Masters of Architecture Application Portfolio (Non-Design Background)

Jason John Pierre Vandenberg Masters of Architecture Application Portfolio

CV

Jason Vandenberg Address:

Email: Phone: D.o.b:

1347 Normandy Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, K2C 0N4 jasonjpv@telus.net 403-971-4017 July 10th, 1995

Work Experience Urban Shed | Workshop Assistant Ottawa, Ontario - Summer 2016

TD Place | Beer Hawker

Ottawa, Ontario - 2014/ 2015 CFL season

Education

LeDuc Development Ltd | Milling and Road Construction

History and Theory of Architecture Major | Carleton Unviersity Ottawa, Ontario, 2013 - 2017

Okotoks, Alberta - Summer 2015

KC Landscaping | Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance

Technology, Society, and Environmental Studies Minor | Carleton Unviersity

Okotoks, Alberta - Summer 2014

Studio First Post - Baccalaureate | Azreli School of Architecture

Okotoks, Alberta - December 2012 - August 2013

Ottawa, Ontario, 2013 - 2017

Ottawa, Ontario, May 2016 - June 1016

High School Diploma | Holy Trinity Academy Okotoks, Alberta, 2010 - 2013

Swiss Chalet | Server

Donco Construction | Farming Contractor Okotoks, Alberta - Summers 2011-2013

Tim Hortons | Front Staff

Okotoks, Alberta - February 2010 - February 2013

Digital Knowledge

JJPV Photgraphy | Professional Photographer

Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Adobe Photoshop Adobe Lightroom

Adobe InDesign Adobe Illustrator Rhinosaurus 3D AutoDesk AutoCAD

Awards Rutherford Scholarship | Alberta Graduated high school with honours

Calgary Stampede Arts Scholarship Competition Honourable Mention | Alberta 2013 Calgary Stampede

Leader of Tomorrow Award | Alberta

Leader in volunteering within the community

2nd Place, Rememberance Day Art Competition 2009 | Alberta The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 078

Okotoks, Alberta - 2009 - 2013

Co-curricular Involvment Carleton University

VP Game Day - RedZone 2016/2017 Head Facilitator - Fall Orientation Week 2016 Relay for Life Participant - Relay for Life 2016 Captain - RedZone 2015/2016 Vice Head Facilitator - Fall Orientation Week 2015 Facilitator - Fall Orientation Week 2014

Holy Trinity Academy

Lineman - Knights Football 2010 - 2012 Captain - Knights Football 2012 Coordinator - Young Artists of Okotoks Exhibition 2012 - 2014 Contriubuting Artist - Serendipity Art Show - 2012 Contributing Artist - HTA School Art Show - 2011-2012

Table Of Contents 1 - Cut in Half 3 - Constellation 5 - The Destruction of Construction 9 - Undergraduate Related Works 11 - Predator and Prey 12 - Potential 13 - Mimic 13 - The Elephant in the Room 14 - Blue Forest 14 - Diamond Doodle

Cut in Half 1

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The project “Cut In Half ” began with the creation of a model consisting of paper, cardboard, foam board, plexiglass, glue, paint, and plastic. This model was then, as the title states, divided in half allowing the exploration of unknown shapes. Using a bandsaw, I created line drawings of the original model to explore the possibilities of the model’s section and the spaces it created. Following the design, there were ample opportunities developed that allow this method to be used with many other models.

My final step consisted of taking a new approach towards my halved model, as shown on the current page. A simple change to my perspective created an entirely different idea. The halved model was rotated, allowing shapes to be introduced that were not evident previously and creating a cantilevered structure.

Drawing on forms from my Architectural History background, such as Robert Taillibert’s Montreal Olympic Stadium and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water, this exercise allowed me to explore how simple changes in perspective can result in completely new ideas.

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Constellation 3

My inspiration for this project derived upon a trip to Montreal, Quebec.

Using recorded places visited, I created a plot point and connected them in various ways. This plotting exercise allowed me to imagine different outlines and the possibilities for different shapes. Upon the creation of new paths between the dots, I explored other approaches while taking caution that the previous idea did not influence the new idea.

I used tracing paper to overlay each of the paths on top of each other creating the adjacent image. This process reminded me of stars and their constellations, and the potential to create images. From the constellations I discovered in Montreal, I explored different ways in which these constellations created spaces.

