Benjamin Kunz Architecture Portfolio _____________________ 2018 2019
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Benjamin Kunz 402.429.3946 | BenjaminJ.Kunz@gmail.com
Seeking a career in the field of Architecture and Real Estate Development.
EDUCATION
University of Nebraska - Lincoln - Master in Architecture with Real Estate Interest, Top of Class - GPA: 3.939 - B.S.D. in Architecture with Business Minor, Top of Class, High Distinction GPA: 3.934 Atelier La Juntana - Liencres Cantabria Spain - Workshop in Making Chongqing University - Chongqing China - Urban Planning Exchange VanEd Real Estate School - Nebraska - Real Estate Salesperson Training
EXPERIENCE
Real Estated Developer/Founder, Atomic Building Laboratory; Lincoln, NE – 2019-Present Coordinating development teams and investors for construction of new and retrofitted developments. Architectural Intern, HDR Architecture; Omaha, NE – 2018 Part of a team developing graphics, schematic design, and CDs for large projects. Architectural Intern, Holland Basham Architects; Omaha, NE – 2017 Part of a team developing graphics and schematic design for small to mid projects. Teaching Assistant; Lincoln, NE – 2016-Present Assisting in the teaching functions of Studio, Urbanism, Design History and CNC Milling. Co-Owner/Operator, Vintage Audio DJ and MC Services; Lincoln, NE – 2013-Present Co-owning and operating the business DJing wedding receptions. Laborer, Rockenbach Remodeling and Custom Homes; Eagle, NE – 2016 Working on residential construction in masonry, finish, with emphasis on carpentry. Facilities Manager, University Lutheran Chapel; Lincoln, NE – 2014-2016 Janitorial, maintenance, and security duties, as well as facilities coordination. Laborer, Stohl Grading Inc.; Lincoln, NE – 2012-2015 Operating and maintaining hand tools and machinery for grading and planting. Laborer, Cheever Construction; Lincoln, NE – 2014 Working in teams to accomplish deconstruction as well as construction and remodeling. Reading construction documents for task assignments and instruction.
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AWARDS
Harry F. Cunningham Thesis Bronze Medal Finalist - 2019 Henry Adams Medal for M.Arch Top Student - 2019 SARA New York Design Award of Excellence - 2018 W. Cecil Steward Sustainable Architecture Scholarship - 2018 SARA National Design Award of Excellence - 2017 AIA Nebraska Architectural Honor Award for Unbuilt Architecture - 2017 SGH/Dri-Design UNL Comprehensive Studio Competition Winner - 2017 UNL PAC Architecture Runner-Up - 2017 HDR Gary Spring Memorial Scholarship Runner-Up - 2016, 2017, 2018 Dr. Thomas & Mij Laging Architectural Drawing Fellowship - 2017 Dana and DLR Professional Scholars Fellowship - 2014, 2015, 2017 Dean’s List - 2013-2017 AIA Nebraska Architectural Excellence Award - 2016 UNL Regents Scholarship - 2013-2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial Kiosk Competition UNL Nominee - 2015
LEADERSHIP
Tau Sigma Delta President - 2017-2018 AIAS Professional Mentorship and Freedom by Design Directors 2017-2018 Student Design Review Critiquer - 2016-Present Student Advisory Board Member - 2017-2018 Visiting Faculty Student Ambassador - 2017-Present University Lutheran Chapel RSO and Congregation President - 2015-2016 University Lutheran Chapel Freshman Night Bible Study Leader - 2014-2016
SKILL SETS
Proficient in Rhinoceros 5, Grasshopper, SketchUp, VRay Adobe CC: Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, and InDesign. Experience in Revit, AutoCAD, Maxwell, and 3DS Max Design. Ability in real estate, hand drafting, perspective drawing, sketching, physical modeling, laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, and woodworking.
