Blake John Solberg Works Collected by Blake Solberg

Works Collected

Architectural Portfolio Blake John Solberg

Works Collected

Architectural Portfolio Blake John Solberg

Sketch of Corinthian Column at Ephesus

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Table of Contents

00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

Introduction 06-07

An Introduction to Blake John Solberg

Creating Inuk 08-13

A New Welcoming Center in Greenland

Route 66 Museum 14-17 Springfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Route 66 Museum

Springfield 2040 18-23

A New Vision for Midtown Springfield

Mayim Temple 24-29 A Synagogue Built to Give Back

Wootopia. Durban 30-35

Timber Construction for All Social Classes

Timber in the City 36-41 A Diverse Gathering in New York City

Suqain Central Park 42-45 A Park that is the Family Room to the City

Table of Contents / 05

About Me â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always enjoy being in the company of someone who looks at things differently in order to reflect on whether what I see is actually real or not, or whether I can see something new.â&#x20AC;? Olafur Eliasson Over the past five years I have been honored with the ability to partake in many different opportunities that have enhanced my love and knowledge of architecture. From working at a small firm in Springfield, Missouri where I was able to step in right away and help design built projects. To working in China with two very impressive mentors, one a member of the Fellowship of AIA and the other whose previous employers where such firms as Bjarke Ingles Group and Herzog and de Meuron. Working at such a wide range has allowed for me to get a diverse background and exposure to the field of architecture that is not often seen in a recent graduate.

For me diversity is a necessary key to success within the architecture field. Without it architecture will never evolve or change. That moment of awe that we as architects aim to create, will never come to fruition. Whether that moment comes from the unique form created, the section developed, or the relationship the project has to its surrounding, approaching a project with the same regularity each time will only create similar results. As designers, I feel like we are obligated to create new and innovative projects that push the boundaries even in the smallest, most subtle ways. So as I enter the field I aim to find a firm that has the same beliefs as I do. A firm does not have their eyes solely on then paycheck but instead for what they can create or who they can help. A firm that aims high and does not settle for anything less than their best, and works together to get there. In the end, it is so much easier to work and be motivated when you know the person next to you is working towards the same goal.

Contact Information Blake John Solberg Minnesota Address 1400 29th St SE Buffalo, MN 55313 Email bsolberg@drury.edu Cell +1 612 710 8533

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Résumé Education

Drur y University class of 2016

Drur y Center in Greece spring 2014

Master of Architecture

Semester Abroad

Minor in Graphic Design

Aegina, Greece

Springfield, Missouri

Professional Experience

Awards + Recognition

Skills

Paragon Architecture intern

Mahlum Architects student intern

Springfield, Missouri

Seattle, Washington

Summer 2015 - current

Spring Break 2016

Arts Group intern

Murphy & Co. Design student intern

Suzhou, China

Buffalo, Minnesota

W inter 2015-2016

Summer 2013

Tau Sigma Delta Bronze Medal

Lecture at China Academy of Arts

Dean’s List

Three Time National Team; Diving

Dean’s Scholarship

Arts Group China Internship

Adobe suite; Photoshop, Illustrator, & InDesign Modeling; SketchUp, Revit, AutoCAD & Rhino Rendering; Kerkythea, Revit Cloud , Vray, & 3ds Max

Interest

Urban design

Cultural sensitive design

Community involvement

Graphic design

Conceptual design

Collaboration studios

Hand drawing

Drafting

Introduction / 07

Approaching the Port

A New Welcoming Center in Greenland Location: Nuuk, Greenland

Senior Thesis Project; a cultural sensitive approach to urban development in the arctic

Modeling Program: Rhino

Time: Spring 2016

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Greenland is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. The changing climate is causing drastic alteration to the culture, geography, and development of its cities. As a result of globalization and an increasing demand for commodities around the world, Greenlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s untouched land could offer potential for oil and mineral extraction needed to fill the fuel void. This potential for resource extraction will result in the development of urban areas within Greenland. Consequently, as these cities are developed the cultural traditions and demographics change as an increase in workers and tourist start to inhabit the land. New inhabitants bring new cultures and traditions, that differ from the existing, potentially resulting in conflict. Nuuk, Greenlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital city and cultural and economic hub of the nation will be the first to experience this change. In anticipation of the growth to come, Nuuk is increase its housing, shopping, and other amenities within the city. While doing this, citizens from

within Greenland are starting to call Nuuk a small Copenhagen. So the issue becomes; how does one create a project that promotes growth while also being sensitive to its location and culture. The result comes in the form of a space, rather than a building. What the city of Nuuk needs is a new port that allows for gathering of both locals and the visitors. This space becomes necessary to pull Nuuk back to nature and create a connection to it that is unique within Greenland. With spaces that offer different views and different ways to connect with the water, the Inuk Port creates the connection with nature that the city of Nuuk is so desperately missing. This project is an example of how development can be done in the Arctic in a way that is sensitive to what is there already, and helps improve the life of the citizens. The result is a cultural project that allows for the interaction, the connection, the collaboration, the observation, and the celebration of what is already there.

