Portfolio of Selected Works Undergraduate 2016-2019
Brian Helfer, Jr., AIAS
Education
Software Skills
Morgan State University 2016-2020 Currently pursuing Bachelors of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design, electives include sustainable studies, building
systems and structures, and advanced architectural software skills. Current Cumulative GPA-3.9. Current Major GPA-4.0.
American Institute of Architects Baltimore Chapter - CivicLAB 2019 Focuses on teaching emerging architecture professionals how to advocate and become leaders in their communities. Illuminating Engineers Society - Fundamentals of Lighting Course 2018 Focused on the science of vision, light, and illumination, the history of lighting and the impacts it has had on the built environment,
and lighting design processes including but not limited to luminaires and daylighting strategies.
for the LEED Green Associate examination.
Art History and AP Biology. Extracurriculars include president of both GSA and The Poly Odyssey Club (An international travel club).
Revit
LEED Green Associate Training Course 2018 Focused on preliminary knowledge of LEED standards and prerequisite requirements and credit categories, as well as how to prepare Skectch Up
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute 2012-2016 Rigorous high school curriculum geared toward math, science and engineering professions. Extra courses include AP Calculus AB, AP
Acheivements My name is Brian Helfer, Jr. I am a third-year honors architecture and environmental design student in the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University. I am AIAS Vice President and sit on both AIA Baltimore and AIA Maryland’s Board of Directors as a Student Affiliate. Born and raised in Baltimore City, I fell in love with architecture and the effect it could have on people. Becoming an Architect has been my life’s goal since middle school. I have allowed architecture to consume every second of my life and still cannot get enough of it. When I am not in the studio working, I am participating in the Baltimore Architecture Community or traveling to experience more of this small world we live in. I am highly interested in sustainable development, educational facilities, and community-oriented projects. I would love to work with people who share the same love for helping people and serving communities.
Recipients of this scholarship are to plan and execute an international research expedition to their destination of choice. Choice-Study Oscar Niemeyer’s Modernist Architecture in the Planned city of Brasilia and specifically how the buildings touch the ground.
passive design approach to limit the building’s impact on the delicate environment of the unique ecosystem of Joshua Tree.
VR
2nd Place - Coalition of Community College Architecture Programs (CCCAP) - Design Competition 2018 The competition was to design a sustainable visitors center for a site located in Joshua Tree National Park. The submission took a
Morgan State University Dean’s List Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016 Morgan State University - Best in Second Year Studio Award Spring 2018 Morgan State University - Best in First Year Studio Award Spring 2017 American Institute of Architects/Baltimore Architecture Foundation Fellows Leadership Award Recipient 2017 Candidates for this award are expected to be among the best students in the BSAED program and demonstrate leadership and service
Work Experience
Service
GIS
3DS Max
in their academic program at the SA+P.
American Institute of Architects - Maryland Chapter - Board of Directors - Student Affiliate 2019 American Institute of Architects - Baltimore Chapter - Board of Directors - AIAS Alternative 2019 American Institute of Architecture Students - Morgan State University Chapter - Vice President 2018-2019 Duties focus on student recruitment, student involvement in the Baltimore architecture community, and organizing guest speakers to
Interests
for AIAS Speaker Series.
Morgan State University Boost Mentorship Program 2018 Duties were to act as a mentor and guide for incoming first-year students in the School of Architecture and Planning. Morgan State University Dean’s Student Advisory Group 2018 The Group focused on ideas for the trajectory of The School of Architecture and Planning. Doors Open Baltimore Volunteer 2017,2018 National Society of Collegiate Scholars 2017-Present Morgan State University Clara I. Adams Honors College Student 2016-Present Ronald McDonald House Charity Red Shoe Shuffle Volunteer 2012,2013,2014,2015
Travel Experience
Rhino 3D
Hilton Garden Inn - Server/Houseman - White Marsh, Maryland 2016-Present Carried out and assisted with the creation of corporate and wedding ballroom events and venues for groups up to 300 people. Kings Pizza and Subs - Server/Cashier - Hampden, Maryland 2014-2016 Answered calls and received online orders up to 750 orders a day and served guests at the front of the house.
Contact Information Brian.Helfer.Jr@gmail.com (Cell) 443 - 475 - 8567 708 Sequoia Drive Edgewood, Maryland 21040
Baltimore Architecture Foundation/American Institute of Architects International Research Scholarship 2019
BAF/AIA Baltimore International Research Scholarship - Brasilia, Brazil 2019 Morgan State University - Southern India Study Abroad 2017 Central Europe Art and Architecture Summer Study Abroad 2015
Sustainability
Travel
Gaming
Photography
Stocks
Cinema
02 - Cap Rock Visitor Center @ Joshua Tree
03 - The Film School: A University Quad Study
04 - The Power of Lineweight
Table of Contents
01 - The Littoral Space:Hybrid Urban Housing
Fall 2018
The Littoral Space : Urban Hybrid Housing The Littoral Space is a term used in Post Colonial studies to examine a place that has received influence from two different areas, The Sea and The Hinterland. On this site in our studio’s hypothetical city, we were influenced by two existing amenities to our north and south. A school to the south and a library to the north. Our building in return is the buffer between the two. We have designed our program around a central atrium space to create an axis to connect the two amenities. The program consists of two and three bedroom apartment units as well as private rowhomes.
