WORK HISTORY
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER | Denver, CO | 2021 - 2023
College of Architecture and Planning Student Services Associate
ANYTIME FITNESS | Prescott Valley, AZ | 2017 - 2020
General Manager
DYNAMIC SPACES| Colorado Springs, CO | 2016 - 2017
General Labor
PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS| Colorado Springs, CO | 2012 - 2016
General Manager
PROJECT
esign Studio III Spring 23 Pg 4 Arch Visualization II Fall 22 Pg 10
esign Studio III - Precedents Spring 23 Pg 12
esign Studio III - Pueblo Precedent Spring 23 Pg 16 PROJECT PROJECT PROJECT 1 3 4 2 Construction Practices Fall 23 Pg 18
esign Studio IV Fall 23 Pg 20 PROJECT PROJECT 5 6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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4 01
Museum at Bessemer exhibits the tumultuous history of Steelworks in Pueblo, Colorado. This design represents the constant power dynamic between management and the workers and the deadly conflicts that have shaped the history of this steel plant. The history of this site has changed the development of Colorado and the Southwest United States.
This studio taught the importance of extensive historical analysis in conjunction with local precedents to create a structure that feels like it belongs in the chosen city. This structure aimed to appeal to the local and state residents as well as inform the others of the history while appearing seamlessly integrated with the surrounding context.
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A thorough exploration through line work was explored given our simple prompt for this studio. We were to create a museum based on the labor history of Bessemer and the Steelworks plant in Pueblo, Colorado. We were to house three exhibits of our choice based on historical research.
Once the line work was discussed, a planar model was constructed. Another thorough investigation into hierarchy and thickness was explored.
A secondary study was created using massing. Similarly exploring the hierarchy of these spaces in relation to one another. Taller spaces that were more confined demanded more attention than wide-spanning spaces whether they were tall or short. This replicated the foreman post as they watched the workers.
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7 BESSEMER
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Steelworks Museum
Exhibit 1 - Steel beams are produced and converted to railroad tracks which has become the most notable production item from the Steelworks plant in recent history.
Exhibit 2 - This boiler maker represents the lack of safety precautions provided by Steelworks for their workers. The most recent critical accident injured seven employees as recent as 2021.
Exhibit 3 - The train engine is a grim reminder of the fatal Ludlow Massacre where migrant workers were fired upon at the order of the Steelworks owner after a strike took place. A brave conductor parked his engine in gunfire so workers could escape.
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9 Scale: 3/16" = 1' - 0" 20 50 10 3 1 Floor Plan 2 Exhibit 3 Scale: 3/16" = 1' - 0" 20 50 10 3 1 Floor Plan 1 Exhibit 3 Exhibit 2 Exhibit 1 Exhibit 3 Exhibit 3
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Rhino Skill Building
This project helped build our digital design skills through Rino 3D and Adobe Illustrator. A quick stacking method was employed to create a massing followed by several other tools to help distinguish different levels of this project and to add some texture. A plinth was added as a grounding mechanism and finally contours were added with shading to separate the levels. Finally, we took this project to Illustrator to add figures and give the structure a sense of scale.
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Located in Houston, Texas, the Menil Collection Museum was created by Renzo Piano in 1987 to exhibit a collection of artwork from John and Dominique de Menil.
The organization of this museum was studied as well as the lighting techniques as a precedent for our studio museum project. A serpentining exhibit space with open areas and ambient lighting allows visitors to meander through the spaces with ample space for movement. The light panel pieces diffuse the light to avoid damaging artwork and softening the interior exposure.
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Precedent - United Steelworks
This quick precedent study used image photos to recreate a building off site. Using known dimensions, this building was able to be created and scaled based off of street view images and gave an understanding of local architecture. Massing, organization, materials and utilities were all derived from site context without having to physically travel to the site.
This reverse-engineered project challenged me to use documents to recreate a 3D model of an older building. Once created in Rhino, the model was used to create cut guides on the 3D printer so that the dowels could snap together smoothly and bring this amazing architecture to model-sized life.
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RiNo Reconnection Retreat
This partnered studio project revealed the trials and rewards of working in a team setting. Collaboration and comprimisation were key components to successfully complete this final studio project. This was done after evaluating each other's strengths and weaknesses to optimize our efforts
The RiNo Reconnection Retreat is a residency housing 10 specialists consisting of five sport's scientists and five hypnotists. This 16week program aims to combine professions focusing on mind and body to create an all-inclusive rehabilitation for injured athletes.
Partner
Credit: Alanah Braaksma
RiNo Reconnection Retreat
The site is located in a developing area of RiNo in Northern Denver. The South Platte River offers ambient nature sounds along with a scenic trail and Arkins Court. In opposition, 38th Street introduces loud traffic noise in combination with the Pepsi Bottling Co and their transports.
The design of our building aims to mitigate the street noise while allowing the pleasant sounds of nature to infiltrate the premises.
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23 RiNo Site Plan
Sketching the Concept
In sketching the concept, information was quickly delivered in how the building would interact with the site. This exercise offered quick and easy iterations with ample information in return. Multiple perspectives were able to be explored with minimal time and effort.
The morphology model is multi-purpose in that it shows the evolution of our concept, it shows the scale at 1/8" = 1-0', and allows a hands on approach to understanding the main concepts of this building.
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Morphological Model Starting Position
Morphological Model Inserting Barriers
Morphological Model
Morphological Model Rotation
Morphological Model Reconstruction 1
Site Model w/ Context
Morphological Model Separation
Morphological Model Reconstruction 2
Site Model w/ Elevation Context
Plan 1 Key-
1. Thinker Office
2. Private Meeting Room
3. Private Hypnotist Room
4. Storage Closet
5. Entry/ Waiting Area
6. Front Desk
7. Bathroom
8. Fitness Center
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Plan 3 Key-
1. Kitchen
2. Dining/Common Area
3. Pantry
4. Private Thinker Living Space
5. Hypnotist Bedroom
6. Sports Scientist Bedroom
7. Open Sink Area
8. Bathroom
Plan 2 Key-
1. Lounge Space
2. Private Outdoor Patio
3. Public Outdoor Patio
4. Laundry Room
5. Thinker Observation Space
6. Front Desk
7. Open to Below
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Longitudinal Section
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Transverse Section
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Thank You Nicholas.Christenson.Design@Gmail.com | 720-841-2156
