Alexa Balkema Graduate Portfolio

FIFTH YEAR,

ALEXA BALKEMA

5th Year Architecture Student University of Kansas alexabalkema@ku.edu 1+ 303 907 8533

BALKEMA ALEXA

ARCHITECTURE

CONTACT

+1 303 907 8533

alexabalkema@gmail.com University of Kansas, Fifth Year Student, 5 year M.Arch School of Architecture and Design

ADDRESS 43 Spyglass Dr. Littleton, Colorado, 80123

EDUCATION PROFILE

MASTERS DEGREE

Fifth Year - 3.81 GPA

University of Kansas, 2018-2023

General Education

4 year Honor Roll - 3.67 GPA

Heritage High School, 2014-2018

SKILLS

Revit AutoCad SketchUp Adobe Suite Lumion

Capable of thinking critically and analytically.

Able to strictly follow instructions and adhere to deadlines.

Outstanding design and problemsolving.

Excellent team work facilitator and leader.

AWARDS

Fall 2015 - Fall 2019

Girls Soccer

Heritage High School

Heritage High School Soccer Team (4 yrs). Received defensive player of the year (2015) and prestigious Eagle Award given to the player that best demonstrates Heritage Soccer all four years.

Artistic Achievements

Heritage High School/ University of Kansas

2021 Mame Award Winner (On the boards) for Residential renders done at Larsen Development.

2022 Renders featured in Architectural Digest Magazine (Link provided in QR code)

2018 Centennial Citizens News Paper, Colorado Community Media: Designed a synthetic ice-rink for High School Hockey, project qualified for state in Future Business Leaders of America

2018 Paintings displayed at Arapahoe Community College

University of Kansas student seeking internship opportunities in Architecture or related field. Uses creativity and innovative thinking to overcome challenges while maintaining focus and strong work ethic. Work is consistent and high quality. I am always looking for opportunities to grow and help push me along in my career.

EXPERIENCE

Program Leader in Child Care

Foothills Parks and Recreation Littleton, Colorado

2014 - 2021

Assist with daily preparations and implementations of program activities, supervision of children. Job was to demonstrate leadership skills with effective communication and being a positive role model for children.

Architecture Intern Larsen Development Denver, Colorado

2021 - Present

Luxury Design Build Firm and custom home builder. Assist Architectural Design team with the production of all design documents, permit drawings, and design presentations.

Architecture Intern OZ Architecture Denver, Colorado

May 2022 - August 2022

Worked with Denver Housing Association to Design a set of Town homes. Designed and presented work to clients. Approved Schematic Design set completed before departure.

Design Associate

Matthews Design Association Littleton, Colorado

May 2020 - August 2020

Created technical drawings and renderings for client presentation throughout schematic design and design development.

Co-Chair of Student Mentorship Program

University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas

2020 - 2022

Advertise and help connect students and faculty interested in the mentorship program, create events to welcome incoming architecture students. Maintain connection with peers, students in the department, and faculty to create a successful mentorship Program.

Architecture Student Mentor University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas

2019 - 2022

Worked with Underclassman students joining the architecture department at the University of Kansas to help aid and admit students throughout the academic process.

1 2

432 INDIANA

5th Year, Spring/Fall 2022-2023

STUDIO 804, Design Build Lawrence, Kansas

INNOVATION HIVE

3rd Year, Spring 2021 TRANSFORM.KC Kansas City, Missouri Kansas State Central

3 4 5

ASCEND

4th Year, Spring 2021 State School for the Blind Central Park, Colorado

UPCYCLE

4th Year, Fall 2021 TRANSFORM.KC Kansas City, Missouri

POLARIS PAVILION

3rd Year, Fall 2020 Dirt Works Studio, Design Build Lawrence, Kansas

432 INDIANA LAWRENCE, KANSAS

STUDIO 804

DESIGN BUILD | 2,548 SF Studio 804, Dan Rockhill 5th Year Graduate Program, 2022/23

Studio 804 is a year long, comprehensive educational opportunity for graduate students who are entering the final year of the Masters of Architecture program at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Design. During each academic year students enroll in the full-time class to design and construct a building of great technical sophistication; we have completed fifteen LEED certified projects since 2008 and anticipate completing our Sixteenth LEED certified project this year. Studio 804 is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is continuously made possible with the help of successful partnerships and donations secured by former and current students.

