christoph condensed portfolio | selected works
00.contents The following collection of work represents a sample from the first 3.5 years of Christoph Eckrich’s study at Carnegie Mellon University. He is pursuing a b.arch degree with a minor in Intelligent Environments and Architectural History slated for May 2021. This portfolio is meant to demonstrate proficiency in thought, illustration, and fabrication. It is not meant to convey a particular narrative or chronology. Christoph is interested in pursuing new technologies in building and design, but is deeply rooted in the long standing discourses that have shaped architecture as a discipline. All work is original content unless noted otherwise. To view more work please visit: christoph.eckrich.com
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01.resumĂŠ / CV
A short synopsis of skills and experiences
02.ecological charter school A proposal for the expansion of a Pittsburgh charter school
03.saco lake cascades A bathhouse situated in the stunning White Mountains
04.wean stairwell A colorful installation in a 1971 Brutalist building
05.six mile eco village An outlandish ecological development for a troubled site
06.subject to change
A temporary church and permanent cultural center at Notre Dame de Paris
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01.resumé / CV Contact ceckrich@andrew.cmu.edu 309-319-8582 christoph.eckrich.com
Education Carnegie Mellon University Bachelor of Architecture Pittsburgh, PA | 2016 - 2021 Norwich University CityLAB Berlin Summer Course in drawing and book binding Berlin, GER | Summer 2018 Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy College Preparatory Secondary Degree Aurora, IL | 2013 - 2016
Honors Dean’s List, College Honors Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019 IMAGINE: Top 60 at 60 American Institute of Architecture Students Named one of the top 60 architecture students in the country; qualified to work with Disney Imagineers in Summer 2017 The Frank-Ratchye Fund for Art @ the Frontier Awarded a grant for the “Black Box” post-digital confessional | Spring 2019 Lewis J Altenhof Scholarship Awarded for travel through the Ruhr Valley in Germany | Summer 2018 Caste Architecture Scholarship Awarded 2018 - 2019 Tartans Abroad Scholarship Awarded for travel to Berlin, participation in urban drawing and book binding course | Summer 2018
Service Experience Apprentice Eckrich Cabinetry | Bloomington, IL | 2013 - 2016 Volunteer / Small Group Leader Habitat for Humanity | Bloomington, IL | 2013 - 2016 Volunteer 1000 Plus | Pittsburgh, PA | 2016 - 2018
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Leadership Experience inter·punct Journal Editor-in-Chief | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2018 - Present Oversee all operations in the journal, expanded the organization, conducted high profile interviews, organized production of next full scale publication, authored original pieces, edited all works Editorial Board | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 Manage and curate website content, assist with writing and laying out various publications Freedom By Design Project Manager AIAS CMU Chapter | Pittsburgh, PA | Spring 2018 - Spring 2019 Founding member; directed development and planned distribution of winterizing kits to the Pittsburgh community Secretary AIAS Carnegie Mellon University Chapter| Pittsburgh, PA | Spring 2017 - Spring 2018 Took meeting notes; corresponded with members; organized chapter communications; developed new newsletter platform Student Advisory Council CMU School of Architecture| Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 Served as one of three liaisons between faculty, staff, and students Brother Mentor Coordinator Sigma Phi Epsilon | Pittsburgh, PA | Spring 2019 - Present Developed a curriculum for brotherhood mentorship and advancement, coordinated the group of brothers undergoing the highest fraternity honor Social Entrepreneurship Coordinator Leadership Education and Development | Aurora, IL | 2014 - 2016 Developed and taught a social entrepreneurship curriculum to a group of 160 high school students; managed a team of facilitators; networked and hosted events with 30+ professional guests Community Developer Residence Hall 1507 | Aurora, IL | 2014 - 2016 Managed a team of Resident Assistants; planned and facilitated student life programs; lead hall to win 1st place in campuswide competition two years in a row Director of Activism, Vice President Junior Statesmen of America | Aurora, IL | 2014 - 2015 Organized fund-raisers and charity drives for social good; planned events to spread awareness of social issues
Work Experience Bohlin Intern Worked phases
