Chicago Studio Fall 2014

chicago

content professional practice

lectures

don copper sean witty david jakes tim zeitler kelley folts greg tew

the experience

typoology/ industry

randy guillot 6 charles chambers 12 drew ranieri 18 laura fisher 24 benton johnson 30 geoff walters 36 john syvertson 42

interviews

urban mapping

48 52 56 60 64 68

tu Delft workshop

74

94

studio works radical conjectures pilsen material recovery facility

116

112

travel photos// cannonDesign regards

192

170

response A key component to the Chicago Studio is to embrace an architectural network outside of institutional education.

Particular to Chicago is a strong population of designers; a hub of creative professionals.

While Blacksburg has a good amount of practicing professors, it is idyllic and remote. The setting bleeds into the mindset, no matter how disciplined a disciple.

While this can be advantageous in aspects, it loses its relationship with the reality of the industry.

We’ve spent the past few years inside of an incubator of designChicago Studio is our Debutante Ball.

It’s our moment in time to come out from the blue ridges of Appalachia and into society: to broaden our mindsets, our connections, and stretch our creative muscles.

In order to create a framework for the success of this opportunity, a certain rigor is crucial. Keeping sight throughout this semester, and beyond, of Randy’s “Ten Things” will be undoubtedly advantageous.

response “You cannot simply put something new into a place. You have to absorb what you see around you, what exists on the land, and then use that knowledge along with contemporary thinking to interpret what you see.”

-Tadao Ando While it’s necessary to study from the past, we need to engage the present and future. Contemporary thinking is relevant thinking. In order for works of architecture to have a deeper meaning than being simply one of many applied solutions, the context of the solution is not just beneficial, it’s necessary.

For once the deeper, more ambiguous set of systems that are being engaged or imposed are understood, the Architectural efforts can be more fully relevant to not only the present point in time, but perhaps the future as well. It positions itself in the highest All too often context is limited to advantage in an ever-changing, dynamic society. the physical and/or economical presence. Too little time is given to One way to remain relevant is to the psychological, the ephemeral, the sociological, the political, etc.. understand your own position as Granted, “Contemporary” context is well as your own trajectory. Charles pushing these issues more so than Chambers discusses the issues with the generation gap, the class of all eras combined. However, gap, as well as a few necessary there is still much progress to be economic rules of the industry. He made.

With contemporary times rapidly evolving, context is more and more elusive. Should that implore a “fuck context” attitude as per Rem Koolhaas’s attitude toward urban “Bigness”? Most likely not.

end of the semester. Even a asks how we can position ourselves in such a way that what simple exercise was enough to help anchor our position in time as seems like limitations are being well as our ideal trajectory. utilized to create advantageous opportunities. The first step is to be aware- because being aware is the predecessor to predicting your own trajectory.

In one example, we tracked our position on a basic, yet telling chart of four quadrants of architecture: strategy vs. technical, schematic vs. construction documents. By assessing our strengths in the beginning of Chicago Studio, we located the first dot, as well as where the second would go at the

response Drew has a diverse background as both a principal of SCB as well as an owner, and has a wide array of knowledge regarding the role of the architect. He adheres that the role of the architect is multifaceted, but that one aspect remains constant.

Architects are facilitators.

Traditionally there is a designbid-build progression where an owner selects an architect to create the designs and documents, then advertises the project for bids and selects a contractor to carry out the project.

Alternatively Design Build offers a coalition between contractor and architect, and both are fulfilled by one entity for ease of production and costs. In addition is Build-toSuit, where a developer oversees the entire process while designing Since architecture as a for a specialized building for a profession, business, and practice particular entity. is extensive and multifaceted, understanding the relationships Phases of design: between key players is important to Concept 5% note. Different routes of execution Schematic 15% can be taken to carry out a project. Design Development 20%

The main role is to help manifest the client’s ambitions. That being said, Drew also acknowledges the breadth and scope of architecture as an industry. “Architecture surrounds every hour of every day.”