This unique program allows students to experience the hands on process of construction from start to finish. Students are in charge of designing and building almost all aspects of the project. In the beginning students work together to create a construction document set that will be submitted for permitting. The process of construction is broken down into subcategories such as concrete, roofing, siding, electrical, etc. In the beginning of the semester students sign up for designated roles which they are then expected to learn and preform all areas of that trade. Along with reaching out to manufacturers and corporations for any partnerships or potential donations.

As an 804 student, I played a primary and key role in project management. I was heavily involved in the overall design and construction document process. Throughout the fall semester my main responsibility has been framing. During the construction document phase, I was responsible for making sure all drawings and details were represented properly and providing any further documentations for structural and permit approval. Upon receiving permit, I created shop drawings needed to prefabricate all the framing for the main house and ADU. A small group of students and I prefabricated all the walls, floor joists, and rafters needed. During the process of construction I lead my peers through the installation and completion of the framing.

The studio is comprised of 28 students, led by professor Dan Rockhill. 432 Indiana is located in one of Lawrence’s oldest neighborhoods and is in close proximity to Downtown Lawrence, the Kansas River, vibrant parks and the Lawrence bike loop. The design of the house offers a similar scale as the rest of the neighborhood. On the main level, one enters into an open living, kitchen, and dining area. One hallway branches off the main space and houses a laundry and mechanical room, a guest powder room, and a mudroom area with built-in storage. On the far east side of the main floor, there is a spacious primary suite with attached full bath and walk-in closet. The suite has a desirable view out to the eastern tree canopy. The upstairs suite is a flexible space that adapts to the changing privacy needs of families in different stages of their lives, with full bath attached, and has a cozy loft ambiance. The opportunity of a detached garage with accessory dwelling unit was too great to pass up in order to adhere to our goal of increased residential density in the heart of town. It is our expectation the house will achieve LEED Platinum certification, the highest level possible under the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards for sustainable practice.

Loft study

Full bath

Secondary bedroom/flex space

Apartment bedroom

Apartment kitchenette

Apartment bath

Living/kitchen

Mechanical/laundry

Powder bath

Primary bathroom

Walk in closet

Hallway storage built-ins

Primary bedroom

Garage

ROOF 25' - 4"

LEVEL 2 FINISH FLOOR 10' - 5 7/8"

LEVEL 1 FINISH FLOOR 0' - 0"

A404 1 A400 3 01 STUDIO 804

FRAMING LEADS (MIDDLE 2) ASSISTANTS (OUTSIDE 2)

CURTAIN WALL INSTALLATION MAIN HOUSE RAFTERS

GARAGE FRAMING

INNOVATION HIVE

Kansas City, Missouri

Educational Research Facility | 276,00 SF Arch 508, Eddy Tavio | TRANSFORM.KC 3rd Year Spring Semester, 2021 Partnered with Dakoda Ash - All diagrams done by Alexa Balkema, Renderings done by Dakoda Ash. Digital model roles: completed the Northwest wing and bridging library

A multi-disciplinary innovation hub for a microcosm spectrum of skills.

Located at the gate of downtown Kansas City on the Berkley River Front, a world wide destination. The Innovation Hive, a welcoming educational facility allowing anyone at any skill level to participate and learn a spectrum of skills through facilitated, open, owned, in evolving spaces. The program was derived by three groups which included “open vs focused”, “facilitated vs operative”, vs “static vs evolving”, and “owned vs shared”. Each category then translated into a destination within the building. Every aspect of the program is flexible in categorization and often has many overlaps. The program reflects eight distinct yet fluid concepts.

The first level features a large lobby space that provides a glimpse into the composition of each level by the use of cascading floors. Each floor is organized by program category distinction, and is centered around an evolutionary hierarchy of noise production and relevance to occupants.

The essence of the Innovation Hive encompasses a multidisciplinary facility that accelerates creativity to stimulate a microcosm of skills. The structure is separated into series of five terracing levels with an intermediate library structure, spanning longer than a football field, that tethers two segments, the Northwest wing and the Southeast wing, of the opposing sides together. The Northeast wing is also known as the Arts district while the Southwest wing is known as the Science District. The “Hive” concept derives from the idea that although there are a wide array of people and resources available, this facility permits the development of a spectrum of skills in a single location. As a result this “hive” becomes a self sustaining and self sufficient entity that yields life applicable competency for occupants.

