Robert Kirkland II Design Portfolio 2024.

Robert Kirkland. 2024

restaurante de Queretaro.

bicefs laboratory.

GID high street.

riverwood springs landing. city of cumming cumming city center. dahlonega cabins.

HELLO.

My name is Robert Kirkland II and the projects shown throughout this portfolio help define me as an Architect and as a creator. The knowledge that I have gained through these different projects has aided me in my continuous growth of skill and understanding in the practice of architecture and design. Every discussion, experience, critique, and most importantly, mistake I have made has developed me into the designer that I am today. I am inspired to continue growing and unveiling the designer I will be in the years to come.

THE CLOUD.

Port Vell is one of the most used ports on Spain’s coast. The parameters of this project were to create a building, landscape, or structure on the site that would replace an older site. The proposal my partner (Jill De Pol) and I decided upon was a cloud like structure that gave the spectators a different experience compared to what was originally felt along that coast. This was done while also providing new viewpoints of the beach, port, and surrounding landscape.

01 EXPERIENCE

A designer is expected to empower change in people’s lives. Whether it be through the spaces they create or the structure itself. The experience one creates can greatly enhance the work created and can lead to greater audiences wanting to inhabit.

Barcelona, Spain

Prof Miguel Roldan

Spring 2017

The project began with the study of the surrounding ports on the coast of Catalunya. My partner and I studied each port and deciphered what made them unique. The different ports had focuses on greenery, activities, tourism, leisure, and more. We took that data and then compared it to our port, Port Vell. With this information, we were able to see the connections and further understand the importance of our port on the coast.

My partner and I also wanted to research the direct connections to the surrounding area. These connections included rail networks, port ship connections, and also the linking of airways. From this data, we were able to further understand the importance of our site and its networking.

The research conducted by my partner and I informed us that there needed to be change on the existing site to help enhance the overall experience on site. One change was the breaking of the current corridor impression which was necessary because the street was long and narrow with large scale buildings. The connections between the buildings left on site was the second consideration. Finally, the topography was reformed to aid the involvement of the user’s emotions.

This cloud-like parti shows the concept of reflection. The idea involves the mirroring of the top and bottom pieces of the structure. They would be mirror images of each other, but they would also have different experiences on each level. The above piece would be used as a standing roof structure and the lower half would be used as terraformed ground. The other parti shows the tessellations of triangles. The triangle, being the most stable form in nature, allows the elements to be oriented along three planes. This then creates a structure reminiscent of a cloud. More concepts implemented include the blending of people for the diverse population because of port traffic and tourism, ventilation through the building and site, elevation of entry level, and viewpoints.

SITE REGARDING CATALUNYA

SITE REGARDING CATALUNYA

Jill Depol - Robert Kirkland Clemson University / Undergraduate

The structure for the pool to the mezzanine level is provided by a large opening. It is meant to appear as if the concrete was cut, then pushed to the pool level to provide support. With this gesture, ventilation and sunlight are also elements that become more evident to the user.

RESTAURANTE DE QUERETARO.

02

The study of urban context was a large focus for the junior semester. Understanding what is happening around and on the site and the culture and history of the area are all considerations that are critical to the success of proposal. This project called for a pop-up restaurant that had the ability to change (whether that be the building itself or its use; the latter was chosen). It was located on a site within a block not visible from the street front in Querétaro, Mexico.

CHANGE

As designers, we should be able to adjust to change. The project or use of the project and site may change frequently so it can be of use to design with flexibility and prepare for adjustments and improvements to the site or to the surrounding buildings. This is done in order for the structure to feel timeless, regardless of the surrounding transformations.

