Gunnar Norberg Selected Work by Gunnar Norberg

Selected Work

Gunnar Norberg

Kent State University 2020-2025

Green Revival

The Detroit-Superior Bridge in Cleveland is re-imagined as a vibrant elevated urban park, connecting Ohio City, the Flats, and downtown. By transforming this historic infrastructure into a sustainable public space, the project preserves its iconic structure while creating a communal resource that merges urban life with nature. This revitalized bridge pays homage to Cleveland’s industrial heritage while fostering a greener, more connected future.

Central to the design are adaptable “blossoms”—modular elements that enhance ecological and experiential value. These components integrate light, ventilation, and plant life, serving as planters, seating, or even small greenhouses. Strategically placed across the bridge, the blossoms create a dynamic and evolving landscape, inviting seasonal flexibility and diverse uses while strengthening connections to surrounding parks like Irish-town Bend and Heritage Park.

The re-imagined Detroit-Superior Bridge exemplifies how infrastructure can evolve into ecological and social assets. Through sustainabilityfocused design and community-driven innovation, the project establishes a precedent for urban renewal, transforming a forgotten structure into a thriving public space that bridges Cleveland’s past and future.

Graduate Option Design Studio Professor Brendan Ho

Location: Cleveland, OH Summer 2024

West Entrance Redesign Floor Plan

Details of Blossom Connections

Exterior Structure

Middle of Span Redesign Plan

East Entrance Redesign Floor Plan

Floaties and Fans

This project seeks to blend tropical vernacular architecture from Ho Chi Minh City with the urban fabric of Paris to address the challenges posed by a projected 3°C temperature increase by 2100. By incorporating passive cooling techniques, natural ventilation, and locally sourced materials, the design reduces energy consumption and dependence on mechanical systems, while mitigating the effects of rising temperatures. The adaptability of the design ensures that buildings can evolve with changing environmental conditions, supporting long-term resilience and contributing to the creation of sustainable, comfortable living environments.

At the heart of the design is the integration of natural ventilation, achieved through a large central brick void, sliding polycarbonate panels, and a brick exterior. These features are drawn from Vietnamese architecture and adapted to suit the Parisian climate, where the central void doubles as a chimney. The use of wood throughout the structure reflects the family’s woodworking heritage and allows for future expansion. This approach ensures that the design remains flexible and responsive, enabling the family to continue adapting their home over generations, fostering a living space that embodies both tradition and innovation.

Graduate Option Design Studio

Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Paris , France Fall 2024

Professor Ivan Bernal

Closed Polycarbonate Panels

Open Polycarbonate Panels

Scene 2

Animation

Section with Framing Construction

Behind the Scenes

Extra Mural LA

Extra Mural LA is a community sports center located at 237 Rose Street in Los Angeles, designed to foster physical activity and social engagement in the heart of the Arts District. The building features an open-air basketball court on the top floor, offering expansive views of the city while taking advantage of Los Angeles’ mild climate. Open-air balconies wrap around each level, creating flexible spaces for movement, spectating, and community interaction.

The building’s rectilinear form maximizes the use of the site while respecting the surrounding context, including the preservation of an adjacent mural that celebrates the neighborhood’s artistic heritage. Overhanging balconies encourage exploration, while strategically placed programs—such as multipurpose rooms and a rock-climbing wall— promote community engagement.

Transparency and circulation are key design elements, with programs aligned along the building’s perimeter to foster connections between the indoor activities and the surrounding urban environment. The aluminum louver facade not only provides solar shading but also contributes to the building’s layered aesthetic, enhancing both its functionality and visual appeal.

The project celebrates the integration of physical activity, social cohesion, and urban life, offering a dynamic space that connects people, promotes well-being, and energizes the community.