Construction Documents 20% Bidding 5% Construction Administration 35% Keeping in mind that Chicago Studio is a time to get familiar with the industry, only a portion goes into what we spend 95% learning in education. This is not new to me, but is bothersome nonetheless. The disconnect seems to be greater than I had anticipated, however, I can’t say I’m too bothered by our studies placing such an importance on design development as it plays to my greatest strengths.

response However unlikely it seemed to her from the beginning of her career, Laura is very aware of her strengths and position within the Architecture industry and shared her wealth of experience with us.

As an owner of her company, she describes a certain selfNot long after her first job as a junior awareness as crucial to her architect she changed paths from the success. This applies to understanding her current role, traditional architectural profession to work for a real estate group of a her trajectory, as well as knowing national bank. All the while studying for the value of services offered and her Masters of Business. according price estimation.

Laura Fisher is a woman of many backgrounds and skills. After graduating from Virginia Tech, she moved to Chicago to work for an architecture firm. Perhaps what I enjoy most about Laura is her rather humble and ordinary beginnings despite such a colorful resume and career.

when presented with a spotlight.

While she mentioned the obvious notes of proper dress and polite demeanors, it jogged my mind with just how to reconcile what resides inside our own minds versus the story we are presenting, contextless, to others.

This often became a focus of the semester with near weekly presentations of the projects. With many reviewers coming in and out, hearing bits and pieces, or missing the overall context of the With a formal design education and Of all the advice we gained from progression, the manner the ideas an emphasis on business, Laura Laura, a large focus was on how were presented became more than paved a tactical path from the crucial. we present ourselves. This is beginning despite being a self something I often struggle with ascribed “unlikely entrepreneur.�

response the concrete jointed timber frame.

In order for the timber connection to withstand such immense loads and reduce beam size, the investigation utilized concrete connections where the loads were the greatest. This innovative The Timber Tower is a response problem solving was most inspiring to relevant environmental struggles, of all. in pursuit of perhaps a revolutionary As someone who unwaveringly solution. Since wood is a renewable resource, it makes the idea of struggles with understanding a timber based skyscraper compel- engineering principals as they are traditionally explained, I was mesling. merized to sit through an hour-long A remarkable issue in particular was structural lecture and for possibly Benton Johnson is a Professional Engineer and Associate at SOM, the structural haven of the world. He described, with stunning clarity, the structural investigation and research of the Timber Tower.

the first time, fully understand the presentation. There are many types of intelligence but there is on kind that is remarkable in particular.

When someone is capable of describing unbelievably complex issues in such a simple manner that anyone could understand it shows a genuine competency of the subject.

This, beyond the information itself, remained my largest take away from the lecture.

response Understanding how each of these accounts for a third of the nation’s aspects work effectively together is energy use, so any passive or key to being a successful architect. active systems will greatly effect the environment. However, designing Geoff specializes in the technical with these systems in mind is key to leg of the stool. One of his main successful yet responsible design. pieces of advice is to keep up with As Geoff advised, these constraints rapidly changing industry standards are merely opportunities for creative in regards to sustainability. It is the solutions. number one issue currently weighing on the profession, especially in regards to Architecture 2030 where Education focuses 95% on design development, so it’s always firms pledge to produce only net zero buildings by 2030. eye opening to continue to be engaged with the multifaceted practice of architecture. Architec- Being aware of sustainable practices is necessary in such times of ture is not only an art, but a environmental crisis. Construction science, as well as a business.

Geoff Walters is the Director of Quality Assurance at CannonDesign. He is responsible for ensuring collaboration and success in regards to the design and the technical. The architectural process works as a conjoined whole due to his skills and efforts with realizing the “three legged stool” of architecture.

response Mediating his profession with his “The work we do can and will interests was the co-founding of Open Hand Studio. Open Hand improve people’s lives.”

Studio is a movement that John Syvertson is a profoundly facilitates connections in the genuine and intelligent man. After design industry between those who need and those who can graduating from Princeton and Georgetown, John amassed great provide. But it seems as if devoting success in the field of Architecture a portion of time to something so as the President of OWP/P before dear is not as fulfilling as it could be. merging with CannonDesign.

Despite being so successful, something was always missing for John. He expressed it as this guttural, gnawing ache needing to be fulfilled. And for that reason, he is leaving CannonDesign to devote his full attention to social impact design.

live and work within.