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in progress
MASTERS THESIS: ARCHITECTURE IN NEOLIBERALISM United States Thesis Advisor: Marc Maxey Neoliberalism, as a form of capitalism that redistributes wealth to existing accumulations of money, has reorganized our society around market relations resulting in extreme inequality. Architecture has been both captive and complicit in this process because it relies on the largess of its clients who benefit most from the process of neoliberalization. We must dissolve the dogma of architectural practice, and become free entrepreneurial operators in a neoliberal society with architecture as a core skill set, able to operate on risk and its dimensions of time, space, and money without the servitude to our risk ordered professional relationships in order to deploy active forms that dismantle neoliberalism from within. 4
The thesis explores new selfinitiated models of architectural practice involving the role of developer, financier, and builder that constitute greater agency than the standard client service model as a point of departure to devise a series of projects representing deployable active forms that drive wedges in the cracks of neoliberalism. The project aims to contribute to an architecture of and against neoliberalism amongst an interdisciplinary resistance.
Client CM
Arch
Consults
Property Manager Financier Operator Real Estate
Polotics
Client
Neoliberal Supplier Architect CM
Software
Consults
Subs Consumer
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The first project in the series, Aptdivision, is a 1960s 20-unit apartment building. While an investor would update and raise the rents, an architect-financier seeking to furnish the working class with more agency may purchase the property and sell it back to the renters via mortgages that maintain rates similar to the affordable rents. The resulting mortgage ceiling allows for sizable renovations commissioned to the architect which minimize cost by structurally saddling the existing massing with SIPs to add verticality. Air Rights in the parking court are retained by the architect who builds two new elevated units. The project engages affordability and inequality through asset transfer and ownership by taking advantage of low rents that undervalue the property in NOI valuations. It exploits this opportunity by enhancing the quality of the dwellings for its residents while offering them long term stability secured by debt. The renovations rebrand the ugly slip-in as an urban potential and similar projects would begin to seep across the neighborhood. Liberating numerous renters and transforming a neighborhood “blighted� by previously unwelcomed infill.
architecture in neoliberalism 7
architecture in neoliberalism
The QuonsetHouse project employs the sweat equity of future residents and the quonset hut building system on an infill site in the Lincoln Near South neighborhood. Invented during world war two the quonset hut is now commonly a cheap agricultural building shipped as a DIY kit. It can be assembled with only a wrench, ladder, rope and hooks. Arches are bolted together on the ground, hoisted in place, and then secured to the previous arch. The system has a clear span allowing for flexibility on the end walls but the most successful strategies avoid penetrating the structural shell. This 800 sqft prototype, through the use of the quonset and resident sweat equity, costs approximately $112 per square foot compared to the Lincoln going rate of around $200 per square foot for new homes and includes architectural consultation most home buyers never receive. To mitigate the cost of the lot, the home is small enough to be built at the back of the site under the designation of ADU. Building the ADU first brings up many gray areas in the city code regarding them. In this ambiguity the project has the potential to open up leftover space in the city to more widespread, affordable ADU homes with a more liberal consideration for property division and ownership.
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architecture in neoliberalism
architecture in neoliberalism
The WareHouse experiment seeks to exploit the ubiquitous big box construction system to deliver affordable modern homes. It offers the most difficult spaces such as kitchen, bathroom, structure and shell. Residents are encouraged to fill out the void spaces as needed. To achieve the budgetary advantages of the big box system, the project hacks the subdivision development process to scale up individual houses to a spec neighborhood. An architect contractor could offer for sale affordable new modern homes every 250’ for around $100,000. Once the small homes become more commonplace, they could be deployed at denser rates to help pay for new types of shared suburban community spaces. When the architect takes on more roles, projects can be born of self-initiative and allows the architects to select the site of progressive change they wish to pursue, revaluing our role in the city.
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2017|spring
INTERSTITIAL HOPE wyuka cemetery_lincoln, ne Contributors: Ben Kunz Mallory Lane This project was for the 4th year comprehensive studio. The studio brief included 5,000 sf of funeral chapel and columbarium. The project strives to negotiate the stages of grief in the mourners’ journey through a series of spaces.
