Connor Dimick
Architecture + Design Selected Works / Virginia Tech
Connor Dimick ARCHITECTURE STUDENT
WORK EXPERIENCE INTERN ARCHITECT / BUILTINSTUDIO May 2015 -
August 2015
Partners: Gary Eisner and Terence Kinee
119 west 23rd street; new york, ny 10011
builtinstudio.com
Assist in development of design details and construction documents. Preparation and coordination of construction
PROFILE Architectural student from
do c u m e n t s. R e se a r c h an d p r e p ar e p r e s e n t at i o n d r aw i n g s , i n c l ud i n g s p e c s h e e t s and 3 d vi s ual r ep r esent at i on.
VIRGINIA TECH 2005 SOLAR HOUSE REFURBISHMENT April 2013 + September 2014
a
Soldotna, Alaska. Graduating from
n
a professional program. Entering the
F a c u lt y : J o se p h W h e e l e r
fi e l d o f a r c h i t e c t u r e w i t h 1 1 % o f
Construct and rebuild surrounding deck, operating small and large industrial shop tools. Position, join, and align
IDP completed
steel truss-frame for travel. Secure interior cross-bracing system for travel. Repair and replace various materials in p re p a ra t io n f o r sa l e o f un i t .
CONTACT
ROAD SIGN SERVICE / KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH Seasonally, May - August; 2011-2014
907.398.0792 cdimick@vt.edu
R o a d Se rv ic e Are a D i r e c t o r : Pat M al o n e
47 140 e . p o p p y l an e ; s o l d o t na, ak 9 9 6 6 9
Reproduce and assemble graphic lettering following RSA Standards. Locate and insert various road-way signs, 143 Farnsworth Blvd. Soldotna, Alaska
in div idu a l w o rk , in vo l ve s t h e o p e r at i o n o f m o t o r ve h i c l e . Pr e p ar e and k e e p i n ve n t o r y o f var i o us i nd ust r i al si gn materials. Prepare traffic, parking, and roadway signs for newly established roads and intersections.
United States
EDUCATION SOFTWARE
ARCHITECTURE / VIRGINIA TECH August 2011 - May 2016 Ba c h e l o r o f Arc h it e c t ur e - Ex p e c t e d G r ad uat i o n M ay 20 16
ILLUSTRATOR
PHOTOSHOP
D e a n s l ist : Sp rin g 2 0 11- F al l 20 15
G PA : 3 . 7 1
FUTUREHAUS / VIRGINIA TECH October 2013 - January 2015 Virginia Tech Center for Design Research
INDESIGN
Lead Faculty: Joseph Wheeler
Aid in the design and construction of Virginia Techs futurehaus kitchen and living room. A functioning, prefabricated concept home. Appeared in 2015 KBIS Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada and the 2015 AIA Atlanta Convention. The project faculty was presented with the AIA Virginia Prize for Design Research and Scholarship.