Creating Inuk / 09

Underwater Observation Area Conceptual Process

Catch anything today Bernice?

Typical Port The typical shape of a port in itself allows for interaction between people, but there are areas that do not allow for this to happen.

Singular Circulation Path Changing the path so that it has one circulation path will allow for more open interaction. This shape, however, leaves the port unprotected from powerful waves.

Unrolled Section of Port: Part 1 Works Collected / 10

Connection to Land and Creation of Path To allow for continuous circulation the form became a circle that starts out thin near the shore and grows as it reaches out to the sea. This change it width allows for more program to occur further out.

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150

Site Plan and Floor Plans

Water access While the circle is great, it has one flaw. No entry. To address this the circulation paths moves up and down. When one enters they are greeted visually with the Mother of the Sea statue that is located on the beach.

(T-B) Upper, Second, and First

Addition of Program Additional covered program is necessary for the port. This program will rise out of the path of the port, mimicking the varying terrain within Greenland.

Creating Inuk / 11

Cultural Impression Pulling from the context of Greenland, the entrances to the interior spaces jet out of the hillside. This is done to tie back to the houses jetting out of the hillsides.

Exploded Perspective

Construction Details

Roof top Spaces The ultimate goal is to create a path for the citizens to use to gather, talk, sell, and enjoy the nature around them. Keeping open space and a continuous path helps allow for this.

Glazing A mixture of channel glass, curtain walls, and thick plexi glass help give the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facade a continuous look that allows for the building to glow.

Structure A simple structure helps ensure the views out are not obstructed by a complex structural system.

Wood Floor Slabs To pull in richness and warmth from the surroundings, all floors that do not contact the outside or the ocean bottom are glulam structures.

Concrete Floor Slabs Concrete slab floors help give a rawness to the lowest levels that are directly above the port base.

Ground Impact To ensure as little impact on the ground as possible, the pathway starts small as it pulls out of the beach and the gets wider to allow for more program.

Interaction

Connection

Collaboration

Celebration

Observation

Reflection

Words and Experiences that Drove the Design

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Personal Reflection Space Small Building Sections

Fish Cleaning and Observation

Reflection, Education, and Boat Area

Creating Inuk / 13

Market, Observation, and Unloading

Unrolled Section of Port: Part 2

View from prairie land nearby

Springfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Route 66 Museum Location: Springfield, Missouri

Using the Location; a route 66 museum located on route 66

Modeling Program: SketchUp

Time: Fall 2013

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Located directly on the old Route 66 road sits a new museum that shows off the history of Route 66 and the cars that travel it. The goal of the project was to create a museum that showed off the history as well as promoted the future. As one drives down the refurbished Route 66 to enter the site you are greeted by an cantilevered part of the museum. The part of the museum is opened by large windows so the visitors inside can see as people come and go along Route 66. Once you arrive to the museum the building is made of concrete and black steel and the forms and windows pay tribute to the classic 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art deco style architecture. The lower two levels, representing the past, are parallel to Route 66 with the upper level perpendicular to the lower levels and facing towards the new interstate located adjacent to the site. At the center of all the levels is a large car elevator. This placement is done to treat the car as the center or the heart of the building. Without the cars that are going up and down the elevator the building will cease to exist.

Another portion of the program was a drive in theater. During the daytime the south window of the upper level looks as if it is a regular window, but when night falls the window glows as the thousands of LED lights act as the movie screen and a billboard for the adjacent interstate. As one makes their way through this Route 66 museum they start their journey on the road that started it all, they start it by entering on the Route 66 itself. Then as one make their way from the main entrance, with art deco style window and builds to the top flow that ends the visitors looking out onto the future of cross country traveling and the cars that they will be using. The museum gives the nostalgic visitor their moment to shine and reminisce, and then gives the future car junkie and moment to see how the car has evolved. From muscle cars to super cars, from routes to interstates, it all started with on Route 66.