Awards: SARA New York Excellence SARA National Excellence AIA NE Honor UNL PAC Runner-Up SGH/Dri-Design Top Prize
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“Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels it finds the darkness has always been there first. And it is waiting for it.� - Te r r y P r a t c h e t t
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WYUKA CEMETERY, LINCOLN, NE
E
TUNNEL
BRIDG
The mourners approach the chapel from the parking lot at first through the bridge and then through the tunnel. The bridge reflects current perceptions: feeling of living above the dead, vulnerability, and closeness. The tunnel reflects changing perceptions: feeling of no escape, sinking into the ground, burying oneself.
BODY BODY
DEATH
LIGHT
SEPARA
DARK MOURNERS
MOURN
BODY MOURNERS
PROJECT GOAL The design strives to portray the emotions of the grieving process while revealing the reality that our perceptions of death are different from what we have been led to believe. The paradox of burying the dead in the darkness while we assure ourselves they are in a better place, and a mysterious place of which we are uncertain of but feel the presence of the existence. The project goal is to change the perception of death and the grieving process through a linear progression as a sequence of the narrative of a better place.
TION ERS
RECONCILIATION
Parkin g
Home
Entr anc e
of the
Friend
less
Location: Home of the Friendless Assets: Located near center of site Trees + wind - experiential progression Nearness to graves=feeling of vulnerability Constraints: Located near graves.
Possibilities: Approxim Eight gra Take out
Step 01: Linear Progression Create a linear path through the site reflecting grieving process.
Step 02: Rotate Rotating the building so the sun is hitting one end with direct light in the morning, when funerals typically occur, and blocking sun on the opposite end.
Step 03: Split Splitting one of t three sta tion, and
Step 04: Lift Lift the Columbarium and Crypt Chamber to reach closest to the heavens.
Step 05: Circulate and Separate Dividing the building sectionally from above and below ground. Body move above ground “In a better place,� mourners process below ground.
Step 06: Acces Access t mourner final mo during th
O St
interstitial hope
reet
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and focusing on ch building. The Death, Separa-
The first phase of the grieving process is denial. The nave is a space to face that. Not only do mourners sink into the earth in the tunnel and further in the slate pews, but they are confronted with the inaccessible silhouette of the coffin above in the light.
DEATH|THE NAVE
THE BRIDGE
interstitial hope
|
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interstitial hope
The middle phases of grief are anger, bargaining, and depression. The reception hall is a space for dealing with this realization of separation. The body moves along with the mourners, but yet inaccessibly above them, in the light. Looking up, mourners recognize this as the setting of the wake they attended the day before, illustrating the abruptness of the dead’s liberation. The grieving room allows for solitary grieving and reflection while the reception room provides for social grieving space and story telling.
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Home
Entr anc e
Entr anc e
O St
O St
reet
reet
Home of the FriendlessPossibilities: Possibilities: Step 01: Linear Progression Step 01: Linear Progression site ts: Located near center of site Approximately 23,800 sq ft. Approximately 23,800 sq ft. Create a linear path through the site reflecting Create a linear path through the site reflecting progression Trees + wind - experientialEight progression graves within site Eight graves within site grieving process. grieving process. ngNearness of vulnerability to graves=feeling Take of vulnerability out the paved road Take out the paved road es. straints: Located near graves.
23,800 sq. ft.
23,800 sq. ft.