Maximum Buiding Envelope
Impression to Receive Circulation
Adjust for Asymetrical Site
Insert Rowhomes on Corners
Three Bedroom Unit Type One (1,194 SF) (3) Bedroom (2) Bathroom Balcony Area Laundry Room
Two Bedrrom Private Rowhome Circulation Atrium
Unit Type Two (980 SF) (2) Bedroom (1) Bathroom Balcony Area Laundry Room
Unit Type Two (945 SF) (2) Bedroom (1) Bathroom Balcony Area Laundry Room
Existing School
Existing Library
Section One (Through Atrium Circulation)
3BR
2BR
TH
TH
2BR
2BR
3BR
2BR
Floor Two
3BR
2BR
TH
TH Lobby
2BR
TH
TH
2BR
2BR
3BR
2BR
2BR
2BR
2BR Floor Three
16’
Ground Floor Plan
8’
4’
2’ 1’
1/16”=1’- 0”
Front Elevation (South)
Floor Four
1/32”=1’- 0”
Side Elevation (East)
Spring 2018
Cap Rock Visitor Center @ Joshua Tree After conducting thorough site analysis, a conclusion was drawn that anything other than a sustainable design in Joshua Tree National Park would be neglegant. The provided site is located an hour into the park and has no existing infrastructure and an untouched, unique and natural landscape. Resultantly, CRVC is a completly self-sustaining building, tied to no grids or main lines. CRVC collects its own water, produces its own energy and stores its own waste. CRVC is also designed in a way to be the least destrcutive to the frgaile ecosystem that is Joshua tree National Park. Materials are limted to rammed earth walls, red cedar heavy timber framing and glass facades for views out of the center.
2nd Place-CCCAP National Design Competition 18’
In
Program Legend
Sustainable Materials Natural materials have been used throught the design including Rammed Earth, locally sourced Red Cedar and glass. The use of non-sustainable materials has been limited to only what is nessisary.
Net Total-7000 SF 13
High Thermal Mass Two foot thick Rammed Earth Walls have been used to midigate intense tempuratures throughout the day. The wall will hold heat during the day and release heat at night.
Permuable Parking Surface Crushed Gravel has been used to create the parking surface so that water can drain naturally through the space. Concrete Walkways have been added only in places where nessisary to allow ADA circulation.
08-Lobby (325 SF) 09-Refreshment (250 SF) 10-Reception (125 SF) 11-Shower (25 SF) 12-Pit Toilet (50 SF) 13-Outdoor Area (2200 SF) 14-Ranger Storage (500 SF)
1-Ranger Offices (375 SF) 2-Ranger Restrooms (100 SF) 3-Computer (100 SF) 4-Electrical (100 SF) 5-Mechanical (100 SF) 6-Storage (200 SF) 7-Observation (1775 SF)
7 1
13 2
8
3
4 6
10
5
11
12
13 9
Solar Opportunity The building has been rotated 15 degress off the EW axis which allows the majority of the spaces to be naturally lit thorughout the day. The remaining spaces are lit by solar powered lights.
Water Conservation All sinks and toilets are low flow fixtures that elimiate water waste. These fixtures use water from the underground cistern. To further aid the conservation, all toilets are pit toilet that use no water.
North Elevation
16’
8’
4’
2’ 1’
1/16”=1’- 0”
Structural Axon
East Elevation
South Elevation
North Elevation
16’
8’
4’
2’ 1’
1/16”=1’- 0”
Fall 2017
The Film School : A University Quad The Film school was thought up from a modular program. Arranged around a quad, The film school is designed to be a one-stop shop for all things academic. The program consists of faculty offices, classrooms, restrooms, a dining hall, and a library. Existing site slope allowed landscape stairs surrounding the complex. From these drawings, a model was constructed showing the light wood frame construction. Along with this, technical drawings were produced to explain connections and support systems for a portion of the building. Utility/Restroom Classroom/Work Space Faculty Office Best in Studio Fall 2017 - Professor Adam Bridge
Library and Dining Hall
Site Pan
16’
8’
4’
2’ 1’
1/16”=1’- 0”
Morgan State University
Sill Plate King Stud
Center for the Built Environment and Infrastructure Studies
2x12 Rafter
Overhead Header Door Double Stud 2x8 Header Cripple
King Stud Sheathing
PLAN
2x12 Fascia 2x4 Sill Plate
Double Top Plate 2x8 Header
King Stud 2x8 Sill Plate Bottom Sill Sheathing 2x12 Fascia 2x8 Fascia Double Top Plate 2x8 Header 2x8 Header Jack Stud
SECTION
ELEVATION Window Sill Plate King Stud Cripple
King Stud
Sill Plate
2x12 Floor Joist
1’- 0” =1”
2x12 Rim Joist 2x6 Sill Plate
CMU
8x16 Concrete Footing
Framing Drawings ARCH 201-Form, Space & Order Brian Helfer, Jr.
A.01
Spring 2019
12 Monkeys, 2015
IMAGE 1
“Hairspray" 1988 12 O’Clock Boys, 2013
The Power of Lineweight: An Extraction Study This project explores the underlying value in images and what can be distilled from them. These select 27 drawings were apart of a 200 drawing series. Each one shows a different extraction following a keyword. Through these, we were able to extract specific patterns, hierarchies, and anomalies. All drawings are black ink on 8.5x11 sheets.
IMAGE 2
“Maryland Crab PIckers” by Ruth Starr Rose
IMAGE 5
IMAGE 7
“Liberty Heights" 1999
“The Silence of the Lambs" 1991
IMAGE 10 “And the Pharaoh's Army Got Drowned" by Ruth Starr Rose, 1943
“Brownstones” by Jacob Lawrence, 1958
IMAGE 8
IMAGE 14
IMAGE 15
“The Wire" 2002
IMAGE 16
Brian Helfer, Jr., AIAS Morgan State University Undergraduate Student Brian.Helfer.Jr@gmail.com 443 - 475 - 8567 708 Sequoia Drive Edgewood, Maryland 21040 - Facebook.com/Brianhelferjr - Linkedin.com/in/Brianhelferjr