Selected Works

KENNETH BRABHAM JR ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

To me, architecture is expression. Expression that is constructed, unlike most other works of art. Expression that posseses the power to influence and improve the quality of life for people and communities, even if on a subconscious scale.

As designers of our everchanging world, I believe that we must recognize this social responsibility and create with not only the best interests of the present but also ensuring not to compromise the best interests of the future. We must lead the shift in thinking through change, beginning within our industry. Therefore, much of my interests reside in topics of sustainability, social equity, materials and building systems.

PROJECTS

2

URBANIZED MARKETHALL | ASHEVILLE

4

ABIDING CULTURE

7

CULTURAL ARTS CENTER | CHARLESTON

DESIGN FOR DIPLOMACY

EMBASSY | BRASILIA

CASTING THE EPHEMERAL EDUCATIONAL FACILITY | DETROIT

12 17

PROFESSIONAL VIGNETTES

24

TRADITIONAL MEDIA

34

“Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themsleves” - Julia Morgan

1

PROJECTS

2

3 | URBANIZED

URBANIZED

MARKETHALL | ASHEVILLE ARCH 3500 | FALL 2018

The markethall is a study on massing, volume and facade. Analyses of urban wall conditions throughout the city influence the markethall’s form and facade. Spaces encased in glass, and wrapped in a perforated corten steel wrapper characterize the design. A carved central void offers outdoor but covered three season market operation, while the remaining enclosed spaces house year-round market operation, food service and other building services.

SITE CARVE

PUSH

urban analysis

massing strategy

Close proximity of facades along major streets create an urban wall condition that is interrupted in intervals, creating a rhythm.

Masses collectively possess a stepped, staggering roof line, mimicking the opposing street elevation. Intervals of interruption found within the city fabric are reflected in the broken facade.

site plan 5 | URBANIZED

1/64” = 1’ - 0”

section perspective

carved void creates a naturally ventilated circulation path

=

FACADE

+

URBAN WALL

CIRCULATION

concept sketches concept models

perforated corten steel facade filters natural light

ABIDING CULTURE CULTURAL CENTER | CHARLESTON ARCH 3520 | SPRING 2018

The cultural center’s design responds to the deep heritage within the Gullah-Geechee culture. The narrative begins with the diaspora of natives from their motherland, Africa, continues through times of bondage and examines settlement patterns of African Americans post slavery. Despite modern attempts to uproot and dispose of such an influential culture, the community center aims to serve as a base for the revitalization of a neglected community. *client: 7 Mile C.A.G.E. Organization

ABIDING CULTURE | 8

NC SC

Hwy 17

Charleston, SC

GA

Hwy 17

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

40%

t

oin

’s P

ley

Rem

ill

Sno

2M The

Cooper River

approx.

en

wd

enh

Gre

ile

4M

ile

7M

6M

ile

ile

Porc

her

Bluf

f

Villa

ge

of enslaved Africans were brought through the ports of Charleston, SC.

Charleston, SC

Post slavery, African people began developing their own communities along parts of the lower east coast, now known as the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Specifically in Charleston, communities like 7 Mile adorned Highway 17 and were developed oppurtunistically, lacking strict formalities. Despite the lack of pronounced order, such communities remain held together through their relationship with Hwy 17 and their internal street systems that weave the community together.

HWY 17

4

SITE

floor plan

5 6

1/64” = 1’ - 0”

The masses on site lack a strict ordering logic. They are oppurtunistically placed, just as the buildings within the communities were. However, the canopy, analogous to Hwy 17, serves as the binding element.