I deconstructed the constellation into several layers, removing layers and using different mediums to discover spaces within the creation of the constellation.

Each time I did this it created new spaces.

I used black permanent marker and cardboard cutouts. It was discovered that different spaces were created using a variety of darknesses and the separation of different sections.

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The Destruction of Construction 5

This project began with an intent to redesign Carleton University’s athletic area of campus. Currently, the area includes several old buildings lacking consistent flow. My inspiration derived from the fact that visitors approaching the campus from the south to its main entrance are welcomed not by an impressive campus design but by a parking lot.

My vision for redevelopment recreated the area so that the first thing someone sees is one megabuilding encompassing all necessary venues.

What began as a fairly basic concept of redevelopment evolved into a broader exercise of construction and destruction. Once I had imagined a general floor plan similar to that of a flexing arm, I constructed new ideas using geometric shapes. These shapes were then imagined in three and two dimensions. By doing this I expanded this vision from a single basic floor plan to the second stage of my project.

The second stage showcased many abstract and interesting designs. I consider this stage of the project as deconstructive because the original floor plan was broken down and analyzed into different geometric shapes and line plotting.

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6

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Page seven represents the third stage of my project - another stage of construction. In order to create this piece, I utilized the deconstructions from the original floor plan and overlapped them using the program Illustrator, which created new images.

This led to the final stage which is shown in the images on the current page. I began another step of deconstruction using the overlaid images, in order to create new images.

Dynamic images were created which are distinct opposites from the original model but also inarguably linked. I found this process of construction and deconstruction very interesting as it allowed me to continually repeat this process resulting in entirely new images. Ultimately, this was a very good exercise to entice creativity.

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Undergraduate Related Work 9

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During my third year of University, in a course on Post-Modern Architecture, we studied the De Stijl movement, an intriguing yet simple art form. I decided to experiment with this architecturally.

While creating this piece I recalled Gerrit Rietveld’s Schröder house as well as Theo van Doesburg and Cornelis van Eesteren’s Contra-Construction Project. In these two pieces, I found my inspiration to experiment and create my own De Stijl-esque piece which can be seen on the previous page.

Throughout my degree program, Ancient Greek architecture was often a part of my studies within lectures. I have found the use of columns inspiring and am astonished how often in architectural history the column has been used. The piece on the top right was created in Rhino, a temple I created to enhance my skills within the program. The sketches below are pieces that I was inspired to draw following one of the many lectures.

One day I aspire to create a design which contains a traditional column, made using modern techniques which would revive the column once again. I hope to create a combination of the ancient column within a modern building.

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Predator and Prey 11

Entitled Predator and Prey, this piece was made using watercolor and pencil. Created as a visual representation of a contrast between two forces, it is a battle between color and black/white, between realism and abstraction, and between organic and geometric. My inspiration derived from my desire to combine two different mediums. Although I am more comfortable working with pencil than watercolors, I was determined to make the two work in sync.

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Potential 12

Although this piece appears to be unfinished, I remain inspired by the idea that it represents the potential of images. This is a philosophy that I tend to follow as my architectural life is only just beginning. When I create images I enjoy making them appear realistic through the use of a pencil and for them to create or evolve into their own stories.

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Mimic 13

The piece on the far left was created using a pencil during a four-hour flight from Ottawa to Calgary. My challenge was to complete the project in a dedicated limited period of time. I enjoy drawing birds as I relish a challenge and find the feathers and distinction of colors to be a complex and intriguing process.

The elephant in the room 13

The piece on the immediate left was completed using watercolor. This was one of the first pieces I created using watercolor. I was learning how to use brush strokes to create lighter and darker areas.

I find this piece to be very dramatic.

Using one color in its lightest and darkest forms demands attention, hence why I named it “The Elephant in the Room�.

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Blue Forest 14

A native of the cold mountains and forests of Alberta, I grew up with the image to the left as a view from my bedroom window. It is an image that reminds me of home created by using watercolor. I specifically used one single color to dramatize the image while also to convey depth.

Diamond Doodles

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The image on the bottom right showcases an original and challenging doodle created with Illustrator. I find diamonds to be intriguing because of their complex shape and cut. This idea inspired me to create the pattern of this piece. The color used within the image is analogous to the sparkle one may see within a well-cut diamond.

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