BENJAMIN STURKIE
Introduction
Education Experience
Bachelor’s of Architecture: Spring 2023
Current GPA: 3.67/4.0
Columbia University Summer Pre-College Program - Course Facilitator
June 2022 - August 2022, New York City, NYC
Facilitated architectural theory courses for students at the high school level. Assisted students in a studio and offered guidance in drafting, modeling and design process.
von Weise Associates - Architectural Intern
December 2021, Chicago, IL
Supported in surveying a residential home and detatched garage. Helped in the 3D modeling process of an apartment building in Sketchup.
Booth Hansen - Architectural Intern
November 2021, Chicago, IL
Assisted in 3D modeling and 3D printing of a residential house for academic credit. Provided feedback on current projects and marketing outreach.
Virginia Beach Leadership Workshop - Counselor/Team Lead
June 2019/20 - August 2019/20, Virginia Beach, VA
Led numerous activities to help teach students about leadership and communication skills in a week long camp ran by Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Supported students with guidance, service and presentations.
Activities
Virginia Tech AIAS President
July 2020 - May 2021
Headed the Virginia Tech AIAS Chapter while communicating with other local and regional chapters. Planned events, lectures and online meetings in collaboration with the officer team.
Architecture Lecture Series Committee
July 2020 - May 2021
Organized, communicated with and invited guests for the lecture series for the architecture department at Virginia Tech. Coordinated Q&A sessions were conducted the following afternoon.
Studio Collective Design Journal, Virginia Tech
August 2018 - May 2019
Interviewed and photgraphed subjects for the school design journal. Edited essays on topics such as a wave park, a winery and Burning Man.
Autodesk Certified: Revit Rhino
Skills Honors
Autodesk Certified: AutoCAD Lumion
Adobe Indesign Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator Adobe Lightroom
Dean’s List, 2018 - present
Young Designers’ Scholarship Recipient, 2018
AIGA Flux Award (Publication): Studio Collective vol. X and XI, 2019
3rd Year Competition Honorable Mention, 2021
Steven and Cathi House Traveling Award, 2021
Introduction Introduction CONTACT
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benjamins22@vt.edu 757.270.8551
Introduction Introduction TABLE OF CONTENTS Thesis Studies: Living With Water 5 3737 W Cortland St 13 Riva San Vitale Ferry Terminal 23 Van Cortland Branch Library 31 Competition Work 39 3 4
THESIS STUDIES: LIVING WITH WATER
Professor Aki Ishida 12 Weeks
Climate change and rising sea levels have forced society to rethink many aspects about the way people live.
By 2150, the sea level in Virginia Beach is predicted to reach over 12’, leaving many coastal areas under threat of storm surge, flooding and eventual devastation. Numerous croplands, local businesses and the city’s main tourist attraction, the beach, will be underwater. Modern ideas around sea walls and moats encircling entire communities is not an efficient plan to counter a steadily rising water level. Building a self-sustaining community that can live and grow throughout climate change is an idea that can work for a substantial period of time.
Thesis Thesis
Image “Almanac” of Virginia Beach showing miscellaneous statistics and information.
Process Photoshop.
Project: Thesis Year 2022
Process Ink on
Project: Thesis Year 2022
Image Sketches on ideas about open interiors, home elevation and beach house typology.
bristol.
Year
Image Photo of an old historic storm in Virginia Beach with a vintage postcard graphic overlayed for ironic reasons. Process Photoshop.
Project: Thesis
2022
5 6
This thesis explores the possibilities of adapting to rising sea levels through amphibious architecture, oddities in beach house vernacular and waste to energy systems. Through different methods around renovation, refurbishment, addition and new construction, local homes are able to be adapted to the necessary measures. Homes must also be dynamic in order to hastily protect any space from a supposed flood. These typologies can be lifted and lowered using a mix of different manual and automatic systems. As time progresses, land homes become amphibious homes, new typologies are built, supporting infrastructure is added and a new community emerges.
