David Bransfield M. Arch 1 Applicant Fall 2016
DAVID BRANSFIELD Master of Architecture I Applicant 2016 242 Fendale Street, Franklin Square, NY 11010 bransfield.david@gmail.com (516) 644-8524
EDUCATION NEW YORK UNIVERSITY September 2011 - August 2015 I New York, NY Double Major: Studio Art & Urban Design GPA: 3.7/4.0 Dean's List Scholar Honors Recipient BFA Student Excellence Recipient
EXPERIENCE
WEBSITE
www.davidbransfield.com
Inson Dubois Wood Architecture & Interiors LLC
Intern/Design Assistant I May - June 2015 I New York, NY
SKILLS
As an intern and personal assistant for Inson Wood I assisted in a range of tasks such as daily client interaction, site visits, meetings, inventory management, social media, and clerical needs. This position gave me invaluable insight into the daily endeavors of an architect as well as the clarity and cohesiveness needed between all employees in order to operate a successful firm.
Painting Sketching
Stebich Ridder International
Microsoft Office
Art Handler I 2012-2015 & Current I New York, NY & Clifton, NJ
SRI is a leader in international art storage and transportation. My position has enabled me to handle and install all types of projects from large exhibitions to museum collections, as well as assist conservators and collectors in various projects.
Photography Adobe Photoshop
New York University Wood & Metal Fabrication Shop
Adobe Illustrator
Monitor I 2013-2015 I New York, NY
Woodworking
While studying at NYU I maintained a work-study position at the NYU wood and metal shop. My position consisted of the monitoring of all heavy machinery to ensure proper use and prevent injuries. I also assisted in daily construction and maintenance around the shop and art building.
Drafting Adobe Indesign
NYU Villa La Pietra Art Gallery
Tour Guide/Gallery Assistant I Fall 2013 I Florence, Italy
Autodesk Autocad
Having studied in Florence during my junior year, I maintained a work-study position as a tour guide for the NYU art gallery and garden at Villa La Pietra. The collection houses over 3,000 paintings, sculptures, and tapestreies, dating as far back as the 14th century. I also assisted with clerical functions in the textile preservation lab and served as art handler when necessary.
Google Sketchup Rhinoceros
INTERESTS
EXHIBITIONS
FEELS LIKE HOME
Solo Painting Exhibition I Summer 2015 I New York, NY
My first exhibition at the NYU Broadway Windows Gallery located on 10th Street and Broadway, viewable from the street 24/7 from August - November.
Rock Climbing
ABOUT
Painting
Photography
Travelling
Born and raised on the Queens-Long Island border, many of my current aspirations are due to my urban upbringing. I am interested in the rich social culture and history of New York City, and the art and intellectual growth which has thrived (both on the street and in private galleries) from it. This is the theme which drives my current artwork. As an architect I hope to further examine urban space in a social context by questioning and defining the successes of different forms of space in past and current societies, with the goal of maintaining public authenticity and civic power while restoring space in a manner that is sustainable, engaging, and original.
-SCAPES
Senior Thesis Exhibition I May 2015 I New York, NY
STILL
Senior Honors Exhibition I February 2015 I New York, NY
The first NYU Senior Honors Studio Exhibitions, featuring the works of myself and fellow BFA graduate Emma Strebel, curated by IFA curator Ksenia Soboleva.
NEW SIGHTS, NEW NOISE
Senior Honors Exhibition I Sept - Dec 2015 I New York, NY
Curated by and featuring works from musican and artist Michael Stipe, this exhibition lasted the length of one full semester and comprised of a thinktank environment where artists exposed their motivations, inspirations, and processes behind their art through video and image projections.
Contents
01 Form as Function: Units of Aggregation and Partition
Columbia University Introduction to Architecture program comprised of: A) Material Study: Interpreting the Unit B) St. John the Divine Cathedral: Developing the Unit
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Urban Design for Public Health
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Redesigning Macri Triangle Park: a public park and World War II memorial in Brooklyn, NY
Independent Projects
A) Ingrained Beauty: Advanced Projects in Sculpture Final B) Commissioned Works
17 Feels Like Home
An independent painting exhibition at the New York University Broadway Windows Gallery
Form as Function
Introduction to Architecture at Columbia University, Summer 2015 Material Study: Interpreting the Unit 1
My first assignment at Columbia was to choose two common materials that could yield interesting spatial and structural results. I chose wooden tongue depressors and string, and focused on creating a variable or unit with these materials that could build upon one another to create a dynamic and functional model. My objective was to take a standard shape and, through combinations and aggregations, create an original design.