Queretaro, Mexico

Tim Brown Fall 2016

Location | Queretaro, Mexico

There was a shift in intent after site studies. Through deeper research, it felt that the experiencers didn’t want to be on a long journey into the site, but should instead be a transition into the space immediately after the tunnel break. The site became its own journey of uncovering layers and layers of hidden spaces as movement was made through the project.

model photos

Inspiration was drawn from was the courtyard of Lee Hall at Clemson University, South Carolina. The courtyard is interacted with through a straight path of travel or around the center space. This element of design was used to help the flow of people through the site so that no one was forced into a singular direction. This provided users with options of more than one experience that could be avoided if not desired.

CONNECTION

BICEFS LABORATORY.

03

The Bicefs Laboratory project was meant to answer the need for expansion by the current team located in Georgetown, South Carolina. The focus of the design approach was to create and enhance the site in a way that adhered to their specific types of research. We saw this project not as a 9000 square foot lab, but instead as a 16,000-acre lab. Our proposal extends the lab space, figuratively and literally, past the boundaries of the walls. We view the 16,000 acres of the Hobcaw Barony as our lab, and our building would be the hub.

As a designer, one has to be able to make connections in order to give an order and flow to what’s being created. For example, an architect should study a surrounding site and the answer they create to noticed problems should be able to link those areas together and create a more cohesive project.

Georgetown, South Carolina

Fall 2017

Dustin Albright

Material transparency and connection to the site were both very important in creating this collaborative environment. The interior structure had to be aligned with the exterior vegetation to continuously direct the occupants’ eye outward towards the research landscape. The building design itself was meant interact with the current structures on the site through the new building’s alignment and the areas formed in between them.

program

The new building is practically divided into “dirty work” and “clean work environments.” The back-of-house and dirty work spaces are designed to facilitate researchers coming and going between this hub and the larger Hobcaw property.

The structure was meant to be mostly wooden with the help of CLT panels and glulam beams and with the use of the CLT panels, construction time on the site would be reduced significantly. This led to less wildlife disruption on site and along the surrounding areas.

PROFESSIONAL WORKS

The following pages are a compilation of works created in my professional career. A number of the works are conceptual images for real world application. They were developed to illustrate our design implications after discussing and coordinating with a variety of clients, consultants, engineers and team members.

My architectural journey has been a tapestry woven with diverse threads, encompassing the intricate realms of both retail and residential design. From the development of renovations and value enhancements, to the creation of outparcels and jewel boxes, my experience extends to the grandeur of convention centers and the harmonious integration of mixeduse projects. Fortune has favored me with the opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of architectural diversity, allowing me to immerse myself in a plethora of projects, each bearing its own unique essence and challenges.

APPLICATION

As a designer, we are tasked with the challenge to overcome any obstacles and to bring our design to life. Every element (experience, process, restrictions, change, connection, and creativity) comes together to help finalize a realworld application.

04GID HIGH STREET.

GID High Street, a project underway in Dunwoody, GA, spans approximately 36 acres at the intersection of Perimeter Center Parkway and Hammond Drive. It comprises 150,000 square feet of retail space, 40,000 square feet of office space, and 598 apartments, promising a transformative impact on the area.

During the project, I helped develop the construction drawings for retail buildings, focusing on standalone structures. This provided invaluable experience in construction administration. While larger complexes demanded different attention, immersion in standalone retail buildings enriched my expertise. I oversaw the project from the development of construction drawings to CA and built essential relationships with clients, consultants, engineers, contractors, and my team. This project really furthered my understanding of retail architecture.

Dwell Design Studio

Retail | Mixed Use

PM: Gregg Venable Altanta, GA

05 RIVERWOOD SPRINGS LANDING.

Springs Landing is a shell renovation of an existing building facade including architectural, electrical and structural improvements. The proposed scope includes new exterior finishes and paints, over framing on existing exterior structure, and a new roof structure to address drainage issues.

Throughout this experience, I was able to take ownership of many parts of the project. I worked with consultants to develop landscape package, created tenant signage criteria package for site cohesiveness, developed schematic design packages and construction documents, coordinated with consultants, engineers and team and built a direct relationship with the client and managed expectations.