This is often a qualm of mine. I have also always felt a deep underlying call for social justice that I realize cannot be fulfilled within the confines of an office. Talking with John enabled me to gain footing in a much-needed time. With thesis coming in the next year, it is an extremely pertinent time to establish my interest in humanitarian It’s about understanding context of architecture. But how to carry a living: cultural, social, historic, thesis into a career and establish a economical, and environmental in lifestyle around it rather than an order to better people’s lives interest will be my next greatest through responsible design. But in consideration. order to increase his understanding of these contexts, John couldn’t do “This is a constellation of forcesit confined to the walls in which we the dots need to be connected.”

response Preface : My approach to the interviews was to not even consider it an interview, rather a discussion. I didn’t record them and I didn’t intend to transcribe them. To get to the essence of the discussion I didn’t want a prescription for how to approach the assignment.

Meeting with Don was as effortless as any. We let his background be the starting point, dating from graduating at Virginia Tech, and how he established a firm rather unintentionally with a couple colleagues. Don seems to carry a very fluid nature about him among a rather tedious profession and I would perhaps ascribe his “unintentional” success to that quality.

Overall the discussion seemed to center around the idea of dynamics; dynamics in such a multifaceted work environment (in which we spend all too often too much time within). It is because of this reason that Don specifies a particular studio culture or environment. One of his favorite aspects from his Virginia Tech education was the multidisciplinary studio- and a healthy exchange of ideas between various levels of experience. This atmosphere is very much a part of GREC.

At around 20 people, GREC is a fairly small firm. Because of this, and the ideology Don incorporates for a healthy exchange, there is a wide array of projects being worked on by a wide array of people. Everyone gets a taste of the work. There is an ability to pin up the work on the nearby walls and get up and engage physically wit the work. When asked about the terrors of a purely digital age, and monotonous hours spent on a computer, Don explained pinning up work on the wall was very purposeful. It’s less about a one to one relationship with a computer monitor, and letting the digital do the hard work, print it out, take a step back, engage with colleagues and transfer between the digital and analog worlds effortlessly.

Acknowledging architecture as a tedious profession, Don engages in the creative and physical world by painting. As a painter myself, I find it easy to understand the need for complete freedom, and “no wrong answer.”

At the end of our discussion, I was reminded again how unimportant a portfolio is compared to a genuine and compatible personality. While there are many new and daunting ideas about taking a fresh step into a profession, it is more than reassuring to realize the bigger picture of it all. A person isn’t purely measured by their portfolio spreads when finding a right fit at a firm, but what skill set and attitude they bring to the table as well.

response Sean was my first Chicago professional to interview. We met only once from a review at GREC. He works for Solomon Cordwell Buenz as an Architectural Designer, and is interestingly a Chicago Studio alum from the early days of the program before it evolved into what it is known today.

We were excited to talk about how things were and how they’ve changed. It’s always fascinating to talk with someone who was in a similar position only a few years ago. It’s not only advantageous to see how and where they got to where they are now but to be reassured that it will all somehow be okay. Especially amidst an entirely new semester of tumultuous encounters, it was nice to touch base with an unexpected connection with so much common ground.

A few things that remain consistent is the education received from Virginia Tech. It’s obvious they’re powerhouses of design sensibility, but not necessarily the most relevant to the industry. (Hence my eager engagement with the Chicago Studio). It’s a nice reminder at the beginning of my time in Chicago to always have a critical eye- especially a self critical one. The discussion eventually shifted to the topic of thesis, and the effect it can have on your trajectory. Sean had an emphasis on macro-architecture from 4th year studios, he participated in the urban Chicago Studio program, and established an urban design oriented thesis. His interests aligned with his desired path, and he started working for SOM in Chicago post graduation. It is this consciousness of self and of my interests that I need to engage further.

response David Jakes is an experienced consultant and strategist for the Education department of CannonDesign. He spent over 20 years as a Teacher and Senior Administrator. A few years ago he became interested in design in regards to the classroom. He describes himself as not only the “podfather” but a “closet architect”.

His much-needed sense of humor was possibly the most refreshing bit about David. Perhaps dealing with high schoolers requires a keen sense of humor, but even the smallest of details and times like these where I maybe learned the most of what I’m looking for post graduation.