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Individual tongue depressors are oriented and tied perpendicular to one another to form the cross-joint.
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The cross-joint is then tied to two more individual pieces hinged at a 45 degree angle to increase dimensionality between units. These 4 individual pieces form one unit.
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Each piece must be cross-tied to ensure structural integrity when combining units. Holes are created in both ends of the parallel pieces and tied from unit to unit to increase the strength of the whole structure. Units can then be combined to create countless variances.
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Form as Function
The final model is a dense, flexible and dynamic structure that has no orientation and can incorporate movement without losing its overall shape.
A closeup of joint-to-joint interaction shows the possibilities of connection.
Form as Function
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Projective illustrations help identify structural characteristics not immediately apparent in design. This plan view projection identifies the aggregation of units along the periphery as well as the creation of substructures within the larger structure.
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Form as Function
St. John the Divine Cathedral: Developing the Unit
After completing material studies I continued to analyze units of aggregation and partition in the final project: the creation of a civic center next to the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. Spatial observations and tactics were to be translated from material study to final site plan, focusing on the exterior of the site and the transition between site spaces. I began by experimenting with new unit forms and investigating spatial opportunities within the current site. My objective was not to solve site problems, but instead to incoporate the negative space of the Church within my own site as an opportunity for an uncanny public space.
The current site contains units of its own, as the periphery of St. John the Divine Cathedral creates unique and engaging negative spaces. The site reaches peak elevation at the center, making this the ideal apex point of the site. I decided to create a civic center resembling the height and length of the Cathedral, but consisting of sharp and dramatic structures and spaces to contrast the adjacent tall walls and arches.
Form as Function
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Analyzing Space: Unit Prototypes and Drawings
The first step to transition from a material study project to a final site plan was to choose a favorable structural unit and study possible aggregations. The triangle proved to be a rewarding unit because the multiplication of triangular units is possible in almost any direction or angle, and because these combinations can yield irregular relationships and negative spaces. Before constructing my final model, I created several prototype studies to observe the spatial effects of the triangular unit and note the combinations most desirable for my site.
My civic center pairs spaces that would not normally be found together. These pairs include a protest plaza and a banquet hall, a board room and a library, and a gallery on top of an auditorium. By mixing civic and political spaces directly next to a monumental religious structure, the open and interactive design scheme would create uncanny relationships between each space.
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Form as Function
Banquet Hall
Green Room
Auditorium Board Room Meeting Rooms
Classrooms
Protest Plaza
2nd Floor Gallery
Research Library
Bathroom
Bathroom
Form as Function
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The auditorium and gallery in the center of the site feature clear triangular units. In the spirit of civic design, the civic center illustrates a sense of community and openness through large visible spaces and several circulation options. Auditorium processions can be viewed from outside or inside the auditorium, and the second floor gallery provides a 360 degree view of the entire site.
Site elevation
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Form as Function
Visitors are given the option of exterior or interior circulation. Individuals can travel around or through the site infastructure, with the aggregation of triangular units creating engaging exterior partitions.
Partial section: site entrance and banquet hall
Site section showing individual spaces
Form as Function
8
Urban Design for Public Health: Macri Triangle Park Urban Design and Health Final, Spring 2015
Macri Triangle Park is a small urban park and World War II memorial situated directly next to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Wlliamsburg, Brooklyn. The space has extreme potential to positively affect local urban health, but has fallen victim to poor planning and little maintenance. Circulation throughout the park is non-existent, and much of the current layout is occupied by an unused bocceball court. The lack of foliage and trees give visitors no respite from their urban surroundings, and the actual war memorial consists of a small stone incscription hidden in the corner of the park. My site plan seeks to remedy these problems by further incorporating aspects of nature and community in order to enhance urban health. To meet the needs of the community the site must consist of several separate sections all linked by central and exterior paths. Most importantly, my plan introduces a new war memorial and park installation that would would bring a new vibrancy to the community. The memorial also introduces the benefits of renewable energy to a community which could thrive from this power source.
