Ben Lee

B.Arch | 2025 Virginia Tech School of Architecture

Ben Lee

Education

2020 - 2025 Virginia Tech

Bachelor of Architecture

In Major GPA: 3.8 out of 4

2023 - 2024 Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center

2017 - 2018 Virginia Tech College of Engineering

Work Experience

2024. 05 - 2024. 08 Michael Graves - Capitol Hill, DC Summer Architectural Intern

2024. 01 - 2024. 05 Michael Graves - Capitol Hill, DC Part-time Architectural Intern

2024. 12 - 2024. 01

Michael Graves - Capitol Hill, DC Winter Architectural Intern

2023. 08 - 2023. 12 Michael Graves - Capitol Hill, DC Part-time Architectural Intern

2023. 05 - 2023.08

Michael Graves - Capitol Hill, DC Summer Architectural Intern

2023. 01 VIA Design Architects - Norfolk, VA Winter Architectural Intern

2019. 05 - 2020 .02 Republic of Korea Army - Incheon South Korea Military Peer Counselor

2019. 07 Ministry of National Defense - Seoul, South Korea English Translator

2019. 03 - 2020 .01 Republic of Korea Army - Inche, South Korea Signal Corps Squad Leader

2018. 05 - 2020.02 Republic of Korea Army - Incheon, South Korea Telecommunicator/ Field Wireman - (Discharged as Sergeant)

Skills

Office Bluebeam | PowerPoint | Excel | Word

Adobe CC Photoshop | InDesign | Illustrator | Lightroom

Rendering V-ray | Enscape | Lumion

The Havenwood

Year: 2024

Professor: Andrew Linn

Type: Mixed-use assembly building Site: Maryland, Chillum

The DC Archdiocese is turning its Chillum, Maryland site into a community hub, featuring a new resilience center. This facility extends the existing middle school and provides a secure emergency shelter. The innovative architecture doubles as an energy reservoir during crises, complementing the city grid. This transformative hub goes beyond conventional spaces, serving education, shelter, co-living, and community resilience.

The Havenwood

Pre-k school

Maternity home

Seminary

Senior housing

“Resilient architecture as a form of service / charity to its community”

Project Site Plan

Accessibility

The project embodies the Church’s core values of charity and support, showcasing the Archdiocese’s commitment to community welfare. Designed with resilient architecture, it expands the existing pre-K to middle school, furthering educational missions. Moreover, it serves as a secure emergency shelter during crises, emphasizing the church’s dedication to residents’ well-being and the community’s needs

Programs

wind

Green Space

Sun Path

Roof

• primary

• glulam beams

wall

• secondary

• clt panels

floor

• secondary

• clt joists

underside exposed

truss

• primary

• steel

columns

• primary

• glulam clt

hybrid beams

mat foundation

• primary

• reinforced concrete

STRUCTURE

Weather-resistant Kebony fins for sun shading

roof assembly: ext>int

• retention trim

• filter fleece

• growing medium

• gravel drainage

• water reservoir/root barrier

• 12” cork insulation

• wrb

• 5-ply clt roof panel

• 5/8 gwb finish ceiling

wall assembly: ext>int

• accoya wood cladding

• 3/4” air gap

• wrb

• 5/8” exterior gypsum sheating

• 4” wood fiber board

• 3-ply clt wall panel

• 4” cavity, cellulose insulation

• 3 1/2” stud wall

• 5/8 gwb finish ceiling

• 5/8” gwb finish ceiling facade

floor assembly: ext>int

• 3” gypcrete finish floor

• 3/4” acoustic matt

• 5 ply floor panel

• 5/8” gwb finish ceiling

foundation assembly: ext>int

• 3/4” pargecoat

• wrb

• 3” eps insulation

• 8” concrete wall with copper

• 3” eps insulation

energy

ON SITE SOLAR CAR PORTS / WIND TURBINES, STORED IN THE TWO SERVICE FLOORS

WATER COLLECTED FROM THE EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF IS STORED IN THE UNDERGROUND WATER STORAGE

FOOD PRODUCED IN THE ROOFTOP HYDROPONIC GARDENv

UNDERGROUND BUNKER PROVIDES SHELTER FOR 36 INDIVIDUALS.