Thesis Thesis
Image Study of rising water level and predicting the possible wetland that would follow.
Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: Thesis Year 2022
Image Sorting beach houses by their oddities. Process Rhino, Illustrator Project: Thesis Year 2022
Image Further organizatioon of beach house oddities using finished home in Virginia Beach. Process Photoshop Project: Thesis Year 2022
Image Diagram of the typical beach house that showcases all oddities. Process Rhino, Illustrator Project: Thesis Year
2022
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Thesis Thesis
New Typology
B + B Italia Renzo Piano
Image Diagram of possible amphibious structure that can live accordingly with rising sea levels. Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: Thesis Year 2022
Image Section taken through a neighborhood of homes in 2150.
Process Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop Project: Thesis Year 2022
Image A family room on a calm afternoon in Virginia Beach, 2150.
Process Photoshop Project: Thesis Year 2022
Image Ocean water up to the porch of a home in Virginia Beach, 2150.
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Process Photoshop Project: Thesis Year 2022
Thesis Thesis Image Possibilities of community engagement and circulation after water becomes the new living plane. Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: Thesis Year 2022 11 12
3737 W CORTLAND ST in partnership with Lily Espino
Professor Chip von Weise
12 Weeks
Located at 3737 W Cortland Street in Chicago, IL, this 192,000 SF site is being developed into an affordable housing complex in partnership with LUCHA, an organization that aims to preserve affordable housing in the Chicago area. It consists of 240 total units, and includes a 20,000 SF retail space, a 20,000 SF early childhood care center, and a 15,000 SF community center. The mixed use program (RM6) also has an open space requirement of 1/4 the gross site area.
This affordable housing complex anchors the 606 Trail at its western end. With an open space requirement inculded in the program, this project gives the Humbuldt Park, Hermosa, and Logan Square neighborhoods more access to greenspace. This helps combat the standard in Chicago of lower income neighborhoods having less access to greenspace as compared to the higher-income neighborhoods. Occupants will be able to experience this greenspace at several scales on site, from the neighborhood to the unit.
Chicago Studio Chicago Studio
Public
at
programming placed
grade for ease of access.
Building lifted for more public space and integration of green space.
Split building to create atrium.
Curved vuildings to react to surrounding site and end the 606 trail.
Curved ends to react to natural forces surrounding the site.
Building on site.
Image Maps showing the surrounding site and parks in the greater Chicago area. Process Illustrator, Photoshop Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
Image (Right) Diagrams showing the process of decision making. Process Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
Image Showing the relationship to the living environment, the 606 and the public space.
Process Photoshop
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This project lives in the in-between of the architecture and the landscape. During the spread of the pandemic, we had to live, work, and play in the safety of our homes, however we now must reimagine these spaces we live in for a more balanced future.
Approaching the site at the 606 grade gives you immediate access to the building lobbies as well as to the inner courtyard. Each lobby has stair and elevator cores in the atriums to give residents access to their units. You can use the social stairs or ramps to get down to the public programming at neighborhood grade.
Process
Process
Process
Project
N
AVE Solar Panels Apartments Childcare Center Retail Community Center Lobby
HAMLIN
Image Floor plan at 606 level, showing lobbies, the courtyard, community garden, playground and egresses.
Rhino, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
Image (Left) Exploded axonometric showing prgrammatic relationships.
Process Rhino, Illustrator Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
Image (Right) From top to bottom, possible activities that can take place in the center courtyard through out the seaons: spring, summer, fall and winter.
Photoshop
: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
Image Curved section cut taken through the SW building showing parking, the lobby, unit level and roof.
AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
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The cork facade is a sustainable product, produced in panels, called Thermacork. It can withstand severe environments, and has been used in many projects, most notably in New Zealand and England. The cork is injected with cellulose and baked, creating a weatherproof resin, allowing for it to resist the harsh elements. On top of haveing great noise absorption, the cork also achieves a high R-Value. The cork facade is peeled back by corten trim windows and balconies with glass railings. The structure on the occupiable roofs is also made of corten to support the photovoltaics.
