Mick Smits: Architecture Portfolio

CONTACTS

Mick Smits

Rue des Veterinaires 45, Brussel

Tel: +32 485771837

Mail: mick.henri.smits@gmail.com

STUDIES / LICENSES

2020-2022 I Catholic University of Leuven, MA Architecture - magna cum laude

2016-2019 I University of Antwerp, BA Architecture - 69/100

2015 I Driverslicence, B and AM

2010-2014 I Academy of Fine Art & Design, BA Fine Arts Maastricht - 70/100

2008 I University of Cambridge, ESOL Examinations - 79/100

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Dutch - native language

English - fluent

German - basic

French - in progress/basic

WORK EXPERIENCE

2022-2023 I Designer & Architectural Draftsman at FastForward Architects and Engeniers, Brussels

2019-2020 I 3D Architectural Visualizer at MakeMe, Brussels

2019-2022 I Maintenance of Apartment Buildings at Real Estate Smits, Maastricht

2015-2018 I Renovation and Construction Works, Maastricht

2014 I Design Team for Graduation Publication, Maastricht

2012 I Support at Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht

2011-2019 I Maintenance of Apartment Buildings at Regio Beheer Zuid, Maastricht

INTERESTS

Art, Photography, Furniture Making, Natural Building Techniques, Permaculture, Sustainable Developments, AI-Generated Image Creation

SOFTWARE SKILLS

Adobe Suite

Revit V Ray

Enscape

3DS Max

Blender, SketchUp Rhino, Excell

EXHIBITIONS, WORKSHOPS, PUBLICATIONS

2022 I Master in Architecture - Graduation show, KU Leuven

2019 I Bachelor in Architecture - Graduation show, UAntwerp

2014 I In the end nothing matters but until then some things do - Graduation show Fine Art, Maastricht

I ‘Tipp-ex’, Leerling-Meester project - Onomatopee, Eindhoven.

I Presentationworkshop - Jan van Eyck Academie, Maastricht

2013 I Ateliers Jungblut’ exhibition - Timmerfabriek, Maastricht

I HAS THE WORLD ALREADY BEEN MADE? X4 & Future Fossils - Hedah, Maastricht

2012 I ‘Sound-art’, klank-/geluids-project - Insitu, Maastricht

2014 I Publication

In the end nothing matters but until then some things do – Graduation Publication Fine Art, Maastricht

Academically, my journey commenced in Maastricht, Netherlands, where I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. Following my graduation and gaining valuable experience in the art field, I redirected my focus towards architecture. This decision led me to the University of Antwerp for my Bachelor’s degree. Subsequently, I pursued my Master’s degree at the Catholic University of Leuven in Brussels. Additionally, I participated in design courses at KULeuven in Ghent, broadening my knowledge and skills in the field.

Architecturally, my inclination within the profession lies in furthering my expertise in working with natural systems and materials, passive housing, inclusive housing models, and building processes that prioritize sustainability, efficiency, and ingenuity.

On a personal level, I derive satisfaction from creating autonomous artworks and furniture, mending objects, engaging in outdoor sports, and staying informed about cultural trends, housing advancements, and technological developments. In terms of my professional aspirations, I aspire to contribute to a dynamic and leading architectural firm where I can apply my dedication, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn.

WORKING EXPERIENCE At FastForward Architects & Engineers

Throughout my time at Fast Forward Architects and Engineers, I have been involved in various stages of project development, from initial concept design to construction documentation. Site visits have been an integral part of my role, allowing me to conduct quality control inspections and gain a deeper understanding of the built environment.

Working with industry-standard software, such as Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe CC among others have been a significant aspect of my daily tasks. I have utilized these tools to create detailed drawings, including different stages of plans, sections, and elevations. This has allowed me to effectively communicate design intent and collaborate with team members, consultants and clients.

In addition to my technical responsibilities, I have also played a vital role in the visual communication aspects of projects. This has involved creating compelling presentations, booklets, and design proposals to effectively showcase project progress and convey complex ideas. Through these tasks, I have honed my skills in visual communication and developed an ability to present design concepts in a clear and engaging manner.

Overall, my time at Fast Forward Architects and Engineers has provided me with invaluable hands-on experience, sharpened my technical skills, and fostered my ability to work collaboratively within a dynamic team.

The Symbiotic City

This thesis endeavors to approximate the future state of urban manufacturing and resource cycling in Brussels by employing a research-by-design methodology. Similar to many European cities, Brussels is currently grappling with several significant trends that will fundamentally reshape the internal and external operations of cities. These trends span various dimensions, including socio-cultural, technical, economic, environmental, and political aspects.