I helped lead this project through construction with an added level of coordination alongside the contractor and client.

06CITY OF CUMMING CUMMING CITY CENTER.

Situated on approximately 75 acres between Canton Highway and Sawnee Drive and to the west of downtown Cumming, the Cumming City Center offers a beautiful gathering place for the community, featuring local shops, restaurants, the Lou Sobh Amphitheater, green space, trails, and more.

I worked on every aspect of this project. I was involved in every building on site in some form or fashion. For some of the buildings, I had a heavy hand in the design for client approval. For others, I was involved in the front end client communication for lease outline drawings and merchandising plans. I was also deeply involved in the construction drawings at every phase (from schematic through to permitting and on to CA). This allowed me to be heavily involved in coordination with the contractors during construction. This project projected me much further in my knowledge of retail architecture while also allowing the ability to work through designs and details.

07 DAHLONEGA CABINS.

Perched on 40 acres amidst the North Georgia Mountains, Sourwood Cabin at Kindle Ridge focused on nature and modern luxury.

Architecturally designed, this modern studio cabin features high wooden beam ceilings and wall-to-wall windows that provide stunning mountain views. Privacy is paramount, with a secluded location bordered by a national forest, a long driveway, blackout blinds, and minimal visibility of neighboring structures even in winter.

My main impact on these cabins involved developing the construction drawings and models to convey the architect and clients’ visions. The intention was to document each project in a personalized and more visibly pleasing way than a prototypical set of construction drawings. These cabins are now utilized as North Georgia mountain getaways.

DRAAW Studio Residential

Gregg Venable

Dahlonega, GA

02 EXPERIENCE

JUN 2018 - CURRENT

Designer

Dwell Design Studio in Atlanta, GA

Encompassed design expertise and delivered exceptional drawings throughout all phases of retail projects. On track towards becoming a licensed architect and actively engaging in every aspect of a project from client design to construction oversight:

Design Staff I (2018 - 2019)

Gained deep understanding of the process of retail projects and developed software proficiency through the creation of marketing packages and the graphic detailing of all drawings.

Design Staff II (2020 - 2021)

Assumed retail project coordination and construction document responsibilities, began mentoring team members, and fostered office culture through committee involvement.

Design Staff III (2021 - 2023)

Lead multiple retail project teams as Revit Lead while also serving as the primary consultant contact for multiple projects, mentoring co-workers across offices, managing team workload distribution, and overseeing construction on site.

Design Staff IV (2023 - Current)

01 SKILLS practical Problem solving

Organization

+Scheduling

Project management

Communication

+Collaboration Mentorship

Marketing Graphic Design

Flexibility tools

Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Revit AutoCAD Maya Enscape Sketchup

Microsoft Office

Revu Bluebeam

Represented the team by managing client interactions and worked diligently to exceed client expectations through deep technical and field understanding.

FEB 2020 - MAY 2024

Contract Designer

DRAAW Studio in Atlanta, GA

Developed high quality construction drawings for clients, permit reviewers, and contractors on a variety of residential projects while also developing personable relationships with all involved.

JAN 2018 - MAY 2018

Staff Assistant for Clemson University

in Clemson, SC

Created and guided various lessons with students on digital production while reviewing lesson goals and objectives with the professor to promote the education of design concepts.

03 EDUCATION

2014 - 2018

Architecture, B.A.

Minor in Digital Production Arts

Clemson University in Clemson, SC

Member of Alpha Rho Chi, Clemson Chapter Study Abroad program - Barcelona Spain 2017

Teaching Assistant 2018

04 REFERENCES

Gregg Venable, RA CEO of DRAAW Studio gregg@draawstudio.com

770-561-3017

Meredith Bowen, RA Principal of Retail mbowen@dwelldesignstudio.com 678-433-6731

Dustin Albright Assistant Director at Clemson University dalbrig@clemson.edu