Colleen Zeugin Portfolio by Colleen Zeugin

COLLEEN ZEUGIN

RESUME

EDUCATION

Dec 2027 (expected)

Cornell University // College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, Ithaca, NY

Master of Architecture

May 2024

LOCATION: Washington, DC

EMAIL: crz33@cornell.edu

PHONE: +1 (202) 236-3916

Relevant Coursework: Integrated Studio (current), 3 Design Studios, Building Technology I+II, Structures I+II, Constructed Drawing

University of Michigan // Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Ann Arbor, MI

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Minor in German Studies

Relevant Coursework: 4 Design Studios, Structures, Construction, Foundational Modules in hand drawing, graphic communication, digital + physical model making, Environmental Systems, Sustainability, Furniture Design

WORK EXPERIENCE

Jul 2024

Jul 2022 - May 2024

Jun 2021 - Aug 2022

ArcStart Residential Counselor // University of Michigan

– Helped organize and run field trips to Detroit and the Ann Arbor Art Fair

– Organized and led team-building activities for students outside of studio class time

– Assisted high school students with design and software in their assignments outside of class time and critiqued student work at final reviews

Peer Mentor // University of Michigan

– Served as a mentor for undergraduate first- and third-year transfer architecture students

– Advised students on succeeding in architecture classes and helped with design and software questions

– Helped organize and run workshops and presentations for students with a team of 15 mentors

Counselor // Sidwell Summer Discovery Day Camp

– Ran and planned activities, crafts, and games for classes of 12 students with one other instructor

– Resolved conflicts between students and encouraged teamwork and supporting others

CAMPUS LEADERSHIP

2020 - 2024

Apr 2022 - May 2024

Jan 2022 - May 2022

Alpha Rho Chi Professional Fraternity // Iktinos Chapter, University of Michigan Executive Board Member

Treasurer

– Managed finances and planned budget for entire 60-member chapter

– Initiated changes to chapter dues with member input

–

Facilitated communication between chapter and college administration regarding endowment funds

Assistant Recruitment Chair

Coordinated and ran events with two others to create a welcoming environment for potential new members

–

– Facilitated relationship-building between new and current members through implementing coffee chats and fraternity dinners

AWARDS + RECOGNITION

Nov 2025

Aug 2024 - Present

Aug 2020 - May 2024

2021 - 2022

2020 - 2024

May 2021

SKILLS

2026 Summer Showcase // Cornell University, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning – Model made for ARCH 5613: Structural Systems was one of two projects chosen for summer exhibition of student work

Merit Scholarship // Cornell University, College of Art, Architecture, and Planning

Merit Scholarship // University of Michigan, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

James B. Angell Scholar // University of Michigan

– Awarded for 2 or more consecutive terms of “straight-A” record

– Received Winter 2021, Fall 2021, Winter 2022

University Honors // University of Michigan

– Awarded for term GPA over 3.5

– Received 6 terms, graduated with Honors (Cumulative GPA over 3.5) in May 2024

Kothe-Hildner Prize // University of Michigan, Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures

– Awarded for best final project from all sections of German 101, 102, and 231

– Won Winter 2021 (German 102); Nominated Fall 2022 (German 231)

Software: Rhino3D, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, Grasshopper, Twinmotion, Enscape, AfterEffects

Design: Physical + digital modeling, sketching, hand drawing and drafting, woodworking

Languages: German (professional proficiency); Spanish (limited professional proficiency)

FLEXIBLE AFFORDABILITY:

FAMILY HOUSING FOR ITHACA

Cornell University // Graduate Core Studio III: Engaged Practices

Instructors: Lily Chi, Emma Silverblatt

October - December 2025

Individual Work

PROBLEM:

Create a proposal for affordable housing for a specific demographic in Ithaca, NY, that is able to adapt over time with the changing population.

SOLUTION:

Single-parent families are one of the most in-need demographics for affordable housing in Ithaca, as the majority of these households spend over 30 percent of their income on rent. This proposal provides a flexible framework for one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments based on a 30’x17’ structural grid that allows apartments to be easily expanded or divided based on future population changes.

The building’s form shapes green space on both the street and waterfront sides, creating dynamic and inviting elevations and safe outdoor spaces for children away from the street. The form also creates space adjacent to the existing affordable housing project to the north, bringing light into its apartments and fostering a sense of community between current residents and the new development.

The ground floor includes an annex of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (a local youth center), a climbing gym, childcare center, and commercial space, all of which are programs currently missing from the site. This provides necessary services to building inhabitants while also bringing new activity to the area to seed a new neighborhood.

Software Used:

Ground Floor: 1. Climbing Gym 2. Youth Center 3. Trail Lobby

Childcare Center

Street Lobby

Commercial Space

REGENERATION: A TRANSIT STATION FOR PHILADELPHIA

Cornell University // Graduate Core Studio II: Computational Design Instructors: Andrew Lucia, Martin Miller, Iroha Ito

March - May 2025

Group Project with Meghan Palmer and Sophia Zaita

PROBLEM:

Design a transit station for the city of Philadelphia that includes additional programming that considers the area’s needs.

SOLUTION:

This bus and subway station intertwines Philadelphia’s public transportation system with its architectural and industrial history through a public gallery, materials library, and ceramics and textile workshops. It reconnects the historic Center City neighborhood to the Delaware River waterfront with courtyards, recreation fields, and an amphitheater.