Route 66 Museum / 15

Muscle Car vs Super Car Display

The Museum Glowing at Night

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South Building Elevation

Building Section AA

Building Section BB

Route 66 Museum / 17

View down the main corridor

A New Vision for Midtown Springfield Location: Springfield, Missouri

Community Studio; urban housing and neighborhood improvement development

Modeling Program: Revit

Time: Fall 2014

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This project is a part of a large city analysis that looked to the future and offered new ways to improve the city of Springfield, Missouri by the year 2040. My proposed project is a new meeting and social hub, within an up-and-coming area. The proposal is made up of six new building developments: apartments, mixed-use, rental space, and multi-family flats, along with space for commercial development. The main user groups that the proposal is focusing on are students, young professionals, and small families. The addition of commercial development, such as retail, restaurants, shopping, and convenience stores, will make the area more desirable for future and current area residents. The addition of retail will only work if it is supported by a higher population density in the area. This proposal would be built in phases to ensure that commercial spaces are developed in a correct manner to ensure their success. Booneville avenue, which is the street the project is located on, in its prime was a great connection road between central Springfield

and north Springfield. While its history is important to the city, over the years it has lost all the historic and symbolic significance it once had. With the development of the north Booneville site, the hope is to return Boonville Avenue to its formexr glory. Improving the atmosphere on the road will be done by continuing the vertical nature that is currently on the street with the governmental buildings being pushed up to the sidewalks and consisting on four plus floors. Filling the void that is currently on the proposed site will be assisted by new landscaping and streetscape improvements such as widening and changing the material of the sidewalks, adding more vegetation, and constructing buildings with new modern materials. The development will utilize the buildings to accentuate the movement around and through the site. Each building will be built to enhance the movement through the site and will be designed specifically for its location and context.

Springfield 2040 / 19

Target Audience

Families Springfield 2040 will add additional program to the area and allow for spaces for children to play and gather in an area that currently has little to offer in the recreational field. The increase in amenities will bring convince to the families that currently is not there. This lack of amenities is causing the neighborhood to be undesired.

Students

For students at the adjacent university housing option nearby are limited. They are forced to choose between living in a house or on campus, but no apartment options. Additionally, there are not any bars, restaurants or store located within walking distance, this proposal will help fill the void for retail, entertainment, and housing in the area.

Public Workers

100

Located near the site in the main government buildings and courthouse, but when someone comes from out of town for jury duty the closest hotel is miles away. Along with the government center, Assemblies of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters in directly adjacent to the site. The addition of retail and a hotel will help with lodging for visitors.

150

Site Plan

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Phase Six Multi-Family Flats

Entering the Main Plaza from Cox North Hospital

Springfield 2040 / 21

Phase Progression

In order for the proposal to work there needs to be an increase in density in the area. Phase one is an addition of an apartment building to the site. This will bring a larger population to the area to support the growth.

The current lot is a parking lot that is used mainly on Sundays for Assemblies of God members. The parking will be moved underground, and the addition of a mixed use building will bring the necessary retail space to the neighborhood, including an indoor gym for public use.

As the phases continue, an constant increase in density will need to occur. Phase four will be an apartment building with rooms from studios to three bedrooms. These rooms can be used by students and or faculty from the adjacent university.

To help make this space an attraction in the city, a new plaza with retail and residential spaces around will be added. In phase three another mixed use building will be added, and the form of the building will help with cross traffic and bringing people onto the plaza.

With the headquarters of Assemblies of God located directly next to the site, they constantly are having lectures and meetings. The issue is that there is no hotel within walking distance. The addition of a hotel and banquet hall will be a positive addition.

Finally to help create a smooth transition from the single family houses to the east of the site, to the larger public buildings around the rest of the site two story multifamily flats will be added. These will be three bedroom units, with one on the first floor and one on the second.

