CHEYENNE MILLER
Masters of Architecture Student
EDUCATION
South Dakota State University
B.F.A of Architecture
Studio Arts Minor
Study Abroad: Italy- Architecture + Design
Graduation: May 2024
GPA: 3.98
Masters of Architecture
Expected Graduation: August 2025
GPA: 4.0
Lincoln High School
High School Diploma
Graduation: May 2020
GPA: 4.04
LEADERSHIP ROLES/ACHIEVEMENTS
Student Advisory Board (SAB)
2022-2024 Representative 2023-2024 Co-Coordinator
Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture 2024 Induction
AIAS National Member
2023-2024 SDSU Social Media Manager
Dean’s List
Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Wokini Scholar Fall 2020-current
Submission of Project to ASCA National Competition June 2023
SKILLS
Rhino Revit
SketchUp Enscape
Lumion Illustrator
InDesign Photoshop
Lightroom Microsoft tools
Laser Cutting 3D Printing
Veras Blue Beam
3rd
Instructor: Dr. Nesrine Mansour, Assistant Professor
Course Description:
This research studio offers students opportunities to investigate concepts of “the sacred” through the making of digital and physical artifacts that explore the light-based complexities of sacred spaces and their connection to different spiritual practices. The Sacred in Between explores the sacred connection to the built environment through researching, understanding, modeling, and imaging of Light as the primary focus of the studio’s theoretical and practical approach.
Project Description:
In unit 1, I studied the sacred and the profane and used a program called MidJourney Artificial Intelligence to reflect my research. I first started with the idea of profane architecture being inhabited by sacred acts. Comparing the similarities of the architecture in k-12 schools vs prisons, one can see the priority set on form over function. In unit II, we studied multiple buildings from across the world that were designed as meditative spaces. Light attributes such as the source, geometry, direction, and light qualities were all considered in our research along with IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) standards: Task Lighting, Architectural Lighting, Accent Lighting, and Celebration lighting. For the final Unit, we were tasked with finding a spot in Brookings South Dakota to build a 24-hour spiritual/meditative space. Our primary guideline that we applied throughout our work was contrast and we used this to influence our sub-guidelines (water, verticality, light, geometry, compression, and expansion). We created a rammed earth and concrete structure with 4 main lighting strategies; a triangular entry way that gives the user the feeling of compression, vertical slits that compress and grow taller as you circulate deeper, the horizontal slit at the top of the rammed earth space, and the large, framed space window. Different outdoor spaces allow the user a feeling of privacy if desired.
Work completed individually and in collaboration with Katie Ishol.
A.8
Images
A.5- Prairie Vista- Longitudinal Elevation (Collab)
A.6- Prairie Vista- Interior Render (Collab)
A.7- Prairie Vista- Exterior Day Render (Collab)
A.8- Prairie Vista- Longitudinal Section (Collab)
A.9- Prairie Vista- Physical Model (Collab)
A.10- Prairie Vista- Interior Render (Collab)
A.11- Prairie Vista- Exterior Night Render (Collab)
A.12- Prairie Vista- Physical Model (Collab)
ARCH250: Design Practice Foundation Design
1st Year, Spring 2021, 5 Credit Hours
Instructor: Brian T. Rex, Associate Professor & Head
Course Description:
First year Design Practice studios. Students continue to learn drawing and modeling techniques and refine craft. Students begin to examine components in building design and construction systems for structures.
In this course the focus is understanding and operating in design practice, not making buildings. We will compose form, space, shape, events, parameters, and structure to quantifiable and qualifiable effect through iterative design practice--doing it over and over with daily reflection on the effects of variations in practice. The course is theoretical in its approach to practical things and we’ll talk extensively about the relationship between practice and theory in the act of designing.
Project Description:
In the first half of the semester, we created drawings through Planimetric and Projection Orthographic. We started by making drawings that collapse the space of the architecture into a plane and then went into two dimensional by pulling out the structure. Using the graphical representation that we learned in the first half, we moved into physical modeling using cubes, planes, sticks, and voids. We used the object we created and turned it into an inhabitable space (human scale) and began to explore the of building to foundation and circulation.