Brick screen facades reflect the site’s proximity to the city’s historic areas while simultaneously providing ventilation to open-air train platforms and circulation spaces. Parametrically designed mass timber branching columns create a long-spanning structure with staggered roofs that create clerestories and for light and natural ventilation.

Software

Materials Library

Ceramics Workshop

Level -01

Level 00

Level 01

Column to Foundation Detail

Wood Internal Bracing to Secure Posts

Embedded Steel Plates (Bolted Connection) Steel Base Plate (Bolted Connection)

Concrete Isolated Footing

Embedded Steel Plates (Bolted Connection)

Mass Timber Beam Reinforcing Bars Steel Angle (Bolted Connection)

Wood Internal Bracing to Secure Posts

Square Timber Post

12”

12” Square Timber Post

Mass Timber Beam

Material Thickness

Steel Rods

Steel Bracket Plate

Metal Anchor Screw

Welded Plate

Timber Plate

Steel Rods

Anchor Bolts

Welded Steel Base Plate

Steel Bars

Masonry Load-Bearing Wall

Grout

Chunk Model Scale: 1/8” = 1’-0”

Chunk Model, Roof Detail

Site Model

Scale: 1/32” = 1’-0”

REHABILITATION: A CENTER FOR BEAVERS IN ITHACA

Cornell University // Graduate Core Studio I Instructor: Nikole Bouchard

November 2025

Individual Work

PROBLEM:

Design a rehabilitation center for an animal native to New York State in the Cornell University Mundy Wildflower Garden, taking into account the animal’s specific behaviors and needs.

SOLUTION:

This center is designed for the care and research of a native beaver colony in the Fall Creek area of Ithaca, NY. The architecture avoids disrupting the animal’s natural habitat and shy nature, where portions of the building are lifted off the ground to preserve the animal’s path to its food source. The building’s location in the trees away from the creek allows the beavers to build lodges without human interference.

The building includes an educational museum space, a cafe, and examination rooms for animals. The outdoor entrance allows humans and beavers to coexist, separated by walls between the public and private sides of the building.

Software Used:

Ground Floor

Second Floor

Front Elevation

Study Models

Overall Model

Scale: 1/4” = 1’-0”

Model Interior View

CREATIVE WELLNESS: A COMMUNITY RETREAT IN ANN ARBOR

University of Michigan // Undergraduate Studio II

Instructor: Landon Carpenter

February - April 2023

Individual Work

PROBLEM:

Design a community center for the City of Ann Arbor based on a personal definition of “wellness.” The center is located in the woods of Parker Mill County Park, which is connected to the city through the Gallup Park Pathway walking trail.

SOLUTION:

Inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s retreat at Walden Pond, this community center focuses on wellness through individual creative production and immersion in nature. The building consists of studio rooms for individuals and small groups tailored to different creative pursuits, including writing, painting, drawing, and ceramics. Rooms dedicated to different activities are given unique shapes and apertures specific to the room type, while circulation spaces roll with the site’s topography to mimic the feeling of walking through the forest.

Software

View Studies

Interior Views

Sketches + Study Model

Longitudinal Section

LAYERED NARRATIVES: A COSMIC SANCTUARY IN ANN ARBOR

University of Michigan // Undergraduate Studio III

Instructor: Keith Mitnick

September - December 2023

Individual Work

PROBLEM:

Through a series of photographic and storytelling exercises, design a recreation space that incorporates an aquatic center, contemplative garden, and exhibition space based on the material, sensory, and symbolic properties of water.

SOLUTION:

As a developmental exercise, photographic studies explore the properties of water as a material, and folded collages explore how to visually represent a fictional narrative.

The proposed building on the following page incorporates findings from these exercises, including folding and unfolding, leaking, and shifts in scale, resulting in a sculptural and interactive structure. Occupants experience interrupted views of their surroundings as the building folds on itself, while circulation extends onto various roofs, allowing spaces to leak into one another. Abstract photographic studies revealed the cosmic visual property of water, informing the exhibition space’s program as a planetarium and observatory.

The site, located on the Huron River in an industrial part of Ann Arbor, is near numerous disruptions, such as a busy streets and bridges, a train station, and a highway. The building’s three primary axes are designed to block noise and unwanted attention from these sources while highlighting natural landmarks, emphasizing the user’s feeling of being transported to another world.

Overall Plan:

Section A

1. Observatory

2. Aquatic Center

3. Garden

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS:

“RIPPLE,” TAKATOKU NISHI STUDY

Cornell University // ARCH 5613: Structural Systems

Instructor: Mark Cruvellier

September - November 2025

Group Project with Katie Lee and Sophia Zaita

“Ripple” is an exploration of the structural system of an installation by the same name by Takatoku Nishi. The model replicates actual connection details as closely as possible using hand-fabricated pieces without the use of glue. It also replicates the rippling light effect created in the interior space through circular skylights.

This project was selected for the 2026 Summer Showcase at Cornell University.

Scale: 3/4” = 1’-0”

Final Dimensions: 1.5’ W x 3’ L x 2’ H

PRECEDENT STUDY ABSTRACTION

University of Michigan // ARCH 312: Undergraduate Studio I

Instructor: Torri Smith

October 2022

Scale: 4” x 6” x 8”

Various abstract study models of the Garcia House by Ibarra Rosano Design Architects, focusing on the house’s split-level circulation system, framed views, and its integration with the site.