Phase One 76,800 sq. ft

Phase Two 43,700 sq. ft

Phase Three 30,800 sq. ft

Phase Four 25,200 sq. ft

Phase Five 47,000 sq. ft

Phase Six 36,500 sq. ft

Residential

Commercial

Community

Building Elevation looking West

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Total 260,000 sq. ft

Phase Four Apartment Building

Springfield 2040 / 23

View from adjacent bridge

A Synagogue Built to Give Back Location: Springfield, Missouri Modeling Program: SketchUp

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Comprehensive Studio; synagogue temple that focuses on the two parts to judaism; education and spiritual Time: Spring 2015

Mayim in Hebrew means water, and water plays a very important role in the Jewish religion. Water is intended to restore or maintain a state of ritual purity. Due to the connection Judaism has with water, water is seen throughout the synagogue, representing different things throughout. This can be seen with the water cascading down the walls outside the sanctuary spaces, to the reflection pond located in the main plaza space.

has low income, high poverty, and high school drop-out rates. Due to its location, the intellectual building is expanded to allow for the community to also use its spaces. The synagogue is also situated within close proximity to two universities and the main bus system for the city. The universities would have students come and offer tutor classes, resume builders, or other community improvement classes.

Within Judaism, both spiritual and intellectual growth is very important. Because of this, the Mayim Temple has spaces designated for both the spiritual and intellectual parts of Judaism. These spaces are separated to give respect to both. In the middle is a plaza space with a large reflection pond for the gathering and interaction of the different users on the site. Judaism has a strong connection to the community and giving back to it. The location of the project is near the downtown area of Springfield, Missouri. The area is known for having a population Mayim Temple / 25

Conceptual Process

Separation of spiritual and intellectual.

Gathering space between both areas of synagogue.

Addition of vehicular traffic and increased height in sanctuary.

Building Section BB

Building Section CC

Building Section AA

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Shifting sanctuary to face toward Jerusalem.

Star of David pattern and glazing throughout the building.

Site Plan

Floor Plan A

Key

1 sanctuary 2 reflection space 3 kitchen 4 mechanical 5 gathering space 6 bathroom 7 outdoor space 8 lobby 9 dining hall 10 office suite 11 library 12 classroom 13 lecture hall

Mayim Temple / 27

Inside the Sanctuary

Gathering Area Between the Two Buildings

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Exploded Perspective of Building Components

Mayim Temple / 29

View of Wootopia from the Street

Timber Construction for All Social Classes Location: Durban, South Africa

Team Members; Kanna Matsuo, Josh Ogren, Junye Zhou, Tai-an Yue, and Blake Solberg

Modeling Program: SketchUp/Rhino

Time: Fall 2015

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Creating an inhabitable urban forest with unique and affordable living options drove the ideas for Wootopia. Typically, people live in clusters based on social class and income, leading to repetitive building organizations in high rise apartments. Unique and personalized living spaces are non-existent when finding sustainable and affordable housing options, especially within the urban context. Wootopia presents a solution to these issues while adapting to the unique properties and limits of wood as the primary construction material. Rather than providing a typical housing system that fits people into repetitive units, Wootopia allows the living units to fit to the people for personalized living spaces. The main structure was conceptualized from the structure of trees as they support many branches of different shapes and sizes. Due to specific properties and limits of the material, we developed a systematic structure that allows for irregular and complex unit organizations, masking the repetitive nature of wood construction. The building’s primary

structure is supported by circular glulam columns at the ground floor that intersect with systematic floor plates. As spaces are organized on each floor, loads are distributed by different column placements that respond to the various types of living units. Essentially, it is an adaptable post-and-beam structure that diverts from repetitive floor arrangements. The site provides a unique location that allows for a monumental beacon for Durban. Located at a busy intersection, Wooptia supports public and private spaces in a delicate balance and separation. The ground floor plaza is open on all sides to invite life into the site for residents and non-residents alike. Café’s and commercial retail serve as the primary function while allowing the open space wood columns to be the primary experience. Although the building’s structure and spatial relationships are best articulated in the section perspective, these aspects are clearly defined from all views.

Wootopia. Durban / 31

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Site and Contextual Plan

Conceptual Diagram

Building Diagrams

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Commercial and Plaza Area

Section of Residential Area

Wootopia. Durban / 33

Overall Building Section

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Exploded

Constructed

Detail one

Detail two

Typical corner connection / The vertical wood column connects with metal joints. The metal joints sit on double-interlocked horizontal beams.

Typical interior column/beam connection / Metal plates join each other with bolted connections. This connection is used to join together the wood structure members.