Cywinski Jackson | Pittsburgh, PA | Summer 2019 - Present full time as an intern on a variety of projects throughout all over the summer, stayed on for part-time work after
a|sh Architekten Intern | Ludwigshafen, GER | Summer 2018 Worked in the design competition department, assisted in preliminary competition design of several large scale healthcare projects
Skills Software Proficiencies Rhino Grasshopper Revit Python Processing Arduino DIVA T-Splines V-Ray Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Premiere Muse AutoCAD Enscape AllPlan HAL + RobotStudio Touchdesigner Fabrication Wood working Model making Digital photography Laser cutting 3D printing CNC Milling ABB Robotics Vacuum-forming Clay Printing
Languages
Ultra Low Res Studio Intern | Pittsburgh, PA | Summer 2017 - Fall 2017 Worked on several installations, assisting in design and fabrication STUDIOGRUBER Intern | Pittsburgh, PA | Spring 2018, Winter 2020 Brought on to work on several projects, making renderings and presentation models EX-Change Editorial Fellow | Pittsburgh, PA | Summer 2019 Edited, designed, and produced the first ever School of Architecture yearend catalogue wats:ON? Festival Across the Arts Director of Promotions | Pittsburgh, PA | Spring 2017 - Fall 2017 Create visual identity and develop festival brand; design and deploy posters and marketing materials Artist Assistant | Pittsburgh, PA | Summer 2019 - Fall 2019 Worked directly with festival artists to bring their pieces to life in Pittsburgh, particularly regarding projection mapping, technical advising Miller Institute for Contemporary Art Gallery Assistant | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2016 - Spring 2019 Assisted with set up/tear down of exhibits; guarded works; explained artworks Fabrication Assistant | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2019 - Present Assist in fabrication of exhibition materials and gallery works Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture Assistant Videographer | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2016 - Present Capture and edit video footage in SoA, mainly of the guest lecture series Teaching Assistant | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 TA for Introduction to Digital Media, Design Chief for Virtual TA Team
English Native / Bilingual
Teaching Assistant | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2019 TA for Environmental Systems I, a course on passive sustainability
German Native / Bilingual
Teaching Assistant | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2019 TA for Reactive Spaces and Media Architecture, a course on contemporary media art
French Limited working
Teaching Assistant | Pittsburgh, PA | Spring 2020 TA for Historical Survey of World Architectures and Urbanism, a mandatory course on ancient histories CMU Summer Pre-College Architecture Program Teaching Assistant | Pittsburgh, PA | Summer 2017 Taught digital, analogue, and hybrid media courses; organized trips and documented student work AB Tech Sound Technician | Pittsburgh, PA | Fall 2016 - Spring 2018 Assist with set up/tear down of shows; mix live audio; analyze acoustics
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02.ecs middle school
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02.ecs middle school “A proposal for the expansion of a Pittsburgh charter school� Pittsburgh, PA Steve Lee, Akhil Badjatia Spring 2019
This studio was focused upon the materials, assembly, and systems necessary to produce a realistic, sustainable, and elegant building. The Environmental Charter School currently has several buildings in Pittsburgh, but was interested in developing a stand alone middle school for grades 6 - 8. After several conversations with the client regarding their pedagogy and curriculum structure we identified a set of shared goals and desires and were tasked with designing towards these. Professional structural and systems engineers were available for us to consult, and were involved with the process of design as well. The project was presented to a mixed jury, and the drawings were hoping to bridge the typical gap between construction and competition sets. The project splits the 12 classrooms into 3 distinct bars, one for each looping group of students, creating a sense of ownership and belonging assosciated with their space. The spaces in between serve as circulation and greenroof, and the three classroom elements sit atop the double height multi-purpose space, a flexible ThinkLab, and the administration wing. The building was carefully tuned for passive solar performance and is equipped with solar shingles on the rooves of the classroom bars. It also incorporates natural ventilation strategies, rainwater management, high r-value assemblies, and sustainable materials.
