Portfolio_2012

Ben Rambadt design portfolio

Ben Rambadt About me (currently) Graduate Student | University of Michigan | TCAUP I am currently a 2nd year (thesis) graduate architecture student at the University of Michigan in the two-year program at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. I am a recent graduate of the undergraduate program at TCAUP from the spring of 2010. My intentions after graduating with my Masters in Architecture I look forward to working in a firm where I hope to gain integral knowledge and skills in the profession through senior mentorship and my diligent efforts to learn all I possibly can while working towards the ultimate goal of the firm.

Thank you for your time.

Be n ja mi n P. R am bad t

benrambadt .com

2260 Fuller Ct. Apt. 6 Ann Arbor, MI 48105 brambadt@umich.edu + 269.221.1226

Qualification Summary • • • •

Experience in the multimedia of drawing, computer aided design, video editing, and photography.

Cooperative attitude in group projects; integrating own ideas with others for sensible and efficient solutions.

Dedicated to successful verbal and visual communication.

Hands on learner and problem solver.

Education The University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI

2012

Masters of Architecture Candidate

• • •

The Normal (published 2011) www.thenormal-detroit.tumblr.com Current GPA (3.52/4.0) 2012 Student Show Participant

The University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI

2010

Bachelors of Science in Architecture • • • •

ARC (Architectural Representative Committee) Member (2008-2010) GPA upon graduation (3.4/4.0) 2010 Student Show Participant Wallenberg Finalist (Winter 2010)

Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) | Kalamazoo, MI

2008

Associates of Applied Science

• •

Experience

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Student Honor Student (Winter 2007, Fall 2007, Winter 2008)

Draftsman (pt) The University of Michigan Libraries | Ann Arbor, MI

Sept. 2010—Present

• •

2010 Student Show Participant Wallenberg Finalist (Winter 2010)

Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) | Kalamazoo, MI

2008

Associates of Applied Science

• •

Experience

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Student Honor Student (Winter 2007, Fall 2007, Winter 2008)

Draftsman (pt)

Sept. 2010—Present

The University of Michigan Libraries | Ann Arbor, MI • • •

Create concepts for furniture arrangements and room relocations in the University of Michigan Library Facility System Proficient with AutoCAD, Rhino NURBS and CS5 to develop concepts for client presentation Worked with library staff to collect specific information and negotiate time sensitive schedules

Desk Clerk (pt)

August 2006—April 2008

Nottawa Township Library | Centreville MI • •

Assisted library patrons in finding resources in bound or digital media Organized program activities: Children’s Story time Summer Reading Programs, and Community of Friends Group.

Analytical Lab Assistant

May 2007—August 2007

Ross Laboratories—Abbott Laboratories Division | Sturgis, MI • •

Worked in laboratory setting with highly advanced instruments used to measure specific tolerances of liquid and powder baby formulas Developed skills in measuring and recording data swiftly with precise accuracy.

Machine Operator

Summers: ‘04, ‘05, ‘08, ‘10.

Borgert Farms | Sturgis, MI • • •

Drove high performance tractors with large implements preparing fields for planting Experienced in light mechanical repair, welding, metal works, and basic timber construction Knowledge of farming industry; in seed corn, soybean, wheat, and rye

Proficiencies • • •

Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite CS3, CS4, CS5 Physical Models, Plastic + Plaster Print Prototypes, Topo Sites AutoCAD, Rhino 4.0 & 5.0, V-Ray Rendering, SketchUp

• • •

iMovie, iMovieHD, Quicktime, Garageband, Final Cut Pro Laser Cutter Operator and CNC MasterCAM Ecotect, eQuest, Building Design, Climate 5 Consultant

01

02

03

Recharge

The Normal

FAITH

Graduate | Fall 2011 University of Michigan TCAUP

Graduate | Winter 2011 University of Michigan TCAUP

Graduate | Fall 2010 University of Michigan TCAUP

Project:

Detroit Riverfront

Project:

Write It, Make It

Project:

Mega Church Prod.

