXTENSION

10m 40m

5m 10m

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PUBLICAMMENITIES

KITCHENLOADING & STORE

STAF

FAM

MEN

ITIE

SDR

ESSI

NGRO

OM 2

DRES

SING

ROOM

1AD

MIN

OFFI

CE

RECEPTION CLOAK

STOR

E

FOYER

THE GREAT HALLSTAGE

ENTRANCE

PIAZZA

STOR

E

PUBLICAMMENITIES

STAF

FAM

MEN

ITIE

SBA

R ST

ORE

DRY

BAR

STO

RECO

LD

HALL BELOW MEZZANINESEATING

MEZZANINESEATING

MEZZANINESEATING

STAGEBELOW

BAR

UPPERFOYER

UPPERFOYER

ATRIUM VOIDMAIN FOYER

REHEARSAL SPACESTORESTAFFROOM

LIG

HTIN

GST

ORE

BIO

BOX

UPPERFOYERMEZZANINE

STAGE

UNIVERSITY DR EXTENSION

ELEVATED WALKWAYTO LINK PIAZZA WITH CONCOURSE

ALUMNISCULPTURE GARDEN

PROPOSEDLIBRARY SUPPORT

CONCOURSE / PIAZZA MEZZANINE5m 10m

SOCIAL / PUBLIC

THE GREAT

HALL

SUPPORT

5m 10m

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M O U N T S T R O M L OO B S E R V A T O R Y A N D P L A N E T A R I U M

Along the ridge of Mount Stromlo thirteen existing buildings lie in varying states of use, preservation and ruin. These structures stand as follies in the exposed landscape, mementos of the devastating 2003 firestorm and of the history of Commonwealth scientific endeavour in Canberra.

The project brief was to develop a public precinct on Mt Stromlo, with the aim of stimulating public awareness of, and interest in, astronomy. The scheme will also provide new research facilities in astronomy and astrophysics.

A strict design process was developed to generate the architectural scheme via a series of inputs / actions. In such a prominent position, and stripped by the firestorm, Mt Stromlo has important visual connections with Walter Burley Griffin’s geometry for the city of Canberra.

While the public precint aims to attract visitors inside the buildings for learning and research the precinct must also relate to its context. The architecture aims to define these relationships and vistas, thus orienting the visitor within their spatial and historical context (of site, city and sky).

Learning and discovery should not be limited to activities housed within the buildings. The entire proposal aims to stimulate and intrigue visitors, encouraging all to explore the entire site, visiting the restored / preserved buildings and learning of their historical significance and beautiful setting.

This design scheme proposes to restore / preserve all existing structures. They are interpreted as a constellation of destinations within the site.

To create the new public precinct a generating mass was placed at the centre of the converging constellation vectors. First a circle was experimented with, then an elipse, followed by a square form.

The “constellation vectors” between destinations (structures) were utilised to slice the generating mass (step 1).

These vectors then displaced the resulting fragments, according to the principles of gravitational attraction. The distribution of the architectural program informed the ratio of this displacement, in both plan and section. By altering this ratio the displacement and therefor the overall arrangement of the site is altered (step 2).

A second series of vectors was then overlaid: vista vectors relating to the city. These were utilised to carve voids and viewing platforms from the fragments of built mass, defi ning internal and external circulation and orientation (step 3).

These “vist vectors” reopen visitor and staff movement through the diffi cult terrain of the site, whilst encouraging all to explore and investigate their environment and meaning. Thus the sliced and dispersed building masses and reconnected, and the visitor reorientated, through this third layer or process.

