selected works
db
darren berlein
cape town, western cape
candidate architect
brldar001@myuct.ac.za
082 4898 193
about
the end of my university career brings both excitement and exhiliration to the new steps that lie ahead. in similar feelings to the end of third year, this new stage is definitely one that will test my skills from what i have learned at university and as an independent. perhaps my work will communicate some of my interests but i have always continuously chosen to test the norm and push the limits in what we learn in class. my constant exploration to push current ideas has led me to explore through a multitude of mediums and styles and learn alternative programs to achieve new results. of course, working closely with both the digital and the analogue to achieve required results. this kind of testing and constant exploration has proven to me that through dedication and hard work i am able to overcome the confronted challenges and uncover new ideas. i am a responsible individual who functions well independently and both as a team player, to which is the fruition of architectural projects. i am eager to contribute both my technical skills and strong affinity to the process and making of architectural design as i develop as an upcoming architect. apart from architecture i am a keen junior triathlete. this sport has taught me a lot about discipline both on and of the training field.
work experience elphick proome architects jun 2014
peter ries architects jul 2014
sdks architects
jul 2016 - feb 2017
faculty student council
oct 2014 - oct 2015
design and tech tutor
2018
digital representation tutor
2018
edcucation
hillcrest high school
2007
university of kwa-zulu natal
2012
university of cape town 2013 - 2015
university of cape town 2016
short internship, snags, cad. short internship, site visits to various projects in multiple stages of completion and meeting of clients and snags. ‘the year out internship’, small scale projects, renovations, model building, council visits and submissions, technical resolutions. as secretary general i represented my faculty on the board of the engineering and the built environment student council. i acted as a link between the architecture department and the faculty administration adressing the concerns of students. tutor to architecture students for both design and technology in third year for the program a.i.d (architecture in development) assistant tutor in helping students understand 3d programs such as grasshopper, rhino and sketchup. the 2d component involved photoshop, illustrator and arc·gis. the course aims to equip students with digital skills from modelling to the extraction of architectural drawings.
prizes
competitions
2013-2015
2015
first year architecture
dean’s list 1st to 3rd year
pg bison top finalist
bachelor in architectural studies
2015
2017
astrophysics maths, physics (majors) astronomy, geology(minors)
john perry prize best work done in third year
dubai bazaar and mosque finalist
2017
2017
full scholarship based on merit
mosul postwar camp assisted another student top finalist
grade 8 to 12
university of cape town
bachelor of architectural studies (honours)
university of cape town
masters in architecture (professional)
2017 2018
skills revit rhino zbrush 3ds max cinema4d grasshopper
i have a strong affinity toward 3d software & film and am now focusing my attention to procedural systems such as grasshopper and houdini·3d. however, particularly with zbrush (digital sculpting) blurring the digital and the analogue, which my dissertation was largely based on. photoshop indesign after effects autocad skecthup
masters s’capes studio blind man’s bluff bluff, durban 2018
kevin fellingham nic coetzer
honours s’capes studio defend // surrender signal hill, cape town 2017
kevin fellingham nic coetzer spaces of transition and translation studio pacaltsdorp, george sim office, 2017
fadly isaacs scott johnston
‘year out’ astrophysics 2016
sdks architects 2016-2017
undergrad
kinetic dimension pg bison maboneng, johannesburg 2015
jonathan green
water research center third year major salt river, cape town 2015
jonathan green
this dissertation confronts our society driven by commodity through the utilisation of nature and its natural processes as a method of negating the instant. the design places emphasis on our our relationship with nature and engages architectural making as a continuation with natural forces; as nature is both constructive and destructive in its own acts. through the study of architectural artefacts found on the bluff in durban, the systems that are revealed framed the bluff as durban’s backyard to which cruel acts could occur in full force. the artefacts reveal impulses within society as ideas shift. moreover, their decaying bodies as ruins reveal a higher dimensionality in space and time to the permanence to which they were originally designed for. these ocular centric artefacts originate in a single moment of time and evoke experience of flattened temporarilty, whereas a haptic experience evokes the experience of a temporal continuum and the inevitable processes of ageing and weathering. the proposed design merely uses whaling as a springboard to which this intervention takes its hints from. the whaling industry, both callous and malicious is an epoch that humans have stepped out of and only recently. Whaling has been a part of human culture for thousands of years but only now has its momentum come to a grinding halt. As such we are able to step outside of this epoch and review its effects in the natural world, and seeing it in conjunction with the many other systems and epochs that are currently in full motion. the maturation of the design from a counter-memorial into a museum will bring forward this natural interaction through the inclusion of site and whaling specific engagments to the landscape, bringing our interaction with the environment to the forefront of our conciousness.