THEFINS

hydroponic garden bay window

A-02 Interior Rendering Date 05.11.2024 Rhino, V-ray, Photoshop

A-03 Interior Rendering Date 05.11.2024 Rhino, V-ray, Photoshop

A-04 Interior Rendering Date 05.11.2024 Rhino, V-ray, Photoshop

A-05

Interior Rendering

Date 05.11.2024 Rhino, V-ray, Photoshop

The Havenwood Chillum, MD

two service floors house essential systems like HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical equipment. Centralizing these utilities enhances building flexibility, eases maintenance and upgrades, ensures uninterrupted operation during emergencies, and allows for seamless future technological advancements.

the Havenwood not only addresses the immediate need for emergency shelters but also fosters community resilience and selfsufficiency. By leveraging the site’s proximity to the church and school, the center emerges as a vital asset, aligning with the ethos of service and support ingrained in the community

The Havenwood Chillum, MD

B-04

The House Of Surreal Serenity

Year: 2023

Professor: Christine Kelley

Type: Private Library

Site: Old Town Alexandria, VA

Nestled in the heart of the historic district of Alexandria, VA, this private library is where visitors can escape from the everyday world and explore their dreams and fantasies through surrealist games and books. The library transcends traditional boundaries, introducing a biomorphic aspect that mirrors the organic forms and patterns found in nature, blending with the charm and character of Old Town Alexandria. In embracing the spirit of surrealism, the project challenges conventional norms and redefines the concept of a library. The unconventional design reflects a deliberate departure from the mundane, encouraging creative exploration of knowledge. Like the Oculus Center in NYC, this library will integrate with the surroundings, giving the impression that the building has been a part of the site since its inception.

METAMORPHOSiS

This biomorphic structure incorporates voronoi patterns, reminiscent of nature’s cellular arrangements, promoting an intricate and interconnected design. The curves and glossy texture borrowed from skulls, portray a life-and-death essence, intertwining the vitality of existence with the inevitability of mortality. Emulating a human heart protected by rib cages, the library has a protected core that serves as the intellectual heartbeat of this surreal space. An exoskeleton, mirroring the strength found in the natural world, envelops the building, providing both structural support and a visual testament to nature’s robust elegance. Rising to a majestic point akin to a Japanese beetle, the library’s silhouette exudes a sense of purpose and direction, inviting people to explore the vast realms of knowledge contained within.

VORONOI

FOUNDATION DETAIL

1. 3/8” GYPSUM WALL BOARD 2. STUCCO EXTERIOR FINISH 3. R-17 RIGID INSULATION

REINFORCED CMU

VAPOR BARRIER

1/2”

VAPOR BARRIER

THE SKULL

Project

Location Baku, Azerbaijan

Author

Zaha Hadid

Inspired by nature’s cellular arrangements, applying Voronoi patterns to the facade, it can create a dynamic and organic surface that interacts with light and shadow, enhancing the building’s aesthetic appeal. This approach allows for the integration of biomorphic design elements into architectural compositions, fostering a sense of harmony between the built environment and the surrounding natural landscape

B-01

The House of Surreal Serenity Model

Ben Lee_Models

Date 11.29.2023 Alexandria, VA

Scale: 1’ - 0” = 1/16” www.linkedin.com/in/benlee01

B-03

B-04 Model Scale: 1’ - 0” = 1/16”

VORONOI

EMBODIMENT

Drawing from Louis Kahn’s Exeter library, the project features a bold architectural centerpiece in the main lobby, inviting visitors with its commanding presence. Integrated with the surreal and biomorphic design, it enhances the exploration and discovery experience

B-05

B-02 The House of Surreal Serenity Model

Ben Lee_Models

Third Year Competition: VT_Bike Hub

Year: 2023 (one week competition)

Type: Institutional Assembly Building Site: Cowgil, Blacksburg VA

The Bike Hub’s architectural narrative continues to unfold as the juxtaposition between Brutalism’s hard lines and the fluidity of the building’s shape and form becomes more apparent. The rigid lines of the concrete structure not only define the space but also serve as a bold backdrop against which the organic curves of the building’s contours come to life. This intentional interplay between the unyielding nature of Brutalist design and the fluidity of the building’s form adds a layer of visual complexity, inviting users to explore the nuances of the space as they navigate through its functional zones. As students park their bikes, sip on coffee, and chat with fellow cyclists, they’re surrounded by architecture that’s more than just practical. It helps them appreciate how design can balance strength and beauty.