Interface

Studio:

The Normal

Studio:

FAITH

Studio:

Recharge

Prof:

Christian Unverzagt

Prof:

McLain Clutter

Prof:

Jen Maigret

Partner:

None

Partner:

None

Partner:

Anand Amin

Program:

Writing/Hacker

Program:

Mega Church

Program:

Mixed Use +

Center

Film/Performance

Residential

Site:

Detroit, MI

Site:

Detroit, MI

Site:

Detroit, MI

Size:

~100,000sq. ft.

Size:

+200,000sq. ft.

Size:

+150,000sq. ft.

Publications: 3

Publication:

None

Publications:

None

1. The Normal (vol. 1)

Programs:

Rhino, V-Ray,

Programs:

Rhino, V-Ray,

2. The Normal (vol. 2)

Illustrator

Illustrator

3. The Normal (vol. 3)

Photoshop,

Photoshop,

Programs:

Rhino, V-Ray,

InDesign, ArchGIS

InDesign, ArchGIS,

Illustrator

Photoshop,

InDesign, ArchGIS,

04

05

06

Mother Ditch

Magazine Rack

McKinley House

Undergraduate | Fall 2011 Wallenberg Symposium University of Michigan TCAUP

Winter | 2010 HRK

Summer | 2009 HRK

Project:

in[tension]

Project:

Magazine Rack

Project:

McKinley House

Studio:

Mother Ditch

Studio:

HRK

Studio:

HRK

Prof:

Ellie Abrons

Prof:

None

Prof:

None

Partner:

None

Partner:

Dennis Knoff +

Partner:

Dennis Knoff +

Program:

Conservation

Josh Hendershot

Josh Hendershot

Observatory

Program:

Student design gift

Program:

Single family

Site:

Los Angelos, CA

for the class of 2010

modular home

Size:

~60,000sq. ft.

at TCAUP.

Site:

Buffalo, NY

Publication:

None

Site:

Ann Arbor, MI

Size:

2,000sq. ft.

Programs:

Rhino,V-Ray

Size:

18’ L x 8’ H

Publication:

None

Illustrator

Publication:

1

Photoshop,

InDesign, ArchGIS

1. Competition Brief

Programs:

Rhino,V-Ray

Illustrator, SketchUp

Programs:

Rhino,V-Ray

Photoshop,

Illustrator

InDesign, ArchGIS

Photoshop,

InDesign, ArchGIS

Recharge Detroit Riverfront Interface Fall Studio 2011 Prof: Jen Maigret This semester focused on a ‘lite’ comprehensive design integrated with studies of water, designing for water movement, water containment, water restraint, and water diversion. The sewer and stormwater systems in Detroit, MI are a combined, adding further strain when it begins to fill up; sending the overflow of both the sewer and stormwater into the river. Our projects on sites chosen in a specific area of Detroit address the issues of stormwater management and attempt to remedy any overflow by designs that restrain, contain, or divert water in smart effective ways while maintaining a level of design standard for Detroit.

This project looks to provide a mediation for the public between the river and park space while accomodating to the needs of housing residents living above the ground floor public corridor. The building acts as a system in a whole by diverting rain water on the roof towards apartment terraces and a facade system that acts to both slow down water movement to the ground but to also allow residents to live within the system.

Design Partners: Ben Rambadt Anand Amin

01

Material Studies | Restrain

The idea of slowing water down and creating multiple directions for it to travel started me thinking of a system of modules that could operate together. I began by working with a simple chipboard material for the study and liked the way it was flexible enough to allow some movement in the creation of the module. I then began working with iterations of a ‘bucket’ to collect, hold, and then disburse the water as it moved down either an inclined or vertical surface. After a couple trials with the way water moved from one ‘bucket’ to the other, I then challenged myself to produce a module that could be assembled to another module without the aid of glue by using a notching method to construct the system. Surprisingly the system, fully connected, is able to support itself and provide an interesting flow of water while working to slow the rate down as it reaches the bottom with the assistance of gravity.