Peripheral Seating
Unused Bocce Court
Park Gate
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Oversized Sidewalk
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Unused Walking Space
Urban Design for Public Health
Memorial
Project Proposal
My park re-design begins by extending the outer fence, opening the park by several feet on each side. Lines of trees and peripheral seating lie directly behind the outer fence, creating a sense of encolsement and quieting the sounds of the city. The North and South sides of the park feature communal gardens, where local citizens interested in farming and health can volunteer and learn valuable farming skills. The food grown would be given back to the community and used in local soup kitchens. A dog park (currently main usage of the park) occupies the East side, and the West consists of green space. The trees within this green space would feature circular tree seating, a design which saves space while creating relaxing and shady seating. At the center of the park lies the war memorial, with seating both around and in the memorial space. Visitors are given the option to pass directly through the space or travel along the outer path.
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Park Lamps
Entrance Gate
Entrance Gate
Outer Path
Sidewalk
Urban Design for Public Health
Community Garden
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The Heart of Macri Triangle
Composed of 6 outward increasing square roofing units, the World War II memorial at Macri Triangle Park features a series of tinted glass solar panels. These roofing units provide convenient shade during the day, and each individual solar panel illuminates in the shape of a military star (visible from underneath each roof). The structure is composed of 4,325 units - one for each 10 New York citizens killed in action during World War II. The memorial would also provide electricity to the rest of the park, creating a self-sufficient environment.
The memorial site contains the solar roofing and accompanying structural components, as well as steps which can also serve as seating. At the center of the structure lies the physical memorial: a large illuminated glass box lifted several feet off of the ground. The glass memorial is inscribed with the names of each Brooklyn citizen lost during World War II.
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Urban Design for Public Health
Urban Design for Public Health
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Ingrained beauty
CNC-carved and handcut wooden and glass table Advanced Projects in Sculpture Final, Spring 2015 Inspired by the geometry and monumentality of the ancient Mayan pyramids, my objective for Ingrained Beauty was to create a functional piece of art which appeared so articulate that users would be hesitant to place objects on it. The inside of the tabletop is carved and overlayed with glass, hiding the true beauty of the table within the intrinsic design. Having no prior experience in 3D-modelling, I used my available resources at New York University to 3D-carve a tabletop using our new CNC router. I then constructed the base by hand. Users are unaware of the table’s true beauty until they interact with it, resulting in a suprising design aspect that draws unanticipated interest.
Elevation showing glass, top, & base
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Exploded illustration of table top
Ingrained Beauty
Ingrained Beauty
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Commissioned Works, 2014-2015
Seafood Market: Acrylic on Canvas, 24 x 18 inches. 2014.
Lower East Side: Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 24 inches. 2014.
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Commissioned Works
Connections: Pencil and watercolor pencil on bristol board, 70 x 54 inches. 2013.
Urban Evolution: Watercolor on paper, 50 x 36 inches. 2015.
Commissioned Works
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Feels Like Home
An independent painting exhibition at the New York University Broadway Windows Gallery, June-November 2015 Feels Like Home was my first independent art exhibition, held at the New York University Broadway Windows graduate gallery on 10th Street and Broadway in New York City from August 20th to November 1st, 2015. The exhibition was on view 24/7 from both 10th Street and Broadway. Artist Statement: As a native New Yorker I have always had an interest in exploring authentic neighborhoods and the different cultures that created each urban scene around the city. The steady transformation of many of these neighborhoods due to gentrification has inspired my recent work of documenting and celebrating remaining culturally vibrant spaces. I am intrigued by the communal urban structure that ensues in these insular and somewhat disordered spaces such as Chinatown and the Lower East Side, and the original characteristics that result within each. The scenes I choose to paint symbolize a vanishing cultural authenticity and artistic freedom. My hope as an artist is that my work revives a memory or sparks a conversation with the viewer; one that does not necessarily correlate with my own but is special to the individual experiencing it.
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Feels Like Home
Feels Like Home
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Give & Take: Oil on Canvas, 100 x 67 inches. 2015.
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Feels Like Home
Take & Give: Oil on Canvas, 105 x 64 inches. 2015.
Feels Like Home
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Urban Respite: Oil on Canvas, 92 x 66 inches. 2015.
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Feels Like Home
Grand Opening: Acrylic on glass installed in lightbox, 38 x 26 x 7 inches. 2015.
Feels Like Home
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Wash, Dry & Fold: Oil on Canvas, 38 x 30 inches. 2015.
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Feels Like Home
Coffee Shop: Oil on Canvas, 50 x 38 inches. 2015.
Feels Like Home
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