Digital Exterior Render Drawing Rhino, V-ray, Photoshop VT Bike Hub Cowgil, Blacksburg VA

Hub

Fluidity

Parking

Two geometries intersect, crafting unique spaces. Overlapping zones become central, accessed primarily by a ramp, weaving through the architecture seamlessly.

Public Restroom 2. Communal Space 3. Bike Rack Parking 4. Café

5. Transition Space And Parking

6. Bike Ramp Entrance

7. Bike Helical Ramp Exit

8. Floating Mezzanine

9. Communal Restroom

Author Le Corbusier

The fluid organic form of concrete melds strength with sculptural essence, shaping urban landscapes with dynamic architectural statements of endurance

The circulation system of the Bike Hub intertwines a ramp, linking the storage area to the café space. This design facilitates fluid movement, ensuring accessibility and integration between functional zones for users.

Exposed Steel Tube Framing

Tyrrhenian Sea

The Lair of Stolen Art: Rembrandt

Year: 2023

Professor: Ben Pennell

Type: Residential gallery

Site: Capri, Italy Ocean

The architectural design of a captivating structure in Capri, Italy draws inspiration from Alexander Calder’s iconic free-flowing curvilinear sculptures. Embracing Calder’s dynamic forms, the building translates his artistic principles into a tangible, three-dimensional structure. The use of the crane as the parti not only influences the overall aesthetic but also guides the structural system, introducing tensional forces that echo Calder’s fascination with equilibrium in his sculptures. Sinuous lines and organic shapes infuse the structure with a sense of movement and fluidity, creating a visual spectacle harmonizing with the surrounding oceanic landscape. Intricate carvings, complex geometries, and bas-relief sculptures further enrich the building, transforming it into an immersive environment that serves both as a hideout and an art gallery for an elusive thief.

2. Gallery Hall

3. Sculpture Gallery

4. Entrance / Main Elevator

Author

Alexander Calder

Grounding Wall

The grounding wall, anchoring the structure to Capri’s oceanic expanse, serves as more than mere support; it becomes a canvas for bas-relief sculptures, embedding the edifice in artistic dialogue with its surroundings. Its robust foundation houses concealed gallery storage, integrating function with form. A segment of the wall is delicately peeled away, allowing gentle diffused light to filter into the storage space, while a glass facade shields the precious contents. This design not only enhances the architectural intrigue but also highlights the interplay between light, space, and art, creating a dynamic experience for visitors and residents alike.

THEBASTION

The Lair of Stolen Art: Rembrandt Capri, Italy Ocean

residence

The residence area, situated in the ‘head’ part of the project, showcases subtle melting floors, crafting fluid and inviting spaces. Inspired by Rembrandt’s mastery of light and shadow, this sophisticated fusion of comfort and artistry elevates the living experience, harmonizing with the structure’s overall aesthetic.

UNDULATIN

wall assembly: ext>int

- precast concrete wall panel

- stainless steel anchor rod

- rigid insulation

- water resistance barrier

- 2-1/3” cavity wall

- steel stud - batt insulation - gypsum board

gallery hall

The gallery hall, the vibrant ‘body’ of the project, boldly exhibits stolen Rembrandt art pieces through a long, continuous hallway. the deliberate arrangement of spaces invites viewers on an immersive journey, fostering profound reflection and contemplation amidst the stolen treasures adorning the walls of this captivating space.

SiNU OUS

prestressing steel

The smooth Bristol board surface allows for precise detailing, capturing intricate geometries and fluid movement, while enabling bas-relief curves emerging from the grounding wall

The tension cables are integrated into the base of the main head structure, ensuring stability without overshadowing its design.

Simultaneously, the torso’s structural columns pierce through the head, offering support to its upper sections while maintaining a subtle presence, symbolizing a union of practicality and aesthetic intent