Image MEP plan of a typical unit floor including structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and fire separation.
Process Rhino, AutoCAD Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
Image Site section showing program relationships and the courtyard relationship with the surroundings.
Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
Chicago Studio Chicago Studio
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Chicago Studio Chicago Studio CORETEN PARAPET FLASHING 6” THERMACORK FACADE INSULATION SECIL LIME PLASTER ADHESIVE VAPOR RETARDER 1/2” GYPSUM BOARD 4” CONCRETE PARAPET 4” METAL STUD MINERAL WOOL INSULATION 1/2” GYPSUM BOARD CORK FACADE BEHIND 24” OF SOIL DRAINAGE FILTER DRAINAGE LAYER ROOT BARRIER WATERPROOF MEMBRANE INSULATION 1/4” GLASS WINDOW STEEL WINDOW MULLION CORETEN WINDOW CASING WINDOW FLASHING FLASHING 8 1/2” POST-TENSION CONCRETE VAPOR RETARDER 6” THERMACORK INSULATION SECIL LIME PLASTER ADHESIVE 1/4” GLASS WINDOW STEEL WINDOW MULLION CORETEN WINDOW CASING WINDOW FLASHING FLASHING 8 1/2” POST-TENSION CONCRETE VAPOR RETARDER 6” THERMACORK INSULATION SECIL LIME PLASTER ADHESIVE 1/4” GLASS WINDOW STEEL WINDOW MULLION CORETEN WINDOW CASING WINDOW FLASHING FLASHING 8 1/2” POST-TENSION CONCRETE VAPOR RETARDER 6” THERMACORK INSULATION SECIL LIME PLASTER ADHESIVE CORETEN PARAPET FLASHING 6” THERMACORK FACADE INSULATION SECIL LIME PLASTER ADHESIVE VAPOR RETARDER 1/2” GYPSUM BOARD 4” CONCRETE PARAPET FLASHING DRAINAGE FILTER DRAINAGE LAYER ROOT BARRIER WATERPROOF MEMBRANE INSULATION Image Wall section and detail drawings. From top to bottom: roof parapet detail, cut-out ceiling detail and the cut-out parapet detail. Process AutoCAD, Illustrator Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021 Image Atrium
apartments and living machine on the ground floor. Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021 Image Cut-out green space for the community living in the apartments. Process: Rhino, Photoshop Project 3737 W Cortland St Year: 2021 19 20 Image View of the interior courtyard looking towards the 606. Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021
lobby for
Chicago Studio Chicago Studio
Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: 3737 W Cortland St Year 2021 21 22
Image Roof garden looking SE towards the Chicago skyline and opposite building.
Project: Riva Ferry Terminal
Year 2022
0 weeks
Atop a hydraulic foundation, an almost boat-like-building reaches for Lake Lugano offering 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape. Its western enclosure consists of an array of wooden columns forming a truss accompanied by a transparent polycarbonate skin. A series of opaque walls forms the eastern boundary which absorbs all the necessary services. The elongated space dips its northernmost point into the water. In close proximity to the transparent facade, a dock branches off and extends further into the lake.
Image:
Project: Riva Ferry Terminal
Year: 2022
Riva Ferry Terminal Riva Ferry Terminal
Image Form and plan studies with an emphasis on circulation and view
Process Ink on trace.
Exploded axonometric showing structure, facade, and roof sytem. Process Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop.
Image Study sketch showing the spatial organization and framing of views. Process Ink on bristol Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022 23 24
Riva Ferry Terminal Riva Ferry Terminal
Image Section cuts taken from the terminal at 20’ intervals.
Process: Rhino, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop. Project Riva Ferry Terminal Year: 2022
Image West facade of the terminal.
Process Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop. Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022
Image Detailed section taken through the dock, restaraunt, kitchen and east side dock.