Berkley River

During this studio semester we were tasks with creating a master-plan for the Port KC in the Berkley River Front. Port KC currently has ownership of the Berkley Riverfront and is the process of revitalizing Kansas City’s relationship with the river through a series of beautifications recreations, and historic preservations along the downtown Riverfront. Port KC’s goal is to turn this previously undeveloped land into a mixed-use, world class destination. They came to our studio in hopes of receiving a master-plan full of potential ideas and what we thought the area needed most. The master-plan consists of an educational district, convention center, the mixed use towers, hotel and brewery, and a two million square-foot park full of bars with indoor and outdoor recreation facilities. All of which would be open and available to the public.

BUILDING

CORE FRAMING

SCALE: 1”= 100’ - 0’

FLOOR FRAMING

SCALE: 1”= 150’ - 0’

ROOF FRAMING

SCALE: 1”= 100’ - 0’

LEVEL 04 - CULINARY HALL

The Culinary Hall is found in the Southeast wing on the fourth floor. These rooms are flexible spaces that can both be facilitated or operative spaces. Provides the community with the opportunity to learn world cultures and food trends, kitchen organization, sanitation and safety, nutrition, basic knife techniques, basic culinary terminology, ingredient function, product identification, and the theory of food preparation and production.

LEVEL 03 - Blackbox Theater

The Blackbox Theater can be found in the Northwest wing on the third floor. This open theater provides four flexible spaces with partitioning walls. This unadorned performance space can adapt to fit the staging requirements for all different theatrical productions. Ceramics, painting, and art studios neighbor the blackbox theater. Studios are used for facilitated and operative classes. Artwork is displayed in open gallery spaces throughout the Innovation Hive.

LV 01: Automotive and Mechanical warehouses, Facilitated classroom space, Conference rooms, Shared Lobby with Cafe

LV 02: Black box Theater, Recording studios, Dance Studios, Shared Library and Research Facility, Gallery Spaces, Robotics Laboratories, Lecture Halls, Facilitated classroom space, Greenhouse, Computer Labs and Research.

LV 03: Gallery Space, Black box theater, Art Studios, Focused and Collaborative Library Spaces, Biology Labs, Lecture halls, Facilitated Classroom Space, Greenhouse, Chemistry Labs.

LV 04: Concert Hall, Cafe/Bar with open seating, Facilitated and Operative Culinary Studios. Greenhouse

LV 05: Concert Hall, Shared seating, Focus and Collaborative Office Spaces, Conference rooms, Computer Labs, Greenhouse

The Library bridges the Southeast, the Science District, and the Northwest, the arts district, together as it functionals as a neutral research facility. The 41,740 SF Library spans longer than a football field which is supported by 5 three story triangular concrete columns which help break from the rigid grid lines developed in both the Northwest and Southeast wings.

The Library provides independent office spaces, conference rooms, study pods, computer labs and research areas,and collaborative spaces to meet the needs of every demographic. All while facing the KC Riverfront

ASCEND

Central Park, Colorado

Elementary School for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 276,00 SF Arch 609, Nilou Vakil 4th Year Spring Semester, 2022 Partnered with Dakoda Ash - All diagrams done by Alexa Balkema, Renderings done by Dakoda Ash. Digital model roles: completed classroom wall section and details, modeling in Revit

The airplane, often symbolizes motivation and direction and its association to flying often symbolizes the ability to soar and achieve. When we dream of aspirations, it is often synonymous with ideas of uplift and flight and conversely when we dream of failure it is often synonymous with missed flight and opportunity. The influence of these ideals are the exact embodiment of the potential influence of education and the opportunities we yield with this project to shape young minds. Considering the close proximity to the Anchor Preschool for Blind Children, the proposed school for the Blind and Visually Impaired will serve in support for kindergarten through fifth grade students. This symbiotic relationship among schools is apparent in the poetic connection of names between the seas and the skies and the journey and growth through life.

Some of the most significant design solutions to accommodate students with visual impairments include intuitive wayfinding, intentional use of materiality and texture, contrast of colors, and incorporation of sensory decompression spaces. These strategies will appear in a variety of instances through the project in an attempt to serve the largest spectrum of occupants. Externally, the form of the school should be responsive to the climatic conditions of Denver to solve issues of snow loads, ultraviolet exposure, views to the mountains, and respect to the existing suburban fabric. The school will be oriented axially to capitalize on access to north and south facing windows. Internally, the school should illustrate the defined accessible design solutions while also considering the significance of individuality and uniqueness. The vast spectrum of visual impairments and conflicting needs makes it virtually impossible to design a single universally accessible space. As a result, the proposed school should encourage flexibility and access to a wide variety of spaces and resources. The modulation and filtration of light will play a key role within the school and its by-products such as reflection and glare. Only materials that minimize glare and provide contrast in color and texture will be chosen.