masters
durban’s whaling station
111
fig. 79 the perceptive machine
112
117
fig. 87 process of construction and bleeding of building
118
the material object should be an active almost animate participant in social life rodchenko
to seek the essence of perception is to declare that perception is not what we presume to be true, but what we define as our access to truth. maurice merleau-ponty, phenomenology of perception
here, an architecture about reconstructing a landscape that was once and still has memories of past war. war effects have shaped society, twisting and contorting peoples beliefs into making desicions that are grim and irreparable and in most cases there is no choice. through architecture, located at several abandoned military structures, the aim is to mediate past actions and bring into focus effects war has had on people and society. the main focus of the design, a sleeper hut, sited on an abandoned military platform on the edge of signal hill provides some basics of a shelter to camp in. it forms the end point to the hoerikwaggo trail which aims to expose histories based in table mountain national park. its thin steel structure provides little protection to the outside elements and without any closeable windows or doors it is open to being besieged by the outside elements. the travellers hut puts you in the position as someone at war viewing the landscape at carefully constructed moments and views, giving you power over the landscape. however, the ephemera of the constantly changing weather, and the inability to lock the structure up at night when going to sleep leaves an uneasiness embedded in the traveller, just as you would experience out on the battlefield. a kind of uneasy feeling when you’re in the middle of warfare and at any point your position may be known even though you think you may be securely hidden within a bunker.
honours sem 1
the hoerikwaggo trail and its greater historical connections, islamic kramats, the legend of adamastor
understanding the noon gun site (lion battery)
different methods of perceiving a landscape
photographic explorations at the noon gun site, the body that perceives, and the machine that perceives too
listening to the landscape
seeing the landscape
becoming the landscape
become the ng ayi
site
red isp l
noo
un ng
lan
dsc ape
site plan
military
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ctions
al conne
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see
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liste
hut
s
per lee
ce evi
d oun
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en
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side view final model of sleeper hut, chipboard slices
detail
signal hill 1:500
a youth and after care facility, commissioned by p.a.s.c.a.p, in pacaltsdorp george, aimed at creating a space to cater for the lack of after school programmes. the design imagined the building as a greater piece of infrastructure for the larger pacaltsdorp and not just for the youth, as there is currently limited infrastructural facilities in the area. how then could it extend its programme for more? this project pushed the technical development, from site inception to final technical resolution, and as a team of 3 students the process of this project placed large emphasis on the lively-ness of space and continuously aimed at understanding the technical resolution in the perceived and experienced realm.
honours sem 2 sim office
pacaltsdorp
site
nu dawn primary
nu dawn
4
exploded axonometric detail A
80x40 steel c channel purlin on steel truss at 800 ctrs
800
steel truss fixed to brick wall with steel cleat for stability
roof insulation 50mm thermocoustics insulation fiber
20x20 aluminium angle iron fixed to brick wall and glass inset with silicone hanging steel truss to engineers details
aluminium box gutter to fall to water tanks fixed to concrete beam below roof 280mm reinforced concrete beam to engineer's specifications
timber shader treated with cca to SABS h2 specifications, sealed with woodoc oregon stain concentrate. fixed to timber mullion with steel cleat box c channel 40x40 all round at 600 ctrs fixed to c beams
80mm isotherm insulation
c purlins size 100x50mm fixed to timber truss @ 1100 ctrs with steel cleat 0.47mm G550 ibr roof sheeting with az150 zincalume coating, fixed with cleats to c purlins
1174
concrete beam size 800mm cast onto concrete columns smooth finish
skylight on 40x40 aluminium frame to fall 3 degrees fixed to steel c channel
114x38 timber frame against steel structure fixed to brick wall with steel cleat 10mm tempered glazing, cut to size
280
80x80 steel angle iron sandwich bolted to concrete beam at each end and fixed onto brick wall for stability
50x20 c channel on 120x50 c channel bolted onto concrete beam
steel truss fixed to brick wall with steel cleat for stability
dropped lighting hung from cable
20x20 aluminium angle iron fixed to brick wall and glass inset with silicone
fall
917
9.7mm plaster board fixed to inside of c channels with timber battens at 400 ctrs (into section)
02 Second Store
560
walkway ffl 2868
1000
timber slats (behind truss) 114x38 hung from c channel with steel cleat connector spaced at 250mm ctrs treated with cca to SABS h2 specifications, sealed with woodoc oregon stain concetrate.
