: 1(812)375.4535 : dmkaiser2@outlook.com : Dan Kaiser
: saxydesign
Growing up in Columbus, IN I have always been surrounded by quality design. During my studies and in practice I learned about my drive and passion for sustainability; as well as the urgency for it. In my future workplace I intend to implement sustainability wherever possible and create visually stimulating and functioning landscapes for all.
Innovations Design Group (IDG), Orlando, FL
Landscape Designer
Project Scope: Theme Park Design (Universal Studios), Casino’s, Resorts
2018
MKSK, Indianapolis + West Lafayette, IN
Summer Landscape Architecture Intern
Project Scope: Purdue University, High-Rise Design, Roundabout Design
2017
Ball State Univeristy, Muncie IN
Bachelors in Landscape Architecture
Minor In Interior Design
Thesis: Connecting Columbus, Indiana
2013 - 2018
The Art Institute of Indianapolis, IN
Interior Design
2010 - 2012
CAP 2017 Commencement Junior Marshal
Muncie White River Cleanup Crew Leader 2014-2017
Muncie Living Lightly Fair, 2014/2015
INASLA Annual Meeting, 2015/2016
ASLA Annual Meeting, 2015
Student Chapter of ASLA Ball State – Vice President, 2017-2018
Student Chapter of ASLA Ball State – Marketing Chair 2016-2017
Go Fossil Free Ball State President
INASLA Student Member
ASLA National Member
Hand Rendering, Board and Presentation Layout, Graphic Design, Laser Cutting + Model Building, Sketching, Photography, Design Development, Site and Program Research, Presenting.
GSA: National Student Design Competition: New San Francisco Federal Building Plaza, 3rd Place
GSA winning entry - Allegro
CAP Year in Review Showcase @ Muncie Makes Lab, Feb. 2018
Allegro - Ball State Glue v.14 Article - Magazine 2018
Allegro - Studio LA401 Exhibition
Hiking, Kayaking, Jazz, Saxophone, Craft Beer
USS. Indianapolis War Memorial Indianapolis, IN Group Project
_Allegro San Francisco, CA
3rd place In GSA: Student Design Competition
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Group Project roots Cincinnati, OH
Perpetual Bliss
Professional Experience MKSK, IDG
Selected Works Sketchbook and other media 02 05 03 04 06
West End, Cincinnati, Ohio… Known as the most dangerous part of the city. This neighborhood may be the most unlikely place for a huge population gain, but that was the challenge we were faced with. The project was to find this neighborhood’s roots and use that to forge a gentrification that wasn’t based around exclusion. Historically this neighborhood was home to saloons and breweries, before poverty and crime overtook this area. My concept was to plant Hops, Barley and the other ingredients of beer all over to spark a business opportunity, as well as promote an Urban Garden Culture.
Roads
Parks
Hops
Historic Restoration
Urban Agriculture
New Construction
Below: A section showing urban agriculture possibilities in common dead spaces. Most of the housing in West End is very tight compact town-homes and a good majority of the buildings were beyond fixing, so must have been demolished; leaving open dead space. This “dead space” has value and can provide communal spaces for a range of services, but as seen below, utilizing it for Urban Agriculture and Hops’ farming promotes healthy lifestyles, reconnects children and adults to nature, and increases quality of life.
For years now, this memorial location has been questioned and thought to have a better place in The Indianapolis American Legion Mall. This design is centralized along that idea but also allows for a bigger impact as the current design lacks space and effect. As a group of three we came up with the idea to sink this memorial like the ship itself. Surrounded by a wall of water 6 feet tall, the impact and reflection allows for a more controversial view and brings attention to a memorial that most people have disregarded along the Indianapolis Canal Walk.
video flythrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLWWUGVOUQw
_Allegro
San Francisco, CA
3rd place In GSA: National Student Design Competition
Being my first competition, out of an estimated 500+ contestants were expecting to enter I was ecstatic when I managed to win 3rd place. Inspired by sound and “the lack thereof” on the site _Allegro was meant to not only evolve the landscape but also transform the vertical elements. Located in San Francisco directly below the Federal Building, this design provokes engagement no matter how young or old you may be. Whether you want to play on the structure, sit back and watch the light show at night, or even just grab a cup of coffee at the Deconstructed Bistro this Urban Art activates the site in one way or another, passive or aggressively.
Third Prize – "Allegro," by Dan Kaiser This entry proposes an intervention that blurs the distinction between art and landscape. The formally aggressive intervention is inspired by sound waves and the existing building's form, combined to create seating and play space that is intended to transform the space at night. The inclusion of relevant case studies was useful to understand the design intent and feasibility of this proposal. The design refines the café building to maintain the original urban design intent of having a strong, well-defined corner, while also addressing the proposed new plaza design. The jury commends the creativity and quality of this visually stimulating proposal, which creates the potential for success whether people occupy the space as intended by the proposal or not.