Work completed individually.
B.1
B.3
B.4
B.5
B.6
ARCH250: Design Practice
Stick Play
2nd Year, Fall 2021, 5 Credit Hours
Instructor: Federico Garcia Lammers, Associate Professor
Course Description:
Arch 250: Design Practice is a part of the Design Foundations studio sequence at DoArch. The studio is centered around a rule-based game, Stick Play, which asks students to organize materials (and themselves) in space, while responding to six interconnected themes:
1. Sites (Nooks, Crannies, and Corners)
2. Materials (Extraction, Consumption, and Durability)
3. Structures (Balance, Joints, and Failures)
4. Spaces (Composition, Accessibility, and Wonder)
5. Collectives (Solo, Teams, and Organizational in-betweens)
6. Histories (Invisible Narratives and Possible Futures)
Project Description:
Stick play began with physical modeling, using a set of 15 sticks, to create a structure using no glue, nails, or adhesive, just gravity. From here, we used our documentation and known measurements to create drawings showing our structure with the surrounding context, section and plan cut. Drawing C.2 shows the model with both section and plan cut while drawing C.3 shows the model with a plan cut and hidden lines. After teaming up in a group of two, we transformed the structural and spatial ideas of Stick Play into a entry space and art exhibit for the SD Art Museum on the campus of SDSU, replacing the previous entry stairs.
Work completed Individually.
ARCH255/255L: Building Studio
Technical Afterthoughts
2nd Year, Spring 2022, 7 Credit Hours
Instructor: Federico Garcia Lammers, Associate Professor Jessica Garcia Fritz, Assistant Professor Dr. Nesrine Mansour, Assistant Professor
Course Description:
The Building Studio uses Technical Afterthoughts (foundations, material joints, drainage, etc) to link architectural ideas with the specifics of construction.
The studio is a vertical building design studio offered to 2,3,4 and 5-yr students every spring. Students study and produce detailed material and structural characteristics of architectural elements (foundation, wall, floor, roof, opening, etc) – connected to different types of construction systems. The semester begins from the *Specific* in order to draw design depth from the technical preconditions that define the *limits* of architectural production.
Project Description:
In the first half of the semester, we focused on the specifics of construction by studying and drawing technical vignettes of the foundation, envelope/wall, and roofing systems. From here we applied our knowledge to create an extension on the Ag Museum located on campus of SDSU. Programmatic details of this extension include an auditorium for 120 people w/ stage (3600sf), gift shop and cafe for 30 people (4400sf), public spaces (1500sf) and an entryway (open sf).
Work completed individually and in collaboration with;
Leonard Stewart
Katie Ishol
Manahil Elsheikh
Images
E.4- Final Extension Vignette (Collab)
E.5- MidJourney Images (Collab)
E.6- Structural Axonometeric (Collab)
Images
E.10- Elevation (Collab)
E.11- Model Images (Collab)
E.12- Section (Collab)
E.10
E.11
E.12
Images
E.13- Meditative Space Christian (Individual)
E.14- Meditative Space Buddhism (Individual)
E.15- Meditative Space Spiritual (Individual)
E.16- Meditative Space Islam (Individual)
E.17- Parti (Collab)
E.13
E.14
E.15
E.16
E.17
E.19
E.20
E.21
Images
E.19- Site Plan (Collab)
E.20- Exterior Meditation Renderings (Collab)
E.21- Exterior Rendering (Collab)
F.21
Friends & Citizens: Co-op Architecture
The 89
Summer 2023, Professional Experience
Supervisors: Spencer Sommers, Associate Principal Architect
Thomas Hurlbert, Principle Architect
Kyle Raph, Principle Architect
Course Description:
Friends & Citizens is an AIA-award-winning, summer-long design studio that aims to bridge the professional and academic worlds of design for undergraduate and graduate students. Each summer, CO-OP oversees a small group of interns, offering them the tools and guidance they need to complete a theoretical design project in addition to some practical daily work. On the theoretical side, students collaborate with architects, interior designers, engineers, city planners, policymakers and business leaders as they research and design a project that addresses a local need. At the end of the summer, the students present their findings publicly in the hopes of bringing the project to life. In short, the program gives students the opportunity to shape their communities today while building the skills they’ll need beyond graduation.