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spread top • site and all level plans spread bottom • section perspectives with axonometric details
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left • exploded axonometric center • annotated wall section detail right • all elevations
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top • view of multi-purpose space and exterior ampitheater bottom • view of think-lab space
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top left • view in on greenroof middle left • view out on greenroof top right • 1/32” scale model bottom • view of typical classroom
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current page • exterior render, from ampitheater to multi-purpose space
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03.saco lake cascades
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03.saco lake cascades “A bathhouse situated in the stunning White Mountains� Pittsburgh, PA Jeremy Ficca, Jeffrey King Spring 2018
Situated atop a rocky forested outcropping overlooking Saco Lake in rural New Hampshire, this bathhouse provides a surprising and well deserved repose for passing hikers as well as creating a destination for explicit travelers. The process of arriving at the final design was lengthy; beginning with understanding the material attributes of wood, concrete, and water, developing this understanding further into form based around the natural containment of water in basins, and ending with a discovery of a precise relationship with the site. There is an intensional stark divide between outside the bathhouse and in. The long abstract volume of the structural retaining wall accentuates this contrast, as well as creating anticipation by elongating the entry sequence. The pools are stepped and irregular, creating an environment that must be explored and discovered, where the visitor is constantly in some body of water.
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current page • board one; section perspective, lattitudinal sections, exploded axonometric
following page • board two; approach render (top), interior render (bottom), hallway render (right)
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top • early formal studies
bottom left • site model, entire view bottom right • site model, close-up view previous page • board three, longitudinal section, plan, site plan
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top • sectional model, frontal view bottom left • sectional model, interior view bottom right • sectional model, rear view
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04.wean stairwell
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04.wean stairwell
“A colorful installation in a 1971 Brutalist building” Pittsburgh, PA Jakob Marsico - Ultra Low Res Studio Summer/Fall 2017 In collaboration with Alvin Wong
An immersive installation done for Carnegie Mellon University’s UPLift Challenge, aiming to activate and enlighten one of the more depressing spaces on campus. Three panels, each consisting of 30 custombuilt acrylic light tubes bisected by a floating plane at a fixed angles with varying amounts of rotation. The panels were developed in unison to create a cohesive motion across all three sections, relating to the forces of an electromagnetic field. Color is a primary driver of the installation; existing light fixtures are gelled rose and amber, and the tubes cycle through warm and cool colors throughout the day. I was working on this project under Jake Marsico’s Ultra Low Res Studio. My involvements consisted of scripting in grasshopper, laying out the final design, and fabricating the frames and light tubes.
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previous page top • variations in time of day previous page bottom • close-up of light poles
current page top • close-up of light poles current page bottom • final panel layout
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05.six mile eco village
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05.six mile eco village “An outlandish ecological development for a troubled site� Pittsburgh, PA Dana Cupkova, Matthew Plecity Fall 2018
This semester long studio was founded on the premise that architecture is part of a larger planetary ecosystem and must understand the larger ecology of its site and participate responsibly in local and global systems. Beginning with a in depth computational analysis of the site, moving to precedents and typological studies, on to ecomachinic processes, and culminating in a large scale intervention - the semester was a crescendo of conjoining influences. My proposal focuses on providing space for human and non-human actors to create a symbiotic relationship, which ultimately benefits an even larger collective. Several scales of housing units act as floating reefs for bio-diverse river life. Anchored on dymaxion-like cores, they sway and adjust to changing flows and water levels. Leaving the island unbuilt due to its tendency to flood, it becomes a park, gathering, and event space for the community. Depicted on the following pages is a short summation of process, and then the final proposal. For the more detailed process please visit christoph.eckrich.com.