Illustrated sequence of laser-cut modules to be folded, clipped in to spin support, and then connected to each other by means of notching.

DOUBLE-SIDED Module Two openings allow for the system to move in multiple directions.

SINGLE-SIDED Module The one opening allows for the system to be directed towards the single exit

Pour Point

At the pour location module, the higher velocity water would cross contaminate with neighboring modules, creating a “skip” in the anticipated pattern of the modules.

The horizontal bottom of the module doesn’t allow for the complete removal of water from the system.

Criteria/Constraints 1] Water flows in multiple directions.

2] Water is distributed.

3] Water enters at one point.

4] Water exits at one point.

5] Water moves slowly.

Close-up of material study with blue water flowing.

Building Model w/Site | 1/32� Scale

Building/Facade Section | 1/2� Scale

The Normal Writing Detroit Winter Studio 2011 Prof. Christian Unverzagt Project involved historic research of Detroit, MI from over the last fifty years in varying fields of development.

Looking at Detroit’s transformation of industry, culture, politics, business, and life. I and ten other classmates were issued the task of compiling two weeks of research into a uniformly formatted book for publishing. After one week of publishing, the book received over 300 hits at its linked website. The published project then helped up to create innovations for an adaptive reuse architecture in the century old and abandoned Globe Trade Building.

Studio website. http://thenormal-detroit.tumblr.com

02

Acknowledgments: Ivan Adelson Sean Baxter James Bevilacqua Bruce Findling Tarlton Long Justin Mast Kurt Schleicher Aaron Weller Brenna Williams Conor Wood

images from The Normal book. Nearly 500 pages of student research

Write It

Make It

In response to 47% of Detroit’s adult population being illiterate,

Writing is a powerful tool and will be joined at the Globe Institute

The Globe Institute is a facility that offers an elite group of

with a fabrication and innovation center where both young and

educators and teaching fellows with the ability to provide

experiences innovators can collaborate and creates digitally

feedback and insight for talented and aspiring writers. Local

or hand modified contraptions. The facility offers a large

and traveling writers and thinkers can have the chance to teach

workshop, gallery, and second floor studio space for people to

and explore the backbone that makes Detroit unique. Located

hash out new ideas and creations with everyday items. The open

near the Dequindre Cut and Detroit Riverfront Walk, the Writing

space and its relation to the existing Globe Building offers an

Institute allows for multiple opportunities of having public

industrial quality to the space, invoking true inspiration for the

interactions year round, creating written inspirations from local

innovators occupying the facility.

experiences.

46’-0”

35’-0”

24’-0”

4’-0”

Suspended Space The entire second level of the institute is set

suspended space is to act as a way for

up for writing and educational purposes.

inhabitants to visually interact with the

With the existing structure of the Globe

differentiations of the structure of the

Building, the conference and lecture hall

Globe and have an appreciation for century

space will be situated inside a suspended

old steel fabrication in Detroit.

structure from the existing truss system in the foundry. The reasoning behind this

Section A-A

4’

32’

64’

46’-0”

35’-0”

24’-0”

4’-0”

Focus Space The Focus Space (Pods) are designed

and writing inspiration as teaching fellows

to eliminate distractions and create a

work for their periods of time with students

focused environment for teaching fellows

and writing Detroit’s stories.

visiting the Globe Writing and Fabrication Institution. These Focus Pods are a loft space directly accessible from the living space below and can be used for research

Section B-B

4’

32’

64’

FAITH Mega Church Production Fall Studio 2010 Prof. McLain Clutter This project was an adventure in discovering the massiveness and interior urbanisms of Mega-Churches through GIS mapping practices, data research, trends, and integrated design. A Mega-Church is defined by a parish having over 2,000 members in its congregation.

