Application Portfolio Keanu Klugesherz Oxford Brookes University

Application Portfolio Keanu Klugesherz | January 2024

The following portfolio comprises four different projects that showcase the evolution in my creative process. Each project is visually executed differently and will be introduced by a small mood board. Moreover, I tried to briefly summarize the main ideas of each project to create an explanatory but also visually appealing portfolio.

Table of content Introduction

Conditions of emergence Perception of architecture

Pages 3 4

Project 1

London style house

5-7

Project 2

Concrete apartment building

8-13

Project 3

Wooden doll house

14-24

Project 4

Artist house

25-29

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Before starting to present my portfolio, I would like to briefly explain the conditions of its emergence as well as my decision progress to study architecture.

I've always wanted to work in a creative job, and fashion design or another design field seemed like a natural fit. I've been drawn to art, especially in the context of fashion, where functional aspects blend seamlessly with artistic expression. It wasn't until my final year of school that I discovered my interest in architecture as a creative pursuit, merging practicality with an artistic touch.

Despite this realization, it took some time after graduation to fully embrace architecture as my passion and commit to expanding my knowledge in the field. My internship with 'Merca Bau & Wohnkultur’, a German property development company, gave me valuable insights into the work of architects and the process of constructing a house.

During this period, I also took on the challenge of teaching myself how to create architectural drawings from scratch on. However, fueled by my ambition to study architecture, I invested time and effort into this learning process, with the goal of building a portfolio showcasing my architectural designs.

Linked to a visit to London, a city known for its vibrant and creative environment a perfect backdrop for pursuing a bachelor's degree in an artistic subject, I solidified my dream of studying in the epicenter of creative work. Consequently, I set my sights on preparing for the TOEFL iBT test to meet the academic requirements for this exciting journey.

I therefore had to master the challenge to parallelly study to meet the English language requirements and to create a portfolio – all of that within two months without having any initial practical skills.

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‘Art was always about making references to the past. Getting your inspiration from other artists.

In architecture it is quite the same. There is no need to create something completely new if there is already a style of the city or the place you want to create something.’

- Georg Oddner.

For me, the most important aspect of architecture is the art of integrating it in its environment and yet serve its purpose. The real talent of an outstanding architect lies within inserting something perfectly in its environment and improving the way it was done before. Why shouldn’t you make use of a good idea someone had before? Often, good ideas do not get the recognition they truly deserve or are simply forgotten overtime. Why should something not work in recent times just because it has been a long time since someone came up with the initial idea?

Another aspect reflecting my perception of architecture has been developed through my interest and extensive engagement with the doctrine of Bauhaus, which emphasizes 'Form follows function’, stating that architecture must fulfil more than the purpose of living. For me personally, the perfect building incorporates functional design, sustainability, positive psychological effects, emanates timeless elegance, and encompasses other essential aspects. A good architect doesn’t necessarily need to incorporate all these features but must at least consider as many as possible. By using not only the perfect shape but also the right materials and lighting, I believe one can incorporate them all. Aware of not being an expert (yet), I have tried to include all the above-mentioned aspects to execute my portfolio as authentically as possible.

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The depicted pictures are the very first creative designs I drew. The project was initially designed for ‘Merca Bau & Wohnkultur’ during my internship. The architect of the mentioned company was supposed to think of a creative design for a London style house. I decided to challenge myself and contribute proactively with sketches of my house designs. My initiative was highly valued by my supervisor, especially the fact that I was capable of adhering to the existing building permit and its requirements.

My main idea was to create the typical london row house aesthetic. Therefore, i chose to place the doors closely next to each other and to use two different materials for my design: a black wooden panel to imitate the ground floor and a white brick panel for the first as well as the second floor. The house was supposed to have access to as much daylight as possible on the inside. Consequently,the designs show huge windows all around the house.

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The central idea to be executed on the ground floor was to create an open room in a typical English city house aesthetic. Furthermore, I attempted to create a separated space without using walls to allow the inhabitants to move freely. The house is supposed to give the impression of length without making its inhabitants feel narrowed down. Once one enters the house, there will be a small seating area on either the right or left. This area is separated from the rest of the space by stairs leading to the first floor as well as a small bathroom. The kitchen and the dining area are separated from the remaining space by two stairs which are embedded in the ground in order to create the illusion of a new space.

