Ben Carstensen Portfolio

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Bio

I have wanted to be a designer ever since I can remember. My passion for design stems from where I call home. I am a fifth generation Montanan. My great, great grandfather homesteaded there, drawn, he said by the power and beauty of the Rocky Mountain front. The landscape there is so dominant, seemingly endless prairie punctuated by patchy timber, wild rivers and snow-capped peaks.

More than any other factor, the environment defines my design decisions. It has always been my goal to design for the setting, drawing inspiration from both the natural and built context of a region.

It is my belief that in order for a design to truly be timeless, it must compliment its surroundings and inspire.

experience

Oct. 2012 - Present

ecoREAL Solutions – Design Project Manager Production - Graphic Design:

- Preparation of final deliverables for clients.

- Documenting sustainable design decisions through architectural graphic design - Utilized 3D modeling software such as Revit or SketchUp and the Adobe Suite

Schematic Architectural / site Design

- Assisting in early design decisions including sustainable upgrade opportunities - Production of schematic diagrams

skills Digital

Adobe Suite, SketchUp, Revit,

AutoCAD

Analog

Hand Sketching, Model building,

Laser cutting, Woodworking

Sustainability LEED

AP + BD&C

Project Management / LEED Project Administration

- Coordination of project team in regards to sustainable design decisions and LEED documentation - Preparation of LEED documentation regularly relating (but not limited) to architectural design decisions - Production and presenting of LEED progress reports for all project team members

Sustainable Design Consulting - Researching precedent studies

- Providing feedback on project decisions during all design phases through construction

2010 – 2012 Indeed Décor - Production Designer

- Floor Plans, Interior Elevations, Graphics, Photography

education

2007 – 2012 University of Oregon school of Architecture and Allied Arts - Bachelor of Architecture

community involvement 2005 – 2008 Habitat for Humanity

- Site crew leader (youngest to complete crew leader training) - Youth volunteer coordinator

2013 – 2014 International Living Future Institute

- 2014 Living Future Conference - After Party Planning Committee Member

- Minor in Art History with an architectural emphasis

awards 2007 – 2012

Deans Scholarship for academic achievement University of Oregon

2007 Best Buy Foundation National Scholarship – Academics and community service Winter 2008 Lake Villa Archived – University of Oregon Displayed at ACSA Conference Fall 2010 NCARB Recognition Sustainable Cities Initiative (Salem Police Station) Fall 2011 Portland Mixed-Use Building Archived – University of Oregon

References Available on Request

Willamette Market p.10-15

Mixed Use PDX p.16-19

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Wetlands Pavilion p.6-9

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p.24-27

abstract Concept The natural beauty of the area is what is to be celebrated here. Any structural intervention mustn’t dominate but compliment. It is important to provide a number of different experiences in this type of structure. To accomplish this, openings of different kinds direct and filter ones view out into nature.

The peaked pergola breaks in the center, filtering vision to the sky when looking forward, but looking up gives a clearer angle.

The break also directs the user to look downward to the water. Turn and face the opposite direction, and views are uninterrupted.

experience The materials are simple and inexpensive, yet durable. They do not detract from the surroundings. The change of orientation towards sunlight, direction of wind movement and elevation from the water should be different in each so the user has a different and new experience in each space.

Learn

These pavilions were designed with intention to be duplicated, moved and turned to direct line of site appropriately and align with educational signage.

Willamette Market / public wharf / water taxi terminal

abstract

The things that make a city successful are the same things that make a ecosystem successful.

An ecosystem finds balance, through diversity.

One looks at a riparian ecosystem and sees great diversity and dynamic coordination between all organisms.

A successful city engages its inhabitants, and all elements of a city work together in a massive system to benefit each other in a similar way.

clients

The site is at the edge of the Willamette River, so the treatment of the waters edge is incredibly important. I am interested in how the aquatic ecosystem and terrestrial ecosystem can inhabit and enjoy the same space. The design of the water’s edge is essential to how people and other terrestrial organisms benefit from water, but it is also important understand how aquatic organisms inhabit those areas as well.

gather

A market becomes a place where many can gather at once. Portland has a living room (Pioneer Square), but needs a kitchen. The market will feature organic food from the region including foods found naturally within the Willamette Valley. Multiple restaurants and a microbrewery will be included in the program, creating opportunities to enjoy the space at all times of the day and night. A strong indoor / outdoor connection allows for easy flow to the water and adjacent green spaces.

connect

A water taxi system connects the people of Portland to the city’s major defining element, the Willamette River. The river is beautiful, but is underutilized. The circulation flow on Portland’s many bridges is fantastic, but places people two blocks from the water on both sides. By implementing a new form of transportation, we not only strengthen the market, but also strengthen other waterfront attractions.

COncepts site COncepts I am using water flow and erosion principles as my design concepts for the project. I looked at four different water flow conditions, and interpreted them to a terrestrial environment.

I wanted to translate how the Chinook salmon would use these different special conditions into how humans might use them. These principles were incorporated at different scales throughout the project.

I organized the site using the concepts mentioned before. This plan became about containing two different conditions. The riffle and the cascade describe high energy, quick paced movement, and are therefore relating to the urban edge of the site.

The pool and the embayment relate to the waters edge. These create park spaces where people can relax and enjoy the area. I also worked a plan for an extension of the East Bank Esplanade into the plan. Creating connections is incredibly important.

floor plan COncepts

These concepts apply on the interior of the building as well. The building has a clear and deliberate plan, organized into two bars.

People move along these bars in the riffle.

This describes a somewhat fast paced movement as people move from one market stall to another. People can break off of the riffle into the markets stalls which function like a water eddy. These market stalls then become the embayment. One can also break off of the riffle and sit in bays on the Willamette side of the building. These spaces are the literal translation of the pool. The cascade occurs where people can make a quick connection from Interstate Ave to the park space on the Willamette bank.

PDX Mixed Use These concepts apply on the interior of the building as well. The building has a clear and deliberate plan, organized into two bars.

People move along these bars in the riffle.

This describes a somewhat fast paced movement as people move from one market stall to another. People can break off of the riffle into the markets stalls which function like a water eddy. These market stalls then become the embayment. One can also break off of the riffle and sit in bays on the Willamette side of the building. These spaces are the literal translation of the pool. The cascade occurs where people can make a quick connection from Interstate Ave to the park space on the Willamette bank.