Portfolio | Jay Dragon

JAY DRAGON architectural portfolio

JAY DRAGON

The architectural field is my professional career, creative outlet, connection to the arts, and above all, my fuel. I practice architecture as an opportunity to not only design a physical form or building, but also to design from the inside within. Human nature has historically responded with unique and personal connections upon the spaces they enter and use. This intriguing concept of public spaces evoking unique and personal reactions on the individual is an ongoing source of fascination. I am driven to create different experiences for clients who strive to enhance and unify spaces for their users. I view the purpose of architecture is to create an EXPERIENCE; one that is centered on preserving a uniquely gratifying environment sustained by the human emotions and interactions within it.

Living in Chicago has grown my appreication for cities and their fast-paced energy. Cities serve as pivotal catalysts for innovative projects and areas to evolve, reshaping the landscape for future generations. With over 8 years of experience, my pursuit of innovation continues to fuel my passion for research, design, and planning within the urban realm.

THE ROOTS OF DESIGN

Being raised by a mother who is an artist and a father who is an engineer, I’ve always wanted to explore the harmony between the two worlds. I have always loved drawing as a child - starting at as early as age 5. Subconciously, there was a primary theme with my drawings, which took various forms of homes, buildings, neighborhoods, and even imaginary cities. Taking in inspiration from famous architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Bertrand Goldberg, I became more and more fascinated in the architecture world. Drawing was seen not only as a hobby, but also as a root of passion for architecture and design, which kept me wanting to learn more...

Hometown newspaper cover featuring me with my 'tower' lego design at age 7, 1997

early childhood drawings ages 6 - 8

late childhood drawings ages 9 -12

ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER...

After receiving my Bachelor's degree in Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago, I pursued a career in architecture through various part-time assistance jobs with past professors, as well as an internship. Desiring more insight, challenge, and explorations within the field, I ultimately applied and enrolled into the two-year Graduate Program at the University of Michigan to receive my Masters in Architecture degree.

Graduation commencment speech, 2015

Designing a golf course inside an urban environment required extensive research and visitations, which led to a field trip to Biloxi, Mississippi. Since golf courses are known for predominantly flat landscape, the design strategy was to create a mountainous surface divergent of the city’s grid. This provides the opportunity of integrating residential and commercial spaces subsided beneath the extruded mounds of land. The housing units, although subterranean, contain openings onto the course to allow an interaction between the landscape and the home. In the end, an urban agenda is presented by having a community operate independently and peacefully with a golf course at play above.

View from 4th green

WALKLAND DRIVE

University of Michigan | Winter 2014

The Mews and Laneways are prime examples of streetscapes, which bring to light the involvement of the automobile as a means of integration between the space of the car and the space of the person. Our project aims to address the street in three manners... (i) the way in which the circulation of space integrates between the car and the user (ii) as a means to provide slippage where the standing space of the automobile can also be an extension of the living space (iii) the establishment of the street as the residential open forum. Density is integrated into the project as tall thin residential units cased horizontally, giving every unit access to circulation frontage.

overall axonometric showing site context

bedroom view living room view

Enlarged Walk Plan Scale 1/16”=1ʼ N

enlarged south ground plan walkway courtyard view plaza view

THE SHAKER WAY

University of Michigan | Winter 2015 | Thesis

Reimagining suburbia as a parametric assemblage of parts opens up new sub/urban typologies and agendas. The image of the home could be seen less as the compartmentalization or ‘packing’ of its constituents inside an already pre-planned box. Though expense and time is being saved through this favored marketing strategy, the differentiation, flexibility, and individual expression is unfortunately lost. Giving a potential homeowner the freedom to design their own home, through the selection and mixing of parametric elements, could ultimately lead to unique housing types that extend beyond the box.

housing elements study

heights elements catalog

overall axonometric

cross-section

ground level plan

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2015 - present

Firm: Pappageorge Haymes Partners 500 N MILWAUKEE Chicago, IL

Project Description:

Kenect is a 227-unit mixed-use tower that’s located at 500 N. Milwaukee Ave. consisting of a four story low-rise building and a 14 story high rise immediately behind the low-rise.