Yet this will allow the viewer to look into the living room. I decided to trim down the rest of the design and focus only on mentioning the most important aspects because this project no longer aligns with my standards of working.

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This was my first time trying to design a house utilising a digital program. The primary idea was to create a multifamily house with different kinds of apartments on each level, offering residents a variety of opportunities to choose from among the diverse living spaces. The house as a whole is intended to combine a comfortable atmosphere for the inhabitants with serving its purpose as a small shopping area, hence the materials had to be chosen with caution in order to fulfil their individual function.

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Dual-material combination

Firstly, I integrated a concrete facade in order to maintain a clean feeling and hence create a neutral optic for the stores. By that, each lodger is enabled to actualize their own, characteristic aesthetic. The concrete façade also creates maximum space yet minimal expenses.

Secondly, I opted for a dark wooden paneling in the stairwells and on the floors leading towards the apartments.

By that, a nice and homely living atmosphere is created. Moreover, big windows in the main rooms provide natural lighting for the residents.

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The ground floor layout of the building intended to contain three stores, with each store having its own showroom and storage unit. In front of the windows, every store is supposed to have its individual exhibition space.

Store 1 has its own entrance and is slightly larger than the other two.

Store 2 and 3 are accessible through a shared floor. That floor heads towards the stairwell which leads to the apartments atop. The different floors can be entered via elevator or stairs.

Store 1

Storage Storage unit 2

Store 2

unit 1 Storage unit 3

Store 3

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flat 1

flat 4

The floor plan of the second and fourth floor is designed as efficient as possible with two different breeds of appartements.

Flat 1 and 2 contain two bedrooms and are perfect for shared living. They provide both inhabitants with enough privacy and have all the necessary amenities combined with the space needed.

flat 3

Flat 3 and 4 are created for people who prefer to live alone. They have a small living room which also contains a kitchen.

I utilized just a thin wall to separate the sleeping area from the living and kitchen area in order to create the feeling of another room and saving some space.

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Apartment 1 The initial idea for the layout of this floor was to enhance Georg Much’s design of the ‘Am Horn’ house. Much aimed to provide more privacy in shared living by having each room separated. Similarly, I wanted to create a living room accessible by almost every other room and hence making it the central hub of the flat. This flat offers a lot of privacy while providing the option of getting together in the living room or the kitchen, which is separated as well.

This way, you have the possibility to spend time together without feeling cramped. The layout, which can be found in the third and fifth floor, is more spacious than the one used on the second and fourth floor.

Consequently, it is more convenient for people working from home or those seeking for more space in general.

Apartment 2

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I attempted to visualize the concept of a model for a climate-neutral house in a mountainous landscape within a forest.

Inspired by MJ Longs dollhouse, my goal was to design a wooden model which functions the same way Sals dollhouse does. Her idea of giving the model a use beyond its visual purposes spoke to me, consequently, I tried to incorporate similar elements.

My aim for the model was the combination of two functions in just a single object - a dollhouse to play with as well as a model for an actual, life-size house.

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To visualise this idea, I originally wanted to use wood right away to make it as authentic as possible. Nevertheless, I realized an architectural process needs a prior model which led me to use cardboard before creating a wooden model. There were several reasons which supported the use of cardboard: First of all, cardboard is easier to cut and therefore perfect to construct a smaller not as accurate model. The goal was to get a feeling for the proportions and the shape. This would help me to adjust the right size and the best shape to put the different pieces together for the wooden model. In this way, I could avoid, making mistakes with the second model. So as to try and learn to deal with as many different materials as possible, I opted for cardboard.

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The basic idea – the creation of a house made up of four components – stayed the same.

However, I conducted some minor changes when finishing the actual model. To support the impression of a house in harmony with the surrounding nature, I made all the different parts accessible from the in - and out-side. I wanted to create a house without necessarily giving each room a purpose of use.

The middle part of the house should serve – due to its shape and lightning as a centre of the house with the purpose to separate the three other parts from each other. The mezzanine could be used as a gallery or library to give the room a special and spacious feeling. The houses interior and outdoor panelling is fully made of wood to adapt to the forest environment. This enhances the feeling of being a part of the forest.