The Detroit Metro area alone has a concentration of twenty-six MegaChurch classified facilities with multiple amenities that serve more than the sunday rituals. These interior urbanisms create opportunities for communities to come together for development, giving, and production.

In this project I hoped to capture the essence of a Mega-Church with the production side of a vocational school dedicated to: dance choreography, film, stage performance, and music.

GIS mapping project to locate current Mega-Churches, find trends, and locate a new site

03

A

A

SECTION A - A | perspective

B

SECTION B - B | perspective

B

Sepulveda Dam Rec Area

Topanga State Park

L.A. River mapping project with local demographics, landscape types, and infrastructures

Mother Ditch GRIFFITH PARK

Downtown L.A.

in[tension]

Winter Studio 2010 Wallenberg Symposium Prof. Ellie Abrons

The in[tension] of this project is to explore the L.A. River and its interaction with the city of Los Angeles on a subterranean level; storm drains. The storm drains that discharge into the L.A. River are a vital aspect of what keeps the streets from flooding during the raining season. I wanted to expose this infrastructure to the public with the anticipation of creating a spacial and sectional experience that could introduce people to the system that makes the L.A. River so important. Along with exposing the storm drains and their textural quality, I took a jump at playing with another textural quality of tensioned surfaces such as trampolines. The tensioned surfaces allow the storm drain infrastructure to be actively encountered by the public with the in[tension] that the trampolines would create a sectional experience as an individual physically changed their elevation with every bounce. In addition to exposing the storm drain and incorporating tensioned surfaces, I am admitting the ecology of the L.A. River into the site with the in[tension] of drawing the public down into the natural (non-concrete) bottom of the river. Overall, this project seeks to lure public interest to the river through the means of its own infrastructure, ecology, and the help of tensioned surfaces.

04

This project with the Los Angeles River seeks to mediate the public experience of both recreation and education by exploring the possibilities of combining infrastructure and ecosystem at the edge of the L.A. River. Recreation will include the interaction with trampolines and different tensioned surfaces, the subterranean infrastructure running through the site, and ramps moving down from

the street level to the river creating an overall sectional experience. The recreational encounter for the public is possible by means of varied surfaces, choreographing together: ramps, storm drains, developed landscape, and trampoline or tensioned surfaces. The educational aspect of this project happens when the public becomes immersed in the new ecosystem that has been developed within

the context of the project’s new landscape which houses the subterranean infrastructure, trampolines and elevated concrete board walks. The contrast between these entities of tectonics help to create an experience for the public that is both leisurely and subconsciously educational as they glance the subterranean operations and the progressive ecosystem of the L.A. River.

in[tension] The in[tension] of this project is to explore the L.A. River and its interaction with the city of Los Angeles on a subterranean level; storm drains. The storm drains that discharge into the L.A. River are a vital aspect of what keeps the streets from flooding during the raining season. I wanted to expose this infrastructure to the public with the anticipation of creating a spacial and sectional experience that could introduce people to the system that makes the L.A. River so important. Along with exposing the storm drains and their textural quality, I took a jump at playing with another textural quality of tensioned surfaces such as trampolines. The tensioned surfaces allow the storm drain infrastructure to be actively encountered by the public with the in[tension] that the trampolines would create a sectional experience as an individual physically changed their elevation with every bounce. In addition to exposing the storm drain and incorporating tensioned surfaces, I am admitting the ecology of the L.A. River into the site with the in[tension] of drawing the public down into the natural (non-concrete) bottom of the river. Overall, this project seeks to lure public interest to the river through the means of its own infrastructure, ecology, and the help of tensioned surfaces.

a | Plans, Section, Site Plan The site for this project is located in the Bette Davis Picnic Area Park north of Griffith Park where a storm drain outlet onto the river is situated. This allowed me to utilize the subterranean infrastructure by digging down to expose the piping like an archeologist would an ancient find. The site offers many opportunities for the project to take root in the thesis of creating a section through the storm drain system and introducing it to the public by means of the river and trampolines.