Contribution & Involvement:

- Site analysis & visits

- Design Development

- Interior Design assistance and cooridination

- Construction Documentation

- Construction Administration

Streetview entry

CENTRAL STREET Evanston, IL

Firm:

OKW Architects

Project Description:

2-story new construction buiding featuring 20 units with 10 accessible units. Located within an older residential neighborhood in northern Chicago area.

Contribution & Involvement:

- Site analysis & visits

- Thorough code & ADA analysis

- Unit layouts and design

- Renderings & elevation studies

- Exterior finish selections and material boards

- Construction documentation

Firm:

Architects

Project Description: 4-story new construction ground up senior living facility comprising of independent, assisted, and memory care living units. The building was situated within a residential neighborhood, which required externsive zoning & local approval processes.

Contribution & Involvement:

- Unit layouts and design

- Renderings & shadow studies

- Code & ADA reviews

- Construction documentation

- Public & board approval meetings

INFOSYS OFFICES

Project Description: Renovation of approximately 65,552 gross square feet of tech focused office space of an existing warehouse building. Firm: Shive-Hattery

Contribution & Involvement:

- Schematic design

- Finish selections with Interior Designer

- Construction documentation

- Construction administration

- Marketing & final project photography

SONOCO THERMOSAFE OFFICE

Arlington Heights, IL

Firm: Shive-Hattery

Contribution & Involvement:

- Schematic design

- Office furniture inventory

- Finish selections with Client

- Construction documentation

- Construction administration

- Project management

FLOORING FINISH PLAN - OPTION 1 - COOL SCHEME

DIAMOND HEADACHE CLINIC

Chicago, IL

Firm: Shive-Hattery

Project Description:

Reception area renovation and overall finish refresh to an existing healthcare clinic located within the city of Chicago.

Contribution & Involvement:

- Schematic design

- Rendering & presentations

- Finish selections with Client

- Construction documentation

- Construction administration

entry view

Contribution & Involvement:

- Design development

- Finish selections & presentations with Client

- Coffee bar & cafe layout design

- Construction documentation

- Furniture selection & package process Project Description:

Project Description:

New 4-story residential building comprosing of 60 dwelling units with retail/restaurant tenant space on ground level.

Contribution & Involvement:

- Design development

- Unit layout designs

- Thorough accessibility, local ordiance, and code reviews Firm: Lamar Johnson Collaborative

PLANS

A2.101FIRST FLOOR PLAN

A2.102SECOND FLOOR PLAN

A2.103THIRD FLOOR PLAN

A2.104FOURTH FLOOR PLAN

A2.105PENTHOUSE PLANS EAST AND WEST

A2.106OVERALL

MATERIALS SCHEDULE

L3.101SOILS PLAN - GROUND LEVEL

L3.102IRRIGATION PLAN - GROUND LEVEL

L3.103SOILS PLAN - TERRACES

L3.104IRRIGATION PLAN TERRACES

L4.101PLANTING

ELEVATIONS

A4.010UNIT 1-1-B - ENLARGED PLANS, RCPS, ELEVATIONS

A4.011UNIT 1-2-B - ENLARGED PLANS, RCPS, ELEVATIONS

A4.012UNIT 1-3-A - ENLARGED PLANS, RCPS, ELEVATIONS

A4.013UNIT 1-3-B - ENLARGED PLANS, RCPS, ELEVATIONS

A4.014UNIT 1-4-B - ENLARGED

BANDWITH CHICAGO

Chicago, IL

Firm: Lamar Johnson Collaborative

Project Description:

Adpative reuse & renovation of existing 25,000 sq ft casket factory to performing arts center for non-profit organization, BandWith. The building will include recording studios, music library, dance studio, and office spaces.

Contribution & Involvement:

- Design development and room layout planning

- Interior Design lead

- Construction documentation

- Furniture & equipment endor coordination

- Community engagement & zoning approval processes

ground level

upper lobby level

lower lobby level

MICROHOME 2020

INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION

Inspired by architecture in Tokyo and Amsterdam, The FulFill Home adequately transforms a mere 6 foot width by 40‘ foot alleyway located in Chicago, IL. The two neighboring buildings nest this narrow floor plan, giving ample vertical potential to offer the same comfort and flexibility of an average sized urban home. With the integration of spacesaving modular furniture, multilevels, and sustainable design, the home presents a new typology to both tiny home architecture and an enhanced urban living.