REVIT
SOLDOTNA HIGH SCHOOL August 2007 - May 2011 RHINOCEROS 3D
St u de n t C o u n c il R ep r e s e n t at i ve
G PA : 4. 0
R e le v a n t C o u rse s: Dr af t i ng I, II, III; Pr i n c i p l e s o f En g i ne e r i ng ; A d vanc e d A r t ; C e r am i c s
AUTOCAD
V-RAY RENDER
SKILLS / INTERESTS Microsoft Office Suite
Google: SketchUp
Scale Model Making
Technical Drawing
Sketching
Rhino: Grasshopper
Autodesk: 3DS Max
Lasercamm Cutting
Construction Work
Ceramic Art
Windows + Mac OS
Unity 3D
3D Printing
Basic Woodworking
Fitness
TABLE OF CONTENTS U n d e r g r a d u a t e Wo r k s V i r g i n i a Te c h R e s e a c h FutureHAUS Virginia Polytechnic Institute Arboretum Montessori School Th e s i s I n - P r o g r e s s [Afferent Architecture] E x c e r p t s F r o m Th e s i s
4
12 18
22
FutureHAUS/RESEARCH INDEPENDENT STUDY 3RD AND 4TH YEAR LEAD FACULTY: JOE WHEELER Project Roles and Responsibilities: Th i s p r o j e c t w a s a c o l l a b o r a t i v e e f f o r t o f fa c u l t y , s t u d e n t s a n d i n d u s t r y p r o f e s s i o n a l s . Th i s d i f f e r e n t f i e l d s o f s t u d y f r o m V i r i n i a Te c h included students from architecture, interior design, industrial design and computer science. My specific involvement consisted of research for integrating technology in appliances a n d t h e h o m e . Th e d i g i t a l m o d e l i n g o f t h e futureHAUS prototype in Rhinocerous 3D, to be used for renderings, virgual walkthroughs and presentations. Also, provided shop drawings for ca b i n e t r y , S I P S p a n e l s , a n d g l a s s l a y o u t s . P h y s i c a l a s s e m b l y o f k i t c h e n a n d l i v i n g ca r t i d g e s , f r o m SIPS panels, to appliance installating, at the Research and Demonstration Facility at Virginia Te c h . Th e p r o p o s a l o f t h e F u t u e H A U S i s a n a l t e r n a t i v e way of construction, to the conventional home c o n s t r u c t i o n . Th e c o n c e p t i s t h a t h o m e c a n be divided into components such as kitchens, b a t h r o o m s , AV - wa l l s , c l o s e t s , a n d m e c h a n i ca l c l o s e t s , a n d t h o s e ca n b e p r e fa b r i ca t e d i n d i v i d u a l l y a s ' ca r t r i d g e s ' o f f s i t e a n d t h e n d e l i v e r e d t o t h e site, pre-finished ,pre-plumbed, and pre-wired, t o b e a s s e m b l e d e a s i l y a n d e f f i c i e n t l y . Th i s w i l l avo i d t h e co m p l i ca t i o n s u s u a l l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h construction that includes multiple contractors. Th e p r e f a b r i c a t i o n o f c a r t r i d g e s a l s o a l l o w s t h e inegration of advanced technology into the co n s t r u c t i o n p r o ce s s , w h i c h ca n t h e n b e u s e d by homes to become more energy ef ficient and responsive to the user. Currently, the Kitchen and Living Room ca r t r i d g e s h a v e b e e n b u i l t a t f u l l - w o r k i n g s c a l e to demonstrate how integrating technology this way ca n c r e a te a b e t te r l i v i n g e nv i r o n m e n t a n d a more ef ficent, 'informed' building.
RENDERINGS OF POTENTIAL TWO-STORY PROTOTYPE
KITCHEN+LIVING CARTRIDGES Th e K i t c h e n a n d L i v i n g R o o m w e r e t h e f i r s t f u l l - s ca l e w o r k i n g p r o t o t y p e s to be built. Built for ease-of-use and aging-in-place, smart technologies are incorporated into appliances, surfaces, and walls, that can be accessed a n d c o n t r o l l e d t h o r u g h a w h o l e - h o u s e i n t e r fa c e s . Th i s i n t e r fa c e ca n e v e n m o n i t o r a p p l i a n c e p e r f o r m a n c e a n d e n e r g y u s e . Th e k i t c h e n i s ' w i r e d ' w i t h electronic actuators and sensors that make using the kitchen easy, more acessible and energy efficient.
ASSEMBLY
LIVING ROOM AND AV WALL CARTRIDGE SHELLS
Th e l i v i n g r o o m b e ca m e m u c h m o r e a b o u t t h e h o m e b e c o m i n g i n f o r m e d about its users. Equipped with fully tunable color-LED lighting, the sensors located around the room describe the occupancy, allowing fine adjustments t o b e m a d e . Th i s a d a p t i v e l i g h t i n g ca n b e p r e s e t b a s e d o n l i f e - s t y l e , o r scenes, and is currently being researched to balance the natural light-dark c y c l e s t o a i d i n p h y s i o l o g y c o m f o r t . Th e l i v i n g r o o m i s a l s o c o m p l e t e d w i t h wireless charging surfaces and a main entertainment system hub.