Construction Details

Wootopia. Durban / 35

View from the Delancey Street

A Diverse Gathering in New York City Location: New York, New York Modeling Program: SketchUp

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Timber Construction; residential 200,000 sq. ft., Andy Warhol Museum 60,000 sq. ft., and Essex Street Market 40,000 sq. ft. Time: Fall 2015

The project site is in Manhattanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lower east side in the former Seward park urban redevelopment area. In 1967, New York City leveled 20 acres on the southern side of Delancey street and removed more than 1,800 low-income largely Puerto Rican families, with a promise that they would eventually return to new, low-income apartments. Along with Puerto Rican, the demographics of the area have become more diverse in the recent years, creating an interesting collection of stores and amenities. This diversity is amplified in the existing public market located near the site, which offers spaces for rent for locals. While this market is an asset to the community, it is often overlooked due to its disconnect to the street.

the direct path of the people on the site. As one makes their way to or from the subway they exit the station to the market, this creates a direct connection visually and physically to the market. Another important programmatic element is the Andy Warhol Museum. In a city such as New York, there is a strong connection to the arts and the way people view art. I decided to create a connection from the museum to the residential spaces, and the market, so instead of creating three separate spaces the program as a whole starts to work together. This diverse program brings together a diverse range of users on the site. Finally, I created the residential space in a way that increases the possibility for interaction between the different users of the site.

My project pulls from potential circulation through the site, and the possibility of further altering the path one uses to navigate through the site. Due to the current disconnect between the Essex Street Market and the public, I created a space that pulled the market to Timber in the City / 37

Inside the Andy Warhol Museum

Gathering Area near Subway Entrance

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Timber Construction Details

Detail One

Detail Two

This type of construction would be used in the lower floors, in areas that need more support. One 12”x12” wood column pulls apart to create four 6”x6” columns which sandwich together to support various amounts of 6”x16” glulam beams depending on the load that support the roof/ceiling above.

This type of construction would be used in the upper floors, which require less support. Again, one 12”x12” wood column pulls apart to create four 6”x6” smaller columns but in this instance it is sandwiching together 6”x6” glulam beams. Amount of beams still varies based upon load applied.

Building Section; (L to R) Residential, Market, Museum, and Subway Entrance

Timber in the City / 39

Diversity

Less

Project Location

Surrounding Density

The combination of programs that occur on the site is something that could only possible in a city like New York City. The main focus this semester was creating a project that was derived from the context, and the connection that it could create with the surroundings.

This neighborhood in New York has a wide range of diversity with 32% White, 34% Asian, 25% Latino, and 7% Black. Other than race this community is full of a wide range of amenities. These amenities include small to family-sized apartments, museums, and restaurants.

Vacant lot Parking structure Public facilities Open spaces

M subway stop

Housing Mixed-use Commercial/office Industrial

high traffic road lower traffic road 5-min walk

Transportation

Building Programs

The area around our site on Essex and Delancey has easy access from the rest of the city via public transportation, vehicular transportation, and pedestrian walkways. Delancey is a highly traveled two-way road that eventually connects to Williamsburg bridge which brings drivers into and from Brooklyn. The site has two metro stops located in direct proximity, which connect to the F, J,Z, and M lines.

The area around our site on Essex and Delancey has a range of different buildings and programs. Ranging from high rise buildings to commercial space. The area is filled with small modern art galleries that have brought a younger crowd to the area. The existing market is located on the north side of Delancy and is closed off to the street. The lack of visibility is a main reason for a proposal for relocation, in hopes to improve the market.

Site Analysis Diagrams

New Essex Street Market

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Contextual Plan

Gathering Space for Residents

Timber in the City / 41

View from inside the Park

A Park that is the Family Room to the City Location: Suqain, China

Team Leaders; M.J. Neal, FAIA, Yong Huang, AIA Team Members; Kanna Matsuo, and Blake Solberg

Modeling Program: SketchUp & Rhino

Time: Winter 2015-2016

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Wind tower

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800

1600

2400

Site Plan

Spatial Elements

Building

Commercial Supermarket Coffee Commercial Main Circulation Restaurant Commercial Commercial Bank

Recreation Space

Traffic Space

Entertainment Space

Landscape

Path

Playground

Relaxation Natural scape Relaxation Relaxation

MainBridge Circulation Main MainCirculation Circulation

Water Connection

Main Circulation

Natural scape

Plazas

Playground

Plaza

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Natural scape Playground Natural Naturalscape scape

Bridge

Playground Playground

Pagoda

Functions Because of the differences of user in the surrounding area, the park has different functions in each region.

City

Nature

Youth Activity

Entertainment City Image

Luoma Lake

Wellness

CBD

Shopping Area

Suqain Central Park / 45

Community Center

Residential

Santai Hill

Contact Information Blake John Solberg Minnesota Address 1400 29th St SE Buffalo, MN 55313 Email bsolberg@drur y.edu Cell +1 612 710 8533