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Process Rhino, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop. Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022
The utility block is located on its east facade, preserving all views to the east. Given the interior walls don’t fully reach to the ceiliing, light enters the terminal from both sides. The hydraulic foundation provides an escape from flood waters.
The dock provides an access point onto a ferry and accessible circulation around the building after hours. The jetty that runs down the east facade allows a space for the cloumns to rest and then continues around the north tip to break any incoming waves. The site steps down towards the water on the west side to give public waterfront access which was not previously available.
Riva Ferry Terminal Riva Ferry Terminal
Image A place to rest and wait for the ferry at the tip of the building.
Process Rhino, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop.
Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022
Image West facade and dock. Process Rhino, Photoshop. Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022
Image Floor plan with surrounding site.
Process Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop.
Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022
Image (Left) Site studies, detail sketches and initial ideas.
Process Ink, graphite on bristol.
Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022
Image (Right) Surrounding site showing important historical landmarks in the city and their relationship to the teminal.
Process Rhino, Illustrator.
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Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022
Riva Ferry Terminal Riva Ferry Terminal Image East facade as it reaches into the lake. Process Rhino, Photoshop. Project: Riva Ferry Terminal Year 2022 29 30
VAN CORTLANDT BRANCH LIBRARY Professor Aki Ishida 12 Weeks
This project aims to bridge a gap between members of a community that may not seem so similar - giving a safe space away from the noise of New York City and providing resources to a community. Thiinking of how a modern library can directly serve it’s members through consuming, making, growing and servicing; the library is self sufficient while providing oportunities to help.
The surrounding area has a high percentage of SNAP participants, students eligible for free lunch, a high poverty rate and a high percentage of food insecurity. This library is a great resource to the surrounding community for people of all ages. This project aims to serve the surrounding community by providing a place of rest, education and resources.
Van Cortlandt Branch Library Van Cortlandt Branch Library
Image (Right) Form and material studies using an overlay of two independent study models.
Process 3D scan, Rhino, Photoshop.
Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library Year 2021
Image (Bottom) Front facade of the proposed library in the surrounding neighborhood context. Process Rhino, Photoshop.
Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library Year 2021
Year 2021
Image Photo of all study models, finished models and materials. Models include concrete form study, material study and finished model 3D print. Process Multimedia Project
: Van Cortlandt Branch Library
Image (Top) Spatial studies with organic forms. Process Rockite, plastic pipe, acetone, foam, photoshop.
Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library Year 2021
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The form of the building is derived from the rock that has been under the city of New York the beginning. The organic form of the library combats the machine-like buildings around the city. This moldable material is made from a mixture of concrete and demolished brick. The ETFE shell envelops the form to completely enclose it but wtill keep it’s visual connection with the outside.
The building is seperated into two different areas: the library and the greenhouse. They both work together to create an environment that allows for a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City. The greenhouse provides a space for the occupants to relax and read or a quiet and peaceful place to do work. The roof houses a communal garden where people from the community can freely come and take care of or harvest the plants. This not only educates the community on how to grow their own food, but also provides them with a source of food in times of need.
Van Cortlandt Branch Library Van Cortlandt Branch Library
Image Section cut through the library showing program layout.
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Process Rhino, AutoCAD, Illustrator Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library Year 2021
Image Floor plan of the entrance level shown large. From left to right, the basement plan, second floor plan and roof plan.