230mm internal wall. Interior fbs, 17mpa, corobrick red leaf rustic clay brick bagged and painted
concrete lintel over timber frame door plastered and painted
2248
timber web members 114x38 bolted to timber rafters with steel plate @ 1100 ctrs treated with cca to SABS h2 specifications, sealed with woodoc oregon stain concentrate
1000mm deep timber truss fixed to concrete column with steel plate
timber desk treated with cca to SABS h2 specifications, sealed with woodoc oregon stain concentrate bolted to steel angle iron bolted to handrail structure
1100
timber staircase fixed to brick wall with angle iron cleats
4600
962
280mm reinforced concrete column to engineer's specification
530
530mm reinforced concrete downstand beam connected to concrete columns with 530 beams at 5886mm ctrs
14.5mm inovar floor european oak classic timber flooring, x2 12mm marine ply sheeting base with edging piece flush with concrete edge
01 First Store
280
250 mm reinforced concrete slab to engineer's specifications. 200mm reinforced downstand beam to engineer's specifications.
top hung folding stacking doors, bolted to concrete downstand
entrance lobby ffl 40mm
dropped ceiling: aluminium frame with 6mm gypsum board, skimmed and painted white
classroom 2 ffl 40mm
concrete and floor slab paving finish in entrance lobby to meet at 90 degrees
125mm reinforced concrete slab to eng. specs, polished to finish
00 Ground Store
50mm rigid insulation board
-01 Lower Ground Store 375 micron dpm underneath concrete ground slab
compact earth fill
pad foundation to engineers specifications
-45
j
concrete screed to fall, min 30mm, to fullbore outlet. 4mm bitumenous torch-on membrane 250mm reinforced concrete slab to structural engineer's specifications. off-shutter soffit.
280
0,6mm galvanised sheet steel flashing. 115
765
170
0.5mm dpc
fullbore outlet.
300
2430
02 Second Storey
230
450
450 200
300
600
250
1180
650
90x50mm sa pine handrail at 1100mm, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
2730 2600
30mm⌀ sa pine handrail at 950mm, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
refer to B
steel supports for handrail, painted with black paint (pantone black 6 c, plascon metalcare wb enamel). 30mm⌀ sa pine handrail at 1000mm, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate, with steel supports painted black (pantone 6 c, plascon metalcare wb enamel) 2482
2325
2560
157x22mm sa pine skirting, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate. 130x475mm reinforced concrete upstand to eng. specs.
2550
meeting room ffl 2878
150x25mm sa pine topping, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
reinforced concrete stair to structural eng. specs. 16 risers at 175mm 16 treads at 273.5mm
250mm reinforced concrete slab to structural engineer's specifications. off-shutter soffit.
01 First Storey 250
250
68
475
157
25
130
2600
2800
250
250
475
200
4500
240mm fbs clay brick wall, 17mpa, in stretcher bond. corobrickred leaf rustic clay brick with 10mm flush mortar joint.
200x475mm reinforced concrete upstand to eng. specs. 14.5mm inovar floor european oak classic timber flooring. x2 12mm marine ply sheeting 30mm screed.
200 22
5600
refer to B counselling room ffl 78
6mm gypsum board ceiling with aluminium frame, skimmed and painted with white paint (pantone p1-1 u, plascon super acrylic matte).
0.5mm DPC lapped over DPM
240mm clay brick wall. Interior nfp, 17mpa, bagged and painted with white paint (pantone p1-1u, plascon super acrylic matte). Exterior nfp. stretcher bond.
325
25
280 22
reinforced concrete stair to structural eng. specs. 16 risers at 175mm 16 treads at 273.5mm
2550
280mm concrete filled cavity wall, nfe clay bricks, 17mpa, in stretcher bond.
2480
22mm plywood sheet, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
230mm fbs clay brick wall, 17mpa, in stretcher bond. corobrickred leaf rustic clay brick with 10mm flush mortar joint.
955
under stair storage
00 Ground Storey
2000
420
80
815 415
10mm carpeting x2 12mm marine ply sheeting 30mm screed.
70
400
1000
600
weep holes for drainage concrete slab to fall, min 80mm, on top of compacted fill.
44mm plywood sheet, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
planter
2750
1550
refer to A
250mm reinforced concrete slab to structural engineer's specifications. off-shutter soffit.
150x25mm sa pine topping, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
0 125mm reinforced concrete slab to structural eng. specs, 50mm rigid insulation board, 0.3mm dpm, compacted ground fill
450
ngl
-01 Lower Ground Storey -450
760
reinforced concrete strip foundations to structural eng. specs
detail section 3: counselling box 1:20
0,6mm galvanised sheet steel gutter to downpipe.
38x50mm sa pine batten, treated to sabs cca h2 specifications. 38x72mm sa pine batten, treated to sabs cca h2 specifications.
22mm marineply closer, treated with cca to sabs h3 specifications and sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
100x100mm galvanised steel angle, welded to 100x100mm hollow steel box section. steel angle welded to bottom to assist in window frame and plywood soffit placement. 50mm rigid insulation
230x90x14mm galvanised steel hot rolled parallel flange.
150x150x230mm steel cross connection painted with black paint (pantone black 6 c, plascon metalcare WB enamel)
100x100mm galvanised steel square hollow section, welded to 230x90x14 flange.