tate Step 03: Split Step 03: Split Step 04: Lift Step 04: Lift ating un is hitting the building one so the sun is hitting Splitting theone building into three, Splitting and the focusing building on into three, and on the Chamber Columbarium Lift focusing the Columbarium and Lift Crypt to and Crypt Chamber to ing, withwhen directfunerlight in the morning, funeronewhen of the stages of grief inone each of the building. stages The of grief in each building. The reach closest to the heavens. reach closest to the heavens. ing ypically sun on occur, the and blocking sun on the stagesSeparawe focused on are Death, Separathree stages we focused onthree are Death, osite end. tion, and Reconciliation. tion, and Reconciliation. Death Separate ReconcileDeath Separate Reconcile Nave
Reception ColumbariumNave
Reception Columbarium
interstitial hope
Grieving Step 07: Reflection GardensStep 07: Reflection Gardens rculate and Separate Step 06: Access and Lifelong Step 06: Access and Lifelong Grieving lly from ding the above building sectionally from to above Access the middle building above given to building above Access to is the middle given Thereisare fourtoreflection gardens, twofour on reflection each There are gardens, two on each ebelow aboveground. ground Body move mourners above ground the evening before at the the wake, the before atside. mourners evening the The wake, thegarden gives initial a smaller walkway side. The initial garden gives a smaller walkway below mourners final aprocess better place,� process belowtogether with moments themoments body. Access final together with thewith body. Access trees closer together, with giving shadow trees closerand together, giving shadow and nd. during the morning of the funeral is primarily during the morningaof the funeral is primarily reflecting the a moment of dark separation. The reflecting the moment of dark separation. The
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of the
F
Location: Home of the Friendless Location: Home of the FriendlessPossibilities: Possibilities: Step 01: Linear Progression Step 01: Linear Assets: Located near centerAssets: of siteLocated near center of site Approximately 23,800 sq ft. Approximately 23,800 sq ft. Create a Create a linear path through the site Trees + wind - experiential progression Trees + wind - experientialEight progression graves within site Eight graves within site grieving grieving process. Nearness to graves=feeling Nearness of vulnerability to graves=feeling Take of vulnerability out the paved road Take out the paved road Constraints: Located near graves. Constraints: Located near graves.
23,800 sq. ft.
23,800 sq. ft.
Step 02: Rotate Step 02: Rotate Step 03: Split Step 03: Split Step 04: Lift Step 04: Lift Rotating the building so the Rotating sun is hitting the building one so the sun is hitting Splitting theone building into three, Splitting and the focusing building on into three, and focusing on Lift the Columbarium and Lift Crypt the C end with direct light in the morning, end withwhen directfunerlight in the morning, onewhen of thefunerstages of grief inone each of building. the stages The of grief in each building. The reach closest to the heavens. reach cl als typically occur, and blocking als typically sun on occur, the and blocking sun on the three stages we focused onthree are Death, stagesSeparawe focused on are Death, Separaopposite end. opposite end. tion, and Reconciliation. tion, and Reconciliation. Death Separate ReconcileDeath Separate Reconcile Nave
Reception ColumbariumNave
Reception Columbarium
Step 05: Circulate and SeparateStep 06: Access and Lifelong Step 05: Circulate and Separate Step Grieving 06: Access and Lifelong Grieving Step 07: Reflection GardensStep 07: Reflec Dividing the building sectionally Dividingfrom the above building sectionally from toabove Access to isthe middle given Access the middle building above given to building above There ar There isare fourtoreflection gardens, tw and below ground. Body move and below aboveground. ground Body movemourners above ground mourners the evening the The wake, thegarden givesside. the evening before at the wake, the before atside. The initial a small “In a better place,” mourners “In aprocess better place,” below mourners final process belowtogether with final together with the body. Access moments themoments body. Access tree with trees closer together, with giving sh ground. ground. during the morninga of the funeral is primarily during the morning of the funeral is primarily reflecting reflecting the a moment of dark sepa tunnel from the parking lot. tunnel from the parking lot. second garden given moresecond light o reflecting reflecting the peaceful place the b
interstitial hope
1.
1.
3. 2.
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2.
3.
RECONCILIATION|THE COLUMBARIUM
interstitial hope
The last phase of the grieving process is acceptance. The columbarium and crypts are a space for reconciliation. The mourners can now access the dead via ascension. The mourner is introduced to the new routine before descending back to adjusted life outside, without the dead.