INDUCTION COOKTOP / TOUCH CONTROL
SOCIAL TABLE / BACKSPLASH
AIA ATLANTA CONVENTION EXHIBIT
PANTRY / DATABASE
MULTIFUNCTION TABLE / SEATING SENSORS
AV WALL / COLOR SAMPLING
ARBORETUM / STEEL COMPETITION PROFESSOR - HEINER SCHNOEDT 4TH YEAR - 12 WEEK PROJECT Project Description: Th e i n t e n t b e g a n w i t h t r y i n g t o c r e a t e an element to that engages people w i t h n a t u r e . A d e l i ca te a n d m e a n i n g f u l solution quickly emerged itself as a c y l i n d r i ca l wo o d e n ra m p t h a t p u l l s a v i ewe r ve r t i ca l l y f r o m g r o u n d p l a n e to allow multiple perspectives of a tree. Allowing an individual or researcher to inspect all aspects of the tree, from the roots, to the trunk, to the branches. Th e A r b o r e t u m : V i r g i n i a ’ s l a t i t u d e fa v o r s a g r e a t v a r i e t y o f s p e c i e s a n d n a t u r a l g r o w t h . Th e r i c h e nv i r o n m e n t i n c l u d e s a s i g n i f i ca n t spectrum of trees. In modern agriculture and land management, it i s i m p e ra t i ve to s t u d y t h e b i o l o g i ca l a n d c h e m i ca l e f fe c t s t h a t i m p a c t o u r increasingly complex habitats. Virginia Te c h proposes a large d e d i ca t e d arboretum which supports the research and and operates as a recreational area for the public. At its heart, the o n - s i t e l a b a n d c l a s s r o o m fa c i l i t i e s include outreach and the presentation of ongoing research to the public.
VIRGINIA TECH
Site Plan
Strucural Diagram
Massing Upper Spaces
Massing Lower Spaces
GROUND LEVEL PLAN
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
Th e b u i l d i n g s f o r m h i n t s a c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n s t e e l a n d t r e e s . Th e s t e e l s t r u c t u r e r o o t s t h e building into ground in an elipse-centric array analogous to the growth pattern of trees. I n t h e ex h i b i t i o n a r e a , t h e a r ray o f i nve r te d ca b l e t r u s s e s o f fe r s d e m o n s t ra t i ve l y b o t h t h e compressive and tensile properties intrinsic to steel. At their convergence, the array suggests a gathering space with a visual invitation to trace the steel members through the exhibition space. From the same area, the panorama also allows a glimpse of the classrooms, labs and even the industrial high bay area with its overhead crane assembly. Specific skylights illuminate selected s t e e l j o i n t s w h i l e a l s o m a r k i n g s p a t i a l m o m e n t s w i t h n a t u r a l l i g h t . Th e b u i l d i n g i s p a r t l y embedded into the ground to promote an emerging into the lofty surrounding arboretum. While emerging, the changing sight lines allow the complex to be seen from dif ferent perspectives; in some ways, the building itself becomes another specimen in the grove.
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS RENDER
EXTERIOR WALL + HERBARIUM SECTION DETAIL
INTERIOR EXHIBITION SPACE RENDER
INVERTED CABLE TRUSS DETAIL
M O NTE S S OR I S C H OOL PROFESSOR - JOE WHEELER THIRD YEAR - 6 WEEK PROJECT
Project Description: Design a single room addition for an existing Montessori school in Blacksburg, VA. It will be for the age group 4-7 years. Th e I d e a : Th e s c h o o l s h o u l d e n g a g e the students in a collaborative and creative environment, with ample room for material and craft. Th e P r o c e s s : Initial research was obtained through a child-led tour of the current Montessori facilities. Th i s a l l o w e d d e s i g n d e c i s i o n s t o be customized toward specific teaching and learning methods. Th e B u i l d i n g : Beginning with a typical square plan, the design implements a secondar y cube element that regularly punctures the the walls. Leaving the interior edge of the cubes open towards the center, each cube becomes an area for different subject curriculum.
