Ephraim James Architectural Portfolio

Ephraim James

ephraimj361@gmail.com

(305) 989-0395

PERSONAL PROFILE:

I am a college graduate student and visual artist with architectural endeavors, seeking to continue to develop my personal and professional growth into the field. Goal driven and project-oriented, I seek to expand my knowledge and establish myself as a professional designer who is much of a functional problem solver as a creative artist.

EDUCATION:

Master of Architecture

May 2024

Florida International University (FIU) Miami, FL

GPA 3.6/4.0

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

August 2020

Florida International University (FIU) Miami, FL

Honors & Awards:

Dean’s List (Summer 2020)

BRHP Future Achievers Scholarship (Spring 2023)

Clubs/Organizations:

American Institute of Architecture Students (2018 – Present)

National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (2021 – Present)

Relevant Coursework

Integrated Comprehensive Design (ARC 5361)

Integrated Building Systems (ARC 5483)

SKILLS:

Modeling Software (Revit, Rhinoceros, Maya)

Drafting (AutoCAD)

Fabrication (Model-making, Laser-cutting, 3D printing)

Graphic Design (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)

Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint)

Lemon City Natatorium

Comprehensive Design Studio - FALL 2022

Project Description: The concept was to form an aquatic lightwell with fluidity in motion by use of framing and angular configuration. This lightwell into the Olympic-sized swimming pool has an equal amount of comfortable space for both swimmers and spectators. The approach to this project was to think of this as a competition venue as well as a regional landmark. There is use of a centralized organization and radial circulation. While the first floor is a single height space, my second and third floor are double spaces that frame the shape of the pool deck, further emphasizing the lightwell effect. The second floor is primarily for seating close to 600 people, all with direct views of the pool. Meanwhile on the third floor, all the leisure activities are placed with lounges and standing room only views that create community gatherings. This natatorium with its angled configuration is held up by a space framing roof that is shaped like the size of the lot. The roof itself has a translucency in the middle to create that lightwell effect.

Concept Diagram

Zoning Analysis

Longitudinal Section

Rendered Detail Wall Axonometric

Detailed Wall Section

Physical Site Model

Detailed Architectural Model Detailed Structural Model

Pigeon Key Site Analysis + Chapel

SUMMER 2022

Project Description: The chapel I’m proposing sits off the south edge of the Pigeon Key Island, with its polygonal form emulating both a ferry boat and a Florida East Coast Railway train. The form took shape based off a wind measuring device that I modeled mimicking an anemometer. The chapel has a sloped bridge that connects the major profane space to the minor sacred space. That sacred space, being above water, is anchored up by four triangular stilts. The slope in fact emphasizes the transition from ground to water. The use of light permeates through the sanctuary through the form of diagonal slits along with an elongated orthogonal window that has a direct view towards the ocean. The space above the sanctuary serves as an outdoor public space where people can lounge on a boat-like deck with views towards the ocean as well. The deck has a mini pool for both relaxation and baptism rituals.

Planometric

Physical Rib Grid Model

Ground Floor Plan

Cross Section

Savannah Infill Row Housing

SPRING 2022

Project Description: Adding to the continuation of Savannah’s rigid symmetry in both building mass and layout, my concept for my infill row housing project consists of a 4-story volume with shifted floor plates that offset at each level, creating an implied diagonal cut towards the garden. This volume consists of three artist/architect housing units sitting on top of a main gallery space. By offsetting each unit at every level, every artist/architect gets a fair view of the courtyard/garden space through sliding glass windows, which creates continuity between indoor space and outdoor private enclosed decks. As each unit gets higher, the spaces become tighter and more compressed. When it comes to material, I kept the traditional exterior brick and cladded it with brick bond wood cladding to emphasize the verticality of this particular Savannah Street datum, Gaston Street. With reference to my urban infill precedent, Carapicuiba House, my row house integrates itself with the landscape. The overall shifting of the walls, and floor plates at various heights, creates a unity of both separation and coherence.

Site Axonometric

Zoning Diagram Analysis

Concept Diagram Public vs. Private Diagram

Unit Type Diagram Egress Diagram

Exterior Rendering

Physical Architectural Model (w/ Context)

New World Institute Library

SUMMER 2022

Project Description: The library I’m proposing is an extension of the Ancient Spanish Monastery while also being a dichotomy of the existing monastery. With its square plan with a central void like the monastery, its form takes shape as an inverted pyramid with a 4-sided butterfly roof and a series of inclined sloped columns that anchor the cantilevered tapering floor plates. The library is completely transparent with bookshelves and lounge areas receiving direct natural light. With such transparency, the library has a central core that programs stairs, elevators, offices, and restrooms. The stairs inside the core create an atrium with a square-shaped skylight. Instead of being in an actual open space that you can walk through surrounded by the building, the library becomes the center of a space defined by the more habitual structures. The scholar habitual spaces are designed and formed in response to the form of the library (sloped away from the building) as the form begins to expand in space along 3 out of the 4 sides of the library. The intent was to mimic the major and minor axis that the orthogonal monastery creates in its existing site.

Tinted Colored Glass Diagram Pallette

Exterior and Interior Renderings

Peacock Park Aquatic Center

FALL 2021

Project Description: My proposed design concept is to give the community an aquatic center with as minimal enclosure as possible. Given the downward curving slope of the terrain facing the bay, an elevated platform with three different pools is formed and is covered by an aerodynamic tensile structural roof that canopies over a pedestrian plaza that serves as both an outdoor café and a snack bar. An Olympic-sized swimming pool is the main attraction of this platform. Adjacent to this is a 10-ft deep diving pool. Between these two pools are walls that not only create boundaries but serve as rooms for primary and secondary programmatic functions. On one side facing west features 12 single-unit locker rooms (which each features a restroom and shower) while the other side features a family restroom as well as a mechanical and storage room. Adjacent to the family restroom, mechanical and storage room is a recreational children’s pool. There are three seating areas with direct views toward each pool. The dramatic curving roof itself gives airflow throughout the venue and shades guests and the pools throughout the extreme hot climate.

Site Diagrams

Evolution of Roof Shape

Building Platform Floor

Building Platform Diagram

Site Longitudinal Section

Site Cross Section

Olympic Pool Cross Section

Diving Pool Cross Section

Children’s Pool Cross Section

Renderings

Physical Model

Art Projects