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RED ED ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE SCALE SCALE1”1”= =1’0” 1’0”
2
7
8
9
6 7 SCALE 1” = 1’0” 1 1
2 2
10
11
10
9
8 3 3
12
5 5
4 4
14
13
11 6 6
12 7 7
15
14
13 8 8
10 10
9 9
A A
LevelLevel 4 4 24' - 0" 24' - 0"
Level 4 6 12' - 0"
B B
J9 J9 A-501 A-501
J1 A-502
C C
D D
E E
G2 G2 A-501 A-501
LEVEL Level33 6
12' - 0"
F F
G G LevelLevel 1 1 -8' - 0" -8' - 0"
I
I
J J
interstitial hope
H H
Level 1 6 12' - 0"
Exterior Exterior Wall Section Wall Section 1 1
J7 Interior Wall Section 1” = 1’-0” J7
1 22 1
Interior Wall Section 7 1" = 1'-0"
3 3
J2 J2 A-501 A-501
8
2 2
4 4
3 3
9
5 5
4 4
10
J6 Exterior J6 Exterior Wall Wall Section Section 1 1 1" = 1'-0" 1" = 1'-0" J6 J6 1” =1”1’-0” = 1’-0” 5 5 6 6
6 6 11
7 7 12
7 7
8 813
8 8
9 914
9 9
10 15 10
10 10
1
The feelings of these spaces are characterized by their details. The fabric shrouded body corridor glows from skylights down its center and allowing the body silhouette to be projected (left). In the grieving room, isolation is enhanced by a dim sliver of light falling from the body’s space above (left). The sloped walls separate mourners further from the glowing fabric shroud (middle). Fabric shrouds conspire with fritted glass to create mysterious light and shadow implying a volume between that is unseen, coalescing into a space of interstitial hope hope. Summing the aspirations of many a mourner: belief in the implied but unseen. 2.5" T Steel Mullion
Glazing 1/4" Steel Bar 1/4" Steel Angle Frame
Tensioned Fabric
4' Ballast
1/4" Steel Bar 1/4" Steel Angle Frame Tensioned Fabric
Metal Framed Standoff
Rubber Gasket Steel Mullion 1"x4" Nailer Metal Flashing
Metal Stud Framing
Concrete Foundation Wall Rigid Foam Insulation
3/4" Rock Board
Slate Veneer
interstitial hope
Section Detail-Window Base G2 3” = 1’-0”
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2017|fall
FUTURE FARMERS INSTITUTE shapingba_chonqing, china Contributors: Ben Kunz Yao Yao Andrew Chase Diane Nguyen Christian Pierrottet The Future Farmers Institute Headquarters is proposed as the anchor tower of a new redevelopment of a 40 hectare site in Chongqing, China. The redevelopment occurs on an existing farming village, though instead of displacing the farming activities it upgrades them. Integrated in the development is a new high tech vertical farming and urine recycling system that the farmers will be trained on. The headquarters takes advantage of this proximity and is focused on the development of further urban farming technologies. 24
The existing site includes an urban farming village, abandoned factories, and illegal, impromptu worker housing. The redevelopment proposes upgrading these functions in addition significant program.
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The headquarters is located in the commercial center of the development. The commercial center is located at the nexus of several view paths from major roads. It contains two office towers, hotel, and a terraced underground mall. The terraced mall observes the green infrastructure in the valley below.
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future farmers institute
The 30 floor headquarters incorporates several programs. Above the lobby are the company’s R & D labs. Above the labs is a business incubator meant to spur supporting industries and speculative office space above for growing companies to move into. At the top of the tower is the company’s headquarters office. The company’s public outreach program ties into the mall below with the exhibition garden. Connected by a direct elevator, the observation deck and tasting venue exhibit the culinary result of the vertical farming and shows the technology at work in the development below. Through the center of the tower an atrium allows for communication between floors as well as natural ventilation and cooling. On the exterior, a double skin facade helps ventilate the building and keeps the building sufficiently warm in Chongqing’s mild cool season.
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VENTILATION: NATURAL AIR IS BROUGHT IN ALONG THE DRAINAGE CORRIDOR, DRAWN THROUGH A COOLING TUNNEL AND EXHAUSTED UP THROUGH THE ATRIUM.
LEVEL 30
EXHIBITION SPACE TASTING VENUE BOARD ROOM
LEVEL 29
MECHANICAL
SOLAR
DEFLECTION: SOLAR RADIATION IS DEFLECTED INSIDE THE CURTAIN WALL BY PHOTO VOLTAIC LOUVERS PRODUCING ELECTRICITY AND KNOCKING DOWN HEAT GAIN ON THE INTERIOR. HOT AIR IS EXHAUSTED OUT OF THE WALL CAVITY.
