Architecture Portfolio - Nathan Blei

Multi-Use Apartment

Prof. Michael Rogovin

Spring 2020

This project focused on designing a multi-use apartment building in downtown Cincinnati. This project shares the site with 3 additional buildings that were designed by classmates. As a group, allocated space on the site for each person’s building. From there, we each designed our buildings individually. Building designs were largely impacted by our site design tiering towards the new FC Cincinatti stadium.

Massing Iteration

Unit Organization

Upon developing all four types of units, the individual units became my building blocks. I began with basic massing schemes, and then developed those further with unit types. I utilized an alternating snake scheme. This scheme allowed for each unit to receive more private entries and varying outdoor conditions for each unit. The units with larger outdoor spaces received a plot of grass and were deemed pet-friendly.

Flat Offset

Snake

Plan Diagram

Transverse Section

Longitudinal Section

Building Axon

Community Garden Spaces

West Elevation

Community View Locations

Circulation

Tai Chi Garden

Prof. Whitney Hamaker

Summer 2019

This project focused towards creating a Tai-Chi garden while developing and executing a system of tectonic elements that enhance the spaces and the circulation in between. In designing this garden, I decided to use the existing stream to create space enhancing tectonic elements. I also used vegatation to differentiate circulation from destination spaces.

Garden Axon

Floor Plan

Programmatic Organization

Views

Public Tai Chi

Circulation

Private Meditation

Covered Shelter

Gathering

Sections

Tectonic

Waterfall

Stream Channels

Vegetation

Generating peaceful privacy for private meditation

Enhancing Tai Chi experience with water channels beneath the feet of the inhabitants

Differentiating view spaces from privacy / circulation spaces

Waterfall Chunk Model

View Space Chunk Model

03 Row House - In Law Suite

Prof. Michael Rogovin Spring 2020

This project focused on designing a rowhouse within the context of its surrounding neighborhood. Upon this, incorporating a functional in-law suite was also a challenge of this project. Exploration of how the In-Law suite integrates into the home was critical in this projects development. The site was an empty lot between two existing buildings in OTR, Cincinnati.

Side Elevation

Design Development

Section - Light Study

Programmatic Diagram

Iterative Sketch Model

Initial Sketch Model

In-Law Seperation

It is no secret that we could all use a little space from our in-laws. Ironically enough, creating seperation between the in-law and main living spaces programmatically makes sense. The in-law suite can comfortably be rented out when the in-law is no longer utilizing the space, making this design quite functional. This idea drove the design of implementing a courtyard between the two spaces. The seperation of spaces are emphasized by the portals that you must enter and exit in order to enter the adjacent space. In addition, this broke up a narrow building and provided it with additional natural light.

Exploded Axon - Seperating Courtyard

Hybrid Drawing - Street Front

Sauna Experience - Foreshadowing Procession

Prof. Whitney Hamaker Summer 2019

This project focused on developing a sequence of spaces while executing a tectonic scheme. The program of this project includes changing, sauna, and plunge. My desired sequencing between these spaces developed my tectonic into being large masses that give a peek of the next space in the sequence. This then guides the user in the intended sequence.

Model Split into Chunks

Assembled Reference Model

North Bend Park Virginia

CHANGING

SAUNA PLUNGE

Design Development

The beginning schematic designing began with sequencing the spaces. In this process, an angled mass that guided circulation was formed. I expanded upon this occurence and took the idea of carving the landscape to form my desired layout. These angled masses frame views and guide circulation between the spaces in the ideal sequence.

CHANGING

Iteration of Massing Instance

Iteration of Circulation

Initial Circulation Drawing

Sectional Chunk Model

Carved Landscape

Existing Landscape

Void Identified Landscape Carved Enclosing Structure Set

Plan Diagram - Foreshadowing Procession

FRAMING

Carved Landscape

ENCLOSING STRUCTURE

CARVED LANDSCAPE

Wall Section - Carved Landscape

Tectonic

After carving out masses that framed views and spatial sequencing, I then used these masses to serve as a plinth to hold the enclosing structures. The enclosing structure is supported by framing that rests on and anchors into the carved landscape massings.

05 Manifest Art Gallery

Prof. William Williams Fall 2020

This project was a collaboration with Sam Rubin. It focused on findng a new home for Manifest in the Cincinnati area. The challenge of this project was to find an existing building and renovate it into a new art gallery that housed all of the programmatic needs of Manifest. Feasability and spatial qualities drove the design for this project art gallery..

Section

Reception

The proposed reception area welcomes foot traffic from the corner intersection. The fire station charm is preserved in the reception as the original fire pole is kept on display next to the new elevator system. The reception conveniently sits along one of the buildings circulation cores allowing easy access to any of Manifest’s program. The reception is the catalyst for the visitor’s journey through Manifest.

Design Thinking

Drawing Center

Contrary to Manifest’s previous Drawing Center being private and closed off, this design approaches it differently. We propose the Drawing Center is open and made public drawing the attention of those who walk by. We kept the fire station doors and proposed that these doors could be opened to the public when appropriate and closed off with curtains when not. This space is meant to be flexible and to draw interest through the doors that symbolize the retired fire station on the facade.

Grand Gallery

In designing the gallery spaces for Manifest, we took the approach of journeying through artwork. This led to gallery spaces that wind and wrap around each other. We felt that this form of circulation added to the experience. The qualities of the gallery spaces differ as well. The ceiling heights and size of spaces change throughout the gallery. The Grand Gallery is a double-height space that grants visitors a multitude of ways to experience the art. We felt that the vast gallery space would contrast with the tighter gallery spaces for an evolving experience.

06 Lock 32 - On the Ohio

Prof. John Stoughton Spring 2021

Lock 32 is an abandoned site that was originally part of the a lock and dam system of the Ohio River. The site is currently being used for local school district bus storage. The project intent was to make this site a resource for the Vanceburg community by including after-school programs, interactive learning components, and recreation space throughout the site.

VEGETATION

PARKING

COMPETITIVE RECREATION

NON-COMPETITIVE RECREATION

SEATING / REST

INTERACTIVE DAM WATER FEATURE

ORCHARD

ROCK FEATURE

THRESHOLD / ENTRY

STRUCTURE

HIKING / TREE TRAILS

ACCESS ROAD CIRCULATION

PATH

Recreation Seating Chunk

Water Feature Chunk

Node Chunk

Orchard Chunk

Third

Second Floor

First Floor

07 Graduate Works

Ball State University Spring 2022

Much of Ball State’s Master of Architecture program is rooted in Solar Decathlon and building performance. Project Reconnect adapts an existing vacant school to a vocational use while also converting to net zero energy through the implementation of high-performance design, buildings systems, and photovoltaics. Scan the qr code to see the extensive work completed by me and my colleagues. Scan me!

Entry Perspective

08 Professional Works

2018-2023

My professional experience ranges over a variety of typologies. Retail, fitness clubs, schools, fire stations, multi-family residential, and custom homes are just some of the project types that I have worked extensively in. In all of these project types, I have worked in all project phases. Scan the qr code to see just some of the professional project types that I have experience with. Scan me!

Bank Render

NATHAN BLEI PORTFOLIO