Project Description:
The 2023 F&C project undertakes an investigation of the 10th and 11th street viaducts located within the downtown Sioux Falls area. The primary objective of this studio is to integrate pedestrian circulation into the existing 10th street viaduct system, thereby fostering connectivity between the downtown area, neighboring communities, and the Sioux River. Through the establishment of well-designed connections that cater to both pedestrians and vehicular traffic, we aim to reinvigorate a presently inactive site and develop spaces that harmonize with the natural surroundings. By creating a diverse range of mixed-use areas, we strive to cultivate a fresh and dynamic identity for the 10th and 11th street viaducts.
Work completed in collaboration with;
James Van Westen- Architecture
Kelsey Gustaf- Interior Design
Shea Bailey- Graphic Design
F.3
F.4
F.5
Images
F.5- Full Proposal Ariel View
F.6- Bridge Section
F.6
ARCH454/454L: Research
4th Year, Fall 2023, 7 Credit Hours
Instructor: Sean Ervin, Architecture Professor of Practice/ Program Coordinator
Course Description:
The Research Studio focused on Human Capital concerns about the construction industry. Through a wide-ranged process, students gathered information about the formation of products and any involvement by slave or indentured labor. Many products that appear to be assembled in the US are made from components elsewhere. The goal of the research was to increase awareness of the presence of detrimental work conditions and the impact of architect’s decisions on labor needs of the world. With this research understood, the class created a Human Capital Score that could speak to the impact of architectural designs and approaches to measure the effectiveness of decisions made for the creation of a new Transit Hub for Sioux Falls. In order to bring the research full circle, each team scored their building in the Human Capital Score to demonstrate their ability to understand the impact of their own decisions.
Project Description:
In a world where air travel dominates and disconnects us from the earth’s changing landscapes, ground transportation like trains and buses offers a profound reconnection. A class project researching human capital concerns in building materials shaped our selection process, focusing on materials like steel and brick with minimal impact and avoiding those like pre-cast concrete with higher concerns. Choosing a site between bridges emerged as the prime location for a transit hub due to its connectivity, proximity to downtown, and adaptable space. Guided by design principles emphasizing seamless integration, ethical material sourcing, and optimized traffic flow, our hub promises not just transit but an immersive journey experience. The facility itself, with its multi-tiered structure and strategic zoning, aims to create an architectural connection with the city’s history and future, prioritizing human experience and accessibility.
Work completed in collaboration with;
Madeline Brooks
Alec Whitted
Eagle Butte
Summer 2024, Professional Experience
Supervisors: Spencer Sommers, Associate Principal Architect
Thomas Hurlbert, Principle Architect
Kyle Raph, Principle Architect
Course Description:
Friends & Citizens is an AIA-award-winning, summer-long design studio that aims to bridge the professional and academic worlds of design for undergraduate and graduate students. Each summer, CO-OP oversees a small group of interns, offering them the tools and guidance they need to complete a theoretical design project in addition to some practical daily work. On the theoretical side, students collaborate with architects, interior designers, engineers, city planners, policymakers and business leaders as they research and design a project that addresses a local need. At the end of the summer, the students present their findings publicly in the hopes of bringing the project to life. In short, the program gives students the opportunity to shape their communities today while building the skills they’ll need beyond graduation.