South Elevation
Section A-A
Plan
Th e a l w a y s - o p e n i d e a teacher the ability to the centralized plan, creates an open area projects, or meetings.
coincides with Montessori protocol of giving the see and teach with any student at any time. With a glulam roof structure spanning between cubes, with a skylight to provide ample room for larger
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[AFFERENT] ARCHITECTURE UNDERGRADUATE THESIS EXCERPTS FROM BOOK Th i s t h e s i s i s a n e x p l o r a t i o n o f how architecture can increase connectedness of the mind and body to its current context in the world. To f u l l y c o n c e n t r a t e t h e m i n d s effort on the importance of its place, it becomes imperative to break the constant distraction that has become unavoidable in todays world. By first isolating the person, the architecture begins to concentrate its effort on intensif ying the corporeal senses that have thus far sur vived to this point int time. All in hope of creating the connection between the human body's capabilities and the minds processing. Further resulting in a fundamentally aware solitude that is contending sensory experience deprivation.
“ Th e m i n d i s s h a r p e r a n d k e e n e r in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. No big laborator y is needed in which to think. Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas a r e b o r n . Th a t i s w h y m a n y of the earthly miracles have had their genesis in humble surroundings." - N i k o l a Te s l a
THE CENTER
ESCAPING CHAOS
THE PROJECT A s a n c t u a r y , l o ca te d i n p r ox i m i t y to one of the most chaotic cities in the world will ser ve as the vessel for exploration. Aimed at finding the true benefits of s u b t e r ra n e a n building, the a p p r o p r i a t e s e q u e n ce o f areas t h a t h e l p to retain the reconnection and sense of place. A persons involvement with a place of reflection depends solely on an individuals personal standings. Experience is not controllable in terms of being exact, it is only the creation of opportunity in hopes to provide an outcome to aid in the developement of the mind.
PROXIMITY
CONDITIONS Th r o u g h a d e v e l o p i n g s e r i e s o f conditions, generated by the projects existing parameters, there is a relationship being generated between the sensual perceptions occuring and the architectural decisions that p r o v i d e t h e m . Va r i o u s q u e s t i o n s emerge through studying the bridge, or body, that connects the architecture and senses, S p e c i f i ca l l y studying the sense of feeling, recognizing proportion, anticipating path, all leading to the awareness of t h e s p a c e t h a t s o c c u p i e d . Th e elements surrounding the body ca n t h e n g o o n to ex p o s e t h e truth about perception, in hopes to bring a better understanding of ever yday contexts.
BOUNDARY
EDGE
PATH
BETWEEN WALLS / THROUGH EARTH
RETAINING WALLS When exploring subterranean construction, the forces of the earth quickly become apparent. Massive pressures need to be dealt w i t h . Th e s e m o m e n t s b e c o m e a n o p p o r t u n i t y to ex p o s e h ow c r i t i ca l t h e r e t a i n i n g wa l l s a r e to maintain a pure space.
H ow ca n p e o p l e r e co g n i ze t h e a m o u n t o f ef fort materials are giving forth? Maybe, let them occupy the extreme depth between wa l l s , o r ca r ve o u t s p a ce s t h a t r eve a l s t h e dimension of reinforced concrete. Let them grasp at the possibilities.
HOLDING BACK
CREATING BOUNDARY
OCCUPYING DEPTH
THE BUILDING Th e b u i l d i n g b e g i n s b e f o r e a n i n d i v i d u a l e n t e r s t h e s p a c e . Th e approach, the preparation, the hints given to start informing o f w h a t s t o c o m e . Th e a b o v e ground treatment plays just as important role as the space below. Bringing main structural walls up through the earths s u r fa ce gives semblance to spaces below, while providing a layer of refuge from the chaos outside the walls. It may not be apparent what these objects in t h e l a n d s ca p e a r e a c h i ev i n g , but they start to create thoughts in the individuals mind about what they could be doing. All while being a guiding force through the journey that is already being embarked upon.
Fort Totten / Above Condition
cdimick@vt.edu