9| ABIDING CULTURE

3

2

1 1- Entry Lobby 2- Community Center 3- Gymnasium 4- Exhibition 5- Indoor Retail 6- Outdoor Market

reclaimed stone rammed earth

view to entry lobby

materials Materials are chosen to provide the design with a similar rawness to the various crafting traditions of the culture. These traditions, such as basket weaving, often used products directly of the earth. Buildings on site are constructed from rammed earth and reclaimed stone, overtaken by vegetation, while thin tree trunks shade the outdoor market from the southern sun. view of outdoor market

ABIDING CULTURE| 10

11|DESIGN FOR DIPLOMACY

DESIGN FOR DIPLOMACY U.S. EMBASSY | BRASILIA ARCH 3510 | FALL 2019

America: green, embracing and contemporary. The design aims to portray these three core American values while being conscious of its foreign contexts; all while keeping security at its forefront. The complex features two embracing masses that adorn an existing axis of gardens, resembling a respectful handshake. The reflected arrangement of these masses provides for two distinct entrances, further securing the site. *project presented to KCCT Architecture and Bureau of Overseas Building Operations in Washington, DC

EEN

where does it sit?

ourage sustainable developments and landscapes

EMBRACE

concept diagrams: GREEN America is green through its efforts to preserve sustainable landcapes. The design utilizes an axis of existing gardens as an ordering logic.

13| DESIGN FOR DIPLOMACY

how does it sit there?

through accepting and supporting Brazilian culture via acknowledgement and appreciation of monumental figures such as Roberto Burle Marx

concept diagrams: EMBRACE America embraces through its will to accept and appreciate Brazilian, amongst other, cultures. The masses resemble an embracing of hands, representing the strong relationship formed between the two countries.

concept models: CONTEMPORARY America is contemporary through the advancement in technology that allows for unprecedented use of materials. The design employs large spans and cantilevers using a pre-cast concrete product.

north elevation

east elevation

south elevation west elevation Each facade exploits the use of a tessellated rhombus, as featured on the Brazilian flag. The rhombus is reflected in the overall configuration of the two masses as each half of the shape come together.

Eixo Monumental*

(*monumental axis; lined with federal and civic buildings)

National Congress Building Embassy of Portugal

U.S. Embassy

Russian Embassy

French Embassy Embassy of the Netherlands exterior perspective sketch

site context DESIGN FOR DIPLOMACY|14

floor plans

1/64” = 1’ - 0”

An open concept floor plan provides a fresh take on diplomatic work environments, inviting a higher level of collaboration amongst workers.

Level 3

Executive Office Political Suite

Level 2

Management Office General Services Office Public Affairs Suite EO Economics Suite

Level 1

Citizen Services (consulate) Cafeteria Library Atrium Collaboration Zone

Consulate Public Entry (citizens)

New Office Building (NOB) / Chancery Service Entry

Private Entry (employees)

15| DESIGN FOR DIPLOMACY

view of atrium The atrium features a social stair and shared workspace, intended to pull staff from the traditional office into an open work environment.

section perspective The majority of the design employs precasted double-T beams to achieve large, uninterrupted spans, while the atrium is embraced by forked columns.

DESIGN FOR DIPLOMACY|16

CASTING THE EPHEMERAL EDUCATIONAL FACILITY | DETROIT ARCH 4520 | SPRING 2019

in collaboration with: Victor Mardikian, Kylie Walker, Ellen Harris, Rushabh Patel Awarded the Clemson University Undergraduate Prize in Design

The Detroit River Workshop abstracts the user’s relationship with water to promote issues on water scarcity, pollution and climate change in the Great Lakes ecosystem. The project integrates adaptive reuse with new design elements such as an Inhabitable Wall to capture and showcase the resilient spirit of the city in an effort to create a center that educates, empowers and celebrates the citizens of Detroit.

GATHER Defined as piazza, this portion of the wall anchors a lively gathering space, inviting interaction. Small perforations in the wall allow for infill.

U

ED

N

IO

T CA

RE

CO

APPROACH A rammed concrete wall, formed from the debris of Detroit’s past, protrudes from the existing structure, signaling entry. Continuing the length of the site, the wall guides users through various spaces and down to the riverfront.

E

N

TIO IBI

R CO

H

EX

E

NT

E EV

R CO

REFLECT At the water’s edge, the Inhabitable Wall intersects the Detroit Riverwalk.

The nexus provides users with an oppurtunity to explore and enjoy the river’s edge in a peaceful setting.