-Thom Mayne
Conclusion:
The site is very shady for most of the year so rather than mass planting the barren landscape I chose to morph the land and create an engaging art structure that changes its lighting based on the activity on the Sculpture.
Above: After doing sun studies I determined that planting, although minimal, was possible closer to the street. Ironically this worked out best because then it enclosed the space and created a park like setting in the entry plaza. This allowed Allegro to take center stage and shine, as if it were extending the form of the building before dissipating. The master plan above shows the flow and possibility for separation of space in the plaza as well as the entrance to the Bistro.
Above: Studying sound and the interaction of modern city plazas as well as playgrounds I determined the initial design of the structure.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Tasked with working in a group of 4, we were expected to design a regional trail to connect Michigan City, IN to Gary, IN. The entire design passes through a major steel plant, dense wetland, and small zoo all while drawing people to and from the National Lakeshore and Dunes. We also were tasked with designing with a species in mind, ours being the Long-eared Owl. Design sensitively with light, connections and Urban encroachment we sought out the best possible design, while alluding to our species on several levels.
Water pollution is not clearly tied to income levels, but is rather an issue of wildlife and ecosystem health. Special care should be taken to remediate waterways within the National Lakeshore and proposed trail area.
This map indicates the density of industrial waste processing and dumping sites. They are most concentrated in low-income neighborhoods of Gary and Michigan City, possibly damaging the quality of life for nearby residents.
Industrial sites (especially the steel mill) are the largest contributors to light pollution. National Lakeshore levels are healthy, but highly polluted sites are possible barriers to wildlife migration and movement.
The health of ecosystems are directly related to our human flourishing. By understanding the current state of the region we were able to target these 3 issues and plan accordingly for our species as well as the surrounding community.
UNIFY/MITIGATE low and high income; all forms of pollution
REMEDIATE impaired streams in the National Lakeshore property AVOID light pollution from Steel Mill PROVIDE access to trail for low-income residents of Gary
Above: Designed our goals taken into consideration this trail allows for all forms of transportation, while allowing users to explore all aspects of the lakeshore, and allow the Owls places to hide
Foster the People pride in the uniqueness of the “Region’s” landscapes
mutually beneficial relationships with industrial businesses
Above: The fountain itself was inspired by the way baby owls feel inside their nesting environment. This sculpture is meant for people to climb on and inside of as if mimicing the way this species feels in its nest. In the winter months the intent is that the water would freeze thus creating a frozen masterpiece.
Below: Owls are active at night and sensitive to light therefore, the fountain design needed to be subdued with a low impact color. Red seemed a bit harsh, so the next best color was pink. Light Pollution distracts from the overall beauty of most sites at night, so only minimal lighting along the trail while keeping it safe was necessary.
IDG, MKSK
Working with both IDG and MKSK I expanded my views of Landscape Architecture and I worked on a plethora of amazing projects. Starting with MKSK I was new to Urban Design but ultimately fell in love with it within the first week. Working on projects like: Purdue University, Carmel Indiana and a High Rise in West Lafayette I got exposure to phasing and the range of duties from Concept Development through Construction Administration. At IDG I took a chance on Theme Park design and Entertainment. In my time there we worked heavily with Universal Studios, as well as Hotels, Resorts and Casinos. During my time with IDG, I discovered my true passion and goals for the future.
Above: Serving an off campus Apartment complex catering to students, The Rise offers a luxury living experience on a major street near Purdue University. This building features 3 sky decks all with sperate spaces and the entry plaza allows for several uses as well; all targeted for student connections. In this project I had the ability to work on all levels of design, through construction admin, Including catching building mistakes and writing a change order.
showing two of the skydecks and seperation of space for dorm students to enjoy.
Winstar
Below: Although still confidential I am able to show the plan view and conceptual Rendering of this Casino. I completed several renderings, helped with the design and worked on many of the details for this concept phase. Working in the entertainment industry, but even more so Universal Studios, most of my work is highly confidential and therefore cant be in this portfolio. Working with IDG was quite challenging and expanded my horizon of Landscape Architecture nonetheless.
Sketchbook and other media
First and foremost, I am an artist. Prior to Landscape Architecture I attended Art school, so therefore art is a major part of my life. In the next couple pages there are some examples of my sketches, photograohy, poster designs, and photoshop art.
i s o
Drawing from the eary atmosphere of Julianne Swartz’s: TERRAIN, this abstraction is of the sound as well as the mood.
Student Chapter of ASLA Ball State Applefest 2016 Poster
Every year our chapter held a Department get together that usually expanded to the whole college because of how popular it was. During the 2016-2017 I was the Marketing chair and poster maker. 8.5”x 11”
Jody Rosenblatt, Naderi
Professor of Landscape Architecture, Ball State University jrnaderi@bsu.edu +1.(317)371.7133
Jess Pack
Landscape Designer and Former Supervisor, IDG +1.(770)862.5262
Anna Stachofsky
Masters of Urban Design Student, Friend +1(260)301.1305
Caleb Cain IT, Best Friend +1(812)603.1968