David specializes in technology based education. Rather than creating spaces for rapidly changing technology, he asks the question “what do these technologies allow the children to do?” And then “how can we implement these ideas behind the technology into the spaces we create?”

David began with a Fisheries Science & Management degree. Was a court clerk for a while before transitioning into education. From there he now works for one of the largest design firms in the world. Besides proving that you never know where life will take you, David showed me that you have to do what makes you happiest.

On a last note of our discussion, we parted with David’s conflict of “Do I want to get up every morning, retire in 5 years, but spend it hating every morning that I drive to work?” “To hell with the money... I want to work with creative and passionate coworkers. And now I get to work with really, really smart, cool people.”

response We met Tim serendipitously at the local bar. His father was an architect, and he grew up his entire life building houses every year with Jimmy Carter at Habitat for Humanity. He is a wildly successful Sales Executive and bestowed much of his life experience and charisma into the early hours of a Tuesday morning. Tim is unlike a traditional interview or intereviewee, but I don’t see the need to preface any of his advice. It speaks for itself.

“Want the secret of the universe? Act like you know what you’re doinghave confidence. Truth is no one really knows what they’re doing. What separates successful people from the bunch is having the confidence that even if you don’t know something, you can confidently figure it out.

But equally important is to act like you give a shit. You won’t become successful acting like you’re better than the next guy, but you need to have a presence and assurance. People will invest where they feel confidence. That means don’t stand with your hands in your pockets like this guy” (points to Tom as he immediately assumes better posture).

As far as “interviews” go, I wanted the most genuine of outcomes possible. I don’t think I could’ve gotten much more genuine than the discussion with Tim. His messages were ultimately simple- have confidence, because no one, even the most experienced person, has everything figured out. This is something I struggle with most, being reluctant to let go of my comfortable structure and planning. But as the years progress it only gets more and more obvious that life comes in so many different directions. And it’s possible to be a strategic person without being an overly controlled drone, incapable of being as flexible as the industry and the world in general demands.

response Kelley Folts is a down to earth, junior architect at my host firm CannonDesign as well as a Chicago studio alum from the beginning of the Andrew era. Since I know her previously to the “interview” it was rather difficult to conjure new information to ask.

However, a lot of importance was placed on the differences between a large firm like CannonDesign and a smaller firm. Since Chicago Studio is my first introduction to the industry, I had a lot of misconceptions, and a lot qualms.

Some of which were entirely wrong and some of which were entirely right. One of my biggest anticipations was finding an amazingly engaging studio environment in such a big firm. Based on the multiple lectures and just the nature of the industry, is that architecture firms are still a business. At first it seemed everyone was locked into their computers or quietly talking to the side if not. So it became important to me to look for and recognize the various types of engagements that I hadn’t anticipated prior.

I told Kelley about my anticipations and concerns and she was more than able to clarify a lot of advantages to a bigger firm. One main element that stood out for me, was the ability to never be a burden to someone’s time. There are so many experienced people nearby, that surely someone would be able to help tackle something if help was needed.

Mainly because of logistics, that isn’t as available at smaller firms.

Another advantage to a larger firm is the fact that CannonDesign offers to pay for licensure fees associated with the ARE testing as well as the numerous benefits and resources available. In addition to the ample resources is the ability to travel to job sites, which according to multiple young hires at CannonDesign is a really enjoyable and rewarding experience.

While I’m not sure whether or not a large firm is right for me at this point, I can say that CannonDesign was full of extremely generous, kind, and passionate people who are genuinely interested in great design and that is something I do know that I want to find in the future. .

response Greg Tew grew up sneaking into construction sites with his mother from an early age. He eventually graduated from Mississippi with a Bachelor of Architecture. He followed the traditional path of an architect until he realized the profession might just be too tedious for him.

Again, I’m reminded with how important it is to be aware of my strengths as well as my limitiations.

He went on to Pratt to receive an Industrial Design degree in order to be a professor. Interestingly enough, he has no formal education in Interior Design but picked it up during his careers at architecture firms. He always noticed the Interiors department had a much quicker turnover rate for projects and accordingly seemed to have more fun in the office and out of the office. The social aspect was lacking for him in the architectural profession, and he made the switch with his career in teaching.

