CHRISTIAN GILBERT
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER PORTFOLIO
chrisgilbert0813@gmail.com
Albert1625
christianxgilbert
904.392.5623
www.christianxgilbert.com
CINCINNATI MASONRY RESEARCH INSTITUTION & MUSEUM OVER-THE-RHINE | OHIO
While located in Cincinnati, I had the privilege of designing a research facility. It is centered in the heart of the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, nestled at the corner of East 12th and Vine Street. This facility encompasses a masonry research institute and museum celebrating the past and future of masonry, terra cotta, and ceramics. The design intent was to create a community and research space for workshops, galleries, offices, and gardens while embracing the neighborhood’s historic character. The design process also involved collaboration with the University of Cincinnati, the Art Academy, and the Cincinnati Urban Conservator. I explored design strategies with masonry fenestrations and natural daylight and engaged in drawing in the community at a human scale for this 3-story building.
For my museum project, I prioritized spatial arrangements, site constraints, and user needs. I explored architecture’s interaction with the landscape, shaping a responsive design through massing and assembly
The cathedral’s sculptural entrance reinforces its form and permanence, inspiring my grand yet controlled entry sequences. Its central positioning guides movement, balancing monumentality and human connection. Botta’s design shaped my approach to processional flow, material contrast, and spatial clarity.
I studied material adaptation to their environment, how spaces facilitate movement, and site responsiveness. Prioritizing user needs and site constraints, I used massing studies to ensure climate integration. Focusing on human scale, I designed a museum that feels both responsive and adaptable.
BUILDING ENVELOPE + VOLUME STUDY
I studied Pierre Cuypers’ Brick Pixelation Facade at P.C. Hooftstraat, which blends stainless steel bricks and glass for a pixelated effect. Inspired by this, I designed a textured facade with smooth material transitions, operable windows, and strategic entry points that interact with natural light while maintianing functionality.
SPATIAL PROFILE
VIEWING JACKSON STREET
SPATIAL PROFILE
Explored the monumental entrance of the Cathedral of the Resurrection by Mario Botta and the Twisting Veil at the South Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre by Anagram Architects.
THE FLOOR PLANS SHOW THE FUNCTIONAL SPACES ORGANIZED AROUND THE SCULPTURE GARDEN, WITH CIRCULATION FOCUSED BETWEEN THE GARDEN AND THE FUNCTIONAL AREAS.
E-12TH STREET ELEVATION
SECTION THROUGH RESEARCH FACILITY
SECTION THROUGH SCULPTURE GARDEN
VINE STREET ELEVATION
EFFECT OF LIGHT AND SHADOW CREATED BY PERFORATED ILLUSION CAVITY WALL MADE OF GLAZED BLUE BRICK AND GLASS BRICK.
EFFECT OF LIGHT AND SHADOW CREATED BY PERFORATED BRICK WALL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE MUSEUM WHERE THERE IS A DOUBLE GLAZED CURTAIN WALL ON THE EXTERIOR FACADE.
SHOWCASING VARIOUS TYPES OF BRICK ON THE FACADE WITH A COLOR SCHEME THAT IS A BALANCE OF BOTH WARM COLORS AND COOL COLORS. MADE A HUGE BRICK CLADDED STRUCTURE ON THE VINE STREET THAT IS FRAMING THE HUGE ENTRANCE DOOR. CREATED A PERFOATED ILLUSION WALL BY USING BLUE GLAZED BRICKS AND GLASS BRICK TO PLAY WITH THE EFFECTS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW IN THE MUSEUM.
SECTION THROUGH INSULATED BRICK WALL ON VINE STREET
SECTION THROUGH PERFORATED BRICK WALL & GLAZED CURTAIN WALL ON E-12TH STREET
SUKKAH & RUSTIC TABLE
CINCINNATI | OHIO
I collaborated with UC Hillel and classmates from the University of Cincinnati’s architecture program to take on the challenge of designing and building a sukkah for the Jewish Festival of Sukkot. Inspired by Judaic symbols, sacred geometries, and the art of basketry, the sukkah features a symbolic and symmetric design that reflects unity and tradition. By transforming the design concept into a shop-built project, we created a tranquil and functional space for worship, celebration, and community gatherings.
FENCES AT NEUE NATIONALGALERIE
BERLIN | GERMANY
I took on the challenge of a studio project focused on creating a conceptual stage design for the 1985 play Fences by August Wilson. My goal was to design a set that authentically reflected the 1950s-1960s black community in Pittsburgh, PA, while capturing the complexities of the Maxson family, particularly the protagonist, Troy Maxson. To achieve this, I sought to blend modernist architectural elements, inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Neue Nationalgalerie, with abstract forms that conveyed the emotional depth of the narrative. The design was rooted in my thorough analysis of the story, with the aim of translating its themes and tensions into a visually striking and conceptually rich stage environment.
EAST ELEVATION
1511 VINE STREET OVER THE RHINE |
OHIO
While at New Republic Architecture, I actively contributed to various impactful projects. One of the most notable was 1511 Vine Street, where I managed the design process. The project involved the historic rehabilitation of one of three 19th-century buildings and the construction of a new structure on an adjacent vacant lot. Working under the supervision of Graham Kalbli, I was responsible for drafting layouts for multifamily units, ensuring efficient and functional designs. This project not only revitalized the neighborhood but also addressed the city’s pressing affordable housing needs, showcasing the power of architecture in community development.
SOUTH ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION EAST ELEVATION
BASEMENT
SECOND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
THIRD FLOOR
FOURTH FLOOR
ROOF
2710 WOODBURN AVE
EAST WALNUT HILLS | OHIO
Another notable project that I worked on while at New Republic Architecture 2710 Woodburn Ave, a historic rehabilitation project. Under Graham Kalbli’s supervision, I drafted layouts for an 1,813square-foot single-family residence converted into an office and a 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartment unit.
2108
LOTH STREET
MT. AUBURN | OHIO
While at New Republic, I contributed to a variety of projects, including the design and co-leading a renovation at 2108 Loth Street. This project involved transforming a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom multifamily home originally built in 1880, encompassing 3,094 sq. ft., and located in Mount Auburn. The goal was to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood’s character while meeting the needs of the residential market. Under the supervision of Graham Kalbli, I assisted in drafting layouts and designing the interiors for the multifamily home, helping bring the project to life.
WEST ELEVATION
EAST ELEVATION
FIRST FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
THIRD FLOOR
CORPS OUTPUT
The Exquisite Corpse project explores collaborative form generation and architectural drafting. I created and refined abstract forms with tools like the T-square and French curves, aiming to develop compositional skills and understand architectural relationships through shared drawings.
LETTERING PROJECT
The goal for this project was to use the grouping principles Proximity and Closure to arrange my name on a 4” by 4” piece of paper in black and white. Then I took my best black and white composition andturned it into three different color theories. Then I made a shop built model from my black and white color theory.
PICNIC TABLE DESIGN
SKETCHES
Select sketches, including studies from various design exercises, well-known architectural buildings, and a self-portrait.
ON-SITE SKETCH OF FAMU SA+ET ATRIUM
GRAPHITE SELF-PORTRAIT ON BOND PAPER
SKETCH OF THE CENTRAL NAVE, CHURCH OF ST. JAMES
SKETCH OF FLOOR PLAN, CHURCH OF ST. JAMES
SKETCH OF THE PANTHEON SKETCH OF THE COLOSSEUM