LEVEL 24-28
CORPORATE HQ
LEVEL 17-23 SPEC. OFFICE
RAINWATER CAPTURE:
RAIN WATER IS CAPTURED OFF OF THE ROOF AND STORED FOR GREY WATER USE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
LEVEL 12-16
BUSINESS INCUBATOR
LEVEL 17-23 MECHANICAL
LEVEL 17-23
GROWING LABS R & D OFFICES LECTURE HALL
LEVEL (01)-00 BUSINESS LOBBY EXHIBITION GARDEN
LEVEL (04)-(02) RETAIL MALL
LEVEL (07)-(05) RETAIL MALL PARKING
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2017|summer
IRONWORKS FLATTS haymarket_lincoln, ne Contributors: Ben Kunz Brian Akert Tom Zuk Ironworks Flatts draws from a rich history of activity in downtown Lincoln. Originally the site of the Seaton and Lea Ironworks building. The Lincoln branch of the Kansas company was built in 1881 and produced many of the remaining cast iron storefronts still in use in the city. The current building was used as a shipping warehouse most recently by Sullivan’s Transfer Co. still painted on the side. The new flatts renovation widens window openings within a deep metal frame in response to the ironworks history, and continues the language of painted brick and vertical signage along the street.
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ironworks flatts
In addition to the existing building renovations, a penthouse suite addition was proposed. It looks over haymarket activity with large windows and two roof decks all under a contemporary shed roof. The addition is shaped by the haymarket design guidelines.
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C
DN
KITCHEN
KITCHEN
BATH
UP
LIVING
BED
UNIT A
EXISTING SHAFT
DINING COATS
MECH.
MECH.
W/D
DINING
800 SQ FT
COATS
DROP ZONE
UNIT C
1715 SQ FT LIVING
DROP ZONE
MECH.
BATH
UNIT B
BED BATH DROP ZONE
W
BED
PANTRY
SU LLIVA N BUI LDIN G
RESIDENT DECK
RESIDENT LOUNGE
KITCHEN
DINING
800 SQ FT
530 SQ FT
8'
LIVING
D
BATH
0' 2' 4'
1185 SQ FT
W
D
UNIT LAYOUT
UP
COATS
BED
BED
DN
UNIT LAYO
DN UP
16'
CURRENT LAYO 4-5 FLOOR 520 0-2 0 1 BA 0 BA
LEASEABLE (MAGGIE'S)
BATH
SALS-2017\P17088 SULLIVAN AND KINER BUILDING - LINCOLN, NE - APARTMENTS.CONDOS\DESIGN\P17088-2017-05-31 UNIT LAYOUT.DWG
PLO
DN UP
ironworks flatts
BAR PATIO BELOW
BAR ENTRY
PROPOSED LAY 3 UN FLOOR 800 1-2 1-2 0-1
LEASEABLE (3 DAUGHTERS BOUTIQUE)
2025 SQ FT
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2015|fall
YOGA STUDIO woods park_lincoln, ne Contributors: Ben Kunz Diane Nguyen The yoga studio focuses on yoga as a practice that should be protected, humble, and secluded. It is located in Woods Park near 33rd and “O” st. The studio is protected by a heavy wrapped concrete facade towards “O” st. The studio expresses humility to the yoga participant by bringing them down a ramp into the studio space, and compressing the space with the ceiling plane. Practice is kept secluded by the studio facade system which privileges the participants and blocks views from pedestrians.
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PROTECTION
HUMILITY
SECLUSION
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The building’s facade responds to its surroundings in relation to the program. On the north a heavy concrete facade protects against the bustling “O� st. To the South, a delicate louver system secludes the studio from pedestrians in the park.
yoga studio 37
Inside, reception, changing rooms, and restrooms are tucked into the Protective concrete portion of the building. Moving down a ramp meant to express humility in the patrons, one enters the studio which is secluded by a louver system that allows peaceful views of the park but not prying eyes of passersby.