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Process Rhino, AutoCAD, Illustrator Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library Year 2021
Van Cortlandt Branch Library Van Cortlandt Branch Library
Public
for growing produce that’s given to the community. Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library Year 2021 Image Interior library space on the ground level. Process Rhino, Photoshop Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library Year 2021 36 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 7 10 6 1 2 12 11 6 13 8 14 16 15 3 4 2 8 9 3 2 4 6 INFLATED ETFE STEEL CLAMP 8” STEEL I-BEAM AIR SUPPLY SPANNING 8” STEEL I-BEAM 6” STEEL T-BEAM 5” CONCRETE SLAB 2” RIGID INSULATION 4” CONNECTION BOLT 10 1” INSULATED RUBBER SPACER ANCHOR BOLT BASE PLATE VAPOR MEMBRANE 1’ CONCRETE SLAB 4” GRAVEL INFILL CONCRETE FOOTING SEPERATE FROM SLAB 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 7 10 6 1 1 2 12 11 6 13 8 14 16 15 3 4 2 8 9 3 2 5 4 6 INFLATED ETFE STEEL CLAMP 8” STEEL I-BEAM AIR SUPPLY SPANNING 8” STEEL I-BEAM 6” STEEL T-BEAM 5” CONCRETE SLAB 2” RIGID INSULATION 4” CONNECTION BOLT 10 1” INSULATED RUBBER SPACER ANCHOR BOLT BASE PLATE VAPOR MEMBRANE 1’ CONCRETE SLAB 4” GRAVEL INFILL CONCRETE FOOTING SEPERATE FROM SLAB 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 7 10 6 1 1 2 12 11 6 13 8 14 16 15 3 4 2 8 9 3 2 5 4 6 INFLATED ETFE STEEL CLAMP 8” STEEL I-BEAM AIR SUPPLY SPANNING 8” STEEL I-BEAM 6” STEEL T-BEAM 5” CONCRETE SLAB 2” RIGID INSULATION 4” CONNECTION BOLT 10 1” INSULATED RUBBER SPACER ANCHOR BOLT BASE PLATE VAPOR MEMBRANE 1’ CONCRETE SLAB 4” GRAVEL INFILL CONCRETE FOOTING SEPERATE FROM SLAB 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 7 10 6 1 1 2 12 11 6 13 8 14 16 15 3 4 2 8 9 3 2 5 4 6 INFLATED ETFE STEEL CLAMP 8” STEEL I-BEAM AIR SUPPLY SPANNING 8” STEEL I-BEAM 6” STEEL T-BEAM 5” CONCRETE SLAB 2” RIGID INSULATION 4” CONNECTION BOLT 10 1” INSULATED RUBBER SPACER ANCHOR BOLT BASE PLATE VAPOR MEMBRANE 1’ CONCRETE SLAB 4” GRAVEL INFILL CONCRETE FOOTING SEPERATE FROM SLAB
Image
roof space used
Image Wall section and detail drawings. From top to bottom, the roof structure, floor slab connection and foundation detail.
Year 2021 35
Process AutoCAD, Illustrator Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library
Image Slope down to the basement level and backyard public space. Process Photoshop Project: Van Cortlandt Branch Library Year 2021 37 38
24h COMPETITIONS
JFK STADIUM
In this international competition, the prompt was to design a religious space for all religions, races and backgrounds. This is an adaptive reuse of JFK Stadium in Washington, DC. The project was done with two other classmates and was selected for gallery viewing by a panel of practiving architects.
24 hour international competition, self-initiated, featured on the website. Project was done in collaboration with Lelan Yung and Jason Norfleet.
Competition Work Competition Work
Image Diagrams, site plan and section of the proposed remodel of JFK Stadium. Process Rhino, AutoCAD, Photoshop Project: JFK Stadium Year 2020
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VIRGINIA TECH 3RD YEAR COMPETITION: DUCK POND THEATER
The underground theater provides an atmosphere like no other. The audience is fully invested in the activity on stage. The skylights not only allow natural light to come in, but also act as acoustic instruments. The atmosphere of the theater is in full effect underground and exhumes energy to the inhabitants above.
Selected top 5 out of 110 students.
Competition Work Competition Work
Image Site plan, front elevation, floor plan and section of the proposed theater.
Process Rhino, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop
Project: Duck Pond Theater
Year 2020
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Introduction Benjamin Sturkie Virginia Tech benjamins22@vt.edu 757.270.8551