b | Section Vignette

c | Program Diagram

d | River Level Diagram

The Section Vignettes are brief glimpses of the sectional experience for an individual in relation to the concrete piping of the storm drain, the tensioned surfaces, and the infiltration of the L.A. River into the site. The tensioned surfaces (trampolines) are an interesting way of having both a textural and tensioned contrast between the rigid concrete and flexible trampoline. With the combination of contrasts the experience of the project with the river is one that encourages activity and discovery.

The Program Diagram simply illustrates the various parts of the project and their roles in creating a new experience with the L.A. River.

The Program can be broken down into four categories:

The River Level Diagram is a look at the attitude of the L.A. River during the rain and dry season with regard to the project. The intention is that the project’s duration of operation would be regulated by the seasonal level changes in the river water. The water entering into the site would create a calmed pool adjacent to the river torrents during the raining season. The public would be forced to temporarily evacuate the lower level of the project but could still experience the river below the elevated board walk.

-Hard Surface (Circulation) -Tensioned Surface (Trampoline) -Storm Drains (Concrete) -Extended L.A. River All these categories working together have the ability to engage the public with the L.A. River and Storm Drain System.

a.1 | Plans

Final Wallenberg project statement (above) and

.1 1

a.2 | Section

presentation layout (right)

creating a section through the storm drain system and introducing it to the public by means of the river and trampolines.

the project with the river is one that encourages activity and discovery.

All these categories working together have the ability to engage the public with the L.A. River and Storm Drain System.

lower level of the project but could still experience the river below the elevated board walk.

a.1 | Plans

.1 1

a.2 | Section a.3 | Site Plan b

| Section Vignette

c

| Program Diagram

.2 .2

.1

d.1 | River Level Diagram

.3

f.1 f.2

d.2 | River Level Renderings e

| Renderings

f.1

| Section Model

f.2

| Building Model

Magazine Rack Student Designed Magazine Rack Winter 2010 HRK:

Ben Rambadt

Dennis Knoff

Josh Hendershot This design competition was put on by the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning as a way for students to design and build a class gift for the college. The requirement was to design a Magazine Rack for periodicals to be shelved and viewed by faculty, staff, and students in a disclosed location of the architecture building. This project allowed myself and my two partners to continue our strong development in collaborated design strategies for a potentially built piece that would be a legacy to the university.

05

The Taubman College periodical rack serves as the focal point for everyday discussions of current architectural discourse and pedagogy. This modular, adaptable system allows for convenient access to the latest issues of architecture, planning and design periodicals. This system allows students and faculty to quickly scan the wall of magazines to observe current trends across multiple publications, while interested users can zoom in on a specific issue and use its hinged module as a convenient reading shelf.

Each module features a wide metal band across its front face. This thin rib holds the most current issue of that module’s respective periodical, with the pages of the magazine split on either side of the metal. When the latest issue is checked out, back issues of the same publication will be exposed through an acrylic window. Removing the latest issue also exposes the title of the magazine that has been cut into the metal band.

The arrangement of these individual magazine modules allows for the expansion of the College’s periodical collection, with the possibility of displaying up to 55 unique publications on one wall.

To minimize waste and assembly time, the plywood pieces of each modular unit will be CNC routed in Taubman College’s digital fabrication laboratory. The metal magazine ribs will also be formed in the fablab on the WaterJet cutter.

module operation

_6

magazine rib detail

_8

sustainability

C B

CNC Router

B

A

4 sheets of plywood will be used for the overall material in the assembly of the magazine rack.

C

A

B

C

Area of standard 4’x8’ plywood sheet = 32.00 sq. ft.

Area of cut for one sheet = 31.84 sq. ft.