Maybe because I initially began with the idea of being an Interior Designer, or experiencing the Chicago Studio with two Virginia Tech Interior Design students, I was interested to learn more about blending an architectural background with a focus on interiors.

A key difference Greg noted between the two was that interior design is mostly surface level and context-less.

Contrastingly Architecture sets up many false, grandiose expectations and plays with the “big ideas” while sometimes placing good space planning on the backburner. “Both disciplines can learn from one another in that regard.”

Ultimately, from my time in Chicago as a whole as well as my earliest design beginnings, I learned that you have to assert your interests, and follow them throughout your career. You have to do what makes you happiest. And you have to assert that with clarify, unashamedly. .

origins :

origins of industry:

material recovery process WASH

WASH X2

WEIGH

SORT

SHRED

$

modern typologies material recovery

modern typologies industrial architecture

PILSEN : existing identities

MEXICAN: residential

MEXICAN: commercial

ARTS DISTRICT

INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR

tu delft + vt chicago existing

o design charette

proposed:

people

industry transpo

y ortation

green space

cermak

the site:

PMRF program given

sq. m

private zones

public zones lobby cafe offices (4) open office conference rm. classroom (2) security collection center public drop off restrooms (2)

: : : : : : : : : ;

TOTAL:

200 250 10 ea.

100 25 50 EA. 10 200 100 50 EA.

1,125

tipping processing bale storage loading areas

: : : :

TOTAL:

6,000 4,000 2,000 6,000

8,000

open space 30 % required

:

16,500

existing parameters benito juarez high school (1,700 students) located within pilsen’s industrial corridor commerce along cermak rd. (e-w) connection to bridgeport + little italy along loomis st. e-w railroad through site long and narrow site, reaches from cermak rd. to river front

concept:

proposed parameters material influx:

-barge -truck access from loomis -elevated e-w rail social:

material output:

-barge only

-plaza + visitor entry to site from busy cermak rd.

-accessibility along length of site -integration and overlap of people + material + program

PMRF

the site is staged for an overlap of man + material. despite its industrial corridor designation there is close proximity to benito juarez high school, residential areas to the north and south, as well as commerce along cermak rd. because of this, the site intends to create a campus of industry for:

education investigation production

the site:

lobby/gallery

cafeteria

security

reuse/collection center

unloading

tipping area

office

public d / loadin

processi

es (4)

drop off ng dock

ing area

classrooms

open office

conference room

restrooms

employee lobby /locker rooms

bale storage

loading

classrooms

lobby/gallery

cafeteria

offices (4)

open office

security

reuse/collection center

public drop off / loading dock

restrooms

conference room

employee lobby / locker rooms

unloading

tipping area

processing area

bale storage

accessible

loading

controlled

pilsen industrial corridor

lower west side

PMRF pilsen material recovery facility

tipping floor: input of materials from barge, overhead rail, truck access along loomis st.

b

program: 1st floorprewash begins + manual presort prior to processing.

2nd flooroffices, storage, conference room locker rooms, restroom facilities

public plaza along intersection of cermak rd. and loomis st. program: cafe, exhibition lobby, classrooms, public drop- off + collection center, office outdoor program: park, street vendor lot, sculpture garden

a

c

processing: processing of material along conveyor systems, heavy machinery program: 4th floor (loft)- intake from tipping- freight elevator, air sort, magnetic separator 3rd floor- material dropped from 4th floor, continues metal sifting and glass remains 2nd floor- material continues down where heavy plastics are extracted, materials run through hammer mill and sieve, final sorting completed, collected in large bins 1st floormaterial from bins enters bale compactor, bales taken to storage until max. capactiy

bale storage:

8’ x 4’ x 3.5’ bales

finished product on display as integrated facade system until barge pick up

d

public plaza along intersection of cermak rd. and loomis st. program: cafe, exhibition lobby, classrooms, public drop- off + collection center, office outdoor program: park, street vendor lot, sculpture garden

a

bale storage: 8’ x 4’ x 3.5’ bales finished product on display as integrated facade system until barge pick up

d

a

b

c

d

You ca have t on the contem

annot simply put something new into a place. You to absorb what you see around you, what exists e land, and then use that knowledge Along with mporary thinking to interpret what you see. tadao ando

day 01

the jewel

herzog & de Meuron