architecture is more than just pretty buildings
Kalissa Fruetel
As a 4th year student in the Master of Architecture program at the University of Kansas, I have participated in a diverse array of architectural projects, five of which are showcased in this portfiolio. During my studies, I have discovered a love for experiential, light, and vernacular architecture. I recently returned from an eight-month study abroad exchange at Universität Stuttgart where I learned German, participated in architectural courses unique to Stuttgart, and travelled around Germany and neighboring countries.
Experience Summer Architectural Intern, San Diego, CA
Cuningham, May 2025 - August 2025
Helping assist architects in healthcare architectural projects throughout California and Arizona
Woodshop Assistant, Lawrence, KS
University of Kansas, August 2022 - Present
In charge of overseeing the woodshop used by architecture and design students
Paint Associate, Richfield, MN
Home Depot. April 2021 - January 2024
Responsible for helping customers select appropriate products for their projects. This requires a foundational understanding of all paint products.
Camp Counselor, Nisswa, MN
Camp Lake Hubert, May 2023 - August 2023
+1(612) 816-8951
kalissafruetel2021@gmail.com
Workflow 3D Design: Sketchup & Revit
Rendering: Lumion, Twinmotion, & Enscape
Post Digital Rendering: Illustrator & Photoshop
Portfolio/Presentation: InDesign
Artistic Expression: Drawing & Painting
Worked as a camp counselor for a summer residental camp for girls. I led the lacrosse activity and supported the head staff of archery, art, waterskiing, riflery, and trapshooting.
Camp Counselor, Otis, MA
Camp Lenox, June 2022 - August 2022
Worked as a camp counselor at a co-ed, sports-centric residential summer camp. I led the lacrosse activity.
Education University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Master of Architecture, 2021- present, Graduation: May 2026
Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Semester Study Abroad, January - August 2024
The Blake School, Minneapolis, MN High School Diploma, 2017-2021
CityTerm at the Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Semester Study Abroad in NYC, September - December 2019
References Shannon Criss
Studio Professor, Fall 2024, scriss@ku.edu
Richard Embers
Academic Mentor, 2023-25, rembers@ku.edu
Academic Multicultural Distinctions Architecture Scholars Program (MASP)
KU Distinction Scholar
KU Deans List 2022,2023,2024
Drs. Dean T. And Elisabeth Collins German Scholarship
Francis Feuhrer Scholarship
Goldwin Goldsmith Scholarship
AIAS KU Chapter 2nd Yr Representative
Betty Women’s Ultimate Secretary (2023)
L o t u s O n c o l o g y C e n t e r
D a l l a s T r a i n T r a n s i t S e m iO a s i s H o u s i n g
6-11 13-23 24-29
M y c e l i u m E x p l o r a t i o n s
F i l m R o w P l a z a
30-35 36-43 44-47
P a i n t i n g s
LOTUS Oncology 1
Lawrence, KS Fall 2022
Currently a work in-progress project. For my 4th-year spring studio project I am designing an Oncology Center in Olathe, Kansas with my partner: Avarie Honkomp. The goal of this project is to design for the healing journey with inspiration from Himalayan culture. The goal of this oncology center is to begin the journey of physically and emotionally healing from cancer starting in the infusion room and preparing prosperity beyond. The lotus flower, which symbolizes rebirth and healing in Buddhist culture; it is our guiding inspiration to the physical form of our design.
East Elevation
Limestone Masonary
elZinc Pointed Fishscale Metal Shingles
Glulam Timber Curtain Glass Wall
Create five simplistic wings symbolizing the lotus flower.
For the lower floor, fill in the gaps to create a solid and heavy “pedestal”
Raise the lower floor 15’ and keep the wing shape for the upper floor.
Carve out two light wells to bring light into the deepest points of the building.
Raise the upper floor 15’. Add healing garden spaces on the roof of the filled in gaps between the wings.
Add the grand decorative roof that provides light and spacious ceilings throughout the upper portion of the building.
RAINWATER
To conserve the rainwater with the grand roof, most rainwater flows into the rooftop gardens to water and conserve future water usage to maintain the gardens year round. The excess rainwater would flow into the retention pond.
OVERHANGS
Large overhangs help encourage lighting during the winter times and blocks harsh lighting in the summertime. During the hottest time of the year, automatic blinds will go down to heavily restrict the sunlight when needed. This still allows views.
HVAC + AIR
All HVAC systems would collect and exhaust through the lips of the second layer of the roof. This allows there to be functionality and beauty on the exterior and interior facades, ensuring the upper floors get proper HVAC.
SEMI-OASIS Graduate Student Housing Denver, CO Fall 2024
The focus in the 4th year fall semester was cohousing. The goal of the project was to design a building that was mixed-use with housing and commercial space. The building’s design provides space for the community to flourish, to improve the local ecosystem, and to design with passive design approaches in mind. The Graduate Student Housing is one of two housing complexes in the SEMI-OASIS masterplan which was designed with my partner Jackson Roth. The design aims to bring people together from the Auraria Campus and LoDo with Cherry Creek running through the site.