INHABIT This covered portion of the wall serves as an exterior corridor, leading to the riverfront. Larger perforations allow for human unhabitance.

axonometric drawing by Ellen Harris renderings by Victor Mardikian & Kylie Walker CASTING THE EPHEMERAL|18

Brodhead Naval Armory

Downtown Detroit

Belle Isle

The adaptive reuse project repurposes Detroit’s Brodhead Naval Army to celebrate resilient efforts of the individual, expand on the existing presence of adaptability within the city and rescale the issue of water scarcity by empowering citizens to conquer on the individal level.

digital media collage by author & Victor Mardikian

designate

shift

displace

erode

site model by author CASTING THE EPHEMERAL|20

digital media collage The resilient spirit of the city inspires the Detroit River Workshop to recast the city’s past for its future.

longitudinal sections by author & Victor Mardikian

education core

event core

The Inhabitable Wall repurposes building fragments from demolished sites as aggregate. The bustling history of Detroit is now casted onto the site and encourages users to leave their trace.

model by author

exhibition core

CASTING THE EPHEMERAL|22

“Details are not the details, they make the design” - Charles Eames

23

PROFESSIONAL VIGNETTES

24

Emory University School of Nursing Atlanta, GA | completed in 2022

Created the as built Revit model to aid in the processes of interior renovation and coordinated clash detection amongst several consultants. Also designed and developed key moments contributing to a sequence of highly functional spaces for a world-leading healthcare institution.

PROFESSIONAL VIGNETTES|26

Atrium Health Medical Office Building Charlotte, NC | completed in 2021

Designed key moments within the building, including the main reception/ waiting lobby while also ensuring a successful carrying of design concept through the construction documentation phase.

27| PROFESSIONAL VIGNETTES

PROFESSIONAL VIGNETTES|30

Blueprint Church

Atlanta, GA | unbuilt

Served as lead designer, faciliting daily design effort and engagements with a client group to design a 20,000 ft2 expansion to an existing facility in order to accomodate additional programming, increased community outreach and a new, refreshed look.

PROFESSIONAL VIGNETTES|30

Kitchen_One

Charleston, SC | completed in 2023

“When I see a white piece of paper, I feel I’ve got to draw. And drawing, for me, is the beginning of everything” - Ellsworth Kelly

33

TRADITIONAL MEDIA

34

Venice, Italy

35| DRAWING

Rockville, SC

Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC

DRAWING | 36

BROTHER, graphite + watercolor

37| DRAWING

COUSIN, graphite + watercolor

DRAWING | 34

Kenneth A. Brabham, Jr.

88 College Rd West #2612, Princeton, NJ 08544 | (843)224-8370 | kb4303@princeton.edu

Currently an ambitious graduate student striving to advance in professional development and accelerate growth into a purposeful career in architecture. Although currently focused on obtaining licensure, my long term goals include leading a renown design firm with a strong emphasis on work that ultimately improves the quality of life for people and communities.

education Princeton University Master of Architecture, 2024

Clemson University Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, 2019 Minor in Sustainability cum laude

selected honors + awards 2021- 2024 Princeton University Fellowship Spring 2019 Clemson Undergraduate Prize in Design Spring 2018 Ray Huff Award for Excellence 2017 Robert P. Madison Architectural Scholarship 2015 Congressional Black Caucus Visual Arts Scholarship

tools Sketching Drafting 3-D Modeling | SketchUP, Revit, Rhino Visualization | Enscape, Adobe Suite Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign

digital portfolio https://issuu.com/kennethbrabham

experience Architectural Intern | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill June 2022 - August 2022 Worked cooperatively in a large, fast paced office environment to make effective contributions during the early design and developement phases of multiple large scale, international projects.

Architectural Consultant | Joseph Hobart Weiss December 2021 - current Working alongside an experienced architect, implementing contemporary BIM modeling methods to aid in improved project documentation, visualization and delivery.

Architectural Apprentice | The Beck Group May 2019 - August 2021 Worked integrally within various design teams to effectively contribute to the design, developement, documentation and delivery processes of several award winning projects of varying types and scales.

Physical Asset Development Intern | Metanoia January 2018 - August 2018 Designed and developed small scale projects intending to revitalize an under-served community through an asset based developmental approach.

These projects catered to strengths found within the local neighborhood, fostering the existing residents’ overlooked efforts into fruition.

lantern crafted from sapele & resin infill ARCH 4770 | SPRING 2018