SPENCER JEPPESEN
Architectural Portfolio
B.F.A/M.Arch, South Dakota State University 2020-2025
Stovig House Museum
“If
These Walls Could Talk”
I collaborated with a team from South Dakota State University to digitally document the 1916 Stavig House Museum in Sisseton, SD. Using LiDAR scanning, we created a detailed point cloud model. My role included collecting scans, processing them in Recap Pro, and refining the dataset for clarity. The final model became part of the museum’s If These Walls Could Talk exhibit, allowing visitors to explore the house virtually without altering the historic structure.
View project on museum’s website: https://www.sissetonmuseum.com/stavig-house
Preservation Research Facility
This project began with research on how climate change affects historic buildings in the Mediterranean, focusing on heat, moisture, and material decay. I studied passive and active strategies to reduce energy use and designed a response with a double roof system: a modern lightweight roof suspended above traditional masonry walls. This buffer improves building performance while symbolizing technology’s role in protecting heritage.
Local Historic Architecture
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W STRENGTHS EAKNESSES
• Proximity to cultural landmarks
• Accessible by public transit
• Located in a historically rich neighborhood
• High potential for community engagement
• Tourist traffic and congestion
• High land costs
• Potential noise impact on research activities
PPORTUNITIES HREATS
• Partnerships with nearby institutions
• Green design potential
• Community involvement through public events
• Gentrification impacting local character
• Possible regulatory changes
• Climate risks affecting building performance
Basílica de la Sagrada Familia (0.8 miles)
Casa Batlló (1.5 miles)
Arc de Triomf (0.6 miles)
Transitory Center
This project reimagined a train station as both a transit hub and a civic gathering space. We studied how circulation, waiting, and public gathering could overlap to create community. I worked on design development with my team and produced the 3D model, renderings, and physical model for the final review.
As part of the research, I studied the Holy Defense Museum in Tehran, Iran. The project showed how architecture can carry memory and history while creating space for reflection and public engagement. This perspective informed my own design approach.
These physical models were built from prototypes first designed in Grasshopper. Each piece was created to link with others and form a corridor, producing unique sequences of space. When combined with another student’s prototype, they generated new spatial conditions that helped shape the final station design.
AISC Retrofit
For this project, we retrofitted the American Indian Student Center to improve performance and comfort while respecting its cultural and architectural importance. Using Climate Studio, I tested scenarios for daylight, shading, and energy use. My role included running simulations and interpreting results to guide decisions on glazing, shading devices, and materials. These adjustments improved daylight quality, reduced heat gain, and supported the retrofit’s sustainability goals.
Before
Technical Vignette
This construction study focused on detailing wall, roof, and foundation assemblies for a public library. The drawings demonstrate my ability to produce precise construction documentation, showing materials, layering, and structural connections.
Rainwater Drainage
Drainage Grate
Grill
HVAC System
Insulation
Carpet
3/4” Sub oor
4” Concrete Slab
5 1/2” Mineral Wool Insulation
Raft Concrete Foundation
8” Packed Gravel
1” Low-E Window
1 1/2” Argon Cavity
1” Low-E Window
Window Frame
Carpet
3/4” Sub oor
Metal Decking
Metal Rafter
5 1/2” Mineral Wool Insulation
3/4” Sub oor
1/2” Gypsum Board
1” Air Cavity
3/4” Metal Backing
Vapor Barrier
5 1/2” Mineral Wool Insulation
Structural Steel Stud
1/2“Gypsum Board
1’ Metal Connection Plate
1/2” Gypsum Board
6 1/2” Mineral Wool Insulation
Air Cavity
Metal Deck atached to Steel Joist
3/4” Sub oor
1/4” Waterproo ng Bituminous Layer
Flashing
The Cabin That Keeps Family Close
This cabin was my summer project, designed for my family on Lake Shetek in Minnesota. It accommodates my immediate family while also hosting large gatherings for my mother’s side, which includes more than fifty cousins. To handle the intensity of these events, I designed the cabin to be both durable and affordable, grounding it with local red-rock masonry. Construction for this project will begin summer of 2016.
Section
Conceptual Hand Sketches (Pre-Budget)
