architecture portfolio
benjamin thomas schmitz
Iowa State University Ames, Iowa
of Architecture
and cultural heritage minor
laude (3.59 GPA)
Teaching Professor, Architecture at Iowa State University
Email: aiyanalu@iastate.edu Associate Teaching Professor, Architecture at Iowa State University
Email: mikesch@iastate.edu
515.294.8786
of
Principle Architect, bnim
Email: rodk@iastate.edu
I’m a 5th-year architecture student at Iowa State University, minoring in Historic Preservation. I’m passionate about preserving historic buildings and finding ways to connect the past with the present through thoughtful design. I’ve gained experience with 3D modeling, site analysis, and detail drawings, and I’m excited to use these skills to help protect and revitalize historic architecture for future generations.
Experience
CMBA Architects - Intern Architect Spencer, Iowa
Assisted in high school renovation project, developed 3D model iterations for planning and analysis based off 3D scans.
Iowa State University - Intern Architect Facilities Planning & Management Ames, Iowa
Redesigned and Organized detail drawings and plans to improve clarity for new construction projects. Created 3D models, and conducted site visits to gather and document data.
Phone: 712-330-8960
Email: 20bschmitz@gmail.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-schmitz-548203241
el centro de soberania maritima
a campus for tropical futurisms of resistance
fall ‘24 instructors: cruz garcia / natathlie frankowski
arch 403
puerto rico has long suffered at the hands of settler colonialism , the United States, invading and seeking to claim the land and remove its people for generations. The US has control over the archipelago, its industry, its government, its electrical grid.
the jones act , implemented by the United States in the 1920s controls puerto rico’s waters . It terminates puerto rico’s ability to participate in the global market, which has hinders its economy. the jones act left millions on the island without food or water for weeks as it slows goods down in times of natural disaster, such as hurricane maria in 2017. cabotage laws like the jones act are the source of struggle in puerto rico , it is why so many flee the island every year, it is why those on the island are losing homes and beaches to US corporations and the wealthy.
the center for maritime sovereignty is located within the ruins of roosevelt roads on the east coast of puerto rico . designed as a hub for education, discourse, and activism surrounding maritime laws such as the jones act . this space serves as a forum where the community can strategize and advocate for the abolition of colonial laws . it reclaims maritime infrastructure by taking a symbol for imperialist colonialism , shipping containers , and shrouding it with cotton fabric woven using the same techniques tainos used to create fishing nets and small sails as a symbol of resistance.
as stagnate as the metal that lay on the port... full of food yet starved to sickness... anxiously waiting each others arrival...
the united states has maintained control over puerto rico through more ways than cabotage laws
through the industrialization of pharmaceutical companies the united states has taken and polluted the land and water of the island.
during the world war II the united states military occupied puerto rico using its land to test bombs, destroying the land, killing civilians and raising the level of toxic chemicals in the area. the list goes on.....
the jones act and cabotage laws
the military occupation of puerto rico
Imperialist composition in total
discourse continues across the grounds where tents allow people to gather
the interior of the civic center focuses discussion education and advocacy
at the heart of this collaboration is an archive with a repository of materials regarding the historic, economic and social impacts of maritime law and colonial policy. community dialogue is held within workshop and round table spaces
upstairs space for individual research resides as well as a mezzanine for engagement between the spaces
these tents use the same vernacular as the building with its fabric stretched between crane booms that once moved shipping containers
the outdoor spaces provide collaboration amongst other disciplines on the campus who address different issues
Mezzanine level / individual research space Archive
design for community life
spring ‘24 instructors : matilde mellini / lavinia ann minciacchi / consuelo nunez ciuffa
collaborators : morgan schofield / thomas anderson arch 402
san lorenzo started as a neighborhood for the working class . eventually san lorenzo became home to many students and has stayed this way. this has created a lot of pride throughout the community .
the project site is located in the southern part of san lorenzo next to t he aurelian wall , along with the sepolcro di largo talamo . both hold significant historic value north of our site is a long bar building with a traditional roman facade , which follows the longitudinal slope. currently, there is a significant challenge with gentrification in the neighborhood and near the site. buildings that are designed for the upper class and are isolated from the rest of the neighborhood.
san lorenzo only has one piazza, piazza dell immacolata, which is located near the school, church and market. near the site the sidewalks are small, roads are busy and there are little to no public spaces for the people of san lorenzo and housing contributes to this.
R IFT originates from the lack of public space in the san lorenzo neighborhood . to address this issue, two bar masses are introduced, shaping three distinct outdoor spaces that connect to separate parts of the neighborhood.
t he two masses function as filters and thresholds for the public domain , enabling a seamless transition through the site. parts of the ground plane are modified to establish hierarchy and distinction among the three spaces.
between the masses, the topography is flattened, transitioning into a grassy slope, while the existing slopes on the outer edges of the site are preserved. this approach creates two distinct “ground floors.”
circulation diagram
permeability diagram
2nd floor plan
WINNOW
low / max housing
spring ‘23 instructors : ayo iyanalu / rod kruse
collaborators : gabriella saholt arch 302
WINNOW is an affordable housing project designed to address food insecurity through urban farming while fostering a strong connection to nature and community in an urban environment. The transportation of food into cities contributes significantly to pollution and creates a disconnect from the sources of our food. By introducing an urban farm , this project aims to bridge that gap and enhance access to fresh produce for the surrounding community.
While urban farms are not a new concept, WINNOW stands out by integrating growing spaces directly into the living environment. Each residential unit includes a personal greenhouse , allowing residents to grow and harvest their own food while benefiting from the biophilic advantages of being surrounded by plants. This approach shapes the Southern facade, featuring lush greenery and balconies.
The design provides opportunities to cultivate food both within private units and for the community, with a food pantry located on the main level. This pantry offers fresh produce grown in the rooftop greenhouse and the outdoor urban farm, creating a self-sustaining system that prioritizes accessibility and sustainability.
The site is located in Des Moines, Iowa, just north of the Papa John Sculpture Park and the landmark Krause Gateway Center. To the west lies the Hoyt Sherman Performance Center, a key cultural attraction in the community. Positioned between these prominent nodes of Des Moines, the project aims to strengthen the connection along the green promenade extending from downtown and encourage greater activity in the area.
The northwest corner of the site is intersected by multiple bus routes, making it a key point of entry for visitors and residents alike. On the northern edge, the site faces a six-story parking garage connected to the hospital, raising considerations for how to ensure privacy within interior spaces.
rooftop greenhouse + class cores
site
Building on the concepts of filtering and urban farming, the design incorporates four bioswales and an urban farm. The bioswales are strategically placed to filter and absorb runoff from the northern edge, the urban farm, and the rest of the site, channeling it to the lowest elevation in the southeastern corner. The urban farm contributes to the food pantry while also offering educational opportunities for the community.
During the winter months, the outdoor plots are re-purposed to grow animal feed for local farmers, promoting soil health through crop rotation and ensuring the land remains active year-round.
The southern end of the site functions as an outdoor food hub, providing a space for community events and gatherings. This area features parking for food trucks, seating, and greenspace, creating opportunities for leisure and for enjoying the harvest from the farm.
physical model