Street
Our buildings represent the gateways into the SEMI-OASIS from the surrounding concrete jungle.
Auraria Campus
Auraria Campus
Floor 2, 3, and 4 turn into stairs to allow equal lighting among units with the patios.
Wave the outer facade to represent the waves of Cherry Creek.
/ Dept. 76 Student Housing / ADEPT + Luplau Poulsen
Create an entry point from alleyway to access courtyard.
LoDo
SUMMIT
BLACK FRAMED WINDOWS
Katrinebjerg
Glazed Tiles on Facade of Building at Camden Lock | BAGUETTE | MOEDING
The building features various amenities on both the public and private levels. Key amenities of the public level. This would offer a great opportunity as it is near the thriving Larimer Street. Key amenities on the private level are on upper floors to enable social gatherings among the residents on each floor in the building.
Second floor
Third floor
Fourth floor
1” = 50’
50’ - 0”
38’ - 10”
26’ - 11”
15’ - 0”
o’ - o”
-15’ - 0”
Cross ventilation
Patio spaces / shading devices
Louvers
Rain gardens
Dallas Train Transit
Dallas, TX Fall 2023
The 3rd year project was creating a museum that celebrates an aspect of American history. I chose train transit in Dallas since trains were very prominent in my life when I lived in NYC in 2019. I chose four elements to drive my design, elevated platform, subway, grand entry, and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) map. The elements combined created a museum design that some may say reminds them of Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. The goal was to also celebrate the delicate structural architecture with exposed joists and pillars.
Basement floor
Main
Second floor
Mycelium Explorations
Stuttgart, DE Spring 2024
One of the leading reasons I wanted to study abroad in Germany at Universität Stuttgart was to participiate in the mycelium research they have been working on for the past decade. This experimental material is slowly, yet surely getting closer and closer to potentially becoming a commerical building material used in every day buildings. To further the research of how big and flexible mycelium is as a building material, we were assigned to create a panel full of mycelium at the scale of 6’-0” by 3’-0”. This task was not easy and we faced numerous challenges that in the end produced one panel that explored biowelding and organic shapes.
The questions we asked were: How could we color mycelium? Does growth time matter and can you preserve it? What happens if you took some mycelium apart and forced it to grow again? After many failed experiments, it was discovered that mycelium can be taken apart and then put back together due to the bio-welding properties it possesses as it is still alive during the growth period and early stages of drying. With a promising plan to succeed in the large panel, we dove into the idea.
One of the techniques that was inspiring was that mycelium could be molded, separated by paper, create a defined shape in two days and then grow together afterwards without the mold to create a clear shape and stability.
The original plan was to experiment with two different methods to create this panel. One would be with individual molds and the other would be creating a grid like system. The grid could be a quicker method to create the organic shape. Unfortunately, it was a failure.
The second method of creating the organic panel proved a successful and extremely promising approach to creating this large panel we had to complete by the end of the semester. The system was simple, cut the mold, staple it, put the mycelium in the mold, let it grow for about two days, and then take the mycelium mold off and let it bio-weld between each other. It was a success and used for the final product.
After two days of stapling, sanitizing, filling, and placing together, the panel was successfully created and covered. The mycelium must be contained to allow the moisture to build up around the mycelium and to prevent bacteria from outside getting in. All panels except ours experienced an infected panel. It takes a lot to prevent more growth, but it is possible. Finally, once the two weeks went by with a weekend of growth and ten days of drying, it was ready for presenting. With promising feedback, our contributions to the greater research of mycelium exploration was rewarding. This course taught me a different side of architecture and how architecture is more than just a career that creates buildings for people, but development and improvements can come from the labs as well.
Film Row Plaza
Kansas City, KS Spring 2023
For the final project of the 2nd year, we had to create a space that honors films that range from the Golden Age of Film to today. Inspired by First Friday in the Crossroads, I wanted to create a space where there could be a plaza for people to gather before they go watch a show. Located next to the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts in Kansas City, MO, this space featured a challenging landscape to design. In turn, I created a space for an amphitheater on the slope. The focus was on how to flow the different spaces through the building that would make sense both for the visitors and employees. This project also taught me how to experiment with different programs to enhance the renders and other graphics.
Back view
Front view
Side view
Side view
Main floor
Second floor
2021-2024 Paintings 6
I tend to paint for gifting purposes. It is something that someone can cherish much more than a gift bought at a store. I choose to paint off of pictures or my own memories and prefer to paint relatively realistically with a story behind every picture. Every story is personal to the gift recipient. I also paint urban scenes or inspiring landscapes. I prefer gouache or a watercolor and pen combination.
Botnang, Germany, 2024
Freshman Rookie Year, 2022
