Environmental Design Portfolio by Jonathan Ehlers

Table of Contents Digital Photography .................................................................... 3 St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral .................................................................. 6 Apartment Electrical Floor Plan ................................................. 8 The Rand Building .................................................................. 10 North Bailey Fire Company ..................................................... 12

Digital Photography Instructor: Becky Koenig

The Freshman digital photography class examined the historical, conceptual and practical developments of photography as an embodied art through the use of digital image making technologies.

Night on the River Exploring the characteristics of light. The project plays with the contrast between both positive and negative values to create dynamic photographs

Dance Capturing the emotion of the subject. The project shows the frustration and the practice for perfection dancers undertake on a daily basis

Pieced Together The final project shows how minuscule things come together and create color and beauty around us. The use of multiple shots to create a whole picture captures this idea

St. Paul’s Cathedral Instructor: Despina Stratigakos

One of my Sophmore papers was to explore the experiences when traveling though St. Paul’s Cathedral and its use of light and dark to reveal only specific details to the viewer

St. Paulʼs Cathedral

" Abbot Sugerʼs vision of Saint-Denis seemed to portray the church as a physical connection between earthly and spiritual realms. The adornment and adoration of the cathedral is believed to bring one closer to an immaterial heaven. St. Paulʼs Cathedral incorporates numerous architectural elements, which defined the Saint-Denis Cathedral, to create this experience Abbot Suger discusses in De Administratione. " In Abbot Sugerʼs De Administratione, he appears to defend his role in the construction of such a lavish church rather than outlining aesthetic theory that Saint-Denis portrayed. Such expensive and stunning ornamental characteristics of the gothic church are justified as a necessity for a visual stimulant to raise the soul closer to the immaterial heaven. One of the main doors of the cathedral was inscribed with “marvel not” at the “gold and the expense,” but rather at the doorʼs “craftsmanship.” This inscription however, is not entirely honest because Suger wants the viewer to marvel at the vast “gold and expense” incorporated into the church. He describes in great specification the details, amount of gold and precious stones used in Saint-Denis. Such detail to these expenses dwarfs Sugerʼs discussion of techniques used by the craftsmen and leaves out any record of the most impressive craftsmanship of the cathedral – the churchʼs significant architectural innovations that became synonymous with gothic cathedrals. " St. Paulʼs Cathedral in downtown Buffalo, New York contains many of the architectural innovations that characterized Saint-Denise. Suger makes a note of “the variety of so many arches and columns, including the consumption of the roof” that lined Saint-Denis. The extensive use of arches and columns is a predominant feature in gothic architecture and are similarly characteristic of St. Paulʼs Cathedral. The pointed arch, named because of its pointed apex, is a classic representation of gothic cathedrals. This particular arch was capable of sustaining a greater load than the true arch. With more of the weight supported by these arches walls were capable of being thinner, reducing building material costs, and larger windows could be utilized, brightening the interior. St. Paulʼs Cathedral the use of the pointed arch is utilized in almost every aspect. Both the doorways and windows maintain similar distinctions of the pointed arch. St. Paulʼs Cathedral utilizes the archʼs capability of dispersing weight by using it to support the ceiling allowing for a high gothic nave. A cluster of small columns serving as the piers supports these arches. The capitals of the arches were ordained with highly stylized foliage designs. The capability to create such rich carvings was in part to the introduction of the chisel, which provided the sculpture with greater control. " The use of the pointed arch in gothic cathedrals not only served a structural significance but an aesthetic importance as well. Since the pointed arch was capable of supporting a larger load capacity the windows of the cathedrals could be enlarged. Both Saint-Denis and St. Paulʼs Cathedral incorporated lancet windows into the churchʼs design. These lancet