Percent Unusable

= 1.005%

4’

1.1% Unusable

8’

_9

timeline + budget

10

3.20

05.0

10

1.20

1 1 day day

3 days

2 days

10 days

Dimensions 4'x8' 4'x8' 36"x72" 24"x48"

install hardware

Thickness 1/2" 1/4" 3/32" 1/16"

5 days

assembly

stain wood

cut wood

fabricate metal

cut acrylic

buy materials

Plywood (Birch) Plywood (Birch) Acrylic Metal (aluminum) Hinges Magnets Screws

5 days

05.3

Number of Items

Cost 4 4 2 1 40 20 2000

$26.97 $41.30 $47.75 $80.98 $2.58 $3.00 $3.88

Total Cost $107.88 $165.20 $95.50 $80.98 $103.20 $60.00 $31.04

$643.80

_10

D i m e n si o n s 4'x8' 4'x8' 36"x72" 24"x48"

N u m b e r o f I te m s 4 4 2 1 40 20 2000

C o st To tal C o st $26. 97 $1 07. 88 $41 . 30 $1 65. 20 $47. 75 $95. 50 $80. 98 $80. 98 $2. 58 $1 03. 20 $3. 00 $60. 00 $3. 88 $31 . 04 $643. 80

C B

C A

18'-4"

3"

B

A

70% of wall covered

7'-9"

B

C

SUSTAINABILITY Efficiency Area of standard 4'x8' plywood sheet Area of cut for one sheet

= 32.00 sq. ft. = 31.84 sq. ft.

Percent unusable Percent efficiency

= 1.005% = 98.995%

BUILD SCHEDULE 03

31

Add Hardware / Finishing Touches

Assemble Boxes

MAY

Stain Wood

To minimize waste and assembly time, the plywood pieces of each modular unit will be CNC routed in Taubman College’s digital fabrication laboratory. The metal magazine ribs will also be formed in the fablab on the WaterJet cutter.

Th i ckn e ss 1 /2" 1 /4" 3/32" 1 /1 6"

COMPLIANT WITH REQUIREMENTS

Cut Wood

The arrangement of these individual magazine modules allows for the expansion of the College’s periodical collection, with the possibility of displaying up to 55 unique publications on one wall.

Plyw o o d ( Bi rch ) Plyw o o d ( Bi rch ) Acryli c M e tal ( alu m i n u m ) H i n ge s M agn e ts Scre w s

Buy Materials Cut Acrylic Cut and Bend Metal

Each module features a wide metal band across its front face. This thin rib holds the most current issue of that module’s respective periodical, with the pages of the magazine split on either side of the metal. When the latest issue is checked out, back issues of the same publication will be exposed through an acrylic window. Removing the latest issue also exposes the title of the magazine that has been cut into the metal band.

TAUBMAN COLLEGE READING ROOM DESIGN COMPETITION

The Taubman College periodical rack serves as the focal point for everyday discussions of current architectural discourse and pedagogy.

This modular, adaptable system allows for convenient access to the latest issues of architecture, planning and design periodicals.

This system allows students and faculty to quickly scan the wall of magazines to observe current trends across multiple publications, while interested users can zoom in on a specific issue and use its hinged module as a convenient reading shelf.

COST ESTIMATE

4’

CNC Router 4 sheets of plywood will be used for the overall material in the assembly of the magazine rack.

8’

McKinley House Single Family Modular Home Summer 2009 HRK:

Ben Rambadt

Dennis Knoff

Josh Hendershot This competition was one of the two competitions myself and two other partners had ever been involved. This competition was developed by the McKinley High School in Buffalo, NY where students would build the winning design in the competition. Our approach to the design was to utilize the limitations of a modular unit and the high bay space where it would be assembled at the high school by creating a structure that would create a central living space off the living room. We may not have won or made the finalist list, but being my first design competition, myself and my partners learned substantial collaboration skills during the process.

06

thank you