Project Description:
The historical backdrop of Eagle Butte, arising from the necessity of government flood control, speaks of displacement but also of new beginnings. This narrative of resilience and adaptation guided our approach. We understood that our design needed to address the unique challenges of the town—high unemployment rates, rural isolation, and the necessity for accessible resources—while celebrating its cultural richness and providing hope for economic and social development. Through various meetings with members of the community we were able to identify areas of opportunity that we wanted to address such as a Master Plan with a focus on walkability and traffic strategies, relocation opportunities, and an emphasis on jobs and housing.
Work completed in collaboration with;
Grayden Imbery- Architecture
Elissa Hammrich- Architecture
Jenda Simomsen- Architecture
Dillon Trevino- Architecture
Rachel Kindt- Interior Design
Miranda Wagner- Graphic Design
ARCH455/455L: Building Studio
Public Library
4th Year, Spring 2024, 7 Credit Hours
Instructor: Sean Ervin, Architecture Professor of Practice
Dr. Nesrine Mansour
Dr. Tayebeh Nazarian
Dr. Ali Moazzeni Khorasgani
Course Description:
This studio will be designing a new library for the City of Brookings utilizing interaction opportunities with the Library Director and her executive team. Instruction will include an introduction of how to interact with clients and use techniques for extracting information and synthesizing information for design use. The first 3 phases of the project will be achieved in groups of 4 as well as a whole-studio coordinated element for the model. The final phase will be an individual project for technical vignettes, both drawn and physically modeled
Project Description:
Arch vision studio has come up with primary principals to follow along with while in our design phase. The principals our group followed consisted of; a two-story facility, an open courtyard, a west entrance, a roof deck, and a welcoming design that fits into the neighborhood. Following our studio’s discussion with Asia regarding the existing library, we gained valuable insights into the aspirations of the Brookings community for a new library. Our group consensus was to embark on a fresh design journey tailored specifically to the established demands to blend in with the downtown district. After weeks of preliminary design work, it was collectively determined that a two-level layout would optimize the library’s usability and functionality for an appropriate circulation. The rooms given locational priority were spaces such as the administrative offices, the children’s room, multiple conference or cooper rooms, as well as spaces for stacks, lounges, the café, and others. A significant emphasis was placed on enhancing community engagement by strategically opening up the courtyard towards the children’s museum, fostering a seamless connection for outdoor activities benefiting both institutions.
Work completed individually and in collaboration with; Austin Huff
Dillon Trevino
Jaylyn Horton
Emma Malz
Ryle Koistnen
Jordan Hogan
Levi Jansma
Breckyn Ewoldt
I.4
I.5
Project Description:
I began woodworking- officially- during my sophomore year of High School at the Career and Technical Education Academy in Sioux Falls, SD. I say officially because I have always been building and creating things for as long as I can remember.
I create a wide range of pieces- resin lights, live edge tables, epoxy tables, charcuterie boards, guitars, long boardsbasically whatever interests me or deems challenging. I enjoy the process that it takes- similar to that of Architecture- where you make something out of nothing. I enjoy the attention to detail it takes, probably a little to much, and I enjoy surprising people. Its not often people see a female woodworker, and it was less often that people saw one who was under 18. I think thats what got me hooked, surprising people, taking someones expectations they had and pushing them further than they thought.
While working with resin can be stressful and messy, I like the mix of mediums- wood and epoxy. Epoxy creates a glass like look that has a very strong bond to wood. It is easy to manipulate into small crevices and crack both for visual and structural benefits. While resin lights aren’t a totally new thing, they are not common. You can often find resin lights being very geometric and clear. When I first started playing around with this idea of mixing resin, wood and light, I wanted to incorporate the live edge aspect that I was doing in tables. I was able to take scraps from tables and create molds to pour the resin onto the wood. From here I would sand them going from 80 grit all the way to 2000 grit and then polishing them with a wax.
I had a small business licenses for a few years. I made tables, charcuterie boards and lights for family’s, interior designers, churches, and people throughout South Dakota and the USA. I have been very busy with school so I do it as much as I have time for now.
Cheyenne’s