glass windows were important Christian themes, resembled almost a pictorial textbook for worshipers. The pictorial use of Christian themes allowed those who were illiterate to attain a greater understanding of the Gospel and heavenly realm through imagery. Abott Suger notes the role of these stained glass windows as “urging us onward from the material to the immaterial.” Saint-Denis and succeeding gothic cathedrals, like St. Paul, transformed the mere pieces of glass into a representation of the most holy and ineffable representations of Christianity. St. Paulʼs Cathedral the lancet windows depict the crucifixion of Christ and the Institution of Eucharist. According to Suger such elaborate detail incorporated into the stain glass windows transports the worshipper to an intermediate realm between heavens in Earth. " Transported to a realm between heaven and Earth Abott Suger notes the “dull mind rises to truth through that which is material.” The “loveliness of many colored gems” ennobles the worshiperʼs mind to reflect upon the divine virtues. Though the stain glass windows are to serve as a pictorial reference of biblical events, Suger writes the “diversity of materials… is not easily understood by the mute perception of sight without a description” rather is the “intelligible only to be literate.” For those who know “the properties of precious stones” are the ones who will most appreciate the Cathedralʼs ornamental architecture and emphasis on the altar. The altar of Saint-Denis was covered in eleven of the twelve precious stones. However, Sugerʼs metaphorical understanding of the stones as being something heavenly can be solely appreciated as beauty. " The chancel and altar at St. Paulʼs Cathedral contains this great magnificent natural beauty. The choir stall, which lines the chancel, is carved entirely by hand in oak wood. The chancel floor is ornamented with marble and has a foliage pattern resembling oak leaves. Behind the marble altar are mosaics further depicting biblical scenes. Such elaborate decoration, Suger defends that the more “loftily and fitly” one builds in a material sense the more the church becomes a spiritual and immaterial habitation of God. This extensive material use for decoration is typical of gothic cathedrals and is a strong attribute of St. Paulʼs Cathedral. Such ornament is said to bring the worshiper closer to God by the surrounding of such wealth and all the beauty God can provide within a single spot. " Abbot Sugerʼs vision in De Administratione portrays the Saint-Denis Cathedral as a portal from the earthly to the spiritual realms. The ornamental features of the Cathedral defined gothic architecture and succeeding churches like St. Paulʼs Cathedral. These architectural features are to bring the worshiper closer to God. With such an immense beauty the Cathedral was to be a sanctuary from which worshiper could withdrawal from the cruel world and be remind of how beautiful the world can be.

Apartment Electrical Floor Plan Instructor: Robert Truley

During my Junior year in Environment Controls class we were to design a basic electrical system for an apartment we designed for the class. The design included the electrical service and distribution systems of both lighting and electrical receptacles at a schematic level.

Rand Building The inspiration for the Empire State Building History

Rand Building

Making up Buffalo’s beautiful skyline the Rand Building was constructed in 1929 by James W. Kideney & Associates; Franklyn and William Kid. The office building rises 408 feet above street level and can be visible for miles in all directions. Opened in 1929 thebuilding was named in honor of George F. Rand, the president of the Marine Bank. It was his vision and efforts that lead to New York’s first consolidated banking system called Marine Midland Corporation. The building was recently acquired by Hempel and while under the new ownership significant capital was invested to bring quality and state of the art systems to the Rand Building. Hempel maintained the historical charm and art deco that is characteristic of the building making it a landmark property within the city. The use of small floor plates and abundant window areas offer excellent views of the Buffalo skyline from anywhere in the structure.

Instructor: Dr. Alex Bitterman

The poster for the Rand Building was created during my Junior year of Environmental Design studio. Focused on graphic narration, the project utilized both pictoral and vector maps to inform the viewer of the buildings location and immediate context.

How to Get There

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Legend

Major Roads Minor Roads Boarder Rand Building

Toronto

427

Mississauga

25 Miles

Oakville

Burlington

Lake Ontario

104

Stony Creek

St. Catharines

Niagara Falls

Lockport North Tonawanda

290

Well Land

Amherst 33

Fort Erie

Lake Erie

Cheektowaga West Seneca

Public Transportation

Located at 14 La Fayette Square, the Rand Building is centrally located within the City of Buffalo. A conveniently located Niagara Frontie Transit Authority bus stop and the Metro Rail located within walking distance. NFTA utilizes both buses and trains to cover Buffalo, Lockport and Niagara Falls with countless points in between drawing many people from a wide range of geographic locations. NFTA offers their customers an all-day pass, cost $4.00, which offers the rider the freedom of unlimited rides covering the entire bus and rail system. The Metro

Retail

The Rand Building is centrally located in the City of Buffalo and is very pedestrian friendly. Within walking distance there are numerous shops and resturants easily within walking distance. Employees and visitors are able to enjoy La Fayette Square park like feeling. People are able to enjoy the central locality of the park an enjoy the wide range of architectural design of surrounding buiildings

Pedestrian Oriented

The Rand Building houses about 250 offices an a HSBC Bank located on the ground floor. The HSBC Bank serves the Buffalo public with financial services as well as investment opportunities. The Rand Building also houses several retail shops including Caribou Coffee, Potbelly’s, Rand Sushi Dynasty, City Hairstylist, and Billy & Marty’s convenie. With the excellent views of the Buffalo Skyline and all its fine aesthetic details, shopping here is truly a unique and wonderful experience.

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