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+ ANAROBIC BACTERIA STORAGE
+ INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR MOMENTARY INTERACTION AT ALL STAGES
+ SOLAR CHIMNEY INCREASES ALGAL SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
+ LETS NORTHERN/INDIRECT LIGHT INTO INTERIOR
+ PURIFIED WATER STORAGE
+ HUMAN INTERACTION BOOSTS ALGAE GROWTH RATE
+ INCREASED DENSITY AND SIZE ALLOWS CONDITIONING OF SPACES
+ HARVESTED ALGAE STORAGE [CELLULASE - LIPID - PROTEIN] + CONTAMINATED WATER STORAGE
contaminated water runoff
environment
grey water usage
solar energy carbon dioxide
waste matter collection
environmental mediation
water purification
algae system + SLIGHT OVERHANG PROTECTS OCCUPIABLE INTERIOR SPACE FROM SUMMER SUN
shading + thermal mass co2 removal
bathroom
physical frame
interaction co2 collection
living spaces
+ ALGAE TUBES PROPAGATED IN RESPONSE TO SUN
food production
kitchen
waste collection
framework for growing
framework for living
+ FRAME BENT IN RESPONSE TO SUNPATH
+ INTERIOR FRAME ABSORBES REST OF SOLAR RADIATION
+ TUBES ORIENTED ACROSS FRAME FOR INCREASED DENSITY
+ TUBES WRAP ON SUPPORTS TO LET THROUGH MORE LIGHT
+ DOUBLE LAYERED FRAME CREATES GRADIENT OF OUTDOOR SPACE
previous page • mapping studies current page • ecomachine development
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previous page • mapping studies, layering environmental simulations current page • site strategy development, understanding consequences of intersecting forces
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current and following page • site plan of island development
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top left • exploded axonometric plans top middle • flow diagram (top), choisy drawing (bottom) top right • perspective of entry sequence bottom left • section depicting movement of units in the river bottom right • section through both unit types
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top left • diagram of ecological substrate hull top right • render of unit interior, facing core bottom right • render of unit interior, facing deck following page • model photographs following spread top • render from opposite bank following spread middle • elevation showing ecomachine integration following spread bottom • night render of one block
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06.subject to change
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04.subject to change
“A temporary church and permanent cultural center at Notre Dame de Paris” Pittsburgh, PA Jeremy Ficca, Francesca Torello Fall 2019
This project foregrounds architecture’s existence through time, reexamineing architecture’s historical preoccupation with permanence. Through material and function it questions what the experience of a temporary building should be, and how a permanent one can exist on timescales other than its own. The studio project consists of two complementary components, a temporary large-scale worship space for use during the 5-year restoration of Notre Dame cathedral, and a cultural center, intended to liaise with the existing crypt viewing space and to house educational and artistic content relating to the history and reconstruction of Notre Dame. The church element is constructed out of gabion, with a light-weight tensioned roof. These elements are functional and evocative, speaking the language of the crypt underneath and borrowing the rose window of Notre Dame through a forced perspective skylight. The cultural center takes over the existing parking structure, and uses methods of cut and insertion to turn the space into a contemporary art gallery. The entrance takes the vertical space of the old parking ramp, extending the gabion in a connection between surface and below, and a long winding ramp guides one down. The barrel vaults on the riverbank are vestiges from the Hotel Dieu brought back and utilized as circulation and lightwells in a kind of architectural archeology.
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top • circulation and initial concept drawing bottom • analysis drawing mapping geotaged photos of Notre Dame
current page • collage of site conditions throughout time
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current spread • east-west section through site showing first phase, the temporary church
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current spread • east-west section through site showing second phase, cultural center / details of central stair and entryway
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previous page • north-south section perspective showing first phase, temporary church current page left • exploded axonometric showing all phases of the project current page right • model photos showing plaza level during both phases
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page top • interior render of temporary church, showing forced perspective through roof opening spread bottom • north-south section perspective showing second phase, cultural center
page top • all phases and levels of site plan
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current spread • render showing night view of cultural center from Pont Saint-Michel
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appendix.biography
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appendix.biography “Talk to me about music�
Chicago, IL | Schifferstadt, GER Franz and Lucille Eckrich Summer 1998
Christoph Eckrich is foremost a student, immersing himself in learning and the university environment when possible. He is pursuing a b.arch degree at Carnegie Mellon University, but has many side interests including, but not limited to: emergent technologies; media art and architecture; music appreciation; and travel. He is the editor-in-chief of inter¡punct, an agitating student publication - usually about architecture. He works as the videographer for the School of Architecture, and as an assistant at the Miller Institute for Contemporary Art. During whatever free time that falls in his lap, he reads, bikes, listens, plays, and makes lots of coffee. His work has a lot of room for developing interests, but is headed towards a particular emphasis on activating neglected spaces and communities, challenging theoretical norms, and integrating emerging technologies.
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christoph ceckrich@andrew.cmu.edu | 309-319-8582