A
yoga studio
B
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2016|spring
VAST PLAINS corn field_beaver crossing, ne Contributors: Ben Kunz Mallory Lane The Vast Plains interactive museum is situated near Interstate 80 on the edge of the High Plains Aquifer. After driving through miles of dry landscape, there is something compelling about a change: water. The project strives to educate travelers on the complexities of the vastness they are traveling through. Patrons gain awareness of how the High Plains Aquifer, plants, and sunlight interact in the landscape through which they are traveling. This experience reframes what they observe on the plains. Additionally, the project explores production methods that conserve aquifer reserves.
Awards: REDtalk Candidate
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S L A The High Plains Aquifer is the largest groundwater system in North America and supports $20 billion in food and fiber production or 20% of the nations production. Yet it is declining in depth at an average of 10 feet per year since 1940. 90% of these withdrawals are in support of the same industries. Given this scenario, changes must be made in the region’s production methods.
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318 462nd Beaver Crossing, NE 68313
The project is located five minutes south of the interstate in order to expose more visitors to the projects efforts as they drive over the landscape in question.
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title
As the visitors approach the project they must walk through the access road of a corn field center pivot. As they enter the move down a ramp which exposes to them layers of soil. Upon entering they place their food order in the reception area featuring an active well pipe.
vast plains 45
Roof Level - 27’
Second Level - 11’
Ground Level - 0’ First Level - -5’
vast plains
Lower Level - -15’
Well Level - -47’
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As patrons wait for their food they are offered an interactive experience on the ground floor. Here they can see how the food grown in the field are processed into food. An eye level window just above the ground plane gives them a new perspective on the interaction of plants and the earth. When their food is ready they walk by the open kitchen and see the transformation of food in action. Additionally they are confronted with an all glass canopy exposing the vastness of the Midwestern sky.
title
47
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The dining area offers a menu featuring corn and soybean products and is in a modified irrigation span that rotates daily. Dining visitors observe the growing environment while experimental irrigation methods are exhibited including drip line nozzles and shading films stretched to a trailing, otherwise retired, pivot system.
A
SOYBEANS
N N U A L R O
0.078 mph 0.067 mph
TA TI
0.055 mph
O N
0.044 mph
0.034 mph
0.023 mph
FIELD CORN 0.011 mph
OP
EN
HO
UR
S
vast plains 49
2016|fall
OVERLOOK VILLAGE boys town_omaha, ne Contributors: Ben Kunz Melissa Petersen Jacob Trail Ann Zellner Amina Cheikh Overlook Village puts emphasis on healthy lifestyles by promoting alternative modes of transportation, facilitating community cooperation, and community farming. Its language is built off of a farm vernacular base and is organized as a township (development), sections (block) and barnyards (home groups). The project also scaled down to a single family home designed in the spirit of the development.
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING
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ROW HOUSING
ADAPTED BUSINESS INCUBATOR
BUSINESS CENTER
MIXED USE CENTER
Overlook Village is organized around community farming at several hierarchies. At the center of the entire township is a mixed use area with several plazas for community events and farmers markets. It is surrounded by several densities of housing, a business center, and repurposed farm buildings as a business incubator. Circulation blocks are kept small to promote walkability. In the residential areas where the blocks get larger, paths cut through to keep the walking block small.
ROW HOUSING
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING
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The residential areas of Overlook Village are organized in sections around shared farming infrastructure including a water tower, and a barn for storage, produce cleaning, and gathering hall above. Connecting between them is gardening areas with productive hedge rows shading circulation paths.
overlook village
The barnyards within the sections consist of five homes each. These are organized around a social yard. Cars are left on the street in parking structures with the exception of garages in the elderly housing at the street side. Behind each house are personal kitchen gardenns and a shared market garden beyond.
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title
The homes are built to target specific demographics. The elderly housing emphasizes entertaining space for family gatherings, limits bedrooms in the absence of children, and is built to ADA standards. Due to the community farming focus, each home is equipped with a rear mud room entrance directly connected to the kitchen.
overlook village 57
title
BUILT WORK
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Built Work
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Benjamin Kunz
Architecture Portfolio|2019 Portfolio|2018