In essence, the disruption of the world’s ecosystems is necessitating a shift toward sustainable systems across all these drivers. This monumental transition will generate numerous employment opportunities and expedite the development of cleaner manufacturing materials and sustainable fabrication processes. Moreover, this transition presents a unique opportunity to reconceptualize how cities function and manage their resources. Consequently, it also offers an ideal moment to redefine the interactions and participation of urban dwellers within the context of Industry 4.0.

This paper aims to explore how city districts can function as metabolic systems, with each district specializing in facilitating specific needs of the city and its inhabitants. To exemplify the functioning of one such metabolic system, this paper will closely examine the vertex of Sint-Jan-Molenbeek, Laken, and the North Quarter of Brussels, situated along the canal in the industrialized valley of Brussels. This metabolic hub will focus on material cycling, storage, and (re)fabrication.

How will the building operate and interact with its environment? The objective of this project is to create a space that fosters the development of clean, inclusive, and sustainable cities. The project’s legitimacy will be derived from an interpretation of the aforementioned drivers, leading to a design that embodies the methodology and balance required for an urban project to effectively operate within a circular economy in the year 2050 and beyond.

A strategy to create a symbiotic relationship between manufacturing, inclusive employment and a circular economy.

Conceptnota showing the scale relative to its surroundings.

EXPLODED VIEW

Synthesizing the visual representation of the program, systems, and services.

Render depicting a layered facade with a pronounced focus on the woven steel mesh that gracefully envelops the building exterior, serving as a protective layer

Left to right, build-up façade and interior volumes registered with material passport.

Render of vertical street continuing over three levels.

Informatic diagram showing the vertical connection between levels on the residential side of the building.

Floor plans showcasing the elevated levels, with the left side designated for housing and the right side allocated for Maker-Collectives. The Maker-Collectives area is separated from the housing section by a commerce area and complemented by adjacent public gardens.

Render of the building canal side

SPACE & ADAPT A TOWER FOR A METROPOLITAN FOOD VILLAGE

The collaborative course aimed to establish a sustainable ecological food village on the Josaphat site. It involved the participation of seven groups, each assigned a specific task to execute. The primary goal was to deepen our understanding of sustainable and passive technologies and incorporate these insights into a comprehensive project.

Our group focused on the theme of “space and adaptability,” considering it as a unifying element that encompasses a broad range of activities and connects practices within the site and the surrounding city. Alongside sustainability and adaptability, our central emphasis was on fostering a strong sense of community. To achieve this, we devised a collaborative housing model combined with a membership system and a digital currency. This approach ensured that the residents of the tower actively contribute to the building or the site. Moreover, we proposed the construction of a bridge to connect both sides of the site, which had been divided by train tracks.

Architecturally, we approached the project by designing a versatile tower structure capable of accommodating future changes and diverse uses. Our proposed program consisted of various levels, including a water reservoir on the panoramic rooftop, a public garden, pixel farming, housing modules of different sizes (XS/S/M/L), rental offices, co-working spaces, shops, and a ground-level market. Additionally, we allocated two subterranean levels for MEP infrastructure and storage facilities. To ensure sustainability, we implemented a material passport system for the interior volumes. These volumes can be disassembled, stored in a depot, and reassembled according to future configurations. The circular openings in the floor slabs further enhance adaptability to future layouts and circulation patterns.

3 images displaying the flexibility of the structure, scenario 3 was implemented.

Aerial view of the tower and the bridge crossing over the train tracks.

Example of residential floorplan, showing module xs, s & m

Section of the tower, showing interior volumes highlighted in red and the exterior vertical circulation.

Section of the bridge, showing the construction of floating columns and the train tracks crossing.

View from bridge towards the tower.

View +0, showing the weekly market place with local and seasonal goods.

THE ACT OF BUILDING MAPPING, EXCAVATING, PROTOTYPING

This design studio, in collaboration with BC architects, offered us the opportunity to explore raw earth as a building material. The studio commenced with extensive research and mapping of the substrates found on our selected site. After collecting samples of different substrates, we entered the prototyping phase, where we developed tools to gain a deeper understanding of the possibilities of raw earth in the province of Limburg, Belgium. Our design concept originated from a unique local scenario, wherein we unveiled and made accessible an extraordinary tunnel system that was once part of a mining operation dating back to around 1600.

Instead of building a watchtower, we proposed to create an entrance to the underground tunnel system via an existing ventilation shaft. The ingredients of our raw earth mixture consisted of clay, sand, loam, and gravel, primarily sourced from local quarries in close proximity to the city of Maastricht. Embracing the constraints of rammed earth construction, we devised a distinct proposal comprising a single sheet of corten steel suspended by five pillars enveloped in rammed earth blocks. These rammed earth elements not only imbued the shelter with a sense of intimacy but were also deliberately oversized in their thickness to engage with the surrounding conditions. It was anticipated that these conditions would gradually weather the structure by exposing it to rainwater up to a certain extent

Detailed map of substrates found in the province of limbourge

Axonomitry of the Nelissen quarry.