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By using these pictures, I tried to present the different features I used to create a proper doll house as well as showing a possible use for each room of a feasible house. The only room not pictured is the room a level lower which could be used as a shared bedroom. The bathroom is on the outside to purposely take away the comfort of showering and going to the toilet in the house. Why so? This feature seamlessly blends with the aim of creating a house with the feeling of an indoor-outdoor living and to minimize usage of electricity in the house. I would also waive other technical features houses are normally provided with nowadays.

I am convinced that one doesn’t necessarily need electric innovation to create sustainable houses these days. Often referred to as something negative, I am showing that taking a step back in time not using the newest electric features can be something innovative. My model shows that giving up some comfort can lead to doing the nature a favour while fulfilling its atmospheric purpose and being connected to the environment.

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The idea I aimed to visualize was that of the perfect building for a creative retreat in nature, set on a vast, open field. I wanted to create a harmonious living atmosphere combined with an ideal environment for expressing creativity. The building is designed to evoke a sense of togetherness while offering inhabitants the opportunity to work independently. It consists of three distinct parts that clearly separate the living and working areas. These individual sections are connected by various pedestals and stairs, ensuring easy access from both inside and outside.

To maintain a clean, almost sterile appearance, I opted for white steel as the primary material. In order to cultivate a cosy living atmosphere, I chose pale wood for the walls that divide the interior spaces. The entire structure is elevated on steel stilts, and all the walls are made of glass to flood the building with natural light and provide inhabitants with uninterrupted views of the surroundings. The bathroom is the only exception, featuring a white wall behind its glass pane to ensure privacy while still allowing light to shine through.

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I refrained from using conventional spatial concepts for the interior. I decided to eliminate entirely the concept of rooms separated by walls and doors. The only two areas separated are the bathrooms on the first floor and the half-bath underneath the stairs. I aimed to redefine the understanding of different spaces in this house while still providing it with all the necessary amenities. The utilized walls serve as storage space to optimize the use of space. The sleeping area is designated solely for sleeping. To save space, there is just a bed, separated from another bed by a wall, instead of a whole room.

The kitchen area is designed to be one part of the social centre of the house, where the inhabitants can come together to prepare their meals. It also incorporates the idea of an indoor farming spot that reflects a sustainable approach. I deliberately chose not to include a dining room. Instead, there is a standing desk built into the kitchenette for quicker meals. The house is intended to function as a working environment, and therefore, the interior design encourages efficiency, minimizing time spent on communal dining.

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The other part of the social centre of the house is the seating area where the people can come together to either share ideas or to work separately in the same room. This can be achieved by the adaptable seating area, depending on the purpose of need. I designed the couch to fit in the overall concept of the house.

It incorporates five different movable parts that can be put together as one desires to. That way, it is possible to create a huge sofa to chill together or to create separated parts with a conversation pit and a chill area, in case some want to have a talk while others just want to relax. This coach has the flexibility to assume various interpretations or purposes.

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I created the model in order to showcase the intended function of the working space in the house. It makes use of three different workshops. I utilized three different materials in total to create a distinguished atmosphere for each part of the house.

A pottery area is to be found embedded into the ground. There were two reasons for me to do this; Firstly, I wanted each workshop to somehow be separated from the others and secondly, I wanted the creative workers to feel surrounded by earth in order to attach them with the material they are working with.

For the same reason, I incorporated wooden walls to separate the carpenter workshop from the rest of the building.

Furthermore, there is a huge table right in the centre of the room, supposed to enable the workers to unite and work together on their projects.

As with all the other areas, I attempted to give the opportunity to have an open look over the vicinity while drawing or, in general, working at the table. Therefore, I designed the table in the shape of a `T´.

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As we reach the final page of my portfolio, I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to explore it in its entirety. These past few months have been a journey of dedication as I poured my heart into creating this portfolio. I truly hope you've enjoyed the outcome and will consider granting me the opportunity to join the `Oxford Brookes University´ as a student. My goal and dream is to evolve into a skilled architect, and I believe that becoming a student at the Oxford Brookes University will play a salient role in deepening my understanding of this field. Your consideration means the world to me, and I am hopeful for the chance to pursue my passion within your esteemed Institution.

`Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.´ - Frank Gehry

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