Fourth Year Integrated Design

Professor Nick Safely Location, Los Angeles, CA Spring 2024

Partner: Aaron Muth

Rock-wall Storage

Rock-wall

Locker Room Mens Locker Room

Multi-Purpose Space

Womens

Multi-Purpose Space Lobby

Axonometric with Surrounding LA Arts District

Front Elevation of Model

Aerial of Model

Third Floor Ring Walkway

Wall Section

Fig 1.1

Fig 1.2

Fig 1.3

Fig 1.1

Fig 1.2

Longitudinal Section

Basketball Court Close up of Model

Basketball Court Overlooking LA

Mens Locker Room

Multi-Purpose Space

Womens Locker Room

Multi-Purpose Space

Offices

Racquetball Court

Walkway/Overlook

Racquetball Court

Framing Flexibility

Framing Flexibility reimagines a 1966 structure by expanding vertically while preserving its original footprint and materials, seamlessly integrating them into a modern, adaptive facade. The building’s innovative track-based system supports movable floor plates, offering flexibility to accommodate various uses such as offices, retail, daycare, libraries, or student lounges. These plates can be easily adjusted and locked into place, allowing for efficient and dynamic customization with minimal disruption to ongoing activities. This adaptability ensures that the space remains relevant and functional as the needs of the community evolve.

A clip-in circulation system provides seamless access between levels, enhancing the building’s flexibility while maintaining smooth transitions for its users. The ground floor features a permanent fresh market and café, directly addressing local food desert concerns and fostering community interaction. These permanent spaces act as anchors, providing reliable services to the community while supporting the building’s overall adaptability.

The design prioritizes sustainability, with energy-efficient systems, locally sourced materials, and environmentally conscious strategies woven into every layer of the project. Accessibility is at the forefront, ensuring the building is welcoming to people of all abilities. **Framing Flexibility** is more than just a response to current needs—it is a space that evolves with its users, offering a dynamic environment that bridges economic, cultural, and social gaps. By creating adaptable, sustainable spaces that foster community engagement, this project ensures its continued relevance as a vital resource for the city for years to come.

Fourth Year Option Studio

Professor Matt Hutchinson

Location: Cleveland , OH Fall 2023

Fashion Company

Track System for Movable Floor Plates

Rectangle HSS Steel

2” Diameter Pipe

C-Shape Steel

Clip-In Stair

2” Diameter Pipe Floor Plate

Chunk Model

Chunk Model Close Up

Longitudinal Section

Wide Flange Beam

Study Lounge

Tech Company

Universal Bathrooms

Section Completed 1966

Lighting Study

Longitudinal Section

Entrance

Universal Bathrooms

Community Market

Floor Plate Storage

Cafeteria Space

Green Space

Full Scale

The project delved into the tectonic arrangement of wood blocks through an AI-generated column design, translating digital concepts into a physical, constructed form. Initially, the AI was tasked with creating a column using keyboards as an inspiration, with the materiality focused on wood. After refining the shape and texture, the selected design was transformed into a digital 3D model, which served as the foundation for detailed assembly drawings created at a 1:1 scale.

The assembly process involved cutting wood blocks to precise lengths of 11 and 13 inches with a 15-degree angle, following the patterns dictated by the digital model. The blocks were then carefully assembled in segments, beginning with smaller parts and progressing to the full column. The structure, composed of five layers, was secured with nails and wood glue, ensuring stability while staying true to the digital design.

Staining and texture were adjusted to align with the visual aesthetics shown in the renderings, while a final glazing layer provided a polished, galleryready finish. Material choices were made to balance both accuracy to the original AI design and cost-efficiency, ensuring the final product closely matched the initial digital visualizations while remaining accessible in terms of materials and execution.

Material Science Elective

Professor Nick Safely

Location: Kent, OH Spring 2024

Partners: Jaret Lesure, John Girimonti, Alex Zaccarine, Carter Wensel

Wood Glue

1/4 of Barrel

2” Galvanized Brad nail

2”x4” Pine Stud

B D

Barrel Assembly

Axonometric Layout of Column Assembly

Typologies of Pieces

2”x4” Pine Stud

2” Galvanized Brad nail

Pine Stud

Band Saw Rip Cut

2”x4” Pine Stud

Joinery of Barrels Model Details

Close up of Model