Photograph of scalemodel.

Tested mixtures, rammed earth samples.

STRUCTURAL CONTINGENCIES A SEARCH FOR NON-REFERENTIAL ARCHITECTURE

This highly speculative studio aimed to reconnect with the fundamental essence of building. The final proposition culminated in a simplification of the extensively tested concepts throughout the semester. Ultimately, the focus centered on a repetitive architectural act that seemingly extended ad infinitum. The proposition consisted of a meticulously curated assemblage of reclaimed prefabricated concrete elements. Due to their conventional civil applications, these elements are typically overlooked, yet their exhibition engenders a remarkable emergence of a poetic and sculptural landscape.

The roof structure comprised an intricate assembly of culvert boxes with varying angles, meticulously assigned values, and arranged using a randomized algorithm. Each distinct angle and orientation of the culvert boxes facilitated the capture and reflection of natural light in a nuanced manner, amplifying the playful interplay of chance and repetition. Furthermore, the arrangement of the column elements was thoughtfully influenced by the specific topography of the assembly location, ensuring a harmonious integration with the surrounding context.

This project adopted a multi-faceted approach to the study of structures, delving into diverse entry points, setting boundaries, and establishing rules in an endeavor to minimize the subjective influence of the maker’s hand.

Non-referential roof structure. Render of structure on a possible location.

Image of the 9 different column assembled out of mass produces pipe elements.

3D printed model 1:500

MAPPING INTEGRATING DATA

During my architectural studies, mapping emerged as a recurring tool for analyzing and visually translating data into infographics. To demonstrate my proficiency in this skillset, I selected two projects where mapping played a prominent role throughout the process and final outcomes.

The first series of maps were created as part of the RAW summer school in Reus, Spain. The objective of this summer school was to develop a masterplan for El Camp, a conglomerate of small to medium-sized cities occupying an area roughly equivalent to Barcelona. The culmination of the project involved the implementation of a green network that interconnects these different cities through alternative transportation options. The summer school fostered collaboration among alumni from renowned institutions such as ETH Zurich, Universita Degli Studi Di Genova, KU Leuven, and the host university, Universitat Rovira I Virgili.

The second series of maps were generated during the research phase of my master’s thesis. These maps served as a visual translation of specific demographic, economic, and speculative data pertaining to the industrial valley of Brussels

Conceptnota showing the impact of the strategy on different scales.

Highlighting intersetions and possible bufferzones for the green line network.

Concluding map of the strategy to connect cities in the El Camp area.

CANAL ZONE BXL

PERSONAL WORKS

SCULPTURES, PAINTINGS, OBJECTS, PHOTOGRAPHY, FURNITURE

During my enriching four-year bachelor’s program in Fine Arts, I had the privilege of perceiving the world through a distinct lens. Through playful exploration of personal interests, I honed my ability to identify clichés, discern patterns, and observe various phenomena. As I delved into my atelier, these ideas and discoveries were meticulously transformed into compelling mixed-media artworks.

The academic environment provided me with the freedom to approach ideas from diverse angles, fostering my exploration across the expansive array of facilities at the Academy of Fine Arts in Maastricht. Under the expert guidance of the faculty, I acquired a wide range of skills and techniques, encompassing disciplines such as painting, silkscreen printing, bookbinding, woodworking, steelwork, curatorial practices, exhibition curation, photography, film animation, sound design, ceramics, mold making, concept development, and the cultivation of artistic integrity. These multifaceted experiences have refined my understanding of aesthetics and visual content, which I aim to further expand and refine in my architectural pursuits.

Selection of paintings.

Gypsum tablets coloured with ballpen blue to emphasis the texture which is created by a silicone mould of the defensive wall of Maastricht.

I Mick Henri Smits

PROMPT ART: Facade of complex of contemporary multistory residential buildings with symmetric windows, photocopier scan, brutalism facade, mega data, dancing particles, aqua, computer age, front view, laminar flow, Pieter Lozie, Mark Panckhurst --ar 10:15 --v 5.2 - Image #3 @Mick.hs

PROMPT ART: scan of book encyclopedia with intricate geometrical and patterned ink drawings of tyrolean folklore masks, folklore, dance, dolomites, dark ink, old paper --aspect 7:4 --c 50 --style raw - Image #4 @Mick.hs

Closet of recuperated materials, Linen sheets, expanded propylene, PU adhesive and old floorboards.

Wooden stool, finish focuses on the repetition of a single act.

I Mick Henri Smits

Les Jardins d’Etretat