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2 PROGRAM DISTRIBUTIONINFORMS DISPLACEMENT RATIOIN PLAN AND SECTION

TO SIDING SPRINGS

ANUCITY HILL

1 CONSTELLATION OF DESTINATIONSVECTORS BETWEEN EXISTING FACILITIES SLICE GENERATING MASS 3 VIEW VECTORS

CARVE VOIDS THROUGH MASSAND EXTEND INTO LANDSCAPE

BLACKMOUNTAIN

LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

MOUNTAINSLIE

MOUNT STROMLO

NEARPUBLIC

AND PLANETARIUM

FURTHERWORKSHOP

AND LABORATORIES

FAROBSERVATORIES

AND ACCOMMODATION

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THEATRE

EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION (BEYOND)

MAIN OBSERVATORYOBSERVATORY

FOYER & DISPLAYTICKETS

PUBLIC FACILITIES ADMINISTRATION

VIEWING INTO MAIN OBSERVATORY &

WORKSHOP

CAFE

PLANETARIUM

LABSLOOKOUTS

ELEVATED LINKENTRY

LOOKOUT

DISPLAY & RETAIL

EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION

THEATRE

WORKSHOP

LABS

ACCOMMODATION

OBSERVATORY

OBSERVATORIES

LABS

PUBLIC ADMIN

ACCOMMODATIONPUBLIC

VIEWING INTO

WORKSHOP

OBSERVATORIES

LABS

MANAGEMENT

ACCOMMODATION

MAIN OBSERVATORY

(PUBLIC)

OBSERVATORY

LABSMAIN OBSERVATORY

VIEWING INTO WORKSHOP

OBSERVATORY

WORKSHOP

VIEWING

VIEWING

ELEVATEDLINKS

TERRACE LEVEL

CAFE & FUNCTIONS

(PLANETARIUM)

UPPER LEVEL 1

UPPER LEVEL 2

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To create a new home for the Canberra Contemporary Arts Space this proposal aims not to create a modern “contemporary” building, but rather a timeless scuplting of the earth itself, folding and buckling the site surface to create a new terrain with oportunities for occupation.

Leather was selected as a metaphor and experimental tool as, like a building, it has no pretence of being a living organic being, rather it triggers in the viewer an association with a living thing. The inanimate material is animated by the forces which shape it.

The site is in a transitional zone, sandwiched between Canberra’s CBD and the Australian National University.

The compression and expansion of the architectural material reacts to this; upthrust and compressed at the northeastern end (facing Marcus Clarke Street) in response to the scale and activity of the civic centre; unravelling and releasing pressure to rejoin the earth toward ANU.

The proposed building is to be constructed mostly of concrete, to capture the moment of balance between the lifting and dipping surface, and in reference to the building’s creation out of the limestone bedrock beneath the soil.

In order to occupy the voids created beneath this surface a series of long ‘boxes’ are inserted under the ‘skin’. At night these boxes are lit internally, appearing like glow worms nestled within the folds of earth.

This series of smaller enclosures enables climate and lighting control, and allows the spatial requirements for current needs and into the future.

Once arranged in the current configuration the boxes are ‘hung’ from the building skin, allowing adjustment to fit the folds and buckles.

This also allows removal, rearrangement and addition of different boxes ensuring spatial and functional flexibility into the future of the Canberra Contemporary Arts Space.

A continued contemporality occupying the earth itself.

Long horizontal elements support and join with the folded plane, creating an enticing opportunity to experience the surfaces and draw the patron into the building.

The walls of both buildings tilt and shift around circulation zones, fracturing the linear series of folds, creating further opportunities to journey into the structure and its internal spaces.

25m 50m

C C A SC A N B E R R A C O N T E M P O R A R Y A R T S P A C E

BLACKMOUNTAIN

LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

MOUNTAINSLIE

1 0

11

7m 14m

S6S7S8

S9

S10

G3

M

A

A

SS

V

V

R

R

R

FGSRAMSSCBV

- FOYER- GALLERY- STUDIO- RESIDENCE- ADMIN- MEETING- SUPPORT/STORE- CAFE- BOOKSHOP- VOID

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5

G2

A

SS

SS

G1

B

F

SS

C

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

WASH

BED

SERVICES & WET CORE

DINING

LOUNGESTORE & DRY CORE

PRIVATEYOGA

TERRACE

ADJ FIXINGS TIE BOX BACK TO MAIN WALLS

LEGEND

2m 4m

1 2