While people that experience blindness or forms of visual impairment represent roughly three percent of the nation’s population, vision regression is a natural byproduct of aging that everyone will eventually experience. As a result, these practices are proposals for a new standard of accessibility and inclusivity that can go far beyond visual impairment and provide necessary resources to any occupant.

CLASSROOMS

There are six classrooms that each contain access to the exterior with carefully modulated light. Each classroom contains several sensory rooms and corners that can accomdate grades K-5

CAFETERIA & MUSIC

The cafeteria and music room are located along the southern edge with direct access to the outdoor courtyard.

ROSLYN ST.

ADMINISTRATION

The cluster of admin the entry. This area offices, nursing offices, and teacher lounge

GYM & AUDITORIUM

The gym features a basketball court, bleachers, and locker rooms. Adjacent to the gym is a multupurpose stage / auditorium.

COMMONS

The “commons” are a collection of common spaces such as art and ceramics rooms and a library.

E26TH AVE.

ADMINISTRATION

admin offices are right off area contains counseling offices, parent offices, lounge and training

NORTH ELEVATION

1/16” = 1’- 0’

EAST ELEVATION

1/16” = 1’- 0’

DIGITAL MODEL

A DIGITAL SCALED MODEL WAS BUILT DIGITALLY TO ALLOW FOR ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT PREPARATION THAT COULD ALSO BE USED DURING THE BUILDING PROCESS.

BUILDING

PROCESS

TWO WEEKS TO CREATE PHYSICAL MODEL USING CHIP CARDBOARD, BASSWOOD, AND LASER CUTTERS, 3D CUTTING.

1/4” = 1’ - 0’ PHYSICAL

MODEL

UPCYCLE

Kansas City, Missouri

Homeless Shelter, Transitional Housing, Food Hall | 109,900 SQ FT Arch 608, Eddy Tavio | TRANSFORM.KC 4th Year Fall Semester, 2021 Partnered with Dakoda Ash Current Studio Project: Uncompleted

Transitional housing intended to serve previously homeless and disadvantaged people by upcycling the Jazz District community and simultaneously redesigning the perceived archetype of subsidized housing.

This studio was challenged with the urban revival of the 18th street corridor located adjacent to the Crossroads District and the Jazz District in Kansas City, Missouri. As a master plan proposal, the Kauffman Center and Jazz Museum served as anchor points for the book ends of the district, with the center circulation becoming the focus for revival. As a result, the largest challenge at hand evidently became how to link the two juxtaposing districts by addressing the consequences and byproducts of urban revival.

The concept of Upcycle, a new model of transitional housing, spawned in order to combat gentrification and the altercations that intrinsically occur from large urban strategies. While it is undoubtedly evident that the 18th street corridor would benefit socially and economically from this master plan proposal, unfortunately it is the same demographic of people that are consistently neglected and are placed in a perpetual and cyclical cycle of marginalization. Upon further research, it was discovered that Kansas City offers only one homeless shelter with only sixty-eight overnight beds and extremely limited long term solutions. Thus it became clear that what this urban proposal critically needed, was a solution to address not only the inherent homeless population, but also long term solutions that would aid any member of society seeking subsidized urban housing with the opportunity to be integrated rather than isolated.

Upcycle provides both long term housing solutions as well as internal work-live programs. The first floor of the project includes a retail component that houses a food hall. Within the food hall, we are proposing providing programs in which residents have opportunities to acquire culinary knowledge and exercise job skills. Additionally, the second and third floor include access to commercial amenities such as office spaces and computer labs. As a result, all programmatic elements outside of housing provide opportunities to practice job skills that do not necessarily require higher education, and contribute to the overarching narrative of reintegrating disadvantaged people back into society.