44mm plywood soffit, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
140x100mm structural timber column treated with cca to sabs h3 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate. connected to 100x100mm steel square hollow section.
22mm plywood sheet, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
150x150mm structural timber column treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate. jointed to connect with steel cross connection.
25mm double glazed unit with low-e coating.
sa pine window frame, treated with cca to sabs h3 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concentrate. 50x22mm plywood backing for cushions.
100x100mm galvanised steel square hollow section, welded to steel structure. extra flats welded to top and bottom to assist with placement of plywood boards and window frame. 22mm plywood sheet closer, treated with cca to sabs h3 specifications and sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate. 30x30mm steel angle welded to steel structure. used as supplementary fixing point for underside's plywood closer.
280mm cavity wall, fbs clay bricks, 17mpa, in stretcher bond. corobrick red leaf rustic clay brick with 10mm flush mortar on both interior and exterior.
12mm steel base plate, bolted to concrete.
44mm plywood sheet, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate. acts as the seating for the window, to be covered with cushions. connection point between steel base plate and timber column.
100x100mm galvanised steel square hollow section, bolted to base plate and timber column. welded with other steel hollow sections to form a structure for the seating of the box. 22mm plywood sheet, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate. conceals steel structure.
14.5mm inovar floor european oak classic timber flooring, x2 12mm marine ply sheeting base.
description: to support the bay window which cantilevers outwards from the wall, a steel structural system made of 100x100mm steel hollow sections is devised to support the seating and glazing. the main structural element is a 150x150mm structural timber column, joined via steel connection joints to several 230x90x14mm hot rolled parallel flanges, which support the timber clad roof of the bay window, the timber clad hand rail above the bay window, and the roof trusses above. these flanges are bolted to, in addition to the column, to the concrete slab where possible - and otherwise into the brick wall. the steel structure is concealed by timber boarding and plywood.
A
bay window detail 1:10
125mm reinforced concrete slab to structural engineer's specifications.
section
location plan
j
22x140mm v-jointed sa pine vertical boarding, treated with cca to sabs h3 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concentrate.
02 Second Storey 5600
3116
30mm diameter hot-rolled round steel handrail, painted with black paint (pantone black 6 c, plascon metalcare WB enamel).
3170
2020
150x50mm sa pine purlin, treated with cca to sabs h3 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concentrate. fixed to steel flange.
150x150mm structural timber column.
5080
134
1150
50x130mm sa pine topping, treated with cca to sabs h3 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate.
14.5mm inovar floor european oak classic timber flooring, x2 12mm marine ply sheeting, 30mm screed, x2 12mm marine ply sheeting.
90x50x20x2mm galvanised steel cold formed lipped-channel. 86
01 First Storey 2800
150mm rigid insulation.
846
22x140mm v-jointed sa pine vertical boarding, treated with cca to sabs h3 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concentrate.
150mm rigid insulation. 0,6mm galvanised sheet steel gutter to downpipe.
6mm gypsum board ceiling with aluminium frame, skimmed and painted with white paint (pantone p1-1 u, plascon super acrylic matte). 50mm rigid insulation installed above gypsum board. 0.4mm isq550 IBR roof sheeting with z150 galvanized coating, fixed with cleats. 0,6mm galvanised sheet steel flashing.
230
250
sa pine battens, treated to sabs cca h2 specifications.
513
470
414
230x90x14mm galvanised steel hot rolled parallel flange.
50
100x100mm galvanised steel angle.
38x50mm sa pine batten, treated to sabs cca h2 specifications.
100
100x100mm steel structure.
230x90x14mm galvanised hot rolled parallel flange.
547
44mm plywood soffit.
150x150mm structural timber column.
215
2160
1450
1550
refer to A
650
30mm⌀ sa pine handrail, treated with cca to sabs h2 specifications, sealed with wodoc oregon stain concetrate. steel supports for handrail painted with black paint (pantone black 6 c, plascon metalcare WB enamel).
25
100
100x100mm galvanised steel square hollow section.
100
125
100x100mm steel hollow section structure
reinforced concrete strip foundations to structural eng. specs
38
14.5mm inovar floor european oak classic timber flooring, x2 12mm marine ply sheeting, 30mm screed, x2 12mm marine ply sheeting
0 -01 Lower Ground Storey -450
125
600
50
ngl
280mm cavity wall, fbs clay bricks, 17mpa, in stretcher bond. corobrick red leaf rustic clay brick with 10mm flush mortar on both interior and exterior.
512
345
lapped 0.5mm dpc
00 Ground Storey
280
125mm reinforced concrete slab to structural eng. specs, 50mm rigid insulation board, 0.3mm dpm, compacted ground fill
mosul post war camp, temporary modular housing for the displaced kinetic dimension, an outdoor cinema driven by the patrons through oversized mechanical systems
competitions