YOUNG PROF / HIGHER ED

TRANSITIONAL

MUSIC HALL

YOUNG PROF / HIGHER ED

TRANSITIONAL

OVERNIGHT SHELTER OVERNIGHT SHELTER COMMUNITY AMENITIES

ELDERLY INDEPENDENT ELDERLY INDEPENDENT EDUCATION

ENTERTAINMENT

RETAIL + LIFESTYLE

CROSS GENERATIONAL CROSS GENERATIONAL ARTS AND CULTURE

724 UNITS 679640 SQFT 223780 SQFT

68 UNITS 293660 SQFT 27790 SQFT

60 UNITS 73753 SQFT 29130 SQFT

56 UNITS 16800 SQFT 195140 SQFT

131 UNITS 11000 SQFT

58.2% 61.7% 35.7%

5.5% 2.5% 24.0%

4.8% 1.0% 31.2%

4.5% 1.5% 4.7%

10.5% 6.7%

205 UNITS 27000 SQFT 150413 SQFT 04 UPCYCLE

16.5% 26.7% 4.4%

THE PARTITIONS WITHIN CLOSED PARTITIONS TO CREATE A TWO BEDROOM, ONE BATHROOM APARTMENT.

MULTIPLE UNITS CAN BE BOUGHT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENT. TWO UNITS WITH OPEN PARTITIONS CREATE A FAMILY FRIENDLY OPTION WHICH ALLOWS FOR UP TO FOUR BEDROOMS

POLARIS PAVILION

LAWRENCE, KANSAS

DIRT WORKS STUDIO

Arch 509, Chad Kraus | Design Build 3rd Year Fall Semester, 2020

Studio Project

- All diagrams and renders in portfolio were created by Alexa Balkema.

Studio Roll: Design Manager - A peer and I were in charge of creating the digital model for the pavilion and were tasked to make all revisions. Created presentation diagrams and renders. Worked with three peers to create finished and stamped construction documentation set for Polaris Pavilion

Located on the northern cusp of Wells Forest, this picnic pavilion structure provides a space of shelter and seclusion while still serving as a point of connection to the rest of the park. Two modular spaces, or pods, create two different experiences as one is funneled into the site from the parking lot. The northern most pod offers gentle entry into the site and a more intimate connection with the site and adjacent garden. The southern pod gestures to the clearing in the Wells Forest and acts as a host for larger gatherings under its roof.

Whether one is following Wells Ridge Trail eastward or coming from the main parking area, the Polaris Pavilion harmonizes two paths as a symbol of the many paths of exploration that have wound their was through Eastern Kansas. An embedded North arrow also pay homage to the area’s history, while the name “Polaris” alludes to the Kansas state motto: “Ad astra per aspera.”

Under the two roofs, one finds many places to sit, either at one of the three universally accessible tables or along one of the benches. The four sets of screens provide shade and add to the intimacy found underneath the roofs. A timber plank intersects the path from the parking lot and terminates in a garden of native Kansas flora. Overall, the Polaris offers many instances to appreciate serene views and find peace among the trees

As a conjunction of two main grids, The Polaris Pavilion rests at the northern half of the Wells Ridge Forest. Visitors coming to the site from the parking lot or from Wells Ridge Trail join under two pods that provide two different scales of intimacy. The North pod is narrower, with an adjacent garden to the east and one picnic table, so as to gently welcome visitors and be a space of quiet response. Wells Ridge Trail bisects the two pods while still integrating them to the rest of the park. The South pod opens to Wells Forest and shelters two picnic tables. This second space still emphasizes intimacy with its screens, but its larger size suggests more of a connection to the site. As one journeys through, they are able to experience the design differently throughout multiple points along the journey.

MAIN CIRCULATION GRID

PROSPECT: Open space, main circulation

REFUGE: Partially intimate space

REFUGE: Intimate space

PROSPECT: Open space, cardinal axis

The nail laminated timber joinery provides a sense of verticality and a continuation of materiality, mimicking the surrounding Wells Ridge Forest. The nested picnic shelter creates opportunities for public and private gatherings. The Polaris’ open layout is universally accessible and offers areas for gathering at more than just the individual pods.

THOM J. ALLEN

Professor of Architecture School of Architecture & Design University of Kansas t273a306@ku.edu

NILOU VAKIL

Associate Professor of Architecture University of Kansas nilou.vakil@ku.edu

DAN ROCKHILL

J.L. Constant Distinguished Professor University of Kansas dan@rockhillandassociates.com

RICK PETERSEN

Principle - FAIA, LEED AP OZ Architecture Denver, Colorado rpetersen@ozarch.com

JEFF ENGLUND President

Larsen Development Denver, Colorado

Jeff@larsendevelopment.com